Christmas Winner On Cloud 9 After 'Amazing' York Win

Features | 23^rd August 2022

Competition winner Jamie Bamford, who won a share in star racehorse Shouldvebeenaring last Christmas, says he is still on Cloud 9 after watching the colt clinch a big race at York’s Ebor Festival.

Sales manager Jamie, from Manchester, was on The Knavesmire with young son Arthur and father Keith to see Middleham Park Racing’s two-year-old win the Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes.

Jamie won his share last winter in a competition run by In The Paddock and couldn’t believe his eyes after seeing his horse beat 18 rivals in the six-furlong feature, earning more than £122,000 in prize money.

“What an amazing day,” exclaims Jamie, 44, who works in IT and had always dreamed of owning a racehorse. “It was an experience I’ll never ever forget. I couldn’t sleep that night with excitement … I’m still on Cloud 9.

“I’m a big Manchester United fan but this was even better than seeing them win the treble in 1999 when Solskjaer scored in injury time.”

It was the first time he had seen the Richard Hannon-trained Shouldvebeenaring in the flesh after missing his debut at Goodwood and his victory at Ripon in May due to work commitments, but says it was certainly worth the wait.

“The whole day was just magic. To see him come from the back and weave through the pack to win in the way he did was just something else and stepping onto the winner’s podium with Arthur was the icing on the cake. My phone never stopped ringing after the race and I must have watched it 100 times.”

Got there in the nick of time for a jubilant @MprUpdates 🌬️

Shouldvebeenaring justifies his position at the top of the market and wins the @GoffsUK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes under @LeveySean 🥇pic.twitter.com/6pQlSPeBzF
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) August 18, 2022

👏👏👏@MprUpdates welcome in their winner, Shouldvebeenaring 💍😘@rhannonracing | #EborFestival pic.twitter.com/TFD9LHJATf
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) August 18, 2022

Tim Palin, of Middleham Park Racing, adds: “It was great to enter into such an exciting promotion with In The Paddock back in the winter and we’re all delighted for Jamie that his first ownership experience has turned out to be with a very special horse.

“Not only did Shouldvebeenaring win over six figures in prize money but he also netted us nearly £50,000 to put towards another horse at the forthcoming Goffs yearling sales.

“We had to be patient with him as he suffered from sore shins which ruled him out of his mid-summer targets but Richard was confident he could get him ready for York so we’re absolutely thrilled it all worked out so well.”

Shouldvebeenaring, who was jokingly named by an owner who bought his share instead of an engagement ring for his partner, was backed into 5-2 favourite before gaining a head verdict in the valuable dash under Sean Levey.

He may now head back to Ripon for the Champion 2YO Trophy and could also take his chance in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury in September.

Jamie can’t wait to see the son of Havana Grey in action again and admits the experience has got him hooked. “I’m really enjoying my involvement in racing and would like to get more into ownership now,” he adds. “He’s turned out to be a dream horse but Middleham Park have been fantastic to be a part of, too.”

Greeting their big winner wasn’t the end of eight-year-old Arthur’s magical day at the races, either. He also met his racing hero Frankie Dettori and Group One Yorkshire Oaks hero Luke Morris. “He’ll be able to look back at a day out with Dad and Grandad that he will never forget. When his friends ask him what he got up to during the school holidays he’ll have a fantastic story to tell them all,” adds Jamie.