RACING WEEK 28
This update kindly written by one of my owners – Paul Eggett.
A much quieter week as College Farm sent three3 horses to Yarmouth on Wednesday, this being the only meeting of the week.
Percy Toplis (Percy) was in a class 6 Handicap over 1m and like his previous run at Chelmsford was slowly away. Unlike his last run however he was unable to get on terms throughout the race and finished 5th crossing the line.
The last race of the day saw Shyarch (Archi )and Agent of Fortune (AoF) entered for a class 6 handicap over 7f. Unfortunately Shyarch did not take his place in the stalls and was withdrawn before the off. In the race itself, AoF dwelt at the start and gave ground to her rivals, but under the experience of Jimmy Quinn she picked up from half way and made significant strides into the race without getting near to the leaders, finishing 4th which was a better performance all round.
As we have had a quite week it gives me a chance to write about the ups and downs of life in the racing world, never summed up so much as last Saturday.
With my ITV 7 selections made and my lunch digested, I sat down in front of the TV to watch ITV racing from York, Newmarket & Ascot. The gin & tonics were flowing and I sat in with a large smile on my face as Pass the Gin won at Chester for the Andrew Balding yard. So the coffers were a few pounds to the good early doors.
With some big races ahead the John Smiths Diamond Jubilee Cup was collected by Pivoine for the King Power racing organisation and the Balding yard, with 124,500 to the winner, the day was going very well indeed for all concerned. The very next race took the viewers to Ascot for a Group 2 Summer Mile race where Beat the Bank was representing the same connections. Having been headed by Zaaki with 1/2 furlong to go Beat the Bank ran on to pass his challenger close home to win by a nose and scope the 80,000 first prize.
Euphoria ? Not this time I’m afraid, Beat the Bank lost his action when crossing the line, the jockey dismounted quickly, screens were up, the horse walked into the horse ambulance and was taken to the veterinary stables. Alas, the injury sustained was such that Beat the Bank was euthanised and extreme joy had gone to extreme sadness in seconds.
The joy that these animals give to the owners, trainers, staff and general public is such that when these things happen, it hits very hard, as was seen on Saturday. Very very sad.
Our condolences from everyone connected at College Farm go out the King Power Racing organisation and everyone at Andrew Baldings Park House Stables at Kingsclere.