Wednesday 12 November

Yesterday was the 11th day of the 11th month - and Remebrance Day, a day when we all remember those that have fallen in battle, fighting for our freedom. For completely different reasons it will be a day that the members of the Oakley Partnership will remember for a long time too. They saw their horse Native Princess run a really solid race to be third in the mares bumper in near darkness in Lingfield. I am always very honest with our owners, and had not been shy in telling everyone that she had not shown a huge amount at home and was still very immature in both stature and mind. This added to the fact that I felt the track and surface would not be ideal meant that we all travelled there not even in hope, let alone expectation. Very happily we were proved wrong! NP was given a super ride form Josh Moore, and learnt so much during the run. She ran green down the back, but was soon back on the bridle - the penny dropped for the first time. It dropped again as they made their way down the hill, and after getting in a pocket and having to drop to fifth to get a run, she really got the hang of things to fly to the line and finish a super third, beaten just under 2 lengths. The two horses finishing in front of her both got first run, and Josh felt that she could well have picked up a few more quid if she had got the run of the front two! The time of the race was very respectable, and she is very much going the right way. She will have another run in a bumper. The good news is that she came home, ate up, and has spent the morning in the field. This filly is still very weak, and we will take our time with her, but I am thrilled for her very patient owners who have stuck by her after her disappointing run in the spring. She has a superb pedigree, and will make a most valuable broodmare when her racing career is over. There are shares for sale in her - so if you fancy a really nice filly with a super future as a broodmare then get in touch - it will be so much fun to see her race and then see her sons and daughters run - they could be smart ones! info@nickbrownracing for more information. DC looks likely to head to Cheltenham on Saturday - we have to try him on a softer surface - he is in fantastic form! I will update with possible targets for the team tomorrow.