REPORT – BROCKELSBY (SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY)

A record crowd gathered on Saturday to witness some thrilling racing on Lord Yarborough’s course at Brocklesby Park where ground was officially described as “soft, good to soft in places” but rode very well considering the consistently wet weather since Christmas. 94 entries yielded 42 runners on the day.

Dale Peters was very much the rider /trainer in form on the day, riding two winners, a second and a third, making him the leading rider at the meeting and taking home the memento sponsored by Grimsby Roofing.

Racing started with the Sanderson Weatherall sponsored PPROA Club Members Brocklesby /Lincs Conditions race. Here Peters was on board the experienced 12-year-old Rebel Dawn Rising for East Anglia based owner / trainer David Kemp. Rebel Dawn Rising held on to beat Thomas Bitten on What a Glance with Emir Sacree in third place. “It was hard work down the back, but the going is definitely good to soft in the straight,” confirmed Peters. “This horse goes on any ground, but he would ideally want it better than this and would go for a hunter chase next, ideally at 2m 5f somewhere.” Emir Sacree, is owned by Laurence Kirkby, whose family have been involved in the Brocklesby races for many decades. Emir Sacree is an ex- Nicky Henderson horse who is trained by Laurence’s son in law Charles Clark. “This will be the third time I have won the Countess of Yarborough Cup as an owner.” Laurence shared afterwards Emir Sacree being the first Brocklesby horse past the post. “We have been involved in racing at this course as a family for a long time; however, we used to have knitted colours and our silks date back to 1947 when my father rode. They are in perfectly good condition; however, with the body protectors that jockeys wear nowadays, the silks did not fit so I have had to buy some new ones!” he added.

The feature Baillie Haylage Mixed Open race drew 5 declared runners. Bridget Skelton’s Midnight River was always prominent and prevailed by 2 lengths ahead of the Dale Peters / David Kemp runner Designed To Win. Partnered by Heidi Palin, Midnight River was giving his rider a second win of the campaign. “I took him out trail hunting with the Warwickshire and it seems to have put him in good form. We took two out that day and they have both won since!” she said. Heidi works in Dan Skelton’s yard and the horse was led up by Ellie Harrison who combines working in the yard with acting as nanny for Bridget and Harry’s children Rory and Anna. Bothwell Bridge finished in third place for The Fernie Dingley Syndicate and Kelly Morgan.

Dale Peters completed his double in the Eight Year olds and over conditions race sponsored by DDM Agriculture. This time he was riding the eight-year-old Sholokhov gelding Largy Pearl who supplemented his Revesby Park win scoring by 6 lengths from Nick Wright’s Clashhill in second place and Champagne Glory in third. Beryl Close who owns Largy Pearl, has charged Peters with training the gelding and was delighted to see him win. “We were second at Stratford last season. I have a very good jockey and trainer working for me. We have enjoyed coming here today; it is a good course and the meeting is well organised.” she said. Dale commented; “This lad has taken some time; we have had him for 3 years but then he cost a bit so we had to persevere with him!”

The fields for the second half of the card filled up well. The Brigg Office Supplies Restricted race was won by L’Aventara a lovely eight-year-old Kayf Tara mare trained by Bradley Gibbs. Ridden by Ed Vaughan for owner / breeder Chris Harriman, the mare jumped and galloped brilliantly making the 3 hours journey from Hertfordshire worth the while. Suttons Hill and Cash Or Card filled the places.

Two maiden races concluded the card. The Jockey Club and Andrew Jackson Solicitors Maiden for Fillies and Mares went to Miss Tele for Derwent owner / breeder Steve Knowles and Henry Crow for whom this was a fifth win of the season. The 7-year-old mare is trained by Jack Teal at Malton. “This mare was third here last year but met with an accident when challenging for the lead at Charm park.” Explained Josie Knowles wife of the winning owner and representing a proper

pointing family. “I was 9 years old when my Dad, Archie Smith, won one of the first point to points run in 1946 after the war. Jack has had this mare from the start and broke her in.” She added. First season pointer Arctic Sting was eight lengths away in second place and Knocknagappagh was third.

The concluding race sponsored by Nunns Isuzu Ltd went to Drayton Flyer a first point to point runner for owner Jeremy Hill. This 7-year-old had previously been placed second on 4 occasions on the track for Olly Murphy, however, James King succeeded in getting his head in front in the amateur sphere. Reportedly a late developer, a bit of improvement can be expected although connections had no clear future race plans in mind. Red Letter Day finished second for The Why Not Partnership headed by Revesby secretary Sally Spink and the Phil Rowley trained Hopeful Herbie was back in third.

The next fixture in the Midlands area is the Pytchley with Woodland at Guilsborough on Sunday 8th March.

The organisers are very grateful to all the owners and trainers who brought their horses to run today, to the great crowd who turned out in force to enjoy the races, to the professional services who attended and to the army of volunteers who make it possible to run the meeting.