And we're off!!

With the turf flat season on the near horizon Rogues Gallery Racing had a runner at Kempton Park, on the all-weather course on February 19th in preparation for the forthcoming season. Our runner was Penelope Valentine, a three-year-old Bay Filly trained by Alice Haynes in Newmarket and on this occasion the jockey was Dougie Costello. She ran in the 18.00 race which was a Class 6 Handicap over 7 furlongs.

It was a chilly night at Kempton but there were 14 Rogues Gallery owners in attendance to shout home their horse. Penelope Valentine had run twice in January this year with both runs at Newcastle. She was placed twice in these events so hopes were high for a repeat performance and hopefully a win to get Rogues Gallery of to a winning start for the season.

She certainly didn't disappoint on this occasion. Dougie had her tucked in behind the leaders until two furlongs out where she reached the front and from the one-furlong pole she went clear to finish the race five lengths in front of the second placed horse.

She arrived back in the winner's enclosure to the cheers of the assembled Rogues, and she enjoyed the fuss and the photographs to follow. It has to be said the Rogues enjoyed the presentation that followed and the champagne in the winner's lounge, it certainly was a very special Valentine's night!