Ace sprinter Regional, who claimed Group 1 glory for his syndicate owners at Haydock Park on Saturday, will head to Dubai for his next assignment.
Future Champions Racing, who own the five-year-old, are targeting the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night at Meydan following his thrilling victory in the Betfair Sprint Cup.
Danny Clark, who runs the syndicate with fellow racing enthusiast Byron Hubbard, confirms: “Regional will go to Dubai for the big six-furlong sprint at the end of March. The Sprint Cup was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders Cup, which is tempting, as I’ve always been obsessed with it, but we have to do what’s best for the horse.
“Santa Anita is a tricky track which we don’t think would play to his strengths and the stiff six at Ascot on Champions Day wouldn’t suit, but the straight six at Meydan looks tailor-made for him, so that’s where we’ll go next.”
Regional, who has graduated from handicaps to become one of the best sprinters in Europe, is about to begin a well-earned break after giving his young trainer Ed Bethell and jockey Callum Rodriguez their first taste of top-level success.
“It’s a fairytale that keeps on getting better and better,” adds Danny, who is one of 10 shareholders in the gelding who was snapped up for just 3,500 gns at the July Sales at Tattersalls in Newmarket in 2021.
“Watching him put his head in front in such a big race was an amazing experience. I just ran down to the winner’s enclosure, hugged Ed and gave Callum a high five … it was so emotional.
“We’ve been with Ed from the start so it means so much to achieve this breakthrough success together. He’s worked wonders with this horse and much of the credit must go to his jockey who knows him to a tee.”
Danny and Byron were joined by co-owners David and Diane Shannon and Alan Hawkes, a retired car mechanic. David bought his wife a share in Regional for a birthday present and it’s turned out to be a gift that keeps on giving.
Described as a “street fighter” by Danny, the son of Territories began the season with a handicap win at York in May and duly supplemented that in a five-furlong Listed sprint at Haydock.
He was running on at the finish when fifth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes back at The Knavesmire last month but improved on that form over an additional furlong to hold another syndicate-owned sprinter Shouldvebeenaring in the Sprint Cup.
Future Champions Racing, who also have a horse in training with Gary Moore in the south, are hoping their un-raced filly Music History can go some way to emulating Regional’s achievements next year.
She is in training in Middleham with Bethell, who will also take charge of a yearling that will be purchased at the forthcoming October sales. “We’ve already named the horse Counting Cards and will be selling micro shares in him as we want to give more people the chance to experience racehorse ownership without the big expense,” adds Danny.
“Tom Biggs of Blandford Bloodstock will be buying the horse for us, most probably from the Book 3 sale at Tattersalls, so the dreams don’t stop with Regional. The next year is going to be beyond exciting for our syndicate.”
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