Imperial Pride, the sole horse trained by Oxfordshire-based Oliver Bowd, won The Jockey Club Novice Champion Final Race for Mares and Fillies held at Chaddesley Corbett yesterday.
Six went to post, but just two finished, with Imperial Pride holding off the persistent challenge of runner-up Mini Fortune.
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Imperial Pride (Jack Andrews) crosses the line ahead of Mini Fortune (James King)
Initially scheduled to take place at The Berkeley’s meeting at Woodford last month, the final was rerouted with the sponsor’s support after that fixture was abandoned.
Imperial Pride canters back after winning The Jockey Club's series final for fillies and mares (Ce)
At the start of last year Bowd, 24, who is originally from Huntingdon, was working in Australia for trainer Bjorn Baker, but then returned home and took the role as assistant trainer to David Dennis. It is likely that Imperial Pride, an eight-year-old daughter of Imperial Monarch out of the Alderbrook mare Alderbrook Girl, will now move into Dennis’s yard in a bid to secure bonus money provided by The Jockey Club to the first three finishers in its series final.
Oliver Bowd with Richard Russell of The Jockey Club (Ce)
Imperial Pride can now double any prize money she wins up to a value of £10,000 at a Jockey Club racecourse on her first, second or third start. Mini Fortune can double any prize money she earns up to £5,000.
Full report from Chaddesley Corbett and more details of The Jockey Club's series final to follow . . .