How A Golf Shot Led To A Cheltenham Winner

Features | 31st October 2024

Exciting times lie ahead for young trainer Harry Derham and the Smash Racing syndicate following the success of young hurdler Givemefive at Cheltenham's opening fixture of the new jumps season.

The four-year-old who is part-owned by golf stars Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka, dug deep to land the Class 2 Masterson Holdings Hurdle on 25th October and set himself up for a possible crack at the valuable Betfair Hurdle in the New Year. 

But this racing success story wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Derham’s own prowess with a golf club, as his sister Amy Derham explains. 

“Harry was playing in a pro-am with Graeme who promised to buy him a horse if he could get his tee shot closer than his on a par three. Harry’s not a regular player but rose to the challenge and managed to hit his shot nearer the pin than Graeme, who was true to his word.”

McDowell, who had been involved in hurdles winner Fourofakind with Derham, gave the Berkshire trainer the go-ahead to buy Irish Flat winner Givemefive from Johnny Murtagh last year and success has quickly followed. 

The son of Holy Roman Emperor won his first two races for Smash Racing before chasing home Kalif Du Berlais – trained by Derham’s old boss Paul Nicholls – in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton Park last Christmas. 

“Graeme was at Kempton that day which made it extra-special,” adds Amy, who is the yard’s operations manager. “Neither he nor Brooks could be at Cheltenham but we keep them up to date with videos and WhatsApps and they were thrilled. 

“The Betfair Hurdle is an obvious target but it would be a dream to go back to Cheltenham for the Festival in March. We know he likes the track so that will hopefully be the longer-term aim.” 

Derham’s friend Ken Comboy, who caddies for McDowell, introduced the golf stars to the thrills of jump racing at the upwardly mobile Boxford yard. Comboy and friend Daniel Gambill are also involved in the Smash syndicate.

“Givemefive is giving them all such a lot of fun,” says Amy. “He’s only small but immediately took to jumping when Harry started schooling him. He’s a very contented horse who walks around the yard with his tongue hanging out but comes to life at the races.” 

Derham, whose cousin Megan Nicholls has bought several of his horses including Givemefive, is also looking forward to a memorable campaign with three runners in his newly formed OLBG Racing Club, backed by the yard’s sponsors. 

Nordic Tiger has won at Wincanton, Huntingdon and Southwell while Lario was third on his stable debut at Newbury and The Aga Khan’s Flat winner Viyanni has been recruited with considerable promise, again from Murtagh. 

“The racing club is only £180 for the year and gives members so much fun and involvement,” adds Amy. “We had around 200 people here at our open morning during National Racehorse Week in September when it was lovely to show off so many exciting horses for the new season.”

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