Pontefract Races

The final day of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Festival started off with very rainy weather but towards the end of the day it was getting warmer and there was a hint of sunshine. Also there was a fair few lengths between the places, with not many photo finishes required.

The first race had the favourite Flawless Jewel and Murqaab both battling for the lead as Murqaab went wide but Justice Shallow was closely following, Pinkie Pie was never in contention throughout the race being in the rear without any impact on the running. The lead clearly changed to Flawless Jewel at three furlong out, Murqaab was headed and Justice Swallow plugged along. At one furlong out Flawless Jewel was going well clear, attempting to be chased by Justice Shallow although by this point Murqaab had no more to give. Pinkie Pie was still no where near the rest of the field. The winner was Flawless Jewel by 16 LENGTHS, second was Justice Swallow an 100/1 outsider by 9 lengths, third was Murqaab by 6 lengths to Pinkie Pie.

In the 3:35 Secret Art was soon to lead however this altered after one furlong when Salateen took on the role of pace maker, being tracked by Big Country, Gabr and Ventura Knight. At four furlongs out Gabr had to be switched wide after Big Country had already done so earlier in the race. With three furlongs to go Another Touch and Secret Art had to be shaken up and were making it look like difficult work. Headway was made by Big Country to join Salateen with two furlongs to go, Ventura Knight had to be ridden along but Gabr was close up. At one furlong to go Big Country was ridden strongly to lead taking over from Salateen but for many in the field it was becoming difficult. Ventura Knight, Gabr and Another Touch just managing to keep on at the same pace. In the end Big Country went on to win maintaining his lead without much trouble by 1/2 a length to Salateen to third Ventura Knight by 4 lengths.

At the end of the Festival Danny Tudhope was leading jockey and Richard Fahey was leading Trainer. It was easy to see how on form Danny was with him attempting to win Champion Jockey this year. He picked the stand side rail to run along and by the end of the racing most other jockeys were using the same line. He only had one winner at Pontefract. Whereas Silvestre De Sousa who is currently in front of Danny in the title race had 4 winners at the meeting.

Thirsk and York races

The unpredictable weather meant that there were some surprising outcomes at both York and Thirsk races with some big prices coming in at Thirsk including a 33/1 and 22/1 winner. Both were very fun days for the Go Racing In Yorkshire Festival. Unfortunately Tom Jones was cancelled due to thunder storms not allowing his helicopter to fly, resulting in some very sad members of the crowd.

Thirsk Races

The first race on the card saw the runners split into 2 groups, three horses Raypeteafterme, Dream Of Honour and Baldwin went up the stands side rail and Raypeteafterme led. While the centre had Sosume leading followed by The Defiant and Four Wheel Drive. This changed very little and it looked at three furlongs out as though Raypeteafterme was only keeping on, as Baldwin, Dream Of Honour and Frosted Lass were all making headway. At two furlongs to go Raypeteafterme picked up the pace. Baldwin, Four Wheel Drive and Sosume were then tracking the leader. Many only kept on in the final furlong such as Sosume, Four Wheel Drive, Baldwin and Frosted Lass. Plenty of the field were never involved in the running, Raypeteafterme was quickly driven home to win for trainer Declan Carroll by ¾ of a length, second was Dream Of Honour by a head to third Baldwin. The rest of the field were further behind.  It’s no surprise that Raypeteafterme ran so well after the prior run at Beverley where the saddle slipped potentially effecting its running and nearly unseating Hayley Turner.

The 3:45 had Kyroc in the lead, with the chasers behind being No Lippy, Big Ace and So Hi Storm. Princess Power was slow away and was out back. With two furlongs to go Kyroc, No Lippy and Big Ace were ridden along. At one furlong to go Princess Power began to move up the field but No Lippy, Kyroc and Big Ace kept on at the same pace and some were struggling, So Hi Storm hung left but managed to keep on gamely. First place went easily to Princess Power by 2 lengths, second Kyroc by 1/2 length and third was So Hi Storm by 1 3/4 lengths. 

York Races 

In the 7:30 Snowy Winter was the pace setter leading narrowly to trackers Stage Name, Desert Diamond and Rasima. Singyoursong and Pleasant Surprise were held up at the back. At three furlongs out positions began to change; Desert Diamond and Stage Name began moving further up the field. At two furlongs out Desert Diamond was in touch and joined Snowy White although Stage Name and Singyoursong were going well there was little catching Diamond Desert one furlong out who eventually went well clear of the field who were single paced or keeping. First was Desert Diamond by 6 lengths to Snowy Winter in second and Stage Name in third by 3/4 of a length. In the closing stages of the race there really was no challenge to Desert Diamond. 

We saw a rising new talent in the 8:00 race in the form of seven pound claimer Oakley Brown as he went on to win the race on Third Time Lucky. Lamloom led the race, shadowed by Kings Gift, Bertog and Kaeso.  Presidential, Bravery and Third Time Lucky were in the rear. Kings Gift alongside Withernsea and Bertog made headway at three furlongs out. At two left Third Time Lucky had movement up the field, but so had many of others in the field. In the final furlong Third Time Lucky kept on well just heading Lamloom and Kings Gift, Bertog and Kaeso struggled under the pressure. In the end Third Time Lucky was unstoppable and went ahead to win by 2 1/4 lengths, second was Lamloom by 1 1/1 length and third was Kings Gift by a head. This was another well timed ride by Oakley Brown after being involved in  four professional races since getting his license. He has been placed in every race since converting from an amateur rider. 

Next update will be from Pontefract tomorrow. Let's hope it stays dry without anymore thunder storms. 

Newcastle races

Despite the showers throughout the day and the free admissions the racecourse was reasonably quiet with some very easy wins.

The third race saw a great yet confident ride by Ben Robinson on Burn Some Dust. Soon out the gates Barney George led the race however Bill Cody was close behind and the competition was narrow between them for the lead. Mulsanne Chase sat tidy on the rail tracking the leader alongside Coral Queen. This was a narrow lead and positions were close early on but at four furlongs out Bill Cody took charge, Coral Queen took second position and Barney George was losing power after going to the front. At three furlongs out Burn Some Dust who had been held up suddenly began to move up the field. Highwayman had the same intention although he did not have enough stamina. With two to go Burn Some Dust made headway and was among Bill Cody who was being headed by Coral Queen who at this stage was leading, Sevilla was gripped on to third place at this stage. But in the last furlong Burn Some Dust was charging to the front, Bill Cody was gaining speed too but Coral Queen had no more to give and Sevilla and Highwayman made it look like hard work to keep on at the same pace. The winner Burn Some Dust timed it perfectly to come through the horses winning by 1 length, second was the favourite Bill Cody by 1 length to third Coral Queen. The rest of the field were far back (a minimum of 12 lengths).

In the 4:20 Pitch High led the race with plenty of horses chasing including Great Colaci, Ingleby Molly and Ayton, Supreme Power was also prominent. Around half way the front position changed to Great Colaci, and stayed the same until about two furlongs out when Supreme Power was ridden out and Someone Exciting, Great Colaci and Mount Cheiron were now being pushed. Pitch High lost his place as he weakened. At one furlong to go Supreme Power was stretching Great Colaci and Someone Exciting, Mount Cheiron were going well. Despite this Ingleby Molly and Ayton weakened and kept on at one pace. The winner was Supreme Power who had to be given reminders by Ben Curtis by 1/2 length to second Great Colaci and it was 2 lengths to third place Someone Exciting.

Hopefully there will be further updates on the Go Racing In Yorkshire week on Friday from Thirsk and an interview with Rachel Richardson is now available to read.

Interview with Rachel Richardson

Rachel Richardson is a successful female Northern Jockey who is connected to Tim Easterby's yard, after becoming an apprentice in 2011. She has recently lost her 3 pound claim. Despite the difficulties female jockeys can come across especially being from the North, Rachel says this has not affected her career, describing herself as 'lucky' due to being attached to Tim's yard.

Originally Rachel was involved in show jumping and only converted to racing through a friends parent who was involved. From there she went to racing college and got the qualifications she needed. However, this wasn't always the case, before she became a jockey she was a model but gave it up due to her love of horses.

One of Rachel's biggest accomplishments is the recent victory riding out her claim and she hopes she can build on this momentum, gaining more rides and winners. Although she has had many trials and tribulations, some being recent and a serious incident which occurred in 2016 when riding at Beverley racecourse on Kung Hei Fat Choy who was fatally injured when he went through the railing which obviously had an impact and greatly saddened Rachel. Her resolve has been of vital importance to keep riding and to keep going.

Since this incident Rachel has clearly gone from strength to strength and can hopefully build on the success she has tasted. With her recent collection of winners and numerous places, this season will sure to be one of her more successful years. Rachel has obtained a 19% strike rate, I'm sure when the weight allowance permits it she will be treating herself to her cheeky treat of chocolate.

Beverley Races

With the scorching weather making the carnival racenight hotter than Rio it resulted in smaller fields, with seven runners being withdrawn overall and it was clearly a night for the favourites with them winning three races and being placed in every race. The Beverley carnival racenight is fun for all, with lots to do and see from the samba girls, glitter face paint and stilt walkers and most importantly, not forgetting, the live brass band. It was a great day of racing for an early meeting in the go racing in Yorkshire festival.

In the 6:30 Cheerupmylove started to lead the race being closely followed by the favourite Queen Jo Jo, Ginvincible and Royal Destiny who veered right at the start of the race. At two furlongs out the lead changed to Ginvincible but when Queen Jo Jo was switched to give a clear run she made quick headway, the short falls came from Cheerupmylove and Angel Sarah who were easily overtaken. Over one furlong out Queen Jo Jo was very keen to go to the front challenging Gininvicible for the lead. Royal Destiny, Angel Sarah and Lady Rouda were ridden along whilst Cheerupmylove  weakened, but Farol made excellent headway. Eventually Queen Jo Jo kept on gamely to win, second was Ginvincible who managed to keep on yet not just catching the winner. Third was the one paced Royal Destiny.

The fifth race was only going to go one way with Three Saints Bay absolutely dominating the field and having control over every horse in the race, whilst being chased closely by Roaring Forties and Proud Archi. However Jessinamillion dwelt at the back and Theodorico was held up in the rear. Three Saints Bay was unstoppable, easily quickening away and was pretty much unchallenged throughout the race going on to win by EIGHT lengths, second place was Proud Archi who despite being ridden along well and kept on nicely did not have a chance at competing for the win. Third place was the one paced Ingenuity.

Keep your eyes open for an interview with Rachel Richardson and an update on Tuesdays racing from Newcastle.