Johnston flagbearer Branston Abby converted a now lifelong racing fan

Ian Brindle, 41, on the mare who got him hooked on the sport

Branston Abby (right) notches up one of her 25 victories, this one at YarmouthCredit: Smith Phil

Lochsong may have been the Queen of Speed but the mare who captured my heart was Branston Abby.

Granted, she never reached the heights of Jeff Smith’s superstar, but the daughter of Risk Me was no slouch with 25 victories from a 97-race career, ten at Listed level.

Showing early promise for Mick Easterby, she was to become an international flagbearer for the Mark Johnston team and embodied everything that the ‘Always Trying’ motto held dear.

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Published on 6 May 2017inFeatures

Last updated 18:09, 6 May 2017

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