Highclere owner Experience
Triple Delights!
by Jayne Dewhurst
Paul and Jayne Dewhurst (left) with Followcato on a visit at Naunton Downs (Ben Pauling Racing)
Followcato – that’s just what Paul and I do – follow Followcato, wherever he may be!
When we got the email to say Ben Pauling was going to enter Followcato for Hereford on the 26th of January as usual we jumped into overdrive. Living in Yorkshire we always have to be prepared for a long journey to see our boy.
Our trusty road map was opened to the right page, and we began planning our route, there was never any question that, despite awful weather we would not make the trip.
After an anxious wait it was declaration day, my iPad was opened at the correct BHA page glued to the declarations. All that can be heard is the occasional shout of “we are not in yet” and then the magic happens and we go from pale to dark blue, move up the list and – we are in! Or as I shout, “we are off!”
The dog sitter is booked and the car loaded with everything we may or may not need. The car often looks as if it is going to a scout’s jamboree!
The race was on a Monday, and we were second on the card.
Just after lunch on the Sunday, we were looking at the journey and the weather. The rain was pouring down, the M6 can be a nightmare on a Monday and the sat nav was saying six hours on a Sunday afternoon, so what would it be like on a Monday morning, it would have to be a 4am start. Decision made – we were setting off there and then. The car was already loaded; we just needed to find an overnight stop – we could do that on the way – and drop the dog off!
Paul and Jayne with Followcato celebrating his first win at Ludlow 17.12.25
One of the joys of our very long journeys is that we can reflect on Followcato’s races so far this season, and what a season it has been so far!
After a shaky start on his first two outings at Lingfield (yes, we did go both times!), he went to Ludlow on the 17th of December. Ben Pauling was sure that running right-handed, cheek pieces in place and Kielan Woods in the saddle was the key to success – and how right was he! Coming down to the last he was neck and neck with Pepe Le Moke, we were stood on the rails not daring to breath, Followcato kept on pushing, head down at the line, photo finish. What took seconds for the stewards to decide seemed a lifetime to us, and the winner is “Number three Followcato.” There was cheering, hugs and a few tears as we celebrated with our fellow shareholders and Jason from Highclere.
January 8th and the headlines were all about storm Goretti. We were all advised to stay at home and batten down the hatches. They didn’t know that Followcato was running at Exeter the following day. So, with snow shovels, a bag of grit, sleeping bags and anything else we could get into the car off we set!! What storm! We made it as far as Bristol and hunkered down for the night expecting the worst the next morning. We woke to brilliant sunshine and the fantastic news that racing was on. Not daring to dream of a double Followcato romped home by three lengths. What a celebration we had! Never has an eight hour journey seemed so short.
The great day arrived, 26th January, just seventeen days after his second victory. Followcato was out to make it three in a row! The handicapper had put him up 6lbs, the ground was heavy, it was the furthest he had run and we had the highly competitive Ski Lodge to contend with. Were the cards stacked against us?
It might seem a small thing, but we have always laughed about having a winner at Hereford there is always “Piglets Sausages” in the background in the winners enclosure. We dreamed of being presented with a sausage roll!
It was an anxious lunch with the other owners; we have all become great friends as we follow Followcato. Joviality was tempered with those pre-race nerves, and the worry of - can he do it again, so soon, with so much weight, in this ground? Why did we ever fear.
Followcato arrived majestically in the preparade ring. He looked as if he owned Hereford! His ears pricked, bright eyes and so beautifully turned out, his coat gleaming in the January sunshine. His excitement was contagious. Onto the paddock, the arrival of Keilan Woods, whose pre-race message was “We are going to win.” Once his rug was off, Followcato trotted off proudly, it was clear to see he was on a mission!!!!
Down at the start he was keen he set off at a good pace, sixteen fences and two miles five furlongs to run. It was neck and neck with the mighty Ski Lodge, they were really cutting into the heavy ground, it was always going to be the survival of the fittest. I was counting down the fences on my fingers.
At fence eleven Ski Lodge started to look a little challenged, but it was still neck and neck. Then, at fence twelve, for a second, our hearts were in our mouths, Followcato slightly pecked on landing, but Ski Lodge fell. Our attention diverted to Ski Lodge and his jockey, were they OK? They were quickly on their feet and Ski Lodge galloped off. Phew. We could concentrate on Followcato – but where was he?? He had already jumped the next fence and his lead was immense. He just had to stay on his feet and battle on. Could we dare to dream?
Kielan just gave him a wakeup call on the final bend, he felt Followcato thought the race was over, where were the other horses? We clung onto the rails by the winning post not daring to look. Two out jumped like a stag. Just the last to go. Dare I look (no!). He was over it; all he had to do was get to that finish line. The shouts from everyone were deafening, and then, he had done it. He had won three times in a row over a period of just five weeks, and not only won, he did it by twenty-four lengths.
The tears of joy flowed. We were being hugged by people we didn’t know who had bet on him! Followcato came up the shoot into the winners enclosure everyone was bursting with pride. Kielan gave that cheeky smile, Ben Jones offering congratulations, and Cato looking as if he was saying “told you so” in the winners enclosure.
Our team celebrations in the Winning Connections suite were noisy and joyous, and I have to tell that Paul’s ambition was fulfilled. Not only did we get a glass of champagne, but a Piglets sausage roll as well!
What a horse, what joy does he bring and what memories we have made. What excitement will he bring us next? There is one thing you can be sure of Paul & I will be there, following Followcato.