Patricia Pink and L'Homme Presse - 2022 Brown Advisory Chase

MY FESTIVAL WINNER – PATRICIA PINK, PART OWNER OF L’HOMME PRESSE, 2022 BROWN ADVISORY

Patricia Pink and her husband Peter were no stranger to Cheltenham Festival runners, as their Nordance Prince had lined up at three Festivals in the early 2000s. But, as she explains, not even the weather could dampen the thrill of owning a winner there last year!

How did you get involved in ownership?
My Husband Peter and I first came into racing with a horse called Mona's Prince in early 1993. He was an ex-racehorse that we bought for our youngest daughter to ride. This didn't work out for various reasons, so we decided to try him back in racing with David Wilson, who was based local to us in Epsom. He did not prove successful, and after six races with no luck we retired him again. However, he sparked the racing bug in us as we enjoyed going to the races and wanted more.

David bought on our behalf a two-year-old colt who we named Nordance Prince, with whom we had lots of fun.  He won three races on the Flat, running in our company name "Pinks Gym". After a tendon injury, we sent him to Venetia Williams, where he went on to be very successful winning lots more races, including the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot (when it was a Grade 2) and the Castleford at Wetherby. He retired from racing in 2004. Since then we have remained owners intermittently over the years and were still enjoying ourselves and having more success. After we sold our business we decided to retire from racing.

How did you find L’Homme Presse?
In summer 2021, Venetia told Peter that Andy Edwards was looking for a partner to take a half share which was available in L'Homme Presse.  Peter was very keen, but I was a bit dubious at first as he'd had a tendon injury in the past. Luckily I saw sense in the end and he went from strength to strength in such a short time!

What do you remember about the lead up to the race?
We had enjoyed an unbeaten run going into Cheltenham, starting with his Novice wins at Exeter and Ascot. We started to get excited after the Dipper over Christmas time, and then really started thinking about returning to Cheltenham for the Festival after his Scilly Isles win at Sandown. We had some options of where to go, but the Brown Advisory was always the most likely option and we went there with high hopes.

 

Where did you watch the race from?
The Brown Advisory is on the second day of the Festival and if you remember last year the rain was torrential that day. It started on our journey to the course and did not stop all day! We had got very damp by the time of the race, which was the second on the card. After the paddock everyone raced off to the stands to watch the race, but as it was wet and slippery I waited with the crowds at the bottom of the owners viewing area.

When the commentator shouted 'They’re off!' - the noise was deafening. I settled down in my mind after the first jump, and managed to enjoy the race - somehow I just knew he was going to win. At the end of the race I was jumping up and down with my umbrella amongst the crowds!

How did you feel when L’Homme Presse crossed the line in front?
t was truly a magical moment -  a dream come true. Not only was it a Festival winner, but to happen in a Grade 1 was very special and the pinnacle of our racing career. How I got to the winners’ enclosure is a blur. Then I saw a wonderful sight: my husband Peter leading L'Homme Presse in with the huge roar of the crowd. It truly was an amazing sight, one I will never forget.

How did you celebrate?
Going up to collect the trophy presentation with Peter, Andy and Pam were greeted by the lovely Zara Tindall, who after the presentation photos then took us up to the Royal Box for Champagne which was marvellous. We had the honour to meet Princess Anne there too. Zara then took us to the Jockey Club for more Champagne! What a wonderful day, we really couldn't have asked for more.

L’Homme Presse is currently recuperating from his injury at the moment, so we won’t be back at Cheltenham this year – but hopefully we can come back next year and help make some more wonderful memories!