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SOUTH AFRICAN based Roman Discent, from the Bridget Stidolph yard, won the 56th edition of the 2000m Castle Tankard race at Borrowdale Racecourse yesterday.
An outsider before the race, Roman Discent, who was ridden by Mathew Thackeray, earned its owners $50 000 in the oldest race in Southern Africa.
Roman Discent produced a stunning finish to shrug off the challenge from second placed Simona, also from the Stidolph yard.
Pre-race favourite Kilrain of South Africa, coming from Mike De Kock yard, came third.
Last year’s winner, Comanche Brave, surrendered an early lead to finish outside the front four.
There was some bit of drama just before the race when South African based horses Amsterdam and Master Switch almost refused to enter the race.
Amsterdam, from the Kirk Swanson yard, finished last.
Another horse from the Bridget Stidolph yard, Mathematician, came fourth. “I am glad we came first and also had another horse in the top four,” Stidolph said. Owners of pre-race favourite Kilrain, confirmed that the six-year-old horse will be back for the OK Grand Challenge race in June.
The Castle Tankard is the oldest sponsored race in Southern Africa having started in 1960 on Easter Monday with a stake of 2000 pounds from National Breweries.
The first winner was Riza.
No horse has defended the Castle Tankard crown.
Online Reporter