Tag Archive for: Berkshire Shadow

Shadow seals Newcastle treble for Balding and Murphy

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Berkshire Shadow brought up an All-Weather Championships Finals Day treble for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy when claiming the Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes.

A winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot as a two-year-old, the 7-4 favourite ran some encouraging races over this trip early in his three-year-old season, finishing fifth in the 2000 Guineas before being beaten less than two lengths in the St James’s Palace Stakes on his return to the Royal meeting.

Although his form tailed off as the summer went on last year, he was gelded over the winter and the son of Dark Angel landed the Lady Wulfruna Stakes on his reappearance at Wolverhampton last month to book his ticket to Gosforth Park.

Sent off the 7-4 favourite in the north east, Murphy was content to stalk the pace set by The Wizard Of Eye and Lord Of The Lodge and as The Wizard Of Eye’s brave front-running effort began to wane inside the final furlong, Berkshire Shadow was just getting motoring and he hit the front half a furlong from home before keeping on powerfully.

Balding was represented by his wife Anna Lisa, who said: “That was brilliant, that was the one we wanted today, I’m delighted.

“He’s a special horse to us and Paul (Spickett, owner) has been very patient with him since he won the Coventry as he’d run well without winning.

“I know he won on his comeback early in the year but that was his target today.

Oisin Murphy after winning the Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes on Berkshire Shadow at Newcastle
Oisin Murphy after winning the Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes on Berkshire Shadow at Newcastle (Richard Sellers/PA)

“I don’t think gelding him has made the difference, he just finally looks like a proper horse now and has filled his frame. He’s an outstanding looking horse now.

“He’s in the Lockinge, I don’t know if he’ll go there but he’s in very good form so we’ll see how he is.

“He’s had to really see the mile out and Oisin said he really did, which is a huge positive.”

Murphy said: “This guy was brilliant at two, then he lost his way but he’s bounced back.

“He won a Listed race last time and over a stiff mile today, I thought we would learn for the future, and he definitely stayed the trip so I’m thrilled.

“He travelled so well. I’d love to see the sectionals for the final furlong as it felt like we really slowed down. We learned plenty.

“He was never colty but after losing his way, despite being a Coventry winner, it made sense to geld him.”

Murphy and Balding also struck gold with Desert Cop in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes and Notre Belle Bete in the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic, with the rider happy to record his first high-profile treble since returning from a 14-month ban in February.

He said: “I came with lots of nice rides and it’s brilliant the horses have performed.

Desert Cop was the first of three winners for Murphy
Desert Cop was the first of three winners for Murphy (Richard Sellers/PA)

“Unfortunately Berkshire Rocco didn’t win and Arabian Storm didn’t win.

“We have a lot of good horses at Andrew Balding’s and there is a lot of hard work that goes into it.

“I just ride them, I know jockeys say that sometimes but we also see the overall work that goes in behind the scenes.

“I am riding lots of horses with chances and it’s great they are winning. I am really enjoying it.”

Balding added: “After the first race I was thinking it was going to be a long way home, especially as I’ve got to go up to Musselburgh tomorrow but it’s turned out brilliant.”

Berkshire Shadow claims Wulfruna win

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Berkshire Shadow bounced back to form and set up a potential trip to Newcastle on Good Friday with a stylish success in the Spreadex Sports Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton.

Winner of the prestigious Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2021, he went winless last season but was not disgraced in either the 2000 Guineas or the St James’s Palace Stakes.

He never quite hit the expected heights afterwards but Andrew Balding was convinced the son of Dark Angel was returning to something like his best.

Reunited with Oisin Murphy, the now gelded Berkshire Shadow (5-2 favourite) travelled sweetly throughout and hit the front a long way from home.

Harry’s Bar and Angel Bleu gave chase in vain, but Berkshire Shadow held on by a length and a quarter, with Ralph Beckett’s Angel Bleu gaining second on the line.

“It was a very good race, Angel Bleu is a top-class horse, they’ve met before,” Murphy told Sky Sports Racing.

“It’s brilliant to get the horse back, it’s great to see him get a Listed win and hopefully he’ll build on it.

“He’s trained really well. He’s a Dark Angel so has plenty of size and scope and we always felt he wasn’t just a two-year-old. His run in the Guineas last year was fantastic so it’s great to get back to winning ways.

“I haven’t discussed anything with Andrew but perhaps he could have a run on Good Friday, the horse is in very good form. It’s great for the owner too.”

Owner Paul Spickett confirmed Good Friday and Finals Day would now be the plan, adding: “He’s been a super horse. He had a few niggles last year but Andrew said he was going well.

“He’s definitely got the ability. The Coventry would have done me in truth, if he never won another race, but he’s shown he’s still got the ability. Roll on Good Friday.

“There’s a lot of options for him now. They went quick today and when he came off the last bend he had it won.”