This Saturday 27th July see’s the 2019 Breeders Crown Finals night held at Tir Prince Raceway. The Breeders Crown is the brainchild of shrewd Scotchman David Wilson, he had a vision that the breeding of top class standardbreds using top class stallions was the way forward for harness racing in the UK. The concept is simple a Stallion is nominated by the owner and any foal born by that stallion is eligible to be nominated by its owner subsequent sustaining fees are used to ensure that the money is compounded every time a horse is kept in by its owner. In addition to this David using his Dave Wilson Harness business has nurtured long stand relationships with business partners and attracted significant sponsors that have continued to support the series year on year. For many years the Breeders Crown travelled around the hard tracks in The UK but in recent years David Wilson has developed an understanding and a relationship with Tir Prince Raceway which means that the series has now found its home and both parties are extremely happy with the relationship.
The total prize money for The 2019 Series including all heats and Silver finals will exceed £60,000 which is serious prize money for the sport of harness racing in The UK. Despite its huge prize money its not without its critics from those whose preferred code is big heat and final handicaps on grass but David is very philosophical about this and is intelligent enough to understand that the two can co exist in perfect harmony after all in harness racings thoroughbred cousin it is understood and accepted that very different horses and connections compete in The 2000 Guineas that contest the Grand National. The simple fact remains that if your preference is breeding and or racing young horses in stakes races then The Breeders Crown is an excellent programme for owners, trainers and breeders alike.
So back to 2019 what does it have to offer?
Where else to start but with the 2 Year Old Colts, have we ever seen such a strong crop? Several of these horses went around 2.02 at Tir Prince last week and finished out of the frame! They are quite simply an unbelievable bunch and the draw will be the deciding factor as there is very little between Stormy Hall, Ima Happy Fella, Special Tea and maybe even Mattuceous? The atmosphere will be electric when these youngsters go to post.
What about the 2 Year Old Fillies? She Be Stunning seems to be moving in the right direction all the time and has found the winning habit but Rhyds Romance ran very straight last week and has the best clock in the race if she behaves she will be in the shake up. Rhyds Moviestar is another heat winner and will no doubt improve on her heat win where she did just enough to win following a heavy fall at Tregaron the week before she is expected to find at least 4 seconds on her heat winning team of 2.08. While the two Irish horses are open to improvement. As with the colts this race has depth and a number of different possibilities depending on how the race is run.
The 3 Year Old Colts is a division that poses as many questions as it answers and is wide open. If 10 or more declare then heats will be run and Angelsey Fall Guy, Oakwood Maestro, Take Me To The Limit, Imperial DJ will all fancy themselves to win however anyone who studies the form will now that this race is wide open and a reasonable case could be made for most of the runners.
The 3 Year Old Fillies will probably have a clear favourite in Newtown Jody however a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and Loose Change has left Tir Prince with a red rosette on her last two visits and The NWHOA and Oaks winner will be looking to head up the M6 with the prize money again. This is no two horse race though and Imperial Deal, Annivi, Stateside Vogue and a fair few others will fancy their chances with a draw and a bit of good old racing luck.
Musselburgh winner Matticulous decision to pursue a career overseas has resulted in an open looking 4 Year Old Colts and Geldings division. Merrington Moveinup will be a worthy favourite following his Tregaron success but Rollercoaster, Rhyds Star Quality and probably Stakes On The Pan will feel that given a draw and the run of the race they will make him work.
Last but not least the The 4 Year Old Mares division has took on a life of its own with no fewer than twelve declaring so it looks like heats will take place. The 3 Rhyds mares Shoofly, Saphire and Reflection will fancy their chances while Lyons Queen is another who can go on the shortlist. Lyons Rosella, Ffarwel and Darcy Camden have all won recently and will be coming full of confidence. Ayr Empress is a class act and American Mistress is another who has the form in her book to strike a blow. Once again this is race of real depth which is very pleasing for both The Breeders Crown and Tir Prince Raceway.
We really believe that this is the strongest Breeders Crown that’s ever been staged and we are looking forward to it immensely it has been a long time in the planning and David and Jacqui have worked tirelessly to ensure that The Breeders Crown has reached this pivotal stage of its being. It is fabulous to have the very best of the sport in The UK and Ireland come to Tir Prince to compete in The Breeders Crown and we are proud to be so deeply involved with the series.
The weather promises to be kind so jump in the car on the plane or even the train and come to Tir Prince Raceway and see horses bred to be professional athletes compete on the biggest stage of all. These races are where careers are made legacies are begun and dreams are realised…. Do you really want to miss it?