Old Gold owners celebrate Apple Away's comeback win as she pepares for Paris race

Apple is Perth's 'Fair Maid' at first meeting of the season

Apple Away with jockey Derek Fox and trainer Lucinda Russell. Image from Old Gold Racing.

By Kirsten Binnie

OWNERS of Apple Away, part of the Old Gold syndicate, celebrated a welcome and slightly unexpected win from their star mare Apple Away at Perth in April as she took first place in a thrilling photo finish in the Listed Fair Maid of Perth Mares' Chase.

Just a few months ago, Apple - a yard favourite at Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore's Arlary House premises near Milnathort, Perthshire - was found to have a slight injury after a race at Carlisle and vets discovered that she needed a procedure to put a pin in her cannon bone after a slight fracture was discovered.

The bay mare was put on box rest and looked after by a team of vets and the staff who care for her day-to-day, then gradually brought back into work.

She showed her toughness and proved that she had healed well by putting in a decent jumping display first time out ridden by Derek Fox and then - despite being in third place as they turned for home behind National starter Panic Attack and Ruby Island - she rallied and won, beating her rivals by one and a quarter lengths.

Apple Away and her 'lass' Els.

Now nine-year-old Apple will be aimed at the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil and Old Gold owners are planning a trip to the Paris district to watch her in action.

Old Gold Racing's Pete Marsden said: "We couldn't be happier with Apple's return and her win. Apple has been our star mare for a number of years now and has amassed somewhat of a cult following.

"We were very much hoping for a competitive run for her race at Perth and in all honesty we just wanted her to come home safe and sound and get ready for her next rsce. But Apple had different ideas, as she always does!

"To come back in that fashion in such a competitive race, where it looked like she was beginning to tail off, was just unbelievable to watch. Having so many owners there on the day made it extra special, and it certainly has us dreaming of what could be in the French Champion Hurdle!"

The meeting at Perth Racecourse and Apple's race coincided with two days of stable visits to the Perthshire yard run by Lucinda and the Scudamores and Old Gold Racing worked with Perth Racecourse to secure discounted tickets for Apple's owners on the day of her race.

"The stable visits themselves couldn't have gone better, " said Pete, "We have worked with Lucinda and the Scudamores for a number of years now and our appreciation of the work they do couldn't be higher. They were extremely hospitable to our 150 owners on each day of the visit, and we couldn't have been happier with how they went."

Old Gold Racing's good luck and winning ways continued at Perth as Viscountess Nelson, the second horse Nicky Henderson trains for the club, won under rules for the first time, taking the Stonepack Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Viscountess Nelson is the first of Old Gold's syndicates run in partnership with Francesa Cumani, and she is showing promise for the autumn season.

Pete added: "We were more than happy with how the entire Perth Festival turned out, and we have to give special thanks to Perth themselves amongst many others for how helpful they were to us and our owners."

Apple is entered for the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) at Auteuil, Paris, on 16th May.

Trainer Nicky Henderson with Old Gold's Viscountess Nelson, jockey James Bowen and Old Gold Racing owners. Image from Old Gold Racing.

Apple Away and Els at the Old Gold Racing owner's day at Lucida Russell's yard. Image by Pip Larkin.

For more information on Old Gold Racing, go to http://www.oldgoldracing.com