Thinkingofdarcy (Royal Impact-Fabulous Carmen, Oct 14), brought from breeder Dave Firmager as a grader with huge potential landed the British Breeders St.Leger at Central Park on Sunday.
The Andy Griffiths trained black was mid division in the early stages of the £4,000 decider but finished well from the fifth bend to win by seven and a quarter lengths from Windy Santos in 39.52 (N) – the fastest time of the year for the 642m and just 18 spots outside Touch Tackle’s track record.
‘Darcy’ is owned by Lee Calcutt and one of five runners trained by Andy Griffths whose kennels are set alongside Sherwood Forest near Mansfield. Darcy was spotted running A3 at Hall Green but showing great staying potential when Calcutt was recommended the dog.
Griffiths, had already had a good experience of buying lesser lights when picking up King Kane from Rab McNair for a mere £3,000 on the basis of him being a bad kenneler – and always had faith in his new charge.
He said: “He didn’t start out very well, he ran poorly in an open at Nottingham and Lee was a bit dispirited. But I knew the dog was far from right and still very novicey. We have taken our time with him because he has needed that time to grow up. He has been running in very good four bend company, was unlucky in running in the Produce Stakes Final and was then beaten a head to qualify for the final of the British Breeders Stakes behind Droopys Acrobat. But then, if he had reached the final, we wouldn’t have gone to Sittingbourne.
“He was two years old in October and has now made the switch to six bends and we plan to keep running him over the distance; he just doesn’t have enough early pace to compete with the top middle distance dogs. He’ll have a few days off now and then we’ll take him back to Hall Green for a crack at the Prestige.”
