The Cheltenham Star
Racing enthusiast Richard Blackwell couldn’t believe his eyes when the horse he was bought a share in as a Christmas present galloped to Cheltenham Festival glory – and he’s already dreaming of another taste of success there next year. The Bridlington factory director’s wife Lisa paid around £50 to make him a proud part-owner of Stage Star, so imagine his reaction when the seven-year-old galloped to victory in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase.
Richard was close enough to the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding after the race to hand jubilant jockey Harry Cobden his purple and black Owners Group scarf before the pair returned to a rapturous welcome in the winner’s enclosure. “It was the most surreal thing that’s ever happened to me,” recalls Richard, 57.
“I watched the race from the Guinness Stand and was in sheer disbelief as he hit the front. It was still a long way up the hill from my vantage point but he just kicked away.
“I was so overcome afterwards that I was determined to hand my scarf to Harry who certainly enjoyed celebrating with it.”
A Bright Future
Richard was joined by a large contingent of other part-owners of Stage Star, whose long-term target could now be a crack at the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham’s showpiece in 2024.
“The thought of going back next year with a syndicate horse in a race like the Ryanair is unthinkable but Paul (Nicholls) says that’s definitely his aim,” he adds.
Richard, who has been involved in Stage Star since Christmas 2020, also enjoyed a day to remember a year later when he was again in the winner’s enclosure at Newbury. “I was lucky enough to get access to the parade ring when he won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle which was also amazing, but nothing beats a Cheltenham Festival winner,” he insists.
Dan Downie of the Owners Group confirms Stage Star in good form after his Festival exploits. “He had a canter the following weekend and looked in great shape,” he reports.
“He may go to Aintree or to a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at Ayr next but there are no concrete plans.
“It was a fantastic day out for Richard and many of our other owners who have so much to look forward to with this horse. Paul’s been vocal about his plan to target the Ryanair so we’ll wait and see.”
Stage Star wasn’t the only horse to carry the Owners Group silks to victory at the Festival. Back in 2019 Pentland Hills won the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle for Nicky Henderson before following up at the highest level in the Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.
“Good horses like these don’t come along that often but those who got involved in Stage Star from as little as £49 now know what it feels like to shout home a winner at the highest level,” adds Dan.
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