Upstart Crow and Miss Teagan Padgett continued their unbeaten run this year, winning by a head in the Wathba Stallions (0-75) Handicap at Chepstow over a mile this evening. Securing their fourth victory in as many starts, the six-year-old kept stablemates Jaahez, ridden by Miss Rhea Betts at bay, with Mayfair and Rhiain Ingram a further two and three-quarters of a length away in third. This gave trainer James Owen a second one-two-three training performance of the current ARO season.
Owner, Mrs Linda Reeves, whose daughter Lissie looks after Upstart Crow at Owen’s yard in Newmarket was delighted saying, “This was supposed to be a bit of fun for him before we took him to endurance, a fourth win is beyond our wildest dreams. It also really helps that Lissie is looking after him and Teagan rides him every time, he needs that consistency.”
Padgett, who hasn’t ridden any other Arabian in a race apart from Upstart Crow, was also surprised at the gelding’s performance, “He came out of the stalls really well and we ended up in front, but he got home and did exactly what he needed to do. I thought today would be hard for him, but he’s dug deep and battled his way to the line.”
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “The Festival sponsors 153 races globally this year, as well as the World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December. The Festival is delighted to support the Arabian Racing Organisation through the sponsorship of these races in the UK
and we congratulate Teagan on another great ride on Upstart Crow this evening.”
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is delighted for Linda and her family, having such success with Upstart Crow in their first season of Arabian racing, and for all the Owen team who are also doing so well with their thoroughbreds too. This win puts Linda at the top of the ARO leading owners table and maintains Teagan, James and Upstart Crow’s position as leading jockey, trainer and horse. It is also great for his breeder John Elliott who will be rewarded through our breeders scheme.
“We thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival for their continued generous support of our grassroots races through the popular Wathba Stallions series. We also congratulate Becca Brady who received the Best Turned Out Award for Paramer Angel from Rhys Flint of Racing Welfare.”
