Fabulous Fahey Double!
Fri 29 Dec 2023
WINNER 113 OF 2023: BLUE YONDER, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Billy Garritty: 'The BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap' over 1m 2f at Newcastle.
Racing slightly wide at the off, he came across to slot in behind the leaders. As the field entered the straight, Billy took him across to the stand side rail, with 3f to go. Ridden, he made good headway to take the lead over 1f out, staying on well and needing to just be ridden out, to win by 3/4 of a length.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Newcastle/28-December-2023/1530
Timeform rated it as joint career best t78 performance, saying: "Resumed winning ways back up in trip, gaining compensation for a couple of near misses recently; in touch, travelled well, headway 3f out, led 2f out, ridden out; should remain competitive.”
Billy said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He's a lovely big, beautiful horse and he's seen it out nicely.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385725315/x1-blue-yonder
WINNER 114 OF 2023: FLYING FLETCHER, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by David Nolan: 'The Bet 10 Get 40 At BetMGM Nursery' over 6f at Newcastle.
Back down to 6f, he settled towards the rear in the first couple of furlongs on the near side. Having to switch left to find room, he made good headway over 1f out. Challenging the leader in the final furlong, they both pulled clear with Blue Yonder running on well to win, going away, by 3 and a 1/2 lengths.
"Look now at Flying Fletcher go! He gets off the mark comfortably." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Newcastle/28-December-2023/1830
Timeform rated it as a career best t85 performance, saying: "Back down in trip, built on his promising effort last time, showing improved form to win in convincing fashion; dived right leaving stalls, raced off the pace, smooth headway 2f out, switched over 1f out, led inside final 1f, kept on well; still unexposed as a sprinter, he looks sure to go well again, for all the handicapper will have his say.”
David said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He's a grand horse and back to 6f today suited him.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385725321/x7-flying-fletcher
Syndicate manager of both horses, Tom says: "I thought Billy gave Blue Yonder a great ride, making the move to the rail and the horse was very willing and once he got to the front, he wasn't for catching! Congratulations to his owners on their three wins with him this year.
That was a very deserved victory for Flying Fletcher and well done to his owners for being patient with him, as he is bred to be a miler at least but he has decided that he's a sprinter! He has plenty of size and scope and could be useful going forward. Thank you to Richard and his Musley Bank team for the double - great work!"
Not just a double celebration but these two wins that take us over £2.5 million in prize money won in 2023. Our best ever result and that's with fewer runners than last year too, which is testament to the quality of horses we have. One more runner to go and then we'll collate all our statistics. You can see them in our New Year newsletter, out on January 1st. Subscribe to receive your emailed copy, here: Mailing List.