Photograph by Anne Grossick 01387 750512
We have recently had a few queries about the popular chaser Northern Starlight and we are pleased to be able to bring you an update on him. Coming from humble beginnings he was a maiden on the flat and competing in selling hurdles for Paul Nicholls and Rodney Baker before joining the team at Pond House.
The diminutive Northern Starlight (pictured above, right) was a fantastic little horse who gave us many memorable moments when trained by my father, including the 1998 Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham and his incredible success in the 2000 John Hughes handicap chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree, ridden on both occasions by A P McCoy. He was the winner of sixteen races (nine over hurdles, seven over fences) and over £170,000 in prize money.
He retired from racing at the end of the 2003 season and went to his owners' in North Devon. Aged 24 he still resides there now, enjoying a life of luxury where he is turned out daily with two ponies that he adores.
