Fond Farewell For Lines

Catapult’s victory at Lingfield ensured Shergar’s former work rider Cliff Lines secured a winning end to his 70-year career in racing.

Lines, who started out as an apprentice in 1949 and will celebrate his 84th birthday on February 14, was employed by the likes of Sir Michael Stoute and Sir Noel Murless during his career, in which he was regarded as one of the best work riders in racing.

His highlight was being associated with 1981 Derby winner Shergar while he also worked with Shareef Dancer, Sonic Lady and J O Tobin.

After taking out his own licence to train in 2011, Lines has now decided it is the time to retire and he enjoyed one last winning outing when Hollie Doyle guided Catapult to victory in the sunracing.co.uk Maiden Handicap.

“After I saw the way he jumped I was confident he’d win,” Lines told Sky Sports Racing. “Hollie gave him a great ride, it’s her first winner for me. “I was reasonably confident coming here, we just thought the draw was bad, but it turned out good.

“He was so well coming here, he was showing how well he was and everything has gone right. “I can’t believe how quick he came out of the stalls – I thought it must have been a false start. It’s a great ending, terrific.”

He added: “Shergar, J O Tobin, Sonic Lady, Shareef Dancer – they were all very good horses for Mr Stoute and I rode some at Mr (Geoff) Lewis’ too.

“Riding horses like that – you can’t describe it, it was the best feeling in the world and I wouldn’t have changed it for anything.”