Stormy Reveller
Tom Bennett
A chance conversation with John Richardson back in 1999 was to change Brenda Dean’s life forever. When she told him she was in the market for a young horse he had suggested that she might take a look at a two year old he was starting to break-in on behalf of owner Bobby Hanson. At the time her then stable stars Black In A Flash and Double M were coming to the end of their respective careers and having successfully campaigned them with Musselburgh as their main targets annually, a new challenge appeared on the horizon and whetted her appetite. Tregaron was a relatively new festival which had just sprung to prominence on the circuit and she wanted to train up a crack miler in the hope of one day winning the Welsh Classic. On first glance the athletic looking colt seemed to fit the bill.
Bobby drove a hard bargain but she was determined to buy him. By Young Commander out of Springhill Sheeba an Armbro Mystic mare little did she know that the colt had inherited the electrifying gate speed of his dam coupled with the dogged die-hard spirit of his sire. Born in a storm Bobby gave him the stable name Stormy and in a play on words of Brenda’s former track record holder in the 1970’s Dorney Reveller, she called the compact bay colt Stormy Reveller.
Unraced at 2, she launched him on the unsuspecting Portmarnock public on the opening day of the 2000 season. He was to go an unbeaten 9 for 9 that year. The highlight of this campaign was arguably the Irish Derby in June where he claimed the scalp of the previously undefeated UK raider Chaps. Imperious in the parade ring beforehand it was felt by many that day that the US import only had to turn-up to land the spoils. In fact, regular driver Megan Taff stayed at home to race on the Wales & West circuit leaving husband Dave to steer Chaps to what appeared on all known form a certain and clear-cut victory. It was not to be however and Stormy lowered the colours of Chaps inflicting a shock defeat in a thrilling finish. Stormy Reveller had arrived and was now a force to be reckoned with!
His four year old season picked up where he left off and he paced to five wins that year including a heat win and third in the final of the Famous Musselburgh Pace. At five years old he again won five races including a repeat heat win and third in the final of the Famous Musselburgh Pace. The highlight of his five year old campaign however was in August when he won the race he was bought for and destined to win – The Tregaron Welsh Classic. Mission accomplished. At 6 he won an incredible 10 races from 13 starts including 6 free-for-alls at five different tracks: Portmarnock, Annaghmore, Tregaron, Tir Prince and Wexford.
It was business as usual at 7 years old when he won top class races such the BHRC European Pacing Classic at Tir Prince, the Sands Stud Gold Cup and the “Rock the Clock” FFA at Portmarnock when he inflicted the first ever defeat of Scarlet And Gold in free for all class.
Illness struck Stormy Reveller just before the start of his 8 year old campaign when a virus curtailed his season before it had truly even began. Stormy never really recovered from this virus and despite attempts at re-launching his career at 9 and then again at 10 Stormy Reveller failed to recapture the fire in his belly that had seen him climb to the top and remain there season after season from ages 3 till 7.
2008 came around and Brenda brought Stormy into training again, more to keep herself busy as opposed to harbouring any realistic hope of reclaiming past glories but the old horse began to start showing some of his old sparkle in training. She entered him for Tregaron and subsequently we all now know that this festival was unfortunately cancelled due to the inclement weather.
Although his handicap had now dropped slightly from the lofty heights of class 12 or 080 in old handicapping terms Brenda still felt that Stormy was worthy of an invite to the Wolverhampton series and was sure he could play his part in showcasing the sport to the greater British and Irish viewing public. The invite never arrived. Disappointment soon turned to realism. Stormy was maybe, in the eyes of the panel now not among the top 36 horses on the circuit. But Brenda had a fit and eager horse, ready to run and do his level best regardless so she looked for a suitable race for him.
His one and only start of 2008 came on Sunday 21st September at West Cork venue Manch where every race on the card featured a named memorial cup for a deceased club member which included Brenda’s father Patsy Dean.
Stormy lined up against a field of young pretenders including Flashdance, regarded by many knowledgeable pundits as currently the fastest horse in Ireland out of the starting gate, Flashdance. His driver Mike Kelleher and Stormy’s driver Brenda joked as they lined up beforehand about who would draw first blood and claim the coveted rail. Mike told her not to bother, it was a formality. But nobody told Stormy. Blasting out the gate all guns blazing the pair went at it, no holds barred, full tilt into the first turn at a suicidal pace. Stormy had held him off to the amazement of all who were present. But Flashdance is a classic grinder in every sense of the word and he sat on the outside of Stormy for most of the two circuits badgering and tormenting the old boy who gallantly refused to surrender. In the home straight, Stormy eventually gave way and Flashdance strode on to a well deserved victory.
Amid the on-track celebration for Flashdance, Brenda quietly steered the vanquished Stormy up towards commentator Jason Kane and following a quiet exchange between the two, he then made an announcement that this was to be Stormy Reveller’s last appearance on the track to a shocked public who then burst into a spontaneous round of applause in appreciation of the horses feats on the track down through the years and the pleasure he had given to harness fans in both Ireland and the UK over many seasons.
Id say the long drive home to Dublin was a sombre one, but the one positive that had to be taken from the day was that Stormy had ran his best race in almost three years. He had been as gallant as ever in defeat, came off the track safe and sound and would now enjoy a happy retirement.
Settled back into his stable, his home for the past 9 years, Brenda locked up the yard and went home with a tear in her eye. It was the end of an era. Although she had owned and drove many champions in the past, Dorney Reveller, Double M, Spice Girl, Black In A Flash and her own personal favourite Rambling Rover (whom she steered to 57 lifetime wins) Stormy had now eclipsed all of those in her affections. His feats on the track would probably never be equaled or bettered by any pacer again in the UK or Ireland.
The following morning a battered crumpled up envelope was pushed through the letterbox by the postman. On the front was a note scribbled by a postal worker…….Apologies for the delay. She looked at the date stamp. Weeks late. On opening it Brenda gave a wry smile. A William Hill Series Woverhampton invite…………..
Farewell Stormy Reveller, a true legend in every sense of the word. In our world full of big money ready-made US imports, there are not many home bred old school pacers left for the public latch on to, to support and cheer on, to fight the good fight “David versus Goliath style”. Stormy, the “little guy” has now handed this baton the “The Big Guy” a worthy replacement.
Stormy we hope you revel in your well deserved retirement.
