Richard Fahey's quest to break the record number of winners by a British based trainer in a calendar year continues for another day at least as his two runners at Southwell on Tuesday were both beaten favorites. It looked good for the Yorkshire trainer as his Mitre Peak (GB) (Shamardal), racing in the trainer's own colors traveled strongly in the lead into the home straight in the seven furlong maiden but was overhauled well inside the last furlong to finish second to Karmadal (Ire) (Shamardal). Fahey's remaining runner Spirit Of Zeb (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) was ultimately well beaten in the five furlong handicap. Fahey has three chances to break the record at Wolverhampton on Wednesday and if he draws a blank there he has four entries on the final day of the year at Lingfield on Thursday.
There was, however one record broken at Southwell on Tuesday when La Estrella (Theatrical {Ire}) landed the opening contest. It was the Don Cantillon owned and trained 12-year-old's 27th victory on the all-weather. His other win came on the turf at Pontefract over eight years ago and the proud trainer commented, “I am pretty damn speechless. I am so, so proud of the horse. It is nothing to do with me, it is him. He is a truly amazing horse. He is so special, if ever I ride out he is the only one I ride and he is a handful, but I am so honored to have him.”
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