It was a second win in as many weeks for Upstart Crow and Miss Teagan Padgett, who led home a one-two-three for the James Owen team at Bath this evening in the Wathbastallions.com (0-60) Handicap over a mile. Filling in the places were Mayfair and Miss Rhea Betts, with Heritage Vadel and Sean Levey just behind. This was the first of eight races sponsored under the banner of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, which also includes the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA), which this year has a prize fund increase to £20,000.
Padgett, for whom this was only her second ever ride under ARO rules said, “He fell out of the stalls today. I squeezed him on into the race and he locked on. I was worried I might have a battle on my hands, but they kept going in front, thankfully. I knew Heritage Valentino, who I ride at home, and Mayfair, would be the ones to beat. I just rode for the cutaway and he did the rest!”
Lissie Reeves, who looks after Upstart Crow at Green Ridge Stables, was representing her mother Linda, who owns the horse, saying, “He can be difficult at times, but I know him a lot better now and I love him. I’m over the moon with his performance, we were just hoping to have a bit of fun with him over the summer.”
Jenny Owen, representing her husband James commented, “That was great for the team, great for Teagan and for Rhea who work so hard at home. The horses ran really today, well they’re in good form.”
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival said, “The Festival sponsors 153 races globally in 2023 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 the winners today.”
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO congratulates Teagan on her second win, and all the Owen team at Green Ridge Stables. We’re also delighted to see the breeders of the winner, Upstart Crow, John Elliott and Teresa Kinsey here tonight, as well as the Skeppers who bred the third and of course, Jenny Owen, representing James Owen Racing who bred the second.
“The HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival through their Wathba Stallions Cup races are specifically aimed at the grassroots our sport, both here, and around the world. These races are so important for our domestic breeders and we are very grateful to the Festival for their continued support of our racing in the UK.
“We also thank Baker McVeigh International for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award won by John Bishop for Zikada Zayin, which was presented to the owner Paul Simmons, by Jenny Owen.”
