Former jockey Nick Scholfield marked a significant milestone in his new career as a trainer when St Irene delivered a commanding victory in the pricedup.bet Mares' Maiden Hurdle at Wincanton. This win, coming just two weeks after Scholfield sent out his first runner, highlights a promising start to his training journey.
Scholfield enjoyed an illustrious riding career spanning nearly two decades, securing four Grade 1 wins and three Cheltenham Festival titles. Transitioning quickly into training, his 13th runner turned out to be the lucky charm, with St Irene justifying her status as the favourite with a dominant 13-length triumph.
“It’s a big moment,” Scholfield reflected. “For her to win the way she did shows she is a special mare, and she will always be special to me. I’m grateful to the owners for entrusting her to me in July, and having a horse of her caliber so early in my training career is a real privilege.”
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The mare had previously hinted at her potential when narrowly missing out at Newbury, where she rattled the crossbar as a 40-1 outsider in Scholfield’s training debut. This victory, achieved in impressive style without needing to use a lead, underlines her rapid progress and bright future.
“For a trainer to have a horse like St Irene is truly special,” Scholfield added. “I believe she’s improved since Newbury. This win also qualifies her for the Herring Queen Mares' Novices' Hurdle Series. She already earned black type as a bumper horse, so I’m eager to see what more she can achieve over hurdles before planning for the spring.”
Elsewhere at Wincanton, Bryony Frost showed promise riding Dublin Bay, trained by her father Jimmy Frost, a 1989 Grand National-winning jockey. Though Dublin Bay ultimately finished fourth, Frost’s skillful ride kept the mare competitive in a strong field. Frost, based mainly in France as a retained jockey for prominent owners, now turns her focus to Ascot for upcoming rides.
Nick Scholfield’s swift success as a trainer coupled with promising performances by riders like Frost signal exciting times ahead in National Hunt racing.