Denton Hall News

Tributes as Dakota Gold makes history at York

TRAINER Michael Dods today paid tribute to Dakota Gold after the veteran bounced back to form with an historic win at York under Connor Beasley.

The eight-year-old gelding became the joint winning-most horse on the Knavesmire with his sixth win at the track and his 14th career victory in the Churchill Tyres Handicap.

Dods said: “He’s a grand horse who’s done us proud. Over five furlongs he’d want it soft but over six it was perfect for him. He was given a great ride and he tries his heart out, so I think there’s still a lot of fun to be had with him.”

The winning jockey paid tribute to Andrew Glass who looks after Dakota Gold at Denton Hall, near Darlington, and rides him in most of his work. He also praised assistant trainer Carole Dods, who expertly handles the quirky sprinter so that he's learned to run into the starting stalls on his own.

“It’s a great team effort with Andrew and Carole, so big credit to them," said Beasley. "He absolutely loves it here and it’s fantastic to be the winning-most horse at York. I thought he had it at the two furlong pole and he just kept it going.”

An emotional Andrew added: “When he comes here, he comes alive. This fella makes me get out of bed in the mornings – I could cry because he’s so special.”

Dakota Gold, owned by Doug Graham, Ian Davison, and Alan Drysdale, was matching the York record of Tim Easterby's Copper Knight. Pendleton, running in the colours of the Dods Racing Club also ran a cracker to be third. Both horses were 18-1.