Fitting Newmarket farewell for Mine

Jul 12 2008 The Journal

WHEN a trainer struggles to attract horses to his yard, more emphasis is placed on the importance of finding one of exceptional ability to keep the operation ticking over.

Take James Bethell (pictured right) for example. He has been short in equine numbers since moving to the Middleham area but has been fortunate to have a few decent performers to keep the flag flying. None more so than the veteran Mine who has proved a real moneyspinner. Nothing lasts for ever, though, and yesterday was the moment when his racing career was finally brought to a halt, fittingly in a Newmarket event he has almost made his own. It wasn’t a fairytale ending, yet it was a fond farewell from the regulars who had grown accustomed to his late dash up the hill.

It was his 66th racecourse appearance and his record of 10 victories and 15 placed efforts has accumulated prize-money of just over £355,000. How appropriate it was that he should bow out after the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup which he had won three times and was beaten only a short head by Patavellian on another occasion.

Mine spent his two-year-old days with Luca Cumani, but moved to Bethell for his second season in 2001. He got off the mark at Doncaster but then his career was threatened when he was badly struck into while winning his second race at Thirsk. This showed his true character. He had to stand in his box with one foot in a pot for weeks while the back of his heel healed. Sidelined until the following April, Mine got back on track with a win at Sandown followed by his first Bunbury Cup triumph. A solitary success at Doncaster was his 2003 rewards, but two visits to Ascot in 2004 resulted in Victoria Cup and Royal Hunt Cups being added to his honours list.

Newmarket proved an even happier hunting ground. He landed his second and third Bunbury Cups in 2005 and 2006. It was decided some time ago this was to be his last season and that the Bunbury Cup should mark his retirement.

Yesterday was a sentimental journey, not only for those closest to Mine but for racing enthusiasts who admired his willingness to do his level best when the odds weren’t exactly in his favour.