Happy New Year’s Day at Fakenham

We had a good and enjoyable start to the New Year at Fakenham. Terry (aka Le Tueur), having his second start for us was second in the 2 mile 5 furlong chase. He provided additional entertainment before the start by managing to unseat Jay Tidball and then warming himself up by jumping a couple of fences on his own. He took a while to be caught after tangling himself up in the starting tape but, fortunately, after a veterinary check, was passed fit to race. He jumped superbly once again and was unfortunate to be caught just before the last but then ran on and was closing on the winner but was finally beaten by 1 3/4 lengths. The trip was shorter than ideal for him but he ran well and, after two seconds for  Yen Hall Farm Racing, we shall expect him to go one better next time! The excellent photograph is courtesy of Nick Butcher of Leaderboard Photography.

Glimpse of Gold then ran for Yen Hall Farm Racing in the 2 mile 4 furlong Grand Prix hurdle – the richest race ever staged at Fakenham, with over £18k to the winner. Gold doesn’t really like soft ground and his ideal trip is 2 miles on good or even good to firm ground. He is meant to be on holiday but hates not racing and so we decided to let him take his chance in this race. He raced prominently and was clearly enjoying himself but, not surprisingly, he faded on the last circuit and Jay rightly pulled him up two out. He loved his day and is full of himself the next day. Despite now being 12 years old, he is impatient for the ground to improve so that he can get back to winning ways!

Redbridge Rosie ran in the final race, a mares’ steeplechase over three miles run in twilight. This was Rosie’s first time ever over steeplechase fences and she loved it. We were thrilled that she finished third, behind two horses with much more experience. She jumped very well and learned a great deal. We very much look forward to her next outing.

Here is a photograph, courtesy of Nick Butcher of Leaderboard Photography of YHFR members enjoying the racing.