Best Mate’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick highlight of trainer Henrietta Knight’s career
Champion trainer, Henrietta Knight, has announced her retirement from racing after a brilliant career in which she saddled many runners to majestic victories.
The sixty-year-old trainer reflected on her training career and stated that:
"Terry hasn't been terribly well and he had a stroke last autumn and doesn't get around quite as much as he used to. It's difficult for me to do trips to racing and go away from home. Now I'm 65 it's probably time to hand over to younger people. We've
had some marvellous times in racing and I've thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. We've had some wonderful days."
Two of the most known horses from Knight’s string are, Edredon Bleu and Best Mate, who have landed impressive victories and given the trainer a good name.
Best Mate, son of Un Desperado, out of mare Katday, landed three Cheltenham Gold Cups for Knight, and at that time she was at the pinnacle of her racing career.
The bay gelding triumphed in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase on 18th
March, 2004, where he was ridden by J. Culloty and finished half-length before, Sir Rembrandt.
The aforementioned race completed the Gold Cup hat-trick for the runner, as he won the same title on 14th March, 2002, and 13th March, 2003 as well.
Trainer Mick Channon will be taking over Henrietta Knight’s remaining horses. He praised her, as he told www.mickchannon.tv that the trainer has been of great help and he often used her schooling grounds to prepare his runners for their races.
The trainer stated that she was immensely pleased with the achievements of Edredon Bleu, the son of Grand Tresor, out of mare Nuit Bleue III, who was whelped on 26th April, 1992.
The bay gelding secured a massive victory in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on 15th March, 2000, where he was ridden by jockey, A.P. McCoy. The exciting race ended well for Edredon Bleu, as he finished
a short-head before, Direct Route.
Henrietta Knight’s talent was acknowledged by Edward Gillespie, chairman of Cheltenham racecourse, who appreciated the way she trained her horses and brought out the best in them.
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