Cox grabs jackpot hat-trick with help of Song Of The Clyde

Clive Cox ruled the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs at York once again as Song Of The Clyde came out on top.

The Middleham Park Racing-owned colt was ridden by Rossa Ryan and settled into a position at the fore of the 21-strong field in the early stages as a 15-2 shot.

As the race progressed he did not falter, putting his head down to lengthen towards the line and give his stable a third successive win in the richly-endowed sales race.

Cox said: “That was wonderful, what are the odds of winning it three times in a row with 400 horses in the sale each time?

“It’s such a good incentive this race and Harry Beeby was a good friend of mine, but the whole concept of such good prize-money is what is energising it and it’s amazing to get it right with this fella.

“We liked him, he grew an awful lot and had a bit of size and scope as a yearling, but he’s got such a wonderful mind as well and when he won at Chester I was really pleased as he jumped up two gears.

“He ran really well with a penalty at Newbury, the drier ground helped him here and he’s really going forwards in the right direction.”

The trainer’s 2023 winner, Dragon Leader, went on to finish second in the similarly valuable Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster the following month.

When asked if Song Of The Clyde could follow the same path, Cox added: “He could well do. We’ll see how he comes back, but those sort of prizes are available and he’s well qualified, so I would say that would be a possible target.

“I think he could be a horse that can look forward to a bright future from here – he’s not just about the sales races. We’ve been able to get him here good and sharp and ready to go, but I undoubtedly see him going on as a three-year-old. He’s got size and scope and a wonderful mind.”

Boston Dan filled the runner-up spot, beaten three-quarters of a length, and his trainer Richard Fahey said: “He ran a blinder, we were delighted with him.

“I thought two down we were going to win but obviously the winner just picked up and kept going.

“It was a good result, a great result for the owners. He’s in the sales race at Doncaster and all the others so we’ll see where he ends up.”