Pitmen’s Derby Dream Come True
Northumberland Plate day at Newcastle Racecourse, is by far the most important day on their racing calendar, and if you love racing and from the North East! ‘The Plate’ is the Pitmen’s Derby.
It has also been THE race that, as a trainer, Brian (and I) have always wanted to win. Finally, after all these years, the dream came true yesterday, when ONESMOOTHOPERATOR powered home under local jockey, Connor Beasley, who we have known since he was a baby!
Keeping with the local theme, owner, Patrick Boyle and his family live just five minutes from the track, so it was handy to continue the celebrations, well into the night. We would like to say a massive thank you to them for all the support they give us, and we know this win was so special for them too!
It is a team effort, and we are so lucky to have a great team behind us, they deserve much credit for their daily hard work and dedication. Big congratulations especially to Matt Brown, as he rides Smoothie at home.
It was a very emotional win and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. But one thing for certain, thanks to the fantastic Onesmoothoperator, Brian became the Local Hero.
