Freddie Henderson on board Oliver James en-route to winning the first race
The father and son team of trainer James and Freddie Henderson dominated the first two races, scoring a quick double across the card. Oliver James ridden by Freddie won the OKA Old Berkshire Hunt Members race from the close second Gizzit with Chris Dennington on board.
The Henderson’s then secured their double in the second; The Bear at Wantage (Arkell’s) PPORA Club Members Conditions race with Otto The Great, with the horse returning to winning ways after a loss of form across the past season and a half. Craig Beinn ridden by Kate Gowing finished in second and Cloone Springs with Callum Bickers-Price on board in third.
James Henderson whose yard is based near Faringdon, Oxon said:
“It’s great to have Otto The Great back in the winner’s enclosure. The Lockinge fixture is our local point-to-point meeting so to secure a double is extra special for us in-front of a home crowd”.
Cheltenham, Grand National and Hennessy Festival performer Anquetta provided jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and his father and trainer with a lovely win in the third; The Cazenove Capital Mixed Open Race. Despite having three runners the race proved to be very competitive with Waley-Cohen, a former Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey, fending off Freddie Henderson in the closing stages who was bidding for a three timer at the fixture riding Saint Roque. Page Fuller on board Boardwalk Empire finished third.
Sam Waley-Cohen riding Anquetta, winner for the third race
Sam, whose stables are based near Banbury, Oxon, commented;
“It’s a happy day, Anquetta is a wise old boy and he enjoyed it out there. He’s been a great friend and has won plenty of races under rules and pointing. I’ve ridden him at the Cheltenham, Grand National and Hennessy Festival’s, and this may be his last race today. I have lots of family and friends here, and this is as much fun as you can have; jumping fences, supported by great people and coming home in front!”
Sixteen-year old Milo Herbert, who was granted his amateur jockeys licence as recently as March, secured his first win as well as completion in a point-to-point with a confident ride on board Butney Rock in the fourth race; The Cornbury Festival PPORA Club Members Race for Veteran & Novice Riders. Jockey/trainer Laura Thomas riding Urban Storm followed in hot pursuit to finish second and Maller Tree and Phoebe Baylis finished third.
Milo, who is from Monmouthshire, Wales and graduated through the pony racing program, commented;
“That was brilliant, I am delighted with Butney Rock. If I am riding horses I am happy, so I will see where a riding career might take me but to get the first win under my belt is very satisfying”.
Although unable to chase down the winner as a rider in the fourth, Wroughton in Wiltshire based trainer Laura Thomas saddled Very Intense ridden by Johnny Bailey who was the convincing winner of the fifth; The Bentley Berkshire Restricted race over a shortened distance of 2m 6f. Ourson ridden by Phil York finished second and Too Much Too Soon with jockey / trainer Peter Mason completing in third.
Laura commented;
“The syndicate who owns Very Intense are a local group and I am thrilled they’ve had a winner today. It’s very good to win here, as he’s been so consistent this season and thoroughly deserved to get his head in front”.
The final race; The PROCAM Open Maiden, was won by Wantage based jockey Katie Lyons riding Spessartine and trained by Steve Barry. Kicker King with Phil York on board and trained by Tim Underwood was the only other finisher.
Kicking off the day’s racing were two pony races, sponsored by Pinewood School. Thirteen-year-old Elliot England, from Naunton, Gloucestershire took the honours in the 138cm race riding Maesteg Ruth. In the 148cm race, fifteen-year-old Paddy Barlow, from Cholmondeley, Cheshire riding Tiny Dancer just held on to win from The Mumbler ridden by Ivor Herbert.
For more information visit oldberkshunt.co.uk/point-to-point.
