Andrew Gemmell has enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success previously (Image: Getty)
Racehorse owner Andrew Gemmell is a familiar face up and down the country at racecourses throughout the year, despite being blind. The racing-lover has not allowed his impairment to prevent him from diving into the world of horses, and he has enjoyed plenty of success in the sport previously.
Gemmell most famously owned Paisley Park, a firm favourite among National Hunt lovers. Trained by Emma Lavelle, the gelding provided his connections with a day to remember when winning the Stayers’ Hurdle at the 2019 .
Paisley Park failed to regain his crown in the following years, coming close in 2021 and 2022 when staying on for third. He was then retired at last year’s Cheltenham Festival after a 10th-placed finish in the race.
Gemmell, Lavelle and other connections have gained a reputation for bursting with pride when discussing Paisley Park, and the team will be hoping to uncover another gem in the coming years.
Don’t miss…
Emma Lavelle trains Gemmell’s 125/1 shot (Image: Getty)
The team have one runner at this year’s Festival, Hang In There. The 11-year-old is a 125/1 outsider in the Ryanair Chase on day three (Thursday), with Harry Cobden booked for the ride. The gelding heads into the race with plenty to find having last been seen finishing fourth in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, in what now does not appear strong form.
A more prominent ride could have aided his chances that day, and Cobden may be instructed to go forward and make Thursday’s race a real test – though Il Est Francais also likes to race prominently too.
Regardless of the result, Gemmell will soak up the occasion as he has done over the years. Speaking about how he enjoys racing despite being blind, the owner told : “I love racing – the general environment, the thrills, the excitement. It is just different. It is a sport for blind people; it is very accessible because you can hear the commentary.
“In cricket, I listen to the radio, at football matches I have a mate who commentates for me, with racing I can pick up (what’s going on) on the tannoy. I like to be stood down by the rails so I can hear them come by me. I love to hear the horses galloping by me.”