Cheltenham Festival win for Croco Bay

Friday 15th March 2019 will certainly be a day to remember as Croco Bay won the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He was given a fantastic ride by Kielan Woods leading from start to finish and jumping with great enthusiasm throughout the race. This was his fourth start in the Grand Annual having been 3rd and 5th in previous years, it was looking unlikely that he was going to make the cut this year but thankfully he did. Being 12 years old and not having run since a 2nd place at Worcester in July his preparation was a little unusual but he had been working well at home and had also done plenty of swimming. Credit must go to Danny Hannig my Head Lad who rides him every day and has put in a lot of hard work to get him ready. It was fantastic to give Lady Jane Grosvenor her first festival winner as she has been a great supporter of mine for the last 20 years and it was also brilliant to give Kielan Woods his first festival winner, it was a truly amazing day for our small team and certainly a dream come true. We still can’t quite believe it has happened and will be celebrating for a while yet! We have been overwhelmed by all the messages we have received and thank you all.

Croco Bay’s win has completed my three festival winners and thanks must go to Kevin and Anna Ross (KRB Bloodstock) who have helped me purchase all 3 including Tempest River who won at Aintree and Deep Trouble who won at Punchestown.

Croco Bay, Kielan Woods and Danny Hannig