WHERE ARE THEY NOW

by Frances de Haan

Blairgowrie takes home the prize in the Handicap Hurdle at Newbury April 2022

This month on Where Are They Now we catch up with the lovely Blairgowrie, who is a striking son of Yeats. Trained by Nicky Henderson, Blairgowrie was a winner over hurdles and was placed in six of his eleven races over hurdles and fences. He brought a lot of enjoyment to owners, and caught the eye of many on the racecourse, including Matt Chapman who praised his physical appearance on national television!

Retiring from racing with us in early 2025 he spent a year hunting. Last week he found a new home as he caught the eye of Verity who fell in love with him. He has spent just a week with Verity who plans to run him in a few point to points and have some fun with him. He is loving having a job again and is enjoying lots of variety.

‘We bought Blairgowrie just over a week ago to be my point to pointer. He has been in a hunting home for the past 12 months but it became clear jumping big hunt country wasn’t his game. He’s a very athletic type and has a huge strong stride so will hopefully be very successful on the point-to-point circuit. He has a great attitude to his training and is so mannerly on the gallops and absolutely loves schooling again even adding in a couple of excited squeals. We are going to look at running him at Bangor-on-Dee on the 8th March in the conditions level 2 race which will be very exciting. I have just finished 5 seasons pony racing and we needed a proper gentleman and he’s just that. A complete yard favourite and now has the nickname of gorgeous Gary.’ - Verity Travanion