15 May 2019
Hammersly Lake was our highest ever rated horse peaking at a handicap mark of 165, and he was probably one of the highest rated horses to run through the summer. Unfortunately he was found this morning in the stable after suffering from an aneurysm overnight.
The winner of a hurdle race and 7 chases amassing a grand total of £230,190 in prize money. He ran twice in the American Grand National at Far Hills and won a Veterans’ qualifier at Fakenham only last month. We bought him at the Goff’s UK Horses In Training Sale two years ago out of Nicky Henderson’s yard after he had won a brace of chases including the Intermediate Handicap Chase at Haydock.
That 2017 summer, he finished runner up in two good handicap chases before winning at Perth in September. He then went to America where he finished fifth in the American Grand National on ground which was too soft.
He returned to training the following spring and had a successful summer, winning at Cartmel, finishing second at Uttoxeter before returning to Perth to repeat his win of 2018 in emphatic fashion. A return trip to Far Hills resulted in a seventh place in the American Grand National. This spring, when stepped up to 3 miles he ran well at Warwick to finish 3rd before winning his 8th and final race at Fakenham carrying 12st 7lbs only 3 weeks ago.
Hammer will be a great loss at Hull Farm, he was a great character and was a fantastic horse to deal with. My thoughts are with his great owner Rob Aplin and my fantastic team at this difficult time, especially Alice who always lead him up and Alan who rode him on a daily basis.
Thank you Hammer for being the most amazing horse to train, we will miss you.
Top-weight Hammersly Lake lands the Sodexo Prestige Venues And Events Killiecrankie Handicap Chase for Brian Hughes and Charlie Longsdon pic.twitter.com/8a65W3S9Ez
— Perth Racecourse (@PerthRacecourse) September 11, 2017
