Horse with humble background could be star at Festival
HE cost nothing, is owned by a syndicate of 17 regulars at a pub in Pembrokeshire, south Wales, and is doing serious damage to local bookmakers after winning his last seven races.
No wonder Tobefair is one of the most fascinating contenders at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
In a sport dominated by millionaire owners and big-name trainers, Tobefair evokes the same spirit as non-league FA Cup giant killers Lincoln City.
The difference is that the sevenyear-old has got to his Wembley. He is favourite for the Pertemps Hurdle Final on March 16.
There are eight horses in their stable at Nantycaws, close to Carmarthen Castle. Willie Mullins entered almost three times as many in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle alone.
But if Tobefair and jockey Trevor Whelan can prove a David in a battle against racing Goliaths, a Welsh reception fit for the Millennium Stadium is certain.
Two coaches will bring Tobefair’s fan club from Cresselly Quay in Pembrokeshire, most of them regulars at the Cresswell Arms. It was there that Michael Cole put together the group to own a gelding he had been given.
Cole said: ‘I was down the pub and I couldn’t afford to have him in training, so we got a few (people) together.
‘Most of them didn’t have anything to do with racing to start with. Someone asked me if I would sell him, but I’d get lynched if I did. I’m some sort of god now... until he loses!’
Tobefair has not done that for a while. His winning spree started with two successes at Worcester in the summer of 2015 and victory at Chepstow before he missed a year with injury.
A comeback win at Ffos Las in November was followed by success at Chepstow and the win at Warwick in January that qualified Tobefair for the Festival. Victory at Newbury this month ensured his place in the Cheltenham starting line-up.
But it has not all been plain sailing. Tobefair, originally trained by Lucy Jones before she retired, finished second on his debut in July 2014 but then was beaten almost out of sight in five subsequent runs. Syndicate leader Cole said: ‘The first time he won at Worcester I was standing by one of the syndicate and he said: “He’s consistent. He’s always at the back”. With that, Whelan gave him a couple of cracks and he took off.
‘The bookies down here have had a hammering. When he won at Warwick, one had to borrow £20,000 from another branch to pay out!’