Sunday 19 January

Yauthym has been entered in the Listed Fillies Juvenile Hurdle in Doncaster on Friday. Fergal and the team at Ravenswell Farm are really happy with her, and have decided she warrants her entry. We came across Yauthym as we were researching a few horses in France over the summer, and her pedigree was really eyecatching - she is by Authorized, and is a half sister to a Cheltenham Festival winner. She only ran on the flat in France, and was only running in non claimers when she first came on the radar in mid summer, so when I saw her entered in a claimer in Lyon in November - I quickly put in place a way of getting her on to our team. Thankfully all went well, and with the help of a good number of people in France and the UK we managed to get her 3/4 of the way across France, across the channel, and into the care of Fergal and his team. She was given a really easy time between her arrival and her hurdling debut in Doncaster between Christmas and the New Year, and had put on plenty of weight. Her debut was not without incident, as she pulled far to hard, not adjusting immediately to the pace of the jumping game after 11 starts on the flat, her jumping was, to say the least, average, which was a shock as her schooling had been very good, and we had been sent plenty of videos of her schooling over 3 flights of hurdles in great style at home. The ground was soft enough for her, and she would prefer a slightly sounder surface, she was bulked in the home straight when coming with her run, and Paddy Brennan who rode her, was convinced that she would come on plenty for the run. In the circumstances - to finish a close third was a tremendous start, and Paddy was sure that in the long run - time will tell that she was the best filly in the race.So all in all - despite this Listed contest certainly not being on the radar when she arrived from France, it was worth the entry to have a look at the opposition. Having talked to Fergal at length, he has yet to decide on a number of key things that may be implemented before and during her run should she take her chance, so there are obviously areas that he thinks he can make improvements as well! Although this race was not on her initial dance card - and we do have a plan in place for her - it is a juvenile fillies hurdle after all!! Off to the sales in Doncaster tomorrow for a few days - we still have a few yearlings to buy for the 2019 round of pinhooking syndicates - and there are some very nice pedigrees on offer - hopefully the physicals will match up, and we can add a few to the rosters. I have already taken a few names for a new pinhooking syndicate to start this year - so if you would like to get involved please get in touch (07909 518902). I am also considering purchasing an in foal mare, to start a breeding syndicate - I have identified a likely target, and if I get any interest I will put into motion a plan to buy her. Please let me know if you are interested in joining in with this completely new venture - breeding can be so rewarding - and can also be financially rewarding. The costs are not in the same league as having a horse in training - and can be a fun way of having an interest in another aspect of the bloodstock world. As you can see, we have hit the ground running in 2020, and this could be a very big year for us, with a rebrand, and all new website planned, which will enable us to embrace new technologies - including a lot more mobile friendly platforms! Join us for the ride!! nickbrownracing@gmail.com