Izenterisky and John Fahy winning the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-70) Handicap at Chester © Alan Wright
Saturday 13 July 2024 –
It was an emotional success for the Collington family when their homebred gelding Izenterisky returned to the track after over four years away to produce a thrilling win by four lengths under John Fahy. Having been trapped behind the eventual second Victoria, and third Delicatesse, Fahy took advantage of the cutaway on the rail and smoothly took up the lead to win going away.
Izenterisky is the first foal trainer Phil Collington’s wife Sheila has bred and was led up by their daughter Sophie this afternoon. During his time as a leading amateur jockey on Arabians Collington rode the dam, Pinkie Tuscadero to two wins at a similar level and distance, plus he won on the sire, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s No Risk Al Maury on his debut. The family also continue to care for the world renown champion stallion in his retirement and this win puts the veteran sire back at the head of the UK leading sire’s table.
With a prize fund of £15,000 this was the most valuable handicap of the nine non-PA Group races sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival in the UK this season, who’s total runs to 150 globally, culminating in the Group 1PA HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi in December.
Quotes:
John Fahy, jockey, 1st: “A very pleasing performance, Phil said to me going out that he was fit. He’s a lovely big kind, caring horse and it’s been a great job by Phil and all the team at home to get him back.”
Lissie Reeves, Arabian Assistant to James Owen, trainer 2nd, 3rd: “I’m really happy they both ran to form. Particularly pleased with Delicatesse considering she only ran earlier this week, she was still fresh at home so we were happy to bring her. Maybe if the ground had been a bit better, it might have been different, but I’m still really happy with them both.”
Charlie Price, jockey, Paramer Angel, 5th: “He travelled ok, but the track was too sharp for him, he likes a galloping track and just found everything happening too quick.”
Sheila Collington, Izenterisky, John Fahy and Sophie Collington winners of the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-70) Handicap at Chester © Alan Wright
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “It’s been a beautiful day at Chester, we’re delighted for the win of Sheila Collington’s Izenterisky, a brilliant training performance by her husband Philip to get the horse back to fitness to win so well today. It had been a beautiful day at historic Chester racecourse and we are delighted to bring the Sheikh Mansoor Festival to this city.”
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We warmly congratulate all of the Collington family on their win today with their homebred Izenterisky and we thank Lara Sawaya for making a second trip to the UK to support our racing this year on behalf of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and the Wathba Stallions Cup who do so much for us. We’re also delighted to bring Arabian racing to a crowd of over 14,000 this afternoon at Chester, who have given us a warm welcome for a second successive year.
“We also thank Racing Welfare who sponsored the Best Turned Out Award won by Rebecca Brady for Paramer Angel and now look forward to our next race at Newbury on Friday 19 July.”
Genny Haynes, Sheila Collington, Lara Sawaya and John Fahy winners of the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-70) Handicap © Alan Wright
1st: IZENTERISKY (GB)
2nd: Victoria (GB)
3rd: Delicatesse (FR)
7 ran –
Distances: 2.75, 2.50
Time: 1.20.60
Going: GOOD to SOFT
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