Eventmasters Racing Update – July

July has already brought plenty of excitement for Eventmasters Racing, both on and off the racecourse. Alongside another busy month for our horses in training, we were delighted to strengthen our string with the purchase of an exciting young filly at the Tattersalls Derby Sale 2026 in Ireland.

Purchased on our behalf by Simon Christian, the daughter of Jukebox Jury out of Roc N Roe boasts an exciting pedigree and joins Tom Ellis Racing, where we look forward to following her development over the coming months. Her dam has already produced two winners from just three runners, while the family also includes the Grade 1-winning hurdler Roksana, giving us every reason to be optimistic about her future.

Elsewhere, our current team of horses has continued to keep us busy throughout the summer, with runners appearing on both the Flat and over jumps as their respective campaigns gather momentum. We look forward to bringing you the latest updates from across the yards.

Below is the latest news.

Roxboro River – Back Among the Places

Roxboro River returned to form with an encouraging runner-up finish at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse on 26th June, contesting a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle over an extended 2m7f under Paddy Hanlon for trainer John Hanlon.

Stepped up in trip, he was settled in midfield through the early stages before beginning to make smooth headway approaching the business end of the race. Pushed along before the second last, he improved into third and soon took second before the final flight. Although he was unable to match the winner in the closing stages, he stayed on well to secure a deserved second-place finish.

This represented a welcome return to form following his previous outing and suggested that the increased distance suited him well. He travelled with much more purpose throughout the contest and saw the race out strongly, providing plenty of encouragement for the remainder of his summer campaign.

He backed up that excellent effort just five days later with another runner-up finish at Worcester Racecourse on 1st July, once again contesting a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle over 2m7f with Paddy Hanlon in the saddle for trainer John Hanlon.

Racing in midfield through the opening stages, he began to make eye-catching headway four hurdles from home and briefly disputed the lead approaching the third last. After being ridden turning for home, he was headed by the eventual winner, who was unquestionably well handicapped, but continued to battle on gamely, staying on strongly after the final flight to regain second place in the closing strides.

To produce two runner-up finishes in the space of a week was a tremendous effort and highlighted the consistent level of form he is now showing.

He was next seen at Cartmel Racecourse on 18th July, switching back to fences for just his third start over the larger obstacles and tackling an extended 3m1f107y handicap chase. Harry Atkins took the ride for trainer John Hanlon.

Although he was not as fluent as hoped at a couple of the early fences, he gradually found his rhythm and made encouraging headway to move into contention approaching the second last. The effort of closing on the leaders began to tell in the closing stages and he weakened late to finish sixth.

While he was unable to build on his two recent runner-up finishes over hurdles, there were still positives to take from the run. Post-race, Harry felt that the ground had been a little softer than ideal for Roxboro River, which may not have played to his strengths. With just three starts over fences under his belt, he remains very much a work in progress over the larger obstacles, and there is every reason to believe he can continue to improve as he gains further experience.

He was then returned to action just four days later and reverted to hurdles at Worcester Racecourse on 22nd July, contesting a 2m7f handicap hurdle with Paddy Hanlon back in the saddle.

Held up towards the rear in the early stages, he made encouraging headway down the back straight and moved into fourth approaching the third last hurdle. However, he was unable to sustain that effort from two out and eventually finished fifth in a competitive field of ten.

Following the race, Paddy felt the outing may have come a little too soon after his recent busy spell. Having raced frequently throughout the summer, his trainer, John ‘Shark’ Hanlon, has now decided to give Roxboro River a well-earned break before planning his next campaign. After showing plenty of consistency with two runner-up finishes earlier in the month, he has enjoyed a productive summer and should return refreshed later in the season. The step up in trip continues to suit him well and another victory may not be far away.

Penzance – Encouraging Progress Over Hurdles

Penzance continued his education over obstacles with another pleasing performance at Stratford Racecourse on 30th June, lining up in a maiden hurdle over the same 2m2f trip as his previous start. Paddy Hanlon was again in the saddle for trainer John Hanlon.

Settled in midfield during the early stages, he made steady progress to move into second at the fifth hurdle before briefly surrendering that position approaching three out. He quickly regained second and remained in pursuit of the leader turning for home. Although the eventual winner proved too strong after the final flight, Penzance kept on willingly to finish a clear second.

He returned to Stratford Racecourse just twelve days later on 12th July for another maiden hurdle, this time over 2m70y, with Paddy Hanlon once again taking the ride for trainer John Hanlon.

Adopting positive tactics, Penzance was sent straight to the front and quickly established a healthy advantage, opening up several lengths on the field before the race began to develop. He continued to jump accurately and travelled strongly before coming under pressure after the second last as the well-fancied favourite closed in. The pair were level at the final flight and although headed on the run-in, Penzance battled on tenaciously to finish just half a length behind the winner.

Another excellent effort and arguably his best performance over hurdles to date. To be beaten by such a narrow margin after making much of the running was a testament to both his attitude and determination. This encouraging step forward over hurdles built nicely on his previous outings at the course.

He continued his consistent run of form with another excellent effort at Worcester Racecourse on 22nd July, remaining at the two mile trip for another maiden hurdle. Paddy Hanlon was again in the saddle for trainer John Hanlon.

Sent straight to the front, he dictated the pace throughout and looked to have plenty in reserve turning for home. Despite a slight mistake at the second last, he responded gamely when challenged and became locked in a sustained battle from the final flight. Penzance refused to give in, only being headed in the closing strides to finish a gallant second, beaten by just three-quarters of a length.

This was his third consecutive runner-up finish over hurdles and further evidence that a first victory over obstacles is well within reach. He has shown admirable consistency and determination throughout this spell and if he can continue producing efforts of this calibre, it surely won’t be long before he gets his head in front.

With each run he is gaining valuable experience and confidence in this discipline, and this latest performance suggests there could be further improvement to come. His versatility continues to be a real asset, giving us a range of options as his campaign progresses.

Vaguely Royal – Back in the Winners’ Enclosure

Vaguely Royal returned to winning ways in impressive fashion at Chester Racecourse on 11th July, landing an apprentice handicap over 1m6f87y under an excellent ride from Ryan Kavanagh for trainer Ian Williams.

After being a little slow away from the stalls, Ryan was quick to recover the situation, sending the gelding forward to take up the lead with a circuit of the track still to race. From there, he judged the pace to perfection, asking Vaguely Royal to lengthen approaching the home straight before keeping him up to his work inside the final furlong. The gelding responded generously, staying on strongly to score in comfortable fashion.

It was a thoroughly deserved success following a series of encouraging performances in recent months and a testament to the patience shown by both Ian Williams and his team. The victory was Vaguely Royal’s first since October 2024, when he scored over hurdles and his first on the Flat since December 2023. Credit must also go to Ryan Kavanagh, whose confident and tactically astute ride made full use of the horse’s stamina and proved decisive.

He quickly followed up that success with an even more impressive victory at York Racecourse on 24th July, stepping up to just over two miles for a competitive 13-runner handicap. This time, William Buick, a two-time Champion Jockey, took the reins for trainer Ian Williams.

Settled towards the rear in the early stages, Vaguely Royal was produced with a perfectly timed challenge as the race began to unfold. William Buick gradually asked him to improve from over two furlongs out, and the gelding responded willingly, staying on powerfully inside the final furlong to reel in the leaders before getting his head in front close to the line and prevailing by half a length.

To record back-to-back victories at Chester and York represented a remarkable turnaround in fortunes and highlighted the excellent condition in which Ian Williams has the gelding. Having waited so long for his return to the winners’ enclosure, Vaguely Royal suddenly found himself in the form of his life, with successive victories demonstrating both his stamina and determination. Credit must again go to Ian and his team for placing him so effectively, while William Buick’s patient, measured ride was instrumental in securing another well-deserved success.

With his confidence restored, we hope these victories can be the springboard to further success during the remainder of the season.

Ladies Day – Solid Effort on Handicap Debut

Having won her previous two starts, Ladies Day headed to Cartmel Racecourse on 18th July in search of a hat-trick. Stepping into handicap company for the first time, she contested a female jockeys’ handicap hurdle over 2m1f46y with Gina Andrews taking the ride for trainer Tom Ellis.

Racing prominently throughout, she travelled comfortably in touch with the leaders before making encouraging headway approaching the final hurdle. She looked to be in a good position turning for home but was unable to match the finishing kick of the principals inside the final furlong, eventually fading late to finish fourth in a competitive field of eleven.

Despite her winning sequence coming to an end, there was still plenty to take encouragement from. This represented a step up in class on her handicap debut, and she once again showed her willingness and consistency by giving another good account of herself. She remains an exciting mare with plenty of scope for further progress. We look forward to seeing her back in action later in the summer.

Mary – Another Consistent Display

Mary continued her summer campaign with another creditable performance at Stratford Racecourse on 19th July, contesting a handicap chase over 2m3f98y. Charlie Todd took the ride for trainer Ian Williams.

Racing positively from the outset, Mary was sent straight to the front and set a steady gallop, jumping accurately and maintaining the lead for much of the contest. She came under pressure approaching the final fence and was headed shortly before it but continued to battle on bravely. Although she couldn’t repel the late challenge for second on the run-in, she still finished a respectable third.

It was another honest and consistent performance from Mary, who has continued to acquit herself well throughout her summer campaign. Her willingness to race prominently and genuine attitude have been a feature of her recent runs and she remains in good form as she heads into the latter part of the season.

Four Decades – Seasonal Return

Four Decades returned to action at Uttoxeter Racecourse on 24th July, making her first appearance for over 100 days following a break since early April. Stepping back in trip to 1m7f168y for a handicap hurdle, she was partnered by Jack Andrews for trainer Tom Ellis.

Held up towards the rear throughout the contest, she found the pace increasing from three hurdles out and was unable to make an impact as the race developed, eventually finishing eighth.

Even though the result was disappointing, she was entitled to need the outing after such a lengthy absence, and the drop back in distance may also have contributed to the performance. With that first run under her belt, we will be hoping she can strip fitter next time. There is every chance she can take a step forward as her campaign gathers momentum.

Premium Seat – A New Addition to the Team

We are delighted to introduce Premium Seat, the latest addition to the Eventmasters Racing string. A home-bred two-year-old colt by dual Group One-winning sire Harry Angel, he is out of our own multiple-winning mare Polyphony, who enjoyed five victories during her racing career, including three in Eventmasters Racing colours.

Trained by Stan Moore, Premium Seat is set to make his eagerly anticipated racecourse debut at Bath Racecourse on 31st July over 5f160y. Like all young horses, this first outing will be an important learning experience, giving him the opportunity to gain valuable racecourse knowledge as he begins his racing career.

As a home-bred carrying a pedigree that means a great deal to Eventmasters Racing, Premium Seat is an exciting prospect for the future. We look forward to watching his development in the months ahead and hope he can build on the success enjoyed by his dam as he embarks on the first chapter of his own racing story.

July has been an especially rewarding month, with victories for Vaguely Royal at both Chester and York providing a real highlight, while Penzance continued to knock firmly on the door with a series of excellent runner-up performances over hurdles. Elsewhere, Roxboro River, Mary and Ladies Day all continued to perform with credit and, although not every result went our way, there were plenty of encouraging signs to take forward as our horses continue their summer campaigns.

Attention now turns to Premium Seat’s eagerly anticipated racecourse debut at Bath, before another exciting month lies ahead. As always, we remain grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm throughout the season. We hope to see many of you at the races over the coming weeks, with plenty more success to celebrate together before the summer is out.