22 February 2010 Landmarks: February 20th & 21st
by Carolyn Tanner
Samantha Klug, 21, enjoyed her first success at Brocklesby Park on Saturday, landing the Hunt race on her own Naturally Inspired. Samantha, who has no background in racing but has been a keen Point-to-Point follower, was encouraged by her friends to have a go, and she had her first ride last year.
She broke in Naturally Inspired herself after buying her as a three-year-old, and the mare has since been placed in a Bumper, a Hurdle and a Chase for Malcolm Jefferson.
Samantha was later runner-up in the Ladies' Open on Caramia, and she is hoping to ride all three of her charges, Great Grimsby being the third, in Hunter Chases later in the season.
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Brocklesby Park was also the venue for the first double for ‘A' level student Jake Greenall, at 17 the youngest of the four very successful sons of Lord Daresbury. Jake won the Restricted on the David Easterby-trained King Among Queens, who had decanted him when holding every chance at Witton Castle, and followed up in the Maiden Division Two on Noble Ben, who is stabled with David's sister Cherry Coward.
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Suzy Berry, 24, completed a first competitive double at Badbury Rings, taking the Members' Conditions' contest on Long Night and the Ladies' Open on Matako. Long Night is one of three horses that she trains at home, and she also rides out for Caroline Keevil.
Suzy's initial double was at Larkhill in 2007, when Goldseam triumphed twice at the same meeting, walking over for the Ladies' Open before turning out again to land the Novice Riders' race.
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James Griffin, 26, who has ridden eight winners in Ireland, made a successful British debut at Badbury when Merriott's Oscar won the older horse Maiden. James, who arrived in England just a few weeks ago to be assistant to Nigel Hawke, was granted his licence only very recently, and so had to borrow most of his kit from Daryl Jacob.
Merriott's Oscar, who is stabled adjacent to the Hawke yard, has had more than his share of problems, "So we wanted someone who would look after him," said syndicate spokesman Granville Taylor, who had been impressed by James when watching him on the gallops.
