MEMORY CLOTH 18 February 2007 Cape Cross-Gossamer Owner-RM&T Holdings Limited.
Memory Cloth was bred to be out of the top draw, being by Cape Cross out of the Sadler's Well mare Gossamer, who achieved a BHA mark of 118 during an eight race career. He was bred by the Darley Stud and went in to training with Andre Fabre as a two year old, racing just the once at Chantilly. He reappeared at three winning at Saint-Cloud, then was tested in Group Three company back at Chantilly, only going down by three and three quarter lengths in finishing sixth of eight, and earning a Racing Post Rating of 106.
It would be sixteen months until he was seen again on a racecourse, having been acquired by Mike John of RM&T Holdings, and put in to training with Brian Ellison at Norton, in North Yorkshire.Off a mark of 95 he took his time to find his feet, but when the handicapper finally relented, he made no mistake on his fifth British start on April 28th 2012 at Ripon with Kieron Fallon booked. Memory Cloth had now found his stride, following up with three placed efforts and a win at Newcastle in June, taking his rating back up to 101.
That was the peak of his form as he found it difficult to cope with his very high rating, and the wear and tear of previous excursions were catching up with him. He was sent hurdling in 2013 finishing third twice from six starts, before a return to the flat in 2014. Off a much reduced mark of 70 and striking up a formidable partnership with the then seven pounds claimer Megan Carberry he found a new lease of life winning three times in under a month, taking his rating back up to 82.
After a seventh month break he came back, running respectably to be placed in three of his six races, but probably finding his mark too high. His owner Mike John who has always been a fantastic supporter of our yard thought that Memory Cloth might benefit for a change of scenery, so he was transferred to Oakwood Stables. He ran just the five times for us, with his best run coming at Pontefract under Jack Garritty, beaten by two and a half lengths in to forth.
Age had finally caught up with him, and this high class bred in the purple performer deserved a good home to spend his retirement. Things couldn't have turned out better for him as he now lives out his days in the loving care of Emma White, the General Manager of Sedgefield Racecourse, and recently there was even more good news for Memory Cloth as Only Orsenfoolies who has just retired has come to keep him company.
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