A Letter to Highclere
‘A DREAM REALISED’
by Chris and Jilly Jordan
Jilly and Chris Jordan (far right) with fellow Rhapsody owners at Royal Ascot this month
Dear Harry,
It's almost 12 years since Chris first spoke to Alex on the phone, making tentative enquiries about purchasing a share in a syndicate as a retirement present for Jilly. Irish roots meant that horseracing was in her blood and so an interest in a racehorse seemed the perfect way to start to a new chapter in her life. That first horse was Torch.
We were on holiday at the time of the Yearlings Parade and so the purchase was made blind, unaided by Chris' less-than-scanty knowledge of racing, but encouraged and given confidence by Alex's personal and supportive approach. By the time of our return from holiday, Torch (unnamed at the time) had moved to the Kubler stables to be broken-in. At this stage, Jilly knew nothing of the purchase. In a generous act, emblematic of the Highclere interest in and support for its owners, Alex and Emily arranged to meet us at the Kublers so that Jilly could see her new acquisition. Persuaded that this was an opportunity to be shown round yard for racehorses, Jilly was unaware of what was to come.
Emily and Alex met us at the Kublers and Torch was there, standing in the yard. Given the news that this was 'her' racehorse, for the first time in her life, Jilly was lost for words!!
Since that time, we have enjoyed the ups and downs of racing, met many new friends, and looked after so well by all the Highclere team and, indeed, by the various trainers. We are most grateful for this.
But there is an important sub-text to the story. Brought up on a farm in rural County Clare, Jilly's father bred horses. These were for show rather than racing, but he enjoyed some success. Nevertheless, his dream was to have a have a horse running at Royal Ascot. Sadly, that was not to be but, on Wednesday, Rhapsody helped Jilly live that dream for him. Not only that, to finish a competitive fourth was truly the icing on the cake!
Rhapsody storming home to fourth in front of a cheering Royal Ascot crowd (Kensington Palace Stakes June 2026)
We have come to learn that horseracing is all about dreams and we want to thank you all for helping to make a dream come true. We really do appreciate all that you do for us.
In closing, we would just like to add a word of thanks to Trudie for organising badges at short notice and for the exceptional picnic, which was simply the best!
With grateful thanks and kind regards,
Jilly & Chris
