A First-Class Day with a Treble and Hungerford Stakes Success

Saturday (15^th August) proved to be a memorable day of racing at our home track of Newbury, where we were delighted to saddle a double, highlighted by a special victory in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes.

The afternoon got off to a brilliant start in the shape of Addison Grey, a horse who has shown plenty of ability throughout the season but has found himself on the wrong side of fortune on more than one occasion. Stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time looked a positive move on paper and, thankfully, it proved exactly that.

Breaking smartly under Hector Crouch, he settled into a prominent position behind a strong pace and travelled with real purpose throughout. As the race began to unfold, it briefly appeared he might struggle for a clear run, but Hector remained patient. Once daylight arrived approaching the final furlong, the four-year-old responded generously, quickening through the gap and staying on strongly to score by a length and a half.

Where we’ve felt the step up in trip would suit him, it was particularly pleasing to see him put everything together in such a competitive handicap. A very well done to his owning connections from Opulence Thoroughbreds, who have been on a patient journey back to winning form with this horse, and we’re so delighted to see that faith now fully rewarded.

The second leg of the double came courtesy of Coppull, who produced a performance of real quality to land the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes and provide us with our 60th Group winner.

Having won this race previously with Lethal Force in 2012 and Balthazaar’s Gift in 2009, it was incredibly special to win this race again with another exceptionally talented racehorse. After riding Addison Grey, Hector Crouch was back in the saddle again, who was onboard Coppull for the first time and delivered a fine ride – settling the three-year-old into a position of strength just behind the leaders, before allowing him to creep closer as the race unfolded.

As the field began to stretch out, he travelled powerfully into contention and, once asked for more, showed an impressive turn of foot. Inside the final two furlongs he found another gear, and was quick to assert, putting daylight between himself and his rivals with every stride. In a performance that suggested he was enjoying every moment, Coppull even had time to prick his ears before crossing the line with a comfortable length-and-a-quarter advantage.

We could not have been more pleased with this performance. To record a second Group 2 success and against a field containing proven Group 1 performers was immensely satisfying and gives us every reason to believe there is still more to come. Congratulations go to his owners and breeders, David and Emma Armstrong, for this fantastic result.

Later that evening, attention then turned to Lingfield, where Uncle Frank came home two lengths in front, breaking his maiden on the second time of asking. After a pleasing debut at Windsor earlier in the season, where he finished fourth in a field of 10 and was only beaten shy of two lengths, this occasion proved he has built on the promise he showed first time out.

Ridden to victory by Georgia Dobie, the two-year-old was off to a keen start but settled well on the outside of the front runner. On the turn from home, the race soon turned into a head-to-head challenge, but he was quick to prevail and pulled clear inside the final furlong to win with ease.

We were delighted to see how this promising colt has continued to mature and are excited to see what his next entry brings. A very well done to his owner, Eamon O’Loughlin and his family, for this smart debut win.

It’s days like these that make me particularly grateful for the strength of the team we have at home, and I would like to thank everyone behind the scenes at Beechdown. Success at any level – and especially from those milestone races – is only possible because of the ongoing dedication and hard work shown by the entire team. Their devotion to the horses, day in and day out, is at the heart of everything we achieve, and it makes victories like these all the more rewarding.