"John Blackburn lauds Midge, the trainer, following Spring Is Sprung's win of a £100,000 bonus"
In a thrilling race at Haydock Park on August 10, 2025, six-year-old sprinter Spring Is Sprung, trained by Paul Midgley, claimed the £100,000 bonus for being the first horse to win three races in this year's SkyBet Sunday Series. Ridden by jockey Jason Hart, Spring Is Sprung secured the bonus with a hard-fought neck victory in the Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap.
The success of Spring Is Sprung marks the first win for trainer Jack Morland since he started sending out his first runners last November. Prior to this victory, the horse had demonstrated consistent form, with wins at Newmarket on May 18 and Chelmsford on June 1, showcasing its adaptability across multiple tracks.
The win at Haydock was particularly noteworthy, as Spring Is Sprung overcame strong competition in a fiercely contested race. Trainer Paul Midgley's patience and careful management played a crucial role in the horse's success, with Midgley withdrawing Spring Is Sprung from a potentially unsuitable race at Hamilton Park due to ground conditions earlier in the season.
Owner John Blackburn expressed high praise for the trainer's skill and the horse's tenacity and racing ability. Jason Hart delivered a strong tactical ride, keeping Spring Is Sprung close to the pace and producing a powerful finish in the final stretch.
The achievement has been widely celebrated given the competitive nature of the Sky Bet Sunday Series, highlighting Spring Is Sprung as a top contender in sprint handicaps this season. Paul Midgley's training acumen has been a key factor in guiding Spring Is Sprung to this milestone success.
Meanwhile, another horse, Gaassee, owned by Julie and Charlie Rosier, also made headlines with a victory in a 1m21⁄2f apprentice handicap race. Ridden by Taryn Langley, Gaassee won by a margin of three and a half lengths, securing the biggest victory of Jack Morland's training career. This was Morland's first win since Gaassee joined his stable at the end of last year.
John Blackburn, the owner of Spring Is Sprung, has been involved in big-race success in the past, including the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Move In Time and last year's Windsor Castle Stakes scorer Ain't Nobody. Blackburn, who has increased his involvement in racing since selling his luxury kitchen worktops business in 2022, attributed the success of Spring Is Sprung to the trainer's skill and expressed calm confidence pre-race, saying, "It's all down to Midge."
As the racing season continues, both Spring Is Sprung and Gaassee are poised to make a significant impact in their respective divisions, with their trainers and jockeys working tirelessly to ensure they remain at the top of their game.
Spring Is Sprung's success in the Sky Bet Sunday Series has not only extended to horse-racing, but also to sprint handicaps this season. Meanwhile, Gaassee, a different horse, excelled in a 1m21⁄2f apprentice handicap race, demonstrating its potential in other racing categories.
