Stuart Thomson (far right) with four colleagues from Johnsons Accountants in the Windsor paddock
JOHNSONS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS were the guests of Solario Racing at Windsor last night after MD, Stuart Thomson bid for an auction prize at an EIC charity golf day last autumn.
The auction prize comprised two parts, a visit for four to Amy Murphy’s Southgate Stables followed by lunch and a Champagne evening at Windsor races with yours truly as host.
Last night saw the trip to Windsor and in fact Stuart came along with four colleagues, all eager to enjoy a night at the races and hopefully have some winners! I said early in the evening that I felt it would be a good evening for favourites or short-priced horses and that William Buick could have a good night.
In The Winner’s Enclosure with Raqisa
Both turned out to be true! Four favourites and one second favourite won during the course of seven races, four of which were won by champion jockey, William Buick, at combined odds of 163/1.
Fortuitously, Amy Murphy had two runners at the meeting, Raqisa in the mile, three and a half furlongs fillies’ handicap and Fillyfudge in a mile handicap. On both occasions, the guys from Johnsons, with Owners’ badges, went into the paddock.
Raqisa, ridden by stable apprentice, 7lb claimer, Ryan Kavanagh, had been second on her three weeks back and again she ran well to finish third. So, after the race, it was straight into the Winner’s Enclosure
Fillyfudge (nearside) getting up for second
An hour later, Fillyfudge came second, beaten just a neck under George Wood and again, it was back into the Winner’s Enclosure.
The guests certainly enjoyed the food and drink hospitality in the Owners and Trainers bar where the Champagne and beer flowed.
The second part of the auction item will be off to Amy’s later this summer for a stable tour followed by a three-course lunch with wine.
