2005: TRIUMPHant at the CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

A very slow start to 2005, there were no runners to cheer on until March. Even then just a second place from Iambe De La See, third’s for Ionian Spring and Roi De L’Odet.

Around comes the Cheltenham Festival one more time. Kadount unseated his jockey Robert Thornton in The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase. Dancing Bay’s fine 2nd position in The Coral Cup Handicap was great, but the undoubted highlight was Penzance shocking me by triumphing in The Triumph Hurdle, a Grade One race and one of most important at the Festival. I remember once again being sat in front of the television watching him and when he hit the front just a few strides before passing the winning post, I was virtually in a state of disbelief. My brother was home that day not feeling well at all, and went to bed to lay down, so missed the big event.

The end of March saw a victory for Roi’ De L’Odet, and 3 horses coming 3rd in the shape of Iambe De La See, Eisteddfod and Ionian Spring.

April 2nd brought The Lincoln Handicap, always the first major race of the flat season, New Seeker was entered to run and he beat all but Stream Of Gold to take 2nd.

The Aintree Grand National meeting later in April, Dancing Bay would be 5th behind the very much loved grey Monet’s Garden.  Kadount picked himself up from his last race for 2nd in The Red Rum Handicap Chase.

Still not a lot to sing about winners wise this year so far. Eisteddfod came 4th at Newmarket. Oceans Apart made her debut in a fillies maiden, only to find Flashy Wings was better on the day.

New Seeker’s good run in The Lincoln was undone when was only 6th next time out in the Spring Cup at Newbury.

A 4th from Rehearsal, a 3rd by Oceans Apart and that was April over and done with.

In May Brecon Beacon was 2nd at Doncaster, Ionian Spring 4th at Chester. On the 16th May Oceans Apart would end our winning drought, successful in her maiden at the third time of asking.

End of May, and beginning of June, saw a considerable change of good fortune. Eisteddfod, Bid For Fame and Shamrock Bay would all see personal glory.

Royal Ascot rolls around again in June, but because this year the meeting was moved to York. Soviet Song is primed for an attempt at The Windsor Forest Stakes, unfortunately not up to her best efforts, only 3rd with Peeress and Sundrop beating her to the post. New Seeker makes up for “Sove” hours later by winning The Royal Hunt Cup. Brecon Beacon ran very well for 2nd in  The Britannia Stakes. Oceans Apart 6th in The Albany Stakes. Rehearsal 3rd in The Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap Stakes. Rounded off with Dancing Bay 4th in The Queen Alexandra Stakes.

June 25th saw a double celebration with Eisteddfod at Windsor and Ionian Spring scoring at Chester.

Newmarket in July, Soviet Song tuned up for The Falmouth Stakes made no mistakes, to the cheers of the crowd on course, and in the winning enclosure afterwards.

Later in July, New Seeker won The Totesport International Handicap at Newbury.

Glorious Goodwood, Soviet Song who won The Sussex Stakes last year returned to try and retain her crown as champion, but Proclamation had other ideas so Soviet had to settle for the runners up position. Dancing Bay produced a pretty nice effort to finish 5th in The Goodwood Cup. Brecon Beacon was down the field in his race but no surprise as not much was expected fro him.

Last day of July saw Eisteddfod coming 2nd in a Listed race.

In August it was back to just having placed horses, 3rd positions for Rehearsal and New Seeker. Winding River came 2nd in a little race at Worcester. Oceans Apart did win though, scoring in a fillies Conditions race. More to cheer about with Eisteddfod, he flew over to Deauville in France and duly won The Prix De Meautry, a Group 3.

September, Ionion Spring finished 2nd, and New Seeker won a Listed race, and weeks later would be 3rd in a Group 3 beaten again by Arakan.

October, Eisteddfod flew back over to France again but was more than outclassed in The Group One Prix De L’Abbaye Sprint.

Ionian Spring is 2nd again, Dancing Bay 4th in The Jockey Club Cup.

On to November, Inherent is 3rd at Towcester. Dancing Bay 4th at Musselburgh in Scotland. This year was rare for winners but Entranced won his maiden, Triumph Hurdle hero Penzance came 3rd at Haydock. A trio of 4th place finishes for Spanish Lace, Rehearsal and Inherent.

December saw another 4th place, this time for Penzance at Cheltenham.

Inherent would win a National Hunt Flat Race at Newbury. Spanish Lace and Rehearsal both 3rd in there respective Wolverhampton contests.

The last race of the year saw Kadount come in 5th at Lingfield.

 

Awards given to Soviet Song in 2005

1). BHB Champion Older Female Flat Horse

2). Joint Highest Rated Older Filly In The World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement