MARCH 2015 FINISH LINE Cheltenham & Three Counties Race Club magazine FAIRY TALES DO HAPPEN Cover photo: Sara & Lily Bradstock pose with the Gold Cup and their hero Coneygree. Willie Mullins - AP McCoy - Kim Bailey - Chicky Oaksey - John Hales - Rich Ricci, it’s the people in National Hunt racing that make it a sport to treasure. CONTENTS WELCOME… Editors introduction 3 Sport, what does it mean to you? the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the Bradstock family and our very own Lady Oaksey. How her husband Lady Oaksey interview 4-5 I’ve played and watched a wide variety of sports and National Hunt racing has found its’ way to the top of John, our founder Chairman, would have enjoyed Rich Ricci interview 6-10 my “what’s your favourite sport to watch” category. the moment looking down on it all. Through the Gold Cup I’m able to pin down the Tipster competition 11 When searching for a reason why, you need look no further than the Cheltenham Festival. answer to the “why” National Hunt is my number Cheltenham Festival review 12-19 one sport and the answer lies in the people who are I thought the opening day of the Festival was the involved in the game. Mongol Derby 2014 20-21 best days racing I have ever seen. Beautiful sunshine, coupled with perfect ground conditions had the In the last week it’s been my privilege to speak Club trip to Martin Jones 22-23 crowds buzzing with the expectation of what lay directly to Lady Chicky Oaksey and learn how proud ahead. They were not disappointed. she was of the whole Bradstock family winning the John Hales column 24-25 Gold Cup. You can read Chicky’s account of the Our early season guest Felix Francis would have had race on pages 4-5, it is a story of such spectacular Kim Bailey column 26-27 another best seller on his hands were he to have achievement that if you hadn’t seen it yourself you Richard Hoiles column 28-30 had the heady mix of ingredients we were witness wouldn’t believe it were true. to. The humility in victory of Willie Mullins’ four timer, Club news & forthcoming events 31 the Annie Power drama, the bookmakers on their In my interview with Rich Ricci I learned of his knees and breath taking performances from the hot generosity of spirit when his horse Djakadam ran Liam Treadwell column 32-34 favourites on the day. his heart out to take second in the Gold Cup, yet he had nothing but praise and congratulations to offer Richard Davis award 34 Wednesday and Thursday provided more drama the Bradstocks’ in victory. He provides wonderful with AP McCoy feted wherever he went, while Win a day at Chepstow races competition 35 testimony on pages 6-10 to the emotions ownership giving his time selflessly to an endless stream of brings when winning and losing. Jo Collinson column 36-39 well wishers. There were smiles all round as our columnists, John Hales (Aux Ptits Soins) and Kim If you take the canvas that is Cheltenham and Members corner - John Clark 40-41 Bailey (Darna) both enjoyed the thrill of saddling a overlay the courage of the horses with the people winner. who are involved you more Club trip to Phillip Hobbs 42-43 readily understand why this And so to Friday.... fairy tales do happen. A fragile sport is my favourite. novice, a tiny yard, a home bred horse and a performance by Coneygree of complete brilliance Bring on Aintree! as he put all challengers to the sword. It was a never Enjoy the racing to be forgotten display of speed, allied with slick, Steve Ennis accurate jumping and no amount of courage to win 2 3 worked wonderfully in LADY transitioning him from a hurdler, to a slick and quick OAKSEY jumper of a fence. Nico, is also a super horseman and rides out on Coneygree INTERVIEW once a week, if you watch the horse in running you It is with great delight that Lady Chicky pressure simply because of the speed at which will see how aerobic he is. Oaksey has been kind enough to give he travels. us an interview reflecting on the superb John would have been so At Kempton on Boxing Day he won the Kauto achievement of winning the proud of Sara and Mark, Star Novice Chase by forty lengths in a time only Cheltenham Gold Cup as the owner/ they held their nerve in four seconds slower than the King George. He breeder of Coneygree. the face of critics who won that race being eased down and we felt he suggested such a small We’re all so proud of Coneygree’s achievement didn’t get the credit he deserved. Then, when operation couldn’t win in winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It’s not Coneygree ran again at Newbury in the Denman with a novice, but hindsight just a brilliant win for Sara and Mark, but it’s Chase he jumped and travelled beautifully to is a great thing and their a victory for all those who pursue the dream win by a comfortable seven lengths against decision has made a dream Sara and Lily pose for the press with the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Coneygree of breeding horses that are good enough to more seasoned horses. come true. All of a sudden compete against the powerhouse yards and After the Newbury win Sara and Mark were sure the Gold Cup for 2016 looks owners that dominate the National Hunt even had a hard race as he was very fresh the they had a horse that could compete in what very challenging with the outstanding horses, racing scene. following day, although I’d imagine the race took looked like an open renewal of the Gold Cup. Vautour, Djakadam and Don Poli all likely to be more out of him than we might imagine. He’ll Coneygree really is an incredible horse, he’s the Sara and Mark decided to go for the Gold Cup targeted at the race. God willing Coneygree will be rested now for the new season and may well first novice to win the Gold Cup since 1974 and as Coneygree is a very fragile horse and has stay sound and return to defend his crown, but go for the Hennessy under top weight, then the first British bred winner since Master This is a victory for all In his chase career he Oats in 1995. With respect those small breeders has had four races and to the victory never been headed of Norton’s trying to compete Coin in 1990 at 100/1 this the King George and fingers crossed back to victory was no proved difficult to keep sound....such windows Cheltenham. fluke. In his of opportunity might not come around again, chase career so they decided to bypass the RSA route. Our In a funny twist of fate, while Coneygree he has had John would be so proud of Mark thoughts were that if he finished in the first four was winning on March 13 his half sister Maid four races and and Sara we would be delighted. Alfie Bradstock is a highly accomplished horseman Of Oaksey was being covered on the same never been who schooled Coneygree intensely afternoon by Carruthers’ sire Kayf Tara to Coneygree’s success has been a real team headed. Coneygree is a deceptively quick horse, continue our dreams of breeding another Gold effort, Sara and Mark’s son, Alfie, has schooled Nico (De Boinville) says you don’t realise how fast that is a long way away and we are still trying to Cup winner! Coneygree intensely three days a week over he is, but there is a constant theme in his races absorb his achievement in winning this years race. cross poles and then jumping four foot fences. Chicky Oaksey that the horses he takes on come under severe He’s a long legged horse and his training has Sara said Coneygree doesn’t even feel like he’s 4 5 Is Annie Power They were the most 2016 Gold Cup at OK, and what’s around 6/1 while next for her? emotional few Djakadam is best priced at 14/1, does RICH RICCI She’s fine, better the book look right than she has a right minutes of racing in to you? INTERVIEW to be. She ran as if she was right my whole life Vautour was a back to her best. much better hurdler CTCRC are delighted and grateful to have What gave you the most pleasure from She may go to Aintree, Punchestown or even than Djakadam and his display in the JLT was secured an exclusive interview with Rich your winning trio at the Festival? France, but the good news is, she’s in great nick. visibly very impressive. Djakadam showed us Ricci, who along with his wife Susannah It wasn’t a winner, it was Annie Power getting As for next season, she may go down the World everything he had in training when coming were the leading owners at this years up and coming back OK along with Alan Kings Hurdle route or try for the Mares Hurdle again, second in the Gold Cup – he’s an honest staying Cheltenham Festival. L’Unique. Of the winners I have to say I was we haven’t made a decision yet. chaser who gives his all. The plan is for both horses to go for the Gold Cup, I’d love to win the Now you’ve had time to reflect on the thrilled with Faugheen, it was a dream come And the plans for your Cheltenham race for Willie and I think Vautour has the touch Festival, what are your thoughts on the true to win a Championship race, to do it in winners? success you enjoyed? such style was perfect.