Big Evs secures Goodwood win in memory of larger-than-life racing pal

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Big Evs (centre) wins at Goodwood (Image: PA)
Big Evs (centre) wins at Goodwood (Image: PA)

Big Evs could have big plans after the speedy two-year-old followed up a Royal Ascot victory with success at Glorious Goodwood.

The juvenile who is named after a pal of owner Paul Teasdale made all the running to claim the Group 3 Jaeger-Lecoultre Molecomb Stakes.

Having won the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes last time out he delivered a first Group win with a two-year-old for trainer Mick Appleby, who has built his reputation as an all-weather expert.

It was another poignant victory for Teasdale who picked the name to keep his friend’s in the spotlight.

“We had a colleague who has been a friend of mine for 40 years, a close friend,” he told ITV Racing. “We went racing for 25 years together.

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“We owned a few horses together for many, many years and he died sadly last November and he was a gentleman called Paul Evans and we named the horses ‘Big Evs’ which was his nickname.

“So the horse is very emotional to us and it’s good for everyone back at work who really loved Paul. We are trying to keep his memory alive in a small way, but an important way, because he was a winner in life and this horse is a winner as well.”

Big Evs may have earned a shot at the Group 1 £500,000 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York but it will cost £40,000.

Teasdale said: “I did say to myself before today that if he won we would consider the Nunthorpe. We had a runner there two years ago and it didn’t quite live up to what we wanted it to do. We have a bit of unfinished business

“But we do understand how hard it is to win. We will talk to Mick and we’ll see where we get to.”

Jon Lees

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