There were some great scenes at York yesterday as Washington Heights gained a richly deserved Listed success for his delighted horse racing syndicate.
The classy five-year-old is a much-loved horse by the team at Hambleton Lodge and is cherished by his owners too.
A relatively cheap buy from the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale at £24,000, he is now firmly established as a Stakes class sprinter and posted a commanding performance to gain his first success on the Knavesmire yesterday.
Washington’s win built on some strong, high-quality performances this season that have seen him finish a Group 3 runner-up out in Doha, third at Group 2 level at Haydock and being beaten just over two lengths at Group 1 level at Royal Ascot.
Breaking fluently from the stalls, Washington was soon in his comfort zone, travelling fluently towards the head of affairs under Shane Gray.
As the race developed, Shane asked Washington to go through the gears and got a great response from his tough-teak mount. The runner-up briefly looked a threat as she made her challenge, but it soon became clear that Shane had lots of horse left under him as Washington pulled clear close home for his deserved Listed win.
After yesterday’s race Shane Gray was full of praise for Washington describing him as a legend and a very uncomplicated horse to ride.
The win was a first at York for Washington and improved his excellent course form further, his form string now reading 22461, with all those efforts coming at Class 2 or Class 1 level.
Beaten just four-and-a-half lengths when sixth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe last year, this win looks the perfect preparation for another crack at the prize for Washington and trainer Kevin Ryan, delighted to see this wonderful horse back in the winners enclosure, has confirmed he will now be heading back to the Knavesmire in August for another crack at this huge prize.
It’s certainly been a great campaign so far for Washington Heights and his horse racing syndicate, who can now look forward to another memory making day on the Knavesmire as their pride and joy steps back into Group 1 company again.
