Monday 30 August

I hope you are all enjoying the August Bank Holiday weekend. Last week we were in Doncaster from Monday to Thursday. Good to catch up with the flat side of the sport at the first UK yearling sales of the year. Not much on offer for us - we do intend to add a yearling to the squad this autumn - but it will be one with a more middle distance pedigree than the ones that were on offer last week. Whatever we get, will be heading to a trainer that excels with this type of horse, so only sensible to buy him what he likes to train! There is a horses-in-training sale in Newmarket tomorrow and Wednesday, and only a very limited number of horses of interest. Never-the-less - I will be popping in to see some trainers and also talk through plans for the BBAG sale in Baden Baden on Friday where we will start the search for that yearling. Although we didn't add to the squad this week - we were certainly busy! If Carlsberg did Saturdays! In just a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon we sold the last share in the Mamool gelding - a share that I had thought was sold - until I realised I couldn't count! We also sold a share in Barry the foal - along with 2 shares in the new Soldier Of Fortune filly. Around the yards things continue to progress. At Olly Murphy's Auditoria is really looking superb, she is a different filly to the one that arrived in December last year - and as Olly said in his weekly vlog last Monday - she should give her owners a huge amount of fun this winter. In Fences Farm, the vet is happy with Classic Ben who continues his long recovery process. He will be scanned in mid September before he starts to canter - at the same time Go Millie Go will also be checked as she will be at the point of doing her first piece of work, and as she had anomalies on her scan after her last run in April, it is better to be safe than sorry. The share that was available in her is now not available - but there is a share available in Classic Ben should anyone be interested - email nickbrownracing@gmail.com or call 07909 518902. Down at Ravenswell Farm things are all go - Hidden Beauty has completed her pre training with Jason Maguire and arrived there on Wednesday. She is a gorgeous filly, who looks to have a very bright future. Yauthym is cantering away nicely, and the (now sold out) Mamool gelding is going really nicely as well. He will be aimed at a junior bumper in October, and we will now crack on and get him named. Blue Bikini has had a course of treatment for her ulcers, and is looking great for it - she is moving great - doing plenty of cantering, and should be ready to make her hurdling debut in late September/early October. Down at Jason Maguires - the new filly has been backed and ridden away. She will remain in for a few more days - so that a few more of her new owners can get in to see her - after which she will have a short break before coming back in to begin pre training. She should be with Fergal around January 1st. Volkovka is cantering away - she is her usual enthusiastic self, and it won't be long before she too heads to Ravenswell Farm. Queenohearts continues her path back to the racecourse with Jason. She is moving freely and square, the physio has done a great job with her alongside regular sessions on the water treadmill. She is now doing plenty of steady cantering and it will not be too long before she is on the sand gallop, and can crack on! Along with the possible addition of a flat yearling to the team this week - we should also be able to announce another new horse. This week should see us finalise the details of a lovely filly we have been offered from Ireland. She is a very well bred filly for another new syndicate. This syndicate will be 25 strong with shares at the usual £25/wk all inclusive fee, with no capital outlay. The last few we have syndicated along these lines have been sold out in a matter of hours, and after canvassing opinions amongst a few on our mailing list last week - I can see the same thing happening again. Like Hidden Beauty and Blue Bikini, this new girl will also head to Fergal O'Brien - and shares are sure to be snapped up quickly. Just pop an email to nickbrownracing@gmail.com if you would like to receive details about her. She has a wonderful pedigree - is unraced, but has had plenty of work in the spring, and will not be long before she is on the track. Hopefully our next update will feature details of a couple of exciting additions! At The Elms all the stock are in good order. The 2 yr olds have each been in for a week or two to get the drop of a bit of work. All are progressing well. The yearlings all look super, the overcast summer has meant that the grass has continued to grow, and they have thrived on it. Barry the foal has been weaned, and the Camelot 3 yr old filly is piling on the pounds ahead of the start of her career. She will head down to pre train with Jason Maguire in October, and head to Olly Murphy around January 1st. It's a busy time, and we look to have the biggest team we have ever had for this season! I can't wait for it all to begin now!!