LYNSEY HANNA concedes that she is about to embark on the "trip of a lifetime" as she heads off on Saturday morning to accompany dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy to Japan, where the filly runs in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Cup at Kyoto on November 14.
Since joining Ed six years ago, Lynsey, who rides out Snow Fairy every morning on the gallops, has dreamed of these sort of missions, and she has been so excited this week that she freely admits she hasn't got too much sleep.
She said:"Snow Fairy is a little darling, and obviously being a dual classic winner, she is very special to me. She does have her moments - she can be grumpy and she will mess about and not co-operate when I am trying to tack her up, but that is just part of her character. If ever she is as quiet as a lamb when I go into her box, I will know something is wrong."
"However, though the trip to Japan is a long one - we stop off at Amsterdam overnight and then have to change again in Milan - I don't envisage any problems with Snow Fairy. She did not turn a hair when she went to Ireland, though that was obviously by boat and nothing compared to what she is about to experience."
Lynsey, who served her apprenticeship with David Barron in North Yorkshire, came to Ed via fellow Newmarket trainer Clive Brittain, and she was immediately taken by the great camaraderie in the yard. She added: "The boss is a great guy to work for - if he wasn't I would not have stayed so long. There is such a lovely atmosphere and everyone is so friendly, and I am really enjoying myself, though I know that I am very lucky to be associated with such a brilliant filly."
"Snow Fairy and I hit off from day one, but she has improved so much on the racecourse this season. Winning the Oaks at Epsom was simply magical, and then going to Ireland and doing it all over again but even more impressively, took my breath away."
"She ran a great race in the St Leger, but then when she did not run in the Champion Stakes because of the ground I thought our season might be over. I have never been to Japan and I still cannot believe that we are going. I am not into raw fish, but I hear that they do a vegetarian sushi, and I think I will be able to manage that."
"Obviously, I would love Snow Fairy to win, but as long as she comes back safe and sound I'll be happy, and, who knows, next year we might even be off on our travels together again. I have seen all the videos of Ouija Board winning two Breeders Cups - maybe this time next year we will be off to Kentucky."