'You can't understand what this means to me' - Michael Owen rejoices as Zoffee wins Chester Cup

The May meeting is the biggest week of the year at Michael Owen's Manor House Stables and the local yard finally got its hands on the historic Chester Cup after Zoffee powered home to erase the pain of last year's race.

The Hugo Palmer-trained eight-year-old led until the final strides 12 months ago before being caught on the line by Metier, but on a better surface and a 3lb lower mark, he claimed a famous success on the 200th anniversary of the race under Harry Davies.

Zoffee might be owned by Alan Peterson, but Owen shouted himself hoarse cheering the winner home and was at the centre of the celebrations as a previously frustrating week ended up the ultimate of highs.

"We hadn't had a winner all week but Hugo said to me, 'We'll win the big one', and I just cannot believe it," he said. "I don't own the horse but they're all my horses.

"This race has always been the headline. When I'm not talking rubbish about football on the TV, I'm putting my heart and soul into the yard. I watch every single horse every single day on the gallops and know all about my owners. To say it's my life is an understatement and you can’t understand what this means to me."

Zoffee lands the Chester Cup for trainer Hugo Palmer and owner Alan PetersonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Palmer, a multiple Group 1-winning trainer, relocated from Newmarket to take over at Manor House in 2022 and was not winning the Chester showpiece out of turn.

"It's a big race in this part of the world and it's very exciting," he said. "We were second in the race last year with the same horse and third the year before, and in our three years here we've done 3-2-1 and I'm just delighted.

"The week has been character building, but this means a huge amount. We all love this horse, he might not be the highest-rated horse in the yard but he loves his job.

"Like he showed when winning the Northumberland Vase two years ago, when things go his way and he can quicken up, he's a very good horse. I suppose the Northumberland Plate is the obvious next target – I hope the Petersons have a big trophy cabinet."

Zoffee had returned to Palmer after an unsuccessful spell hurdling with Olly Murphy and the switch paid off handsomely for Peterson, who also finished second in the race with Fair Along in 2007.

He said: "We brought him back to the Flat to give him another chance as it didn't work out over hurdles. He's a real dual-purpose horse and he'll go back to hurdling eventually."

Harry Davies holds the Chester Cup aloft after winning the 200th running on ZoffeeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Davies, whose mother Angie Shea is Palmer's assistant, showed once again he is one of the rising stars of the weighing room as he came with a well-timed run to get the better of Emiyn by three-quarters of a length.

"That was amazing," the 19-year-old said. "It's massive for the yard as it's a race they target every year. 

"I had a lovely trip round, I didn't want to be right on the rail, but he travelled supremely well and he picked up well to the line and galloped out well.

"Hugo is a massive supporter of mine and to repay him and the owners for their support is a big plus, and I can't thank them enough."

Zanndabad finished a luckless third for Tony Martin, who gained immediate compensation by winning the Chester Plate reserve race with Alphonse Le Grande.

"The race before our horse missed the break and was a bit far back but this one worked out," the trainer said. "That's the luck of racing and the luck of Chester."

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