Fine win for Baby Ticker at Ayr on Saturday

Winners enclosure : Donald, Baby, Rachel, Callum

Having been on a career win mark of 74 since early December, it was a joyous Callum Whillans who rode Baby Ticker to victory in front of the ITV cameras at Ayr yesterday. 75 wins means an end to his 3lb claim (that's a good thing? - ed) and a personal milestone for our jockey and assistant trainer.
And on the home-bred Baby Ticker too.

We should have been more confident pre-race, as the mare had put in a sparkling piece of work last Thursday with Callum Bewley but for 'Baby' to gallop at a fast pace, hard on the steel has become common place at Dodlands over the years. She just hasn't shown such sparkle on the racecourse.....ever.
Until yesterday. And at 11 years of age.
Quite a performance.

Suited by the soft, tacky ground the mare was able to keep a prominent position throughout and turning for home only the long time leader Theflickeringlight was travelling as well. Careful not to hit the front too soon, Callum switched 'Baby' to the left of Phil Kirby's charge and a fine leap 2 out took her to the front.
Ears twitching, eyes and head darting left and right, but our jockey was wary (Sedgefield January 17, anyone?) and drove Baby Ticker into the last, flew it clear and stayed on really well for a 6½ length victory.

A fine prize, the traditional Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup.

Faithful companion Rachel Murray was on hand too. Rachel has formed a close bonding with 'Baby' since she was a 10 day old foal when her dam - Baby Gee - and her were based in a field owned by the Murray family on the outskirts of Hawick. Baby Ticker returns each summer to spend several weeks with the Murray family and is very much spoilt by Rachel. It is rare that Rachel is not available to lead up Baby Ticker in her races and overjoyed Rachel led the mare back into the winner's enclosure.

Bred by Donald, owned by his late father Charlie and ridden by son Callum, who'd like to take a moment to express thanks to the many messages of congratulations received.
Such a fine day for the Whillans family was made even better when Brother Ali saddled Wind of Hope, ridden by that fine work rider (!) Callum Bewley, to win the handicap hurdle at 4.15 later on in the card. Young Bewley is insistent that he can claim a double on the day for his prep work on Baby but.......

What a day!

Callum with Baby Ticker and a proud Rachel Murray

Eternally Yours stays on into 3rd......

After her race at Ayr on 2nd January, Eternally Yours has not been a very well horse. She soon shown signs of a low grade cold virus post race but then went lame in her near hind fetlock.
With no signs of improvement in the next couple of days, she was whisked up to the Dick Vet for further scanning which identified a poisonous area which required to be drained. Luckily, there were no signed of bone or ligament damage and after a few weeks of rest, Eternally Yours showed she was in better health.

Returning to morning exercise only recently, the mare was fresh & well and while we knew she was ready to race, yesterday's run at Ayr was regarded as a stepping stone to the rest of the season. With fingers crossed.......

Third place, beaten 11 lengths but the most pleasing part was the way she kept on from 2 out after an unfortunate mistake 4 out put paid to her winning chance.

Eternally Yours, post race led in by Laura