Magic, from Malc
Tue 23 May 2023
WINNER 42 OF 2023: MALC, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Oisin Orr: The 'British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes' over 5f at Carlisle.
Our silks were already in the limelight, as the race card cover had a winning image of Ventura Flame on it, from last season! This was the first race on the card, at Carlisle's opening meeting of the season.
The start was delayed by a horse that had to be walked to the start and then refused to enter the stalls, but all the way through, Malc behaved impeccably for this, his debut.
Close up at the off, Oisin slotted him in. Deciding to pull him to the outer, he pushed him along and Malc responded to make good headway. Over 1f out he made a challenge to the leader and hit the front inside the final furlong. He was just pushed out to the line and won easily, by 2 and a 1/4 lengths.
"This will be an impressive debut from Malc." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/444669-carlisle/22-May-2023/1400
Oisin said in his Racing TV interview: "He was fairly green and it took him about 10 strides to get going, but I was able to get him in behind and teach him a bit. He quickened up and has done it nicely, hitting the line strongly and I think he will come forward for this - he could be a nice horse.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/vph.asp
Timeform rated it as an 83+ performance, saying: "Justified support first time up, overcoming hints of greenness; settled mid-field after 1f, ran green soon after, loomed up out wide 2f out, led final 1f, well on top finish; he'll stay 6f and is sure to improve.”
The Racing Post reported: 'The opening 5f novice was won by subsequent Group 2 winner El Caballo in 2021, and it could have produced another smart type this year as Malc made an impressive winning debut under Oisin Orr for Richard Fahey and Middleham Park Racing.'
He picked up the £15,000 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Bonus too, so a nice winning pot of £21,750 for his owners: https://www.tattersalls.com/news/malc-wins-15-000-craven-breeze-up-bonus-and-earns-connections-21-750
Syndicate manager Tom was in attendance, along with Richard. He gave this interview after the race:
Tom continues: "Congratulations to his owners and top marks to Richard for his record in this race. That was very impressive. Oisin told us that it took a long time to pull him up - in fact, we wondered where they were as we waited in the winners' enclosure for them to return! I gave his owners an update last evening on race plan thoughts, which does include getting dressed up for the Royal Meeting.
We have a burgeoning group of horses lining up for Royal Ascot. We couldn't be more thrilled with the performances of our 2 year olds; purchases both as yearlings and at breeze up sales. Malc was our 6th winner from 7 to have run - 3 of them being debut winners. 5 of them have Timeform figures above 75: Got To Love A Grey 93p, Ziggy's Phoenix 84, Malc 83p, Ziggy's Dream 82, Denruth Diamond 75p. Heads down now with our 6f cohort to make their debuts and plenty of Festivals to consider!"