NAF with their newly launched RaceOn Range are proud to be supporting the PPORA awards. These awards were held at Stratford Racecourse prior to a rather exciting line up of evening racing. Many point to point enthusiasts came together to celebrate a successful and competitive season while awarding the overall season winners their prizes.
Horse Performance of the season was awarded to the legendary back-to-back Grand National Winner Tiger Roll trained by Gordon Elliott. We were absolutely delighted to be there on the night to present his McCoy! Huge congratulations to Tiger Roll and all of his connections. We wish them the best of luck and keep everything crossed when Tiger Roll, renowned as the small horse with a big heart, attempts to rewrite history when he competes for a third successive @RandoxHealth Grand National victory in April.
Leading Hurdler of the season was presented to @Elavelleracing’s for Paisley Park who has done nothing but improve all season. It was a moment fairy tales are created from when he brought home ‘the big one’ with a win in the Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Huge congratulations to Paisley Park and all connected, including owner Andrew Gemmell. Andrew, who has been blind from birth, is able to listen to the commentary at the races and feel the vibration in the ground as the horses go by. He has an extraordinarily special connection with Paisley Park who will always stand for Andrew to pat him.
The Leading Novice Hurdler was awarded to the Caroline Bailey Racing trained mare Dyliev. This likable mare won three times last season, including twice at Huntington. This progressive mare just keeps improving. One to look out for next season.
“Thank you so much for sponsoring the award we won with Dyliev. My owners and ourselves had a wonderful evening at the McCoys and much appreciate the sponsorship which enables these awards to happen. For a small yard like ours it is thrilling to win something like this.”
- Caroline Bailey
Paisley Park in his beautiful Thermatex RaceOn winners rug:
NAF with their newly launched RaceOn Range are proud to be supporting the PPORA awards. These awards were held at Stratford Racecourse prior to a rather exciting line up of evening racing. Many point to point enthusiasts came together to celebrate a successful and competitive season while awarding the overall season winners their prizes.
NAF RaceOn support the mares award which was won by Teeton Power, owned and bred by Mrs Joan Tice and trained by Liz Harris. With some excellent runs under her belt this season, we should all be looking forward to backing her next season.
"She is ultra-game, an exuberant jumper and very competitive"
says Liz Harris.
We look forward to catching up with Teeton Power next season!
Bene Regina went into our notebook following her first appearance on UK turf at Brocklesby in February. Her gutsy reappearance at Brafield confirmed all expectations, and, in the face of stiff competition from other promising mares from around the country, secured her the March NAF PPORA Mare of the Month Award.
We asked jockey Tommie O'Brien for his thoughts on her performance that day, and also talked to her North Lincolnshire based trainer Jane Kent to find out more
The jockey's verdict:
"She was very brave at Brafield, she was tired but she was absolutely not going to be denied I thought I was going to beat Gina (Inmyday) at a few points but I just couldn't quite get past her. Then landing over the last I thought I had her beaten, then she came back at me again and I thoughtI can't get away from her! But the mare put her head down and it was like she knew where the winning post was and that she just needed to dig in that extra bit – she just was not going to be beaten. She's tough as teak and absolutlely deserved that win and the Mares' Award" - Tommie O'Brien
Jane Kent the trainer told us: Purchased at Doncaster Sales last May Bene Regina ticked a lot of boxes in the catalogue and on the day
"We went with a shopping list for a couple of our owners and had a few earmarked. We liked the look of her pedigree on the page, and the bit of form she had in Ireland, (she'd run 2ndin a Mares' Maiden at Taylorstown a few weeks previously. That's what initially attracted our attention. Then when we liked the look of what we saw, a nice big mare with good conformation. She still needed to strengthen up a bit but that wasn't a bad thing in our eyes as she'd have the summer off to do that, and there was a lot of horse there to work with. Back in work and with a summer at grass under her girth Bene Regina there was evidence of further promise. She's got a really good attitude. At home she wants to get on with the job, she's fairly keen on the gallops always on the bridle and wanting to do it. Promise turned to performance on the track at Brocklesby in February when, ridden by Tom Strawson, she raced with enthusiasm and jumped with aplomb to finish a comfortable looking winner of the Jockey Club Mares' Maiden, despite giving a 21lbs advantage to the runner up Hattie Hopkinson. "We were quietly optimistic heading there. She had been working and schooling nicely at home, and they do have to be able to jump at Brocklesby. I think it was her jumping and that bit of experience that she had from Ireland that won it," recalls Jane."
Bene Regina's follow up run in testing conditions at Brafield in March was approached with similar confidence
"We were very hopeful of a good run, we thought that Encounter A Giant was the biggest danger, but that fell. Inmyday was travelling well under Gina Andrews and we thought we've got second which is a decent result, but ours stuck to the task so well. Then Tommie brought her through on the inner round the last bend, came to be upsides at the last fence and went away from that – we were so thrilled that day! We're delighted for the owners, Bob, Dai and Sheila, they're a group of friends who live adjacent to each other. They had a "nearly horse" with us before and have been very patient. Bob rode winners between the flags, but Bene Regina is their first winner as owners. We're still learning about her and will find out more again on her next run. The immediate plan is a run in one more Point to Point, possibly Tabley, and from there on we'll look for a run under Rules. Either a Hunter Chase or maybe a move into my husband's yard (licensed trainer Nick Kent) for a Mares' Novice Chase. Either of those will be a good test of her jumping which we think is one of her real strengths. Then that will be it for the season, as we won't give her too much racing this year."
NAF Racing Manager Sammy Martin said
"Despite the weather's best efforts to decimate racing this month there have been several mares who have put up noteworthy performances that have been a great credit to connections dealing with challenging conditions at home and on the track. Bene Regina's fencing skills and winning attitude made a big impact on us, she looks an exciting prospect for her owners and trainer, and we are looking forward to watching her reappearance."
Jane will receive a selection of NAF products of her choice, and the BDS Pointing Partnership will receive a bottle of champagne from the PPORA to celebrate their success.
Following the success of the new and competitive Mares' Awards, we are delighted to have extended our support of Point to Pointing by sponsoring the 7 Year Olds and Over Maiden at the Monmouthshire Point to Point on Easter Saturday.
NAF Racing Manager Sammy Martin said
"We have really enjoyed our involvement in Point to Pointing so far this season, and we are looking forward to choosing 3 more Mare of the Month winners and then the Mare of the Season who we will announce at the PPORA Grassroots Awards Lunch in June. Our head office is based in Monmouth and so we are delighted that we have the opportunity to sponsor at our local Point to Point. We are looking forward to the day and, as well as cheering on the runners in our race, we will also be on the lookout for contenders for the March NAF PPORA Mares' Award."
The Mares' awards are designed to celebrate achievement in the widest sense and are about eye-catching performances and noteworthy achievements. There will be 6 monthly winners each of which will be considered for the overall PPORA Mare of Season Award which will be presented at the PPORA Grassroots Awards Lunch on Friday June 8th 2018.
Palmaria first caught our eye at Chipley Park in January where on testing ground, under a confident ride from Bryan Carver, she raced prominently throughout before asserting as she approached two from home and pulling clear to claim her Restricted in convincing style.
We were impressed by her performance that day and awaited here reappearance with eager anticipation. 3 weeks later she impressed once again, shrugging off the stamina sapping conditions at Buckfastleigh (February) to graduate from the Intermediate ranks in emphatic style.
We spoke to her trainer, Caroline Keevil to find out more about Palmaria's background and future plans.
"I bought her as a 4-year-old on spec at Doncaster Sales, but the owner I originally intended her for wasn't keen on a mare. Lady Sutton who loves mares and likes to breed from them after they finish their racing careers took her on. She's quite a light framed mare and so it's taken a while for her to strengthen up. She always worked well at home and when we raced her under Rules she showed a few glimmers of ability, but she was hampered with sore shins which stopped her showing her full potential. Then last year she won her maiden, also at Chipley, and we had a few good runs, we were only beaten a short head in the Restricted at the Mendip so that was encouraging. This season I'm working with Will Biddick in his pre-training yard and so I decided to train Palmaria from home and in a completely different way, keeping her on grass and only using a Carpet Gallop – it seems to have been the making of her. She's a real trier even and she's tough on herself but she certainly seems to relish the testing conditions we've been having, she skips through the muddy ground it doesn't seem to bother her at all. She's got plenty of ability and we're having great fun with her It's also been nice to give Bryan Carver, who also works for Will Biddick, some rides. He stood in for Will who was riding for Ed Walker at Chipley and he did a really good job on her so I've kept him on board and it's nice to be able to give a young rider some winners. Hopefully she'll progress again in Open class and then the plan is a Novice Hunter Chase at Exeter and leading up to the Intermediate Final at either there or at Cheltenham, she's qualified for both."
On hearing the news Palmaria's owner Lady Sutton said
"That's wonderful I can't believe it - I am absolutely delighted for Caroline and myself thank you very much! She's a really nice mare and Caroline has taken her time with her. I think the change this year to a yard where she's not with lots of other horses has really suited her. It's turning out good and it's wonderful to win, it's special and means so much."
NAF Racing Manager Sammy Martin said
"Palmaria first attracted our attention in January and so we watched her reappearance with great interest hoping that she would continue to progress. Her run at Buckfastleigh was similarly impressive. She is clearly a very game mare, it is great to see the patience of her owner and trainer being rewarded and we'll be following Palmaria with keen interest as the season on unfolds."
In a month when so many mares put up noteworthy performances deciding this month's NAF PPORA Mare of the Month Award was no easy task but after much deliberation, it's Midlands Pointing stalwart Joan Tice's homebred mare Teeton Power who's been chosen as a worthy winner.
A dual winner last term, she looked keen as mustard, putting up a commanding run in the Midlands Area Club Intermediate. Out in front from the off, she oozed confidence at her fences before coasting effortlessly clear as jockey Sam Davies Thomas relaxed his grip on the reins over the final obstacles.
The Teeton prefix is instantly recognisable to pointing fans and we spoke to the winner's trainer Liz Harris, to find out more about the origins of Teeton Line, why winning with this mare is that bit extra special, and future plans
"It started with a mare called Sunday Champers. She was the dam of Teeton Frolic who suffered a career ending injury in a hurdle race at Worcester. Mrs Tice brought her home and bred from her, and that was really the start of it leading on to those that are running now One of her foals was Teeton Priceless, (the dam of Teeton Power), she gave me my first ride in points, in fact all my rides in points were for Mrs Tice"
Explained Liz who rode 6 winners between the flags and also holds the distinction of riding Smith's Hill to victory in the 2014 Dianas of the Chase Race – a traditional style steeplechase in which all competitors ride side-saddle
"It was Mrs Tice who introduced me to Pointing. I'd been working in eventing for 4 years and was ready for a change, Mrs Tice was advertising for someone to work with the hunters and breakers and it went from there. I worked for her for 10 years, during that time I foaled and broke in Mary, (as Teeton Power is known at home), and only left to join my partner Tommy Morgan setting up our own yard. So I was delighted when Mrs Tice sent me Mary as a five year old to train - having known her from day one makes winning with her very special She ran very well last year (winning her Maiden and a Restricted), but she's stronger this season, I can hardly hold her at home! We were optimistic going into the race but with her being a keen front runner I was concerned the ground might find her out. She was definitely keen - Sam (Davies-Thomas) got off shaking his arms out - but being that bit stronger this year definitely helped, and like the others in the Teeton Family she's a real honest trier We're thrilled with the win, and we're now working out the plan for the season. She's qualified for the Connolly's Intermediate Final and there's also the mares' hunter chase at Cheltenham in May so one of those are likely long term goals with some runs in point to points in between"
Announcing Teeton Power as the January NAF PPORA Mare of the Month Award Winner NAF Racing Manager Sammy Martin said:
"We've been delighted by the number of nominations this month and have been watching the achievements of mares from across the country with great interest. We've certainly not been short of interest of excitement. It's been a difficult decision with some promising maiden winners, the reappearance of some more established mares, and a great comeback story in the form of Andrew Quick's Dissertation who, after serious injury last season, came third first time out at Barbury International. Our congratulations go to Teeton Power's owner Mrs Joan Tice, and to her trainer Liz Harris Already a dual winner last season, she looks like a progressive type who loves her racing, and we are looking forward to watching her reappearance"
Liz will receive a selection of NAF products of her choice, and Mrs Tice will receive a bottle of champagne from the PPORA
7 year-old mare, Almost There laid claim to the competitive 3 mile Maiden at Cottenham on New Year's Eve with an eye-catching performance that also secured her the NAF PPORA Mare of the Month Award.
Taking herself to the front in the early stages, Almost There looked thoroughly in love with the game as she shrugged off numerous challengers, tackled her fences with relish, and finished with ears pricked an easy 5 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer Tricky Silence (Sam Lee). Spectator reactions suggest she'll have been added to many notebooks as "one to follow" this season, and she was quickly flagged as a contender for this month's award.
A huge cheer greeted her return to the winner's enclosure and the last leg of a hat-trick for owner-trainer Nick Wright from Chippenham near Newmarket, and his son London based Sports Business Consultant Archie. Their runners In A Blue Dust and Mr Maclennane had previously claimed the Members' and Restricted races.
"My father will have wondered what I was doing hitting the front so soon," confided Archie before explaining, "she can be a little lazy in front at home, but I could feel how keen she was, and her jumping was the best of my three winners today."
"I couldn't believe it all of a sudden they were bounding on in front and I couldn't understand what was going on!" confirmed the jubilant trainer.
Almost There, the first mare to run in Point to Points for the Wrights, was bought from Ascot Sales having shown promise in 3 runs in Ireland in the Spring of 2016. A pelvic issue resulted in absence for the 2016 – 2017 season and this was her first run on English soil.
"It was great to get her to the track, and it was a proper memory bank day. Thrilling, and it's so lovely to have won this award on top of that" said Nick on hearing the news from NAF and the PPORA.
Announcing Almost There as November-December NAF PPORA Mare of the Month Award Winner NAF Racing Manager Sammy Martin said:
"It's been an interesting couple of months, and great fun to become involved in Point to Pointing. I am delighted to announce that we have chosen Nick Wright's game mare Almost There as the first winner of our new NAF PPORA Mare of the Month award. She faced strong competition from the other nominees Pique Rock and Lily's Got Wings, both maiden winners in their own right. However her front-running performance and determination to remain ahead of each of her pursuers as they closed in on her heels were impressive. We are looking forward to seeing her next time out and to watching her progress through the season."
Nick will receive a selection of NAF products of his choice, and a bottle of champagne from the PPORA.
