If you refer to my previous post dated 27th June `18, you will read about Micky Hammond and his liking, or maybe obsession with winning  the annual Pontefract Stayers Championship. Not the greatest, or most prestigious event of the flat racing season, nevertheless, Micky has to be admired for his efforts to win this event each year (4 times now I think) especially as there is a nice pot paid to his loyal stable staff, as well as the winning owner(s) Anyway, for those of us who hate the flat racing season, Mickys determination to succeed with Becky, has caused most of us….me in particular, to be grateful to him for, despite Beckys track record after sixteen unsuccessful runs on the flat,  having the belief she would be good enough to tackle, and win the PSC  (Pontefract Stayers Championship) for which she is now long odds on to succeed. So with his philosophy being  as soon as we achieve that unassailable lead in this said contest, then we can return to what we all believe will be her making, namely as a  currently rated 125 hurdler,  with our sights set on success in some decent 3ml hurdle races in the

Four months ago, most would have thought when comparing Becky the Thatchers FLAT form stats of sixteen runs without a win, to her three  wins from nine races over hurdles , there would be only one route to follow. But the Pontefract Stayers Championship Series on the flat was very much in Micky Hammonds mind. Eight flat races run between April and October each year, ALL over distances in excess of 2mls. Micky won this quite prestigious competition in 2017 with his Tuscan Dawn, the prize money on offer being  £1,500 EACH to the owner(s) trainer, and, most importantly as far as Micky is concerned, to his STABLE STAFF which he sees as a much deserved bonus for their hard work and loyalty.. So despite Beckys much superior form over hurdles, he believed she could well be his best chance of repeating his 2017 Pontefract success. So, after assurances to myself and members that hurdling will definitely be the future for our 5yo. we  agreed to let him have a go with Becky. Now, amazingly, after leg 4 of the Pontefract series (2nd leg abandoned through flooding) Beckys stats show results of 2nd…1st…2nd which puts us nicely at the top

After sixteen unsuccessful attempts, it was a delight to see Becky seriously impress the public and Racing press with her win at Carlisle on the 21st May. PJ McDonald rode a great race with his waiting tactics, and more of the same was eagerly awaited for her return to Pontefract  three weeks later. But our `more of the same` plans were disrupted when we found out PJ was injured and would not be fit to ride our Becky. So much for continuity !! Franny Norton was subsequently booked….if he`s good enough for Mark Johnston, he`ll do for me was my eventual reaction after recovering from the disappointment of losing PJ. In the parade ring, Becky looked stunning as her number one fan Aiden walked her round in the evening sunset. Her odds were shortening all the time due to Tom Tates Waiting for Richie being withdrawn earlier in the day. The way Toms 5yo bay gelding won a decent race at York recently , it was pretty obvious to me, that would have been the one to beat. THE RACE Credit to our jockey Franny Norton for giving her a peach of a waiting ride, but had to hold his

After FIFTEEN attempts by our Trainer to get Becky to lose her maiden tag,  Micky Hammond thought he had found the ideal opportunity for her to improve her CV by managing to get her head in front, for once, where it matters. This time it was the marathon 2ml 5f  Class 5 handicap at Ponty, Monday 23rd April `18. Sixteen races on the flat over EIGHT different distances the stats show. Available at 12-1 the night before, it seemed many punters had latched on to the fact Becky was a seriously well handicapped horse for this race, and the money came for her in lumps as she was backed down from 12`s to 5-1 2nd fav just before the off. The money didn`t come from McGoldrick Racing members that`s for sure……………..well maybe with one exception !!   nevertheless we were hopeful the money was well placed. Fast forward to the final furlong of the race, and, what we were thinking was a beautifully timed run from Paul Hanagan turned out to be another frustrating near miss Second again !!! I bloody well hate finishing second, especially being beaten by such a small margin. But thats what the stats will forever show.

Well, well, well,   I have finally come to terms with the fact that it really happened….it wasn`t a bad dream after all, and it actually was our Becky we were watching in the 4.30 race at Musselburghs last meeting, as she went into the McGoldrick Racing Book of Records for producing the worst ever performance by far, of any of the 18 or so horses that have raced in our colours over the last twelve years. I find it quite amusing now, but at the time, to have to listen to the Course commentators words…. ” and finally, in last place, but still continuing… somewhere out there is Becky the Thatcher” !!!  was hard to take. But he was right !!!  After the first half furlong of the race, Becky was at least 10 lengths behind the rest, and it was all downhill from then on as she disappeared from the cameras view, until we were told afterwards she had been pulled up. I think Micky Hammond to be fair, was just as flabbergasted as all of us were, as he struggled to find any sort of excuse, …other than offering the almost unraceable ground conditions as a possible explanation.