Blue Hero will never be remembered as a champion of the sport, but at Bath Racecourse he has earned legendary status.
His victory on 31 July was his eleventh at the Lansdown track – a remarkable achievement that no other horse is known to have matched. In fact, no horse is believed to have won more than eight races here, making Blue Hero's record one of the most extraordinary course affiliations in British racing.
Born in Canada in 2018, Blue Hero was bred to be useful and fetched $75,000 as a foal. His career, however, failed to live up to those expectations, and after showing only modest form in Britain, including finishing fourth of five in a seller, he returned to the sales. Trainer Adrian Wintle secured him for just 3,800 guineas, hoping that a falling handicap mark would eventually give him his chance.
That chance arrived at Bath on 12 September 2021. Racing over a mile and a quarter on firm ground – three completely new experiences for him – Blue Hero got up in a thrilling photo finish from his trademark strong late run. It was the start of an extraordinary love affair with the course.
Since then, he has won at Bath every season, with Finley Marsh partnering him for seven of those eleven victories. His familiar tactics have become a feature of many racedays on Lansdown: settled towards the rear off a strong pace before producing his customary late surge to snatch victory close home.
Now an eight-year-old, Blue Hero has made Bath his home, running here 35 times and proving equally effective from a mile to a mile and a half. He must know every blade of grass on the track – and he certainly knows exactly where the winning post is.
