WhatsApps galore for award winner Tom Dascombe after emotional Newbury win

The Racing Post's awards honour the best (and sometimes worst) performances and raise talking points from the last seven days of racing. This week's winners are . . .

Jockey of the week

PJ McDonald

An open and shut case with PJ McDonald responsible for guiding Pyledriver to a shock win in Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot.

An 18-1 shot, Pyledriver was rudely overlooked in the betting – as he often is – but McDonald, already a winner on Pyledriver at Haydock in September 2019, refused to read the script. He executed the tactics to perfection, remaining patient before striking on the outside and holding off Arc hero Torquator Tasso for a famous win.

Trainer of the week

Tom Dascombe

In racing, patience is crucial and Tom Dascombe has had to have plenty since moving yards and returning to Lambourn.

Having split with Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables, it took the trainer 48 attempts to get off the mark from his new home at Uplands Stables.

Dascombe, who has trained Group 1 and Royal Ascot winners, finally bagged that elusive winner from his new base when Felix Natalis delivered in a 6f handicap at Newbury last week. The trainer found himself working his way through messages of support afterwards.

Story of the week

Native River's prom cameo

Travelling in style to a school prom is something every pupil wants to do and Zara Cox certainly did that as she had the pleasure of riding 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Native River.

The jumps legend was making his first public appearance since retiring at the end of last year and got heads turning when Cox turned up on him to her prom at Oake Manor Golf Club, Taunton.

Zara Cox arrived to her school prom on jumps hero Native RiverCredit: @TMBloodstock

Cox, who attended Kingsmead School, arrived in such style due to her father Dan's association with Garth and Anne Broom, who owned the 12-year-old under their Brocade Racing banner.

Debut of the week

Apricot Twist

Often when you see a horse running for the first time in the famous Juddmonte silks, you have to stop and watch. This was the case at Naas on Wednesday evening as two-year-old Apricot Twist made a very promising start to her career.

After a steady start, Apricot Twist produced a brilliant turn of foot to pull clear of her rivals and cruise to a seven-and-a-half-length victory, making it look all too easy.

The filly, who is trained by Ger Lyons, was a 140,000gns purchase at Tattersalls Book 1 last October and is a daughter of Breeders' Cup Mile winner Expert Eye and out of a Listed winner, so her pedigree suggests there is more to come. She’s certainly one to keep an eye on.

Controversy of the week

'Very concerning' Canada race

A race in Canada became the subject of an investigation after a bizarre conclusion that saw the horse who was clear in front almost stop before regaining momentum and losing out in a photo-finish.

King Witt, ridden by Sheldon Chickeness, shot out of the gate and took control of the race in the back straight. By the turn for home the advantage had been extended it looked as if the race was won.

However, Chickeness looked behind him before King Witt slowed down and almost came to a stop in the seven and a half furlong contest. King Witt rallied and was just denied by Mucho Express.

Footage was sent to the province's gambling regulator for review. Not all observers on social media were prepared to condemn the jockey, believing the horse may have been pulling himself up, and it will be fascinating to see what the fallout is.

Read more . . .

Another View: I came full circle on the whip - and now I think educating people is the answer (Members' Club)

Special Report: 'Costs have gone crazy - I'd be worried for a small trainer like myself' (Members' Club)

Insight: 'The ground was burnt brown' - how racing survived the long, hot summer of 1976 (Members' Club)

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