A Tale Of Two Toms
Sunday morning – must be time to sit down and chronical the past few days! When, once again there was plenty going on – although not quite as we planned when we put the full stop at the end of last weeks ramblings!
Last Sunday morning Tintagel Queen had been declared to run in Perth on Tuesday – and had been installed as the 7/2 ‘tissue’ favourite. When I had spoken with Olly in the morning, I had clarified that the Clerk of The Course up there had no concerns about the meeting being on – as there was a very well documented storm heading in his direction. ‘No problem’ was the reply – ‘It will be attritional ground and very hard work, but there were no concerns’ The likelihood of very testing ground did not phase us – we believe TQ relishes them and had in fact declared her in the 2 mile mares race with that in mind. As you know in racing, things do change – but having made sure that there were no concerns about the meeting going ahead and having booked a couple of nights in a Northumberland Hotel, you can imagine it came as a bit of a shock when at around 5.00pm on Sunday afternoon they called an inspection for Tuesdays meeting – a waterlogged track!
It was less of a shock when, on Monday morning, after their inspection, Perth abandoned the meeting! Having booked two nights in a hotel Sunday afternoon - less than 24 hours later I was on to cancel them, thankfully the team at Charlton Hall near Alnwick were very understanding, and didn’t sting me for the full booking fee, simply taking what had been a very reasonable deposit. It had been a good plan – I was to travel up on Monday – stay that night, and head up to Perth on Tuesday - returning to Charlton House for the night,before heading home, stopping off to see Rockola, who had been declared in Southwell on Wednesday, on the way. Never mind – I will get to Perth one day – but as this was their last meeting of 2024 it will have to wait until next year.
With Perth off it was time to change plans – and after informing the members of The Lavendon Partnership that Rockola had been declared to make her seasonal debut in Southwell, it was time to pack a bag and head up the A1 to Doncaster in preparation for their October Sale that was taking place on Tuesday. This would not be the most exciting bunch of horses ever assembled for a sale, but we would be there nonetheless, and although it was pretty quiet around town, it was good to meet up with the team from Goffs and enjoy a fun night at La Boca, an Argentinian steak house, and worth a visit! It is always a good night with the Goffs team, and over a Tomahawk or two we even hatched a few fun plans for the future.
Just one thing I would like to mention, a former director of Goffs and good friend, Stuart Mactaggart’s family have had some devastating news this year. Stuarts dear wife Claire has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, the crippling neurological disorder that took both Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow from us in recent months – part of what we talked about on Monday evening were ways of helping with the fund-raising effort for the Mactaggarts and everyone supporting them at this time, including MND Scotland. Please have a look at this appeal from Claire and Stuarts daughter Tara, a Professional golfer on the Ladies Tour who has organised a fundraiser which takes place tomorrow. A word of warning, it is not an easy watch – but if you can, please do give it a click – hear their story and if possible, send a little money by clicking the link! Thank you!
https://www.justgiving.com/page/sarah-gee-1724269210414
Personally, I owe Stuart a great deal, I would certainly not be doing what I do now if it wasn’t for him – highlighting Claire’s plight here is just a little way of saying thank you!
Tuesday, and I have to say we were not expecting to have a busy day in Doncaster, but as is often the way – it turned out that there were quite a few people at the sale that wanted to chat about a new horsebox!
Before that and bang on 8.00am I received a text from Donald McCain – it was two words, lots of exclamation marks and a number – the second word was HILL – quickly changed in a second message to HELL – you can guess what the first one was! The number was 96 – I realised very quickly what it all meant. Being 8.00am on a Tuesday morning, the weeks handicap amendments had been published, and the assessor had felt it was the right thing to do to give Dino Bellagio a handicap mark. He had pulled up on his hurdles debut, ran very poorly on his second start over timber, and had had a lovely seasonal reappearance when finishing fourth in Carlisle last week – the handicapper felt that was enough to give him a rating, and he gave him 96. Dino has come out of his run in Carlisle very well and is back cantering. The problems of last season seem to be behind him – and we should be having a lot of fun this season – insert winking face emoji!!
I had a long chat with Olly Murphy at the sales, he, like me, was gutted that we were not in Perth with Tintagel Queen. Instead, she would head for another gallop away from Warren Chase and have an entry in Stratford on Thursday 31st October. Olly reported Itchy Feet to be in fine form, and on great terms with himself. He is getting back up to full fitness and should be out again in December.
One that we had hoped to see fairly soon was recent impressive winner Intrepide Sud – but his return to the track has been delayed by a respiratory infection. There is a bit of it going around a few yards at the moment – the weather and the time of year a contributory factor. A couple of weeks on the easy list – but still gently cantering away – and a few days of antibiotics should see him back on track soon enough! We are not 100% fixed on a plan for him, although he will remain over hurdles for sure. He will have entries in both novice hurdles and handicaps when he is ready to run, and we will make a decision where he goes based on the opposition he is likely to face.
While at the sales I got a call from Josh Moore regarding Cloud Dancer, which after hearing his opening words had me fearing a sub optimal chat regarding CD’s wellbeing was about to be had – but thankfully it ended up being a very positive update. CD was back to being shod with a pad under his shoe, as he has sore feet, this had worked last season but had proved to be a very temporary fix this time round – it left Josh, Gary and the team scratching their heads a bit. Thankfully the vet found a problem, that involved a simple fix and happily Cloud Dancer was back sound and cantering away on Tuesday morning as normal. Hopefully that is all behind him now and they can crack in with him. He looked good on his seasonal debut – back to somewhere near his best – he would improve for the run, and we are hoping that he will be back in the winners circle very soon!
Cloud Dancer cantering on Tuesday morning
Wednesday morning, The Red Sash Racing Club’s Ridin Solo is in great order and came out of his run in Stratford very well. We knew he would badly need that outing, and his lack of a recent run found him out on the run to the last after which Brian was easy on him. That run has put him spot on, and he is ready to run again. Donald gave him an entry in Bangor on Tuesday 29th October – a 2m Novice Hurdle, and as the week went on, he would get further entries in Fakenham (30th and Newcastle (31st).
Another one that was due to have an entry in Bangor – in the concluding bumper was Maria’s Flame – but she was found to be slightly lame on Wednesday morning and was not entered. The vets were in later in the day and there is nothing serious, they think she had got cast in her box overnight and pulled herself about a bit. She should be fine in a few days. One interesting thing came from the vet’s report – she needed a tooth rasped – how strong is their scanner, if it can pick up a sharp incisor while scanning her backside???!!!!!
With all the morning work done it was up to Southwell to see Rockola make her seasonal debut. Alan has been very happy with how she has been training this autumn, and we were all looking forward to seeing her out again. A good turn out of her owners there to see her run. She had been placed in two bumpers and a junior national hunt hurdle last season and would need this run to gain a handicap mark. The race looked a tight enough event for a mare’s novice with a couple of mares rated over 100 and a few winners in the field. Alan felt that the ground was a bit quick for his other runner in the race, Irish Chorus, who was the intended mount of stable jockey Tom Cannon. With that one out – and with the blessing of Tom Bellamy who had been down to ride Rockola, Tom Cannon switched to ride her. Tom (Cannon) had travelled to the track for just the one ride on Irish Chorus, and Tom (Bellamy) had another couple on the card – so was happy to stand down and let Tom (Cannon) take over so that his trip to Southwell had not be a total waste of time. Tom (Cannon) set off down the inner, where Alan likes all of his horses to be ridden. Rockola jumped great all the way round – she just left her back legs in the first down the far side, but other than that she was foot perfect. As the pace quickened around the top bend, she was left a little flat footed as we expected, but she stuck her head down and stayed on well all the way to the line to finish a very respectable 4th. This was a lovely way to get her season going. Tom (Cannon) was very pleased with her run, and despite us all expecting him to say that she would be stepping up in trip next time, he felt that there was the option of looking at 2m handicaps to start her off in. We will see what the handicapper does with her on Tuesday and make a plan from there. She looks sure to give her owners some fun days out over the winter!
Rockola in the pre parade ring
Rockola and Tom (Cannon) heading out
Rockola very happy with herself, as were all of her owners!!
While in Southwell Alan gave a glowing update on the newly named And She Was – he had schooled her over a few flights in the arena and had been very impressed with her. She had taken to it like a duck to water, and everyone was delighted with her.
Thursday – an update to all the members of Maria’s Flame syndicate – thankfully nothing sinister. Another Ridin Solo entry to update members of The Red Sash Racing Club about, and it was good to see a video of And She Was having another pop over some hurdles. It had been a good week for her family. Her sire, Linda’s Lad had had another winner in Plumpton on Monday and on Wednesday in Fontwell, her half-brother Samazul, trained by Ben Pauling, added to the already impressive number of wins between her siblings by going in again. There are just 5 shares remaining in the exciting young filly, who will be ready to make he debut in a junior bumper in December, and who already looks as though she will be following all of her brothers and sisters into the winners’ circle, thus keeping up her dams 100% record – all of her progeny being winners! Get in touch to grab a share! 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com
Greyval headed to Ben Brains for an overland scope mid-morning. Ben called Fergal to say that he had rarely seen a horse go round his gallop like she had – he was very impressed with her – ‘oh, and there’s nothing wrong with her wind’. In fairness it is what we had suspected, but after her performance in Stratford the previous Saturday, when Johnny Burke felt that based on her homework ‘she should have picked the rest up and carried them,’ we had to rule out the possibility that she was struggling with her wind. With that box ticked we will now crack on – step her up in trip and see if that can unlock what we are all seeing at home!
In the afternoon I headed down to Wiltshire, a meeting scheduled with Debbie Burt, who was jetting off to the Breeders Cup on Saturday. We were both to be in Cheltenham on Friday, so Thursday evening was the last chance to get together had chat through some ‘agenda items’ before Debbie left for the States.
I booked myself into the Chiseldon House Hotel, as it was local for Debbie and very convenient for a visit to Alan Kings on Friday morning ahead of racing. I didn’t pay too much notice of the hotel until I came to book dinner – when, having a quick glance of the menu I noticed that the dining room slightly resembled and old folks home. Not ideal – a change of plan, and dinner booked on The Silks On The Downs pub restaurant down the road in Ogbourne St Andrew.
I checked in at the Chisledon House Hotel, slightly surprised that mine seemed to be the only car in the car park at 5.00pm! The hotel itself is OK – the staff are very nice and helpful, even if their system did take a large sum of money off of the credit card I lodged at reception on arrival! A very embarrassed and apologetic young lady tapped on my room door as I unpacked to explain what had happened and to assure me that the sum had been refunded. They were kind enough to give me a couple of complimentary drinks at the bar later. My room was large, very well kept, clean and well decorated with everything you could need – no problems there – it was just the bar and dining rooms that gave the impression of needing a bit of an update!
So down the road we went for dinner – The Silks is a ‘racing pub’ – one that when sold off by the brewery was made a community asset and purchased by the villagers. As a result, it is staffed by volunteers, who made us feel very welcome. The Chef is a former Master Chef winner, and the meal that we had was nice. There was a busy enough atmosphere when we arrived – and we were that last to leave. The staff, being volunteers were very nice and friendly, and as it was our waitresses first day, she was being guided through her new job. All in all, it was great to see a pub saved from closure – the shareholders that have invested in it deserve all the luck they can get – I would go again. It is themed as a racing pub, but racing isn’t ‘rammed down your throat’ as it were. They tell me that Emma Lavelle and Barry Fenton are often in there of a Friday night – pop in if you’re passing!
Friday morning, into Barbury Castle Stables for first lot to see And She Was have a spin on the turf for only the second time. She is really coming together and looking great! Debbie joined me before heading over to Cheltenham to start her new gig as one of the official racecourse photographers at the track! Again, so lucky to have Debbie on the team and photographing our horses – her images are wonderful!
And She Was on the grass for just the second time
Heading Home
More super photos from Debbie!
We met Rockola on her way to the walker – she had come out of her Southwell run really well, and when we see what the handicapper thinks of her runs on Tuesday, we can then make a plan for her.
Second Lot
I stayed around for second lot, and then headed back to the hotel to get changed and head off to Cheltenham. An overcast afternoon, but great to catch up with plenty of syndicate members and owners there! Although it was nearly dark at one stage, you certainly didn’t need lights to see Pete’s shirt!!
Back home for the evening.
Saturday – an afternoon invitation to Huntingdon Rugby Club for the former players and VP lunch was hard to turn down – the guest list looked like being superb company, and the 1st XV are playing some very good rugby, but it was back to Cheltenham for an excellent card there on a beautiful afternoon! On the way down a chance to check in with Donald McCain and see if he had any clues as to where he was more likely to run Ridin Solo. He had three entries – a very low ballot in Bangor meant that that race was out as he was unlikely to get a run. Fakenham, despite being a sharp track over the minimum trip looked the weakest of the three options, and the ground in Newcastle was good to firm in places. So, it could be a trip to Fakenham in the week.
While on the phone he gave an update on the brothers, Dino Bellagio and Old Blue Eyes. DB back cantering, and all well after his run in Carlisle. We will look at handicaps for him off of his new rating of 96. His half brother Old Blue Eyes will head away for a racecourse gallop this coming week, and all being well will be making his debut in a bumper 2/3 weeks after that. He had just worked past Donald on the hill gallop as I spoke to him, and he was really happy with what he had seen. Hopefully he can bring his impressive homework to the track! If he does, he will remain in bumpers all season with a trip to a nice one in the spring very much in our minds!
Just two to left to mention – Chevelle continues to recuperate from her wind op with Jason Maguire, and Mamoon Star continues the transition from racehorse to riding horse with Connor Brace and Alex Knight.
Two items of housekeeping – a share has come available in ‘Barry’ our 3 yr old Blue Bresil gelding who heads into pretraining in the next couple of weeks. Sadly, one of his owners who has been with him since he was born has had to give up her share. Barry is a very smart prospect – get in touch for full details, and a video of his one piece of work he did in early summer – it will take your eyes out! He is not to be missed.
The share in recent Uttoxeter winner Intrepide Sud is still For Sale too – he now has a mark of 111 and the price of the share represents outstanding value for a horse of his ability, looks and pedigree. He has certainly not done winning – Johnny Burke was very very impressed with his performance in Uttoxeter, Grab the share now – the form of the race could be very good – and the share price could just go up as the horses in behind start to come out again!
