Ryedale | Archive | 2003 | August | 06
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Wednesday 6th Aug 2003.
What a christening!
Only a matter of days after Richard Fahey had moved the bulk of his string into his new Musley Bank yard, Lady Bear proved the perfect ice-breaker for the Ryedale trainer by landing a £100,000 race at the Goodwood Festival.
"It couldn't have been better," exclaimed Fahey. "To have a big winner out of Musley Bank almost immediately is unbelievable."
Given a brilliant ride by Paul Hanagan, Lady Bear, a 10-1 shot in Thursday's William Hill Mile, came from last to first, but never left the inside until launching her challenge inside the final two furlongs.
Come the finish, she had one-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over Faithful Warrior as she galloped home to a famous victory, worth £58,000 to the winning owner, Arthur Campbell, who bolstered that sum, having backed his 10-1 winner at ante-post odds of 40-1.
"It doesn't often happen, but everything came right on the day," said Fahey.
"There was some give in the ground, which she loves, but which you could hardly plan for at the end of July, and she had a brilliant draw in stall 22, which is crucial at Goodwood."
Fahey, based for the last ten years at Manor Farm, Butterwick, purchased Musley Bank from Colin and Carol Tinkler during the summer.
His recent move, a complex operation for some 60 horses, and everything that goes with them, is not yet completed. But they are almost there. And, more importantly, winning markers have already been put down.
No sooner had Lady Bear done the business, than stablemate King's College Boy followed up at Nottingham's evening meeting, to provide Fahey - and Musley Bank - with a memorable double.
Updated: 11:21 Wednesday, August 06, 2003
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