Yorkshire trainer Jack Teal was in good form this afternoon after one of his former stablemates scored at the first time of asking under rules.
Four-year-old Kdeux Saint Fray, who was second at Garthorpe and then won at Dingley (leading above) in the spring when ridden by Teal, landed today’s bumper at Ascot for his new handler, Anthony Honeyball. The Dorset trainer bought the son of Masked Marvel for £48,000 at Tattersalls Cheltenham’s May Sale, a handy rise in valuation after Teal had picked up the gelding at the previous year’s Goffs UK Spring Sale for £20,000.
Teal said: “I didn’t watch the race [at Ascot] live, but I’ve been sent a video to my phone and the horse won well. I don’t think Mr Honeyball misses them when he gets one ready for a bumper.
“I bought the horse at Doncaster with a plan to keep 20 per cent for myself and to sell 80 per cent to a syndicate of fellas, but that fell through and I ended up owning the horse. It worked out fine in the end and I was pleased enough with the price. I was hoping he would make £50,000, but to miss that by one bid wasn’t bad.”
Jack Teal in the paddock at Dingley on Kdeux Saint Fray before the combination won the maiden race
Teal has been busy in the close season buying stores who he hopes can follow Kdeux Saint Fray’s example. He said: “I have about 13 three-year-olds and some unraced four-year-olds, and probably north of 20 horses in the yard, but I wouldn’t have a lot happening before Christmas.
“This time last year I was thinking of packing up the riding, but I got stuck in and sparked up during the season and now I’m mad keen to get going again.”
Kdeux Saint Fray was one of six runners in today’s bumper. Prominent throughout under jockey Johnny Burke, he was upsides in front when turning for home and from there battled to the line. Headed in the final furlong by the 13/8 favourite Blues Singer he fought on and was a nose to the good at the line.