Emotions run high as festival honours Punch

13 April 2012

This week's annual Glorious Goodwood pilgrimage, which starts tomorrow, will be an emotional time for the connections of the late, great Persian Punch.

On a day yet to be decided, owner Jeff Smith and trainer David Elsworth will attend a ceremony on the famous South Downs course to scatter the ashes of one of the meeting's most illustrious sons.

A highlight of the mighty stayer's career was his thrilling short-head victory over Jardine's Lookout in last year's Goodwood Cup and, although racing was stunned by the grand stayer's death after the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot this year, there will be a part of him that will ever remain at the scene of what many regard as his finest hour.

Rod Fabricius, the track's managing director, said: "It was going to be a bit confidential, but we can say that Punch's heroic performances will be marked by his ashes being spread on the course.

"We are obviously delighted that his owner and trainer have agreed to this. There will also be a plaque recording the event."

He added: "We had not had such an emotional moment since Double Trigger won the Cup three times, especially when jockey Martin Dwyer paraded Persian Punch before the public in the main stand after his win. It was one of the great moments of sport."

Another fact to gladden Punch fans is that the hero's colours will be on show in Thursday's Goodwood Cup when Romany Prince, owned by Smith and trained by Elsworth, runs in the famous twomile race.

Unfortunately, last Wednesday the Jockey Club stewards stripped the son of Robellino of his victory early this month in Sandown's Esher Stakes after finding Dane O'Neill guilty of careless riding.

The Sandown event, ironically, had been won by Persian Punch last year en route to his memorable triumph at Goodwood.

This year's five-day Festival will be a bitter-sweet experience for Elsworth who was in reflective mood after the Jockey Club decision.

"It's a shame we have lost the Sandown race but that is racing and life has to go on.

"Funnily enough, that is a phrase we have focused on ever since Persian Punch tragically died at Ascot at the end of April.

We try not to think of it too much, but of course there are times that we cannot escape those wonderful memories and there will be a lump in many throats on Thursday.

"That moment when the old boy paraded in front of the stands after his Cup win will last for a long time. Jeff had the idea of a video to record all his triumphs and of course that one is there.

"We had to pick the right mu s i c for the right clips and we selected the Queen song We Will Rock You to go with that one. It seemed to synchronise with pictures of the crowd punching their fists in the air to greet Punch's achievement. The thing about his a shes was originally meant to be a private, personal thing, but we don't mind anyone turning up to see the ceremony, even though no exact date has been fixed for it.

"There will be a gap that can never be filled by his passing, but we would like to celebrate his life, not mourn his passing too much.

"Romany Prince is a useful horse and I know he should put up a good performance in the race.

"He won't let anyone down, just as Punch didn't."

It seems unlikely that Romany Prince will ever replace Persian Punch in the public's affections but Elsworth, who also trained the legendary Desert Orchid, has a wonderful knack of building great horses out of the right material.

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Emotions run high as festival honours Punch

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