Newent Selling Chase

The Newent Selling Chase over 2 miles 100 yards was first staged at the 1923 Festival and frequently was the first race on the card of subsequent Festivals until 1942. The undoubted star of this race was the lowly Ferrens, trained by George Beeby, who contested this race 6 times, firstly in 1934 when third at the age of 12, winning it in 1937 aged 15, and coming second in 1939 at the ripe old age of 17.
Early history:-The inaugural running of the Newent Selling Chase 200 sovereigns over 2 miles 100 yards was on Wednesday 7th March 1923 when won by Mr C King's Valentine VI (10/1) trained by Hyde and ridden by Mr Prioleau, beating Swimmer (11/2) and Serban (4/1) by half a length and a distance.
Newent Selling Chase 1923 Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 VALENTINE VI Mr Prioleau Hyde Mr C King 10/1
2 SWIMMER G Goswell H Harrison Mr A D McAlpine 11/2
3 SERBAN H A Brown H A Brown Mr H A Brown 4/1
4 FLYING WINKFIELD W Clark Smith-Ryland Mr C I Smith-Ryland 100/8
5 STRIKE BREAKER Trudgill Burroughs Mr F C Burroughs 11/8 fav
6 LIMERICK LAD Mr Gibson E G Pease Mr E G Pease 100/8
7 SEARCHER F Croney Kirk Mr A H Stringer 100/8
8 PHILIP Braithwaite Vasey Mr William Wilson 100/8
9 CAPTAIN SCOTT Captain Vivian A Hastings Captain R Body 100/8
        Over round 126%
This race was run on Thursday 8th March 1923 when Valentine VI beat Swimmer and Serban by 1 1/2 lengths and a distance