SwingingOnTheSteel

Introducing SwingingOnTheSteel, a smart and likable 4-year-old gelding, now in training with Rebecca Menzies.

SwingingOnTheSteel was bought by Highflyer Bloodstock at the recent Tattersalls Cheltenham April sale - the very same sale that a certain Apple Away was purchased at in 2022.

SwingingOnTheSteel finished 2nd in his debut Point-to-Point Flat Race at Larkhill before winning at the same venue less than a month later.

Eleven runners went to post that day for what looked a hot contest but this gelding always caught the eye, travelling strongly throughout. SwingingOnTheSteel went for home rounding the final bend, fending off all challengers up the home straight. Once he took the lead he never looked like losing it, indicating that he’s got the right mind for the job.

Click HERE to watch that race.

Rebecca is very happy with SwingingOnTheSteel, telling us that she likes “the fact that he’s come from a small outfit in the UK” and that “he’s a lovely model… great mover and looked really well at the sales”. Although she hasn’t had him in the yard long, she noted that he “takes all his work in his stride and seems to really enjoy his job… He likes to get on with things, carries his head very nicely and he’s a lovely and balanced horse”, adding that “I think we’ll see a different horse after he’s had a month or six weeks in the field”.

SwingingOnTheSteel is sired by Linda’s Lad and out of Patsola.

Linda’s Lad won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 10f at two years old before going on to win the G3 Lingfield Derby Trial at three. He won or placed at pattern level eight times throughout his career in France, England and the United States, earning £232,781 in prize money in the process.

At stud he is a well-known National Hunt stallion and a multiple G1 producer in Draconien and L’Estran, who won the Irish Champion Hurdle and Gran Premio Merano respectively. He has also produced the likes of Tout Est Permis, who won a Group 2 winner and placed at the Cheltenham Festival.

His dam, Patsola, was unraced but is a half-sister to Tempestatefloresco, who won eight times, including the Listed Summer Cup Chase. She was by Robellino, who has sired over 40 stakes winners including Classic success with Mister Baileys, Classic Park and Robertico. He is also the damsire of Walk In The Park and Passing Glance, who themselves have become Grade 1 winning producers.

SwingingOnTheSteel has been introduced to training at his new yard and the plan is to give him a short Summer break before bringing him back in and prepping him for a first run under rules in the early Autumn. We feel there is much more to come from this exciting youngster and we’re looking forward to seeing him hit the ground running.

Rebecca Menzies did not come from a racing background. Her journey began with a letter to her local stables. She was determined that racing was where she was headed and eventually got a job as a stable lass for Grade 1 and Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Ferdy Murphy. From here she progressed to racing secretary, travelling head lass and finally to Assistant Trainer. In 2013, she became Britain’s youngest trainer when starting out at 24 years old. It is through drive and determination that she has got to where she is today; Rebecca has now trained over 350 winners!