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Howzat! Jonny Bairstow enjoys more Knavesmire glory as 20-1 Jungle Drums hits his rivals for six

England cricketer Jonny Bairstow collects the winning prize following Jungle Drums' win in the Rockingham Stakes
England cricketer Jonny Bairstow collects the winning prize following Jungle Drums' win in the Rockingham StakesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

England cricketer Jonny Bairstow enjoyed more big-race glory on the Knavesmire when Jungle Drums hit his rivals for six in the Rockingham Stakes.

The hard-hitting batter and wicketkeeper, who also plays for Yorkshire, is part of the ownership group the Bronte Collection, which landed the Acomb Stakes at the Ebor meeting last year with the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Indian Run.

Bairstow was back in the York winner's enclosure as Jungle Drums, trained by Karl Burke, left his rivals stumped with a 20-1 front-running success in the Listed contest.

He said: "We had Indian Run last year in the Acomb and I've grown up in York and hopefully the good run can continue. I'm on a day out with the family and some really close friends and getting a winner makes it lovely.

Jungle Drums lands the Rockingham Stakes on York's final meeting of the year
Jungle Drums lands the Rockingham Stakes on York's final meeting of the yearCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I've been coming here since I was 16 or even younger, to be honest. All the lads used to meet near where the trees were by the paddock before the redevelopments took place. It's always a great day out here come rain or shine and this'll make it a good time again."

Jungle Drums disappointed in a French Group 3 last month but thrived in the testing conditions at York for a length-and-three-quarter victory.

Bairstow added: "What a load of heart he showed. You could see what the ground was like and to do it like that from that far out was a great effort."

Burke quickly enjoyed a 167-1 double when Bolster toughed out success in the 1m2½f handicap.

The trainer's assistant James Cowley said: "The ground is key with him. He's probably pounds ahead of himself on soft, even heavy ground. It makes such a difference. He stays so well.

"When he runs on good ground the speed horses just have that extra gear, but from three out today he was away and there was no stopping him."


Read this next:

'It's fantastic' - Indian Run makes it a day to remember for cricket star Jonny Bairstow 


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