JACQUELINE COWARD is the Queen of York Racecourse – all thanks to a “cracking” horse.
The Scackleton-based jockey produced an outstanding ride to drive home Crackentorp (10-1) to a repeat victory in the Queen Mother’s Cup.
Trained by Tim Easterby at Great Habton and ridden by Coward, Mick Easterby’s granddaughter, it was a real family affair.
Coward had Crackentorp in the frame from the start of the mile-and-a-half contest for lady amateur riders.
Going for home three furlongs out, the pair showed strength and determination to hold off Hong Kong Island, who was flying home on the stands’ side, by three-quarters of a length.
No horse has ever won the race in successive years and Coward, more used to winning in the National Hunt arena, was thrilled.
She was rewarded with her weight in champagne – six cases of Pol Roger – after being weighed on antique scales in the winners’ enclosure.
She said: “He’s perfect for this race – made for it. Last year, I jumped out and let him go and he couldn’t go any quicker, that’s why he was mid-division.
“I always wanted to try to get across this time because you are never going to win anything from draw 20. He jumped out really well and we got a great position.
“I can't really believe I’ve won it twice. It hasn’t sunk in. I’ve still got some of the champagne from last year – my dad has hidden some of it.”
Easterby said: “She gave him a cracking ride. He loves this track.”
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