At The Double
We did everything ‘at the double’ this week! Marching Orders took us up and down the country – and we had plenty of fun doing so! As we roll into December, the season has ratcheted up another gear, and things are really motoring along now! Fasten your seat belts – it was a good week!
Monday, I had been planning, what for me is a day off – just day to day things to deal with in the morning, out for a bite of lunch and a trip to the cinema in the afternoon – but a message at lunchtime on Sunday from a syndicate member who wanted to make his first trip to Olly Murphy’s, Warren Chase Stable to see his mare, Tintagel Queen, meant that, as it was his first trip to the yard, we cancelled those plans and instead I popped out – filled the car with diesel and set an early alarm to meet him there for first lot. I always start out early for yard visits – I avoid sitting in traffic if at all possible – so the Monday morning rush hour needed to be avoided. I arrived at Warren Chase, and as I pulled into the car park I had a funny feeling that when I looked at the home screen on my phone there would be a little red dot over the Whatsapp icon– there was – sadly during the 1 ½ hour drive to Ollys – my man had messaged to say that he couldn’t make it – no problem, these things happen – and he was left with no alternative than to cancel his trip to see his horse, but it does give me a chance to highlight something that I have been meaning to do for a while – if you need me urgently, please give me a call – don’t send a Whatsapp – a lot of the time I am driving alone – and don’t see messages until the end of my trip, which could be a few hours later. I can answer any enquiries if you call. If your message is urgent, always call me rather than message me.
I have been meaning to write that for months – I hope it makes sense! Anyway – it was a lovely morning with Olly – a bright, crisp Monday morning, the trainer and horses all fresh and well and looking great! Olly went through November in flying form – an astonishing 24 winners from 90 runners – a 27% strike rate. Olly is fast solidifying his place in the top echelons of British trainers, and it has been a pleasure working with him for the past few years. He is a young man, with an incredible drive, an encyclopaedic knowledge of the form book, and an understanding of how to communicate with his owners. Spending a morning at Warren Chase is a joy, especially as it was such glorious weather, and it was a very pleasant morning. Both of the horses had a canter and a school over 8 hurdles afterwards. Now that the rain has arrived, Tintagel Queen will be getting some entries – and Itchy Feet would have his first away day gallop later in the week in preparation for his return to the track.
In the afternoon I checked in with Jason Maguire for an update on Barry our unnamed 3 yr old homebred by Blue Bresil who has started pre training at Ivy Lodge Farm in preparation for his career. Maguire reports him to be very fresh and well! He will spend the next couple of months with him before moving to a trainer – a decision as to who that will be will be made around Christmas after talking through the options with Jason and The members of The Denton Partnership that own Barry. One thing we must do is get him named – and although I got the ball rolling a couple of months ago – I need to kick start that process again – so that he can head into ‘big school’ in the New Year and have a proper name ‘on the register’.
Tuesday, two runners, two courses, where to go? Alan King had declared Rockola in Southwell – a mares handicap over 2m4f. It was a race that I had been tracking at entry stage and felt that it was possibly a better option than the 2m handicap that had been the original plan. Thankfully Alan agreed at the time and popped her in – at the 48hr declaration stage it looked like the right race for her too – so she was declared against her own sex and over ½ a mile further than she had run before.
Up in Sedgefield, Donald McCain had declared Old Blue Eyes to make his racecourse debut in their concluding bumper. Old Blue Eyes, another homebred son of Blue Bresil had worked very well last autumn, before we gave him a mid winter break around this time last year. He returned to Donald in early 2024, but when the weather changed and the spring ground dried up, we didn’t get to see him on the track, or even have a racecourse gallop. It had been a long wait for his owners – hopefully he could bring to the track what he had shown at home over the course of the last 12 months! I had to chose where to go – as I bred Old Blue Eyes – it had to be him really, I’m sorry to all of Rockola’s owners, I had both horses since they were foals – but having purchased her, and bred Old Blue Eyes, he got the nod. Sadly, Rockola’s trainer Alan King couldn’t go to Southwell either, a fact that I didn’t know until Monday morning – and the ‘ever busy’ Debbie, couldn’t quite switch her day round at the last minute to get to the track either, so it was with quite a sense of guilt that I drove past the Newark junction on the A1 on my way to Sedgefield. Both horses were fancied to run well – I felt that the step up in trip, on a track where she had run so well last time out, was a big plus for Rockola, and making her handicap debut, she could well find the necessary improvement if the ground was not too soft for her – she does prefer a sound surface. Old Blue Eyes, as mentioned comes from a talented family, his half brother Dino Bellagio had won a bumper on debut, and has an abundance of speed, and OBE had shown us what he can do at home – so he could go well – the only slight doubt was his lack of experience – he had been very green when he went away for a canter round a racecourse, and we were aware that he could do the same on his debut.
There were a couple of other reasons why I headed to Sedgefield, I had never been to the track, and it would be another one off of the list – and there were a couple of Old Blue Eyes’ owners who were making an even longer trip than mine. Gary and Fergus crawled out of their beds in Cork at 4.00am and headed into town to catch the 5.00am bus to Dublin. After a good breakfast at the airport, they caught a flight over to Newcastle before grabbing an Uber and heading to the track. As they were heading back to Manchester by train after racing – their day would hopefully go better than Steve Martin and John Candy’s in the epic - Planes, Trains and Automobiles! Judd also made the trip from Banbury, and it was good to catch up with them all at the track.
Sedgefield another one off the list
As we watched the first few races and enjoyed a couple of pints (when someone found the key to the cellar) we all got the chance to get up close with something a little special. The Jockey Club have been touring the Cheltenham Gold Cup around the country, to racecourses and other events, and it was great that the lads all got to have their photos with it – a lovely surprise – and something they never expected to happen when they set out that morning for sure!
Judd with the Gold Cup
Fergus and Gary get their hands on a special trophy!
We sat in the bar and watched Rockola in Southwell. Tom Cannon had come into the paddock in a very confident frame of mind, and felt that if the ground was not too soft for her she would not have to improve much to win. The 9 strong field had reduced to 6 as they headed to post, and Toms confidence was reflected in the market as the money started to come for our little grey mare. There was going to be pace on, and Tom planned to sit off of it – as it was, when the tapes went up, the front two went off so fast, that Rockola was pretty much flat out from flag fall. Her jumping, which has always been very good, was one again excellent. She got tight to one in the back straight but was quickly away from it. As they reached the end of the back straight, she came under pressure and with the two in front of her seemingly going well, it looked for a brief time that her race was run, but Tom saw the chance to sneak up the inner as they entered the home straight, and although it meant going on the more chewed up, softer ground he had to take it, and as they straightened for home, without quickening to any degree, Rockola had hit the front and was starting to pull away. She was suddenly travelling much the best – her stamina coming into play, and despite running very green in front – somewhere she has never been before – ballooning the second last and having a slight stumble after the last she saw it out well for a cosy 4 ¾ length success – with a further 13 lengths back to the third. A great day for her owners, who had turned out in force. Rockola has always been the sweetest girl – she is small in stature, but what she lacks in height she more than makes up for in heart – she is exceedingly tough and can hopefully build on this win and repeat it next time out. Her mark is sure to go up a chunk – winning by just under 5 lengths with a yawning gap back to the third will not go unnoticed by the handicapper, but she has 9lbs before she has to run in a higher grade, so hopefully she will get to go in a similar contest next time. There is a single 1/12 share available in Rockola – please have a look at her details on the FOR SALE PAGE and get in touch with me (nickbrownracing@gmail.com or 07909 518902)
Rockola in the paddock
So, now it was down to Old Blue Eyes, who entered the parade ring looking relaxed and in good heart. His half brother Dino Bellagio had been a bit tricky on his first time at the track – trying to jump out of his stable several times before eventually settling. Mark, who travels the horses for Donald had been with Dino that day, and Donald did mention in the paddock that Mark had said Old Blue Eyes had ‘Been a lot more straight forward than his half brother’ – Mark had not forgotten Ayr! All I said to Donald as we walked into the paddock was ‘Pressure’s on – I have driven past a winner in Southwell to be here’! Old Blue Eyes was very relaxed in the paddock – but did have a few leaps and bucks as the bell rang for the jockeys to get on board. He was a little cold backed as Brian got the leg up, but as soon as he was in the plate he was as good as gold. Brian’s plan was to keep things simple, there would be pace on, and he would stay wide off of the poached ground, swing wide into the straight and see where he finished. He would not be hard on him – I never like to see bumper horses getting an overly hard ride – even if it means finishing a close second – they have to enjoy their first day at work and want to go back and do it again! Brian knows every blade of grass around Sedgefield, and he got the perfect passage. Sitting mid div, Old Blue Eyes was running green as we felt he would, he was having a look a every yard of white rail and all of the wings of the hurdles he was galloping through. The nice thing was that despite being novicey he was not over racing, and in fact, when they went away from the stands, Brian had to give him a squeeze to wake him up a bit. They made steady headway down the back and seeing that Gavin Sheehan was starting to push away on his mount, Brian eased Old Blue Eyes out and went upsides that one. Gavins horse, with company suddenly picked up the bridle and started to race – far to early, so Brian took a pull, and Old Blue Eyes promptly ‘dropped the lot’ a bit like cruising at 70mph on the motorway and switching off the ignition. Brian was not worried, he felt that he could switch him on when he needed him, and when he ‘turned the key’ at the top of the hill the engine roared back into life, and they started to motor. Brian was keen to come down the stands side on the better ground and bagged that. They were now flying – the TV speedometer clocking 40mph – I’ve not seen many bumper horses clock that – Old Blue Eyes was really galloping now and as they hit the rising ground in the last ½ furlong it was clear that he had a bit in hand and was going to prevail. A couple of delighted Cork men, and Judd welcomed him back into the winners circle. Brian was very impressed with him; his first words were – ‘he’s a better behaved version of his older brother’ (Dino). I have long had an idea of a campaign for Old Blue Eyes, and it was good to hear Brian say how much he liked the horse, and that the plan was a very realistic one. It is always fine to have a plan, but the horses have to earn the right to follow it – especially when the plan culminates in a fancy end of season target race – and Old Blue Eyes showed us on Tuesday – and more importantly gave Brian the feel of a horse that could run in a few very nice races this season. Those of you who read this epistle every week can probably cast your minds back to the spring and early summer when I was imploring anyone that wanted a share in a nice horse to buy the last share in Old Blue Eyes – as I said at the time – this horse had shown us what he was capable of at home – he was not an unknown quantity, and it was the perfect time to get involved in a nice one. In the end nobody took it and I announced that I would be withdrawing the share from sale if it was not sold by July 1st, as it would be worth more after OBE had made his debut. Well – it turns out I was right – it is more – not a lot – but it is now back FOR SALE – and there is just one 10% share left – have a look at his details on the FOR SALE PAGE – he is a horse with a very bright future. He will remain in bumpers this season – he will have 2/3 more runs this term, probably in a couple of rich races in the new year before heading to the Grade 2 bumper in Aintree on Grand National Day. Once again – now is the time to buy – Brian was very impressed with Old Blue Eyes and the share could well go up again after his next run! If you want a share in a ‘proper one’ get in touch – nickbrownracing@gmail.com or 07909 518902. Please don’t miss him again!
Old Blue Eyes in the paddock
Happy Lads - huge effort from the Cork lads - well rewarded!
Happy 'Frank'
I delivered two very happy Cork men back to ‘somewhere near’ Darlington station and headed home. The trip home felt a lot shorter – plenty of people on the phone offering congratulations! This was our second double, and we had to have a glass or two to celebrate when I got home – a special day – one gutsy little filly and one very speedy homebred had made it an unforgettable afternoon! It is very special that we bred one and have had the other since she was around 7 months old – you get to know them, and really appreciate their personalities. We can all go out and buy expensive horses from Ireland after they have run in point to points but doing it this way makes the whole experience much sweeter. The Elms is turning into quite the nursery – when you think of the number of winners that we have had through our hands in both our Pinhooking and Racing Syndicates it is huge – Louise and her team are a vital part of what we do, but thanks also go to Jason, Lauren and the team at Ivy Lodge Farm who broke and pre trained both Rockola and Old Blue Eyes and to the trainers Alan King and Donald McCain along with their staff who have done great jobs with the pair.
Josh Moore had phoned on my way up the A1 to say that Cloud Dancer was very well – and the plan was still to give him one more run before a mid winter break. He had spotted a race in Southwell on Tuesday 3 December and would give him an entry – it would be a 3m handicap hurdle, but we feel he could benefit from that sort of trip on the right ground – so he would get an entry and have a look!
Also on the long trip North, Alan King had sent a video of And She Was breezing on the ring gallop. She has been doing plenty on the hill, and this was an exercise aimed at sharpening her up. She goes very nicely, and it will not be long before we see her make her debut.
Wednesday – the two updates that you are always looking for first thing. Rockola and Old Blue Eyes had both come out of their races in good order. Both ate up on their return to their stables and both trotted up sound in the morning. As mentioned, Rockola should (repeat SHOULD) remain in the same grade after the handicapper has his say on Tuesday morning, and she could win again if she does so. She will appreciate a step up to 3 miles, but she is only slightly made, and we will hold off asking her to do that for as long as we can. She is only 4, and will strengthen over time, making the greater stamina test a little easier for her in the future.
Old Blue Eyes will head down the path that I have mapped out for him, culminating in Aintree in April – buy a share and book your ticket to the Owners and Trainers lounge on Grand National Day 2025 – that is worth the purchase price alone!!
Having been a bit busy – I hadn’t managed to get the written race report out to The Keysoe Partnership who own Cloud Dancer after his run in Warwick the previous week, so that had to be done along with the two race reports from Tuesdays winners. I managed to get Cloud Dancers and Rockola’s done – Old Blue Eyes had to wait.
Having spent a couple of nights in an equine hospital near the yard recently when she got a touch of colic, it was good to get a video through of Greyval back at work and moving well. Having found the key to her last time out we had been intending running her around now, but having missed a couple weeks work she couldn’t and we will now look at races for her in a couple of weeks.
Thursday was monthly admin day – bills to pay – so confined to barracks. Debbie was out and about and combined a quick dog walk along the Ridgeway with a visit to Alan Kings to collect the ‘trophy package’ that returned to Barbury Castle after Rockola’s win on Tuesday. Debbie got to see Rockola in her stable and also caught a quick glimpse of And She Was as she headed out to exercise. Debbie reports And She Was to be in rude health – certainly fresh! She wasn’t the easiest to get mounted!
Mouse gets a walk along the ridgeway
Rockola enjoys a day off after her win.
I now have both trophies from the ‘Tuesday Double’ and these as always, will be auctioned off between their owners, with the winning bid heading off to The Injured Jockeys Fund as always – I will hopefully get those auctions done next week – I should get time to do one of them at least – hopefully two, but if not the second will be the week after.
I did get Old Blue Eyes’ race report out, and it was nice to catch up with his trainer in the afternoon. Originally Donald had called to discuss running plans for Club horse, Ridin Solo, but he did also admit that he was still buzzing after Old Blue Eyes’ win in Sedgefield. At the end of the day, it was only a small bumper in Sedgefield, but the fact that Donald was still buzzing from his win, tells you a little about how exciting he thinks Old Blue Eyes is and possibly how good he can be!
Friday – and another early start for the second yard visit of the week. Ravenswell Farm and Fergal O’Brien – to see Intrepide Sud, Greyval and Chevelle. As ever – in the yard before dawn – but that has a massive advantage as you get to see the most wonderful sunrises there!
George watches second lot
None of ours out first lot as Debbie was coming in second lot, and would get some photos for their owners. Intrepide Sud seemed to have finally got over his respiratory infection and was back in great form. He always works on his own and worked very well up the hill after a warmup on the round gallop. Greyval just did two up the hill and was moving great – really looking forward to seeing her out again this month. Third lot Chevelle warmed up on the round gallop before heading to the hill. Debbie out there to photograph her while I set things up back in the yard for the main purpose of our visit – a spot of filming.
After third lot, we filmed farrier John Benfield putting a shoe on Intrepide Sud, for the next episode of ‘In Behind’ for members of The Red Sash Racing Club. John demonstrated how to take off and replace an aluminium racing plate, and also show and explain all of the shoes, pads and gels that farriers use to keep our horses on the road. We then jumped in the cars and headed over to Johns own stud and forge, where he demonstrated what goes into trimming a foals feet and how that trimming can affect how a young horse develops. John was a natural in front of the camera and it was really kind of him, his partner Jemma, and his team to give up their time and to let us film them and their stock. Our ‘In Behind’ features are produced to give our Club members an insight as to what goes on behind the scenes of the racing and bloodstock industries and to illustrate what goes into producing these amazing equine athletes that we see racing on the track. This one will be especially interesting – just listening to John – I learned a great deal – I know you will find it fascinating. If you are not already a member - head over to the Red Sash Racing Club website, sign up, buy a share in Ridin Solo and get full access to all the previous episodes that have featured vets, Olympic Gold Medallists, and a diary of what goes into breaking a young horse in. All this and you get a share in Ridin Solo, who will be running very soon, and is expected to benefit from a step up in trip, £30 of free Tote bets, regular updates and all the news as it happens on the website! Remember – membership makes for a wonderful Christmas present too! www.redsashracing.co.uk
Filming for our latest 'In Behind' feature
One of Jemma and Johns foals who also feature
Fergal was very happy with Intrepide Sud and he got an entry in Wincanton on Thursday 5th.
Another to get an entry for the 5th was Tintagel Queen, who Olly gave an entry in a maiden hurdle in Leicester. Olly sent through a clip of her swinging along his new gallop with the very exciting Indeevar Blue that morning – he is very happy with her – he must be – he let the wife ride her!
Donald is also very happy with Dino Bellagio who has been ‘doing cartwheels’ at home – Donald gave him an entry on Thursday 5th as well – in Market Rasen. With Debbie lined up to cover Wincanton – I now have to chose between Leicester and Market Rasen should they all run!
Another video to come through was from Alan King – And She Was also swinging around the ring gallop for the second time this week – she is coming together very nicely, and I will be having a chat with Kingy about where and when she will be starting off this coming week. She certainly goes very well at home and I am really looking forward to seeing her on the track. There is just a single share remaining in this lovely daughter of Lindas Lad, who is a half sister to no less than seven winners, and who looks to be ideally suited by starting off in junior bumpers. Again – have a look at her on the FOR SALE PAGE – you have seen how nicely she goes at home – she should be plenty of fun on the track! No capital outlay – Just £130/month all inclusive training/keep fee.
Saturday started well – a lovely clip of Chevelle schooling over hurdles. She badly needed a wind op after her hurdles debut – and having given herself a fright at the first in that race it was good to see her skip up the schooling strip in good style.
Olly was on early – he had taken Itchy Feet away for his first gallop of the season. His return had been a little after the remainder, as he had a touch of tendonitis in the spring that needed a bit of time for him to recover from. Olly couldn’t really tell me what he saw, because he didn’t see a lot – it was dark – but those that rode in the gallop were very happy! Itchy had worked very well – full of his old enthusiasm and after another couple of away days he will be ready to make his seasonal debut later this month – it will be good to get him back. Tintagel Queen was also in the gallop, and she too went really well. She did have a good blow afterwards. The race she has an entry in on the 5th looks quite strong – we may track decs as they come in on Tuesday morning. If it looks like the better ones aren’t going, we could run, but if it looks strong, we may wait a week and go elsewhere.
Around the remainder – Ridin Solo was not declared in a couple of races that he had entries in over the last few days. He is in really good form and has further entries going forward. He will step up in trip and have entries in both handicaps and novice/maiden hurdles. The step up should suit him well!
Just one other piece of ‘housekeeping’ we had mentioned about producing a calendar in time for Christmas – as usual we didn’t give ourselves quite enough time to get them done for this Christmas, but we will definitely be producing one next year. Thanks to those who got in touch with some ideas for the Calendar – we are looking forward to putting it together in 2025. In addition, we will also be producing a brochure in time for the Syndicate Saturdays in September 2025. This will detail every horse that we have in training for the 2025/26 season – along with photos, and also details of all of the youngsters that we have on the team, that will be running in the Black Red and White in the future.
Last but certainly not least - the very best of luck to Debbie - who is one of four nominees for Photograph Of The Year at the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Asscociation lunch in London tomorrow. It is a testament to her superb work that she has been nominated for this coveted award, and we wish her the best of luck - we are very lucky to have her on the team - and even more envious of missing what is the very best (boozy) lunch of the year!!
Next week – hopefully a yard visit early in the week – trophy auctions – runners on Thursday and Friday! Let’s hope we are talking about more winners this time next week! Until then have a good week – and see you here next Sunday!
