New Horse, New Trainer
Last week we seem to have made gains - scaffolding surrounding the cottage, very expensive straw on top of the cottage, a new horse, and a new trainer!
I don't know about you - but the last part of February seemed to simply disappear - one minute we were on the 15th - the next minute it was over - I know it is a short month - but that just flew! As a result Monday was in the office getting those 'have to be done by the end of the month' jobs done.
On Tuesday - over at The Elms they brought the three year old stores in from the field to be prepped for inspections by the sales companies at the end of the week. We have a quality draft again this year - and it is a case of getting the thoughts of the sales companies and then matching the individual horses to the right sales. Ths year we will be offering 4 lovely horses - by Kayf Tara, Jukebox Jury, Highland Reel and Youmzain.
On Thursday the vet cast his eye over the four of them, and he was really happy with all of them, and while there, he also vetted a new purchase for us - more about him later.
The representatives of both Goffs and Tattersalls were in on Friday to cast their eyes over them, and all the inspections went well, the four we will offer were really well received, and when we have written confirmation of the sales that they have all been accepted for, we will then sit down and decide where we think they are better off being offered. There are many factors that go into deciding where they are offered for sale, and with whom, and we have to weigh up everything before settling on where they go - as a vendor you only get one chance, and you have to maximise your return on that one day!
I do enjoy meeting the sales companies when they come round for their annual inspections - a great chance to get their views on the trade, and where they see it for the forthcoming months - sadly I missed out this year as we headed north to Doncaster on Friday, where Auditoria was running in the 2m mares handicap hurdle. She had run slightly below par the last day in Uttoxeter, but we put that down to her getting stuck in horribly gluey ground, and that she needed to step up in trip. We have known for quite a while that she needs to step up - she showed her best form over a staying trip on the flat, and everything she has done over 2m over hurdles has been a bonus. She was entered in a couple of 2m 4f events this weekend, but when I glanced at the entries as they were being made last Saturday and saw that there were just 4 in this 0-130 handicap for a prize fund of £12,100 I spoke to Olly and we thought we had to pop her in. It was the right call, as the race really did cut up, and with that money on offer for a race that in the end, became a 0-107 handicap, we were tempted in. The soft ground would not be holding like Uttoxeter, and the long straight would put enough emphasis on stamina, so hopefully she would be able to run OK. There was also the small matter that the race was a qualifier for the mares challenger series final in Haydock next month - a handicap run over 2m 3f that she would just sneak in at the bottom of the weights, should she jump round safely. A big group of her owners were there to see her do just that, as expected she was in top gear for most of the way, looked at one point as though she would feature as she came right into it up the home straight, but eventually the effort of being flat out for so long took its toll, and she ended up finishing fourth beaten just under 9 lengths. So - job done - qualifed for the final, and would sneak in at the bottom of the weights - mission accomplished, until Aidan came back in and offered an alternative option! Auditoria came back, ate up well, and was 100% yesterday morning. Huge thanks to Rachel and Jamie- Lea at Doncaster who were wonderful with O&T requirements as always!
Today it is the turn of Yauthym who runs in the 2m handicap in Huntingdon. She was the winner of a 2m handicap in Hereford in November, a race she desreved to win, but one that completely fell apart in front of her. She was raised an eye watering 11lbs for that, and we knew life would be hard for her for a while after that hike. She then suffered a nasty foot infection, that kept her off games for a while before returning to action in Kempton last month where she ran a nice race after her break to finish third. She usually needs her first run back after a break, so it was a nice enough effort. She is a tough and genuine mare, she has her aches and pains - mainly because she puts absolutely everything into every day of her life! Today she will sport cheekpieces, not because she is in any way ungenuine - Liam just feels that it will help her with her jumping a bit - she is very slick and accurate most of the way through her races, but can get sloppy at the end of them, and he hopes they will help her in that department. She does of course need a bit more help from the handicapper, and she will not go down standing in her stable so she has to run. She has run OK on soft ground, but is probably better on a sounder surface, so todays ground would not be ideal. It will be a flying visit for me, I will be excusing myself briefly from a special 88 Birthday celebration to nip up the road to Huntingdon to see her run, and then rejoining the party afterwards - it's a good job it is a local one!!
Next week our focus will be mainly on Saturday and Sandown. Hidden Beauty will be entered for the Listed Mares Bumper in Sandown, where she is an intended runner. She made one of the most impressive debuts you will ever see in Ffos Las earlier in the season, afterwhich Sandown was always the main aim. She was so well at home that she was entered in a similar race in Market Rasen in January, only for that to be frosted off, and when they switched it toCheltenham, a track that would suit her far better than Market Rasen would,it was as is if all our prayers had been answered, only for her to dramtically pull up! Post race tests showed that she had an irregular heart beat - but thankfully she has been 100% since, she seems to have righted herself naturally, and with regular checks, including ECG's she has not suffered anything like it again through all of her preparation. Hopefully she can get to Sandown and show us what she can do - she has always been held in the highest regard - and we can only hope that she doesn't suffer with it again under race conditions.
Around the yards - and the horses are all in good form - down at Ravenswell, the unfortuante Sunset Melody is on box rest and will be for a few more weeks, but she is being a model patient. Fortune Forever continues to progress, and is going very nicely, Blue Bikini and Volkovka really did well for their breaks with Jason Maguire, and are back in work. Mamoon Star is still with Jason, and is enjoying a spell of just going on the walker and being turned out, he looks fantastic and will soon be back and in work in preparation for one more bumper run this season.
At Warren Chase, Tintagel Queen is going very nicely, and Olly says she is very likeable - she will soon be read to go for an away day gallop, and if she comes through that ok, she will either get a run, or have a proper racecourse gallop with a big squad of them before she heads off for her summer break.
At Fences Farm, Classic Ben has come out of his superb second in the Devon National in good form, he was raised 3lbs for his troubles, and we will have a look and see where he could run next, taking into account Ciarans post race thoughts. Go Millie Go is back in full flight, and it was good to receive a clip of her work earlier in the week. Stuart says he will be looking for races for her very shortly.
Queenohearts is also fine after her run in Exeter, and is another that is taking advantage of the excellent facilities at Ivy Lodge Farm, where she has gone for a few days to freshen up. She has been in work for a very long time, and the break will do her the world of good. I will chat to KIm and Matt next week about plans for her.
Earlier I mentioned how we had added to the squad this week - and we are delighted and excited to have done so. On Friday we purchased a gorgeous grey 3 yr old who will be aimed at Junior Bumpers/Juvenile Hurdles next season. He is by a very good stallion in Jukebox Jury, a sire that is proving to be very popular, and who is getting some fabulous horses on the track, including the wonderful Princess Zoe on the flat, and Cheltenham Festival winner Farclas over jumps. His stock are highly sought after at the sales. This lovely young horse is out of a 4x winning mare called Donna Graciosa who won 4 races for Mark Johnston from 1m2f to 1m5f gaining a career high rating of 79. She herself is from a fantastic family, and is the full sister to Group 1 winner Durban Thunder, along with the dam of Di Caprio and Django Freeman who were both placed in Group 1's on the flat.
In addition to adding the horse to the squad we have also added a new trainer - hot on the heels of adding Donald McCain to our ever increasing list of handlers, we have now added Gary Moore. Gary and the family need no introduction, they are simply superb in everything they do. Both Jamie and Josh have ridden plenty of times in our colours, Josh in particular, since he was a 5lb claimer - striking up great partnerships with the likes of Cloonacool and Apasionado. Years ago I promised that when I thought I had found the right horse for his Dad to train I would send it there, and I really think that this new horse is ideal for that yard. He is a handy horse - not over big, and his flat orientated pedigree would lend itself to him being able to be cracked on with straight away. He should not need too much time, and I see him as an ideal candidate for the 3 yr old series of races in the autumn. We must also remember that Jukebox Jury has been the source of some fine stayers on the flat, so there is always the option to explore that route with him as well - and what better yard to do that than that of the Moore family. He will arrive with Jason Maguire this afternoon to begin his life as a racehorse, and we are really looking forward to him taking us to some lovely places next season in much the same way as Mamoon Star has this term.
Having formed a number of larger syndicates lately it is time that we offered an opportunity for those that prefer the smaller syndicate - so he will be offered in just 6 shares - each priced at £4,000 - plus an all inclusive £400/month. We have found that our all inclusive packages are very popular, as it gives share owners the piece of mind that they will never be landed with an unexpected vets bill or the such like, and will recieve 100% of the owners prize money that their horse wins.
For more info - or to book a visit to see him just text/call 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com
While we are on the subject of very enjoyable things to do - for those of you that enjoy your rugby - Huntingdon Rugby Club have just announced an event that is not to be missed! Their Annual Sportsmans Dinner has a rich history of being one of the best nights of the year - typically great craic - with loads of banter, a brilliant guest speaker, and an all inclusive package that includes a three course dinner with wine - and draught and real ales at the bar. After a Covid enforced break for a couple of years they are back with a bang this time round, and have booked non other than the legendary former England hooker Brian Moore as the guest speaker - he is never short of a story or an opinion and is sure to be hugely entertaining. All that for just £65/head - it really is a great night - some of which you may remember!! The Rugby Club is on Huntingdon Racecourse, just past the enclosures, and for those of us that like to take full advantage of the all inclusive package - we always book rooms at the Holiday Inn on the way into the track - to make sure that we can enjoy everything the club have to offer. If you are interested then please just let me know - and I will put you in touch with the club! It really is a good night!
