Cotswold Capers
A day later than usual – apologies to all of you who like to subject yourselves to your weekly torture on a Sunday by reading this – now you get the chance to start your week really badly by putting yourself through the same pain on a Monday! We were away this weekend – our annual trip to The November Meeting in Cheltenham – and I could use the genuine excuse that where we were staying had surprisingly poor Wifi and I couldn’t get the News out on Sunday morning as usual – but a few bottles of good wine could also have been a factor!
I am a day late getting this out – and we also start the weeks update a day earlier than usual – last Sunday after the news was published there was a really nice update for one of our ‘Old Girls’ when Molly Childers’ second foal – a colt by Jeu St Eloi went through the sales ring on the first day of the Tattersalls Ireland November Sale – and topped the session – reaching 58,000 Euros. A fantastic result for the colts owner/breeders Jimmy and Eileen Furlong of Thistletown Stud. We sold Molly to Jimmy and Eileen after she had bred one foal for the core of the syndicate that raced her. She was a fantastic mare for them and the vast majority of the group wanted to breed from Molly when her racing career came to an end. That endeavour produced Finbar – a 2022 colt by Falco, who you will have seen and read about in these weekly updates. Finbar was a late foal, and as a result Molly was not covered in 2022. She was sold ahead of the 2023 breeding season and headed out to France to be covered by Jeu St Eloi, a mating that resulted in the colt sold last Sunday. Jimmy has always liked this horse, and he did them proud – topping the session at 58,000. He was purchased with the aim of reselling him as a 3 yr old – so we will get to see him go through the ring again! Molly is once again in foal to Jeu St Eloi.
Jeu St Eloi coly foal x Molly Childers
Monday – schooling videos were the order of the day. First one in was from Ravenswell Farm – Intrepide Sud having a skip up the hurdles. It has been a bit of a frustrating time with IS – he keep on picking up a niggling little respiratory infection, that just stops him running. No sooner has he finished his course of antibiotics and got back healthy and working well again, than he comes down with it again. The team are doing everything they can to get him to stay healthy – he is spending most of the day out in the field and is having every drug that he can to help him along and hopefully he will be back at the races very soon.
Another clip to hit the inbox and send on to owners was Rockola schooling at Barbury Castle. Rockola in great order, and she would be getting entries going forward.
For me – it was another road trip – back up the A1 to Carlilse to see Dino Bellagio make his handicap debut off of 96!
While I was on the road Donald gave Old Blue Eyes an entry in Uttoxeter on Saturday – it may come a few days too soon for him, but we could look at it and see where we were with him later in the week.
It is no secret how much talent Dino has – he is a dual bumper winner, and his homework is of the highest quality – we were all surprised that the handicapper gave him a mark after his first three runs over hurdles, but we were not complaining about it – 96 was very workable. It was safe to say we travelled to Carlisle hopeful of a very good run! We felt that handicap company would suit him well, they just didn’t go fast enough for him in novice/maiden company – and although we all knew that a flatter track would suit him better, we are also very aware of the injury that he suffered last season – and that the uphill finish at Carlisle would suit him better. On the ground, officially given as Good ground – we felt that the right thing to do was to go back to Carlisle, keeping the improvement he would find on a flatter track up our sleeves for a while.
Dino looked fantastic in the paddock, and Brian Hughes was confident that there would be more pace on, and that Dino was very well handicapped. As it turned out, things could not have gone worse. There ended up being no pace on at all, and Dino was very very keen. Brian has very good hands and can usually settle a horse, but even he couldn’t keep a lid on Dino. Just when he had got him on an even keel – another horse came right round the outside of the field and lit him up again. The race was as good as over as they passed the post first time – it was definitely over when that happened down the hill. Unbelievably, Dino was still travelling well at the foot of the hill, but it was here that he checked out quickly. That’s racing sadly – it was not to be on the day – being that keen on ground that was definitely not Good ground as described in the official going report (the jockeys all felt that it was borderline Soft), and on this stiff track, there was no way that he was going to trouble the judge. Had it been Good ground – and had he settled, the track would not have been an issue – but sadly it all added up to him running poorly. One thing he had done was jump very well – and that was the one positive to take out of the race. Now that part of the puzzle was in place, we would be heading to a flat track and making the running with him.
All of his owners that were at the track, listened to what Brian and Donald had to say, and although obviously disappointed, were very understanding. Dino was checked over by the vets at the track and he was fine.
Dino Bellagio in the paddock
Heading out under Brian Hughes
The trip down the M6 was sombre – but at least I wasn’t going all the way home – I was booked in at The Cholmondley Arms for the night. I stayed here on my way back from my last trip to Carlisle, and it is the perfect spot to stay in preparation for an early morning at Bankhouse. Once again, a comfortable room – no TV, but that’s not an issue. The pub was quiet on Monday night, the food and beer both very good. It is recommended if you are in the area.
A quiet night in the Cholmondeley Arms
Tuesday – a morning with Donald McCain – a chance to see Ridin Solo and Old Blue Eyes out at exercise and check on Dino after his trip to Carlisle the day before. After the issues he has had, and they way the race went the day before you are always holding your breath that he is ok the day after.
Second lot – Old Blue Eyes and Ridin Solo were out. RS did two up the hill, OBE three. Both look really well, Ridin Solo is ready to run again, and he will have a few entries in both maiden/novice and handicap company – but I did get Donald to promise that wherever it was it would not be over 2 miles – he will step up in trip now.
Ridin Solo
Old Blue Eyes is very well and goes nicely. He had the entry in Uttoxeter on Saturday – but Donald felt that he could possibly do with another week with him – the race coming a few days too soon after Old Blue Eyes’ recent racecourse gallop. We are certainly in no rush with him – he looks to have a nice future.
It was good to see that Dino trotted up sound after his run in Carlisle – a big relief after blowing out like he did – but Donald, his wife Sian and myself had a good chat about him. Sian suggested that we scope him – the vet was coming in later that morning, and a scope would tell us if he had an infection and could also be a guide to see if he had an issue with his breathing. The only conclusive way to determine that is to use an overland scope, where horses are exercised with an endoscope in their wind pipes that shows on camera what is happening to their soft palate and larynx. A resting scope can give an indication if there is an issue with the soft palate which needs further investigation with an overland scope. Sian felt that the way he ‘checked out’ the day before could be as a result of a wind issue and it was worth having a look. As it turns out, when the vet had a look at him around lunchtime – there was no issue with his soft palate, but there was evidence that he was not 100% - and that there was a genuine reason for him running as he had. In a way it is a relief – as the Dino we saw in Carlisle the day before was not the one that Donald sees every day at home. Now that we know there was a reason for it – it can be dealt with, and we can move on. Things will be changed for his next start. What happened to him is almost certainly a result of him over racing, and although Brian was keen to bounce out in front next time – the results of the scope indicate that we will have to go a different way with him, and he will sport some aids to help him settle and be dropped out in rear. He will be on a flat quick track, and we will find a race in which it looks like there will be plenty of pace. Although Monday was a setback – it is good to have found a reason for it, and we can deal with it and move on!
Having been forced to retire Maria’s Flame a couple of weeks ago – I was very conscious of the fact that her patient and loyal syndicate in getting so close to a run, had been left without a horse for the season. I had looked at a couple but felt that they were not suitable for them – but had found a horse that I thought would do the job and get them to the races and be a lot of fun for the season. Sadly, for a couple of reasons we had to pass on this one – and as a result have decided to proceed through this season with the team that we have. Those that wish to, have taken the opportunity to join in with other horses – and as a result we have just a single share left in Tintagel Queen and two left in And She Was. Should any of the Maria’s Flame syndicate wish to have a horse for the winter, you need to be quick and grab one of the last ones available.
It was good to get a video of Intrepide Sud work on Tuesday morning from Fergal. It has not been easy with him as I mentioned, but all was good with him on Tuesday, and we made a plan to go to Exeter in 6 days time – he was entered and would be an intended runner.
Another one to get an entry was Rockola who Alan has been delighted with and popped in a mares handicap hurdle in Leicester. We are all looking forward to seeing her off of her handicap mark.
While on the drive home from Donalds I did have a chat with Fergal about the possibility of giving Greyval an entry in Ascot on the 23rd – It would only be 14 days since her very encouraging run in Wincanton – but I felt that it was worth a look. Greyval had lost a shoe in Wincanton, and had been a bit sore since then, but if she was OK and could work Friday, then there was the possibility that she could go to Ascot.
Wednesday – Fergal very pleased with Intrepide Sud and we decided that he would be heading to Exeter on Monday – he has form at the track – the ground would suit him, as would the uphill finish. Brian Hughes was in and worked Old Blue Eyes at Bankhouse. He went nicely and Brian liked him, but as suspected, Donald felt that he needed another week with him, and he wouldn’t be heading to Uttoxeter on Saturday.
Olly Murphy – who has his string in fantastic form, sent through a video of Tintagel Queen cantering through the mist. Olly is really happy with her – and we are both delighted that we took the chance to run her in Stratford at the end of last month. The track was definitely not to her liking, but with the dry forecast at the time we felt we had to run her – in all honesty, I don’t think she would have run by now if we had waited. With that run under her belt, she is ready to run again, and now that it looks as though there is a bit of wet weather about, we will look for a race for her on her favoured big galloping tracks. Olly has been really impressed with her this term, and in a recent stable tour stated that he felt she was up to winning a mares novice hurdle before heading into handicap company.
With a bit of rain in the forecast – and a cold snap on the way it was time for Barry, out homebred 3 yr old by Blue Bresil to head back to Ivy Lodge Farm and begin life as a ‘proper’ racehorse. He was broken and pre trained by Jason, and he will return there on Monday to start the process of learning what it is to be a racehorse. He will spend a few weeks cantering with Maguire before heading into training in early 2025. From what we have seen of him, he has a very bright future.
On the same day – Chevelle will head from Ivy Lodge Farm back to Ravenswell. She has been cantering for 10 days – and is ready to slot straight back into work after having a wind op last month.
Thursday, Alan King called to say that he was going to miss Leicester with Rockola, and instead aim her at a handicap hurdle in Southwell the week after.
Josh Moore reported that Cloud Dancer was in good heart, and he would get a couple of entries next week in Warwick and Wincanton. He had come out of his racecourse gallop in Windsor well, and we are all looking forward to seeing him out again.
Early afternoon we headed down to Broadway – a few days in The Fish Hotel, our usual base for this meeting and the Festival. Another hotel that is highly recommended. We got down to Broadway late afternoon and had a wander around the village and a quick pint before heading up the hill to The Fish.
Wonderful views from The Fish
Friday started with a clip of And She Was on the summer grass gallop at Barbury Castle – she is going very well, and Alan is really pleased with her – she is due to make her racecourse debut next month.
Less good news from Ravenswell – Intrepide Sud scoped after work, and once again it was not as it should be – so he would not be heading to Exeter on Monday
A good competitive card in Cheltenham, Jonbon winning a very classy two mile chase. I resisted the urge to go to the sales after racing, but it was really good to see Un Sens A La Vie sell for £180,000 – we purchased him as a foal in France, and sold him as a 3 yr old in Ireland. He was a lovely horse and heads to the Twiston Davies’. Another one that sold well, in what was an unbelievably strong trade, was the full brother to Cloud Dancer who changed hands for £140,000 and head to Joe Tizzard.
Saturday – we were very lucky to be invited to a box for the afternoon. A fantastic spot to watch the racing. Another good afternoon at the sports – a very impressive juvenile hurdle winner, by Golden Horn, for his in-form trainer James Owen.
Nice spot to watch the action from
A personal paddock view
Olly was on hand to give a very upbeat update on Itchy Feet who he says has lost none of his enthusiasm for the job and will be ready to run in around a fortnight.
Good to get a video of Rockola on the Sharpridge Gallop – she is in good form.
Sunday – after a good breakfast – we packed and checked out of The Fish. The final day of the meeting. As we walked into the course, we were offered the chance of a lunch in the owners pavilion courtesy of Olly and Aiden Murphy – despite only having had a big cooked breakfast about 2 and a half hours before – who were we to pass up a free lunch?? It was great to catch up with a few folks we hadn’t seen for a good few years and it was an excellent lunch as always – and a fun afternoon.
Todays news will be included in next weeks bulletin.
We are in a couple of yards this week and heading to Warwick on Wednesday.
