Fourie Barometer 385(updated after racing on 16/07/2024)

Flag Man Out To Emulate The Apache

Flag Man pictured at the Hollywoodbets Durban July gallops (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Gavin van Zyl won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 with The Apache in 2011 and that horse went on to finish fourth in the July before winning the Gr 1 Champions Cup.

His son Gareth’s Flying The Flag gelding Flag Man only just failed in the Daily News before finishing fourth in the July and he will now be out to emulate The Apache again by winning the HKJC Champions Cup.

The Apache was initially an R80,000 purchase and amassed R17 million in stakes earnings from 20 appearances across 4 countries.

Flag Man was initially a R100,000 purchase, but was bought out of his first yard by the Van Zyls after his maiden win.

He won his first two starts for the Van Zyls before going down by just a head in the Daily News.

Flag Man jumped from a wide draw of 17 in the July and from a handy position looked the winner at the 200m mark as he had passed the pacemaker Oriental Charm and had hit the front.

However, he found no extra and Oriental Charm came back, while Cousin Casey and Royal Victory also produced strong late runs, which relegated Flag Man to a 1,70 length fourth.

Gareth said, “According to the circumstances i.e. a wide draw of 17 and a big 18 horse field, we decided to race him a bit differently from his usual style of running (hold up style) and it’s not preferable to do that. I’m not sure we would have had a different outcome for ourselves if we had given him a chance from that draw. So we were positive and perhaps it told late in the race, but that was perhaps mostly down to him racing contrary to his preferred style of running.”

He continued, “He has taken the race well and he’s going to run in the Champions Cup.”

The Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup is a weight for age event over 1800m.

The distance should be ideal for Flag Man and on weight for age terms he will be better off with all of the horses he faced in the Hollywoodbets Durban July with the exception of See It Again (this is presuming Green With Envy does not take part, as it has been reported he will be given a rest and will not run again this season.).

See It Again was 2,5kg worse off than weight for age with Flag Man in the July and was unlucky not to finish third instead of fifth, so Flag Man will have a hard task beating him.

Flag Man has drawn eight out of the 13 entries while See It Again has drawn 13.

See It Again is merit rated 131 to Flag Man’s 126 and Dave The King is the only other horse rated higher than Flag Man on 127.

Gareth concluded, “His July run proved that the Daily News wasn’t a flash in the pan and he’s got to be one of the better weight for age horses around on that effort.”

Gold Cup Or Summer Cup For Robinson's Gold Vase Winner?

Madison Valley And Shoot The Rapids finish one-two for owner Sid Moodley in the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Frank Robinson is in two minds about running both of his Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase first and second runners, Madison Valley and Shoot The Rapids, in the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup, but he will definitely be running Shoot The Rapids.

The pair gave owner Sid Moodley a deserved Gr 3 exacta, his second Gr 3 win of the season and his 17th win of the season overall.

Sid has poured a lot of money into the game and has about 28 horses with Frank so would be a most deserving winner of the Gold Cup.

However, Frank might have even higher aspirations for Madison Valley.

The Mambo In Seattle colt is clearly on the up having won his penultinate start over 1800m on the poly by 3,50 lengths before winning the Gold Vase.

Frank said, “I think I might go for the Betway Summer Cup with him. I think he is better over a slightly shorter trip, up to 2400m. Shoot The Rapids – the further the better with him.”

He continued, “They are both doing very well and have taken their races beautifully. I’m going to gallop both of them tomorrow and then I will make a decision.”

He has high hopes for Madison Valley in the long run and said, “When he won that 1800m race in his penultimate start Byron Forster turned to me and said he was surprised he had beaten his horse Wyatt’s Choice so easily because he said he is a decent horse. I said to him this horse of mine is a lot better than people know and I know because I’ve seen him at home. He is improving all the time.”

Frank said he was not bothered by Shoot The Rapids landing the widest draw of all in the Gold Cup.

He said, “I don’t mind because he likes to go up there and sometimes if you’re drawn too well they cover you and then you can’t get out. If you look at the Gold Vase he went around them early.”

Madison Valley was drawn eleven out of the 20 horses still standing in the Gold Cup.

Frank has collected the KZN Champion Stayer award twice in the last few years with Roy Had Enough and Decorated and might do so again with Madison Valley.

Frank and Sid have one other runner on Gold Cup day, the Rafeef colt Cats Pajamas, and this one has a shout in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m.

He finished third on Hollywoodbets Durban July day in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and is also entered in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m.

However, Frank said, “He ran a nice race and actually looked like he was going to win, but I don’t think he quite stays. He’s better at 1200m. Being out of a Var mare, there is quite a lot of speed in his pedigree and I’m going to put the blinkers on him as well. When he ran second at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in the Gr 3 Goldolphin Barb over 1100m he wore blinkers and was beaten just 1,30 lengths by Cymric. Sean (Veale) feels quite confident with him. He worked him this morning and he worked very well. He’ll be a nice runner on the day. It’s a R500,000 race, so is not as big as the mile race, but the mile is going to be very hard to win with the Sean Tarry pair running.”

Greeff Has One Hand On The Trophy, Fourie Breaks Another Record

The Alan Greeff-trained Catch Your Breath (Canford Cliffs) provided Richard Fourie with a record-breaking 117th win in the East Cape this season, breaking Greg Cheyne’s previous record of 116. (Pauline Herman Photography)

*NB: Stalwart Presenter and tipster Nadine Low Ah Kee’s Best Bet Miss Greenlight and Value Bet Global Rush both arrived today – catch her tips for every Fairview meeting on the Turf Talk (@TurfTalk1) X (Twitter) site

Alan Greeff scored a treble at the Fairview poly meeting today, two of them ridden by Richard Fourie and one by Kendall Minnie, and as arch rival Gavin Smith could only reply with a double this sees Greeff going eight wins clear in the race for the East Cape Trainers Championship.

There are only three meetings left for the season in the East Cape, so Greeff will be hard to catch.

However, Smith is capable of dominant multiple-winning performances so Greeff is not home and hosed yet.

The meeting began with a win for Sharon Kotzen and Luyolo Mxothwa and this partnership ended with a treble together on the day.

Mxothwa later scored a four-timer when he rode a winner for Gavin Smith in the last race.

Mxothwa reached 50 wins in the East Cape for the season with the first of his four-timer. He ended the meeting with 53 wins in the East Cape achieved at a strike rate of 13.15% and overall has had 86 wins around the country at 10.50%.

Fourie set a new East Cape record with the first of his wins today. At last Friday’s meeting he had equalled Greg Cheyne’s record of 116 wins in the East Cape in a season.

Fourie is now on 118 wins in the East Cape at a strike rate of 25.49% and overall has had 369 wins around the country this season at 23.09%.

Greeff is on 137 wins for the season and he has achieved it at a strike rate of 15.99%, while Smith is on 129 wins at 11.62%.

Sharon Kotzen’s treble took her to 39 wins for the season at a strike rate of 9.40%.

July Hero Van Der Merwe Can Get Cape Racing Rolling Again

JP van der Merwe, pictured after his Hollywoodbets Durban July winning ride, can win the first race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (Picture: Cape Racing)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Following a clear day on Monday, prospects for racing to go ahead at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today improved significantly but given the high-water table as a result of record rainfall figures for this month, any further precipitation could place the race meeting in jeopardy.

Cape Racing have scheduled a ten-race programme this afternoon with the first race due off at 11:30.

There is no doubt that the heavy rains have seriously disrupted work programmes but to coin an unwelcome pun, they are all in the same boat. Lucinda Woodruff and JP van der Merwe can get off to a winning start with Mai Sensation in the opener, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m. The daughter of Rafeef caught the eye on debut when finishing third behind Polynomial after a slow start and with natural progression she could prove too strong for Champagne Kisses and Scarlet Macaw.

That same form line comes under scrutiny in the second race and opening leg of the Bipot, the second half of the Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m. From A Distance finished marginally ahead of Mai Sensation and, with two good seconds to her credit from only three outings, the Drakenstein-owned and bred daughter of Querari looks set to go one better at the expense of I’m So Pritti and Priscilla Maisley.

The third race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1400m, could go the way of the Vaughan Marshall-trained Pentolina. The daughter of One World was a beaten odds-on favourite last time when second to Eureka Diamond and she could have the edge over stable companion White Waters and the Snaith-trained Bela Vista, who should improve significantly on her disappointing last effort.

Late December looks the part in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, but watch out for good improvement from Arbitration who will relish stepping up slightly in trip. Stated and Sound Of The Sea have shown promise and make up the short-list of potential winners. The fifth race is a very tricky Open Maiden (Handicap) for Fillies and Mares over 1400m but in the sixth race, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, the Brett Crawford-trained Midway appeals as a possible banker for all exotic bet permutations.

Major Apollo can follow up on his easy last course and distance victory by taking out the eighth race, a Cape C Stakes over 1000m. The seventh and ninth races, both Handicaps for Fillies and Mares, appear wide open but perhaps we can take our chances with Miss Marguerita in the tenth race, a Middle Stakes (F&M) over 1200m. Miss Marguerite has not been at her best recently but is likely to show marked improvement in the testing underfoot conditions.

Pritty Victory Should Win Pretty Easily

Pritti Victory has been selected to win the fourth race (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

At The Races

1 12:25 PM – Bet With tabGOLD – The Intelligent Bet! Maiden Juvenile Plate

MY BOY LOLLIPOP has been a bit costly. He didn’t enjoy 1400m again last time but can score his overdue maiden win. MASTER DU ROUVRAY came in for support on debut but showed inexperience and proved in need of the run. He should come on nicely. GOT THE WORD and ALWAYS SHINING have run some decent races and have earning potential. There are, however, many first-timers to watch out for. CHILL IN THE AIR and HENRY HARVEY could be forward if judged on pedigree. Follow the betting moves closely.

2 1:00 PM – www.tabgold.co.za Maiden Plate

More first-timers to take note off, notably MAPHAKA, a Dean Kannemeyer-trained Gimmethegreenlight colt out of a Var mare. NIGHT ROCKER made a promising debut over the course and distance and has drawn well so should have every chance. Gimmethegreenlight gelding RECORD HIGH also caught the eye and looks to be on the up. He has drawn alongside NIGHT ROCKER and could take it to the wire. SILVER SAVAGE is knocking at the door down this straight track and should be right there again. FRENCH DUCHESS, MO KING and COSMIC CAPTAIN can earn.

3 1:35 PM – Online Form Guide www.gallop.co.za Maiden Plate (F & M)

BLOWIN IN THE WIND had some off days but that was after a rest and having sharpened up could get back into the swing of things. She has run well over the distance. ICY LANCASTER has run well in competitive events and should enjoy a drop in task and trip, having drawn toward the outside. Highveld raider MISS MUNROE could take advantage. She is improving with each start and needs to be respected. LIGHTINTHEDARKNESS showed potential on debut which was on the poly. She has draw one in her first turf race and must be included.

4 2:10 PM – Gallop TV Fm 90 Handicap (F & M)

If PRITTY VICTORY has freshened up she could make it three in a row. She has done everything asked of her over 1200m but looks to have the mettle to go hard over 1000m. MIST IN SCOTLAND was a runaway winner on the Highveld over 1000m last time and if in the same mood could follow up. RUSSIAN DOLL has very decent form and last time wasn’t disgraced when up against males. She may be best on poly but nevertheless must be respected. PELARGONIUM and WAR EMPRESS are better than their recent performances and have earning potential.

5 2:45 PM – Open A tabGOLD Account – 031 314 1874 Middle Stakes

An exciting race as there are World Pool Gold Cup hopefuls in this line-up. VIHAAN’S BOMB has won three marathons in a row and could pass this next test before the big one. He is a lightly raced sort that looks to have more to come. LAST ONE STANDING is another three-year-old with potential. He has solid form over shorter and the bloodline to go the distance. CONTINENTALEXPRESS finished only 0.5-lengths behind VIHAAN’S BOMB and is 3kg better off. He is holding form and would be deserving. SEND ME also has scope. Proven Highveld stayer MAMBO COME TESIO should test them.

6 3:20 PM – Follow Gold Circle On Facebook Fm 78 Handicap (F & M)

GORGEOUS GIRL followed up her maiden win with a promising second in a decent field. She doesn’t have to lead and could come at them this time. Highveld filly SPARKLING JUBILEE has won two of her last three and makes the trip. She looks a big runner at the weights. PERILLA gives weight to all but after an impressive last win could follow up. However the distance could stretch her. There shouldn’t be much between TOMYRIS, GORGEOUS GIRL, PERILLA and SKYTRIX. TOMYRIS may much appreciate the extra. GREEN VALKYRIE is another that can’t be left out.

7 3:55 PM – In The Box Seat Podcast Mr 70 Handicap

Juvenile INGQWELE won his maiden with something in hand. If this race against hard knocking handicappers doesn’t come too soon he could follow up. JAZZ FESTIVAL lost ground and came from some way back to win in amazing fashion. He races for a stable in good form and could repeat. MADISON BLUES needed his last run and should make good improvement. He has the best of the draws. SHOTGUN WILLIE and TOBACCONIST both caught the eye with strong finishes recently and are best kept safe.

8 4:35 PM – Hollywoodbets Bright Future Maiden Plate (F & M)

TIPPERARY has run well at this track. She went amiss last time and that run back on the Highveld is best forgotten. FIRECRACKER is improving now and looks a real threat. She could relish the distance and has a chance at the win. UMZOLOZOLO has been making steady improvement and could make big strides in her second try over the longer trip. HER ROYALTY has had some tough contests and could have a better time of it from draw one. She must be included along with HOT LAVA who has shown potential and should keep improving. DEE DAY could also have a say.

Greg Dabbs, Pocket Power's Farrier, Has Passed Away

Greg and Sharyn were married for 30 years (Supplied)

Greg Dabbs, among the many other horsemanship skills he possessed, was a great farrier and it eventually became known that he was the man behind the care of the great Pocket Power’s infamously troublesome feet.

It was with great sadness that the racing community and the wider Cape Equestrian community learned today of this Cape Town-based all round horseman’s passing.

The great Mike Bass-trained Jet Master gelding Pocket Power was not only synonymous with big races but also with rumours before big races about the well-being of himself and his infamous feet.

He had very soft feet, which bruised easily, specifically the inner corn of his near fore.

One of the treatments was the use of rubberised concussion pads.

It eventually became known that the man behind the overall care of his feet was Greg Dabbs.

He was clearly not a man who sought the limelight.

Pocket Power’s record of four successive Gr 1 L’Ormarins Queen Plates and three successive Mets, plus the July and the Gr 1 Gold Challenge, is unlikely to be matched and it would not have been possible without the great training skills of Mike Bass as well as the valuable imput of Greg Dabbs.

The Sporting Post paid tribute to Dabbs today (read below):

The broader Cape equestrian community was saddened to hear the news on Sunday 14 July that accomplished horseman, leading showjumper, crack amateur jockey and a top farrier, Greg Dabbs had passed at the age of 71, after a bout of pneumonia.

Described as the complete horseman by a wide spectrum of friends and associates, the popular Greg Dabbs was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2019 and had suffered ill health for some years.

Greg and Sharyn – married for 30 years

His wife of 30 years, Sharyn (nee Gibbons), an accomplished equestrian in her own right, described Greg as a horse whisperer and a highly talented man of enormous intellect, talent and skill.

“Greg’s passing has left a gaping hole in our lives. We didn’t have children of our own, but his beautiful Cavalier King Charles spaniels were our kids. I will love and miss him forever,” said Sharyn.

Growing up in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, Greg attended Bergvliet High School and lived his every day for the horse. Besides a two year stint in Johannesburg where he had a string of showjumpers, and working in Dubai in 2000 for Sheik Mohammed, Greg Dabbs was a lifelong Capetonian.

The top horseman had no fear!

Milnerton trainer Peter Wrensch rode with Greg Dabbs in the halcyon days of the Cape Hunt & Polo Club.

“Greg Dabbs was an exceptional horseman, well balanced with soft hands and horses ran for him. Relaxed they could use their action and he never appeared to need vigorous urging. He was a very good tactical rider and we had many laughs and post-race discussions. Regardless of the results there was great dressing-room banter, and an even better forum for entertainment upstairs after racing. This was packed with racing stalwarts, who, sadly, are dwindling these days,” lamented Peter.

Former champion jockey Garth Puller said that the news of Greg’s passing was ‘very sad indeed’.

“What an incredible asset to the whole horse industry, Greg was a friend and true gentleman. My condolences to his family and close circle of special friends that cared for him in his final journey. Rest in peace my pal,” added Garth.

Retired jockey Patrick McGivern reacted to the sad news. “I have known Greg since we were 12 year olds learning to ride at Santiago stables. My condolences to all the family. Rest in peace Greg.”

Greg Dabbs was a widely respected farrier and is remembered and respected for his exploits with the great Pocket Power, amongst others.

Greg looked after the fragile feet of Bass champion Pocket Power

Candice Bass-Robinson spoke to the Sporting Post on behalf of the Bass Racing team.

“Greg worked for the Bass Racing yard as our farrier for many, many years. Besides being a highly respected colleague, he became a good friend to our entire family and staff. He was a brilliant farrier and was extremely dedicated to his profession and craft. We are all very sad to hear of his passing, and we share our sincere condolences with his loved ones.”

Another former Cape jockey, Eric Fordred said that Greg Dabbs was one of the kindest most gentle of men he had ever had the privilege of knowing.

“He was a top class farrier and Cape Hunt Jockey. My condolences to his wife Sharyn and all his family and friends,” said Eric.

World Pool Boosts Both SA And Hong Kong

Zac Purton and other jockeys hand out mini-horse plushies to thank all racing fans for their support during the 2023/24 Hong Kong season. (Picture: HKJC)

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Racing operators in South Africa will be very pleased to hear that the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s World Pool initiative has been a big success – with betting turnover increasing by a weighty 57.1% in the 2023/24 season that ended at the weekend.

Without that cash injection from global comingled pools from elite racing events around the world – including South Africa in terms of both wagering input and product – Hong Kong racing would have suffered a bigger loss than the 4.5% decline it has just reported.

The HKJC’s overall betting turnover was HK$134.7 billion (about R311.6 billion) – a slight drop after three straight years of record turnovers. HKJC chief executive Winifried Engelbrecht-Bresges described the financial results as “satisfactory” but revealed a new strategy to increase field sizes and to “re-engage” with fans on the racing-mad enclave.

One thing that won’t change much is the burgeoning World Pool programme that takes in prominent races and whole race meetings the likes of Royal Ascot, the Melbourne Cup and next weekend’s Gold Cup Day at Greyville in Durban.
The latter not only provides racing and television pictures to a global audience, it also gets significant financial backing from the Hong Kong connection. The Gold Cup itself, the country’s premier endurance race, has World Pool as its title sponsor, while the main supporting feature, the Champions Cup, carries the HKJC banner.

Hong Kong’s final meeting of the season, at Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday, saw a thrilling duel for the trainer championship, with veteran handler Francis Lui winning four of the final five races on the card to pip rival, his former assistant trainer Pierre Ng, by just one victory.

The only South African trainer still operating in Hong Kong, former champion jockey Douglas Whyte, finished in 11th place among the two dozen or so licenced conditioners.

Australian Zac Purton won the jockey championship for the seventh time, registering 130 wins from 680 rides, at a win ratio of 19.1%. South African-trained Mauritian Karis Teetan was runner-up with 86 wins.

Former South African champion jockeys Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo were eighth and 16th respectively on the log, with former local champion apprentice Luke Ferraris in 12th.

Sunday’s season finale at Sha Tin attracted a strong crowd of 30,755. But this paled alongside the biggest moment of the season, the Lunar New Year meeting in February, which saw the biggest post-pandemic crowd of 81,049 descend on Sha Tin and punters wager HK$1.74 billion.

New Year is seen as a highly propitious time in Chinese culture. In 2024 it heralded a year of the dragon, while most of 2025 will be a year of the snake.

Engelbrecht-Bresges said several challenges led to the slight turnover decline, including the economic downturn that affected many racing jurisdictions around the world.

“If you look at the global horse racing scene, besides Japan, it is under significant challenges due to the economy and there is a complete change in consumer behaviour,” he said.

“We see this in Hong Kong even more, with people spending differently after Covid. So, we have to reinvent what we do. Japan has done a fantastic job, but I personally think we have to be different to Japan. We can focus on the entertainment element more and our strategy is to really focus on mainland Chinese people coming here.

“If you look at turnover and gross margin, you have to look at field sizes because, this year, we were definitely not at optimum field sizes… We have a strategy to fix the horse population issue and we will see field sizes grow.

I’m convinced we will come out of these economic challenges stronger with our long-term vision.”

The HKJC is yet to release next term’s fixture list, but the 2024-25 season is expected to kick off on September 8.

Callum Shepherd Continuing To Make His Mark

Callum Shepherd (Picture: Sky Sports)

Last weekend’s Ascot hat-trick followed first strike at the Royal meeting

At The Races

It has been a season to remember for Callum Shepherd, who is eyeing more big days in the saddle following his Ascot treble last Saturday.

The 26-year-old was unexpectedly in the spotlight when seeing his Derby dreams dashed earlier in the summer, replaced by Robert Havlin on Ambiente Friendly ahead of the Epsom Classic.

But he was soon creating his own headlines when steering Isle Of Jura to a memorable Hardwicke Stakes victory at Royal Ascot, before having another day to remember at the Berkshire track last weekend.

Less than 24 hours after being unseated from Simon and Ed Crisford’s Magnum Opus at the track, he was guiding the training duo’s star miler Quddwah to victory in the featured Anne Cowley Memorial Summer Mile Stakes.

“I’m thrilled with how things are going and I’ve registered some big-race wins on a few different horses and particularly at the bigger meetings,” said Shepherd.

“I’m managing to make a bit of a mark which is pretty good.”

Quddwah was Shepherd’s second Group Two success of the season and leg one of a brilliant Ascot three-timer, as he took full advantage of big-race opportunities for some high-profile connections on a busy afternoon around the country.

The Kingman colt is now four from four in his career, and Shepherd believes races such as the Sussex Stakes are realistic for a horse he appreciates his weighing-room colleagues will be queueing up to ride.

“Quddwah is a really exciting horse and looks a Group One winner in the making,” continued Shepherd.

“It was great to get the leg-up on him, and for him to go and justify his favouritism was brilliant.

“It’s not been discussed (if he will keep the ride) and it will be down to connections and something which is out of my hands. He’s going to be a ride which a lot of people will want and we will have to see, but hopefully I’m in the equation.”

The rider also helped James Fanshawe’s Surveyor make a return to the winner’s enclosure, while he also registered his first victory aboard Charlie Fellowes’ Kodi Lion and is predicting bigger things for both in the second half of the season.

Shepherd added: “It was lovely to ride Cheveley Park a winner for James Fanshawe. I think James has trained a lot of the family so it was nice to be able to do that and for there to be a backstory to it.

“She’s a horse who is progressing nicely and you should hopefully see more of her in the second half of the season.

“Kodi Lion has gone up 7lb for what he did at Ascot and even though he only won a length, he did so very well. He will be targeted at one of the big festivals I think and he looks a really progressive three-year-old at this point who could step up in trip again.

“He’s exciting and owned by Opulence Thoroughbreds and it is nice to see a syndicate enjoying a really great time. It would be nice to see him head to a festival where they can really enjoy him.”

Shepherd’s high came shortly after a low the previous evening and the jockey admits he was somewhat fortunate to escape Friday’s unseat with only superficial injuries, praising the Ascot medical team for the role they played in ensuring he was fit to take up Saturday’s star book of rides.

Patched up and sporting bandages to protect the previous evening’s stitches, he was back in the saddle to enjoy a renaissance story only racing can provide.

“I was probably pretty lucky. I have some stitches in my forehead, but the body was fine and luckily I was able to ride,” explained Shepherd.

“I passed the concussion protocol and was able to get my helmet on without too much discomfort which was the main thing.

“It’s inevitable from time to time (to have a fall) and I was obviously worried it wasn’t very well timed given the good rides I knew that I had the next day.

“Guy Mitchell did the stitches and the medical team as always were excellent and it is a credit to them for attending to me so quickly and they got me on my way before the end of racing on Friday.

“It’s racing, there’s highs and lows and it’s a brilliant sport for that reason. There’s the chance to compete every day and when you can find the right horses and have those days, that’s what makes the sport really special. I’m glad I had one of those days on Saturday.”

Of course Shepherd’s greatest day this season came aboard Isle Of Jura when scoring for the first time at the Royal meeting, continuing a long and fruitful association with George Scott’s crack middle-distance operator.

A setback has ended hopes of the gelding extending his five-race winning sequence in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes back at Ascot later this month, while also prematurely curtailing his season.

However, those associated are positive the four-year-old can make his presence felt once again upon his return next season.

“Isle Of Jura gave us a lot of good days in Bahrain which was really important given who he represents and we had a wonderful winter for him,” said Shepherd.

“For him to come back here and do what he did was brilliant and the Hardwicke was by far the best day of my career, I really really enjoyed it.

“It’s a shame we won’t see him for the rest of the year, but we would be fairly confident in saying he will be returning next season and for a few seasons to come.”