Retired Factory Worker Out To Realise Festival Dream

Features | 25^th February 2025

Retired factory worker Mark Richardson has always dreamed of owning a runner at the Cheltenham Festival and next month that dream could come true if Aston Martini makes the line-up for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle or the Coral Cup.

Mark is one of 12 racing enthusiasts involved in Henry Ponsonby Racing’s mare, who is based with leading trainer Nicky Henderson. She put her Festival credentials on the line when chasing home subsequent winner Altobelli in a valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot in mid-January.

“I’ve always wanted a runner at the Cheltenham Festival and if we can get there with this lovely mare it will mean such a lot to everyone involved,” says Mark, who lives near Hitchin in Bedfordshire.

“I’ve been involved with the syndicate since 2015 and had some wonderful times with Henry, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago. It means a lot to me that it’s been kept going and it would certainly be very special to see Aston Martini carrying those well-known red and white colours on the big day.”

Mark and his co-shareholders got involved with Aston Martini in 2023 when she was leased to Henry Ponsonby Racing by her breeders Richard and Sally Aston, of Goldford Stud. Sadly, Richard also passed away soon after Henry but their legacy lives on through the success of the six-year-old, who won her first three races before progressing in handicap hurdles to a rating of 126.

“We feel she is a well handicapped horse but will be even better when she goes novice chasing next season,” adds Mark, who has enjoyed success with other Henry Ponsonby horses including No Hiding Place and Fugitive’s Drift.

Describing his involvement with the successful syndicate, Mark adds: “It’s been a great experience over the years and Liz Rutter and Fiona Marner have worked really hard to continue the hard work that Henry put into it up to his death.

“The other 11 people in Aston Martini have become good friends through our involvement and we’ve enjoyed so many memorable days together, on and off the racecourse. We’ve had lunch at Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows stables and watched Aston Martini schooling and even went on a visit to see the great Frankel at Banstead Manor Stud,” he adds.

“For a big jumping fan like me though, nothing beats the Cheltenham Festival and seeing our mare in full flight there, hopefully in the Martin Pipe, would be an experience of a lifetime.”

Henry Ponsonby was a pioneer of syndication almost three decades ago and his colours have become synonymous with successful horses over jumps and on the Flat. Among them were Scarlet Dragon and Who Dares Wins, who were both Royal Ascot winners.

As well as Henderson, HP Racing’s team continues to be trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, Alan King and Tim Easterby.

Retired Factory Worker Out To Realise Festival Dream

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