First Trip to Winner's Circle
 

Had to go to Chantilly, France to get it, but our 2yo filly (with Team Valor) Spanish Romance (Rip van Winkle) won wire-to-wire today against four colts and geldings. I thought she was going to get caught by the odds-on favorite (who was 3 for 3 coming into the race), but she looked him in the eye and pulled away. Here's a video of the race.

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com...ia.cfm?id=1759

Trainer is Eoghan O'Neill and jockey is Christian Demuro.

Considering Royal Ascot next, but I'll be playing hockey in Toronto, so I'll have to watch that one on TV.

Afterwards, the Chantilly management bought us a bottle of champagne. It was the best glass of bubbly I ever enjoyed.

Love this sport.

Cheers,

Otis

Congrats Otis!

congrats

Congrats, thats awesome

Thanks, guys! Much appreciated.

Cheers,

O

Congrats!

Very cool.

Paul

Congrats! Enjoy the moment.

Congrats

Amazing feeling, enjoy it Otis!

Fantastic..........had to be quite the thrill!

A win photo from Chantilly a great first. Congratulations!

Congrats 'Félicitations', must have been a thrill that will last a lifetime.

What an amazing experience that must have been!

Huge congrats to you, to Spanish Romance, and to all of her people. :)

(If you happen to see Christian Demuro's idiot brother please smack him across the face for me. Thank you. Rakti fans will understand).

Thanks very much for your kind notes. I've attached a pic from the WC.

We spent the morning in the yards of A. Fabre and J. Hammond. I'll try and post a photo of where they train. It is a miles-long sandy strip carved through the forest. Very idyllic and you can tell the horses love it.

Still buzzin from yesterday. As many of you have pointed, there is no feeling like it. :)

Cheers!

Otis

Congrats!!!

Thanks, jw!

Here is an article on Spanish Romance in today's Racing Post:

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...at-royal-ascot

Cheers,

Otis

Congratulations Otis! Great photo. Is that you on the right? You've aged well. You look about 12 years old.:)

Thanks SaratogaDew! That's 13yo Luke O'Niell, Eoghan's son. He has 4 younger sisters and prefers to spend his weekends helping his Dad train horses. Delightful kid.

Very encouraged to see 3rd place colt from our race go over to England today and win (at Bath). This from the Racing Post today:

"FRENCH ENCORE caused an upset, having won a newcomers race in France two months ago, before finishing third in a conditions event there last week. Things didn't go to plan on that occasion (held up off a slow pace), but he travelled much better on this British debut, despite not getting away well, although that may have proved a blessing with the front two going off too fast. This was no easy task in giving 5lb to the majority of the field, and his ability to handle faster ground bodes well for Royal Ascot"

French Encore earned a TF rating of 92 for today's race. Spanish Romance has posted 98 and 91 in her first two races.

Cheers,

Otis