Defence Witness
🐎 Defence Witness (IRE)
Foaled: 24th March 2019 | Sex: Gelding | Colour: Brown
Sire: Court Cave (IRE) | Dam: Colleen Dubh (IRE) (by Presenting (GB))
Trainer: Sam England
Why This Horse?
Defence Witness is a powerful staying chaser whose profile is built around stamina, toughness and continual progression. A winner under both bumper and chase rules, he has developed into an exciting National Hunt performer who relishes a test of endurance and possesses the attitude every owner hopes for.
After showing plenty of promise early in his career, Defence Witness has continued to improve with experience. Since joining Sam England, he has gone from strength to strength over fences, proving himself to be a genuine staying handicap chaser capable of competing in competitive company. His determination, honest attitude and willingness to battle all the way to the line make him an ideal horse to carry the Ursa Major Racing colours.
🏇 Racing Profile
Foaled on 24th March 2019, Defence Witness is an Irish-bred brown gelding who races in the colours of Ursa Major Racing. He began his career by winning a National Hunt Flat race before progressing over hurdles, but it is since switching to fences that he has shown his greatest improvement.
A strong traveller with plenty of stamina, Defence Witness is most effective over staying trips of around three miles. His breakthrough over fences came at Cartmel before adding an impressive handicap chase victory at Catterick in January 2026. Consistent placed efforts at Sedgefield and appearances in higher-quality staying handicap chases have further highlighted his progression and suggest there is still more to come from this improving chaser.
🏠 Training
Defence Witness is trained by Sam England, whose North Yorkshire yard has become one of the most respected National Hunt operations in the country. Renowned for producing tough, progressive staying horses, the team have helped Defence Witness develop into a confident and reliable chaser.
Since arriving at the yard, his jumping has continued to improve, while careful placement has allowed him to gain confidence over longer distances. Sam's patient approach has been rewarded with multiple victories over fences, and Defence Witness continues to thrive under her expert care.
🧬 Pedigree Highlights
Defence Witness is by Court Cave, one of the most respected National Hunt stallions in Britain and Ireland. A son of Sadler's Wells, Court Cave has produced countless high-class hurdlers and chasers renowned for their stamina, soundness and longevity.
His dam, Colleen Dubh, is by the outstanding Presenting, a legendary influence in National Hunt breeding whose offspring are celebrated for their courage, jumping ability and staying power. Presenting has become one of the sport's greatest broodmare sires, and his influence is evident in Defence Witness's relentless galloping style and determination.
This blend of Court Cave and Presenting bloodlines has produced a gelding perfectly suited to staying chases, with all the stamina, toughness and resilience required to excel over fences.
🌟 Looking Ahead
Defence Witness has already demonstrated that he continues to improve with racing, and his future over fences remains an exciting one. Now an established staying chaser, he has the profile of a horse capable of adding further victories as he gains experience and continues to strengthen.
With Sam England expertly managing his campaign and targeting races that suit his stamina and jumping ability, there is every reason to believe his best days may still lie ahead. Whether contesting valuable staying handicaps or returning to the winner's enclosure, Defence Witness remains an exciting member of the Ursa Major Racing team and a horse that owners can look forward to following throughout the National Hunt season.
