Absolutely delighted to train our 400th winner at Uttoxeter Racecourse yesterday when the penny finally dropped with David Maughan’s Better Off Alone who made all to win the Quinnbet Handicap Chase under Freddie Keighley in good style. He’s not been the most straight forward to train, and has always worked really well at home but had niggly problems and been quite frustrating. However, we have hopefully found the key to him and it would be fabulous if this win gives him the confidence he needed and he now builds on this win. David has been so patient with him so a super day with David, wife Lorraine and their friends at Uttoxeter yesterday.
400 winners! What a fabulous milestone to reach and a huge thank you to all of the support that has helped us get here – the team at home, owners, FBC Manby Bowdler our sponsor, Steph our vet, Nick our Farrier, Hannah & Maggie our physios, Tom our Dentist – and everyone else that has played a part – it takes a village! As someone mentioned yesterday – who’d have thought that when we had our 1st winner at Taunton in 2007 with Prince Dundee (Gerald Tumelty), that our son would be on board our 400th winner!
We had a Saturday winner too! Glance of Glory put up a gutsy display under a great ride from Freddie at Fontwell Park as they both simply would not be denied and they secured a fabulous win for his enthusiastic group of owners. Forced to do all the donkey work out in front, Glance of Glory was so tough to battle back when challenged, to get back up for a very exciting win. Freddie’s first winner in Leigh & Sarah Powell’s colours who are a big part of Sapphire Racing so very special indeed.
We had two good 3rd too – Lord Virginia at Fontwell on Saturday – a nice horse who is still a bit green but learning all the time. Yesterday O’Moore Park made his debut for us at Uttoxeter and although 3rd of just 3 runners, we are still learning about him and it was good to get him on the track. I’m sure we will have plenty of fun with both of these horses this season.
Stratford today with Secret Jet Away for yesterday’s winning owner, David Maughan. He ran well enough in his bumper at Worcester recently and should go well again today. Freddie takes the ride.