A beautiful sunny start to the day in Kentucky but not so great for Tim as Jarillo (Milo) had to be withdrawn overnight which was gutting. And then when your luck is out, it tends to stay that way as Falco was withdrawn from the hold box at the jog. Happy Boy was more than keen to take the limelight and he bounced down the strip showing the world that yep, it’s day three of a five star and he’s up for it.
Hiarado (Jools) was all business as well, no problems for her at the jog. It wasn’t the scenario that Team Price had expected to be in but it’s still a buzz to ride down that ramp into the main stadium on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Happy cantered into the packed arena in the blazing sunshine and as he has so many times before on the third day delivered the goods with a clear inside the time. He really does rise to the occasion and he is a true 5 star horse now and it was testament to Tim’s faith in this horse…..no one could have predicted he would finish Kentucky the best of Tim’s three rides a couple of weeks ago!
A few horses later Jools and Jonelle came in and Jools had her work face on for sure. They jumped an immaculate round for another clear inside the time and proved Jonelle’s decision to carry on after her early 20 yesterday was definitely the right one. Kentucky has a championship feel to it with the enthusiastic crowds and the huge arena and there are not that many opportunities to get horses inside that sort of buzz on the circuit.
To no one’s surprise Michi Jung won on the legendary Chipmunk. Boyd Martin had a stunning weekend with three inside the top 7 and Harry Meade held onto his 3rd and 4th places which were well earned.
Now it’s time to pack up for the trip home. The horses will fly into Prestwick airport on the west coast of Scotland, arriving on the evening of Tuesday 29th and they will stable at Ayr racecourse overnight. Team Prices’ good friend Gigi will then travel the horses in first class comfort down to Chedington via a drop off for the other horses at Harry Meade’s base which is 10 mins off the M4.
Local event Bovington beckons this weekend for the babies and then it’s a hike up to the Cotswolds for Badminton on Tuesday. Lets hope Lady Luck returns for the next big one!