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Photos From The Day

Last working day for some owners before a week off for Cheltenham and this all meant that there was much to be done at work before we could get to Sandown.  The proximity of the track for most meant that many of the owners were able to attend however and we ended up with 17 owners attending.

It was Grand Military Gold Cup day at Sandown with half of the races being for amateur riders and whilst it was not a huge crowd, it was busy enough.  A nervous BG Racing group settled in the owners and trainers bar and then moved back and forth between the paddock and the seats for the first four races before all the owners met up in the Owners and Trainers bar just before race 5 so that we could go over to the pre parade ring together.

Oscara Dara was first to be saddled and head off to the paddock and it was good to see Alex who had previously worked with Alan in Beare Green is now looking after Oscara Dara again at Nicky’s.  We left Nicky saddling his other runner Zama Zama and headed over to the paddock.  There we were joined by Nicky who seemed a bit more bullish than he had been earlier in the week when we last spoke.  He introduced us to Michael Buckley who has a number of horses at Nicky’s yard and who owns Zama Zama.

David Bass then joined us.  Nicky instructed him that if Oscara was going well enough that he should be ridden to win the race, but not to give him a really hard race if it was clear that he was not fit enough.  The horses headed to the track and the owners headed off to various spots to watch the action.

David settled Oscara in last place and there was early good news in that the pace was strong and Oscara Dara looked to be hurdling well.  Going down the back David eased him into the race and turning for home it was Cousin Khee (who Nicky thought would be tough to beat) and Oscara Dara that seemed to be moving better than Zama Zama who was by now in front.  Heading to the second last Cousin Khee came under pressure and David asked Oscara for his effort and between the last two, Oscara settled the race by storming clear.  The owners could barely believe their eyes as he passed the line a full 20 lengths ahead of the second horse.

Back in the unsaddling enclosure it was smiles all round.  Alex couldn’t stop grinning and Nicky seemed as thrilled as the owners with the performance.  Discussions were flying regarding future targets and mobile phones were buzzing with calls and texts of congratulations.

The racecourse/sponsors presented us with two glasses and a framed photograph and invited us into their winners room for a drink and to watch a recording of the race.  What a day and the dreams of going all the way to the top are still alive!