Glorious Goodwood
ALL THE TIPS.. ALL THE SILKS.. ALL THE FORM
DAILY MIRROR sports secretary Sarah Cook hailed “the best thing I’ve ever done” after finishing a heroic second in the prestigious Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday.
Sarah faced 10 rivals in the Swarovski-supported charity race after months of training.
And her hard work paid off when the Ian Williamstrained Misty Birnam, running as Harrodian Knight, took the silver-medal in the five-and-a-half-furlong event for women riders, which has raised more than £1.2million for Cancer Research UK since first run eight years ago.
“That was the best thing I’ve ever done,” beamed Sarah, who oversees the smooth running of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror sports desks. “I loved it.
“I watched the Magnolia Cup last year and knew I wanted to take part in it.
“To be in the paddock at Goodwood, canter past the crowds to the start and then actually take part in the race was an experience I’ll never forget.”
When the starter sent the 11 horses on their way, Sarah got a flyer and held the early lead.
But hot favourite Harry Hurricane and Katie Forrest (right) was always breathing down the pacemaker’s neck and took up the running shortly after the halfway mark, holding on for a half-length victory.
“I knew Harry Hurricane was the one to beat,” said Sarah, cheered on at Goodwood by husband Damian, her parents Linda and Frank and a host of well-wishers.
“To his credit, my horse tried his best – he didn’t go down without a fight – and I couldn’t have asked for any more from him.”
Trainer Williams said: ‘‘I’m very proud of Sarah. All the early starts and hard work has paid off.”
Sarah, 36, who raced in memory of her uncle, Patrick Coughlan, first sat on a thoroughbred at Kent-based trainer John Best’s Sittingbourne stable.
She developed her passion for horses aged six, adopting her first pony, Pinocchio, when the daughter of a family friend lost interest, and going on to win two showjumping titles at the National Championships in 2000.
“Riding racehorses is very different, but it’s been very rewarding and the 4am starts have all been worth it,” she added. “People have told me I should try and go one better next year, but we’ll see.”