My Favourite Grey, Bristol De Mai

Katie Midwinter (23/02/23)

This week in racing a legend retired. Bristol De Mai, the gallant grey owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, fittingly graced the turf of a racecourse for the final time last Saturday at his beloved Haydock Park, the Merseyside track at which he has enjoyed six successes including three famous Betfair Chase victories. He struck up a fantastic partnership with retained jockey Daryl Jacob and the pair recorded nine wins together, with Sam Twiston-Davies also riding Bristol De Mai to victory on occasions.

A fan favourite and loved by so many racegoers, it was telling that when he finished fourth of five in the most recent renewal of the race he has dominated, with young pretender Protektorat claiming the crown, many flocked to the fourth-place podium in the paddock to see the lovely chaser up close. With so many heartbreaking moments in a sport that can often be marred by injuries, fatalities and terrible luck, it is wonderful to see such a fantastic servant bow out soundly. 

Bristol De Mai enjoying a well deserved drink after his latest Betfair Chase effort (Photo by Katie Midwinter)

From winning his first Grade One as a juvenile when making his yard debut at Chepstow in 2014 to his final appearance as a twelve-year-old in 2023, to achieve such a level of longevity is remarkable and is one of many reasons Bristol De Mai has captured the imagination of racing fans.

Perhaps what has made Bristol De Mai such a likable gelding is his tremendous attitude, his tendency to never give up, to keep going and trying all the way to the line. His final win was a perfect example of his mental strength and braveness. In last year’s Grand National Trial he was asked to carry top-weight off a mark of 159 in extremely testing conditions.

All who have watched Bristol De Mai in full flow will know he loves soft ground and you could always trust him whenever the heavens opened, but he did face a tough task to give so much weight away to younger, improving rivals. Bristol De Mai led the field, staying on even when The Galloping Bear came alongside to mount his challenge. It was a performance by the Nigel Twiston-Davies -trained horse that evoked plenty of emotion and screams of encouragement.

The son of Saddler Maker stayed on to finish second but has since been placed first in what is his last recorded win. Only three horses, including the demoted The Galloping Bear, managed to finish the race, with eight runners being pulled-up.

There are many countless memories worth mentioning in what has been a glittering career, six Grade One wins, third in a Cheltenham Gold Cup and over £900,000 earned in prize money. It’s time to enjoy a peaceful and happy retirement now, in which there’ll surely be plenty of carrots and treats.

Thank you, Bristol.