Swanson stable shines

Veronica Gwaze

TRAINER Debra Swanson was the star of this year’s edition of the Castle Tankard horse race after she provided the top three horses that made the podium at the Borrowdale Park yesterday.

Ideal View romped to victory in a tightly contested 14-horse race, while Down to Business and Dindingwe — also from the Swanson stable — finished a close second and third, respectively.

Despite the Riyo Stud-bred horse winning the race, it was actually Grand Warrior who was Swanson’s top card.

However, Grand Warrior had to be pulled out of the race at the 11th hour after picking an injury.

An elated Swanson said the feat was a confidence booster, which has motivated her to remain in the game and enter more races.

“It is exciting to amass such a huge win; it was a special moment to watch the stallions do this because opportunities like these are rare, and thank you to Delta for the chance,” she said.

“Grand Warrior was actually the favourite one on paper but we had to pull him out of the race after picking up an injury yesterday.

“The race was very tight and I am happy with how it turned out in the end; it actually gives a lot of motivation going forward,” she said.

Ridden by rising jockey Nathan Klink, who is also the 2022 OK Grand Challenge winning jockey, Ideal View separated himself from the rest of the field with a narrow finish in the last 30 metres of the race.

Klink said his victory brought back memories from the last race he won.

“I am happy. Remember, last year, I was here for the OK Grand Challenge and it was my first big race,” he said.

“Winning it was exciting, I was over the moon at the time but deep down, I actually could not believe it . . . it felt like a dream and today, it feels like I am reliving that moment all over again.”
Klink said this year’s race was similar to last year’s.

Both races, he said, were tightly contested, hence he could not win by a wide gap.

He notes that emerging as a victor in the tight race comes as a massive boost ahead of this year’s edition of the OK Grand Challenge.

“In a few months, I am looking forward to another win at the OK Grand Challenge; in fact, this is more of a great adaptation platform for me and I am grateful to Debra for allowing me to be here,” he said.

“Today, I was not familiar with the horse, so the magic had to be the way I was sitting.

“I was not far at the back, which gave me the opportunity to let my horse run the way it wanted.

“I let him be comfortable and do it his way, which was neither too slow nor fast; I did not have to push him.

“It made me realise that I am now able to handle any horse, and it is motivating, so I am ready to come back and defend my OK Grand Challenge title.”