By Jim Beavis
Janet Davies has paid tribute to her late husband Peter, and the support received from trainer Evan Williams and his staff, after earning her 100th winner as an owner.
Minella Missile gave Janet her century mark with a debut victory under rules in the recent Trustatrader Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The team @Chepstow_Racing would like to congratulate Janet Davies @jaydee58 on today's 100th winner as an owner with Minella Missile @CheltenhamRaces – well done @EWilliamsRacing @Adamkwedge too! pic.twitter.com/2mST2n5wH2
— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) November 17, 2023
The victory came just short of a year since fellow owner Peter died suddenly at their home in Cowbridge.
“We knew we were getting close to a hundred winners last year and Peter always said we would have a party when we got there,” said Janet, a mainstay of Williams’s Vale of Glamorgan yard.
“Sadly, Peter wasn’t here to see it but he would have been very proud. Fittingly, it was 15 years almost to the day since we had our first winner together, which was also our first runner.
“It has obviously been a very traumatic year but I am very grateful to Evan, his wife, Catherine, and his staff who have shown fantastic support to me.
“They have been like true family to me and without their kindness and professionalism I’m not sure I would have been able to carry this on.
“I may have lost Peter but I haven’t lost the joy of owning horses and that’s been a real comfort to me.”
On just his second start under rules 🤯
MINELLA MISSILE looks a smart recruit for @EWilliamsRacing, landing the Trustatrader Novices' Hurdle in a thrilling finish! pic.twitter.com/soyfaMgicP
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) November 17, 2023
Janet’s 100th winner as an owner, Minella Missile, may turn out to be one of her best horses.
Success in the Grade 2 Trustatrader Novices Hurdle, beating the highly regarded Captain Teague, was a distinct step up in class after winning at Chepstow’s Jump Season Opener.
Janet is best known for Court Minstrel, who won 11 races for her. The first was in a Ludlow bumper in 2011 and his last was in Chepstow’s Silver Trophy six years later.
That was smart form, for Sam Spinner finished second, and he would go on to win his next two outings and start the Stayers’ Hurdle as the 9/4 favourite.
In between, Court Minstrel won the 2015 Silver Trophy, the Scottish Champion Hurdle and races at Cheltenham and Aintree.
He was also second at Ascot to the Champion Hurdler Rock On Ruby, finishing two and a half lengths behind in receipt of just four pounds.
Cheltenham November Meeting Friday – Day 1 Pointers
1) Captain beaten
Captain Teague was the disappointment of the day but credit to Minella Missile who looked very good, won in a good time and deserves a shot at Grade 1 level. Captain Teague stayed very well and would be very… pic.twitter.com/DWTXnhrhjh— James Stevens (@JamesStevens180) November 17, 2023
This good, loyal servant was beaten only four lengths in the 2018 Silver Trophy at the age of eleven.
Prime Venture won five races for Janet, a bumper, two hurdles and two chases.
The last of them was the 2022 Veterans Chase Final, where three miles, heavy ground, and being able to come from behind off a strong pace, suited him ideally.
In addition, he was fourth and fifth in two Welsh Nationals.
By contrast, West With The Wind was a two-mile chaser. He won eight times for Janet between 2010-13, including five at Ffos Las (one on the flat) and a Grade 3 at Limerick.
No less than 27 of Janet’s hundred winners have come at Ffos Las, so it is apt that she contributed to the book “Ffos Las: Birth of a Racecourse”, providing the author with information, advice and a translation of its introduction into Welsh.
🗣️ "He's gone through the race like a dream… He was fantastic!"
Who saw that performance coming from Minella Missile?! #ITVRacing | @Adamkwedge | @EWilliamsRacing pic.twitter.com/pcF4Vi9Pvc
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 17, 2023