Get On The List!
Another fun filled week has slipped by! Although a good number of the horses are being prepped for their summer breaks, there is still plenty going on, but things are just starting to steady down a little, and it was good to be able to get a quiet couple of days at home towards the end of the week, and get a few jobs done that had needed doing for a while - those bottles won't get themselves to the bottle bank, and oddly they seem to keep multiplying!
Due to last Sunday starting in Liverpool, the weekly update was written and published on Monday, and while I was at the computer it was time to sort the car insurance - please someone explain how an insurance company, who you have had the same policy for the same car with for three years can suddenly double your premium. Nothing has changed - only the value of the car, which has gone down - I have made no claims, and have not altered a thing on the policy, yet they require almost double the premium! Needless to say they no longer insure my car! Although getting that sorted involved some complicated negotiations! Anyway - all sorted now! Another thing with an unnecessary level of complication was Reflexion Faite's entry in Bath on Friday - she had been entered on Saturday, but was then flagged up as Not Qualified. The race was open to fillies that fell in bands C and D in terms of their sales value. Reflexion Faite had been purchased at the Arqana sale in Deauville last Autumn, She had failed to meet her reserve on the day, but we did a deal for her the following day, and the transaction went through the Arqana office. Although the sale price was published, it was logged down as a Private Sale which none of us had noticed, and therefore her rating for novice races is now determined by the median auction price of her sire, Intello, and not her actual sales price. Her sales price would put her in Band D, her sires Median Auction Price puts her in Band B, therefore not qualifying for a race restricted to fillies in Bands C and D! Slightly annoying - but the extra 10 days, and another stalls session and piece of work will stand her in good stead - and she will make her debut in early May. I also had a good chat with Donald McCain on Monday, and we decided on a plan for Dino Bellagio. He came out of his run in Aintree a little stiff and sore, but thankfully nothing too serious, so he will now be 'let down' slowly, his hind shoes removed and he will head out for his summer holiday, but remain close by the yard so that Donald can keep an eye on him. He makes no secret of how much he thinks of him, and he is loathed to let him out of his sight!
Tuesday I headed over to The Elms to meet 'George' (by Golden Horn) for the first time - he is a stunner - at 67kg he is the biggest foal that has arrived at the stud this season, and hopefully he will grow into a lovely horse in the future. The foaling had gone well - there had been worries a few weeks ago when Mum, Savingforvegas ended up in the vets in Newmarket with a problem, and we had feared that the same problem may resurface as she foaled, but typically for Vegas, there was no fuss or bother, and she got the job done easily enough - although I am sure that none of the girls reading this will tell me it is ever easy! With the problems she had, I had decided to give her a year off, and leave her empty this year - but with things going so smoothly I had a chat with Louise, and decided to carry on and cover Vegas again - she loves motherhood, and as she has produced such a gorgeous foal, and I have a nomination to return to Golden Horn this year - that is where she will go. While at The Elms I got to have a wander round the rest of the 'family'. Just the two older sons currently there, 'Barry' the two year old by Blue Bresil, and 'Floyd' her yearling by Falco. Barry is a stunning horse - he was originally syndicated 'in utero' and was the horse that was produced as a result of our first Breeding Syndicate. The Partnership had leased Savingforvegas off of me, and sent her to Blue Bresil, and he was the result. We had closed the syndicate, but several folks wanted to get involved from an early stage, after Barry was born, so over the course of the next few months the shares that I had retained in him were gradually prized from my possession! Last week, one of his shareholders had a change of circumstances and was sadly forced to liquidate his shares in the horse - a price was agreed and I bought them back - and after seeing 'Barry' on Tuesday - I am very glad that I did - he is a stunning individual - I have not seen too much of him over the winter, but he has really grown into a lovely horse! He has it all, size, scope, and substance, along with a very athletic walk and a lovely flowing trot - he is obviously by a fantastic sire in Blue Bresil who keeps on churning out Grade 1 winners, and is the half brother to Dino Bellagio - and you all know what we think of him! He is a very smart prospect, and will head down to Jason Maguires to be broken in when his full brother Old Blue Eyes (Frank) has completed the first part of his education down there in a few weeks. So I have three 10% shares available should anyone wish to get involved - his details will be on the For Sale Page shortly. I know he is a fair way off of making his debut - but his price will reflect that - and this is a fantastic chance to get involved in a stunning horse, by a fantastic sire, who's family is just getting better and better - nickbrownbracing@gmail.com - 07909 518902. Don't miss him! The yearling, 'Floyd' by Falco is a slightly different model - he is more in the mould of Dino Bellagio - a smaller. more compact individual. but very strong with plenty of substance. He will remain on the team and be syndicated in a couple of years. Another similar yearling is 'Finbar' again by Falco, out of Molly Childers. He is a typical 'first foal', and on the small side, but after a shaky start he is improving all the time, at one stage he was looking as though he would be on the transfer list, but he continues to improve and we will have a get together with his owners later in the spring and formulate a plan for him. 
George taking it easy!
At the Milk Bar!
Floyd - Falco x Savingforvegas yearling
Finbar - Falco x Molly Childers yearling
Barry - Blue Bresil x Savingforvegas 2 yr old.
Wednesday I headed down to Cheltenham for the first day of their two day April meeting. Good to catch up with a few folks. It was a quiet day down there, the weather a little chilly, but dry, and not too many in attendance. Great to see some clients that I had not caught up with for an absolute age - there will be a more local lunch in the next few weeks! Also good to get some plans in place for the future with others! A few had popped into Ivy Lodge Farm in the morning to see Hidden Beauty who is currently on the water treadmill as she rehabs from her fractured pelvis. She is all good again now, and will head out to grass very shortly, when the nights warm up a bit. Wednesday evening was spent in our old haunt The Kilkeney - this time in the company of clients Jason and Sharon, and Jason's folks Rob and Jan. All four were down staying in the Frogmill, as they had booked the trip to see Greyval run in Cheltenham on Thursday - but I had buggered that up by changing the plan and going to Aintree last week! Having read my thoughts on the food at The Frogmill, they hiked up the hill to The Kilkeney for supper and a few drinks - a great night was had by all - and I think they were all grateful to Jules for giving them a lift back down the hill when the evening ended. They tucked into another bottle of wine when they got back to the Frogmill, Kev Jules, myself and Cheryl (who had come up from her sisters in Warminster for the evening) had a good catch up when Jules got back from dropping them off - it was a late night, and the alarm came around far too soon in the morning!
Where is everybody??!!
Thursday morning and the usual early start in at Ravenswell Farm. A bright and chilly morning but it soon warmed up. Good to see so many NBR members and owners there. Blue Bikini out first lot and in good order. She has a few entries this coming week, but I have just spoken with Fergal, and we have decided that she will bypass possible runs in Ffos Las and Perth this week, and we will give her a little more time between her last run and her next. It will only be days - but we think that it is important! She will run in early May instead. After first lot - the phone went off, a video clip from Kevin Philippart De Foy - Reflexion Faite may not be going to Bath - but she did a lovely piece of work on the turf back in Newmarket. She skips off of the ground, and looks in good shape for her debut, which will be early next month now. She will have another good piece of work next week, and one more stalls session and will then be ready. She will debut over 5 furlongs, but as her pedigree suggests she will improve for a step up in trip as the season progresses. Second lot we saw Mamoon Star do his two canters. He looks great, and everyone is very happy with him. He has had several tests since his last run, one of which produced a bit of a strange result, but that looks like a one off anomily, and the specialists are happy for him to continue. He is likely to run again this season - with a step up in trip looking likely. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of why he hangs right, and we can see him back to his best sooner rather than later. After third lot - and a couple of the best sausage rolls you will ever have - I headed down to Ivy Lodge Farm to see the horses there. Old Blue Eyes (Frank) is keeping up the family tradition of having plenty of 'spark' about him - nothing nasty - he just lets you know if he isn't happy doing something! He is a very atheltic individual, and from what Jason has seen of him thus far he likes him a lot - he will be syndicated in a few weeks - and already has a list of admirers! Let me know if you would like to be added to the list - Old Blue Eyes - by Blue Bresil out of Savingforvegas - a half brother to dual bumper winner Dino Bellagio, and One Eye On Vegas who was placed on his only start in a bumper. Judging by how many are on the list and how many have already said they would like a share - I don't think the shares will be available for long! The Jukebox Jury x La Pelodette filly is coming together very nicely, she is a gorgeous girl, and really floats across the ground. The Mahler 3 yr old filly is another that looks terriffic, she is cantering away nicely, and really does look nice. She is out of a black type mare - who herself is a half sister to three balck type jumpers along with a Group 1 flat winner in the USA - she has a stunning pedigree and we can't wait to see her on the track. I was going to wait until she had completed her 'secondary school' down with Jason in a few weeks and we had decided on which trainer would suit her best - but a fair few folks have enquired about her - so like Frank we have started to put together a list of interested parties prior to her syndication. She will be available in 25 leased shares - with no capital outlay - and weekly training/keep fees set at £30/wk all inc. Just get in touch to add yourself to her list - she looks like she will be tailor made for the junior bumpers next season, and will take a similar route to Dino Bellagio! nickbrownracing@gmail.com or 07909 518902 - don't miss her! Also at Ivy Lodge - Intrepide Sud is enjoying the field, and will be back in training later this year - we had a good look at Cloud Dancer who seems fine again now - and trots up sound - the vet will look at him in the next few days, and if he is happy he is another that will head out to grass - he will then return to his stable at Ivy Lodge Farm, and Jason will pre train him there before he heads back to Gary Moore in August. Although a winner on his hurdling debut, he retains his novice status, and will run in novice hurdles next season. Jason and I both think he is a nice horse and he will give his owners lots of fun! As I headed to Maguires - Jason and Sharon (I think Rob and Jan were up by then) headed up to Martins Hill to see their horses there. Greyval and Fortune Forever along with Volkovka had transferred up there earlier in the week, and are being prepped for their summer breaks. All three will head back to The Elms next week.
First Lot
Blue Bikini
Mamoon Star
Malc and Sharon
Old Blue Eyes (Frank) - Blue Bresil x Savingforvegas on the lunge
Frank being driven in long reins
Jukebox Jury x La Pelodette 3 yr old filly
3 Yr old Mahler Filly
Friday - back home and an easy day - We did have a share come available in Hidden Beauty - a friend from the village, Paul had taken a share in her when we first syndicated her, but had sadly passed away before she ran, and his son and daughter had kept up the share for a couple of years in his memory, which was a lovely thing to do - sadly that term was to end next month, and circumstances dictated that they would have to relinquish the share - it didn't last long - soon snapped up by Andy, who adds to his growing portfolio! Thanks to everyone that got in touch about the share - sorry to those who missed out - particularly those who said they would sleep on it and get back to me in the morning - I did say they don't hang around for long! I am sure we can find you something this summer!
Saturday - and with Cheryl still down at her sisters, a chance to get a few jobs done, and to catch up on the type of TV she hates! We did welcome another new member to NBR and wish Dale the best of luck with his new horse! Very close to being sold out again - you will have to be quick if you want to get involved!
Get in touch if there are any of the new 'draft' you are interested in - Jason and I will decide which horses will suit which trainers in the next few weeks - so I can't tell you who they will be trained by yet - but if you want to get the details as soon as they are released let me know and I will add you to the lists - at this satge - Old Blue Eyes looks like he will be syndicated in 10% shares - The Jukebox Jury Filly will be syndicated in 8.33% shares (12), and as mentioned the Mahler filly will be leased in 4% shares (£25). All monthly training/keep costs will be all inclusive - there will be no hidden charges, and as always you will never be asked for any extra funds.
Next week looks like being fun! Drop by next Sunday to see what we have been up to and where we have been! Until then - be good - and if you can't be good - be careful!
