Watery Borren

Watery Borren is an athletic gelding by Jet Away out of Drunken Tattoo, purchased for 70,000gns by Lucinda Russell and Paul McIvor at the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale, the same sale from which we secured Kingston James in 2023.

He made a highly promising start to his career when winning on debut in the second division of the geldings’ maiden at Ballycrystal in December. The winner of the first division was later sold for 185,000gns, underlining the strength of the form. Racing in gruelling conditions, Watery Borren showed a very likeable attitude to make all from the front in a contest where only four of the eleven runners completed, many of whom brought previous experience to the table. Unsurprisingly tiring in the closing stages, he nonetheless produced a thoroughly professional performance on debut.

Watery Borren is by Jet Away, an eight-time winner, achieving success in both Britain and Australia. Since retiring to stud in 2015, Jet Away has established himself as a reliable source of quality National Hunt performers, producing graded winners such as Grade 2 winner Jet To Vegas, trained by Lucinda Russell along with Brandy Love, Cool Jet, along with the 156-rated Three Card Brag. He is out of Drunken Tattoo, a half-sister to Listed Chase winner Gus Macrae.

Lucinda has been excited by Watery Borren from the minute she saw him at the sales. She told us that, “He's so straightforward, such an athlete and just so tough." Adding, "He reminds me a lot of the very good stayers we have had...he's just the type of horse that moves beautifully."

All the signs suggest Watery Borren is a progressive and likeable individual, combining size, scope, and a willing attitude. He looks the type to continue improving with experience and should provide his connections with plenty to look forward to as he develops under Rules.

Lucinda Russell grew up surrounded by horses competing in a variety of disciplines. Lucinda trains in the beautiful Kinross countryside half an hour north of Edinburgh. Lucinda started training Point-to-Pointers before getting out her professional licence in 1995.

Lucinda trains with her partner Peter ‘Scu’ Scudamore MBE, an eight-time Champion Jockey who rode 1,678 winners in a record breaking career. Together they have formed a partnership that has produced the most successful racing yard in the history of Scottish jumps racing. To date, Lucinda Russell has trained over 750 National Hunt winners including 17 Graded winners and triumphs at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. From 2009/10 season to the present, she is the leading National Hunt trainer in Scotland.

In 2017, she became an Aintree Grand National winning trainer with One For Arthur, ridden by Derek Fox - winning again in 2023 with Corach Rambler. She became only the fourth female trainer to do so and the first Scottish trainer since 1979. Lucinda was awarded an OBE for her services to horseracing in 2018.