Coneygree's breathtaking victory in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup really was the stuff of dreams.
The eight-year-old gelding was bred by the late Lord Oaksey after his daughter, Sara, and her husband, Mark, who trains at Letcombe Bassett, near Wantage, bought him a mare Plaid Maid.
Not only did she prove a success on the racecourse, winning five times, but also at stud.
Her first offspring, Carruthers, won the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury – and goes for more glory in the Betfred Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter today.
And yesterday Coneygree claimed chasing’s blue riband, lighting up a grey Prestbury Park with a terrific display of jumping under Nico de Boinville.
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The trainer said: “Coneygree is a gorgeous, gorgeous horse and it is just so tragic that Sara’s dad wasn’t here – he had the bet on wrong horse, a big bet on Carruthers winning – and I think that is the downside.
“I am sure he was probably still watching us now.”
Lady Oaksey, who heads the ten-strong Max Partnership, who own Coneygree, was thrilled they had chosen to run in the Gold Cup rather than the RSA Chase.
She said: “Could you believe that?
“I just can’t believe it and I have been asking myself what decision would John have made.
“As it turns out, it was a very good decision because you look at Don Poli and Vautour and, to win this now – you dream.
“We knew that he was a good horse, but it’s just amazing, absolutely amazing.
“What's so lovely is that the filly, a half-sister, was covered by Kayf Tara at 3.15pm today, so the story continues.”
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