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'That's been my dream' - joy for Johnson as Tweet Tweet fulfils York ambitions

The daughter of Twilight Son is the second foal out of Johnson's Tweety Pie

Tweet Tweet: surges into the lead at York
Tweet Tweet: surges into the lead at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

A lifelong dream came true for owner-breeder Trish Johnson as the 'tiny' Tweet Tweet showed courage and class in equal measure when winning a competitive fillies' handicap on the first day of the Ebor meeting.

The Twilight Son filly was bred by Johnson and her late husband John's former Bishop Wilton Stud and, after being bought back as a foal from Tattersalls and then moved on to be a riding horse due to her size, has confounded all expectations.

Bishop Wilton Stud was based only a few miles from the racecourse and has raised a few decent horses over the years, such as Peaceful Paradise, winner of the Sweet Solera Stakes in 2000, and Maycocks Bay, who landed a Listed event at York for Lady Bamford and went on to become the dam of dual Oaks heroine Sariska.

To see Tweet Tweet make all on home turf for local trainer Declan Carroll was particularly special for Johnson.

She said: "I've been going to York since I was almost in a pram and I always used to say to my dad I'm going to lead in a winner there, and now I have. That's been my dream as it's the best racecourse in the world and I love it.

"I've had a few winners there but this one I got for only £800 at the foal sales."

As that amount suggests, Tweet Tweet was not weighed in to make the most auspicious start to life as a racehorse - and she did not.

In fact, the Tattersalls December Foal Sale graduate might not even have been a racehorse at all until Carroll, who had also saddled her Rock Of Gibraltar dam Tweety Pie to score at Beverley, realised she had some ability.

Johnson explained: "Tweet was tiny as a foal, and the first foal was even smaller, he was like a little dog, though he still managed to be beaten only a short head at Wolverhampton.

Tweet Tweet's connections after success at York
Tweet Tweet's connections after success at YorkCredit: Grossick Racing

"I gave Tweet away to be a riding horse but she started to rear and misbehave. As soon as Declan rode her he said I had to get her back as she is good. So instead of having two mares, I've now got three."

Fate smiled kindly on Johnson, with her filly placing three times in good company at two before shelving her maiden tag at Thirsk in April. Two further wins have followed, including her latest length and a quarter success on the Knavesmire, and now a step up in company could be on the cards.

It was also a poignant result for Johnson, who gave up the stud only at the beginning of 2020 and sadly lost her husband, who spent 40 years as stud groom for Lord and Lady Halifax's nearby Garrowby Stud, the year before that.

Johnson was also faced with a difficult situation when her top broodmare came down with a bout of colic, but it was one that fortunately had a happy ending.

She added: "My best mare got colic and I spent eight hours taking her into surgery when she was ten months' pregnant. Luckily, they saved both the mare and the foal."


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Published on 22 August 2021inNews

Last updated 12:45, 22 August 2021

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