Three-year-old, Whoputfiftyinyou, gave the Beechdown Stables team our first success of the 2022 turf season with an impressive performance in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap at Newbury on Easter Sunday (17th April). Running keen in early stages, jockey on board Hector Crouch settled him neatly behind the front runners, before switching to the outside where the final furlong saw the horse step up a gear to outrank the field. An exciting third win out of three races for this horse and connections, Paul and Clare Rooney.
Our first two-year-old winner was brought home three days later (20th April) at Salisbury in the Novice Stakes by Kaasib, carrying the red, white, and gold colours of AlMohamediya Racing. Showing signs of previous experience, Kaasib broke strongly to establish a place in second where he tracked the leader, Democracy Dilemma, before Hector gathered pace to present a narrow lead and quickened away by two-lengths in the final stages. We are excited to see more to come from him as his racing career evolves. He looks a promising prospect by first season sire U S Navy Flag.
On the same day, over in Chantilly, the team saddled race favourite Caturra, for owner Mr Saeed Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, in the Group 3 Prix Sigy. Shouldering a penalty for his Group 2 success last season in the Flying Childers Stakes, the now three-year-old sprinter made his seasonal debut under the steer of Adam Kirby, who nudged him along in early stages to follow leaders, before striding on to challenge front runners in the last furlong. Beaten ¾ length, Caturra gave a commendable performance to finish in second place, showing high hopes again for the season ahead.
On 22nd April at Doncaster, Lethal Nymph continued success for Beechdown Stables once again with his win in the six-furlong Novice Stakes. Breaking well, the three-year-old quickly gained a position behind early leaders in a field of 11 runners, before Adam pushed him along in closing stages to achieve his second win from two starts. A comfortable showcase early in the season for him, and an exciting performance for owner and breeder, Mr Trevor Fox.
Three-year-old Regal Envoy was next to declare success over the five and a half furlong distance for the Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds syndicate, who finished in front in the Maiden Stakes at Bath on 24th April. Priced as the 2/7 favourite, Regal Envoy set the pace in front on the rails before Hector squeezed him along as challenged by Brazen Diamond two furlongs from home. Finding his stride, he battled on in the final 100 yards to secure a three-length lead. Following a hold up in his early stages of training, we are so pleased with the way he has come back and to see him performing with a positive result, full of potential.
Midnight Train gave a pleasing performance at the Windsor meeting the following evening, with a half-length lead in the Sky Sports Racing Handicap. Ridden over a mile by Adam Kirby, in the red, white, and blue silks of Alan Spence & Angus Pearson, three-year-old Midnight Train found a midfield position in a field of 13 runners, before pricking his ears and steaming ahead to challenge at the front and go on to win in closing stages.
Flying the flag for the fillies, 5/1 Lost Angel won amongst a field of 13 runners in the Fillies Novice Stakes at Nottingham on 26th April, with Liam Keniry on board in the colours of Atlantic Equine. Drawn 11, the two-year-old Dark Angel filly broke smartly to take an early lead on the nearside rail and, although challenged, had the advantage in the final stages. Showing professionalism and pace, we were delighted with her performance, as this was a course record time and a step up in class now beckons.
