17th
December news
Stainsby Girl wins at Carlisle yesterday
Stainsby Girl is pushed clear to win the bumper
Well, what an ending to the day!
Season 2017-18 was an excellent one for the yard for our bumper runners, with 4 victories from 3 individual horses but you've got to go back 7 years to 2011 to find our last horse to win first time out in such races (Nodda High Kid inflicting a sole British defeat on subsequent Cheltenham Grade 1 winner Brindisi Breeze).
So yesterday was a day to savour when Stainsby Girl won the bumper by 17 lengths from the odds-on favourite Rosie and Millie, in her first ever race.
We were a bit concerned beforehand that the small field (4 runners)
may not provide enough cover for Callum to settle our 4yr old
Shirocco filly, and indeed she appeared quite buzzy in the paddock.
But although she was keen jumping off, Callum kept a tight grip on her head as the front two in the market (Rosie and Millie & Shocona's Joy) set a steady pace.
With about 6f to race, Rosie and Millie upped the pace, and Stainsby Girl was the only horse to keep tabs, still going well. Entering into the straight, 3f from home Callum let our filly have her head and she surged clear, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.
The only heart-stopping moment came just below the distance when Stainsby Girl, by this point on her own, ran a bit green and started to look left and right. But Callum was wise to the danger (Baby Ticker at Sedgefield, anyone?) and pushed out the filly, drawing further clear.
There was 17 lengths back to the second horse and another 13 lengths to the third. True value of the form is hard to assess, but we were delighted that Stainsby Girl showed so much talent first time up.
It was an emotional occasion for joint owner Helen Simpson, as this was her first winner having been involved in several horses for the stable over the years.
An elated Helen is pictured on the left with Al Duncan, post race.
You can view the race by the link below and locating the 3.30 at Carlisle
But although she was keen jumping off, Callum kept a tight grip on her head as the front two in the market (Rosie and Millie & Shocona's Joy) set a steady pace.
With about 6f to race, Rosie and Millie upped the pace, and Stainsby Girl was the only horse to keep tabs, still going well. Entering into the straight, 3f from home Callum let our filly have her head and she surged clear, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.
The only heart-stopping moment came just below the distance when Stainsby Girl, by this point on her own, ran a bit green and started to look left and right. But Callum was wise to the danger (Baby Ticker at Sedgefield, anyone?) and pushed out the filly, drawing further clear.
There was 17 lengths back to the second horse and another 13 lengths to the third. True value of the form is hard to assess, but we were delighted that Stainsby Girl showed so much talent first time up.
It was an emotional occasion for joint owner Helen Simpson, as this was her first winner having been involved in several horses for the stable over the years.
An elated Helen is pictured on the left with Al Duncan, post race.
You can view the race by the link below and locating the 3.30 at Carlisle
