Mark Edwards did not get much sleep between his brilliant puissance runner-up spot last night and this morning’s British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Grade C Championship at HOYS – but he and Royale Tale pulled it out of the bag to win.
Mark’s superstar seven-year-old, bred by Sean and Charlene Daly and owned by his father Martyn and by his brilliant campaigner Montreuxs Tale who just tipped the wall at 2m19cm in the puissance to come second, had already won the Equitop senior newcomers title on Wednesday.
“She’s been on great form the last few months, and again today,” said Mark. “It was great last night, and then to get a win this morning – I feel like I haven’t been to bed but this was definitely worth getting up for!”
Mark said the mare is very like her sire, just a bit smaller, sharper and more blood.
“But she’s got as much scope and the same winning mentality,” he said. “She just loves it, and it makes my job a lot easier when they try their heart out for you.”
The mare will have a break after HOYS, then the aim will be to step her up a bit afterwards.
“And hopefully be back here to win again next year,” added Mark Edwards, who now looks to have an exciting string of younger horses coming up behind his seasoned campaigners.
“I’ve got two really good seven-year-olds so hopefully there’s an exciting couple of years ahead,” he said.
You might also be interested in…
Two dreams in one and two wins in a row: new name on top Hickstead trophy
‘He never says no’: former Olympic eventer takes thrilling HOYS puissance
Subscribe to Horse & Hound this spring for great savings
Don’t miss a second of the action from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited website subscription. Join now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page HOYS magazine report, including in-depth analysis of all the showing and showjumping, plus exclusive comments, on sale Thursday 13 October.
