Horse Racing: Friday, a day for Royal Weddings
Friday saw the celebration of not just one, but two successful Royal Weddings, a coincidence that rarely occurs.
While Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton were brought together in the bond of holy matrimony at Westminster Abbey on Friday Morning, the racehorse, Royal Wedding, was not left behind as he galloped his way to victory at the Fontwell’s evening
race, shortly after the former event.
Although bookies had expected and prepared themselves for a barrage of bets coming in from chance clients, it appeared that the British horseracing fans and audiences doubted the odds of Royal Wedding’s success as he moved from 11-2 to 7-2.
Despite the general loss of faith among audiences, Royal Wedding’s team chose to remain optimistic while watching the two miles and six furlongs long handicap chase, hoping that the horse would prove the spectators wrong.
Like the royal newlyweds managed to go through their wedding ceremony smoothly a mere six hours prior to the race, Royal Wedding was also able to make clean jumps towards an easy win.
The trainer of the winning horse, Nick Gifford, may be given a place on the New Year’s honours’ list thanks to Royal Wedding. Gifford expressed his relief and pride for his horse and the success of the plan, devised by him and his team.
When questioned about the general attitude of the public involved in horseracing, Gifford said, “There has been a fair amount of pressure in the last four or five days –I’ve even done a radio interview with someone from Australia- but what a performance
Royal Wedding gave! He has always been a brilliant jumper and that's what won this one for him”.
Gifford’s ability to turn a situation around is probably inherent and well nurtured by his father, Josh Gifford, the famous ex-trainer, most remembered for the time he saddled the delicate Aldaniti to bag the 1981 Grand National under the charge of jockey,
Bob Champion.
Reminiscing about his time as a trainer, Josh Gifford compared Royal Wedding’s triumph to that of Aldaniti’s, calling both victories a “fairy story”. He was delighted and proud of his son and Royal Wedding, as he was of Aldaniti.
Tags: