'Lazy horse' Holloway Boy finally wins two years after his shock Royal Ascot victory

Holloway Boy won for the first time since causing an almighty shock on his debut at Royal Ascot in 2022 when striking in the Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes.

The Karl Burke-trained son of Ulysses exploded on to the scene with a 40-1 success in the Chesham Stakes two years ago, but had been winless in 13 starts since.

Although he had performed with credit multiple times subsequently, including at the highest level, Holloway Boy has ultimately proved a bit of a frustration to his connections. 

But the four-year-old, who is owned by Nick White and Burke's wife Elaine, was back in the winner's enclosure after a half-length success under William Buick in the Betfair-sponsored contest.

"He's a very talented horse – he always has been – but he just saves a little for himself, as you saw there in the last furlong when he was just pulling up a bit," said Burke.

"I'm glad William didn't listen to me because I said if you're travelling well three down let him go, but he waited and said he went too early anyway. He doesn't down tools, he's just a lazy horse and he's like that at home.

"We went the route of the big-money handicaps and didn't quite get there, so we were looking for this type of race, and thankfully it has worked out."

Regarding future targets for the 7-2 winner, Burke added: "I don't know but he'll handle any ground and will run right the way through. I wouldn't mind traveling with him abroad, maybe to Dubai or Saudi, as he's the type of horse who could go anywhere."

Poet denies Menuisier big-money double

Epic Poet got the better of Waxing Gibbous in a tight finish to the Old Borough Cup to deny trainer David Menuisier a £100,000 handicap double.

The 11-2 shot was not winning out of turn for trainer David O'Meara and owners Akela Thoroughbreds as he had gone close in some of the biggest staying handicaps of the season.

Epic Poet (near side) edges out Waxing Gibbous by a neckCredit: John Grossick

Menuisier had won the preceding handicap for three-year-olds over the same 1m6f distance with Master Builder and got within a neck of another big pot with Waxing Gibbous, but Epic Poet was just too strong.

"He's been a good horse this year, he ran a cracker at Royal Ascot and in the Ebor when he had a bad draw," said winning jockey Danny Tudhope.

"He doesn't really help you, he's just so slow. The owners and David said try and get handy on him, but that's as handy as you can get because he takes a long time to warm up. He travels well, that's the main thing. We followed the right horse and he picked up well."

Oisin Murphy picked up a two-day careless riding ban on runner-up Contacto in the race won by Master Builder and will miss September 21 and 22, the first day falling on Newbury's Mill Reef card and Ayr's Gold Cup day.

Fellowes dreaming big with Luther

Charlie Fellowes told Racing Post readers in Friday's autumn stable tour special that Luther was as nice a two-year-old as he had trained and the son of Frankel proved it with a sublime success in the Listed Ascendant Stakes.

The Newmarket trainer will consider a range of major options for Luther, who cost 250,000gns as a yearling and was described as "hopefully a Guineas horse next year".

"He's a strong, powerful colt with as good a mind as I've trained," added Fellowes. "He's in the Royal Lodge and that's the most obvious place to go next. Then we'll see if we stay here for the Racing Post Trophy and call it a day, as the Breeders' Cup is also an option."

Read more...

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