Ballysax Hank delivered a commanding performance to clinch the Summer Plate 2025 at Market Rasen, handing champion jockey Harry Cobden his third consecutive win in the prestigious summer handicap. The victory marked another standout moment for trainer Gavin Cromwell, whose progressive runner surged from the back to win by five lengths.
Recap: How Ballysax Hank Won the Summer Plate
The race began with Ballysax Hank unsettled at the start, but Cobden—known for his tactical calm—anchored the horse at the rear through the early stages. With leaders Courtand and Bhaloo setting a strong pace, the race opened up as the field rounded the final circuit.
“I was buying cattle when Keith Donoghue rang and asked if I wanted to ride Ballysax Hank,” Cobden shared. “I didn’t even hesitate. Once we turned in, I knew it was over. He was travelling so smoothly—I just didn’t want to hit the front too soon.”
Trained in Ireland by Cromwell, Ballysax Hank gradually made up ground approaching the final bend. Once asked, he accelerated with ease, bypassing rivals and powering clear in the run-in to seal a memorable success on Summer Plate Ladies Day.
“He crept into it really well,” Cobden added. “It’s great how it all worked out. Gavin just told me to ride him how I felt was right, and the horse responded beautifully.”
The runner-up, trained by Mickey Bowen, ran a strong race but was no match for the eventual winner. “We just bumped into one,” said Bowen. “Our horse did everything right, but Ballysax Hank was just better handicapped.”
Bowen didn’t go home empty-handed. Later in the day, stable stalwart Lermoos Legend made up for a string of near-misses by winning the Try Unibet’s Smartview Racecards Handicap Chase. Under Sean Bowen, the 10-year-old held off Prospect House to win by nearly ten lengths.
“I wasn’t sure he’d handle the right-handed track,” admitted Mickey Bowen. “But we gave it a go, and he was brilliant. He’s been with us since he was three—it’s great to see him win again.”
With this win, Ballysax Hank’s name is now etched among the notable Summer Plate winners, and Harry Cobden’s reputation as a big-race rider continues to grow.
Read more about past articles about Market Rasen here https://racebuzz.com/category/international/.
