Connections of Ventura Storm
What a weekend of racing that was, with Group Ones coming from all over Europe. Two runners in two of those races came from the Richard Hannon yard and they both ran gallantly to finish second. The first of those was VENTURA STORM who looked all out the winner with half a furlong to go just getting nabbed on the line. 'I couldn't have been happier with my lad who defied his pedigree and the racing pundits to run a very good second. Being the son of Zoffany, we had no real intention of running him over more than a mile and a quarter at the beginning of the year but he jumped through every hoop and seemed to really appreciate every time
we stepped him up. He is going to be a fun horse next year for Middleham Park in those mile and a half races and could even eventually be a Melbourne Cup horse. I am chuffed for the team at home and all the owners.'
The second of those Group One runners was MEHMAS who took his chance in the National Stakes at the Curragh. He travelled nicely into before getting tired towards the line holding on for second place. 'He has won two Group Twos over six furlongs and it was worth a go at stepping him up to seven. However he didn't look to quite get home and so the obvious target is to head to the Middle Park at Newmarket. He is such a tough horse but was out stayed yesterday.'
With a quiet week after Doncaster where there were some solid performances all round it gives the team time to recuperate for the final part of the season. Richard is sat second in the trainers championship and still has some strong shots to fire to round off the year