Eddery fires off farewell winner

Pat Eddery signed off with a winner at one of his favourite racecourses as Desert Quest took the spoils in the Tote Exacta Stakes at Windsor today.

And the success was due in no uncertain terms to the sort of power-packed ride Eddery has made his trademark during his 36-year riding career.

Desert Quest (6-1) ran in a visor, which appeared to aid the colt’s concentration as he survived trouble in running to come with a powerful late run and edge out 11-2 favourite Alrafid by a head.

Eddery has long been a regular visitor to Windsor and chose to announce his retirement from the saddle at the track earlier this season.

And as well as having a race named after him, the 11-times champion was also given a special presentation of a framed print from fellow rider Martin Dwyer - immediately after Dwyer’s mount had got the better of Eddery’s in a tight finish for the second division of the Pat Eddery Retirement EBF Maiden Stakes.

Eddery’s horse, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Sion Hill, was sent off the 9-4 favourite as punters latched on to all the mounts of the course’s leading rider.

But at the line it was 10-1 chance Momtic who stayed on under strong driving from Dwyer to pip Sion Hill by three parts of a length.

Momtic’s owner David Heath said: “He was one of three yearlings bought for me at the sales by Charlie Gordon-Watson and all three have won now.

“He really should have won first time at Thirsk until he veered all over the place, but he has put that right now.”

Chubbes set the sales ring alight after he destroyed his rivals in the Wedding Fair Sun 26th October Selling Stakes.

The Roger Charlton-trained gelding was sent off a warm 6-4 favourite to beat some admittedly modest rivals but he turned the race into a procession as he wrapped up a double for jockey Steve Drowne, who had also been on the mark in the opener.

“The last time I ran a horse in a seller it won in the same manner,” said Charlton. “This horse is in the sales anyway and it makes sense to sell him now rather than wait until then.”

In an auction that lasted some 15 minutes, bids came in from all around the ring, including trainers George Margarson, Sylvester Kirk, Andrew Reid and finally Neville Callaghan, until Chubbes was eventually knocked down to a representative of champion jumps trainer Martin Pipe for 24,500 guineas.

The final figure was a record for any track owned by Arena Leisure and saw auctioneer Milton Johns at his most animated.

Foley Prince left punters scratching their heads after he caused a 33-1 turn-up in the Firework Extravaganza Sat 8th November Nursery.

Trained by the up-and-coming David Flood, the gelding was always going strongly under 5lb claimer Dominic Fox and held the late challenge of Kingdom Come by a head.

“I’ve only had a licence for four weeks but I can do the job with any sort of horse,” said Lingfield-based Flood.

Fiddle Me Blue blew her rivals away with an impressive burst of speed to take the opening contest.

The well-backed 10-11 favourite had all 12 of her rivals off the bridle at halfway but tired in the closing stages of the six-furlong Pat Eddery Retirement EBF Maiden Stakes (Division One).

However, the Hughie Morrison-trained filly had enough in hand to hold off the challenge of Speedbird by a neck.

“It has been hard work to find a five-furlong race so I really had to run here, even though I don’t think she really sees six out,” said Morrison.

“She is very quick – quicker than Ruby Rocket, even though they haven’t worked together since July.

“If I can find a valuable five-furlong nursery then we might have a look at that, although I imagine she will be put away for the winter now.”

Janayen was another to lose her maiden tag in straightforward style as she took the Karl & Ruthann 1st Anniversary Maiden Stakes (Division One).

Pat Dobbs only had to shake the reins at the daughter of Zafonic to see her go clear of her rivals in the closing stages.

Eddery had to settle for second place again when Yomalo was grabbed on the line by Full Spate in the Christmas Parties At Windsor Racecourse Handicap.