Jockey Juan Hernandez won the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday aboard Bacio, then hurried away by helicopter to catch his flight home from Heathrow.
The California-based Mexican native landed the big sprint at 3.35pm and then faced a tight turnaround to reach Heathrow, nearly 200 miles from York, for a flight due to leave at 6.30pm. The estimated flying time is around two hours.
Quick dash to the airport
Hernandez was booked on an 11½ flight from Heathrow to LAX, scheduled to land at 10pm. From there, he planned to drive to Del Mar in San Diego, where he has rides on Saturday.
He had already fulfilled a bucket list item in June when he steered US challenger Bacio, trained by Wesley Ward, to a three and three quarter length success in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Victory on the favourite
In the Nunthorpe, Bacio, the 3-1 favourite, blitzed the field to beat Starlust and Rumstar.
“That was some performance,” Hernandez said. “All the credit is for Bacio. He was the one on fire. He hit the gate a little and when the gate opened he was trying to go a little early. I was able to save a bit for the last part.
“It’s my first win here but hopefully I can come back and have more winners. This is something I never imagined when I started back in Mexico, This is for America and my family back home.”
Ward's long-awaited win
Ward had unfinished business in the Nunthorpe, having twice saddled the second, including in 2017 when Frankie Dettori prematurely celebrated victory on Lady Aurelia, only to lose out by a nose to Marsha in the photo-finish.
“I got it off my bucket list,” said Ward. “This is one I've had for quite a long time. I thought I had when the great Frankie Dettori stood up, and put his whip in the air. And we got beat, so actually, to finally get this race knocked off the list is a huge deal.”
Ward has more travelling and more big sprints in mind for Bacio, adding: “I am counting on going to the Breeder's Cup at his home track at Keeneland and then onto Australia. I’m really looking at Black Caviar Lightning Stakes down there in February.”
