Change Of Year - Change Of Luck
A New Year always brings with it an increased sense of optimism – and sometimes a change of luck – we certainly had a fair share of good fortune this week, but as usual there were a couple of setbacks – racing is never a smooth passage!
Monday morning – and the feeling of normality – a schooling video through. This one from Olly Murphy – Tintagle Queen having a pop up 4 hurdles on the schooling trip. She looked to be in fantastic form, and with an entry in Exeter on New Years Day, everything in place for her to make her handicap debut – the big galloping track would suit, and the trip and ground looked ideal. Olly confirmed that she would be declared, and that Lewis Stones who had ridden her to be second in a Chepstow bumper would be reunited with her and would be in the saddle.
Olly also reported Itchy Feet to be in cracking order, and he would make his comeback in the staying handicap hurdle in Cheltenham on the same day. Although Sean Bowen would be in Cheltenham, he would be riding Olly’s other runner in the race, so Gavin Sheehan would be getting the leg up on Itchy again. Gavin was in the plate when he won his Grade 1 in Sandown. It would be Gavins first ride in our colours.
Another one to get an engagement in the week – but this one at the weekend was Cloud Dancer who, as planned got an entry in the £75,000 Sussex Stayers Hurdle in Plumpton. Having relished the step up in trip to 3m last time out – Gary and Josh felt that it was worth giving him an entry in this valuable handicap. We would look at the opposition and ground towards the end of the week – but this would be an option for a young horse that could well be ahead of the handicapper over staying trips.
Tuesday Alan King sent through a video of both Rockola and And She Was working in the same group.
Rockola in great form, and after this work Alan declared her to run in Huntingdon on Thursday. Rockola was a cosy winner last time out when stepped up in trip from 2m to 2m4f – and despite a 6lb rise in the ratings, she would be able to run in the same grade against her own sex once again. The only slight concern was the ground – Rockola has shown a preference for a sound surface and the ground in Huntingdon was Good to Soft, but there was rain forecast – hopefully it wouldn’t get too soft for her to be seen to be at her best – but thankfully, Huntingdon never gets too testing – the soil type and the underlying subsoil make it free draining, and with heavy rain across the country, it still could offer the best ground available at this time of year.
And She Was also in great order, she had been entered in Newbury last month, but that race had come just a little too soon for her and she needed another couple of weeks for her to be seen at her best. Sadly, there were few suitable options in the meantime – but that period has not been lost on her, and Alan has had her doing plenty of different things in her training – teaching her what it is to be a racehorse – including taking up the running in her homework and moving away from her work mates. They have to go to the track with all of the tools to do the job, and it is the trainer’s task to teach them all that they need to know. Alan is delighted with her – and she will be ready to make her debut in the middle of the month.
After arranging the badges for syndicate members and owners of Tintagel Queen and Itchy Feet for New Years Day I had a long chat with Jason Maguire and got an update on the horses he has there. ‘Barry’ is doing plenty of cantering and is really coming together. We had planned to be in Gloucestershire this week with friends, but racing and other things meant we couldn’t be away for too long, so the visit to Ivy Lodge Farm that I had planned for Saturday would have to wait, but Jason reiterated how pleased he is with Barry, and we would have a chat about plans for him in the near future. Barry is just one of 5 exciting young horses that we have joining the squad in 2025 – he will be joined by 4 three year olds, who will be joining a number of different trainers on our roster. One will be going to Olly Murphy – at least one will be heading to Fergal O’Brien, and we will fit in the other two with the trainer that we think will suit them best.
Later in the morning Fergal phoned with news of Chevelle, who had missed an engagement last week with a mucky scope, and as she faced a couple of weeks on the easy list, she was given a bit of an MOT which had turned up and unexpected anomaly – an undiagnosed back issue – that needed to be sorted out. Not a major, but one that will mean that she will be off games for a month. She was treated later in the week and would spend her down time at Ivy Lodge Farm.
Being New Years Eve, we did what every couple of our age does – had a nice meal and a bottle of wine – watched a bit of TV and went to bed at 10.30pm!!
Wednesday morning, and a very wet trip down to Cheltenham. Itchy Feet at HQ and Tintagel Queen in Exeter. The ground in Devon had gone very soft, which should hold no fears for TQ, Cheltenham not too bad despite the biblical morning rain. Great to see a good crowd of owners in Cheltenham – and also good to see so many friends and clients at the races too.
TQ first up – she looked really well in the paddock – and went to post nicely.
Tintagel Queen in the paddock
Issues with TV’s in Cheltenham, meant a quick dash to the William Hill betting shop under the stand to see the race, and from what I could see she settled nicely in rear, and travelled and jumped great as she had in Leicester when she had mysteriously lost her action. This time, despite not losing her action, she still started to struggle as the pace lifted and became detached. Lewis rightly pulled her up. He was at a loss to explain another below par performance – but Olly and I both feel that she is not going through with her effort and believe that she is not giving us 100%. She did suffer an injury 12 months ago – and we feel that she is looking after herself now. She will have one more run this month to see if she can regain her confidence and start to show us the level of ability she showed in her bumpers and in her hurdles debut. If she doesn’t show any signs of a return to form, she will be retired and head off for a career as a broodmare – she has a wonderful pedigree.
Post Race.
Next up Itchy Feet – great to see him back on track after a bout of tendonitis in early 2024. This would very much be a pre season friendly for Itchy. Although as fit as Olly could get him, he would improve for the run and this outing would knock a few rough edges off him. Gavin Sheehan was looking forward to riding him and planned to jump off in mid field – let him travel where he was comfortable, and finish as well as he could up the hill. Itchy’s jumping early doors was a bit sticky, but he was travelling away where he wanted to be. He was hampered at the top of the hill, and the lack of a recent run started to tell at the foot of the hill where he became detached, but he stuck it out up the hill and seemed to thoroughly enjoy his day out. At 11 years of age the younger guns just have the legs on him now, but we will pick our way through the next couple of months, and we may even consider a switch to Hunter Chases later in the season. He will enjoy life in that sphere!
Gavin Sheehan - first time in the Red Black and White.
Going to post
Huge thanks as ever to Debbie for the photos - she went through the pain barrier to get these!
Itchy and his owners post race
He found something in the stands fascinating!
Thursday, a bright but very cold day – at least it was dry – Huntingdon got 5mm of rain the previous day and their ground was still officially Good to Soft hopefully still suitable for Rockola. This would be about the best ground around – so she would take her chance.
In the morning, I was tracking a couple pf entries and spotted a possible opportunity for Greyval who had been off games for a little while with the infection that has been going around Ravenswell. She had a couple of options next week, but there was a race in Taunton that looked like it could suit her. She appreciates better ground which isn’t easy to find in January, but Taunton were giving their ground as Good – so I chatted to Ferg about popping her in and having a look. The drop back to 2m3.5f was probably not ideal – but the £16,500 prize fund was tempting – Ferg agreed, and she got an entry.
A large team of Rockola owners in a very cold Huntingdon to cheer her on, and she looked fantastic in the paddock. Tom Cannon had chosen her over Alans other runner in the race, and all we hoped was that he had chosen the right one, and that the ground wasn’t too soft. Rockola jumped and travelled really well, and as the pace quickened she came under pressure, but as she does she kept on finding, slipping up the inside on the home bend she started to stay on but one had slipped the field and was 4 lengths clear when it stumbled and unseated it’s jockey leaving Rockola to chase down the horse left in front which she did very easily running out a cosy winner. A lucky winner? Tom not convinced - he felt it would have been a tight finish if the leader had stood up at the last – we will never know – but the form book will say the winner was Rockola. 2025 – a change of luck?
Rockola looked a picture in the paddock
Gorgeous girl in the sunshine - photo form Red Sash Racing Club member Jacquie Ward
Large team of owners in the paddock!
Returning with her secind win under her belt
Happy Owners!!
This was another career best from Rockola but it did show what she is all about – an ultra tough, genuine, and gritty young mare, she is all about staying and having won two races over intermediate distances, she will now be stepped up in trip, and there is certainly more to come form her. There is still a single share for sale in her – have a look at her on the FOR SALE PAGE and get in touch. She has form figures of 3,3,2,U,4,1,1 – only once out of the first 4 she is so consistent and judging by the way she jumps a hurdle she should jump a fence too.
This is what the experts say:
Racing Post: ‘She was quickly in command on the run in and is still on the upgrade’
Timeform: ‘Was string at the line which suggest a step up to 3m will see her progress further’
Grab yourself the last share – 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com
The auction for the prize had to be conducted on the day – a hamper of perishable goods would not last until I got round to auction it – well done to Chris who got another owners trophy – his third this season! Another chunk of cash for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Friday – Alan King on to say that Rockola was 100% after her run. She will now step up in trip.
The early morning spent getting out the race reports for Tintagel Queen and Itchy Feet.
As mentioned earlier, our week with friends had to be abandoned just before Christmas, but the way things fell, we were able to get down to see them on Friday – so we set off mid morning for an overnight in Gloucestershire.
Greyval did a piece of work in the morning, and came through it fine, so she continued to get entries – Newbury next Thursday, and Doncaster on Friday – where/if she runs will boil down to which track is providing the best ground.
Later in the afternoon, Chevelle switched over to Ivy Lodge Farm where she will rehab after having her back treated.
Chevelle
We headed into Cheltenham for a bite of lunch in the renowned Beefy Boys! If you like a burger, and all the associated side dishes – head there – their burgers are something else!! To guarantee yourself a table – I’d book in advance – it has always been rammed when we have been there. After our late lunch we headed up to Montpelier to John Gordons, a small bar selling a massive selection of wines spirits and some artisanal beers. A really cool little place – very interesting beers, excellent wines and a fabulous little atmosphere – we really enjoyed it in there.
Saturday – and having overnighted near Stroud, we were able to get into Ivy Lodge Farm to see Barry have a canter. Barry is in great order and proved it by bucking around the round gallop until he got rid of his rider and heading off back up to the yard. A quick sprint back by Jason and an even quicker change and he was in the saddle to give Barry two canter past us. Ellie who was on him initially was fine – Barry was in bad books! Despite his poor behaviour it is very hard not to be very taken with this young horse. He does everything very easily and has grown into a very correct and athletic individual. We believe he has a very smart future, and he will be given all the time that a nice horse like him deserves. He will have an ‘away day’ very soon, and then in a few weeks, when we have decided on a trainer to send him to – he will head into training for a couple of months to introduce him to what his work life will be from July onwards. He will have a racecourse gallop in the spring and will then be set up to begin his career. He is very exciting, and the hope is that he can emulate all of his brothers that have gone before him and win his bumper early doors before going onto even greater things over hurdles. Jason certainly thinks he can.
Barry is one fine looking individual!
It was a cold morning in at Ivy Lodge Farm, so it was good to know that we had a booking in The Woolpack in Slad for a spot of lunch. If you have never tried this one do – it is a small charming little pub, no frills – but excellent food and great service. Outside loos are a little different, especially when it is close to freezing – but that is all part of this pubs charm. The food is fantastic – head there if you are in the area – but you really do have to book this one – luckily, we squeezed in early and got a table when we rang the night before!
After lunch we headed back home – arriving before the snow! Thanks to Matt and Sarah for having us for the evening – it was a great, but all too brief visit!
While having lunch in The Woolpack it was great to get the latest from Alan King – And She Was having another lesson that will help her in her debut. She came up the Sharpridge Hill in between Off The Jury and Geturguccion a nice mare of Liz Prowtings. This would have been the first time she has worked in between horses and will be a huge benefit to her when she lines up for her first race, which will be in the middle of the month if all goes to plan.
Sunday – up early to get this on the website – then, if Josh thinks it is the right thing to do to run Cloud Dancer, I will be off to Plumpton. They have had nearly an inch of overnight rain, and their ground is going to be very soft indeed. This may not suit CD; we will discuss and make a decision when the track have inspected at around 8.30am.
Live uodate - Cloud Dancer a nin runner - Josh believes they will do well to get through the whole card! We will wait with him and try and find a race on more suitable ground.
Around the remainder - up with Donald McCain all three are in good heart. Dino Bellagio is throwing a few shapes - it will not be long before we see him out again - I will chat with his trainer this coming week and go through options for him with regards to track trip and the possible application and/or removal of headgear and aids. Old Blue Eyes has come out of his race very well - he couldn't pick up on the soft ground in Aintree, but remains a horse with well above average ability.He will be out again when we see some better ground. Ridin Solo is also really well and it will not be long before we see him out again!
Down at Ravenswell - Intrepide Sud is on another easy spell - he has struggled to throw off the bug that has prevented him form running for the past month. Hopefully this recent cold spell will help on that score and he will be back on track soon - for him it is not the end of the world as he does prefer a sounder surface, so he isn't missing too much at the moment.
All of the youngsters are well - it will not be long before they are all heading to Ivy Lodge Farm for the next phase of their educations. They will all be syndicated at this stage - some are already nearly sold out - others we will be filling from scratch - keep your eyes out for the share options when the time comes.
Next week, plenty of work to do with the horseboxes, and we have Greyval with her three entries. Hopefully we have not used all of our luck up for 2025 and we can continue to keep bagging a few winners – we certainly have the fire power to have a very successful year – and have given the young horses all of the tools to do their jobs when the time comes - now all they have to do is keep healthy and sound!
