Denaby Main “Punters” Will Have a Gamble On The Licensee’s Horse

Customers at two pubs will be keeping a close eye on the result of a race at Nottingham on March 27 when the filly Belle Anne belonging to Hackenthorpe Blue Bell Inn landlord Danny Ward, makes her racing debut.

Bluebell customers have shown great interest in Belle Ann’s progress and customers at Danny’s brother’s pub, The Tavern, at Denaby are just as interested.

Danny told the “South Yorkshire Times” that interest at brother Mick’s pub was just as keen for Denaby’s apprentice jockey Jock McKay will probably be riding the horse.

Belle Ann, out of Our Babu, a former 1000 Guineas winner, is a two-year-old trained by Pat Taylor at Godalming in Surrey.

Said Danny: “My trainer told me at the weekend that my horse would be running at Nottingham later this month.

“Since I bought her the customers have kept a close interest in her hand at Mick’s pub at Denaby they are just as keen in view of the fact that Jock comes from Denaby and his father often called in to see Mick,”

This will be Denaby’s first race meeting as an owner and this week he received his racing colours from a Bawtry shop – all white with gold hoped sleeves and an emerald green cap.

He said: “I chose emerald green for the cap because my parents were Irish and will be all right as an owner if I have some Irish luck,”

Mr, Ward has recently acquired a large painting of his filly by well-known Chesterfield artist James Massey.

Added Danny; “it is impossible to say how she will run in her first race but I am expecting big things from her and my trainer has said she is a very good horse.”