Which Two-Year-Old (2yo) Horse Holds the 5f Course Record at Windsor?

It's great to see Windsor racecourse back in action. 

Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire has been the starting point for many a flashy two-year-old. Sitting on the Thames, it is a beautiful location and a very scenic paddock lined with trees. 

Few horse racing fans haven't enjoyed an evening at this festive meeting whether on course or watching the box in the corner of the room.

Richard Hannon amongst other talented trainers has made this a happy hunting ground. 

But here's a question. Which two-year-old holds the 5f course record at Windsor and when did it happen? 

There have been some exceptionally talented juveniles racing at this course on the dog-leg five-furlong sprint. Horses drawn low often glide along the rail and take some catching if gaining a lead. 

On the 23rd of May 2011, Charles The Great, ridden by Jimmy Fortune, trained by Andrew Balding and in the ownership of Kennet Valley Thoroughbred  V proved he was faster than most two-year-olds in the country with a blistering display. 

This son of Holy Roman Emperor, out of an unraced mare [Jojeema], was an inspired yearling buy at just 30,000G. 

Time would tell this bay colt would be a wise investment for connections. 

Charles The Great made his debut at Ascot when finishing sixth of seven at odds of 33/1. 

However, connections must have thought this March foal had more than a fleeting chance of winning when heading to Windsor on his second start some sixteen days later. Racing on good-to-firm going, drawn in stall four, he faced five opponents - all previous winners. [Lord Ofthe Shadows, Boomerang Bob, Tioman Legend, Starfly & The Dancing Lord].  

There must have been real hope of a sparkling display as Charles The Great was backed from 20/1 - 12/1. 

He led after one furlong, made most after, ridden and definite advantage over 1f out, stayed on well to win by one-and-a-half lengths. 

A course record time of 58.69s 

You can see the full result here. 

On the back of this stunning performance, Charles The Great went to Royal Ascot to contend the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2). He disappointed in tenth place, losing a right-hind shoe. 

However, this colt was far from done. He bounced back to his imperious best when heading to Newbury to contest the Wetherby Super Sprint. He held the late challenge of Lily's Angel to win a bumper prize of £98,360 by a short-head. 

He would race once more at two when finishing third in the bet365 Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) at Goodwood, behind David Watchman's Requinto (who went on to win the Flying Childers and future stallion). 

The interesting thing about Charles The Great is after just five races at two, he disappeared off the radar. 

He was gelded on the 8th of September that same year.

He changed stables on 18th January 2012. 

Trainer unknown. 

Nothing was seen of this speedy colt for just over a year. In fact, no one even knew who trained him or, perhaps, where he was stabled. 

Then he appeared. 

A trainer notification appeared on the 24th of January 2013. He was in the care of John Moore and racing in Hong Kong. 

The Australian born Moore has a long history within the training ranks after starting work as an assistant trainer with his father in Hong Kong in 1971. After taking out his licence in 1985, he carved out a highly-successful career. 

Charles The Great was in good hands and there would be ample chance for his new connections to enjoy more victories. 

Always a battling type, he won on debut by a short head at Sha Tin taking the Sha Tin Vase (Group 3) and earning his owners Julian Hui Chun Hang and Michele Monique Reis £108,657,66. 

In fact, this was one of four victories in Hong Kong, including four attempts at Group 1. Although he had success at both Group 2 and Group 3. 

He retired on the 22nd of May 2016. Racing thirty-five times, he achieved five wins, two seconds and six thirds. 

And an official rating of 105 detailed a very talented horse. 

His total career earnings came to £987,326. 

Charles The Great still holds the racecourse record for a two-year-old racing over 5f.