Fine Family

It was all about family values this week - a quiet week on the racing front, with no runners, but there was enough going on to keep up the recent busy spell! On Friday our new girl arrived from France. We are really excited about her - she is a gorgeous 3 yr old filly that could be aimed at juvenile hurdles in the autumn. It was always the plan to get next seasons juvenile filly on the team early this year - these girls off of the flat were broken in as yearlings, or early on in their 2's - they then run throughout that year, and when we source them from France, they have often spent the winter months in the south, and don't really get a a good break, so by the time that we usually get them later on in their 3 yr old campaign they have been on the go for a very long time. Getting her on the team early, means that we can give her a pop over a few hurdles this spring before letting her off for a spring break - returning her to training in the summer. This gives her the rest that she probably needs, and also gives her a head start with her schooling - two big positives. That said, this young lady may well have a few goes on the flat in the autumn before switching to hurdles. Since we secured her her form has looked a fair bit better - In one race last autumn, she finished third to a horse that won again in impressive fashion last week, and looks very smart - his trainer Freddie Head describing him as one of his top 3 yr old colts this season - he has entries in the French Derby and Grand Prix de Paris - and yesterday, the second from that race easily defeated a decent field, giving weight and beating to 90+ rated horses, two of which had been placed at Listed level. Our new girl has a flat (UK) rating of 85 that looks solid, and she could well have a few runs on the flat on her favoured soft ground in the autumn as a prep for a hurdling career. She is a 3/4 sister to a Group 1 filly who was second in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, so giving her another go on the flat before heading over obstacles is definitely the way to go - if she proves to be smart on the flat she could remain in that sphere, where she could be seen in some very smart races. She has been reserved by a group the moment we secured her - and hopefully they will get a nice new syndicate together for her and have plenty of fun with her! She is now down with Jason Maguire for a few weeks. There was other nice 'family news' this week. A few years ago we bought 2 half brothers one yearling and a foal. The yearling was sold 2 years ago as a 3yr old in Ireland - He went to Denis Murphy, has had one run in an Irish Point to Point and is very highly regarded by his trainer. On the back of him Denis bought the next in line last year - a horse called Au Fleuron, by Crillon. This week Au Fleuron won his Point To Point bumper in very impressive fashion and looks a huge prospect. This is a big plus for us - as I have loved the stock that the mare has produced all along, and as a result I purchased both of her next progeny. A Jukebox Jury gelding - who is a stunning horse - for one of our investment syndicates, and last October, I purchased last years foal - a Jukebox Jury filly, who is simply stunning. Really looking forward to offering these two in the future! On the racing front - Auditoria is well, and is being prepped for a spin on the flat early next month. Olly is delighted with her. Down at Ravenswell Farm - Hidden Beauty is in fine fettle, and the slight relief of lockdown has fitted in well, as her owners finally get the chance to meet her. Chatting with Fergal last week we decided that the best thing for her was to be patient, and not run her this spring. She is a massive mare, tall, and big built, a real national hunt type, and as such he feels that it would be a real shame to run her on unsuitable ground this spring. She has had a really good education this winter which will stand her in good stead in the autumn. She is a filly that we think has a lovely future, and will repay everyone's patience. Yauthym is in good order, and will have entries early next month. She is one that will remain in training for a while, as she is just getting her ground, and we are hopefully about to see her at her best. Volkovka is with Jason Maguire - her season is over - 2 wins, a short head second and black type is a good return for her first spell over hurdles - as detailed at the start of this ramble - she would not have had a break for an age - and it will do her good. All quiet at Fences Farm as well - Blue Bikini is spending the next couple of weeks schooling over hurdles - while we wait for warmer weather, and a bit of grass growth before turning her out for the summer. She has a bright future over hurdles next season. Classic Ben is having his treatment before his holiday, Go Millie Go is the only one we have left there that is in full work - and she is being aimed at a run somewhere in mid April. Hi Ho Silva Lining is on his way back from injury, and will probably head off on holiday when he has done enough to prove that he is 100% over his ailments, and not run again this season - hoping for a clear run with him in the autumn. Our Mamool 3 yr old is going great guns at Charlie Postes's - he was broken in by Charlie and Fran last year as a 2 yr old, and he is back for a refresher course. He is schooling and cantering away on the gallop, and we are looking forward to syndicating him next month. He is a lovely prospect for juvenile bumpers and hurdles next season. Queenohearts continues to recover from her injury at The Elms and will be back next season. Savingforvegas is close to foaling for our new breeding syndicate - she is due to Blue Bresil again and hopefully she will produce another bay colt foal again this year. She will be covered by Falco in 2021.