Tag Archive for: Craig Lidster

Alfa Kellenic plans currently up in the air

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Craig Lidster is pondering his options for stable star Alfa Kellenic after she brought up a fabulous five-timer at York.

Since shedding her maiden status on the all-weather in January, she has thrived after being sent handicapping this summer, rising through the ranks and scoring off a mark of 88 on the Knavesmire.

The Ebor Festival success marked the biggest victory in Easingwold handler Lidster’s fledgling training career but he is now dreaming of further big days with the three-year-old filly, who is owned by the Goodracingco in partnership with familiar names Paul Hanagan and Simon Mapletoft.

She holds an entry for next month’s Ayr Gold Cup and a trip north of the border is definitely under consideration for the daughter of Havana Grey, but having showed her versatility by striking up at seven furlongs, connections could consider a step up in grade in search of valuable black type.

Lidster said: “We think a lot of the filly and we’ve brought her along progressively. She’s done nothing wrong and we think she’s talented and we might have to aim at black type now.

“The Ayr Gold Cup was a target but we will probably have a look at the whole of the programme now, rather than having to look totally at the Ayr Gold Cup. It’s not impossible we will run in it, we’re just sitting on our hands a little until we see where to go.

Alfa Kellenic after a victory at York earlier this summer
Alfa Kellenic after a victory at York earlier this summer (Josh Luckhurst/PA)

“You can’t sniff at the Ayr Gold Cup and it’s a £250,000 race, or do we go down the black type route as quick as possible.

“She’s still got a handicap mark there to finish off, but a lot will come down to what the lads want to do. I will have my opinion, but they will have their opinions as well.

“There is a Group Three at Doncaster over seven (which is a possible option) but we will cross bridges like that when we come to it. We’re going to reconvene next week and see which way we want to go.”



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Five-star Alfa Kellenic has Lidster in York dreamland

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Alfa Kellenic gave Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster a day to remember when bringing up a five-timer in the British EBF Fillies’ Handicap at York.

Rotherham-born Lidster trains out of Easingwold and had already saddled the in-form three-year-old to win once on the Knavesmire this term.

However, the flying daughter of Havana Grey was giving him by far the biggest success of his fledgling training career by repeating the dose at the venue’s flagship meeting.

The 17-2 shot travelled strongly in the hands of Tom Eaves and when hitting the front inside the final half-furlong clung on gamely by a short head to extend her winning streak.

Lidster said: “Five wins in a row, unbelievable. She’s tough filly and what an accolade for the yard, the owners and all my staff. I’m chuffed to bits.

“She’s versatile and we know she can win over six furlongs and stays seven now. Do we go to the Ayr Gold Cup? What do we do? This has opened up lots of different avenues for us now and it’s back to the drawing board.

“We’ve still got our plans over six and now we need to look at options over seven at the same time.

“She’s a filly we have always took our time with and thought a lot about. Everyone has had patience and she has delivered in the end.

“To win this at the Ebor meeting, I’m chuffed to bits. I’m chuffed for the owners, everyone at the yard and also all the owners within my yard as well, it’s just a huge team effort.”

Elsewhere, Thunder Run led from pillar to post in the £150,000 Clipper Handicap.

Owned by the race sponsor, Steve Parkin, the Karl Burke-trained three-year-old was second on his Wetherby debut before claiming back-to-back wins in July at Thirsk and Hamilton respectively.

He could finish only third as an odds-on favourite for his handicap debut in the Summer Cup back at Thirsk earlier this month, but rewarded those who kept the faith with an improved performance on the Knavesmire, seeing off all-comers at 6-1 under David Egan, scoring by half a length from Mirsky.

Burke, who also saddled the third-placed Holloway Boy, said: “I’m just glad to get a winner, what we’ve run so far have been running reasonably well but it’s nice to get one, especially for Steve in the race he sponsors.

“I think this is a very good horse in the making, he’s still very raw. It wasn’t the plan to go out and make it, but David said he jumped well and didn’t feel he was going quick enough so wanted to go on.

“He did say if something had taken him on it probably would have cost him the race as he was on fresh air in the last 100 yards. At the moment a mile is far enough for him.

“Holloway Bay has run his usual game race, too, but he’s carrying plenty of weight at the moment.

“The Balmoral (on Champions Day) will be the right type of race for them both.”

Angel Hunter did just enough to hold off a fast-finishing Age Of Gold in a gallant display to land the sensory-junction.co.uk Autism Awareness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.

The Richard Hannon-trained colt had not finished higher than third in any of his three career starts, but never relinquished his advantage once getting his nose in front for Ryan Moore.

The son of Acclamation, who went off at 8-1, had to overcome a deficit at halfway in the seven-furlong race, but he ebbed away at Qaseem’s early lead to draw level just as they passed the final furlong marker.

He powered ahead in the closing stages for what looked to be a comfortable victory, only for Age Of Gold to provide a late scare as Angel Hunter held on by a neck with Qaseem a further length behind in third.

Hannon said: “I wanted to run him in the sales race, but it would have been a bit sharp.

“It’s actually very fitting as he’s owned by the same people as Witch Hunter who I thought had won the Hungerford on Saturday.

“He’s disappointed me a couple of times this season, but he’s a typical Camacho. He’s got a few nice entries, the sales race at Doncaster, but he’s a horse for next year really.

“Ryan did well to win from stall 17, I just wish I could get him more often, I used to get him all the time but he’s made it!”



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Big sprint handicaps looming large for Alfa Kellenic

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Craig Lidster is keeping his options open with Alfa Kellenic after the filly won for the fourth time in a row in the Fergie & Myra Happel Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap.

The daughter of Havana Grey was held up at the back of the field before making headway on the near side approaching the furlong pole.

Tom Eaves then asked her for extra effort and she got up in the final strides to head Mythical Phoenix on the line by a short head at odds of 4-1.

Aberama Gold was three-quarters of a length further adrift in third.

That completed a hat-trick on the turf this season following more straightforward wins at Thirsk and York in the hands of 5lb claimer William Pyle.

She also came home at the head of the field on the all-weather at Newcastle at the beginning of the year before taking a break ahead of her turf campaign and with black type the ultimate objective, Lidster is considering what next with the three-year-old.

Lidster: “She’s still improving and has got there in the end against older horses.

“She had plenty to do, but she’s a very versatile filly and she’s a real good prospect going forward, isn’t she?

“The Ayr Gold Cup would be a target and we’ve got her in the Stewards’ Cup, which would be a target, but obviously getting some black type is our main target at some point this year.”

Kevin Ryan’s newcomer King’s Call made the perfect start to his racecourse career in the Hospitality At Scottish Sun Ladies Night Novice Stakes.

The Dandy Man colt raced keenly at the head of affairs before being shaken up to keep on and come home a length clear of We Dare To Dream, again in the hands of Eaves, at 3-1.

Eaves told Racing TV: “Kevin was very pleased him. He’s done everything right at home. I really like the way he went through the race.

“He stayed well but at the same time he showed plenty of speed. But very pleased with him. He just went through the gears nicely.”



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Alfa Kellenic completes hat-trick to give Craig Lidster first York winner

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Local trainer Craig Lidster hailed Alfa Kellenic’s latest triumph as the “highlight of my career so far” after the improving filly provided him with a first winner at York on Friday.

The daughter of Havana Grey had won on her only previous turf appearance at Thirsk earlier this month and justified her status as a 9-4 market leader for the British EBF Supporting Racing With Pride Fillies’ Stakes with a two-and-a-quarter length success.

After initially being held up, Lidster’s charge took charge of proceedings entering the last of six furlongs, pulling clear of Flaccianello to complete her hat-trick in fine style in the hands of 5lb claimer William Pyle.

“She’s a lovely filly, she’s got a future in front of her,” said Lidster.

“It’s my first York winner so there was a lot of pressure on today. It’s a great day for all connections.

“It’s my local track so it’s brilliant. It’s the highlight of my career so far.”

Harry Eustace also looks to have an exciting filly on his hands after 16-1 shot Havana Gila outshone more fancied rivals in the Juddmonte EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes.

Havana Gila claimed the Juddmonte EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes at York
Havana Gila claimed the Juddmonte EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes at York (Josh Luckhurst/PA)

The two-year-old is the first foal to come out of With Caution, who was under the guidance of James Eustace – Harry’s father – in the latter stages of her racing career.

It was 6-4 favourite River Seine who led the way for much of the six-furlong contest, but Havana Gila nipped up her inner late on under Hayley Turner to prevail by a length and a half.

“Fantastic,” said Eustace. “She’s the first foal out of the mare and she was very, very tough there. It got very tight on the rail and she’s always been very hardy at home.

“She ran well first time and Hayley has given her a great ride. It’s fantastic, great prize money and breeding a winner for Harold (Nass, owner) is fantastic.”

Ron O was a popular winner of the Seat Unique Handicap, providing veteran trainer Ray Craggs with his first ever victory on the Knavesmire.

The 80-year-old also owns the six-year-old, who is one of only four horses he has in work at his Sedgefield base.

A large blanket would have covered the leading contenders before Ron O got his nose in front for the first time at the final furlong marker, an advantage the 28-1 shot never relinquished as he kept up the gallop to seal a two-length victory and the £36,000 first prize in the feature race on the card.

“I thought we would be out of depth a bit. I’m lost for words, I just thought I was making the numbers up,” said Craggs.

“I’ve never had a horse good enough to run here really. It’s only my second runner here, I didn’t know how to get here!”

Tolstoy rallied from the rear of the field to record a two-length success in the Andy Thornton Hospitality Furniture Apprentice Handicap.

Brian Ellison’s charge (18-1) looked unlikely to challenge for top honours when second from last with two furlongs remaining, but showed a tremendous turn of foot to secure 16-year-old jockey Shay Farmer his first ever victory on only his second ride.

Apprentice jockey Farmer, who hails from Hawick in Scotland, said: “I was hoping for him to come out and win, but I couldn’t get the opening. He was always flying for me in the end, I couldn’t be happier!

“I’ve been with him (Ellison) since 2021, maybe. It was only for a two-week trial and I started full-time with him in January and really kicked on.”

The Ollie Pears-trained Inconspicuous (14-1) shed his maiden tag in the CGE Yorkshire Rous Selling Stakes under Harry Russell.

The son of Inns Of Court was sold for £29,000 to Gay Kelleway in the auction after the race.

Pears said: “He was a £15,000 yearling, he’s won plenty of prize money and when you start getting up there, you have a fair bit of commission to pay so a good day, we aren’t sad. This horse is going to win more races, obviously.”

Invisible Friend (18-1) returned from a 265-day break to score in the concluding Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Stakes for Kevin Ryan and Rowan Scott.



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Lidster remembers ‘inspirational’ Rob Burrow

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Trainer Craig Lidster has paid tribute to the “inspirational” Rob Burrow as the racing industry adds their condolences to those of the wider sporting world.

Burrow, an England international rugby league player who spent his whole career with Leeds Rhinos, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019 after retiring two years prior.

After his diagnosis he threw himself into charity work, dedicating his final years to raising over £20million to benefit those with MND in the future.

A part of this effort was the Rob Burrow Racing Club, a syndicate overseen by the Good Racing Company that donated all of its profits to Burrow’s cause.

Macarone was a winner at Beverley for the Rob Burrow Racing Club
Macarone was a winner at Beverley for the Rob Burrow Racing Club (BigBangPR)

The syndicate owned Burrow Seven and Beep Beep Burrow, trained by Jedd O’Keeffe, and more recently Macarone, who is based with Lidster in Easingwold, York.

Lidster trained the horse to two victories last year, including a nursery handicap at Beverley when Burrow and his family were present.

Leeds Rhinos announced Burrow’s death aged 41 on Sunday evening, triggering widespread messages of condolence to his friends, former team mates and his family; wife Lindsey and children Macy, Maya and Jackson.

“It’s a devastating news, my thoughts are with his family, he was just an inspirational man and an inspirational father – it’s a sad loss to the sporting world,” said Lidster.

Rob Burrow with members of his Racing Club at Beverley
Rob Burrow with members of his Racing Club at Beverley (BigBangPR)

“He stayed in the public eye after his diagnosis and him and Doddie Weir brought the disease to the forefront of people’s minds. Without them plenty of people would be none the wiser.

“That was a very emotional day at Beverley, his kids picked up the trophy and it was bittersweet, that memory will be with me forever now.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, we’re just gutted for them. It’s very, very tough.”



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Graham Lee ‘humbled’ by racing club initiative

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On the 20th anniversary of Graham Lee winning the Grand National on Amberleigh House, a new racing club was launched to help raise money for the jockey after he suffered life-changing injuries in a fall at Newcastle in November.

The 48-year-old had a long and distinguished career in the saddle – under both codes. As well as winning the Grand National, he completed the unique double of riding the Gold Cup winner at Royal Ascot, via Trip To Paris.

The Graham Lee Racing Club has been set up by the Good Racing Company, founded by Phil Hawthorne, who established a similar venture for former rugby league player Rob Burrow.

They have purchased a two-year-old filly called We’ve Got This, in reference to a message Lee’s wife Becky posted on social media after the accident.

Lee’s daughter Amy and son Robbie have been at the forefront of the fundraising, with the latter designing the club’s logo, featured around Lee’s favourite number 17, also the number Amberleigh House wore at Aintree and the cost, £17, to join the venture, while Amy set up the initial Just Giving page.

Graham Lee with son Robbie, wife Becky and daughter Amy in hospital
Graham Lee with son Robbie, wife Becky and daughter Amy in hospital (Louise Pollard)

She said: “It’s so nice that something so positive comes out of something so awful. I love meeting people who know dad, everyone has their really cool stories and everyone has been wanting to help so much. It’s nice to create something positive.

“When we set up a Just Giving page for dad, the target was £100, last week it hit £200,000 – which is crazy. I never expected that.

“I’ve always said to dad every time he has a negative thought, there’s a donation to show him he needs to keep going, there are so many people behind him.

“When he’s had his down days, we’ve sat there and we’ve read all the lovely messages and it always puts a smile on our faces.

“We’ve had so much support and the McCoys have been like a second family to us – the night it happened AP picked me up, as I live near him, and he brought me up home.”

She went on: “Dad is just dad to me. I never really clicked how incredible he was. I’ve always thought the world of him but another jockey said to me ‘he’s like God, he’s who everyone wants to be like’. It’s so nice to hear something like that.

“I wish that I could be half the person. I’m a performer, I’m studying musical theatre, and to have that competitive mindset to be a winner, to be a champion, is admirable.

“While he was a jockey, it was onto the next thing. When he won the National, he was just thinking ‘I need to go to Hexham tomorrow’, he never got to celebrate it really, but since his accident, he’s really reflected and we’ve pulled out the old photos and old videos.

“When his friends and fellow jockeys come and see him, they reflect on races from years ago and his memory is insanely sharp. I think it’s starting to click that ‘actually, I think I was all right. I don’t think I did too bad a job’.

“So many people have come to see him or got in touch with a message, it’s been so nice and really kept dad going.

“The world goes on but for us four, we’re still at November 11, time’s just stopped since then. Everyone has been carrying on, as they should. But it’s nice that people are still caring at this point, five months down the line. They are still showing up, ringing, messaging.”

Club ambassador Adele Mulrennan with Paul Hanagan on the left with trainer Craig Lidster and Good Racing Company founder Phil Hawthorne on the right of William Pyle with We've Got This
Club ambassador Adele Mulrennan with Paul Hanagan on the left with trainer Craig Lidster and Good Racing Company founder Phil Hawthorne on the right of William Pyle with We’ve Got This (Louise Pollard)

Lee’s former weighing room colleague and dual champion jockey Paul Hanagan is now assistant trainer to Craig Lidster, who has been entrusted with looking after We’ve Got This.

“It’s an honour to be involved in this, Graham’s family are closely involved, Steve and Wendy Burdett, who own Eboracum Stables, have given us the horse, so a lot of thanks go to them,” said Hanagan.

“The filly is by Invincible Army, she’s been doing everything right and I’ve sat on her myself. She’s flourished these last few months and we’re really looking forward to the season.

“Obviously, I’ve had a few sleepless nights hoping I’ve picked a good one! Hopefully she’ll be running in the next five to six weeks.

“Graham has made a huge contribution to racing all through his career and I’d love to give something back.”

Lee himself said: “I’m really humbled that a fundraising racing club has been set up in my honour, and that Paul Hanagan has chosen the horse for me. I’ve been shown videos of the horse and she looks very promising. No pressure Paul, but I hope you’ve picked a winner!

“I’ve seen what the Good Racing Company has achieved for Rob Burrow and how it’s united the racing community. I have high hopes that this new racing club achieves the same success with We’ve Got This, and my family and I look forward to following the excitement and being part of this new community.”

Lidster, whose yard is flourishing, said: “As you can see, she’s a nice, big filly, so hopefully we might get to York at some point.

“I don’t want to put her on a pedestal but she’s going the right way, she’s got a great attitude, she loves her work and we’re pleased with her.

“She has size and scope about her, so we’ll be choosing the right track for her; galloping tracks like York and Doncaster.

“This is a special cause. Family is family, whether that is your own or the racing industry – and that is how we look at Graham and anyone else in this sport, we all look to help each other when these things happen.”

More information can be found at: https://thegoodracing.co/



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Macarone on a mission for Rob Burrow Racing Club at Thirsk

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Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster admits he has been humbled by the chance to train Macarone for the Rob Burrow Racing Club as he sets his sights on a fitting Pontefract date later this month.

Burrow’s battle with motor neurone disease has touched the hearts of the nation and has also left a lasting impression on the Easingwold-based handler, who has relished the opportunity to train for the racing club that raises money for charity in the former England and Leeds Rhinos star’s name.

Lidster has recorded 30 winners so far in his fledgling training career, but none meant as much to him as Macarone’s maiden triumph at Beverley last month, which came on his first start in the Rob Burrow Racing Club colours.

And although injuring his back on the gallops a day before Macarone broke his duck, Lidster was trackside to witness the son of Havana Grey open his account in the hands of Paul Hanagan, who not long afterwards announced his retirement from the saddle.

Training for Rob Burrow has been humbling for Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster
Training for Rob Burrow has been humbling for Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster (Mike Egerton/PA)

He said: “We were thrilled to bits to get that win at Beverley and it was special as it was one of Paul’s last rides.

“It’s an honour to train for Rob. People asked me before Macarone won what was the pinnacle of my training career and I would say watching Julie Camacho and Steve Brown win Group Ones with Shaquille because they are very good friends of mine.

“But to go and top that with Macarone winning for the Rob Burrow Racing Club was a massive pleasure and humbling.

“I had broken my back the day before (in an accident on the gallops) and people were saying ‘what are you doing here?’. But when you turn around and see people in a worse situation than you, there was no way I was going to miss that in a million years.”

Having now got off the mark, Macarone will now attempt to climb the ratings at Thirsk in a bid to secure his place in a Pontefract nursery later this month.

It would be an appropriate climax to the youngster’s juvenile campaign with the race taking place in Burrow’s home town and at the closest racecourse to Leeds where he made his name in the Rhinos’ jersey.

“He is going to go to Thirsk on Monday,” continued Lidster.

“The main target is Pontefract on September 28 which is Rob’s home track so we would like to get Macarone to Rob’s home turf. The race is a 0-78 so we would like to come up the weights a bit to make sure we get in there.

“He’s a nice horse and a nice prospect going forward and with Rob Burrow taking him on, both myself and Steve (Burdett, the horse’s previous owner) were really keen to help Rob in any way we can.

“It’s a massive cause for such a lovely fella and we just couldn’t turn down helping.”



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Land Lover revved up for Woodcote with Demuro in the saddle

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Craig Lidster has called on the services of Arc-winning rider Cristian Demuro as Land Lover forms part of a three-pronged Nick Bradley Racing assault on the British EBF 40th Anniversary Woodcote Stakes.

Demuro – who is Italian but primarily rides in France – is making the trip to Epsom to partner Heartache Tonight for David Menuisier in the Betfred Oaks and will get the chance for a sighter of the Surrey Downs aboard Lidster’s Land Force colt, who caught the eye when fourth in a competitive maiden at York on debut.

Land Lover now steps up in trip to six furlongs – a distance the Yorkshire handler believes will suit his charge – as he joins Amy Murphy’s Ripon runner-up Fifty Grand Slater and Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Maymay representing the Nick Bradley Racing syndicate that won this contest with Oscula two years ago.

“He ran a good race at York in what looked a nice novice,” said Lidster.

“Take nothing away from him, but he wasn’t as fit as I would have liked that day and he has come on from that run. We’re pretty sweet on him.

“It’s giving the owners a nice day out and what will be will be, but I think six furlongs will suit. He was never a five-furlong horse in our eyes, but York is just down the road and he needed the run. So we put him in that nice race to see what would happen and to be fair to him, he came up trumps and finished a nice fourth.

Jockey Cristian Demuro, here winning at Royal Ascot, will be aboard Land Lover
Jockey Cristian Demuro, here winning at Royal Ascot, will be aboard Land Lover (David Davies/PA)

“That paved the way for thinking this horse could be above average and Nick Bradley thought while everyone is thinking of Ascot why don’t we think Woodcote.”

On the booking of Demuro he added: “Nick said he rides a lot for him in France and was coming over for the meeting and asked if he could book him. Sam James has had to reroute up to Carlisle otherwise it would have been his ride.”

It could prove to be a red-letter weekend for Lidster if his venture south proves successful and 24 hours after Land Lover’s run in the Woodcote, he could saddle Dickieburd in the inaugural Aston Martin 3YO “Dash'” Handicap.

A maximum of 14 will go to post for the five-furlong contest and Lidster is left sweating ahead of declarations with his three-year-old on the cusp of making the final line-up.

“I think it’s the best decision all year to put in a race like that and we’ve put our apprentice on to take the 7lb off,” he continued.

“He’s in great order at home and we’re going there with the hope that we might get in.

“If we do we’ll need the luck of the draw, but he’s a very fast horse and a front-runner and we know Epsom is the fastest five furlongs in the world and a front-runners track so hopefully it will play to his strengths a little bit.”



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