Carmarthenshire went close to tasting Classic glory at the weekend.
Gstaad finished second behind the superb winner Bow Echo in what appeared to be a vintage renewal of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. While he is now owned by the powerful global Coolmore operation and trained by Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien, Gstaad was actually bred in Maywood Stud – around 20 miles from the racecourse at Ffos Las – and the operation of small breeder Kelly Thomas.
Gstaad is the son of a mare called Mosa Mine, who failed to win a race of any description in 11 attempts and who Thomas bought for just £800 in 2011. It could possibly be the best £800 she ever spent as Mosa Mine has now produced two top-level performers, with Gstaad following in the hoofprints of leading sprinter Vandeek.
Gstaad stamped himself as one of O’Brien’s top two-year-olds last term. He was a brilliant winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but then finished runner-up in his next three outings when sent off favourite in Group 1 contests.
But he finally got his head in front at the top level with a breathtaking success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November.
Gstaad, ridden by Ryan Moore, was backed into joint-favouritism for the Guineas. And if it hadn’t been for the presence of Bow Echo, he would have been a runaway winner of the first Classic of the season. He streaked eight lengths clear of the third horse Distant Storm.
Bargoed-born jockey David Probert was among the winners last week. His success in a competitive five-furlong handicap at Ascot on board 14-1 shot Far Above the Law came after a victory in midweek at Bath on board Silver Wraith in a sprint handicap. Silver Wraith is trained by Emma Lavelle, who is perhaps better known for her exploits with her National Hunt runners.
Grace Harris (photographed) was also on the scoresheet at Bath as Oasis Sunrise landed a mile handicap in the hands of Rossa Ryan. It was her 10th winner of the calendar year, putting her well on target to surpass last season’s personal best of 24.
On Tuesday of this week, Grace also sent out Lion Of The Desert win at Ffos Las for the second time in a month under jockey Joe Anderson.
Champion jockey Sean Bowen – who has AP McCoy’s record of 289 winners in a season on his radar – drew a blank on the first day of the new jumps campaign at Uttoxeter. But James Davies got on the board with his first ride of the new season, partnering Miss Maverick to a comfortable success in a two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle.
Our next meeting at Ffos Las is Wednesday 20th May.
