Cherise Farrugia secures 50th win of career

During Monday’s horse racing meeting at the Marsa Racetrack, young sensation Cherise Farrugia secured her 50th win of her career.

It was on November 1, 2020, when Farrugia secured her first-ever win on Erromanga. Farrugia had secured that victory at only 16 years of age.

Three years on, and the 19-year-old has reached the landmark of 50 careers win when securing victory with Hanouchka in the Class Bronze race held on Monday.

Farrugia hails from a family who are avid horse racing enthusiasts. Her father Andre is one of the leading horse owners in Malta and abroad, while her grandfather Andrew is one of the most experienced drivers on the island.

On the other hand, her great grandfather, Kola Farrugia, known as ‘Kola tal-ġebel’ is considered among the best drivers and trainers that were ever seen in Malta.

Cherise Farrugia started his sport at a very young age and used to attend courses organised by the horse racing academy established by the Malta Sports Council in 2010.

A few years ago, Farrugia had also completed a course in the training centre of Grosbois, France, organised by AFASEC, the French Academy of Equestrian Sports and Competition.

In the past few years, Farrugia has also won the national championship for drivers under 25 years and also represented Malta in several international competitions.

Meanwhile, the Southern Region Local Councils Competition got underway last weekend with three heats for class Premier trotters on a short distance of 2,140m. From these heats, twelve trotters made it to the final stage.

The class Premier heats were won by Call Jack (Ludvic Ghigo) which dashed strongly from the outside midway through the final straight.

Ghigo also won the second heat with Caid Sly which upped its pace in the last metres and Belgian newcomer Laradja Vrijthout (Marco Refalo) took the honours in the third heat after it led all the way.

Saturday’s card also included six heats from the San Frangisk Championship Cup for class Copper trotters on a short distance.

Saturday’s winners

Race 1. Class Bronze – Fighter Perrine (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.6”

Race 2. San Franġisk Cup Heat. Class Copper – Oyess LJ (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.9”

Race 3. San Franġisk Cup Heat. Class Copper – Elvis Des Pignes (Anton Cassar) – 1.16.5”

Race 4. San Franġisk Cup Heat. Class Copper – First Oaks (Brian Camilleri) – 1.16.8”

Race 5. San Franġisk Cup Heat. Class Copper – Ezior (Charlton Muscat) – 1.16.6”

Race 6. San Franġisk Cup Heat. Class Copper – Deal Des Marceaux (Nolan Azzopardi) – 1.16.8”

Race 7. San Franġisk Cup Heat. Class Copper – Henzo Des Perthuis (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.1”

Race 8. Class Silver – Diamant Du Ruel (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.13.5”

Race 9. Southern Region Cup Heat. Class Premier – Call Jack (Ludvic Ghigo) – 1.15.7”

Race 10. Class Silver – Fille Fingal (Anton Cassar) 1.14.5”

Monday’s winners

Race 1. Class Bronze – Professor (Jason Vassallo) – 1.13.3”

Race 2. Class Bronze – Flash Du Rabutin (Ludvic Ghigo) – 1.15.1”

Race 3. Class Silver – Awesome Kronos (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.13.4”

Race 4. Class Bronze – Hanouchka (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.14.3”

Race 5. Class Silver – New Moon Pellini (Charles Magro) – 1.15.3”

Race 6. Class Bronze – Gypsa Bella (Charles Camilleri) – 1.15.8”

Race 7. Southern Region Cup Heat. Class Premier – Caid Sly (Ludvic Ghigo) – 1.14.9”

Race 8. Class Bronze. – Gabin De See (Paul Galea) – 1.15.7”

Race 9. Southern Region Cup Heat. Class Premier – Laradja Vrijthout (Marco Refalo) – 1.12.9”

Race 10. Class Silver – Timetopaythepipe (Dylan Baldacchino) – 1.14.5”