Windsor Racecourse’s themed race meetings are in full swing now. We’ve had a Summer Opening Party, an 80’s Night and now it’s time to celebrate all things Irish at the Berkshire track. As the advertising gurus have stated, ‘The Craic Is Back’. So expect the Guinness to flow and continue to flow this Monday evening.
There’s also live music from ‘The Biblecode Sundays’ after racing. On track, the 2024 Windsor Jockey Championship is hotting up, and Oisin Murphy looks to forge ahead. It’s also the 4th qualifying race in this year’s Fitzdares Windsor Sprint Series event.
Embed from Getty ImagesWindsor Races – Monday, June 3rd Review
Rossa Ryan didn’t waste any time rediscovering his winning touch at Windsor after he and a host of regular top jockeys had missed the previous meeting (May 25th) at the Berkshire track. The saddle star from County Galway was aboard Michael Appleby’s Noisy Music 2/1 favourite in the opener, a 3-year-old contest for maidens or horses who had only won once before. After settling Noisy Music in behind the leading group, Rossa made his move from two out, pushing her clear in the final furlong for a cosy 1-length victory to break her career duck.
The focus shifted to the youngest age group in the second race on the card, and all were hoping to grab a first career success. The bookies were made to sweat a tad as the well-backed Titian Blue looked well-positioned to pounce, but the Willie Haggas filly failed to pick up when popped the question. Rajeko and Cayman Tai were left to battle it out for honours. Despite not having the racecourse experience of Cayman Tai, Michael Bell trained Rajeko to dug the deepest in the hands of Oisin Murphy to clinch victory.
Oisin Murphy Sizzles In The Saddle
Oisin Murphy would be in the winner’s enclosure approximately 30 minutes later, too, as he banged in a quickfire double aboard Andrew Balding’s Apeeling. The 3-time British flat champion jockey had to dig deep once again, rallying in the final furlong to see off Sir Michael Stoute’s favourite Red Pixie to clinch victory by a neck. It also proved to be a double success for Showcasing, who was also sired to the opening race winner, Noisy Music.
It was a feet-up day for the stall shifters as we remained racing over the 6-furlong trip for a fourth successive race, which was the next qualifier in the Fitzdares Windsor Sprint Series event. Oisin Murphy’s mount, Blue Day, was a warm jolly, but he took a keen hold early on, which ruined his chances. Ralph Beckett’s Matters Most was given a positive ride from the front by Rossa Ryan, but he was headed 2 furlongs out by Trefor in the hands of Saffie Osborne. Charlie Hills’ 3-year-old raced awkwardly once in front, but he was always doing enough and became the third successive winner to claim victory by a neck.
Embed from Getty ImagesCharlie Hills Fills His Boots
Trefor’s owners, ‘Julie Martin & David R Martin & Partner’ (and Charlie Hills), were celebrating again after the 5th race. Bodorgan recorded his first success in almost 18 months in the 10-furlong handicap for horses aged 4 and over. Rob Hornby gave him a positive ride, and the grey virtually led from start to finish. Archie Watson’s Aerospace pushed hard in the latter stages, but Bodorgan always had enough in the tank to keep him at bay.
The inevitable Oisin Murphy hat-trick finally came with Trojan Truth landing the spoils in the 6th race, and favourite backers were very grateful. It was the first winning jolly since Noisy Music claimed victory in the opener. Trojan Truth followed Bodorgan’s example, leading from the front and steadily increasing the pace. Ed de Giles’ 5-year-old faced a stiff late examination, from Harry Redknapp’s Fascinating Lips in particular, but he held firm to claim a second Windsor career win.
All Hail The Hollie
Like Division I, there was also a nail-biting finish in Division II of the Summer Race Handicap, which was raced again over the maximum Windsor trip of 11.5 furlongs. Joe Tickle’s Mujid, who had only finished 6th over 10 furlongs at Windsor a fortnight earlier, seemed to enjoy the step-up in trip. Despite another slow start, Hollie Doyle steadily moved Mujid into contention and timed a late run to perfection, taking the lead in the last 100 yards to grab the win. It was Mujid’s sixth run and second success at Windsor.
Racegoers were treated to another thriller in the meeting’s curtain-closer, as Kevin Frost’s Siam Fox recorded the evening’s sixth ‘neck’ victory. All eight races were thrillers, being won by a length or less. The last race was another handicap for the older types; many were familiar Windsor favourites. It was Siam Fox’s first appearance at the track, though, and Kevin Frost stated after the race that the 6-year-old appreciated the return to quicker ground. He also probably benefitted from the drop-down in class. Rossa Ryan’s second saddle success meant he drew level with Oisin Murphy in the 2024 Windsor jockey standings.
Embed from Getty ImagesWindsor Races – What’s Still To Come In 2024
Some of the remaining highlights this year are as follows:
Embed from Getty ImagesWindsor Races – Monday June 10th Preview
Rossa Ryan is heading to Pontefract for saddle action this Monday evening, giving Oisin Murphy a chance to push ahead in the 2024 Windsor Jockey standings. He is currently level with Rossa Ryan at 8 wins apiece in the race for saddle honours at the Berkshire track. The 3-time British flat champion jockey has 4 rides this Monday. Two are for Rod Millman, one for Andrew Balding, and one for Saeed bin Suroor.
Current British flat champion jockey William Buick has five rides at Windsor this Monday. Amazingly, he is yet to break his duck at Windsor this year, but could this be the occasion? A couple of his mounts have been chalked up as jollies, though his first evening ride, Pouting at 18:10, could be his best chance of success. Those punters who watch for one-ride jockeys might be intrigued by Cieren Fallon’s Windsor visit. The son of former 6-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon is in town for just a single ride, in the very last (20:40), on Henrietta Knight’s Voix De Bocelli. Other interesting one-ride spots are Gina Mangan (17:40 – On Edge), Marco Ghiani (18:10 – Bintmaha) & Benoit De La Sayette (20:10 – Glimpse The Moon).
Fitzdares Windsor Sprint Series Qualifying Continues
We’ve got the 4th qualifying Fitzdares Sprint Series race of 10 to savour at Windsor this Monday evening. Horses that finish in the first 6 in a Qualifier are eligible for the Final later this summer. So far, 18 horses have staked their claim for a Finals spot. Who will join that list this Monday (19:40)? It’s one of the richest qualifying events this year, so a good field has assembled. Tom Clover’s Rocking Ends enjoyed winning the second qualifier so much last month that he’s back for more.
While talking about the sprinting types, of the five distances raced over at Windsor, the 5-furlong contests are where favourites fare the best. 55% of favourites won over the minimum trip this year at Windsor, 77% finished 1st or 2nd, and none finished worse than 3rd. At the other end of the table, only 28% of favourites in 10-furlong Windsor races have won this year, and only 50% of them finished in the place-money over that distance.
Embed from Getty ImagesRace-By-Race Preview
17:40
One of my track favourites, On Edge, returns for his fourth race at Windsor this year and his seventh crack at success at the Berkshire venue. He drops back to Class 5 for the opener after failing to sparkle in Class 4 last time out. Gina Mangan gets on very well with the 6-year-old, and he should be there or thereabouts again. Rod Millman’s Safari Dream, who has impressed at Windsor in a couple of Class 4 contests, could be the main danger.
18:10
The jockey booking of William Buick on Pouting is an eye-catching one, and the current saddle champion could get off the mark in Windsor. Richard Hughes had Oisin Murphy on board when the 2-year-old failed to get up at Windsor on his debut run in the middle of May. Of the others with a previous run, Ed Walker’s Celandine could perform well. Of the ones without a previous run, Tom Ward’s Whizz By may run a big race at big odds.
The Gosdens Aim To Deliver Again
18:40
None of the 3-year-olds in action have raced previously at Windsor in this Class 5 Novice Stakes. Like William Buick, well-known top jockey James Doyle is still looking to break his duck at Windsor this year, and his runner Midair will be fancied. His second in a Class 2 contest at Goodwood last year is decent form. Those looking for one at bigger odds may want to give T’Challa a go. The Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy combo should always be respected.
19:10
The Gosden’s 3-year-olds have been flying at Windsor this year, and Lord Of Love in the hands of Kieran Shoemark should be in the mix when it matters most. Saeed bin Suroor has his first runner of 2024 at Windsor (Hazem), and with Oisin Murphy holding the reins, he will have his admirers. Hughie Morrison’s Kingkeer finished 4th on-track debut at Windsor in April and then suffered in the soft at Salisbury. He may give an improved run in better conditions at large odds.
The sprinters Fitzdares to Dream
19:40
It’s a heart vs head moment in this Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier. I have a major soft spot for Antiphon, who runs for the 10th time at Windsor. The 6-year-old’s previous nine finishes at the track read as follows: 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 1st & 1st. Although only one of those runs was in a Class 2 contest, like this one. I like Robert Cowell’s Isle Of Lismore. He’s been in top form this year and has performed decent at Windsor.
20:10
It’s a tough one to call this, with none jumping out. Venus Slipper has had two runs at Windsor this year and gave an improved showing in the most recent. Mike Murphy & Michael Keady’s 3-year-old could give each-way punters a thrill. There are question marks and doubts over several of these, but Rod Millman’s Penalty Shootout may also be in the mix with Oisin Murphy guiding him home.
Can Carp Kid Net Another Windsor Win?
20:40
It’s worth hanging about for the last. Not only for the Irish music to come but also to see a couple of old familiar equine Windsor faces. John & Rhys Flint’s Carp Kid enters the Windsor stalls for an amazing 20th time, while Mrembo goes for glory at the track for a 7th time. I prefer Carp Kid of those two. Though my race pick is for Naasma. Pat Phelan’s 5-year-old has been flying and likes it at the Berkshire track.
Like every Windsor meeting, all races will be screened live on Sky Sports Racing. Good Luck All !!! Let us know your Windsor selections by clicking on ‘Comments’ under the main article title at the top of the piece.
Windsor Races Preview – Monday, June 3rd
Windsor Races Preview – Saturday, May 25th
Yorkshire Cup Preview – King Of The Knavesmire
Windsor Races Preview – Monday, May 13th
Chester Cup Preview – Who Will Be The Roodee Shrewdie?
Windsor Races Preview – Monday May 6th
Image Credit: Deposit Photos