'I had a lot of work to do' - Hector Crouch caps off first century of winners with double

Hector Crouch: achieved his first century at SouthwellCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hector Crouch celebrated his first century of winners in style when maiden scorer Gold Aura sealed a double for him in the 1m4f handicap.

The Jack Jones-trained four-year-old had failed to win in 23 previous starts, despite placing on 16 occasions, but punters retained the faith and she was sent off as favourite. She duly obliged and broke her duck by three-quarters of a length.

Crouch had earlier reached 100 winners for the year for the first time thanks to Almosh'her, who landed the mile novice for trainer Charlie Fellowes.

"I'm very pleased to have achieved that," said Crouch. "It began looking possible only in November, when things started to roll on the all-weather. I still had a lot of work to do, I had to ride 17 winners from December 3, so it was tight, but things really took off."

The milestone is another feather in the cap for Crouch in what has been a standout year, which has seen him achieve his first Group 1 win on You Got To Me in the Irish Oaks.

He said: "You Got To Me is the showpiece this year, but there were some other great days; Doha winning at Royal Ascot was a highlight too. It's been a very good year."

After achieving his winter goal, Crouch will stay on the all-weather for now but has not ruled out a trip to sunnier climes in the new year.

"I normally ride in Bahrain or Dubai a little, though I'm enjoying the all-weather at the moment," he said. "We'll see what opportunities there are."

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