Lois Eadie, holding a picture of “Bobs Worth” who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup.gkfh2
Almost a week after she saw her prodigy Bobs Worth romp home to victory in the Gold Cup, horse breeder Lois Eadie from Brookeborough was still in “shock” as she tried to take in the incredible win.
In maintaining his unbeaten record at the track, the 11-4 favourite, outstayed Tony McCoy and Sir Des Champs up the Cheltenham hill.
The eight-year-old was bred in Brookeborough in 2005 by Mrs Eadie before she sold him on as a yearling. He has been trained by Nicky Henderson from Lambourn and is now owned by the NotAfraidPartnership.
The atmosphere in the stand was “incredible” as the favourite headed for the winning line, she told the Fermanagh Herald.
“It was absolutely unbelievable,” she said. “We are still in shock and finding it hard to take in. I said all winter if he could stay on his feet he could win the Gold Cup but to see him come from seven lengths to win by seven lengths was such an incredible feat.
“It was absolutely awesome to be in the grandstand watching with 80,000 people. Half way through the race a horse fell in front of him and Bobs Worth had to swerve and half jump over its hindquarters which put him back two lengths. Jockey Barry Geraghty was wonderful. He showed great patience and waited and waited until the second last fence and took off past the two horses in front. It was fabulous. We were roaring and cheering. It was deafening. I never dreamt I would one day have a Gold Cup winner.”
As a foal Mrs Eadie knew Bobs Worth had potential.
She explained, “Sometimes when you see a foal in a field and suddenly it takes off with the mare and you can see that great speed. He stood out as he would fly. He was sold for only £20,000 to the NotAfraidPartnership as he was not overly big which put a lot of buyers off. He never grew that big but has a terrific speed and engine; a great athlete.”
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