Winners! – A Sandown Double

A memorable afternoon at Sandown on Sunday as Seneca Chief provided the first win since Daniel & Claire Kübler officially became joint trainers. The afternoon got even better as our second runner Don’t Tell Claire romped home to make it a double on the day.

Seneca Chief was winning for the third time since the resumption of racing and was recording his fourth career victory. On only his second turf start the gelding put up a clear career best under a cool ride by Adam McNamara. He has proved to be versatile and got himself out a of world of trouble by finding a sharp turn of foot to get through some tight gaps when it mattered, but ultimately won comfortably. He should continue to develop and give his owner breeders Gary and Lesley Middlebrook plenty more excitement and fun in the coming weeks.

Damon Houlbrook who rides him most of the time at home also deserves a mention as his cool patient horsemanship has been of real benefit to getting Seneca Chief into a winning groove.

Andrew and Claire Stonehill’s, Don’t Tell Claire had run three great races this season when placed in novices and maidens, learning with each start. Everything really clicked yesterday afternoon and Liam Keniry gave her an excellent ride from a tricky draw, that saw him ease her to the front of the field, from where he set fractions that suited the three year old filly perfectly. A sharp turn of foot put the race to bed and she stayed on up the hill strongly to win. The manner of the win suggesting that their ought to be still more to come from the daughter of Gutaifan.

The filly was purchased for the Stonehills at Goffs in Doncaster for £15,000 from Byerley Stud by Daniel and Claire and we hope she can continue to develop for the Stonehills and give them more great days racing.

Finally, a massive thank you to the whole team, all your hard work on wet, cold mornings make glorious afternoons like yesterday possible. Keep working together and there will be many more to come.