Fife may be on the outer fringes of the horse-racing world in terms of distance from the courses, but that hasn’t stopped a string of successes for Fife-trained horses and their connections on the racing scene this year.
Top of the list, of course, is Silver By Nature, trained by Lucinda Russell at Milnathort.
With daily coverage before the Grand National on Saturday, few were unaware that he was the race’s lone Scottish hope. A creditable finish in 12th saw him home fit and safe.
Fans of Lucinda can do no better than follow the success of her point-to-pointer Badger Foot.
With four wins this season at point to points such as The Duke of Buccleuch’s in March, this six-year-old is showing impressive form, partnered on occasion by Dan Oakden from Dunbog Farm, near Newburgh.
Down the road at Leslie, at the foot of the Lomond Hills, is Nick Alexander’s Kinneston yard. Here, racing is a family affair, with brothers and children heavily involved.
Recent placings at point to points either side of the border for Commercial Express, Almost Blue, Noir Et Vert, Skipping Chapel and Lord Who indicate that ‘Fife’s mountains’ can perhaps boost form.
The horses cannot gallop across the acres devoted to turf production just across the road, on the flat next to Loch Leven, but they must owe some of their staying power to the steep hills just behind the yard.
Another winner with Fife connections is Lorna Fowler, daughter of Cupar trainer Sue Bradburne and recently retired land agent John Bradburne.
Lorna is more usually seen, or heard, as a presenter on Racing UK but she won the inaugural St Patrick’s Day Derby a charity flat race during the Cheltenham Festival, riding Plato for Henry Cecil.
Finally Ronnie Bartlett, of AB Produce Fife Foxhounds subscriber and long standing supporter of the Fife Point To Point had a spectacular win at Cheltenham with eight-year-old bay gelding Zemsky.
The Irish-trained horse romped home in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at 33-1 and will enter the Champion Hunter Chase at Punchestown on May 4.
Course preparation is entering the final stages at Balcormo for the point to point on Saturday, April 23.
Secretary John Gilmour said, “Our meeting falls on Easter Saturday and we are looking forward to welcoming a big crowd with some great racing.”