It has been said that the Cheltenham Festival is horseracing’s equivalent of the Olympics – well, today, 15th March 2016, I won a Gold Medal.
Ballyalton ran such a great race to be second to Faugheen in 2014, that then I dreamed that I could bring him back over fences to win at the Festival.
It hasn’t been easy! Ballyalton had a long time off the track after his effort in the Neptune, and his record over fences this season was mixed.
But he worked well at Kempton a couple of weeks ago and schooled well under Brian Hughes recently, so I knew he was in good shape.
The race itself went like a dream, and after a great round of jumping, he battled like a lion up the hill …… cue emotional scenes in the aftermath!!
John Westwood has been loyal and supportive – Lee Westwood gave me the chance to buy Ballyalton in December 2011 – my team at Dominion Racing Stables have been brilliant – and my family, friends and owners have been wonderful ….
Thank you everyone, thank you Ballyalton 🙂