HOW A RACEHORSE’S SUCCESS HAS INSPIRED A WHOLE FAMILY

Features | 1st October 2024

Owning a share in a racehorse can be great fun for all the family – just ask proud mum Katie Fountain.

Katie and husband Martin, from Harrogate, are on the adventure of a lifetime with prolific sprinter Alfa Kellenic, whose remarkable run of success has also inspired their children Archie and Bella. So much so that Archie, 13, was interviewed live on ITV Racing before the filly’s latest victory in the valuable Ayr Silver Cup.

“Owning a share in this wonderful filly is having such a positive impact on all of us. We live and breathe it,” says Katie, a digital marketing professional. “Martin and I had been involved in horses before but what Alfa has done for us as a family has been amazing.

“We travel to the races together to watch her run – it’s always a family outing – and love visiting the stables to see her. Archie is fascinated by the sport and knows all about the form, the weights, the jockeys …

“Seeing him interviewed with our trainer Craig (Lidster) at Ayr was such a proud moment. He impressed everyone with his knowledge and enthusiasm and was so excited when she won. We were all in tears, even Martin.”

Archie, a keen golfer, was treated to a celebratory round with his dad on the famous South Ayrshire links of Turnberry the day after and even signed an autograph after being recognised for his cameo role on ITV.”

His sister, meanwhile, is just as keen, explains Katie. “Bella, who is 11, loves going to the stables and feeding Alfa carrots and knows the names of just about every other horse in the yard at sight. It’s great she wants to be so involved.

“Sharing this adventure as a family has been wonderful for all of us. To have a common intertest and enjoys such magical days out together is something we’ll all remember for ever. It’s great for the kids to discover a new interest, learn about the sport and develop their confidence by meeting new people at the races,” adds Katie.

The Fountains joined the Good Racing Co, dual champion jockey Paul Hanagan, Sky Sports Racing presenter Simon Mapletoft and other shareholders as part owners of Alfa Kellenic following her winning handicap debut at Thirsk in June but could not have been prepared for the success that followed.

The striking bay three-year-old daughter of Havana Grey, trained at Easingwold near York by Lidster, went on to win a Class 2 handicap at her local track before landing the Ayr Gold Cup Trial and a valuable heritage fillies’ handicap back on The Knavesmire at the Ebor Festival in August.

After scoring off an opening handicap mark of 70, Alfa Kellenic elevated her official rating to 101 after her latest success in the hands of stable apprentice William Pyle and will be targeted at Listed or Group 3 races next.

“We’re not quite sure where this journey is going to take us next,” adds Katie. “To win six races in a row is remarkable but it’s clear she has so much more to offer. We’re all hoping we can get dressed up for Royal Ascot next summer … that’s our dream.”

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