It was a long time coming but well worth the wait, Son Of Grace at start number 25 breaking through for a his maiden victory at Sale on Sunday – and in easy fashion too!
As is his style, the five-year-old travelled comfortably in the lead but he had company with the favourite Hurricane Ketut never far away – and it seemed that half way down the straight that that horse was ready to go past our boy.
But Son Of Grace was having none of that and once the other horse got to him he not only rallied but got clear – putting two lengths on his rivals.
“He jumped nicely, got into a really good rhythm, gave a great kick and was really strong through the line,” reported jockey Winona Costin who was having her first ride on Son Of Grace.
“She is a left handed rider and it may be that that surprised and woke him up a bit!” said a delighted Allison Sheehan who never lost faith in the horse who has always shown talent but who has not always been a natural.
“He was fierce in his early days,” she said, adding that a set-back in which he was injured when a horse went off in the barrier next to him also delayed his day in the winner’s circle.
And once he learned to settle he looked (being a grandson of High Chaparral) ready for a bit of ground – “but he just didn’t stay.”
And so he was back in distance at Sale, showing a good turn of foot over the 1427m – his win an exciting and emotional one for his owners Sandra McLees, Robert Ryan, Greg Alford, Chris Jones, Rob Roderick – and Allison.
Bred by Sandra, Son Of Grace was raised by Allison since he arrived at her property at the age of three months with his city placed six times winning dam Silver Trinket. Sadly she died four years ago, Son Of Grace her only foal.
His sire Cowboy Blue did not race and he died six years ago having sired on 30 live foals. Nine of those have raced and Son Of Grace is his fourth winner.
“He likes being kept fresh,” Allison said, “and we will look for another 1400m or maybe a 1600m race at BM58 level, hopefully he will have derived confidence from this win and can again give them something to chase next time.”
Allison has a soft spot for Son Of Grace who she describes as “the most lovely, delightful horse with a kind temperament much adored by his owners and strapper Mel”