Fuwayrit one to follow
Ayr Rugby’s bold new brand has been given a spectacular start with the signing of a hometown hero.
Scotland international Gordon Reid will return to Millbrae as part of the newlook Ayrshire Bulls setup.
The franchise, to play as part of the semi- pro Super 6 league, was given its first airing to the public at a special Millbrae civic reception on Friday night.
The Bulls name, logo and kit were all unveiled to club members, sponsors and council chiefs at the reception.
But the capture of ‘ Gordy,’ who is currently in Gregor Townsend’s World Cup warm- up squad and will likely feature in Saturday’s test against France in Lyon, proved the real talking point.
The 32- year old prop currently has 34 caps.
Reid said: “It is great to be back where it all started for me.
“Ayr is my home and it allows me to be close to my family”.
On world cup selection, he added: “Obviously it is always a massive honour to wear the thistle and I would relish the chance to play at another world cup, so I’ve just got to put in the graft and whatever comes, comes”.
The Ayrshire Bulls outfit will play like a barge. On the track though there was only one winner.
Joe kept him handily placed on the heavy ground which obviously was not ideal but when he pressed the button he shot into the lead and won hard held.
Afterwards a very happy jockey told me: “He’s a fair colt. It was heavy out there and I held on to him a bit but he did it well.
“He impressed me.”
The horse’s only previous run had come 11 days earlier when he was touched off a short head at Goodwood by a big money buy from John Quinn’s yard.
Incidentally Fuwyarit was Mark Johnston’s fourth two year- old winner of the season at Ayr and all four horses are decent.
The filly Walk In Marrakesh, who won on Glasgow Fair Monday at the track, has a Group 3 entry at the Curragh on August 23 and I will certainly be having small investment. together nicely.
“We are in a good place with recruitment and over the next four to six weeks we will be able to start naming some of the talents we have.
“I am excited about the challenge that lies ahead this season.”
• The Civic Reception provided the perfect opportunity for Ayr to unveil their new- look side, with Provost Helen Moonie accompanied by the heads of the council in attendance.
The event celebrated the last 12 months, where Ayr were crowned Tennent’s Premiership and Scottish Cup Champions.
The Ladies side also enjoyed success, winning the Women’s National One league.
Addressing the crowd, Provost Moonie praised the determination and consistency of the players to secure a historic double – a feat achieved only once before in the club’s 122- year history.
When concluding her speech, she presented a South Ayrshire Council crest to club president Billy McHarg.