PENPAL. 17 February 2015. Muhtathir-Penkinella. Owner-The Golden Cuckoo.
Penpal is a lightly raced ex French gelding who has raced in eight hurdles races to date. His dam has had three racecourse representatives, including the 124 Racing Post rated Pennymart who was trained by Yannick Fouin, the previous trainer of Penpal.
Penpal made his debut in a juvenile hurdle in December 2018 at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, finishing a 14 length third, back at the same track a month later he improved to be second in a four year old only hurdle, going down by a length and a half.In February 2019 he stepped up in trip to two miles and two furlongs at Auteuil, finishing fifth, beaten by 10 and a half lengths, but receiving a Racing Post rating of 115.
Penpal was off the track until returning at Auteuil in September, when contesting handicap company for the first time, but he disappointed by beating only one of the 15 runners home.It was a better effort next time in October, with a respectable sixth, again in handicap company at Auteuil. He was off the track after that until May 2020 when winning a claimer at Pau, keeping on strongly for a four lengths success, and receiving a Racing Post rating of 122.
Penpal joined us in the autumn and made his British debut under a penalty at Catterick on November 20th,finishing down the field in the same race where Stormin Norman finished forth, that was his first start in six months, and he will come on for the run, he has currently got a BHA rating of 120.
Update- Penpal ran at Catterick on December 15th, finishing a very encouraging fifth under a penalty.
To see a list of all the 87 horses currently in training at Oakwood Stables, and Sharp Hill, go to www.mickyhammondracing.