Black-Type Getaway Mare Maintains Perfect Hurdle Record

Black-type performer Queens Gamble (5m Getaway - Gambling Girl, by Hawk Wing) returned to make it two from two over hurdles at Kempton on Monday.

The daughter of Getaway ran out a hugely impressive winner of a Listed mares’ bumper at Cheltenham last November and ended the season with a successful hurdle bow. She was then trained by Oliver Sherwood, who now assists her new trainer Harry Derham, and was sent off favourite to make a winning start for the stable in the Novices’ Hurdle.

She raced prominently throughout the two mile contest and was pushed along to lead at the second last. Running on well on the run-in, she won by two and a quarter lengths under Jonathan Burke.

“Queens Gamble is obviously a good mare,” Harry Derham later commented. I'm always nervous when you bring a horse to the races that is not fully wound up that it will catch them out. Johnny (Burke) and I said last night if she is as good as we hope then she won't need to be fully wound up today.”

Looking to the future, the young trainer continued, “The mares' novices' hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival will be absolutely made for her. She has won at Cheltenham before so we just need to plot our way there.”

Owned by A Frost and E Galvin, Queens Gamble was bred by Ardmulchan Stud. A full-sister to the Getaway mare sold for €80,000 at this year’s store sales.