Another One
Not to say that life is mundane – it is often anything but! But most Monday mornings (or Sunday if your one of those who say that the week starts half way through a weekend), we kind of know what the seven days ahead have in store for us, and with a few little tweaks in between, by the time we reach the end of that period we have seen, done and achieved just about what we had expected to. Last week was not like that for us!
Monday was car MOT day – so a trip up the A1 to see our mate Nick at NCK Autos in Peterborough – this has become an annual pilgrimage now – Nick and his family are good friends and it gives us an excuse to catch up with him every summer in an environment that isn’t filled with Guiness glasses! The MOT not booked until lunchtime, so a chance to go through the catalogue for the Somerville Yearling Sale that was taking place in Newmarket on Tuesday. This is the third year of the Somerville Sale, a sale that used to be held in Ascot, and relocated to Newmarket in 2021. A bit like the sale in Doncaster a couple of weeks ago, this sale is made up of flat bred yearlings, that are bred to be fast a precocious, so it is not a list that I spend a great deal of time on. I had gone through the book a few weeks ago, simply to see if there were any yearlings catalogued with a more stout pedigree, that could slip under the radar – and noticed that there was just one horse in there by The Grey Gatsby – the same sire as our own Greyval – a sire I really like, and this colt was from a family I was familiar with, as I had spent a bit of time researching it last summer, when I saw his full sister run in France, and was putting a plan together to buy her or claim her for juvenile hurdles. By Monday morning his consignors, Sherbourne Lodge had posted a picture of him on the online catalogue page, and he really took my eye, so before I set off up to Peterborough I made a quick call to Kevin Ross and asked him to have a look at him for me. He looked like a nice horse, and the stallion is getting a good number of nice winners now -10% of his 3 yr olds that have run in France this summer have got black type, so I was pretty sure I would not be getting him, he would go above our budget. After a good catch up with Nick, and with a Pass certificate in the glove box, we headed across to Stamford to enjoy a few hours around the town, and possibly grab a bite to eat. Later in the afternoon Kevin phoned from Newmarket, and when his first words were, ‘This is a very nice horse Nick’ I was actually pleased – it meant that he would not be within our budget, and we would not be buying him, saying that I did ask Kevin to get a guage on what the vendors were hoping to get for him. If there was one thing, I didn’t need it was another yearling! When asked by a bloodstock agent who I ran into when he was riding out at Ravenswell Farm a few days ago, if I was going to Newmarket and the yearling sales in Ireland, my answer was emphatic – ‘NO! I do not need any more yearlings’ I have the Masterstroke filly (a half sister to Hidden Beauty) at Peel Hall in Cheshire, Floyd, our homebred Falco yearling at The Elms along with Finbar, the Falco yearling out of Molly Childers – three is plenty – no need for another! When we heard that they felt he would make between 40 and 50,000 guineas, it was a bit of a relief – I wouldn’t be adding another one to the squad! I enjoyed then rest of the afternoon, safe in the knowledge that the money would be staying in the bank on Tuesday!
Stamford looking wonderful on a late summers afternoon!
So, Tuesday arrives, sales day. I am in the office, and the phone goes. It’s Kevin Ross, there are just 3 more yearlings to go through the ring and he has been approached by the vendors of the The Grey Gatsby yearling and they have said that the client that they had who was very keen on the horse, had decided not to buy him, and that they didn’t expect him to make the sort of figures they were talking about the day before – oh dear! So it was time for a good chat and a quick decision – Kevin and Anna were very taken with the horse – he had size, scope and lots of substance – he was not typical of the stock being offered and was not going to be on the list of those purchasers that were looking for precocious 2 yr old speed – he may just slip through the net here, and we could get a bit of a bargain. We decided Kevin and Anna would follow him in and exercise their bidding finger if we thought he was value – I gave them a figure and we were not going above it at any cost! A few minutes later the hammer dropped, and we were the new owners of Lot 16, a stunning yearling by a great sire – and I now have FOUR yearlings!! I was both surprised and delighted to have got him! Although I am yet to see him in the flesh, those that have, have told me that he is a fine big horse, with plenty of bone and really athletic. He arrived at Jason Maguires on Wednesday morning and has settled in well. Jason will work away with him for the next few days, and we will come up with a plan for him – I think that we already know which route we are going with him, but we will make sure that it is the right way and announce his syndicate structure and share price along with plans on this page next weekend. He is a fine horse, by a sire that is really going places, and although I really didn’t want another yearling, I am delighted that we have him on the squad – he was too good to pass by!
New yearling colt - by The Grey Gatsby
He has everything - Day 1 at Ivy Lodge Farm
On Tuesday afternoon we headed up the A1 again – this time back to Doncaster for their September sale – a mixed sale and a small catalogue. Not the most inspiring of days to look forward to, but with just over 120 catalogued, at least it would be a short one. Booked into The Earl Of Doncaster for the night – even though it turns out that a clerical error in the office had meant that rooms were originally booked for Monday! You just can’t rely on a man that goes out looking like this!!
Oh dear! The company I keep!!
Dinner at Vivos – again – and why not? And nice to catch up with friends on a warm summers evening outside of the hotel when we got back!
Wednesday, another warm one – it has been some week for weather! The sale was all over by 2pm, and we left with another order under our belts. Wednesday was also the day that Cloud Dancer left Ivy Lodge Farm and headed back to Gary Mooore’s, Cisswood Stables. He left Jason looking great, and in fine form. Gary delighted with him when he arrived, and we are all very much looking forward to seeing him progress this winter. He is a horse we have always liked – he made his debut in a Listed bumper in Cheltenham and went on win on his only other start last season in a National Hunt Juvenile Hurdle in Newbury. As I have said – the form of that race may be ordinary on paper, but just look at the way he did it! He was very novicey all the way round, but when the penny dropped between the last 2 flights, he flew to the line, to win very cosily indeed. There is so much more to come from him, and as he remains eligible for novice company for the entirety of the 2023/24 season – there should be lots and lots of fun to be had with him. There is a 1/6 share still for sale in him – have a look at the FOR SALE PAGE and get in touch – a small syndicate that will be going to some very nice tracks this winter! As mentioned before on these pages – our job is all about communication and we work tirelessly to ensure that all of our owners and members are kept fully up to date with the progress and plans for their horses. The team of trainers that we have now assembled appreciate that it is a vital part of what we do, and they are very good at sending through regular clips and photos. On Wednesday Hidden Beauty’s syndicate got to see her schooling over fences – she has taken to them really well, and after chatting with the team behind her it is very likely that she will start off over hurdles before switching to the larger obstacles in the autumn. She is made for fences and seems to have really taken to them!
Cloud Dancer headed back to Gary Moore on Wednesday!
I had planned to go up to Yorton for their annual sale of National Hunt 2 yr olds and yearlings on Thursday but having purchased one yearling ‘by accident’ this week I didn’t want to tempt fate and add another one to the squad – I stayed at home – despite the best efforts of auctioneer George Stanners to get me there, with promises of ‘rivers of beer’ and mountains of fun! I didn’t succumb to the temptation – am I growing up at last – or just getting old? A sound trade up there, and it was no surprise to see Donald McCain come away with a couple – he just loves buying horses! Had I gone to Yorton, I had planned to pop into see Donald before heading across – I did have a good chat wit him in Doncaster on Tuesday, and he was really happy with the pair that he has there for us. Old Blue Eyes continues to catch the eye. Donald is really happy with him, and thrilled with the way that he comes up the hill gallop. As I have said before, and I will no doubt say again – he is a horse that should not be missed, there are a couple of shares available in him – everyone that has had anything to do with him really like him, and on the evidence of what he has shown so far, he has a very nice future ahead of him! His half brother, Dino Bellagio has paved the way for the family by winning a couple of bumpers last season and he heads over hurdles this term. This week he did his first faster piece of work, and Donald was really happy with him! I simply can’t wait to get going with him, he will start off in a small novice hurdle somewhere, but his trainer already has his sights set on some bigger targets – it will be fun!
Friday was an office day – lots to catch up on. Jason Maguire rang to say how pleased he was with the new boy, we discussed the future with him, and are pretty sure we know how to proceed with him – it is invaluable to have Jason on the team – his knowledge, horsemanship and experience is so important, and has really helped with what we do with our youngstock over the course of the last 4 years. It is no coincidence that since we have been working together our results have gone to a different level, and our injury rates have come down equally as sharply. We have a programme in place for all of our youngsters that is hugely beneficial to their longer term soundness, and the feedback form the trainers when they finally head into training tells us that he is doing a fantastic job in breaking them all in and preparing them for their careers as racehorses!
Saturday, and the first of our syndicate yard visits – this one to the Warren Chase Stables of Olly Murphy. A very hot morning, and all of our three out in the last lot of the day. Like every trainer in very hot weather, Olly and the team have been starting work extra early over the past few days, to get the horses out and exercised while the day is still cooler. Saturdays are an easier day with him, so it was not too much of an issue to have ours out at 9.30am. Everyone got to see them warm up in the arena and do a mile and a half cantering on the deep sand gallop. Auditoria is the most forward of the three, she is looking and moving really well, and will have her first away day gallop next week. Olly is hoping to have her on the track around the end of the month. Itchy Feet looks amazing – and is in great form! He will start off over hurdles in October, over 3 miles, and will pick his way through the season going to some nice meetings. His main targets will be the Pertemps Qualifier he won last season in Huntingdon, and the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle he was second in last year in Haydock. Tintagel Queen didn’t return to Warren Chase until August 1st, so is a little behind the other two, but Olly is thrilled with her – she is strengthening all the time, and she will start in a mares novice/maiden hurdle on soft ground in November on a nice galloping track. She is another one that looks like she is going to be lots and lots of fun this winter! Well done to Gavin who snaffled the share that came available in her this week! He who hesitates is lost – shares in her don’t hang around for long! It was so good to see so many owners and syndicate members at Warren Chase, a quick word for our ‘unofficial, official’ photographer Debbie Burt, who takes the most fantastic shots of our horses on our open mornings. Although she was in to photograph Itchy Feet and the others, she came with her own itchy feet, having fallen the victim of what must have been supersized mosquitos, who had had a roving dinner party on her feet the previous day– she had suffered a nasty reaction and the poor girl was suffering! We really appreciate her coming to take photos, and hope that she hadn’t sawn her feet off by the end of her afternoon in Haydock.
Auditoria
Tintagel Queen
Tintagel Queen in her stable
Itchy Feet on his way out
Hot day for everyone
Good to see thise that made it!
Good to get another video form Alan King yesterday – our unnamed 3 yr old Jukebox Jury filly is pleasing everyone. Alan sends at least one clip of her work every week, and her progression is plain to see – she is really sharpening up and her trainer is delighted with her. She can be seen her working with older horses, a couple of nice bumper fillies and a decent old yardstick in Emitom. As you can see (near side front) she goes very well and is very much on course to make her debut in a junior bumper next month. As with all of ours, she has done plenty of schooling, and jumps great too, so she has all the 3 yr old options open to her. There are a couple of shares remaining in her – 1/12 share is just £2,500 plus £250/month (all inc) she is great value considering her elder siblings have been sold for 145,000 – 220,000 and 170,000! Join the fun – a morning at Barbury Castle with Alan King is always fun – the scenery is worth the purchase price alone!!
Around the rest of the team – Mamoon Star is in great order and schooling well – he started to hang markedly right handed last season – but touch wood, so far this term he has been schooling and working straight and true. Volkovka is looking great, a bit behind the others as, like Tintagel Queen she is better off on softer ground, and didn’t return to training until August. Greyval had a little set back this week, suffering a minor cut, which will hold her up for a week or so – nothing major, and she remains on course for her early season target, as we had built in a 2 weeks buffer in her programme. Blue Bikini has been in good form after a minor hiccup a few weeks ago, and schooled great this week, along with Fortune Forever, who had her first go up the schooling strip this week, and once again the prep that she went through at 3 yrs old with Jason held up well – she was very good and will be a mare to follow over hurdles this season! There is a single share available in her too – have a look on the FOR SALE PAGE!
Reflexion Faite is fine, and although she had an entry in Kempton next week – she ended up not qualifying for the race, and we will have to wait a little longer to see her out again. Intrepide Sud had the best of it in this weeks heat wave – he is doing nothing at Ivy Lodge Farm – but will be back in work on October 1st.
That was it for the week – things really ramping up now! We have another open morning next Saturday with Fergal O’Brien – still time to book a spot on that – it should be a little less warm by then! We will be publishing the syndicate make up and price for the new yearling colt as well as plans – so tune in next week for that update. I plan to get to at least one yard this week as well.
In the meantime – just for the record – a new week starts on Monday morning, NOT Sunday – that’s just weird! There has been plenty of debate about it in our house! I feel a X (Twitter) Poll coming on – I need to put this to bed once and for all!!
