Every Breeders Dream

It was the first weekend in June - Derby Day.  The sky was a deep cobalt more reminiscent of the Mediterranean that an English summer’s day and Harry Ormesher had just realised his greatest ambition.  He was waiting to be presented with his prize as breeder of Sir Percy, who had just won the Derby in a scintillating finish, literally in the last stride of the race.  To the onlooker Harry seemed bemused, as though the truth of his achievement had not sunk it, but when this was later remarked upon he said “Oh no!  It’s just that I was remembering ‘Lucky’, how we owed it all to her and wishing she was still with us…”.

The story behind Sir Percy’s triumph was seized upon by the press, euphoric that just for once one  of racing’s most prestigious prizes should evade the super battalions of Coolmore and Godolphin only to fall to an owner with a string of only two horses and bred by one of those small breeders who generally simply live in hope! 

It is well documented that Victoria and Anthony Pakenham-Walsh missed buying Sir Percy at the sales but later bought him privately from trainer Marcus Tregonning when another owner defaulted, also that they had admired Sir Percy as a foal at the home of Victoria’s Aunt Iris, the farm where Harry had based his small breeding operation.  What perhaps is less well known is why Sir Percy grew into the horse that he is and just how much of his success is dependent on his breeder’s dedication and hands on approach.