Twice Over

A beautiful old fashioned looking horse Twice Over found himself at the head of many ante post markets for the Derby of 2008 after 2 impressive victories in as many starts in his juvenile year. 

A battling win over none other than Ravens Pass in the Craven done little to diminish those hopes. However, Henry was not convinced and believed that a mile and four furlongs would test his stamina. Consequently, he next competed in York's Dante Stakes over an extended mile and a quarter, where his stamina appeared to falter, resulting in a third-place finish. After missing the Derby, he ran well at Royal Ascot and won a Group 2 race in France.

Twice over continued to run well but it was to be the Champion Stakes the following year before he won his first Group 1. By this stage he was wearing the Yasha Glue on shoe specially imported from America for him.

Stephen explains

“Twice Over exhibited suboptimal flat feet quality, which although not causing lameness, appeared to impede the full extension of his stride during galloping. I had heard about a special type of Glue-on shoe developed by Ian McKinley from Tenderhoof Solutions in America. The Yasha heel support shoes are designed with a unique rubber compound that not only reduces concussive forces but also increases the depth between the sole of the foot and the shoe. These shoes were attached by riveted tabs glued to the wall, rather than the sole.

Twice Over wore these plates for each of his 4 Group 1 victories and I hold dear a Christmas Card I received from Henry saying he felt they had made the difference from nearly being a Group One winner, to being a Group One winner. He was such a special horse to me and from whom I learnt so much about the difference between a sound horse and a horse who can achieve full athletic ability"

A winner of 12 races and slightly over £2.5 million in prize money Twice Over more than lived up to the early expectations placed upon him.