Wor Lass

Wor Lass : 2008 brown mare
Owner : Les Dodds

Pedigree

                                                                      Darshaan
                                        And Beyond
                                                                      Al Nasar
Wor Lass
2009 brown mare
                                                                      King of Spain
                                        Patience Please
                                                                      Navarino Bay

The family

The dam of Wor Lass, Patience Please, ran a total of 18 times on the flat for Peter Easterby (father of current trainer Tim) in the early 90s. And that was only over 2 seasons!
She began her racing career as a 3yr old in '92, and won twice in that season over 7f. Not quite so good the following season by did mange 3 placed efforts between 7f and 1 mile.

She is a half sister to 3 winners (one over jumps), the best of whom was Pension Fund, winner of 7 races when trained by Peter's brother Mick Easterby.

The winning jumper from the family, Homer City, is interesting in that although he won his sole victory in a firm ground hurdle at Market Rasen as a 4yr old, he has previously won a juvenile hurdle the previous year only to be retrospectively disqualified when an illegal substance was detected in his urine.

About the sire

And Beyond (bay horse, born 1998) was unraced as a juvenile on the flat but won 4 races over the next 2 seasons when trained by Mark Johnston from his Middleham yard in North Yorkshire.
He developed into a smart stayer as a 3 yr old, winning 3 races, the best of which was the Queen's Vase (Group 3) at Royal Ascot.
Unplaced in the St. Leger, he nevertheless held his form as a 4yr old, running very well on a couple of occasions including when winning a Listed race at Chantilly over 1m 7f.

Retired to stand at Scarrow Hill Stud, near Carlisle in 2003, he has struggled in terms of popularity in attracting quality mares in sufficient quantity to be a success. However, he has sired several winners on the flat and over jumps.
Flat-wise, multiple winner Wor Lass would be his top performer, while over the jumps, fiver time winner Castlemorris King has flown his flag while northern racegoers will be very familiar with another couple of multiple winners in Sharney Sike and Beyondtemptation.

Form Summary

Fellow owner at Dodlands Steading Al Duncan often recalls the time he first met Les Dodds (owner-breeder of Wor Lass).
'You can think of me as Graham Wylie in reverse' were the words that greeted Al with a warm handshake and a friendly Geordie drawl. That was over a decade ago when Les was part of the syndicate who raced Allegedly So, a bumper / hurdle winner trained by Donald. 'I was born and bred in Newcastle, and moved to Hawick in mid life' further explained Les 'but there the similarity ends!'.
Yeah, but I don't suppose Mr Wylie has ever ridden work with Arkle though!

It was in October 1993 that Les ventured south to the (then) Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (Horse In Training), with a view to picking up a sound 6f - 8f flat performer to train and race in the (still to this day) thriving Borders Racing Circuit. For those not acquainted with Borders Racing, it's very much like the Irish Pony Racing Circuit, with it's own strict rules and regulations but run out with the Jockey Club Rules. In conjunction with the Common Riding which attracts around 200 riders each week as each of the Border towns hosts an event, there are racing tracks which host meetings of around half a dozen races run over distances between 6f to 1 mile.
Under Les' handling, Patience Please (renamed for Borders Racing) won numerous races over the course of the next few years, including the prestigious Tradesmans Handicap (run at Hawick) an incredible 3 times.
Upon retiring from racing, Les kept Patience Please and bred several horses from her, the most successful being her mating with And Beyond which produced Wor Lass.

Wor Lass has won 9 races in her career so far - 7 for Scobie Jardine, and 2 (in 2016) for Susan Corbett including one when ridden by Garry (Whillans) but, slightly annoyingly for our own pride she went though the 2017 season winless.
She starts the 2018 Flat season on a BHA Rating of OR70, which gives her a chance of being competitive. She seems to love Newcastle, Ayr and Musselburgh over a staying trip, on going ranging from good to soft to good to firm.

Season		win	2nd	3rd	4th	other
2012-13	NH Flat					4
2013-14	hurdles					1
2014-15	hurdles			1		1
2014	Flat	1	2	2	4	3
2015	Flat	6		1	1	4
2016	Flat	2	1			6
2017	Flat		2	3		7
2018	Flat	2	1

Current Season Form

18 June 18 Ayr : 1m 5f hdcp (Class 5 0-75) OR72 good to firm 8 ran (Rachel Richardson (3)) - won (by short head)

Made all off steady pace, challenged throughout final 2f, stayed on well to win in game fashion

A fourth course and distance win for Wor Lass!! Brilliantly ridden by Rachel, dictating matters from the front and getting every ounce of response from the mare when strongly challenged in the final 2 furlongs. This was Wor Lass' 11th victory in all!!

2 June 18 Musselburgh : 1m 6f Lady Riders hdcp (Class 4 0-80) OR70 good 8 ran (Rachel Richardson (3) - won (by 1¼l)

Travelled well tracking leader, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on well final furlong

Wor Lass followed up her promising seasonal debut with a fine win at Musselburgh, her first in a Class 4. She was well placed throughout and won under a fine ride from Miss Eco Scarborough 2009 (aka Rachel Richardson). So pleased for her owner / breeder Les Dodds!!!

21 May 18 Carlisle : 2m 1f hdcp (Class 5 0-70) OR70 good to firm 7 ran (Rowan Scott (3)) - 2nd (beaten 5l)

Tracked leader, led over 3f out, driven and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong.

This was a nice first run of the season from Wor Lass who can now be classed in the veteran category. But she still retains all her enthusiasm, and although without a win in 2017 did put in a few fine performances. Finished second here to a well handicapped horse in Becky the Thatcher.

Previous Season Form

16 October 17 Musselburgh : 2m Amateur Riders hdcp (Class 5 0-75) OR72 soft 7 ran (Miss Anna Hesketh) - 5th (beaten 28l)

Tracked leaders, went second over 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong

It may have been the soft ground, or maybe it's getting to the end of the season for our mare, but she was well beaten here. Update - we did consider one last run for the season at Catterick at the end of October but felt she'd just had enough being on the go from early June.

3 October 17 Ayr : 1m 7f hdcp (Class 5 0-75) OR72 soft 5 ran (Rowan Scott (5)) - 2nd (beaten 2l)

Tracked leader, effort and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong

Another placed effort from Wor Lass.

22 September 17 Newcastle : 2m ½f hdcp (Class 4 0-85) OR75 standard 12 ran (Dougie Costello) - 12th

Mid division, good headway to track leading group 4f out, not quicken 2f out, soon beaten

12 September 17 Newcastle : 1m 4½f fillies hdcp (Class 5 0-75) OR75 standard 9 ran (Rowan Scott (5)) - 7th (beaten 2½l)

Dwelt, in rear but in touch off slow pace, effort 2f out, ridden and staying on final furlong but not pace to reach leaders

Seconds before the gates opened, Wor Lass threw her head slightly and jumped off in rear. Rowan sensibly didn't rush her up the outside, but the slow pace of the race was never going to suit our mare. She's in good form though.

31 August 17 Musselburgh : 1m 4½f fillies hdcp (Class 5 0-75) OR75 good to firm 5 ran (Rowan Scott (5)) - 2nd (beaten ¾l)

In touch off good pace, effort and ridden from 3f out, challenged 2f out, kept on inside final furlong but always held.

Down in grade for the first time this season, but at a distance just short of her best, Wor Lass ran a cracker although was always held by the Mark Johnston trained 3-yr-old Bonnie Arlene.

23 August 17 Carlisle : 1m 6f hdcp (Class 4 0-85) OR75 good to soft (soft places) 7 ran (Rachel Richardson (3)) - 5th (beaten 15l)

Settled in mid div tracking leaders, effort 3f out, soon ridden but no impression final 2 furlongs.

The conclusion may be that Wor Lass is not suited by Carlisle (see 9th June). Nor soft ground (see 9th June). Probably neither.......

31 July 17 Ayr : 1m 7f hdcp (Class 4 0-85) OR76 good to soft 8 ran (Rowan Scott (5)) - 3rd (beaten 5l)

Tracked leading pair, headway and challenged 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong.

Wor Lass is running some fine races in defeat, so much so that although not quite having the pace to beat younger rivals, she is not being given any respite by the handicapper. It's great to see the mare in such fine fettle, and we hope her winning day is not too far away.

25 July 17 Musselburgh : 2m hdcp (Class 4 0-80) OR76 good to firm 5 ran (Rowan Scott (5)) - 3rd (beaten 2½l)

Tracked leading pair, effort and ridden from 3f out, kept on but not quite pace to challenge first two.

Wor Lass again ran a fine race in defeat here at Musselburgh. In truth, she could have done with a faster pace but with only 4 opponents today a modest gallop was always likely. Still, she kept on right to the line and maybe a drop of another pound or two will help.

1 July 17 Newcastle : 1m 4½f hdcp (Class 4 0-80) OR79 standard 12 ran (Garry Whillans (5)) - 11th (beaten 21l)

Checked start, held up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten

17 June 17 Musselburgh : 2m hdcp (Class 3 0-85) OR79 good to firm 12 ran (Garry Whillans (5)) - 7th (beaten 6l)

Held up, effort and progress 2f out but not clear run, not trouble leaders.

Wor Lass ran much better here compared to Carlisle a week ago, but was caught in a bunch when the pace quickened. She has never won at a higher level than Class 5, and could do with being dropped a few pounds in the handicap.

9 June 17 Carlisle : 1m 6f hdcp (Class 4 0-85) OR79 soft 8 ran (Clifford Lee (5)) - 6th (beaten 20l)

Slowly into stride, in rear till effort and closed on outer 5f out, driven 3f out, never able to challenge.

Wor Lass was never travelling with any zest and did not appreciate the soft ground conditions.

3 June 17 Newcastle : 1m 4½f hdcp (Class 4 0-85) OR82 standard 9 ran (G Whillans(5)) - 3rd (beaten 10l)

Settled on outer in rear, good headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and stayed on one pace, no impression on first two.

A pleasant surprise (SP of 50-1), as this was a fine run from the mare on her seasonal debut off quite a high handicap mark. Well beaten by the first two, she nevertheless travelled well in this race over a distance short of her best, only giving way to the first two inside the final 2 furlongs.