Wood Ditton Stakes 1978

Perhaps a high point of Brigardier Gerard's stud career. His Admiral's Launch had won the Craven on the Tuesday, then Leonardo won like that, and Cecil's Brigata was to go off fav in the Nell Gwyn. She'd never run before, but was 2nd fav for the 1000 gns after blowing everything away on the gallops. Then it all went wrong - she finished last in the Nell Gwyn, and Leonardo fizzled out. I was in a betting shop on Penny Lane in Liverpool on the day he won the Wood Ditton, and the board marker ran out of room to make the price changes for him. He opened at about 7s, came into about 7/2, and then went all the way out to 10s. Apparently John Banks was laying him. I saw the horse at York when he blew out in the Dante at odds-on, and he was very sweaty beforehand, so maybe he'd been the same at Newmarket. In hindsight, his Dante run wasn't so bad, as the 4 that beat him were Shirley Heights, Julio Mariner, Sexton Blake and Remainder Man.

That was a very decent dante in fairness, did Leonardo just run the 3 times ged?

Saw Shirley Heights name and remembered backing him in the Derby that year, quite early in my punting career.... I've had other winners since!
Just looked up and can't believe he went off at 8/1, beating Lester on the fav

Greville inadvertently done me another favour in 1986 when I backed Walter Swinburn on Sharastani in the Derby, where Greville fell asleep out the back on Dancing Brave... I thought at the time that he'd won on merit and would beat him anytime... How wrong I was

Leonardo ran once more, for Henry Cecil (after Wildenstein's split with Walwyn), on Portland day at Doncaster in a 4-runner race on fast ground. He was beaten 8 lengths by Ryan Price's Conte Santi. He was being aimed at the Champion Stakes (having being originally eneterd in the Leger when with Walwyn), but didn't run. The Champion 1-2-3 was Swiss Maid, Hawaiian Sound and Gunner B (Cecil). (Conte Santi unplaced).

Fond memories…..Ta.

Shirley Heights nailing Hawaiian Sound what a ride…

Bill Shoemaker on Hawaiian Sound on the Derby - rode him beautifully from the front, but edged off the rail in the final furlong or so and let Shirley heights up his inside to win by a head. Remainder Man 3rd. Julio Mariner about 6th. Sexton Blake and Hills Yankee unplaced.

Had the camber as well to close the door….

Cheers

Good information as ever, ged.

Shoemaker hit him once with his whip in his right hand at the furlong pole, then switched to his left hand for the final furlong. Probably intent on not letting him drift down the camber, whereas if he had let him, he would have won the race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxMe-sBaXu0

There were no railings on the Rowley there until about 3f out. When did that change?  Blimey there must have been some fun in a 40 runner Cambridgeshire if you were drawn on either wing!

Don't need rails on a straight track I did notice that when I watched the video. Harder to box anyone in. Some names from the past. Shirley Heights was always a favourite of mine on course and as a sire as was his best son, Darshaan. Didn't remember he won a Dante that easily.

I was thinking more of some unscrupulous jockeys forcing a fancied horse the wrong side of a fence post sage! God knows how they would police that in the days before ubiquitous cameras everywhere.

My late father had a decent lump on Shirley Heights to win the Derby that year at 7/1 iirc, lovely to see the Dante win which I guess would have been the form that he based his bet on. Some finish from Greville there..

Leonardo Da Vinci's most impressive win was in the White Rose at Ascot when he beat Nicholas Bill 10 lengths. Maybe the three relatively quick races weren't the best idea. Lupe produced plenty of winners, including L'Ile Du Reve and Legend Of France.

Hawaiian Sound re opposed Shirley Heights in the Irish Derby and was beaten  in a close finish again with Exdirectory ( Prendergast/ Eddery) splitting the pair. Was at York when Hawaiian beat Gunner B in the B&H and had it in mind for years after that Lester had jocked off the Shoe until realising that the American was tied up to ride at the showcase Saratoga meeting.

Julio Mariner was an also ran in that B&H. He'd made at his debut almost a year earlier to the day in the Acomb but went backwards after the Dante and the Leger success over Le Moss came as a genuine surprise.