August Bank Holiday weekend racing at Goodwood Racecourse, Sunday August 25th –
5.50pm The Silk Series Lady Riders’ Handicap Stakes (Class 4) (Pro-Am Lady Riders’ Race)
Photo by Liz Finlayson
The pro/am ladies Silk Series has provided an occasional platform for some of our lady riders (who, in revised conditions for 2019, must have had at least 5 rides under Rules) and the long journey from North Yorkshire for Becky Smith must have felt like a pop down the road after her memorable success at Goodwood on Sunday!
Partnering BLUE MEDICI for Mark Loughnane in a bid for a hat-trick (having won at both Nottingham and Newbury in July), Becky held her horse up in the early stages of this 1m4f Handicap. Shaking him up a furlong out, the pair locked horns with Hayley Turner aboard LIGHTENING DANCE for a battle royal to dig deep and run gamely to the line, just holding on by a short head.
What a finish! Many congratulations to our reigning lady champion on a great ride and on a 100% strike rate with Blue Medici! And well done to winning connections on a memorable victory!
Epsom Racecourse with its long history holds a special place in many people’s hearts, and none more so than that of our multiple champion Simon Walker who enjoyed his third career success in this prestigious race on Monday, repeating his victory of 2017 aboard C’EST NO MOUR for Peter Hedger. (Simon also won this race in its first year run outside the Fegentri calendar in 2019 on HIBIKI.)
Whilst 2 riders apart from Simon, Philip Collington and Patrick Mullins, have won this prestigious race twice, this is the first time in the race’s history that the same horse and rider have repeated wins in the race and the first time that a jockey has won it thrice!
Able to repel the late challenge of Pat Millman and ALLEGIANT by half a length, Simon said “The visor has definitely helped him, he hasn’t been doing it, but he travelled round all the way. He was never going to get beat, even though he was pulling up in front. You couldn’t have asked for more. It’s great – its the race you want to be in, as it is the biggest race for amateurs. It is good to get a ride in it and you want one with a chance and luckily this horse came back this year.”
Well done Simon on a tremendous achievement and many congratulations to winning connections!
