‘You silly sod’ – Owner who named horse after late mum only to sell it watches in shock as he wins at Cheltenham
A TOP horse owner said his late mum would be looking down on him saying ‘you silly sod’ after the horse he named after her but sold won at Cheltenham.
Max McNeill gave a brilliant interview on ITV Racing after 20-1 Seddon won the Plate.
Much admired owner McNeill had sold Seddon just a few months before he went onto win at Cheltenham
Described as a ‘horse of a lifetime’ by trainer John McConnell, Seddon belonged to McNeill until he sold him to Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate last August.
The horse has run out of his skin since then, winning at Cheltenham last October before lining up for today’s race.
And he showed he had not reached the top of his ceiling after holding off 11-1 Fugitif to win £67,524 for his owners.
McNeill was on hand to watch the horse he used to own triumph at racing’s biggest meeting.
And to his credit he took it all in his stride – although he said his mum might not have been so forgiving.
He said: “I bought the horse and named her after my late mum.
“First and foremost I’m delighted for the current owners, but I think my mum would be looking down on me saying, ‘you silly sod!’
Trainer McConnell couldn’t quite believe it after, saying he had no idea how the horse had suddenly got so good.
He said: “I don’t know what to say – horse of a lifetime, top rider, top work rider in Amy, all the lads at home – it’s all down to them.
“I don’t do anything, I’m just a chancer.
“He’s the most beautiful kind horse you could imagine
“I don’t know how he’s improved so much. He’s just a happy horse, he loves being a racehorse!
“He would lay down for you, he’s just amazing.”
The ten-year-old won by two lengths from Fugitif while Harry Redknapp’s Shakem Up’Arry came third at 16-1.
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