September 1st is officially the start of autumn, although more frequently nowadays the continuation of an Indian summer. But typically, soft ground has arrived to meet the back end of our Ripon season, and with the change in ground conditions, a more favourable environment for layers rather than backers.
A Tim Easterby treble ensured just one winning favourite went in on day 2 of our late summer fixture, punters licking their wounds particularly after a 40/1 outsider in the mile handicap.
Our season’s leading trainer took his Ripon tally to 14 with three of the 10 runners he fielded among the 55 in total. Three handicappers graced the winner’s enclosure to demonstrate his mastery of this course. Nowhere else except Beverley does his winner tally come close.
Stable companions Poet’s Dawn and Yermanthere have been trading blows at Ripon before Tuesday last, but this time round, it was Yermanthere who prevailed in the opening 1m 2f apprentice handicap. The handicapper has them within 3lbs of each other, and the assessment looks pretty accurate as they’ve both hit the winning spot against each other at our course this summer. 11 year old Poet’s Dawn has now won five at Ripon among his 17 successes, a horse to treasure whose appetite for racing is measured across 131 starts. Leading from the off, he found himself headed by Yermanthere and Draupnir, from the other Easterby stable, before going down by 2l to the winner.
Stable jockey David Allen was aboard the other two Easterby winners. May Be In Profit hasn’t shown anything since winning a restricted novice event in late May but found the sweet spot to record her second juvenile success in the 21 Engineer Sapper Regiment Nursery, whilst it was a 1-2 for Great Habton when Allen steered Zimmerman to a ready 4 1/2l success over stablemate Bollin Neil in the Wokeman Stayers Handicap over 2m.
The other Easterby clan produced a horse to follow in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice race over the minimum trip. The Resdev Roman is learning her trade and things clearly clicked here after never threatening in similar events at York and Beverley. Taking a keen hold under Joanna Mason, she appeared sharper here, easing to a 1 1/4l victory over American Psycho.
Ripon’s Yorkshire Garden Racecourse Handicap divided on declaration allowing Yes I’m Mali to go one better on his Thirsk head defeat 4 days earlier. The margin this time was a shade bigger – a neck, Kind Touch in pursuit for the Fahey stable. Danny Tudhope was in the plate to give favourite backers some small consolation.
Olly Stammers was able to win division 2 a little cosily on the Grant Tuer – trained Farandaway, who is better than the length winning distance would indicate.
Zermatt Star and David Nolan upset the odds with a 40/1 success
One time rider Tony Coyle shares a licence with assistant Kaine Wood. They launched in 2024 from Norton, so this is their third season. With 8 winners on the board following Zermatt Star’s 40/1 shock in the attheraces 1m Handicap, they may struggle to match last year’s dozen, but Zermatt Star won with a bit in hand to prevent a virtual Easterby whitewash. Bought for just £2,000, she’s already earned her corn for 2026.
