Lifting the mood Flurry of winners lift stables after Lucy’s accident
AFLURRY of winners could not have come at a better time for a racing stable in the Cotswolds. David Bridgwater’s fine run of form has given everyone a boost, after his wife and work rider Lucy was forced onto the sidelines with a back injury.
A chipped bone in the lumbar vertebrae has ruled out the key member of the Stow team for at least six weeks, a prognosis which has led to the trainer digging out his breeches.
The new rota has worked a treat and Jot’em Down’s Market Rasen success at the weekend was the icing on the cake, following wins for Utility, Downloadtheapp and Campalu.
The most recent triumph, celebrated by the owner of the yard’s retired great The Giant Bolster, Simon Hunt, also coincided with Poppy Bridgwater’s 21st birthday.
She tweeted her delight after their double on August 1: “Two runners two winners for dad at Stratford!! Yard in form after @lucybridgwater breaking her back earlier in the week.. a nice silver lining.”
Lucy said after the unfortunate fall from dressage horse Monaco, she
thought she would be OK with a bit of rest.
The injury, which happened when her mount jinked suddenly in the riding arena, was discovered following an X-ray at Cheltenham General Hospital.
“It was just a stupid accident,” said Lucy.
“The horse was a bit bright and I came off. It was my first fall in more than ten years.
“I’ve survived The Bolster and twoyear-olds, so this was a bit silly really.
“I probably would have rested for a few days and ridden out, but I’ve been told to rest it for six weeks.
“It’s not like a broken finger which you can strap up and carry on.
“We are really close knit team here, all the staff have mucked in and helped out with the extra work.
“Seeing the horses win has been fantastic, we have been really pleased. They are all in good form.
“I’d normally ride a good few lots so Bridgie has had to dust off his helmet in my place.”
Poppy, who is in the top five in the standings for the Silk Series, a programme of races specifically for female jockeys, added: “We are all so happy with the winners.
“Mum is a really big part of the team and rides out a lot.
“When the accident happened we were wondering what we were going to do without her.”
One of the yard’s winners, Utility, can be tricky at the start but his quirks have not stopped him from putting in some stellar performances.
Seven pound claimer Callum Mckinnes gets on particularly well with the eight-year-old, a transfer from Jackdaws Castle.
Brendan Powell did the steering at Stratford, where Downloadtheapp gave Jerry Burrows his first winner as an owner and Campalu atoned for some unlucky experiences for Terry Amos.