We asked racing expert Phil Grimstone to pick his racing highlight of the year, but as any racing aficionado knows, it’s impossible to choose just one! Instead he gave us an incredible insight into some of the most notable moments which the 2019 season held.
He put significant emphasis on the prowess of Tom Marquand, who finished top of our leader board for most successful jockeys of the season, with a total of 15 wins. This included an incredible triumph at the Marathonbet Festival of Racing, taking the treble on the middle day. One of these rides was on the incredible Long Call for Tony Carroll, who gave them a very stylish hold-up ride for the win. Trainer Tony Carroll also had a very successful few days during the Marathonbet Festival of Racing, with five winners there pushing his total course wins up to 15 this season.
Yet Tom Marquand’s biggest triumph was his win on Miss Recycled, who at the start of the race looked an unlikely victor given the 100/1 odds. There was a stunned silence from the crowd as Marquand steered the Michael Madgwick trained horse into the lead on the last stride, to win by half a shoulder. This was the biggest price winner at Brighton since Horsham trainer Boot ‘n’ Toot beat 17 rivals for the Brighton Challenge Cup in 2005.
Despite Tom Marquand’s very impressive work, Phil Grimstone says ‘my ride of the season would go to Cieren Fallon when landing his first success on the course.” This came aboard the George Baker trained Confrerie in the apprentice handicap on June 3rd. He rode an economical race, switching to the inside running rail and coming from last to first much to the delight of those who had bets on him! Phil has commented that “Young Cieren is certainly a potential future champion jockey” and if he continues to produce rides like this, he certainly will be one to watch.
