One-eyed horse delights fans with sixth victory at his favourite track
Giovanni Change has competed in 46 races for trainer Mark Walford, with 20 of them at the Lincolnshire circuit the chaser adores. A real yard favourite, the ten-year-old is also admired by many racing supporters
Thriving one-eyed horse Giovanni Change has brought more joy to his supporters by racing to a sixth win at his favourite track. The ten-year-old grey took up his usual prominent spot in a three-mile handicap chase at Market Rasen on Friday and went clear of rival Cant Buy History with one fence to jump.
It was Giovanni Change's second win on the trot at a course he first took to four years ago, after trainer Mark Walford purchased him from the sales.
"He has gone from strength the strength," he said. "He loves Market Rasen as it's only two hours from home and it's the correct way round, as he has his right eye. On his day he will run his heart out for you. As the years have gone on he has become older and wiser."
Originally in the care of Emmet Mullins in Ireland, the son of French Fifteen was off the mark straight away in a Killarney bumper.
But he took some time to flourish when Walford bought him and he had been in his yard for more than a year before he hit the target in a Market Rasen handicap hurdle in April 2021.
"He was blind in one eye when we bought him and was a bad box-walker," Walford said. "it took him a little while to find his way here.
"In a normal stable he cant be trained so he lives in an outdoor one. Funnily enough he won't go anywhere in front at home, but he loves to lead at the track."
Walford revealed how his yard favourite could have been on-course for a hat-trick yesterday, after he lost a Wetherby race narrowly in unfortunate circumstances.
"The winner challenged him on his blind side," he added. "He can see another horse with his other eye if it's half-a-length in front. That time he just didn't have the chance to battle back."
Racing TV shared footage of Giovanni Change's latest triumph, where he is seen walking around the parade ring with his ears pricked and galloping five lengths clear in the steeplechase event under Danny McMenamin.
"This horse is so special everybody's favourite," one social media user wrote in response to it.
While another person added: "Great horse he doesn't let him missing an eye stop him from racing amazing."
Suzy Smith-trained Material World was another one-eyed horse wonder, winning plenty of races before she signed off in the 2008 World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
And Wren's Breath charged home when in the clear to secure a 2021 Listed event at Naas for Grand National and Gold Cup-winning handler Henry de Bromhead.
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