CHAMPAGNE corks were popping in north Hampshire over the weekend after a horse trained by Kingsclere's Andrew Balding landed one of the five top prizes in the flat racing calendar.

Three-year-old filly Casual Look, ridden by Martin Dwyer, romped home in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom on Friday - representing a major success for the Park House Stables-based Balding.

Balding's father Ian wept tears of joy after the victory while television viewers watched as Balding's delighted sister, BBC horse racing presenter Clare Balding, jumped with delight after the famous triumph.

Casual Look, a 10-1 chance, beat the 10-3 favourite Yesterday by a head to hand Balding a British Classic win in only his first year as a trainer at Park House.

Balding said: "I have dreamed about this for so long and I am just ecstatic."

Staff partied into the night on Friday after the victory and congratulations messages flooded into the Kingsclere stables throughout the weekend.

Lindy Rees, secretary at the stables for the last nine years, said: "The phone hasn't stopped ringing from the moment the horse entered the winner's enclosure. It is incredible.

"Martin Dwyer always had her in a beautiful position and as I was watching the race I thought 'My God, she could do it'.

"There was screaming, shouting and tears of jubilation as she passed the winning post.

"It was the best day's racing I have ever experienced.

"When something like this happens to you it is unbelievable.

"This is a major achievement - and for Andrew this is amazing for his first season - not to mention that we had two other winners on Friday as well."

Balding completed a treble on the day as Passing Glance won the Vodafone Corporate Handicap and Rimrod landed the Vodafone Surrey Stakes.

Groom Cheryl Morris, 30, will receive a cash bonus, believed to be several thousand pounds, following Casual Look's win.

Morris toasted the horse's success in a Kingsclere pub on Friday night.

She said: "The hard work was worth it in the end, definitely.

"You get a great buzz get out of it. I cannot believe how well she did."

The victory on Casual Look was a first British Classic win for jockey Dwyer.

He also landed a treble on Friday as he rode Passing Glance and Aldora to victories.