Mark Edwards is on fire to take another win on the first day of the HOYS International classes
Friday 06 October 2023
.jpg "Mark Edwards is on fire to take another win on the first day of the HOYS International classes")
Mark Edwards was firing on all cylinders to record a second win on Friday, piloting Royale Tale into the top spot of the NAEC Stoneleigh Stakes.
“It’s a very strong field this year but she’s so naturally quick and I got in a good rhythm, everything came as I wanted and she tried her heart out,” said Mark.
Twenty-five competitors, including Olympic names, contended the fiercely competitive 3* 1.45m speed but the British proved the fiercest of the lot, filling the top five places. Izac Ketteridge claimed an early lead on Galerius but was pushed down the order by George Whitaker on the 10-year-old Peanut.
However, on-form speedster Mark, already winner of the Welcome Stakes on Dillinger NE, hit the turbo button and, with the pedal to the metal, took the tightest of lines to win with more than three seconds to spare on the equally enthusiastic Royale Tale.
This 8-year-old, winner of the HOYS Newcomers and Grade C Finals in 2022, was bred by Sean and Charlene Daly and is by Mark’s home-bred former top ride Montreuxs Tale out of a Cavalier Royale mare. Mark and his father Martyn spotted her potential early on, secured her purchase and have produced her from the beginning as a 4-year-old in British Novice.
“This is her third win here, she won two national classes last year and has stepped up to the international stage. She’s a great mare and she wants to win as much as I do,” said Mark. “She’ll do the accumulator tomorrow and the Speed Horse of the Year on Sunday.”
Paul Barker slotted the 11-year-old Luidam stallion Green Grass into second ahead of George in third on Peanut and Izac’s Galerius in fourth.
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham – Friday, 6 October 2023
NAEC 3* Stoneleigh Stakes 1.45m Speed
1st Mark Edwards & royale Tale – 0 - 53.09 seconds
2nd Paul Barker & Green Grass – 0 - 56.30 seconds
3rd George Whitaker & Peanut – 0 - 57.58 seconds
4th Izac Ketteridge & Galerius – 0 – 58.16 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images
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