Tears of joy as charity horse wins a Redcar thriller for injured jockey Graham Lee
THERE were emotional scenes at Redcar today as charity horse We've Got This won for The Graham Lee Racing Club under a determined ride by Jason Hart.
The filly, trained by Ivan Furtado, runs in the colours of the club, run by The Good Racing Company.
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Graham, who won the Grand National on Amberleigh House before switching to the flat, suffered life-changing injuries in a fall at Newcastle in November 2023.
The Good Racing Company has so far raised around £250,000 for good causes, including £40,000 for Graham and his family.
Graham, who watched the Free Racing TV At racingtv.com/freetrial Handicap close to the winning post, said: "I'm chuffed to bits. Jason gave her a great ride, and I'm pleased for all the club members who've supported the club by buying shares. It's fantastic."
We've Got This and Jason Hart winning at Redcar (Image: Tony Knapton) Former champion jockey Paul Hanagan acts as a director of The Good Racing Company and chose the horse, which was gifted by Wendy and Steve Burdett of Eboracum Racing.
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Paul admitted to being moved to tears by the victory, saying: "It means a hell of a lot and it's very special to be involved. I've had a lot of sleepless nights over this filly but it's brilliant for everyone. She's going to keep improving. It's fantastic for Graham to be here to see her win for the first time.'
Jason Hart went on to score a hat-trick by riding a double for Charlie Johnston on Marhaba Ghaiyyath and Hot Dancer.
The Johnston horse are flying with a current 23% strike rate and the momentum continued with Marhaba Ghaiyyath landing the Marske Fabrications & Engineering Handicap.
The 6-4 fav stayed on stoutly to deny Cruyff Turn a fifth Redcar win for Tim Easterby.
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Johnston Racing's assistant trainer Jock Bennett said: "The horses are in really good form at the moment, including the second in the Derby (Lazy Griff)."
Hart made it a treble when Hot Dancer cosily landed the Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Handicap by half a length from Yabher, trained at Newmarket by William Haggas.
Jock Bennett said: "We'll see what the handicapper does – that'll dictate where he goes next."
The day started with a victory for local businessman Gary Wood, whose Front Gunner – trained at Leyburn by Ann Duffield – stayed on well in the opening Racing TV Free Trial Handicap under David Nolan.
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Construction consultant Gary, sponsor of the Straight Mile Series at Redcar last season, said: "I've been trying to have a winner here for 10 years!"
Gary, who bought the chestnut gelding as a yearling, added: "We've had our ups and downs because he's a real character, but we were hopeful today – I had a good punt last night. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't kick on from here and there's got to be a couple more wins in him."
Serenity Blue, a son of Lope de Vega, cost 360,000 guineas as a yearling and he scored for the second time in a row in the Visit racingtv.com To Subscribe Today Novice Stakes.
Adam Farragher, riding for trainer James Horton, was impressed with the chestnut colt, saying: "He just does enough but it was pretty snug in the end. He's still green and I'd expect him to come on again."
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Serenity Blue had built on a promising debut with a smooth win on his last run at Nottingham.
It was also a promising, gutsy run by Stay In The Game, trained by John and Sean Quinn, in second.
Marajito, trained by Tim Easterby and ridden by David Allan, fought off Michael Dods' Keep The Gold in the last race, the Come Racing On Ladies' Day Tomorrow Maiden Handicap, denying Jason Hart a four-timer.
Assistant Trainer William Easterby said: "We bred her, so we're really pleased with that. She's got lots of speed and we found the right race for her."
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