Winner – Ciara Pearl

Ciara Pearl posted the second win of her short career at Lingfield on Monday afternoon. The filly took her race record to 2 wins and 2 seconds from her 4 starts to date. Ciara Pearl probably ended up a bit further back than ideal as a result of her wide draw. Jockey Jim Crowley was aware of the danger and crept forward a long way out. When asked the filly showed a good turn of foot, and was comfortably able to hold off the challenge of the late finishing runner up.

Ciara Pearl belongs to Andrew and Claire Stonehill who have given us a so much support in recent years. She was purchased by a yearling by Daniel & Claire at Tattersalls for £20,000 from Whatton Manor Stud. She has won that back between her racing prize money and GBB bonus win (an excellent scheme for extra prize money for British Bred fillies). This is a family that Whatton Manor Stud under Peter and now Ed Player have developed for several generations. We previously trained one of Ciara Pearl’s half sister’s Zulu Girl. She arrived with us as a maiden four year old and went on to win four races, including Brighton’s valuable Challenge Mile.

As ever thanks to all the team, their input into training these racehorses is invaluable. A special mention to Arla Cheshire who rides and cares for Ciara Pearl everyday. Arla is a flourishing young horsewoman. A year ago she had never ridden a horse. Upon completing British Racing School foundation course she joined the team at Kubler Racing in Lambourn. With plenty of support from her more experienced colleagues, particularly Mark Lawson, she her riding has developed really well. Arla has ridden all the fast work on Ciara Pearl this spring, and deserves a lot of credit for the win. A racehorse trainer is only as good as their team.