A Dimanche Double!
Mon 08 Aug 2022
WINNER 87 OF 2022: MENSEN ERNST, trained by Simone Brogi and ridden by Mr Gabriel Roth le Vaillant: 'The Prix Ideal Auto' over 2,700m at Dinan.
The ground conditions in France, like much of Europe were dry and you could see that watching the race, as there wasn't much green turf around!
Disputing the lead early on, Gabriel decided to take him back and settled in 4th. As they approached the home turn, he sent him on to pass the field with an injection of speed. In the final straight, Gabriel had time to look around a couple ot times to see the gap and was able to ease him over the line, winning by 4 lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.france-galop.com/en/racing/detail/2022/P/RGkzRldqdmJZaFBJTUJuYm9lWXRiZz09
A stunning 13th win and he has now passed €150,000 of prize money and French owner premiums earned for his lucky owners and was rewarded with his favourite post race snack....!
Syndicate manager Tim says: "He is certainly in our 'legends' category now, with his winning exploits. His syndicate are overjoyed with his prize money earning and there are few horses who can build up a sequence of performances that looks like this 1,1,1,2,1,4,1,1,1,1,1,2,1,6,4,2,1,2,4,1,1. Well done to Simone and his team and congratulations to his owners."
WINNER 88 OF 2022: SILKY WILKIE, trained by Karl Burke and ridden by Sam Feilden (-5): 'The Sky Bet Sunday Apprentice Training Series Handicap' over 5f at Haydock.
A super 2nd at the Qatar Goodwood Festival last week, he lined up here as favourite. A field of 14 for the £30,000 prize pot on offer, with ITV Racing at the track to cover the 'Sunday Series' card.
In the early part of the race, he was in touch with leaders down the centre, with Sam then asking him for an effort at the 2-pole. Taking the lead over 1f out, he put his head down in customary fashion and kept on, always doing enough, to win by 1/2 a length.
"Silky Wilkie is in front and just holds on!" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/404052-sky-bet-sunday-apprentice-training-series-handicap-4
Timeform rated it as a career best 98 performance, saying: "Found more progress to resume winning ways back against older rivals, proving an uncomplicated ride and always doing enough close home; prominent, travelled fluently, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on; likely to continue in form.”
Luke Harvey chatted to some of his owners in the winners' enclosure waiting for him to come back in, which was lovely!
Sam said in his Racing TV/ITV Racing interviews: "He is so genuine and tough and a straightforward ride, the only concern I had was the draw, but he always travels well and can quicken away.”
The Racing Post reported: 'Sam Feilden gained the biggest success of his fledgling career on Silky Wilkie in the apprentice handicap. The 20-year-old, nephew of trainer Julia Feilden, moved from Newmarket to Middleham at the start of the year and landed the £30,000 contest for his boss Karl Burke. It was a fifth win for Feilden – and second on Middleham Park Racing's Silky Wilkie – and he said: "This is by far my biggest win, so it's pretty important. I love him, he's so straightforward and genuine and is a dream for a jockey. I'm in my first full year with a licence and I'm grateful for the opportunities Karl has given me." Burke recorded his fifth victory of this year's Sunday Series and will scoop a £25,000 bonus if able to saddle two more at Sandown's finale.'
See the official photo gallery, here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385383762/x1-silky-wilkie
Syndicate manager Mike says: "Well Mensen Ernst may well be earning legendary status, but Silky Wilkie is really melting hearts with his performances. His attitude is just what you want in a sprinter and when you see his results, posted by Racing TV in their tweet, he's becoming a favourite. He is in at Nottingham on Friday and escapes a penalty, so Karl and I we will look at that. Congratulations to his owners and hats off to Karl for keeping him sweet.”