What a day!! We thought he was up to it and we were right. It’s a great thrill and also a relief as I’d got a lot of people onto him who don’t often bet.
I was quietly happy after the race but also a little melancholy. I don’t take a lot of credit for the horse – I didn’t breed him, identify him or train him and the Trotters, Tom Goff and obviously Peter Chapple-Hyam take these honours. I’m feeling I’ve arrived properly as an owner now, and I take some pride in the fact that I’ve put myself in a position where I can afford to buy into horses in the first place.
I think Winker, if anything, is better than the result suggests. Jimmy said that when the stall opened Winker still had the hood on, and although he whipped it off straight away it cost him a couple of lengths. He’ll be better over six, and he could be immortal this year. He probably goes for the Prix Morny next, although we’ll put in an entry for the Phoenix in case the ground at Deauville comes up really soft.