A HORSE trainer whose yard sits on the Herefordshire border took the biggest win of the summer horse jumping season.
Minellacelebration timed his effort to perfection to win the bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter earlier this month.
Hay-on-Wye trainer Katy Price celebrated the victory for her small yard with local jockey Ben Poste bringing home the honours.
Minellacelebration, aged 10, came from behind and caught runaway leader Bandsman, trained by Dan Skelton, in the final strides of the race.
"He won it by a neck," said Price.
"The other horse had gone out too soon and was tying up, he just caught him on the line.
"Dan Skelton is a big fish in training terms and in terms of our yard we are a little fish, so it was nice to beat him."
Minellacelebration has now won three times at the Uttoxeter track from three runs.
He started his winning career at Hereford racecourse in a point to point back in 2015.
Price has 20 horse at her Hay-on-Wye yard while some of the biggest trainers can have up to 200.
With racing cancelled in March it has been an uncertain time for horse trainers with staff put on furlough and uncertainty when racing would commence again.
"We have started back in the best possible way," added Price.
"We are due a good season as we have been improving the quality of our horses. I've only been training for five years so as a yard we've grown quite quickly and had a lot of success for a small yard."
Price has several other horses in the coming week and has marked Eclair Des Sablons as one to watch.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here