Nickie Richards is taking a patient approach with the promising and undefeated hurdler, Upon Tweed. The 5-year-old showed his potential in February, easily defeating a horse that had secured two wins over hurdles since Conmansion by 18 and a half lengths. Focusing on his future, Upon Tweed began hurdling and impressively won his debut at Ayr Racecourse in November by eight and a half lengths, then followed up with another victory over the same two-mile distance at the same venue a month later.
Richards, speaking about the Eddie Melville-owned gelding, described him as “magnificent” and said there’s no urgency to push him too hard just yet, with his next possible race on Boxing Day at Formby under consideration. He mentioned a preference against racing him on deep tracks again but emphasized that there’s no rush or panic surrounding the horse’s schedule. According to Richards, the ultimate goal is to develop Upon Tweed into a top-class competitor, taking things step by step in hopes that fans will remember him as an exceptional horse by the end of his career.
Richards expressed affection and dedication to Upon Tweed, highlighting the hard work invested so far and the careful management strategy in place. While Formby remains a likely next race, no firm plans have been made, reflecting a cautious and thoughtful approach to the gelding’s early career development.
Fan Take: This news is exciting for horse racing enthusiasts as it highlights the emergence of a potentially outstanding hurdler being carefully nurtured for long-term success. Upon Tweed’s unbeaten record and patient management could bring thrilling moments to the sport and inspire confidence in the future of hurdle racing.
