There was to be no final winner for long serving trainer William Jarvis after his last ever runner Crystal Delight failed to read the script when finishing down the field in the Betfred Play Fred’s 5 Million Handicap at Newmarket today.
After saddling more than 700 winners in a career spanning 38 years, which has included the likes of Group One scorers Grand Lodge and Lady Bowthorpe, the Newmarket handler was out of luck with the four-year-old in the mile and a half prize.
Despite the defeat Jarvis, whose family have been involved in the sport for more than 100 years, looked back with great fondness during his time in racing, one of which he hopes to extend in some capacity.
Following the race Jarvis was presented with a bottle of champagne and a framed picture of his now retired stable star Lady Bowthorpe winning the 2021 Group Two Dahlia Stakes at the track by his sister, and Newmarket Racecourses committee member, Jane George.
Jarvis said: “I’ve had a fantastic time and I’ve met some wonderful people. I’ve employed some fantastic staff and I look forward to continuing to being involved in the industry and being of use to people. If I’ve not learnt anything over the last 38 years then I’ve been a mug.
“It is a wonderful sport we are involved in. I’m concerned we are in for a rocky ride, but we have got so many good people behind us. The industry will be very strong as it has lasted this long, and it will continue to last. It is a wonderful way of life.
“It was not always the plan to have my final runner here, but that is the way it has worked out. We could have done without the rain in the last 72 hours but there you go.”
Victory in the race went the way of the David Evans-trained Wind Your Neck In (5-2 favourite), who prevailed by a neck to complete a 331-1 treble for winning jockey Richard Kingscote.
Black Kalanisi continued to defy his advancing years when forming leg two of Kingscote’s treble ahead of a return to hurdles with a clear-cut victory in the Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap.
After returning to winning ways at Pontefract last time out the sprightly 10-year-old was too strong for his rivals in the two-mile prize which the 100-30 Favourite claimed by four and a half lengths.
Ian Williams, winning trainer, said: “For a 10-year-old to do that is quite something. He travelled into it well and he enjoyed the ground.
“He had the win at Pontefract last time and he was not punished for that, but this looked a more competitive race on paper.
“It is quite possible that we will go back and run him over hurdles now as he has been schooling well at home, but it is always great to win a race at headquarters.”
There was no hiding the smile on the face of teenage jockey Tommie Jakes who enjoyed a red-letter day after riding his first winner on the Rowley Mile when steering Parisiac (18-1) to victory in the Prestige Vehicles Handicap.
The 17-year-old, who lives just a few miles away from the course in Freckenham, was overcome with joy after obliging by a head aboard the four year old, which also doubled up as a first winner at the course for successful trainer Alice Haynes.
Jakes said: “It is great to ride a winner here. I’ve had a few rides here, but I’ve not had much luck here. It was such a good feeling passing the post in front.
“I felt for half a furlong late on that they might catch me, but he has run on well. He battled away lovely. This means a lot to me.
“I’m based with Alice now as well which makes the win that bit sweeter. I’ve been with her for four weeks and it has been a good experience there.”
