Who couldn’t love 12 year old Mr Mafia?! We all certainly do, especially owner Peter Boggis who, when winning at Fontwell on Tuesday, he was registering his 9th winner for (Mafia’s 11th win in total as he’d won twice before he joined us age 9). I was concerned in the 24 hours before Fontwell’s race that the forecast rain would ruin Mafia’s chances and the rainfall they’d had from early morning before we set off worried me too. However, Clerk of the Course Phillip Hide assured me that the chase course would be good to soft at worse and he was right.
The field of just three runners was reduced further with 2nd favourite Mister Tickle a non-runner mid morning so it was always going to be a tactical affair. Sean Bowen, who now knows Mafia so well, rode a superb race, ensuring everything was in Mafia’s favour and his jumping was as brilliant as ever literally never missing a beat. On the final circuit of Fontwell’s unique figure of eight chase course, Sean also ensured he was on the inside of each turn making Tom O’Brien have to try and come around him. However, Mafia was never headed and a large leap at the last ensured victory was his and he cruised up the Fontwell hill to win by 31 lengths and delight us all.
Those who visited our Open Day on Sunday would have met Mr Mafia and I’m sure he made many more fans as not only is he the most genuine racehorse who loves his jumping and no doubt gains fans with his bold front-running style but he’s one of the kindest, politest and calmest horses you could wish to meet too. Well done to Jasmin who looks after him and always turns him out immaculately.
Mafia was our 18th winner of the season and we are still in the top 15 in the National Trainers’ Table for prize money with nearly £100k or equal 9th if the Table was worked out on winners alone! If you’d had just £1 on every runner we’ve sent out this season you’d be £20.69 ahead – the best statistic in the top 25 trainers. We’ll be doing all we can to keep these statistics going as we head into the autumn.
We are so grateful for the emails, texts and so many people generally getting in touch following both Mafia’s win and also our Open Day. It’s so lovely that people still take the time to thank others. This is one such email:
“I just wanted to send a quick email to thank you and your really friendly staff for a great day on Sunday at your open day. It was a real pleasure to see some of your wonderful horses + facilities and the trip to your gallops was really interesting and informative. My wife + I had a brilliant day and thought it a real privilege to have a insight into how your stable operates. Thanks again.”
Capricia was disappointing again at Fontwell on Tuesday so the vet is coming in today to give her another full check over and see if we can find a reason for her not enjoying herself when she gets to the track after showing so much at home.
Earlier this week we took Brorson (James Best) and Brianna Rose (Beth Whittle) to Jon Trice-Rolph’s Todenham yard for a jumping session under his tuition. We find both horses and riders gain so much from these trips and it is good to get horses out and about in the lorry enjoying a positive experience too. A brilliant session once again.