Like all involved in owning National Hunt racehorses, the most exciting time of the year is about to arrive for The Gredley Family. The team behind the yellow silks with the white cap have enjoyed a productive time of late and appears well-placed to continue their ascent in the key springtime months.
Success Under Both Codes
Following an excellent flat campaign spearheaded by the Listed and Group 2 successes of Ambiente Friendly and Wimbledon Hawkeye, the Gredleys have continued their hot streak into the winter arm of the sport. By the end of January, the enthusiastic owners had already picked up four wins at Listed level or above and a big handicap victory in the Greatwood Hurdle.
Under the guidance of key trainer James Owen, the Gredleys have enjoyed a start to the 2024/25 season that will be the envy of many owners. Solid as recent months have been, the family operation will hope that the good times continue to roll into the second week in March.
Perfect Birthday Gift for Bill Gredley
With the crown jewel of the National Hunt season now under three weeks away, The Gredley family have nine entries across the four days of the Cheltenham Festival.
Opec, Lavender Hill Mob and Liam Swagger fall into the “interesting outsider” category in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the opening day. However, the owners would appear to have a better chance of registering a first Cheltenham Festival success on the closing Friday – which just happens to be the 92nd Birthday of family patriarch Bill Gredley.
Having been a staunch supporter of the sport over the years, the racing community would join Bill in raising a glass if those yellow silks cross the line in front on Gold Cup Day. With the following trio set to go to post, the family may get the chance to live up to their promise to “blow the roof of the stand” if they break their Cheltenham Festival duck in 2025.
East India Dock Vying for Triumph Favouritism
The Nicky Henderson-trained Lulamba has headed the betting for the opening JCB Triumph Hurdle for a number, but not by much and in places has been edged into second favourite. When asked to identify likely dangers, the master of Seven Barrows wasted little time in naming the horse just ahead Lulamba in the market – The Gredley Family-owned East India Dock.
From what we have seen from this son of Golden Horn at the tack, it is easy to see why he has earned the respect of the most successful trainer in Triumph Hurdle history. Promising in winning twice on the flat for James Fanshawe, East India Dock has been electric over hurdles. Three starts have yielded three wins by a combined total of 32 lengths. Two of those victories came in Grade 2 company at this track, including a 10-length romp over the Triumph Hurdle course and distance in January.
Burdett on the Road to County Success
Rewind to 2024, and Burdett Road looked set to represent the Gredley Family in the Triumph Hurdle, only to miss that assignment through injury. Happily, the Muhaarar gelding was soon over his setback. Emerging as a tenacious dual-purpose performer, he returned to score in Listed company on the flat and bag the hugely competitive Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November.
The Champion Hurdle remains a possibility for Burdett Road, but having been beaten in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle last weekend, a tilt at the County Hurdle now appears more likely. He will be fully 17 pounds higher than for his Greatwood Hurdle success but looked to have a bit up his sleeve that day. The County Hurdle looks as competitive as ever, but this Graded class star has sound claims of completing a spectacular hour for the Gredleys in Race 2 on Friday.
Allmankind Eyes Hunter Chase Glory
For much of the winter, it appeared that Allmankind would spend the Cheltenham Festival relaxing in a field with half an eye on retirement. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles and fences in his pomp, the nine-year-old appeared to have lost all interest in the sport since his most recent success in October 2021.
Given his recent efforts, connections were likely as surprised as any to see the son of Sea The Moon rediscover his zest to hack up by 30 lengths on Point to Point debut at Highham in February. Still relatively young and with high-class back form, he looks like a hugely interesting contender for the St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase over the Gold Cup course and distance.
Three cheers for Birthday boy Bill on Gold Cup Day? That may be asking a bit much, but the likeable owner looks to have a good chance of toasting at least one winner to ring in his 92nd Birthday in style.
