Return for Quito (From York Press)

Quito set to make a comeback for Stillington trainer Ruth Carr

9:52am Thursday 23rd October 2008 in Horse racing By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

QUITO is set to make a remarkable comeback for Stillington trainer Ruth Carr.

The 11-year-old sprinter, who won 18 races for Carr’s grandfather David Chapman, is provisionally entered in the 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Conditions Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.

Chapman retired Quito in August last year citing soreness in his joints following his run in the July Cup at Newmarket but Carr told The Press he has not settled well into life without racing.

She explained that Quito was a rig – a male horse carrying testicles which had not descended – and had been unable to take on stallion duties in Stillington.

“There was a problem really knowing what to do with him,” Carr said. “He is such a handful and a really big horse. He was living like he was still in training, going out in the paddock, and was so full of himself.

“We had to give him a bit of work and he was enjoying it so we have given him a bit more and a bit more and here we are.”

Quito won more than £465,000 in prize money but faces a tough test should he run on Saturday – with Richard Fahey’s Utmost Respect and Kevin Ryan’s Ayr Gold Cup winner Advanced named in the Class 2 contest.

And, after pulling Quito out of a race at Yarmouth earlier in the week for fears the ground was too quick, Carr said she would not be doing anything that might put the horse at risk.

“He won’t be going anywhere unless we are happy,” Carr added. “He has been rated 100 at Doncaster so he is possibly well in but he is 11 coming on 12 and that might not be good enough to win a tough handicap. Until we get to the track, we won’t know.”

Quito would not be the oldest horse to have won a race from Carr’s Mowbray House Farm yard.

Redoubtable was one of barely a couple of horses in Britain to win on the Flat at 14 but Carr said no definite plans would be made for Quito’s future.

His return is the latest bonus in what has been an impressive first season for Carr since she took over the reins of the stables from Chapman.

She has picked up 11 Flat winners and nearly £55,000 in prize money in her debut campaign and is delighted with how things have gone.

“I didn’t make any targets at the start but, half-way through, I thought I might be able to get into double figures,” Carr said. “I have been really pleased with the results.”