Manzoni was purchased from Tattersalls Autumn Sales in October 1998. He had been sold as a yearling for 23,000 guineas and sent to Geoff Lewis but had failed to win in four starts.
We picked him up for 6,500 guineas as a two year old. It was clear he needed a trip and he would be a much better horse as a three year old.
Manzoni ran in the light and dark blue colours of Bodfari Stud, for whom we trained several horses in the late 1990s including that lightning quick sprinter Bodfari Komaite.
Manzoni's first win came at Southwell on the all weather in July 1999. We put the blinkers on and they worked a treat, as he won nicely over a mile and a half ridden by stable jockey Terry Lucas.
He still needed further but had to wait til the following year for his next win, taking the 'Royal Scots Cup Handicap' at Musselburgh ridden by Paul Hanagan.
The following year Manzoni struck up a fantastic partnership with Sam Hitchcott. His winning streak started when he won two in a row within the space of five days, at Musselburgh and Redcar. A defeat at Beverley over an insufficient mile and a half was followed by two more in a row, at Musselburgh (1m 6f) and then over two miles running round in circles at the Roodeye, Chester. He won by seven lengths at Chester, which was the owner's home course, and deserved a good celebration.
Manzoni was retired in 2002. Off the track he was a champion destroyer of rugs. He will always be remembered for his bib which he wore to stop him indulging in his favourite and very expensive pastime. We still have a photo pinned to the tack room cupboard of Manzoni wearing his bib!
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