TROPICS’ success in the Group 3 John Guest Bengough Stakes at Ascot today gave Dean Ivory a record 34th winner of the season, beating his previous best set in 2007.
The rags to riches story of the 5yo Speighstown gelding for whom this was a sixth victory in just 13 starts has been the highlight of the Harper Lodge Farm handler’s season and today’s win pushed the stable past the £300,000 barrier.
An emotional Dean Ivory in a post-race Channel 4 interview clearly holds Tropics close to his heart as he told viewers how special it was to have him win a Group race in the silks which were formerly his grandfather’s colours.
Jockey Robert Winston said he could not believe how well the horse travelled and said he did it easily. Certainly, the three and a half length victory margin over runner-up Music Master bore that out. While the trainer said that would be it for this year, he revealed that the horse’s target next year will be the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Congratulations to Dean whose season just goes from strength to strength…and it’s not over yet!
If you are coming to our Yearling Parade tomorrow, we look forward to seeing you at what will be a very jubilant Harper Lodge Farm!
