It's not all about a festival winner at all costs - Put The Kettle On went the brave route and became a Cheltenham legend as a result
The way some horses are campaigned is a source of great frustration for many these days, so it is important to recognise connections who throw caution to the wind and give their horses every opportunity to reach greatness. When that happens, we seem to take it for granted given it is easier to condemn than commend.
There are a few horses who spring to mind when one thinks of brave campaigning and maximising a career, but one of the less documented is the Henry de Bromhead-trained Put The Kettle On, whose connections reaped the ultimate rewards.
I well remember the situation in 2020 because I backed her for the wrong race! Rated 144, she was towards the head of the betting for the novice handicap chase, which was being run at Cheltenham for the final time, and was given no more than a speculative each-way squeak in the Arkle. With a seemingly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a festival winner, the One For Luck syndicate would have been forgiven for taking the easier option.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inAnother View
Last updated
- Hard ground, walkovers and a different course - Cheltenham's Showcase meeting has undergone an amazing transformation
- If you see it, you can do it: Kaiya Fraser's success can be crucial to inspiring the next generation
- Guineas formlines have been strong all season - and they could be crucial again at the Breeders' Cup
- Be more like Aidan and Willie – you don't have to be an owner to get caught up in the spirit of embracing challenge
- How Champions Day still felt Sir Michael Stoute's influence – and proved that his legacy will live on
- Hard ground, walkovers and a different course - Cheltenham's Showcase meeting has undergone an amazing transformation
- If you see it, you can do it: Kaiya Fraser's success can be crucial to inspiring the next generation
- Guineas formlines have been strong all season - and they could be crucial again at the Breeders' Cup
- Be more like Aidan and Willie – you don't have to be an owner to get caught up in the spirit of embracing challenge
- How Champions Day still felt Sir Michael Stoute's influence – and proved that his legacy will live on