One of the jewels in the crown of Beverley racecourse which has its share of two-year-old races throughout the season.
The race is named after Hilary Needler who passed away in London 14th April 2012. Aged 91, the family had sponsored this notable contest at Beverley since 1965. Her husband, Harold, was one-time chairman of Hull City football club, had been a loyal supporter of Beverley racecourse.
In fact, such is their patronage of the course and this race that the Hilary Needler is the longest private backing of a British horserace.
The Hilary Needler is run over 5f.
Sadly, it was downgraded from Listed status in 2011, after being awarded that classification in 2001.
Last 15 Winners of Hilary Needler
2003 Attraction - Mark Johnston 11/10f
2004 Miss Meggy - Tim Easterby 16/1
2005 Clare Hills - Karl Burke 16/1
*2006 Roxan - Kevin Ryan 3/1f
2007 Loch Jipp - John Wainwright 20/1
2008 Knavesmire - Mel Brittain 40/1
2009 Don't Tell Mary - Tom Dascombe 11/4f
2010 Geesala - Kevin Ryan 8/1
2011 Dozy - Kevin Ryan 9/2
2012 Jadanna - James Given 7/1
2013 Ventura Mist - Tim Easterby 14/1
2014 Abandoned (waterlogged)
2015 Easton Angel - Michael Dods 9/4f
2016 Grizzel - Richard Hannon Jnr 5/2
*2017 Chica La Habana - Robert Cowell 6/1
2018 Kodyanna - Richard Fahey 4/1
Hilary Needler Trends:
So what can review the last 15 winners reveal? The Hilary Needler is a quality race and generally speaking, goes to a fancied horse with experience. Three favourites have won since 2003. Including - Attraction 11/10f (2003), Don't Tell Mary 11/4f (2009), Easton Angel 9/4f (2015). It is interesting to note that a couple of debutantes have won and that they were both fancied in the betting. Roxan started favourite for Kevin Ryan (2006), while Robert Cowell's Chica La Habana was 6/1. However, there have been a number of big priced winners over the years. Five horses have won at odds bigger than 10/1. Mel Brittain's Knavesmire won by a neck at odds of 40/1, beating stablemate Caronbola (12/1), a year when Percolatopr (the 11/4f was a late withdrawal). Ten of the last fifteen winners of the Hilary Needler have been priced 8/1 & less. Kean has won the race three times in recent years.
This horse race has seen a number of exciting and very talented fillies win over the years.
Attraction
2003 saw Mark Johnston's classy filly Attraction win, drawing clear of the field and then eased in the final furlong to beat Tolzey by two-and-a-half lengths priced 11/10f. This daughter of Efisio was often criticised as having crooked legs and poor conformation. However, it didn't stop her from winning her first eight races. She was recognised as a superb sprinter but defied her critics by winning the 1,000 Guineas. In a career of 15 races, this gritty bay won 10 times. Her owner the Duke Of Roxburghe's star filly achieved the highest official rating of 119. A truly remarkable filly who concluded her career winning at Group 1 to become a broodmare.
Other notable winners include Michael Dods' Easton Angel (2015) who went on to finish unplaced in the 2016 Nunthorpe Stakes Group 1.
2017 Winner Chica La Habana
Robert Cowell confirms Royal Ascot plan for Beverley winner Chica La Habana >>> https://t.co/j8TWjLBLxj pic.twitter.com/uhn4a303gl— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 11, 2017
Last year's winner Kodyanna which won by a head from 50/1 shot Deia Glory.
2019 Hilary Needler Stakes:
To be updated...
2:00 Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies' Conditions Stakes (Plus 10 Race) Cl2 (2yo) 5f ITV
Eight two-year-olds are declared at this final stage. Interesting that Richard Fahey fields a debutante in Moon Of Love, who is owned by The Cool Silk Partnership who have done well in this race over the years.
1) 41 - Bella Brazil - David Barron - 10/1
2) 1 - Execlusive - Archie Watson - 5/1
3) 102 - Lady Quickstep - Gay Kelleway - 12/1
4) 1 - Liberty Beach - John Quinn - 7/1
5) 2411 - Rose Of Kildare - Mark Johnston - 5/1
6) 1 - Three Coins - Richard Fahey - 5/1
7) 42 - Yarrow Gate - Michael Dods - 8/1
8) - Moon Of Love - Richard Fahey - 9/2
Click this link if you want to know the best two-year-old racehorses in training.