You have to get up pretty early to put one over on wily veteran trainer Mick Easterby, but his granddaughter Jacqueline Coward is hoping to do just that when they go head-to-head for the first time in the UKinsuranceNET Hambleton Cup on Ladies Day at Thirsk on Saturday.
First season trainer Jacqueline runs Tapis Libre, a horse she inherited from her grandad this summer, while Mick will be represented by Tamayuz Magic in the £10,000 contest, a race he last won with Sporting Gesture in 2005.
Tapis Libre, who was beaten only four lengths when fifth behind Scrutinise in last season’s Hambleton Cup, made a winning start for his new trainer with an impressive success in the Ladies Derby at Epsom in July and though eight-years-old still has plenty of dash.
“How exciting to be taking on my grandfather, I want to beat him!” said Jacqueline, “he has been a great help to me, but we do have some lively banter so it will be great. This is the first time we have both run a horse in the same race!”
Tamayuz Magic, who won at Thirsk in May and has only once finished out of the frame in six visits to the North Yorkshire track, is at his best when there is cut in the ground so is likely to have conditions to suit.
“He’s been declared and we shall definitely run if the ground doesn’t firm up” said Mick’s son and assistant David Easterby, “and Jacqueline having a runner does make it that bit more interesting by creating a bit of family rivalry!”
Not that the family interest ends just there as Mick’s nephew Tim will also have a runner in the Cup with Icefall representing his Great Habton yard.
The Hambleton Cup represents a first venture into race sponsorship for the Darlington-based UKinsuranceNET, an online insurance company. Managing Director Steve Bradley is a long-standing owner who has had horses with Richard Fahey and Jane Chapple-Hyam among others.
“I have had quite a few winners, so have experienced the thrill of being a winning owner and now I shall see what it is like from the other side of the fence by sponsoring a race. We shall have a great day as we are using it to reward our hard-working staff with a day at the races!” he said.
Ladies Day is always one of the highlights of Thirsk’s season and with prizes for the Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman and Best Hat to be won, it promises to be a great mix of high fashion and top quality racing.
There is an eight race card starting at 2.20pm with entrance to the Premier Enclosure costing £27, while it’s £16 to go in the Paddock. Price reductions are available on line at www.thirskracecourse.net and children under 18 get in free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Car and coach parking is free, a big screen will show the action and there are play areas for the children. Gates open at 11am.