Jeremy Clarkson is toasting his first victory as a racehorse owner after The Hawkstonian romped home at Ffos Las in Wales this afternoon.
The grey gelding, named after the former Top Gear presenter's Hawkstone Brewery, finally broke his duck on his sixth career start in the novices' hurdle.
Clarkson, 65, couldn't contain his delight on X, posting: "Hawkstonians. I'm receiving word that our horse triumphed today at the Blue Ditch course in Wales. I'm going to celebrate with a beer."
When fans pointed out it's still Dry January, the TV star quipped that the tradition doesn't apply when you own a brewery and a pub.
The Hawkstonian landed victory at Ffos Las on Friday afternoon
|ATTHERACES
The six-year-old horse takes its name from Clarkson's Hawkstone lager and cider brand, which uses ingredients sourced from his famous Diddly Squat Farm.
Ben Pauling handles the training duties, and there's a lovely connection there – his family originally worked the very land that became Clarkson's farm and even taught Kaleb Cooper how to work the fields.
The horse is owned through Old Gold Racing, a syndicate that sold 3,250 shares at £60 each over 14 months, giving thousands of fans a stake in the action.
Clarkson fronts the ownership group, making this win extra special for everyone involved.
Jockey Ben Jones reckons the horse is something special when he's at home.
"Honestly, if you saw him at home – he's an absolute rocket," he told Sky Sports Racing.
Jeremy Clarkson revealed he will be celebrating after his horse won
|The breakthrough came thanks to a couple of key changes – a tongue strap fitted for the first time and the soggy Welsh conditions that suited him perfectly.
"He had a tongue strap on for the first time today which has played to his favour and I think that wet, sloppy ground where you can get through it meant he hit the line strong, which he hasn't been doing until today," Jones explained.
The 13-2 shot showed real grit when challenged, putting his head down to battle past Emerald Breeze by three-quarters of a length.
Jones is already eyeing up a reward for his winning ride.
"I might get a free meal in the pub now!" he joked, referring to Clarkson's establishment The Farmer's Dog.
A big group of shareholders braved the wet and muddy conditions at the Welsh track to watch their horse cross the line first.
Old Gold Racing's chief executive Ed Seyfried was among them, saying: "Standing in the wet and the mud at Ffos Las was all worth it in the end! Seeing The Hawkstonian get his first win is great for Jeremy and the shareholders and we look forward to more fun days ahead."