The Lady Dudley Cup and Chaddesley Corbett Point-to-Point

This year's Lady Dudley Cup – one of point-to-point's most prestigious races – was won by Sybarite ridden by Alex Edwards and trained by Phillip Rowley.

Owned by Raymond Mould, Sybarite was apparently bought in a "job lot" with top racehorse Sprinter Sacre, owned by Mould's wife Caroline. 

The Lady Dudley Cup continues a tradition started by the Countess of Dudley in 1897. Her husband was Master of the Worcestershire Hunt, whose annual point-to-point was held to thank local farmers for allowing the hunt across their land. As point-to-points at this time were only open to horses belonging to members and farmers of the hosting hunt, the Countess of Dudley and the ladies of the hunt decided to sponsor a race that was open to horses owned by subscribers of any recognised pack of foxhounds in the UK. The prize, a 50 guinea cup, was first won by Triton, owned by R. Cave-Brown-Cave and ridden by E. E. Green.

The annual Worcester Hunt Point-to-Point is now held at Chaddesley Corbett and has attracted many top horses and jockeys in their early years. Richard Johnson and Robert 'Choc' Thornton both rode round Chaddesley as amateurs, while Sam Waley-Cohen won The Lady Dudley Cup in 2007 on Irilut and has gone on to win the King George IV at Kempton Park and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Long Run amongst other successes.

Bridgnorth-based trainer Phil Rowley had high hopes for Sybarite who went into the race with an unbeaten record in 2012/13. In front of the large crowd the horse scored a half-length victory over What A Laugh in second, and Over The Phone in third.

With owner Raymond Mould on holiday, David Minton accepted the prize on his behalf.

The other feature race of the day was the Aga Ladies Open won by Rathcor ridden by Miss A Sterling and owned and trained by Belbroughton-based Stephen Rea. The runner-up was Empress Orchid ridden by Miss A Dalton.

All photographs by Ian Yates www.eyewhy.co.uk

LADY DUDLEY CUP

 

Sybarite well back in the first lap…

A large crowd watched the race unfold.

By the final fence Sybarite had only one to beat.

His stamina and turn of foot saw him seal the victory.

AGA LADIES' OPEN

 

Empress Orchid

Rathcor (light blue) takes on Empress Orchid at the last to win…

A winning smile from Ally Sterling…

…and a matching one from Rathcor!

All photographs by Ian Yates www.eyewhy.co.uk

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