Washington Heights goes close in Deauville

The 12 owners involved in Hambleton Racing’s Washington Heights are enjoying yet another fine year following their star performer on the racecourse.

Kevin Ryan’s globetrotting sprinter ran a huge race in Deauville last weekend, finishing runner-behind the Francis Graffard-trainer Shiri in the Listed Prix du Cercle.

Ridden by James Doyle, the six-year-old came close to recording a fifth Stakes win in France, finishing second in the Prix du Cercle at Deauville on the Maurice de Gheest card.Washington Heights has given his racehorse syndicate some special days to remember throughout his career, winning races in every year he has raced, and clocking up some respectable air miles.

He’s raced for his owners in England, Ireland, France, Sweden and Qatar, winning the Bro Park Sprint in Sweden and finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Dukhan Stakes in Qatar, and again in Deauville on his latest start.

His latest fine effort nudged his prize money beyond £400,000 – not bad for a horse that cost just £24,000.

Washington Heights won last year’s Listed City Walls Stakes at York and returned this spring to land the Listed Achilles Stakes at Carlisle in late May.

Understandably, he’s a hugely popular horse with his lucky owners and the staff at Kevin Ryan’s yard just outside Thirsk.

Washington Heights is now on course for Beverley Bullet on Sunday 30 August, another Listed contest, again over five furlongs.

Simon Turner, Director of Racing at Hambleton Racing, said: “We were thrilled with Washington Heights at Deauville, and he’s typically come out of the race in good order. He has never minded travelling and is credit to Kevin Ryan and his team. Kevin thinks Beverley will really suit him so hopefully he can once again do his owners proud and run another big race.”

After Beverley it’s expected Washington Heights will be on his travels again with a return trip to Sweden on the cards where he’ll bid to win the Bro Park Sprint Championship for the second time.

Hambleton Racing are well established as one of Britain’s leading syndicates having being enjoying winners for over 20 years.