Farr overcomes hurdles for a $100,000 victory Down Under
Emily Farr, 28, daughter of former Welsh Champion point-to-point riders Shan Morgan and Ross Farr, who farm in the Rhondda, landed the recent A$100,000 Brendan Drechsler Hurdle over 3500m at Racing.com Park in Australia.
Gobstopper, a six-year-old son of Tavistock, looked to have shot his bolt when Euroman and Kiwi Killarney Kid challenged strongly in the closing stages. However, Emily, who had actually taught her mount – a former prolific winner on the flat – to jump hurdles, went on to score by two lengths after making all the running.
Emily, who is based in New Zealand and the only licensed female jumps jockey in Australia, said: “The stamina of Gobstopper is just incredible. It’s only his second-ever hurdles start, so for him to jump those last three hurdles as well as he did, under pressure, it shows how good a horse he is.
“There’s been a lot of work put into him so it’s great to see it come off.’’
Trainer Andrew Campbell was full of praise for Emily and told the press: “We were a bit lucky that Kiwi Killarney Kid knuckled over at the secondto-last, but it worked out really well.
“It had been five weeks since he won at Te Aroha and my biggest concern was fitness, but he is a clean-winded horse. It was a great ride and he has come through the race well.
“Emily will stay over and look after him. She loves the horse – it has been her pet since she has been riding him and I am only the name on the bill of paper, she does all the work.’’
■ Meanwhile, nearer to home congratulations to Penhow’s Robert Stephens who recently had an across the card double with Toshima at Ffos Las and Secondo at Chepstow.
I believe this is the first time that former amateur rider Robert has achieved the feat of saddling two winners at different meetings on the same day. Please correct me if I’m wrong!
■ Brian’s Blast from the Past
Under the heading “Butcher brings home the bacon”, this is what I reported in the Western Mail some 30 years ago on April 3, 1989:
“Bridgend butcher Jonathan Tudor, aged 24, is certainly bringing the bacon home these days. On Friday he was successful on his uncle’s St Helen’s Boy in a hunter chase at Ludlow and on Saturday he scored an impressive win on Gwyn Davies’ Jimsleeves in the second division of the maiden race at the Monmouthshire Hunt point-to-point steeplechases.
“In the winner’s enclosure after the race, Mr Davies praised Jonathan for giving his mare a super ride. The former Cowbridge rugby player is making quite a name for himself and is enjoying his best season since he notched up his first winner six years ago.’
“Welsh champion Tim Jones and Abergavenny farrier Andrew James both landed doubles, but the best performance of the day came in the members’ race when 32-year-old Robert Harris, of Hereford, managed to get back in the saddle and win the race after his mount Creeping Jane had made a dreadful blunder when leading at the third last fence.
“The large crowd had 38 bookmakers to choose from and racecards were soon sold out. Due to the large entry, both the men’s open and maiden were divided on the field and with nine races to be decided, racegoers didn’t leave the course until 6.45 pm.”
For the record, James won on Dashalong and Crumpet Catcher and Jones scored on Lynwood Lad and Sweet Rascall. Pip Jones won on Celtic Remorse and Karen Bryan took the ladies’ open on Green Blossom. Steve Shinton won one of the maiden races on Millie Fuller. As for the 38 bookmakers in attendance, we consider ourselves lucky if eight turn up this days!
■ Please send your racing news and views to Brian Lee by emailing brianlee4@virginmedia.com or phoning 029 2073 6438.