A debut to remember!

Sports Reporter

AFTER a two-year Covid-19-induced sabbatical, the Castle Tankard Horse race returned in full force, with the Thomas Mason-trained stallion, True Beauty, having a debut to remember at Borrowdale Race Course yesterday.

The Bosworth Farm horse romped to victory ahead of Bridget Stidolph’s Only Him, Vanessa Birketof-trained Holy Land and another Stidolph stallion, Wantage, in the thirteen-horse race.

It was Mason’s maiden race as he only started training the horse during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

“It is a fantastic feeling,” said Mason.

“I have never experienced it before, as this is my first Tankard runner, and to mark it with a win is amazing.

“I am over the moon.

“Returning from the pandemic, this was my first major race and it is a significant one.

“Things have been tough for everyone, but to come back with a podium finish is really fantastic,” he said.

The trainer said the win was a confidence-booster which has motivated him to enter more big races.

“I am only two-and-a-half years into it; I started training when the pandemic came.

“I may have started at the wrong time, but we fought on and we got the win,” he added.

Jockey Denis Schwarz was also elated with the superb show.

“The feeling of having spectators present today gave me a real rush. I am happy and grateful for the opportunity of racing in a full yard,” he said.

“Managing the race was easy as she was actually helping me.

“She jumped well and had all the guts and glory to win the race.”