Serendipity – Stan Is Definitely The Man..

The day before our 25th wedding anniversary (while out with friends J&M at the Crown) I receive a text out of the blue – “would I like a day at the races tomorrow”, which was a Monday at Fakenham? We had no plans made as in the middle of A Level season and B best not left alone, but this was a message sent from heaven, with a day to rub shoulders with trainers and owners plus a pass to the members owners club/restaurant.  Yet, the real big kicker was the opportunity to watch race an 8 year old Bay gelding, named after my late cousin Stan, owned by a syndicate that included my 2nd cousin S & T. So simply an offer you could not refuse.

We had a fab day a few winners to start with, a pleasant lunch and then had to wait until the penultimate race for the main event – and would you believe it Stan led from the start, 3 laps of the circuit and the won the Norfolk National !

So a difficult dilemma we are the only representatives at the course as horse is stabled in Exeter We watch the Racing TV cameras at the parade ring/ winners enclosure interview the trainer Ella and introduce ourselves she and Nick insisted we join them in the photos with the very large cup and afterwards for drinks with David Hunter Clerk of the Course & Mr Brunton, a wonderful man responsible for course repairs and maintenance.

So a serendipitous day indeed and guess what Davids’ wife called Sarah joined us briefly (we realised she had served us lunch earlier) and with her came 2 bounding Vizlers – one was named Stan!!

Fawkes & S (written 1 month later)