The Livingstone trio delivered a perfect performance at the Wales & Border harness racing meeting held at Almeley in Herefordshire. The trio, comprising drivers Arrowsmith and Don Bobby among others, captured every race they contested, achieving a clean sweep for the stable. Their successes spanned the Baby Novice and Novice divisions, underscoring the depth of talent within the Livingstone training operation.
The opening race of the programme saw Arrowsmith behind the reins of Austin Hughes' (New Radnor) Matisse. The horse prevailed, beating newcomer Evenwoodbittasweet, owned by Myfanwy Miles of Merthyr, to secure first place, while Fold Take Flight rounded out the podium in third. Arrowsmith followed that performance with another victory in the second Baby Novice, consolidating the stable's dominance early in the meeting.
Arrowsmith Dominates the Baby Novice Division
Arrowsmith's skill was on full display in the Baby Novice races. In the first event, Matisse, trained by Austin Hughes, crossed the finish line ahead of Evenwoodbittasweet, a newcomer trained by Reynolds at Orleton. The third‑place finisher, Fold Take Flight, completed an all‑local podium. Arrowsmith repeated his winning form in the second Baby Novice, further extending the Livingstone stable's unbeaten record for the day.
Don Bobby Leads the Novice Race to Victory
The Novice race was won by Don Bobby, who was guided by trainer Lynne Boxhall. The win marked a strong start for the trio's campaign, with Full Closure, owned and trained by Jayne Bevan of Llanddewi, taking second place. Manhattan Gangster, listed under Munro, secured third, rounding out another clean‑sweep finish for the Livingstone operation.
Implications for the Season
The clean sweep achieved by the Livingstone trio at Almeley sets a positive tone for the upcoming harness racing season. With multiple drivers demonstrating the ability to win across different classes, the stable is positioned as a contender for future meetings and championships within the Wales & Border circuit.
Stakeholders, including owners, trainers, and fans, are likely to view the performance as an indicator of strong preparation and partnership between drivers and horses, reinforcing the reputation of the Livingstone operation in the regional harness racing community.