Barbury was a sadder place today with the news that Lil Rockerfeller, a stalwart of Neil King's burgeoning traing operation along the ridge at Burderop, had succumbed to a heart attack after the listed Dawn Run Chase at Auteuil on Sunday.
The ultimate trier among racehorses was running for Andrew Hollinshead, who trains in France, following a spell with Tom George's successful French raiding party, led by eldest son Noel, and directed by James Reveley. He had been due to return to Burderop later this year.
No less than 50 starts produced 11 victories and a further 23 runner-up or third places, and over £500,000 in prize money. Two wins on the flat for Richard Hannon prefaced a successful juvenile career, and progression to Fontwell's National Spirit, several outstanding performances in victoruy and defeat in the Coral Ascot Hurdle, and a 3/4l runner-up berth to Nicholls Canyon in the 2017 Stayers Hurdle. He was as game as they come, and robust with it, albeit not as robust as we thought.
Meanwhile, across the ridge, another trainer is looking ahead to Glorious Goodwood in August. Trueshan, withdrawn from the Ascot Gold Cup on account of the ground that wet day, is headed for a rematch with Stradivarius and Subjectivist after a top-weighted sixth place in last weekend's Northumberland Plate.
King has an enviable reputation in Flat racing's marquee races for a man that until a few years ago, was seen as a Tommy Tittlemouse to the Flat's sophisticated Johnnie Townmouses. The versatility of the Barbury set up is truly remarkable.
Barbury was a sadder place today with the news that Lil Rockerfeller, a stalwart of Neil King's burgeoning traing operation along the ridge at Burderop, had succumbed to a heart attack after the listed Dawn Run Chase at Auteuil on Sunday.
The ultimate trier among racehorses was running for Andrew Hollinshead, who trains in France, following a spell with Tom George's successful French raiding party, led by eldest son Noel, and directed by James Reveley. He had been due to return to Burderop later this year.
No less than 50 starts produced 11 victories and a further 23 runner-up or third places, and over £500,000 in prize money. Two wins on the flat for Richard Hannon prefaced a successful juvenile career, and progression to Fontwell's National Spirit, several outstanding performances in victoruy and defeat in the Coral Ascot Hurdle, and a 3/4l runner-up berth to Nicholls Canyon in the 2017 Stayers Hurdle. He was as game as they come, and robust with it, albeit not as robust as we thought.
Meanwhile, across the ridge, another trainer is looking ahead to Glorious Goodwood in August. Trueshan, withdrawn from the Ascot Gold Cup on account of the ground that wet day, is headed for a rematch with Stradivarius and Subjectivist after a top-weighted sixth place in last weekend's Northumberland Plate.
King has an enviable reputation in Flat racing's marquee races for a man that until a few years ago, was seen as a Tommy Tittlemouse to the Flat's sophisticated Johnnie Townmouses. The versatility of the Barbury set up is truly remarkable.
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