Rockstar Icon came out his Lingfield race really well, we were absolutely thrilled with the victory, he really did win it in style, and was clearly the best horse in the race. 

We’d always thought he was a nice horse, but it’s always nerve-wracking when they then run, as horses can make fools out of us! To win as he did from that wide draw was really exciting to watch, and we’d like to thank the Coral Racing Club for supporting us, and for being so patient with this fellow.

He will get his official handicap mark next Tuesday, 9th January, and while it will be interesting to see what the handicapper makes of the victory, our initial thinking is to put the horse away now and aim him at a spring and summer campaign back on the turf. We think he’s a miler, mile and a quarter horse at this stage, and he will have plenty of options at all the big tracks, which is such an exciting prospect.

As I say that’s what we’re thinking, now, but we will update you all once we know what his handicap mark will be, as there is a slight possibility that we could look for a race in France for him if we felt he could take advantage of his handicap mark. There is a listed race at Cagnes Sur Mer in late February that could suit him, but I must stress that’s only a slight possibility, we’re much more likely to give him a break and bring him back in the spring.

Aside from his issue with sore shins last year, he’s been such a sound horse, and that’s another positive about him.  They were really just growing pains, nothing untoward, and again the club’s patience has meant we were able to give him time, and now we should be able to reap the rewards of that.

The plan was always to try to win a race with him as a 2-year-old, we managed it on the very last day possible, and it’s not often plans work quite so well!

Oliver Cole, Coral Racing Club Trainer