JCR Horses Are Galloping To Win - With a Listed Race in the Bag
May is off to a flying start for the team at West Ilsley, with 6 wins in 3 days. Goodwood continues to be a successful racecourse for us, with the Bank Holiday weekend giving us 3 great wins. Windsor gave us even more to cheer about with 2 excellent winners.
Goodwood Racecourse - 3rd & 4th May
Friday 3rd May saw jockey David Probert on form, winning with Rathgar and Desperate Hero:
Rathgar fought hard in heavy going and deserved to win the 1m6f William Hill Handicap, beating Manxman by a head. Getting on top in a bunched, photo-finish, Rathgar dug deep and prevailed.
Jack was more than happy with the result, “Delighted that Rathgar got this win under his belt, having battled to get a win last year. I’m hopeful that he is a stayer who can go on to bigger races.”
Desperate Hero made all the running in heavy going, and gamely faced the late challenge by King’s Lynn to win by a neck. The determined 4 year-old owned by Norman Court Stud & Partner proved his fighting spirit in the 5f William Hill Epic Boost Handicap, with David Probert showing his skill in tricky conditions.
Thrilled with the result, Jack said, “Desperate Hero showed all his raw speed, talent and determination and we are excited about him. A class sprinter who is going places this summer.”
Saturday 4th May gave Gather Ye Rosebuds her opportunity to shine:
Gather Ye Rosebuds showed her true class, well-ridden by Ronan Whelan, for a strongly contested Listed race win at Goodwood on Saturday, 4th May. Enjoying the soft ground and seeing off some notable competition, her performance caught the eye in the Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Listed Stakes over 1m4f. This impressive 4 year-old owned by Mrs P Shanaghan & Mrs M V Magnier is certainly exciting the team.
Jack is enthusiastic about Gather Ye Rosebuds, saying, “Absolutely thrilled to have a first Stakes winner and that Gather could showcase her class. She stays very well and we feel she should be able to step up into Group company, with 1m6f not out of the question.”
Windsor Racecourse - 6th May
Two really impressive performances from Galyx and Tiriac, each winning their respective races by 2 1/4L.
Charles Bishop gave Galyx a clever ride in the Gabby Fullbrook Memorial Novice Stakes (1m), to chase the leader and then led the final furlong, running on.
Jack is confident in his prospects, saying “Galyx is a lovely 3 year old, who is only just starting to come to hand physically and mentally. A horse who will only get better, especially looking at his career as a 4 & 5 year old going forward.”
Tiriac clearly enjoys a little battle, coming through the field to comfortably win the 6f Raceday Ready App Handicap, in soft going. A really pleasing win for the 4-year-old gelding owned by long-standing owner and farmer Jerry Widdows & Partner.
Feeling he’s gotten the work right with him, Jack said, “Brilliant to see Tiriac win, I was a little disappointed he didn’t (win) at Leicester last week, but he’s stripped out that little bit lighter now. He worked hard and the cheekpieces certainly helped focus his mind in that final furlong. A great result.”
Nothing is ever guaranteed with horses or racing, but with a strong stable of horses, a fantastic team keeping them primed at home, and superb jockeys making it happen when it counts, we feel very enthusiastic as the season rolls on.