Footstepsinthesand Colt Blows Them Away At York

Thursday saw Mums Tipple (2c Footstepsinthesand - Colomone Cross, by Xaar) demolish the opposition in the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes, as he strode 11 lengths clear of 20 rivals on the second day of the York Ebor Festival.

The competitive six furlong contest has produced the likes of Wootton Bassett, Bogart and Tasleet in the past, and Mums Tipple’s challenge was increased by conceding weight all round following his debut victory in an Ascot maiden. Ryan Moore rode the chesnut to make all and pushed him clear as they approached the final furlong, driving him out as his rivals did their best to rein him in, but to no avail.

The winner was later quoted at 12/1 for the 2,000 Guineas, with trainer Richard Hannon unsurprisingly confirming that he was entered in “all the big ones.” The delighted trainer commented after the race, “We thought Mums Tipple was a very nice horse when he won at Ascot but I haven't seen a horse of ours win like that for years. He's one of the nicest horses we've had in terms of the way he looks, behaves and moves - he's a little bit different. He does his thing at home and to me he looks like he'll still improve.”

Mums Tipple has more than repaid his £45,000 price tag when bought as a yearling by Peter and Ross Doyle from Portlester Stud. Owned by Marian Lyons and Patricia Zanelli, he was bred by Abbey Bloodstock out of a half-sister to useful sprinter Mombassa and Listed winner Gwaihir, as well as to the dam of Group 2 Vintage Stakes victor Chandlery.

Richard Hannon has enjoyed much success with the progeny of Footstepsinthesand, with his current string including Threat, winner of the Gr.2 Gimcrack Stakes and runner-up in both the Group 2 Coventry Stakes and Group 2 Richmond Stakes. Footstepsinthesand commands €10,000 at Castlehyde Stud.