Boy Oh Boy!
Sun 18 Sep 2022
WINNER 108 OF 2022: EDDIE'S BOY, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle: The Group 3 'Prix Eclipse' over 6f at Chantilly.
One of our favourites, Super Sprint winner Eddie's Boy (also known as Fast Eddie,) travelled over to Chantilly, as did Hollie Doyle to ride him - her only ride of the day - and it was well worth it!
He broke smartly from the centre and after about 1/2 a furlong, moved across towards the rail and was immediately in front, never to see a rival. He came home unchallenged, winning by an impressive 6 and a 1/2 lengths.
"Eddie's Boy makes short work of the opposition and it's a one horse race!" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.france-galop.com/en/racing/detail/2022/P/YWR0NUo5eXppZVNGeHd3UTNvdExRQT09?check_logged_in=1#
Timeform rated it as a career best 113, commenting: "Having his ninth outing of the year, showed plenty of improvement, able to make all the running, but clearly the best horse on the day; led, pushed along 2f out, soon quickened clear, ridden out."
Hollie was interviewed by Sky Sports Racing afterwards:
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.scoopdyga.com/courses-216715-prix_eclipse_g3.html
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Mike Cattermole said that was 'a terrific performance' from Eddie's Boy and I can't disagree! He put the race to bed early on and when Hollie said in her interview that she felt he was still in second gear, I thought that was hilarious. He has now won £175,000 in prize money and Timeform have given him a rating that puts him towards the top of the latest European 2 year old ratings: Little Big Bear 126p, Noble Style 117p, Bradsell 113p and Eddie's Boy 113. Not bad for a horse we bought for 45,000 gns.
Thank you to Hollie for going over to ride him and to Archie and his team, as we got some super media of him before and after the race, which was lovely. Thank you to Chantilly for looking after our owners so well too, they had a lovely day."
Our 4 Havana Grey 2 year-olds have now won £407,000 between them. As you can see in the gallery, the first season sire has had 4 stakes winners - three owned by us: Shouldvebeenaring, Cuban Mistress and Eddie's Boy. Thank heavens we have two more yearlings for next year!! See them here.
WINNER 109 OF 2022: RAINBOW FIRE, trained by Marco Botti and ridden by Neil Callan: 'The RacingTV Handicap' over 7f at Newbury.
We purchased the son of Kodiac, at the Tattersalls 'HIT' sale in July, for 35,000gns. He has been gelded since and Marco kept him ticking over at home. Making his stable and MPR debut here at Newbury, we wanted to see what he had in a competitive handicap.
Drawn 15 of 19, Neil took him towards the centre of the pack, tracking the leaders. Making smooth headway over 2f out, a gap opened and he was pushed along to take the lead. Facing some challengers from in behind, he kept on well towards the finish; just holding on, to win by a neck.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/410965-racingtv-handicap-3
Although Racing TV didn't interview Neil, we did get his feedback after the race, where he said: "That was a great win and it bodes well for his future. He's a very nice type and has a good temperament. I got to the front a little early, but he dug deep."
The Racing Post reported: 'Rainbow Fire could prove a shrewd purchase judged on what he produced in the 7f handicap. Now in the colours of Middleham Park Racing, he is trained by Marco Botti, who shelled out 35,000gns to buy him out of the John and Thady Gosden yard.
Neil Callan, known in the sport as the ironman of riders because of his supreme strength, did the steering and said: "I hadn't sat on him at home and Marco hasn't done much with him. He's just kept him sweet and ticking over and the run today was to see where we were at. He'd always been on the pace or pressing it, so we wanted to drop him in and relax and see what he could do. He picked up nicely, although I was in front too soon. He's a nice horse with a good attitude. He doesn't do anything quickly, but lengthens well. That bit of dig in the ground was perfect and I think he can improve for sure."
Timeform rated it as a career best 103, saying: "Back on turf, was one of the least exposed and capitalised on the drop in grade returned to a shorter trip on first outing since leaving John & Thady Gosden (35,000 gns) after 5 months off, showing improved form having been gelded in the interim, certainly going through this like he was on a good mark and he can't be hit hard by the handicapper after seeming to think he'd done enough; in touch, loomed up over 2f out, led under pressure under 2f out, tackled entering final 1f, edged right/idled, carried head bit awkwardly, just held on."
Syndicate manager Tim says: "Delighted with that performance on his first start for us, he should give his new owners some fun. Well done to Marco for having him spot on for his stable debut and well done to his owners. Some who are first time owners with us and who were there yesterday, taking the glass decanter home with them. It has been a terrific week for quality results. Prince Of Pillo and Eddie's Boy winning at Listed and Group 3 level, means that we have 12 pieces of black type won by our 2-year-olds alone so far this flat season. Matching last year's tally of winners at this stage in the year shows what a quality bunch of horses we have."