Kim Bailey’s Nationwide Hunt star and Grade One winner First Move has been retired after a profitable profession, notching 12 victories from 28 runs, and profitable £307,409.
All his profitable performances got here beneath jockey David Bass, who struck up an ideal partnership with the gelding owned by Terry Solomons, a long-standing proprietor of Mr Bailey’s. The 12-year-old was final seen profitable the Godstone Handicap Chase at Lingfield in the course of the Winter Million assembly in January, carrying high weight to victory by a size and 1 / 4 over Saint Segal.
“What a star he’s,” stated Mr Bailey. “There will likely be few others as robust and pleasurable to coach as First Move. Thanks for being the horse that I simply liked.”
First Move was initially purchased by Irish occasion rider Karrie Fanshawe as a retailer [unbroken three-year-old] for €4,500 on the Tattersalls Derby Gross sales in Eire.
“Karrie broke him in and after a 12 months she rang me and requested me to come back and watch him work,” Mr Bailey stated. “David Bass rode him, and after watching him strut his stuff on that bitterly chilly snowy day, we sat down and did a deal.
“Tony Solomons was in search of a horse to exchange Harry Topper, and First Move fitted his price range and therefore the beginning of an exquisite partnership.”
It was nicely documented that leaping didn’t come naturally for First Move; Laura Collett and fellow eventers Lucy Jackson and Ginny Thompson all hung out education the gelding to assist him with this.
“The top product was that he jumped okay on the racecourse, even when at occasions we questioned what he and David Bass had been doing,” stated Mr Bailey. “However they constructed a complete understanding on bravery, primarily based on belief and stupidity, which was to set them as much as tackle the massive boys in Graded races.
“First Move was at all times higher right-handed, however we tried the Champion Chase at Cheltenham [in 2021] and contemplating David almost pulled him up as a result of he couldn’t steer him around the bends, he nonetheless most likely ran his greatest race ever by ending sixth, crushed six lengths behind Put The Kettle On.”
First Move’s profession highlights embrace profitable the Clarence Home Chase at Ascot in 2021 and the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, additionally in 2021.
“Sadly his proprietor Tony Solomons just isn’t in the most effective of well being so his colors, like his horse will likely be retired,” defined Mr Bailey. “Fantastic recollections of each Tony’s enjoyment with all his horses and admittedly, I actually don’t imagine I’ve ever skilled a horse who confirmed such ardour and guts as First Move.”
Mr Bailey stated {that a} “very appropriate dwelling” will likely be discovered for First Move.
“That will likely be tough as I’m detest to say goodbye to him.”
You may additionally be all in favour of…
Credit score: Getty Photographs Credit score: Future 
Credit score: Getty Photographs 
Credit score: Getty Photographs 
Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is filled with all the most recent information and stories, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and stories in addition to different advantages.
