Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy, the most successful trainer and jockey on Finals Day, teamed up again with a Berkshire Parts & Panels-owned horse as improving stayer Berkshire Sundance (16/1) captured the Midnite All-Weather Easter Plate.
The trainer/jockey/owner combination had enjoyed two previous Good Friday wins at Newcastle with Berkshire Shadow in the 2023 Mile and Berkshire Whisper in last season’s 3YO final.
Having tracked the leaders for most of the extended two-mile contest, Berkshire Sundance moved up to third early in the home straight as 2024 winner Prydwen (18/1) kicked into the lead from Barenboim passing the three-furlong pole.
Berkshire Sundance stayed on well down the stands’ rail to take control of the race in the final furlong, crossing the line three and a half lengths ahead of Prydwen. The 5/2 favourite Beylerbeyi made late inroads to finish third, another two and a quarter lengths back.
Murphy said: “I am delighted that this horse has won for Paul [Spickett, owner]. He is a great ambassador for racing and a great supporter of Kingsclere.
“Berkshire Sundance is a strange fella and the cheekpieces probably helped him concentrate. It was a real test of stamina with the wind, and that suited him, because he has stamina in abundance.
“Andrew targets this meeting. We are very grateful to ARC [Arena Racing Company] and everyone who puts on such a big day’s racing. Although the weather has been far from ideal, it is a high standard of racing with a good crowd.”
Anna Lisa Balding said: “What a star! Berkshire Sundance is a real yard favourite. They love him because he is nothing flash, nothing swanky, but just a good horse who runs with his heart. It is so nice to see him win for these owners.
“This has been a great day. Two winners and, while we have had a few disappointments as well, hopefully it is nothing serious and they come back and win on other days.
“Look at the money they offer here. It is all very well moaning about prize money, but when the right prize money is there, you have to be in it to win it. Our lads and owners love coming to Newcastle – and this is a great end to the all-weather season.”
Winning owner Paul Spickett said: “What a result! Berkshire Sundance runs what race he wants to run, but the cheekpieces have got him focused. It was amazing. This keeps me young and gives me a little bounce in my step.”
Daniel Tudhope said of Prydwen: “He has run well. He won this two years ago, and he has not really been in the same sort of form for a while, so it is nice to see him bounce back here. George was confident and said he thinks the horse is coming back to his best. He did everything right and was just unlucky in the end to bump into one.”
Billy Loughnane said of the favourite: “Beylerbeyi ran well. He is obviously a tricky character, as we all know, and I had to take him out the race to get him to relax. I would like to see him in a Stakes race now, where there is not as big a field and not as much ground to make up. He is definitely a horse who is going to have a bright future.”
4.42pm Midnite All-Weather Easter Plate Marathon Handicap
1 Berkshire Sundance (Berkshire Parts & Panels Ltd No1 Fanclub) Andrew Balding 6-8-13 Oisin Murphy 16/1
2 Prydwen (Blue Starr Racing & Keith Breen) George Scott 8-9-06 Daniel Tudhope 18/1
3 Beylerbeyi (Midtech 2) Ian Williams 6-9-11 Billy Loughnane 5/2F
12 ran
Andrew Balding – 12th Finals Day winner
Oisin Murphy – 9th Finals Day winner
