IT WAS a good day for grey horses when Taunton hosted their opening meeting of the 2024-25 season because three of the six races were won by greys, writes Richard Walsh.

The first grey winner of the day was Jukebox Annie who claimed the third race after going off at 18-1 in the four horse event. The next was in the fifth when School for Scandal triumphed at 7-2 for Tiverton based trainer Joe Tickle under Taylor Fisher, while the last race of the day was also won by another grey, Chadbadatika, ridden by Rex Dingle at 22-1.

Jukebox Annie’s success delighted local punters because the five year old mare is owned and trained by Claire Hitch who is based at Higher Sminhays Farm, high up on the Brendon Hills with views out over Watchet and the Bristol Channel far below. However the mare’s success was also a welcome boost for her trainer because not only was it her first winner of the season it was also Claire’s first taste of success since she had an accident.

“I had an accident after Christmas and damaged my spinal cord and two vertebrae but it could have been much worse and there was a lot of people in hospital worse off than me. However I am progressing well and just very grateful for the team back here, to the injured jockeys fund, injury armour at Taunton Rugby Club and my husband for putting up with me!” Claire said.

“Winning the race has been a huge fillip to me and the yard and everybody involved. It was just what the doctor ordered.”

Talking about the winner Claire said: “She’s had a few problems so we have persevered and given her a bit more time and she has certainly strengthened up and won very nicely.

“We have been up here five years and I took my permit out first during covid and have progressed from there really.The horses with me are very much one to one and if they are not quite happy you can go rummaging through the woods and go on different jollies and just hope that works. I’m still the old fashioned way of getting horses fit.

“My parents also had a box because it was my mother’s birthday so quite a lot of my family were there as well. To do it at Taunton was more special than anywhere else - apart from Cheltenham, of course.

Looking ahead Claire said: “I have got five in the yard at the minute but now I’m out and about and a lot more mobile, hopefully we can start to build up a few more.”