Breeders Crown 2013

I apologise for the almost two-week delay in updating my blog, however ‘real life’ has been more than manic and I have at times thought that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.


Fortunately for us all I have managed to find some time to set about writing up the past fortnight’s experiences/shenanigans, beginning with the annual Breeders Crown meeting which was this year held at Tir Prince on 6th August. I’ve already written up a small synopsis for the STAGBI Facebook page which, to save time, I will cleverly insert into this blog. It will be so seamless that you won’t even notice…


Tuesday 6th August saw the annual Breeders Crown meeting, which this year was held at Tir Prince. There were 9 races, restricted to British and Irish bred horses by nominated stallions (more info can be found at www.breederscrownukandireland.com).

The night kicked off with the first of two heats for the 3yo colts; Frisco Fiddler (Arts Conquest x Life Isjusta Dream) made the most of the inside draw, coming home ahead of Ontop Girlcharmer and Chinatown Kolt. The second heat was taken by Ayr Majesty (Daylon Alert x Ayr Queen) who finished in front of Meadowbranch Ash and Springhill Jaz. Race 3 featured the 2yo fillies, of which 7 made it on the night. Favourite Frisco Blue Moon (Hasty Hall x Life Isjusta Dream) was beaten by Rhyds Art (Hasty Hall x Arts Treasure) in what was a closely-fought duel from start to finish, with Fresh Ayr (Hasty Hall x Very Fast Cass) finishing clear of the rest in third. A 1-2-3 for super-sire Hasty Hall in this race.

Next came the 2yo colts, which due to the number of runners was split into two straight finals. The first of these saw Ayr Regal (Daylon Alert x Ayr Queen) beat a strong-finishing Ontop Blackjack and Cool Desire, while the second was taken by Lyons Mischief (Hasty Hall x Lyons Montana), who came home ahead of Camden Tino and Rhyds Design. Race 6 featured the 4yo mares, and the winner here was Camden Carley (Yankee Lariat x Jazzy Empress) with Rhyds Jigsaw finishing second and Hollieoaks in third. They were followed by the 4yo colts, and it was another from Camden Stud that took the spoils in this race. Camden Callen (Yankee Lariat x Rose Croix) finished in front of Makemeamillionayr who ran made all, and Oakview George who ran on for third.

The penultimate race featured the 3yo fillies, and it was Ladyford Indiana (The Preacher Pan x Ayr Katie K) who continued her winning ways to take the prize, beating Lyons Royal Flush and Ontop Wye Preach in the process. The last race saw the 3yo colts who had qualified from the earlier heats battle it out to win the final. The surprise of the night came in the form of one of the fastest losers, Rhyds Solution (Hasty Hall x CP's Village Jigsaw) who romped home in tremendous fashion to bag the prize.

The night delivered a fantastic showcase of British and Irish racing talent, and Hasty Hall retained his title as top stallion for the 7th year in a row. Ayr Queen (by Albert Albert) took the title of top mare. Congratulations to all winning connections, and also to those who took part. Getting to the races is a challenge in itself and it was great to see such a substantial turnout of horses. Photos can be found at www.pacingpics.com


See, you hardly noticed at all.


I travelled up with my parents and brother as our two year old filly was racing. I didn’t spend much of the evening itself with them as I was clerking for Smarty however they did come to see me after Fresh Ayr had come third. We were all pleased as although she’d raced three times prior to the BC meeting, she hadn’t actually been asked to show what she was made of (the first race she was stuck behind a horse that broke and although she made up ground well the driver didn’t push her too hard; the second occasion she was driven very quietly throughout and not really put into the race although finished strong in third, and the third time she was again stuck behind a horse that broke at the start but despite this finished well again to come fourth). On the night she was slightly caught up behind a filly that wasn’t travelling so well to begin with but when she saw daylight she really motored and was definitely finishing with the front two as opposed to the four behind her.

Fresh Ayr, aka Daisy, our 2YO filly warming up

 There was no hanging about once the racing was finished, as my family are the sort to be sat in the car waiting to go before the last race has even kicked off. I had just about enough time to help Smarty dismantle the joint, collect the LED board and battery and have a quick kiss goodbye before I was hurried into the vehicle to head home. We then waited to follow Smarty and his dad in the lorry back to the road as the driver and navigator in our vehicle didn’t believe I knew where I was going. It turned out that I was the ONLY person in the car who knew where we were going, however I was ignored and instead of carrying on on the A55 as instructed (by me), we took the wrong exit (three exits too early), ended up driving around Wrexham for a bit and then having to stop in a small village for my mother to go into a pub to ask for directions back to the A483.


As I was the only person who had to get up to go to work the next day – the other three were going to Penybont trotting races – I was a touch disgruntled about the delaying detour that we took. Oh well, we made it home eventually!


Over and out,


Sarah (#1 tired groom)