Cheltenham not Chelmsford !

While Chelmsford is more our usual hunting ground maybe Rae and Rachel should have Cheltenham in their sights after their own Kutaiba ran away with the bumper in some style yesterday at Huntingdon on her racecourse debut !

She was bred by Shadwell and comes with a beautiful pedigree as she is by Golden Horn (winner of the Derby, Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc') and is closely related to the 2014 Oaks winner Taghrooda. Rachel picked her out at Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year as an unraced two year old who topped 16.3 hands high then and is even bigger now ! It was clear that she was not a horse for anyone in a hurry but luckily she had found the right owners in Rae and Rachel who have patience in abundance. Kutaiba had a spell turned away in the field which gave her huge frame time to mature and when she came back into work it was a slow progession, but progression it was and so a National Hunt flat race was targeted at Huntingdon.

Daryl Jacob was booked and Kutaiba made the short trip to our local National Hunt track accompanied by Dan and Georgia. She was clearly the standout in the paddock and the money came for her while the race itself could hardly have been more straightforward. She travelled strongly throughout and certainly appreciated every yard of the distance which was just a shade over one mile and five furlongs. Once Daryl got to work on her she went about her job very professionally and in the last furlong drew away to win by an impressive four and a quarter lengths. 

So there is certainly a bright future in front of this imposing filly and we are delighted for Rae and Rachel. Thank you to Daryl Jacob for riding her and also to Dan (assistant trainer) and Georgia who looked after her at the races. Plus, a huge well done to Amelie who rides her at at home. Great job team !