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Violette victory sparks joy just days before centenary of 'bravest of the brave'

Freddie Drabble: happy and relieved at Violette Szabo win
Freddie Drabble: happy and relieved at Violette Szabo winCredit: David Carr

Violette Szabo had her part-owner choking back tears after breaking her maiden just days before what would have been the 100th birthday of the war heroine after whom she is named.

Szabo was a Special Operations Executive who was captured and executed while serving in Nazi-occupied France in 1945. She was awarded a posthumous George Cross and immortalised in the film Carve Her Name With Pride.

Szabo would have been 100 on Saturday and after the Nigel Tinkler-trained filly who carries her name had taken a division of the 1m4f handicap under Faye McManoman, emotional part-owner Freddie Drabble said: "She was called the bravest of the brave. Despite awful torture, she didn't reveal any names.

"When we first named her I just hoped we weren't trivialising all that she did in the war and I'm so relieved that we have achieved this in her name."

The four-year-old, whom Scarborough-based Drabble shares with two others, will now be guest of honour at a special outside event.

"The Violette Szabo Museum in Hereford want us to go down with the horse for a garden party," he said. "My one wish was that when we go we should take a winner with us and now she has won, I'm so happy."

Rising up

In-form Kevin Ryan sent out his fifth winner in ten runners when Dark Moon Rising came from behind to take the 7f maiden.

The trainer, who was on the mark with Juan Elcano in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and Atomic Force in Group 3 company in France last week, believes there is more to come from Angie Bailey's two-year-old.

"He's a work in progress," Ryan said. "He was very green first time. I thought he'd be a bit wiser today but he was green again. But once he passed one he picked the bridle up and he travelled well into the race.

"He came good from two down, he knuckled down and galloped through the line well. He'll keep improving with racing. He's a big laid back horse at home, he's just going to have to learn with racing."

Juan Elcano is set to be aimed at the Sky Bet York Stakes at York on July 24 after his 14-1 victory last week.

"He's come out of the race fantastically, really fresh and well," Ryan said. "He'll probably head to York for the Group 2 at the July meeting – he's up to 114 so it's the obvious step."

U go Tony

Tim Easterby was full of praise for Tony Hamilton after the jockey got Ugo Gregory home in front in the 7f handicap.

"Tony gave him a great ride," the trainer said. "He was drawn 11 of 11 and that's not the best draw to have – you'd have to say it was one of the best rides."

Hamilton also took the three-year-old handicap on Johnny Boom, and Joanna Mason matched his double by scoring on Where's Jeff (1m2f handicap) and Just For Yuse (median auction maiden).


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David CarrReporter

Published on 22 June 2021inReports

Last updated 18:03, 22 June 2021

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