Another great BGBF competition drew to a close this week, with the Final of our British Bred Oaks at Henlow.   Patrick Janssens’ Fabulous Azurra had won our British Bred Derby last December, so we were expecting a good run from her, but Kim Gooding’s homebred Shockwave Amber had also been in that Final at Sheffield, so it wasn’t all cut and dried!  ‘Marilyn’, as Amber is called at home, made a very good start and led, but let Azurra past on the inside at the bend and after that it was all over.  Marilyn stayed on for a good second – with the youngest of the six, Kevin Ferguson’s March ‘21 Acomb Irene, improving from a slow start to finish third!

Fabulous Azurra is from an amazing litter, bred by owner David Firmager by Magical Bale out of his homebred Fabulous Artist, whelped August 2019. There were only five in the litter, but one of course is Derby winner Romeo Magico, and another Fabulous Amalfi, who was runner up in this competition last year, when it was held at Doncaster.  Azurra picked up a hock injury earlier this year which has held her back, but she is definitely back to form now!

All six finalists deserve congratulations, they all ran well. Thanks to Henlow track for hosting this competition for us this year – we were there after a couple of years’ absence, and it was good to be back. Thanks also to SIS for their continued support of British breeding!