Stanage was a 25/1 winner at Doncaster this afternoon to celebrate trainer Mick Easterby's 94th birthday.
Bought out of John and Thady Gosden's yard last October, Stanage is owned by Nick Bradley Racing and became our first winner of the 2025 turf season.
Joanna Mason was the successful rider, providing a fabulous birthday present for her grandad as the four-year-old took the first division of the 'William Hill Proper Prices Handicap', beating 33/1 shot Warm Spell by half a length.
"It means a lot to me", said Joanna after the race. "A big thank you to the owners for putting me up. They said I should ride today as I do most of the work with him at home."
"He's one of my favourites and I have a lot of faith with him. It was a bit on the soft side when he ran on the final day of last season at Doncaster, but today he just bounced off the ground."
"He does race with a high head carriage which makes him look like he doesn't want to do it, but it's just the way he runs and he's genuine. He ran right through to the line today and he gave me a great feel."
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