Page 67 - The KRH Year of 2023 (CREST Sharing)

stone to a stone to his rivals. He came down into the parade ring looking really well in himself wearing his regimental pad- dock sheet with the Hawk emblazoned and the punters started to take notice. They knew Jamie was having a great season producing some fine winners and the odds started to shorten. Jockeys out, and unlike the professionals, the amateurs tend to keep their own counsel as to who is likely to go on and make the running: Jamie’s instruction to Will was to keep him handy for when you come off the final bend. Watching him going down he looked in fine shape: 10 runners went to Post.
The 3 mile chase course at Sandown is, as I said at the begin- ning, testing. Ahead of you 22 fences. You have a downhill start to the first, important to keep the horse balanced and out of harm’s way: there were several in this race whose jump- ing was suspect. The course hasn’t changed in living memory, and I recall a beautiful one to ride, especially down the back straight. The fences, especially for a novice, put the emphasis on adaptability. The railway fences come at you pretty quick, and they can break the rhythm of an inexperienced horse. Farceur though, was jumping well and running within him- self: Will had him tucked in behind the leaders and there was little change apart from one faller as they came past the stands for the first time.
Down the back straight and one came down at 13th and two more, trying to make headway, fell at the 16th, Farceur was unhindered. Tactically, it’s now vital to get into position before getting into the bend turning towards the home straight, other- wise it can lose you the race. Three were in contention as they came out of it with Farceur sitting just behind the leader. The famous pond fence was being omitted as there was low sun- light that could blind both horse and rider and it was now that the first three started to break from the field, they were joined by a loose horse “public enemy no 1”: as they are often called. Luckily although he came across them, no one was interfered with.
Sandown’s run-in, although not especially long, can be very demanding, especially when the ground is soft and it is up hill all the way. Will now started to make his move and took the lead two out.
Meanwhile back in the stands Jordan also started to make his move “riding” the horse all the way. Farceur 2 lengths up, into the last, over safely and came away up the straight to the cheers of the crowd to a 4 length win. A victory stand on his mount from Will; an ecstatic victory leap from Jordan. At last, we had achieved what we had set out to do all those years ago. We had won THE RACE.
Jamie, a 4 times winning jockey was now finally a winning trainer of the race. As he said to the sporting press “I have been lucky enough to win more valuable races but this has been the most emotional”.
For Will, not only a winning jockey of the Grand Military but his first race win ever and he had given Farceur a perfect ride.
For Jordan, the dream had come true as it had for the loyal syn- dicate members “a rollercoaster.” He dedicated the win to the memory of his friend Cpl Alan Brackenbury who also loved horses.
Back in the Autumn, Jordan had received his MBE from Our Colonel -in-Chief The Princess Royal when in conversation he said “Your Royal Highness, I look forward to collecting the Grand Military Gold Cup from you in January” to which she replied “Mr Wylie, you’ve been saying that for over a decade if my memory serves me correctly”.
Sadly, she was in the Far East and couldn’t make the presenta- tion but I’m certain she will pass comment later!
National Hunt racing is full of great stories, how could it be otherwise with so many playing their part in a team, working to make it happen and above all there is the horse. Against the odds, Farceur had made a comeback: the usual cry we make to the jockey as he leaves the paddock is “Come back safe”: This time he had also come back a winner.
For those interested, Google The Racing Club: fun is just a
RW
The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars 67
“click” away.
The Dream now reality.
IGolf
The event boasted an array of coveted prizes, tempting our players with the thrill of claiming longest drive, closest the pin and overall best team score.
Captain Kendall, Staff Sergeant Spencer, Lance Corporal Marks and Lance Corporal Scott represented the KRH,
n the course of 2023, the golf team had the opportunity to
making our presence felt with a score of 73 points in an entertaining day brimming with competitive camaraderie.
It is with pride that we note the continued representation of our Regiment in the Corps team. Throughout the season, our players stood out as stalwart pillars, contributing sig- nificantly to the team’s promotion to Division 1.
As we reflect on these achievements, we eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapters of success in the upcoming season, envisioning future battles and triumphs awaiting us on the golf course.
HK
play as a team competitively as we gracefully accepted an invitation from Col Tony Singer OBE to play in the Army Benevolent Fund charity golf day hosted at Rushmoor Golf Course.