In The House
Fri 17 May 2024
WINNER 32 OF 2024: CLARENDON HOUSE, trained by Robert Cowell and ridden by Tom Marquand: The Class 2 'Lindum York Handicap' over 5f at the York Dante Festival.
5th in this race last year, it was a good start when Richard Hoiles, the ITV Racing commentator remarked how well he looked in the paddock. The negative though, was the pre race mention that horses drawn 11 and higher (he was in 12) have a poor record in the race...
The leaders blitzed off towards the far rail and he settled towards the rear, towards the centre of the track. It got a little congested, but it was also clear that Tom had plenty of horse under him, as others came off the bridle. Making headway, there wasn't a clear path in front, so he had to switch right. Coming to the 1f pole, he was making excellent progress through the field and ran on well to take the lead in the final 100 yards and won going away, by 1 and a 1/4 lengths.
"Clarendon House comes home strongest" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2024-05-16/york/1415
Timeform rated it as a superb career best 119 performance, saying: "Had shaped as if back in form last time and duly built on that with a career-best effort in this competitive handicap, coming from further back than usual but travelling no less well for it, his finishing kick a potent one; raced off the pace, travelled powerfully, smooth headway 2f out, ridden approaching final 1f, kept on well to lead late on; he's likely to head for the Epsom Dash next, while connections are also targeting the Nunthorpe back here further down the line.”
Tom said in his ITV Racing interview:
Read the Racing Post story of the day, here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/hes-as-good-if-not-better-popular-sprint-star-big-evs-makes-brilliant-return-to-cement-royal-ascot-aim-aoytX4b0lN1I/
The cheering as they came back in was fantastic and so well deserved!
Our grateful thanks to York for their super hospitality and for the use of the images. You can see the full gallery, here: https://www.yorkracecoursephotos.co.uk/dante-festival-15th-17th-may
Syndicate manager Tim says: "After losing out on two photo finishes on day one of the Dante Festival, with SHOULVEBEENARING and ZIGGY'S CONDOR, we almost didn't want to watch until he had passed the line clearly in front! What a superb patient ride by Tom as they went hard up front and well done to him for a winning treble on the day. Many congratulations to his owners and a big thank you to Robert for his 8th career win. The Epsom Dash is in his diary next, as you will have read in the Racing Post article. He was a 'neck' third in the race last year, with his fellow MPR sprinter Silky Wilkie in 2nd, so we have unfinished business in that race!
Here he is this morning having some well deserved 'down time'
Winners at these festivals are experiences owners love and this year we've already had a remarkable 27 horses win or place in Group, Listed or valuable Class 2 races. That's why you will see our prize money total growing strongly. We hope to pass £800,000 from our runners in the next 48 hours, god willing. We're back at York on Friday and Saturday, with top level action also at Newbury on Saturday, in the Group 1 Lockinge itself! Best of luck to our owners with runners.”