Records smashed at York Championship Day

North Yorkshire, England – York Championship Day looked an exciting prospect on paper and the reality definitely lived up to the hype, with two British records being broken throughout the course of the day on Saturday.

The first race saw a selection of the best 3YO fillies go to post in the first of three eliminations for the coveted York 3YO Championship Final. 

With the betting favourite Shaba Hanover drawn post position five on the outside of the gate, the race was a more open affair than the betting suggested, and it was Oaks Maddico who showed early speed to land in front off the first bend, with Vision Of Hope settling in second.

At the quarter, Lady Claires Best pulled out first up allowing Mick Lord and Shaba Hanover to follow through second over. Oaks Maddico continued to set even fractions and as they turned into the back stretch for the second time, Mick Lord took the opportunity to mount his challenge as Lady Claires Best tucked back in onto the rail leaving him a clear run at the leader.

Under a cool drive from Pam Haythornthwaite, Oaks Maddico was asked to find more rolling off the final bend as the fancied horse was bearing down on her and the filly responded well to pull away.

Race 1 York Championship Heat 1 – Fillies

1^st Oaks Maddico (Rogue Hall-Oaks Express) – P Haythornthwaite

2^nd Shaba Hanover (Real Desire-Shakeitupamy) – M Lord

3^rd ATM (Genghis Pan-Yoko Hall) – H Menzies

4^th Lady Claires Best (Pro Bono Best-Lady Lea) – A Haythornthwaite

7 Ran

Time: 2.00.7

Dist: 3 1/2L & 1/2L

The second elimination was restricted to colts and geldings, and it was all eyes on the 2014 Vincent Delaney winner, Titanium, who was making his 3YO debut following an impressive workout last weekend at Tir Prince.

With the benefit of post position one, Vicky Gill only had one thing on her mind as she gunned her charge out of the gate and before the field had settled it looked to be a foregone conclusion.

Coalford Tetrick and Sports Trick settled into second and third respectively and the field proceeded in Indian file to the half mile marker, when Alan Haythornthwaite mounted the first challenge with Sports Trick first over.

These three broke away from the field, but as they hit the three quarter pole Titanium kicked on and the result was never in doubt as he eased home to an impressive victory and a new British 3YO record of 1.56.8.

Race 2 York Championship Heat 2 – Colts & Geldings

1^st Titanium (Hasty Hall-Another Mattie) – V Gill

2^nd Coalford Tetrick (Rogue Hall-Sweet Tahoma) – M Pritchard

3^rd Sports Trick (Sportswriter-Tricky) – A Haythornthwaite

4^th Ayr Major (Daylon Alert-Ayr Queen) – W Laidler

6 Ran

Time: 1.56.8 (New British 3YO Record)

Dist: 5L & 4L

The final elimination was a mixed category featuring both fillies and colts, and this time the spotlight was on the Scottish unbeaten phenomenon, Rewrite History, who was aiming to make this run his seventh victory from seven lifetime starts. 

The 2YO track record holder was the deserved betting favourite and found himself fortunate to avoid trouble when the early leader J Ms Hallstar made a bad mistake heading into the first turn.

Kicking on, Gordon Gilvear settled into a comfortable lead and cut sensible fractions, which allowed Frisco Frisk and Greentree Serenity to close the gap on the rail and as they reached the half, the field had gathered behind the leader to mount their challenges.

William ‘Rocker’ Laidler moved first over and yet again the experienced Mick Lord took advantage of the second over spot with J Ms Hallstar who had made an exceptional recovery from her early falter. He was forced to switch three wide down the back stretch to join Frisco Frisk in their attempts to catch the leader, but Gordon Gilvear hadn’t even flicked his whip and as they rolled off the final bend.

Rewrite History looked to have more to give as he jogged to the line.

Race 3 York Championship Heat 3 – Mixed

1^st Rewrite History (Sportswriter-Treat Me Good) – G Gilvear

2^nd J Ms Hallstar (Hasty Hall-Camden Lover) – M Lord

3^rd Frisco Frisk (Rogue Hall-Lifeisjustadream) – A Haythornthwaite

4^th Rhyds Gambler (Hasty Hall-CPs Village Jigsaw) – W Laidler

5 Ran

Time: 2.01.2

Dist: 5L & neck

Race four was the first of two Trotteur Francais events over one and three quarter miles.  It was Solicitor and Ian Pimlott that led out and made all, with the early challenge coming from Sire Atout partnered by Gary Dowse.

Despite their best attempts they were unable to head the leader and found themselves parked wide for much of the remainder of the race. The next challenge came from Tanis De Viro at the mile, with Vif Du Layon second over and looking dangerous.

As they headed into the back straight for the final time, Quarillon D’Or switched three wide to pass Vif Du Layon, however he was unable to complete the task; as they rounded the paddock bend, Vicky Gill was forced to switch three wide with Vif Du Layon to clear the front two horses and as they approached the finish she kicked on to win comfortably from the long time leader, Solicitor.

Race 4 Prix Sancho Panza Le Trot

1^st Vif Du Layon (Mon Premier Cehere-Laureate Du Layon) – V Gill

2^nd Solicitor (Biesolo-Glorieuse De Mai) – I Pimlott

3^rd Tanis De Viro (Fripon Rose-Dirce) – M Lord

4^th Sarah Nima (Koktail de Perron-Inima) – A Haythornthwaite

9 Ran

Time: 3.43.5

Dist: 5L & 1L

The fifth race was the first of three 2YO events and an open race by all accounts with six recently qualified juveniles facing the starter. It was Best Of Class and Watson Harrop Jr who showed early speed to take a comfortable three length lead going to the quarter.

Pricing The Dream in the hands of Gary Dowse landed second on the rail with the remainder of the field some five lengths behind them. The field began to close the gap and as they passed the half mile marker Rocker Laidler moved first over with Ayrosmith to pile the pressure on the leader.

Best Of Class was reluctant to abdicate her position but Ayrosmith kicked on at the three quarters and took a commanding lead to ease home ahead of Pricing The Dream.

Race 5 York 2YO Futurity – Bronze Division

1^st Ayrosmith (Daylon Alert-Out In The Opan) – W Laidler

2^nd Pricing The Dream (Net Pool Pricing-Ericas Dream) – G Dowse

3^rd Best Of Class (Sportswriter-Class Of Her Own) – W Harrop Jr

4^th Ladyford Sunrise (Backnthesaddleapan-Stoneriggs Hall) – A Cairns

6 Ran

Time: 2.05.6

Dist: 7 1/2L & 3 1/2L

The next race was another open 2YO event with a field of 8 going to post.

The Irish filly Meadowbranch Queen was the first to show with John Richardson in the bike, from Ontop Big C in second and Porcelain Seelster who edged into third on the rail at the quarter.

Once again it was Rocker Laidler who showed his hand first and pulled out to attempt a challenge at the half with Caenwood Classic, however he landed second over as Patrick Kane Jr and Ontop Big C decided to have the first shot at the target that was Meadowbranch Queen.

As they reached the three quarter pole, the race was between three horses with Porcelain Seelster sitting dangerously in the pocket. Turning for home Meadowbranch Queen kicked on to go clear by five lengths, and a notably strong finisher came in the form of Reeds Scarlett, who had been largely unseen throughout.

Meadowbranch Queen, from the super-broodmare Churchill Queen, will be one to watch throughout the forthcoming stakes events.

Race 6 York 2YO Futurity – Silver Division

1^st Meadowbranch Queen (Kikikolt-Churchill Queen) – J Richardson

2^nd Porcelain Seelster (Camluck-Pantecostal) – A Haythornthwaite

3^rd Ontop Big C (The Preacher Pan-Penguins Can Dance) – P Kane Jr

4^th Reeds Scarlett (Hasty Hall-Yankee Prestige) – M Lord

8 Ran

Time: 2.02.4

Dist: 5L & 1L

The last of the three 2YO races featured some noteworthy participants, particularly NWHOA 2YO winner Party At he Spa and Titanium’s half-brother, Miraculous, who had finished runner up to the former at Tir Prince only one week ago.

John Richardson, looking for a back-to-back double, made use of his pole position with Meadowbranch Titus to command an early lead ahead of Coalford Bruce and Joe Maw.

The early movers in the race were Party At The Spa and Miraculous, who eased from the rear of the field down the back straight, with Party At The Spa finding himself first over at the quarter. Miraculous completed the quartet second over approaching the half.

Meadowbranch Titus dug deep in front through the three quarters and looked to have the better of Party At The Spa.

As they rounded the final turn, Miraculous was forced to switch three wide and heading for home he found himself embroiled in a battle with the long time leader, finally getting the better of the Irish raider yards from the winning line and giving his dam, Another Mattie, two from two on the day following Titanium’s earlier success.

Race 7 York 2YO Futurity – Gold Division

1^st Miraculous (Arts Conquest-Another Mattie) – P Kane Jr

2^nd Meadowbranch Titus (Kikikolt-Meadowbranch Giglo) – J Richardson

3^rd No Stoppin (Hasty Hall-Panama Canal) – W Laidler

4^th Coalford Bruce (Rogue Hall-Blackwell Minogue) – J Maw

7 Ran Time: 2.01.4 Dist: 1L & 2 1/2L

Race eight was the second of the two trotting races over an extended distance.

Rindy Ronvillais in the hands of Joss Edwards showed early supremacy to dictate from on top, commanding a 6 length lead for much of the first lap. Rocker Laidler mounted the first challenge with T’es Trop Foot first over at the three quarters, finally heading the leader just after the mile.

Very Cornuaillaise and the betting favourite, Show Business, cleared the fading Rindy Ronvillais to settle second and third on the rail heading down the back straight for the final time. Paul Mather wasted no time with Show Business and took the race to T’es Trop Foot, who faltered turning off the last bend, allowing Show Business to go clear, with Very Cornuaillaise staying on for second.

Race 8 Prix Tenor De Baune Le Trot

1^st Show Business (Game Jet-Kette D’Epinay) – P Mather

2^nd Very Cornuaillaise (Hibiscus Du Rib-Odile d’Anjou) – A Haythornthwaite

3^rd Speed Des Noes (Atome De Mai-Laranie Des Noes) – J Foy

4^th Seven Des Vents (First De Retz-Grande Vaise) – J Ali

8 Ran Time: 3.41.1 Dist: 6 1/2L & 4 1/2L

The ninth race was the first of four Inter-Dominion qualifying races for the top British and Irish horses.

With Meadowbranch Josh and Meadowbranch Demon non-runners, only eight horses faced the starter in this hotly-anticipated race over the extended distance of one and a half miles.

Meadowbranch Romeo in the hands of Noel Ryan headed the field as the start car pulled away, but it was stable companion Meadowbranch DJ who eased to the lead as they reached the quarter marker in 27.8 seconds.

Rhyds Destiny settled in third on the rail as Astounding went first up to draw alongside the leader at the half in 59.3 seconds. Heading down the back straight for the second time the field was four in four out with John Richardson dictating sizzling fractions on top as they hit the three-quarters in 1.28.6.

Rhys Evans with Saunders Mach 3 switched three wide turning onto the home straight with a lap to go and eased up alongside Meadowbranch DJ and Astounding as they clocked the mile in 1.59.4.

With the benefit of the inside rail, John Richardson kicked on going down the back straight leaving his former front-running partners in his wake and for the final quarter he extended his lead for an easy victory in 3.00.8, knocking 3 seconds off the previous British record for the distance which had stood for over 20 years.

A blanket finish for the minor placings saw Brywinsmagicpotion fight his way out of the pocket to finish second, Meadowbranch Romeo third and Saunders Mach 3 under a bold drive finish in fourth.

Race 9 Inter-Dominion 2015 – Leg One

1^st Meadowbranch DJ (Real Artist-Search For Cam) – J Richardson

2^nd Brywinsmagicpotion (Camotion-Lifes Magic Girl) – A Haythornthwaite

3^rd Meadowbranch Romeo (Fantastic Western-Churchill Queen) – N Ryan

4^th Saunders Mach 3 (Mach III-Campressious) – R Evans

8 Ran Time: 3.00.8 (New British Mile and a Half All-Comers Record) Dist: 10L & head

Race ten featured eight of the best 4YO horses in the country. The early leader came in the form of the Scottish representative, Robhall, from post position two, heading the betting favourite Rhyds Art as they exited the first bend.

Rhyds Design followed and landed second on the rail down the back straight, with Ayr Regal in third. Rhyds Art and Mick Lord pulled out to make a bold move down the outside as they rounded the paddock bend, however it was Rhyds Design that moved first over, forcing the filly to switch three wide as they entered the home straight for the first time.

Passing the half mile marker, Rhyds Design powered to the head of the pack with Ayr Regal first over at the three quarters. Turning for home, it was anyone’s race, and as Rhyds Design drifted off the rail, Robhall slipped up the inside with Ayr Regal mounting a challenge on the outside, following closely by the strong finishing Camden Jody, Serranohall and Lyons Mischief.

Race 10 York 4YO Championship Final

1^st Robhall (Dreamfair Vogel-Yoko Hall) – H Menzies

2^nd Ayr Regal (Hasty Hall-Ayr Queen) – P Kane Jr

3^rd Camden Jody (Yankee Lariat-Lets All Boogie) – L Rix

4^th Serranohall (Western Ideal-Redhot Pepperpot) – W Laidler

8 Ran Time: 1.59.8  Dist: 1L & neck

The final race of the day was the York 3YO Championship Final, which had whipped the crowd into a frenzy; and rightly so.

This would be the first meeting of top former 2YOs, Titanium and Rewrite History, drawn 1 and 2 on the gate respectively.

Vicky Gill wasted no time in asserting her authority in the race, as Gordon Gilvear moved into second on the rail to track the leader. Richard Haythornthwaite with a catch drive on Shaba Hanover was first to challenge and found herself parked as Rewrite History settled in the pocket.

As they entered the second lap it was the three heat winners sitting in first, second and third, and at the three quarters the two colts went clear to set up a scintillating final quarter.

Despite Titanium setting blazing fractions, Rewrite History was still poised to challenge approaching the final bend; however, Titanium held off his rival down the stretch to be crowned the champion and in doing so, broke his own British record from earlier in the afternoon.

Race 11 York 3YO Championship Final 2015

1^st Titanium (Hasty Hall-Another Mattie) – V Gill

2^nd Rewrite History (Sportswriter-Treat Me Good) – G Gilvear

3^rd Sports Trick (Sportswriter-Tricky) – A Haythornthwaite

4^th Coalford Tetrick (Rogue Hall-Sweet Tahoma) – M Pritchard

10 Ran  Time: 1.56.4 (New British 3YO Record)  Dist: 1 1/4L & 6L

By Sarah Thomas, for Harnesslink.com