Malinas sires champion foal once again
The scenic Welsh racecourse of Bangor-on-Dee was the venue for The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s (TBA) second annual Stars of Tomorrow National Hunt Foal Show on Sunday, July 27th. The success of last year’s inaugural show resulted in a significant increase in entries for this year, with numerous Black-Type mares and overall some exceptional National Hunt pedigrees.
With four classes in total, the day kicked off with Class 1, colt foals born on or before 14th of April 2014, running simultaneously to Class 2, filly foals born on or before 14th of April 2014. A strong turnout in Class 1 caused plenty of deliberation by judges Yann Poirier, Rebecca Curtis and Bryan Murphy resulting in George Stanners’ Earlside Farm owned Scorpion ex Bling Noir colt winning the class with second place going to the Malinas ex Asola Blue colt, owned and exhibited by Yorton Farm Stud. With Yorton Farm Stud keeping an eye on each ring, their filly went one better in Class 2 when judges Lucinda Russell, Lady Emma Balding and Kevin Ross awarded first to the Malinas ex Madam Jolie filly, owned by Mrs Pauline Cowey with Goldford Stud’s Oscar ex Historie De Moeurs filly a close second. Following the morning classes, there was a pause in proceedings whilst all exhibitors enjoyed an impressive lunch generously sponsored by the British European Breeders Fund (BEBF).
After lunch, classes 3 and 4 with colts and fillies born on or after 15th April 2014 were judged. In Class 3 Lucinda, Lady Emma and Kevin favoured the Shirocco ex Gaye Sophie colt owned and exhibited by Cobhall Court Stud. Second place was taken by the Malinas ex Valleyofthedolls colt, owned and exhibited by Goldford Stud. Nick Luck did a sterling job commenting on all classes at the same time and the judges were finding their job equally challenging. Yann, Rebecca and Bryan had some lovely fillies to choose from and concluded on Patrick and Ros Burling’s Martaline ex Message Personnel filly, exhibited by Goldford Stud as their winner with second place going to the Schiaparelli ex Lac Marmot filly owned and exhibited by Steven Wallace.
The day culminated with the supreme championship which took place in the parade ring, the first and second placed foals from each class were called back and judged by the full panel. After significant debate, the Reserve Champion was awarded to George Stanners/Earlside Farm Scorpion ex Bling Noir colt and the overall Champion of The Stars of Tomorrow National Hunt Foal Show 2014 was awarded to Mrs Pauline Cowey’s exceptional Malinas ex Madam Jolie filly exhibited by Yorton Farm.
Commenting on the success of the day, Louise Kemble, CEO, TBA said: “It was wonderful to see such an impressive turnout and the show so well supported by all exhibitors. We’d like to reiterate how grateful we are to everyone who helped make this yet another successful event for the National Hunt world and we look forward to seeing it grow again next year.”