The best day of my sporting life was, not surprisingly, when the first horse I ever owned, Mister McGoldrick, won the Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival meeting way back in 2008.

But the events at Haydock on Saturday 7th May have certainly got me scratching my head as to whether or not they surpassed my amazing Cheltenham experience.

The main difference this time was being able to share the success with others, namely McGoldrick Racing members.

Four members plus myself travelled to Haydock,  all of the same mind that it was indeed a massive ask for Romeo to beat horses rated far higher than him.

However,  the success we`ve had this season from using front running  tactics, gave us hope Romeo would run a big race.

it was also at the back of our minds, that Romeo had previously fallen twice at the same track, so the Haydock jinx factor was also in our minds.

But…hells bells, we never expected it to turn out as it did.

From start to finish, Romeo left the others behind as he led them all  a merry dance for every one of the 5,390 yards or 3ml 110yd trip.

It was just brilliant to watch

Nothing ever looked like catching him. Romeos hurdling was immaculate, and Thomas Willmotts judgement of pace equally so.

Thomas is still a Conditional jockey, but our faith in him has been well rewarded.

This was the eighth consecutive race he`d ridden Romeo, with stats showing  3 wins…1 2nd…1 3rd..

2 4ths and one unplaced. His ability will not be going unnoticed.

Yet again, a tremendous training feat from Sue, Joel and Team Smith for the work and effort involved in transforming  a horse from one that seemed to have lost its way, to one capable of winning a £50k    Class 2 red hot Handicap with 17 runners.

Even now, almost one week after Romeos big win, myself and members involved are still pinching themselves to believe what they saw at Haydock really happened.

Watching the re run of the race is still  taking up quite a lot of members time….and why not, we`re allowed the self indulgence,  on top of which, whilst Romeo has earned a rest and will be turned out to graze for a few weeks, the rest of us can be thinking about Listed company next season, and perhaps  Novice Chasing to consider.

There is something very special about small racehorse syndicates, especially when, like ours, members become good friends, which is what we aim for.

This was certainly the case with our Pertemps victory

Sue and Harvey have some really promising unraced, unnamed young  horses, one or two of which, hopefully, will be coming our way in the next few weeks

Why don`t  you join us ?

Contact details on home page.

Richard