| Hayadh winning the 2019 Cliff Stud Thirsk Hunt Cup for the late Rebecca Bastiman, who sadly passed away last month The feature race at Thirsk this Saturday, April 17, is the seven-furlong ebfstallions.com Michael Foster Conditions Stakes (2.10pm) for older horses. Run over six furlongs until 2012, notable names on the roll of honour include G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winners Pipalong (2000) and Markab (2010) as well as multiple G2 scorer Breton Rock (2014). Toro Strike is on course to line up for trainer Richard Fahey and owner Al Shaqab Racing. A maiden winner at Thirsk in 2019, Toro Strike outclassed the opposition in a seven-furlong handicap at Glorious Goodwood in July. The son of Toronado was beaten a neck on his next start in the G3 Supreme Stakes at Goodwood before ending the campaign with an eighth in the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October. Fahey, who has been the leading trainer at Thirsk in six of the last seven seasons, said: “We are pleased enough with Toro Strike. It is not easy to find races for him, so this looks an obvious starting point. “He has to step up again on what he did last season. He improved 16lb during the summer and will have to go again – but we are happy with him. “There are plenty of options for him later in the season over seven furlongs, but we are hoping he will be OK over a bit further this year as well.” Toro Strike could clash with Pierre Lapin (Roger Varian), who looked a star in the making when landing the G2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury in 2019. The six entries also include Royal Ascot handicap victors Motakhayyel (Richard Hannon) and Hey Jonesy (Kevin Ryan). The going at Thirsk is Good to Firm, with a mainly dry outlook. The seven-race programme will begin at a revised time of 11.40am to avoid clashing with the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. About Cliff Stud · Cliff Stud (formally Helmsley Stud) was founded just before the Second World War by William Thorpe and taken over by champion trainer Noel Murless in 1948 · Set in 220 acres of beautifully maintained paddocks, located high above the picturesque market town of Helmsley · Can accommodate up to 65 horses – a place to raise and rest racehorses · The stud was inhabited for many years by racing legend Sir Henry Cecil · Acquired by Yorkshire businessman Paul Sutherland in 2017 · St Paddy was bred at the stud – winner of the Derby and St Leger in 1960 · The stud has two beautifully appointed Holiday Cottages named after Henry Cecil himself and his most famous horse, Frankel · Three newly appointed Premier Lodges open this Spring · Three-year sponsorship deal with Thirsk Racecourse – stalled in 2020 due to Covid · The sponsorship deal makes it the most valuable race ever held at Thirsk, offering a total of £50,000 in prize money For further information, please contact: James Sanderson, Manager and Clerk of the Course Telephone: 01845 522276 Mobile: 07850 058019 Email: [email protected] |
