Mark and Charlie Johnston have been major supporters of Chelmsford City Racecourse over the years and their most recent trip south for the Listed ‘IRE Incentive It Pays To Buy Irish’ Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes proved to be a very fruitful one, with almost £50,0000 won by the stable’s winning representative Tippy Toes.

Twelve fillies went to post for the six-furlong contest, with just non-runner from the declared field of thirteen, and a thrilling battle ensued for the first of our two Listed races at Chelmsford City this season. Always prominent under Joe Fanning, Tippy Toes cruised into the lead off the bend in and held on gamely up the straight to win by a length and a quarter from favourite Symphony Perfect, trained by Richard Hannon.

Tippy Toes had won twice for the Johnston yard last season and, after being sent to the Tattersalls December Mares’ Sale and bought for 44,000gns by Colin Bryce, she returned to Yorkshire to resume her training. With a total prize fund of £87,5000 on offer, the Chelmer Filllies Stakes was an obvious starting point for the three-year-old this season and her winnings on the night of £49,621 instantly repaid her sale price.

“I bought the filly because we bred her mum and we wanted to get back into the family,” said Bryce, who, with his wife Melba owns Laundry Cottage Stud in Hertfordshire, where they bred Group 1 winner Wootton Bassett, who is now one of the most sought-after stallions in Europe.

“She didn’t get in foal this year so we are racing on and it was fantastic to win some black type with her – I don’t think there’s another race of that value at the same level in the country. All credit to the Irish for bumping up the prize-money, and of course to Chelmsford as well, who are making a huge effort.”