A series of milestones and the sight of Wales’ top flat jockey at the top of his game – there was plenty to get your teeth into during last week’s two-day meeting at Ffos Las.
By the time David Probert had continued an extraordinary run of form by firing in a double on the second day of the meeting, there had already been much to celebrate for Ffos Las visitors both old and new.
Emmet Mullins, one of the growing forces of the Irish training ranks, is very much a Ffos Las newcomer. But he struck with his first runner at the course when Winday ran away with a 12-furlong maiden. In doing so Mullins gave himself an early wedding present.
Mullins is better known for his exploits over jumps – he has won the Grand National with Noble Yeats and the Irish version with Soldier in Milan. And it was in the colours of the latter’s owner Paul Byrne that Winday struck, the three-year-old French import coming off the bridle early in the straight but staying on for pressure to run out a six-length winner from warm favourite Blue Hercules.
Winday was the second leg of a double for jockey Rossa Ryan, whose first victory of the day on board Macarone provided cause for double celebration.
Macarone’s success in a six-furlong event saw Gwent trainer Grace Harris equal her career-best total of 18 flat winners in a year. And judging by the form of her string – she was on the mark over the jumps with My Girl Katie in a staying hurdle at Newton Abbot a few hours later – she seems sure to beat that total in the coming months.
The owners of Macarone were also enjoying a landmark moment. Paul and Ann de Weck, long-standing supporters of Welsh racing, were enjoying the 50th victory in their colours.
Probert, Wales’ leading flat jockey, could hardly be in better form. At one point last week he had ridden eight winners from his previous 19 rides, and he maintained that excellent run at the Carmarthenshire track.
His first Ffos Las success came aboard Son Of Astar in a sprint handicap on a rare ride for trainer Tony Carroll. The four-year-old was sent off the 12-1 outsider in a field of six, but he is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure in West Wales and battled to a half-length success.
In contrast, Probert was on the hot favourite Withtearsinmyeyes in a one-mile maiden fillies’ stakes and rewarded those who had backed her into evens. The partnership made all before pulling nicely clear of their rivals in the closing stages.
The next meeting at Ffos Las is on Monday, September 21.
Probert carried his form into the big Goodwood card on Saturday as he landed another double. His first win came on Silverella in a two-year-old maiden, but perhaps the most taking display came on Chimes Of Thunder, who won a valuable maiden in some style
on soft ground she clearly relished.
Saturday’s evening meeting at Chepstow was also dominated by doubles. Edward Greatrex (photographed), Pat Cosgrave and Taryn Langley all rode two winners on the card. One of Cosgrave’s triumphs came on Absolute Diamond for Welsh trainer David Evans.
Perhaps the most emotional success of the week came when Ellis Collier steered Illogical Logic to victory at Cartmel. The race was named in memory of Cengiz Sadik, the son of winning owner Aytach.
