THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com  created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

MANDY'S MANTINO

Copyright Valerie Martin 2008

In February 2008 I was delighted to hear from Wendy Fleet.......

"Hi there.....I don't know if you can help me.    I have been loaning Mandys Mantino for the last 3 years and would love to have a picture of him in action in his racing hayday.

I know he was trained by Josh Gifford in the latter part of his career and since no other sources have been able to provide any pictures, I wondered whether you have come across anything in your Gifford archives.

He is nearly 18 now but still fighting fit and incredibly handsome!    Thanks.....Wendy Fleet".

I  replied to her that I had lived in Findon for fourteen years and John Plackett had been Mandy's Mantino's owner when he was stabled in the village.   

This lovely dark brown gelding... Neltino - Mandy's Melody (Highland Melody)....  won two condition hurdle races in the 1996 racing season.   

He failed to win a 'chase by the end of February so it was decided to keep him as a novice over fences and hope that he would live up to his hurdle reputation in the 1997 season over fences.    I'm not quite sure what happened to him after that.  

Philip Hide was more often than not his jockey I believe.

I then heard from Wendy again ..."Wow - thanks, that is so fantastic.   He still looks as beautiful, I attach him and me now. Wendy".

click on image to enlarge
 

My turn to say "Wow.... what a lovely photograph".

Continue if you would like to read about Anton Pearson.

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.