Viscountess Nelson

Viscountess Nelson is an Old Gold Racing syndicate with a difference: owners will own a share alongside Francesca Cumani as she becomes a National Hunt racehorse owner for the very first time!

For Francesca, this isn’t a leap into the complete unknown. She has long been recognised as a leading authority on the flat, but her involvement with Old Gold Racing has brought her closer to the world of jumps. And she’s already felt it first-hand — schooling over the Grand National practice fences in Lambourn with Richard Johnson, where the thrill of National Hunt racing truly bit.

Now she takes the next step: her first horse as an owner in jumps racing. And what better way to mark that milestone than by partnering with one of the sport’s all-time greats, Nicky Henderson?

Owners can expect exclusive content featuring Nicky and Francesca, as well as the opportunity to go racing with Francesca when Viscountess Nelson runs!

Please note: this is not a partner syndicate - Viscountess Nelson will run in Old Gold Racing silks throughout the coming seasons.

Viscountess Nelson is an impressive 5-year-old mare, now in training with Nicky Henderson.

She was purchased for £40,000 at the Goffs UK Spring sale by Jerry McGrath and Nicky Henderson.

Viscountess Nelson made a winning start at Ballysteen in April. Travelling well throughout the race, she was confidently sent on from two fences out, having always jumped fluently. She quickly saw off any challengers to win by a comfortable 1.5 lengths to the well-fancied favourite of Colin Bowe’s, who has since come out and won. She looks as though she will only improve from that run.

She also looks like the type of mare that will relish her racing: she has taken to life at Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard like a duck to water and ought to be competitive in a bumper in the autumn before going novice hurdling after Christmas.

Mount Nelson has produced the likes of Librisa Breeze, Berkshire and Hors De Combat on the flat before moving to Ireland to cover jumps mares. Over obstacles, he has had the likes of Stayers’ Hurdle winner Penhill along with Pic Roc and Steal A March, who have shown top form in handicaps. Taws was herself a seven-time winner who placed a further 11 times, including at Listed level.

Nicky has been delighted with Viscountess Nelson reporting, “She has got a lovely temperament - very willing and she moves nicely” Adding "She definitely looks to me that she has got the speed to win a bumper" he finished by saying “She's got a good pedigree and I am looking forward to what is ahead because I think we are going to have a lot of fun!”

Nicky Henderson LVO OBE, is based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire. Nicky hit 3000 career wins in July 2018 and has been crowned Champion Trainer six-times during the course of his career. He has a formidable Cheltenham Festival record, having sent out over 70 winners there, nine of which have come from the Champion Hurdle.

Nicky was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to horse racing. Nicky has trained some spectacular Jumpers during his time, dominating the two-mile chasing scene with Sprinter Sacre and Altior. His yard is currently home to some of the best horses in the National Hunt Sphere, such as Constitution Hill and Jonbon.