Come not between a Dragon and her bonuses

The Great British Bonus (GBB) has paid out nearly £4 million since its inception on 1st June 2020 - a huge boost for the racing and breeding industry!

Many trainers, breeders and owners have triumphed both on the track and in the sales ring. One of the success stories of the scheme during the 2020/21 National Hunt season was that of the Ian Williams-trained Dragon Bones.

A daughter of Batsford Stud resident Passing Glance, up until the end of October she had won four bonuses to date totalling £70,000 making her the most prolific and successful winner on the scheme. To boot this was all achieved within a two-month period!

Although she was a nice sort she never stood out from the crowd until she went into training, she was just a small, bay horse, said Dragon Bones breeder, Nigel Ford (pictured below) of All Things Rural Ltd. To give him his due, Ian [Williams] always said that she was going to be a nice filly, he was always very positive about her from day one. Sure enough, the mare won on her debut run in a bumper at Worcester and, after receiving a very good offer was sold. I have no regrets about selling her. I enjoy seeing my horses go on to do well, continues Ford. Horses can win races one day and have an accident in the field the next so if I receive an offer for a decent amount of money, Ill sell.

A winner at Hexham the following month and then at Worcester four days later, she boosted her tally with a win at Newton Abbot in early May under a double penalty. Prize money for the four wins totalled £23,644. However, all four races were GBB contests and so also earnt £70,000 in bonus payments - £14,000 of which was paid out to her breeder. Those payments are great its good for those around me to see those returns. This is a hobby of mine and its done whilst running three business so its good to show that its not just one of my random projects.

Trainer Ian Williams said of the six-year-old: She was small, but she had a nice presence and was well put together. She has an amazing attitude; shes a winner and always wants to please which is important.

On the scheme, the trainer commented: GBB has been incredible. She won a Listed race and still her bonuses are worth more than double her prize money. Its a fantastic scheme for everyone involved, the owners, the breeders, trainers, and jockeys and of course the stable staff. Its a great reward for all parties.

In the long run its going to be brilliant for breeders because it encourages breeding in Britain and strengthens the quality of our broodmares.

As for the future prospects from All Things Rural, Ford said: I had become a little disillusioned with the breeding game but Dragon Bones success and GBB I am a bit more encouraged than I was two or three years ago, so I am going to put two mares in foal next year.

Unfortunately, the next foals from Fords farm shall not be siblings to Dragon Bones. Her dam, the four-time winner Sainte Kadette (Kadalko), was sold before her daughter won at Doncaster. The overriding message is that if I can do it, anyone can, stated Ford. I bought the dam for just over £2,000 at the sales and Passing Glances stud fee was about the same and from that I have a successful Listed winner. It just takes patience my horses are given the time to grow and develop. If they go away and arent quite right, they come back again and are rested until they are ready.

Fords enthusiasm for his horses and their ongoing success is both evident and contagious. Much like her breeder, Dragon Bones wont be resting on her laurels. With a season of novice hurdling behind her, her connections have their eyes set on another season and a few more GBB bonuses!

Images from: All Things Rural & Tattersalls.