Racing Centre

Mine - three-time winner of the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup

MINE, one of the most popular handicappers on the Flat in recent times, is to be retired after one last roll of the dice in his favourite race, the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup.

The 10-year-old ‘entire’ is the only three-time winner of the famous £100,000 handicap, which will be run on The July Course, Newmarket on July 11.

Mine’s first triumph in the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup came in 2002 with jockey Kieren Fallon aboard. Richard Quinn rode him to a short head success in the race in 2005 before Mick Kinane completed the hat-trick 12 months later.

There was also a near-miss in the 2003 when subsequent Group 1 winner Patavellian pipped the James Bethell-trained horse by a short head.

As well as his Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup heroics, Mine has given his owner Mike Dawson plenty of other special days. In his 65-race career, he won both the Victoria Cup and the Royal Hunt Cup in 2004, while achieving Listed success for the first time only last year with victory in the John O’Gaunt Stakes at Haydock.

No wonder, Dawson is fond of his star horse, who will stand as a stallion at his owner’s stud just south of York once his career finishes next month.

Dawson said: “He is a lovely chap and given me so much pleasure. He is part of the family and I would not sell him for all the tea in China.

“He will retire after the Bunbury Cup and he’s going to frolic with the fillies at my Allerthorpe Farm Stud.

“He has done extremely well for me. But apart from winning over £350,000-worth of prize money, I have a lot of affection for him. He is really well-mannered for a horse of his size. He is a gentle giant with a heart of gold and an abundance of talent.

“When he won the Royal Hunt Cup it was the thrill of my life. I count myself very fortunate to own such a great horse. He’s remarkable.”

Dawson confirmed that Mine’s initial stud fee will be around the £1500-£1700 mark – and added: ‘a bargain at twice the price!’

Dawson paid tribute to Middleham-based Bethell, saying: “Mine is quite a straightforward horse but James has done a fabulous job with him. I don’t think that he is given sufficient horses to show just how good he is, but I find him first-class.”

Newmarket Racecourses will extend a warm welcome to Mine when he ventures to The July Course for one last time.

Michael Prosser, the track’s Director of Racing, said: “To win the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup on no less than three occasions is an extraordinary achievement from a very good and very tenacious horse.

“Mine has always seemed to have thrived in the hustle, bustle of the race and we are very pleased that he will be competing it again this year. We also very much look forward to welcoming his connections.”

By Tony Rushmer