Get Your Names On The Lists
All the horses are back in work – but most are just cantering at the moment, building back up to full fitness. It will be in September when things start to ramp up for the ones that are the furthest forward through their programme. So, although they are all on the go – there isn’t much to see or report at the moment, but that didn’t stop me from heading down to Gary Moore’s later on in the week to see Cloud Dancer stretch his legs and get some video and photos for his owners. I also get the chance to spend a couple of hours with Gary – and catch up on plenty of news from both the flat and jumps worlds
Monday started with a call from Olly Murphy, who phoned to discuss a little change of plan for Itchy Feet. Itchy had missed the end of last season with a niggly little injury, and rather than start him cantering on the deep sand at Warren Chase, he felt it would be hugely beneficial if he were to head down to the yard of Connor Brace and his partner Alex Knight, where he could do another 4 weeks of trotting around the lanes. Road work is something that all horses once did on the path back to full fitness after a summer break, but with the amount of traffic on the roads these days – it has become increasingly difficult to get a big string out safely. The lanes around Connor and Alex’s yard near Broadway are a lot quieter than those around Warren Chase and are more suitable for this part of his return to full fitness. He looked in great terms with himself when Connor videoed him later in the week
There were a couple on the move on Monday – Floyd and Finbar left Ivy Lodge Farm and returned to The Elms. Both have spent the last 2 months with Jason Maguire being broken in and introduced to the sort of regime they can expect as they start their careers as racehorses in the future. Both went through ‘Primary School’ at different rates, Floyd was the perfect pupil, and very much ‘teacher’s pet’, he paid attention in every lesson and was a very quick learner. He completed, what is usually a 6 week course in 5. Finbar on the other hand was a little less amenable – he has a slightly rebellious streak, and each phase of his education took a little longer with him – he would make his feelings known about the whole thing for a couple of days whenever he was asked to do something new – so his course took a lot longer – he eventually graduated after 8 weeks! Floyd was a happy chap – he got to spend 3 extra weeks in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds on some lovely, lush grass! They both arrived back at The Elms in good order and went straight out with their friends – In Floyds case, he joined the rest of the family, as he is now out with Barry his 3 yr old half-brother, and George, his yearling half-brother.
Floyd leaving Ivy Lodge Farm on Monday
Finbar on his way to the lorry and the trip back to The Elms
With Floyd finishing his term at Ivy Lodge Farm – it was the perfect time to get the latest edition of In Behind published in the Members Area of the Red Sash Racing Club website. As you know we like to illustrate aspects of the racing and bloodstock industries that are often overlooked, and in this latest edition we follow the path of Floyd from minutes after he was born in April 2022 – to the day that he left Ivy Lodge Farm, showcasing the last 5 weeks, and what goes into ‘breaking in’ a young horse and preparing him for his future life as a racehorse. It is a really important phase of their lives and can make a massive difference to how they perform when they reach the racecourse – I hope you find it a interesting to follow, as I did to document it. Non-members, all you have to do is purchase a share in Ridin Solo to get full access, along with £30 of free Tote bets!
As we move on through August, on Tuesday it was time to get the ball rolling and get the dates for the annual syndicate yard visits in the book. These visits have to be coordinated with the level of work the horses are doing – with the most forward of the team being at Ravenswell Farm – the first of the visits will be to see Fergal and his team on Saturday 7th of September. The following week will be up with Donald McCain at his Bankhouse yard in Cheshire and a week later (Saturday 21st) we will meet up at Alan Kings Barbury Castle stables – finishing off with a morning with Olly Murphy on September 28th. All visits will be from 8.30 until 11.00am – although the visit to Warren Chase may conclude at 10.30am – as I may have to head off to the races.
All of these visits are open to all NBR members – both past and present – simply let me know which yard you would like to see, and the number of you that will be attending. Our stable visits are a great way to meet fellow syndicate mornings and see the horses and meet the lads and lasses that look after them. We usually get a big turnout on every Saturday, and we look forward to catching up with plenty of you!
It was good to get a video from Fergal on Tuesday morning – Greyval cantering on the round gallop. She looks in great shape and is progressing really well.
One that arrived back at Ravenswell on Tuesday was Maria’s Flame, who had been in pre training with Connor Brace. She arrived looking fantastic and settled back in really well. Her return was scheduled for Tuesday, as she was due to start her ulcer treatment on that day – so she was welcomed back to the yard with a big needle in her bum! She is 100% over her issues that she suffered at the turn of the year after injuring herself on her second start in Newbury. She will contest mares novice hurdles this season – and simply loves her jumping – judging by what she shows at home, she should be lots of fun this term, with the experience of last season under her belt, and her problems behind her! Get in touch to grab one of the last couple of shares in her – no capital outlay – and just £132/month all inclusive training/keep fee – you will receive an O&T Badge every time she runs and also get 100% of your share of the owners prize money that she wins.
Maria's Flame about to leave Connor Braces yard
Back in her stable at Ravenswell Farm
On Wednesday, I got the Auditoria prize money dividend paid out to her syndicate members – I usually get these all settled by the end of July – but this year I have been very busy and got a little but behind with them – apologies for that!
Jason Maguire took one for the team later in the morning – when he was out on the schooling strip getting a video of new girl Chevelle schooling over hurdles. First time up – fine weather – second time – heavy rain! Maguire had not foreseen the heavy shower and was not wearing his waterproofs – he was less than happy – Chevelle on the other hand was delighted to be jumping again – and was full of beans as she skipped up the line of hurdles. She is such a natural – and I am sure that she is going to give her new owners a lot of fun this season!
Thursday, I set off early in an attempt to get the best of the traffic on the run down the M1 and around the M25 to Cisswood Stables to see Gary and Josh Moore and see Cloud Dancer on the gallops. Cloud Dancer is another one that had a number of small niggly problems last season – but he is moving really well again now, and we are all expecting him to have a really good season this time round. He will be upped in trip and be kept away from soft ground wherever possible.
Second Lot about to head out
Cloud Dancer moving great - will step up in his work next week
Getting a wash down
On the way home Jason Maguire called to discuss plans for Chevelle – she had schooled again in the morning – and was ‘better again’ Jumping will not be an issue! Jason’s input with these youngsters is vital – and we always follow what he suggests – on Thursday he said that he felt that Chevelle would be better served getting into the routine at Ravenswell Farm, she had settled well at Ivy Lodge Farm, had put on a nice bit of weight, and as you know her schooling had gone even better than we had hoped, and now Jason feels that it is time for her to go and join in with the team at Fergs. We do have a plan in place, and we are working back from a target race – with plans to get a couple of runs in over hurdles before that day.
Friday – and I am actually getting this weeks blog typed, as the weekend is looking very busy, but it was good to get a video of Intrepide Sud cantering on the round gallop from Fergal. IS is in great order – and will be ready for his third hurdles start
Around the rest of the team – when I spoke to Donald this week – he reported that all three with him are well. Old Blue Eyes looks fantastic, and Donald says he is moving really well. Dino Bellagio is cantering as he is a fresh as paint as always and Ridin Solo has done really well and like Old Blue Eyes – will up his exercise next week.
Alan King is really pleased with Rockola who is doing plenty of cantering on the hill gallop and will have another canter on the round grass gallop when we have had some rain, and the ground is suitable. The Lindas Lad filly is having a couple of easier weeks down the road with Jamie Magee who broke her in earlier this year. She will return to Barbury Castle towards the end of August and will be prepared for her racecourse debut which is planned for October.
At Warren Chase Tintagel Queen is up to cantering 1.5 miles a day – and Olly is delighted with her progress. Auditoria is well and she heads off to her new home in the next few days. The perfect spot for her – and I am sure that she, and her new owners will be very happy together!
At Ravenswell Farm, Mamoon Star is still in blindingly good form – such a shame that he couldn’t run before the break in the National Hunt programme. We hope that the summer ground and a bit of headgear will see him return to form – and it does he should be well handicapped!
Next week, I will be getting round to a few yards, and will be updating all the owners and syndicate members with news of their horses. Now that most of them are back cantering it really feels like we are getting going and it will not be long before we are having plenty of runners again. Mamoon Star will have an entry in the next few days - and will hopefully continue through the late summer and autumn - the winter horses should start hitting the track from late September onwards.
