Foster & Allen combine for poignant win

The Allen family from England received a boost following a recent bereavement with the win of their Not For Burning in the Harvest Festival 15th-21st September Handicap Hurdle at Listowel today.

Winning trainer Denise 'Sneezy' Foster was herself on holidays in Spain but later reported by phone “this win couldn't have come with better timing as her owner Eric Allen's wife Sarah passed away from cancer last week. They live in England but members of their family have come over from America and they all watched the race on TV at their home.”

Foster added “I trained Not For Burning's dam Polaris Flame and she was a good mare. We then bred Not For Burning and while we sold her as a foal, she was sent back to me to train as a three year old. She really battled today and probably has another bit to her- she'll be better over fences too.”

With connections understandably absent, Not For Burning's rider Robbie Power initially debriefed the press and stated “she stays well and won a point to point. I was afraid the two and a half miles was a bit short for her but she is gutsy, gallops and jumps.”

The Grand National winning jockey then helpfully produced a extraordinarily perceptive text message sent by Foster before the race, detailing his post-race instructions. The text read 'Hi...when u win u will have to interview the press for me! Give a mention to owner's wife passing away. How I trained mare's mother. And how the jockey gave a great ride! :-)'

By Thomas Weekes.