Future - Both Long and Short Term
We start this weeks collection of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors with news of an afternoon out at the sports – just a different sport! Football – and our annual trip, as guests of Olly Murphy, to see West Ham take on his beloved Aston Villa at Villa Park. Olly has been kind enough to invite us to this fixture for a number of years now, and it is always a great afternoon – superb company, a fantastic pre match lunch and superb seats in the stand. This years match looked like being very one sided, in the favour of the home team for the first 20 minutes, with them scything through the West Ham midfield and defence to score after just 8 minutes. It looked like being a long afternoon for a West Ham fan among ‘Villains’! Sadly, Villa lost defender Tyrone Mings at around the mid way point of the first half and after that the home side seemed to completely lose their shape and West Ham clawed their way back into the match equalising in the second half and possibly a little unfortunate not to come away with all three points. I think Olly summed the game up perfectly, ‘It was a good game, for a bad game’ ie good to watch but not a great deal of quality on show. Aston Villa really need a centre half, and West Ham are in dire need of a striker – but as a West Ham fan it was good to see the team put in a shift for the new manager, Graham Potter, and to see Potter actually make some positive substitutions and try and get the points! A very enjoyable afternoon – huge thanks to Olly for inviting us!
Monday morning, and with a busy week ahead, it was the day to tackle the monthly admin. There were also badges to organise with Chepstow, where Tintagel Queen was declared to run in the 2m4f handicap hurdle on Tuesday. We were a few over our allocation but we managed to get everyone what they requested!
Tuesday morning, we headed down to Chepstow. Long trips are often spent on the phone catching up with clients, trainers, pre trainers and stud owners – this trip was no exception.
Alan King called to say that he would not be declaring And She Was in the bumper in Wincanton on Thursday, where she had an entry. Their ground, Heavy in places, and with no real chance of drying back to anything like the sort of ground you would want a nice young 4 yr old filly to have her first taste of racing on. Alan and I are great believers that all horses, especially young fillies need to come away from their first taste of racing with as good an experience as they can possibly have. They need to want to go back and do it again and again and having a hard race on very deep ground against older, stronger opposition was not going to give her that sort of experience. Her syndicate are having to be patient – we had hoped to run her in the autumn, but she just needed a break, and that planned debut had to be put back to December. Sadly, she wasn’t quite ready for that, so we headed to Ludlow with her in January, only for that to be abandoned at the last minute due to a frozen track (the less said about that the better)! Now we would not be running due to heavy ground, and as she has been ready to run for a while, she will now have to have a quiet week, and we will look to run her later in February. The good news is that she goes nicely and should be worth the wait! Alan also said that he would be entering Rockola in Southwell for the following Monday – Rockola would be seeking the hat-trick after winning her last two starts, and we are really looking forward to seeing her give it a go. She has gone up 8lbs for those two wins, but remains in the same grade, and will appreciate a step up in trip – her third win on the bounce is not beyond possibility!
Another thing to organise was the transfer of Nevada Samba from pre training with Jason Maguire at Ivy Lodge Farm to Alan King. He will make the short trip up the M4 from Gloucester to Swindon on Monday. He was given a quick check over by the vet to make sure he was A1 to start in training, and we are very much looking forward to seeing him at Alans.
According to the weather forecast, I was expecting to be driving down to Chepstow in bright,dry weather, not the persistent rain I found myself in for most of the trip. It was a pretty damp scene arriving at the track. We had hoped to try Tintagel Queen on some better ground, but it was not to be. Sadly, she looked like she had lost her way entirely after fracturing a leg at this time last year – her three runs this term have been nothing like the sort of form she showed in her bumpers and sole hurdles start before that injury. I promised her syndicate members that I would not be wasting their money and that we would give her one last try before the end of January to see if she had regained any confidence. Waiting for better ground would take us into February, and I felt that it was not fair to charge everyone for an extra month, when we all probably knew deep down that the result was likely to be the same. TQ would run, and we would know our fate. She looked fantastic in the paddock, a real gleam to her coat – Olly had her in great order and she had been working well at home. This being a race confined to Conditional Jockeys – Lewis stones once again took the ride, and having chatted tactics with Sean Bowen felt that it was worth trying something slightly different and being very handy with her. The pair jumped off in front rank, and TQ was jumping and travelling well early. She got in close and fiddled a couple down the back losing momentum but was still in contention. As they made the descent to the home turn, she came under pressure and lost ground, but Lewis felt they were starting to stay on as they straightened for home. The pair were then badly hampered by a faller and having had to hurdle the prostrate horse on the ground, she was brought to a virtual standstill, and Lewis rightly pulled her up. Not what we had hoped for, but I think it was what we all, deep down, were expecting – TQ was retired on the spot – she just has not got the confidence to push herself through the pain barrier after fracturing her leg last year, and it would be unfair to continue to ask her to do so – and even more unfair to ask her syndicate to pay to do it! I am never one to waste members money – and although this decision will leave many of them without an interest in a horse for the rest of the season – it is the right thing to do – and I am sure that many of them will be looking at shares in the 6 horses that we have joining the team this spring/summer! More on one of them later!
There has been a lot of talk this week about the PRA’s decision to ask its members to only give TV interviews if they were to be paid for them. The PRA is an unaffiliated off shoot of the National Trainers Federation – and claims to boast 170 members. It has been a hot topic of conversation – and it has been interesting to talk to a few of the top trainers in the country about it this week. It is safe to say that Dan Skeltons assertion that the majority of his colleagues in the PRA were in favour of this proposed boycott could not have been farther from the truth! Without naming names – One trainer was not sure if he was even a member of the PRA – so didn’t know if he could give interviews or not – another had called three of the biggest National Hunt trainers in the country – all members of the PRA, and all were disgusted by this course of action – one of them telling me in no uncertain terms that he would resign from the organisation if he was forced into silence if he had a winner at the weekend! When you actually dig down into the facts there is a case to be made for action. The PRA was set up by Peter Saville to fight for better prize money – and he is personally funding it at the moment – staff and offices coming out of his pocket. As Jockeys are paid for media interaction – the money going into an insurance scheme for them – Peter felt it was reasonable for trainers to receive payment for their media interviews. What was not made clear was that this income would be used to fund the work the PRA does in trying to increase transparency from all quarters regarding funding of the sport and therefore (hopefully) more income flowing into prize funds for owners – not go directly into the pockets of trainers! Having Dan Skelton be the initial mouthpiece for the effort was possibly ill judged, and I believe a far better course of action would have been an explanatory press release, explaining things in more detail. I believe the way they went about this was all wrong!
Anyway enough of the politics, back to week we had. Wednesday – Tintagel Queen fine after her run – she has an outstanding pedigree and will head off for a career at stud. We will find her a suitable home either in the UK or Ireland and she will be covered this spring. The National Hunt breeding scene is a bit sticky at present – costs have escalated enormously over the course of the past couple of years, and another recent rise, has had us thinking about our future in breeding. We have had such fun breeding our own stock over the course of the last 6/7 years, producing horses that are winning on the track – but with day to day costs continually increasing, it has become an expense that we are finding very hard to justify – we are laying out a huge amount of money over the course of a year – money that can be used to fund other ventures that will not keep capital tied up for 3-4 years at a time.
Intrepide Sud had been suffering with the bug that did the rounds at Ravenswell but has been in rude health for a couple of weeks and got an entry in Taunton next week. Although he won going left handed in Uttoxeter – he definitely needs to go right handed so Taunton will suit well.
Jason Maguire sent through a video of Chevelle who is nearing the end of her spell there recovering from a back issue. She will return to training next week.
Thursday – an early start and an overdue trip up the M6 to see Donald McCain – It has been a while since I have been up to Bankhouse, and it was good to see the team in such good form. Donald and I discussed plans for our three in training up there – Dino Bellagio will revert to 2m having not stayed last time out, he will have the ear plugs removed and some headgear applied – we are confident we will see a different horse next time! Dino had worked very well the previous day, and had a school on the canter loop as the schooling ground was frozen.
As you can see, he is in fine form.
Old Blue Eyes had also worked the day before and Donald had said he had worked very well – but being a youngster, and without an imminent outing planned for him – he had an easy day – but really does look in great order!
Old Blue Eyes
We came up with a bit of a plan for Ridin Solo and then went ahead and did something that we hadn’t planned. We decided that we would step him up in trip next time out before switching to fences in March – but then we spotted a very weak maiden hurdle over an intermediate trip in Sedgefield a track that he has run so well at in the past and promptly gave him an entry there. On ratings it looks as though he will be one of the likelier winners among the entries, and we will track declarations and he could well have another try at 2m4f.
On the journey home I checked in with Josh Moore who reported Cloud Dancer to be very fresh and well – the plan remains for him to head to the Challenger Stayers Final in Haydock in April – and he will have just a single run in between now and then – there are no fixed plans as to where or when that will be, but Gary does want to send him to Haydock a ‘fresh horse’ so there will be a nice gap between his next run and the final in Haydock.
Two that did get entries were Greyval and Intrepide Sud in Ludlow. Greyval has come out of her second place in Fakenham in superb nick – and although this mares race is over 2m5f it is an option for her. We would really like to step her up in trip – and may look at options against the geldings in the near future, but if there are very few runners in this Ludlow heat, she can take her chance. IS got an entry as there are very few right handed options for him on decent ground.
Friday – another early start – this time down to Ravenswell Farm to see Greyval and Intrepide Sud work.
The form of the yard has certainly picked up in the last 10 days or so – and they look like they are through the tough spell they have been enduring. Greyval worked up the hill and worked really well – Becky got to ride her, and said she had never been up the hill so fast!
Intrepide Sud did 3 and 3 round the round gallop under Tom Broughton and did it very well. Both horses seem in great form! I had the chance to discuss options with Fergal – and we concluded that Taunton would need to dry back for IS to run there, and I would not let him risk him over the coconut mat covered road crossings in Ludlow – IS has had a leg injury in the past and I was not prepared to see him risked over those
Ludlow remained an option for Greyval – but Ferg and I are both keen to see her stepped up to 3m so we may just wait and take on the geldings in a couple of weeks – although we both agreed that if the Ludlow race cut up then we would consider it.
Greyval after work
After seeing both Greyval and IS work, I was having a coffee when Donald called to say that neither of his other two entered in the Sedgefield race along with Ridin Solo would run, leaving the path clear to head there with RS should we think it the right thing to do.
Shortly afterwards I was tracking entries and noticed that there were just 10 entered in a mares handicap hurdle in Huntingdon – Alan had been a bit dubious about stepping Rockola up from 2m4f all the way to 3m1f – but I persuaded him to give her an entry – we could have that discussion later.
In fact, that discussion happened the following morning, when Alan called to say that he would declare Rockola in Southwell – I had other plans – having gone through both races in forensic detail I felt that the right option was Huntingdon. Rockola had won at both tracks, so that was not an issue. The ground was still soft in places in Southwell, whereas Huntingdon had no soft places and would have a further two days of drying to see it dry back to even better ground, which she would love. Her last 4 runs, including two wins had all been in mares company – Huntingdon was a mares race and Southwell was against the geldings. I felt that in Southwell she would meet stronger opposition than in Huntingdon, and as it was just ½ a furlong farther to race in Huntingdon – I felt that was the place to go. Now I may be totally wrong, but Alan was swayed by my ‘convincing argument in favour of Huntingdon’ so she heads there next Thursday.
Debbie headed to Barbury Castle for second lot – she was in to test her new camera out on some moving targets before an international excursion next week. Rockola had breezed around the ring gallop first lot and gone really well, And She Was had a gentle hack canter. Debbie reported that ASW looked really well and from what she could see of her coat, she was gleaming – obviously in rude health.
And She Was
Ridin Solo got an entry in Bangor On Dee on Friday next week – this was the plan when we discussed things earlier in the week – but I mucked that up by suggesting the Sedgefield entry. We will track decs on Monday morning, and if he looks the likely winner in Sedgefield – of course he has to run there, but if it looks like we could end up second or third, he could end up heading to Bangor On Dee on Friday.
Rugby six nations kicked off – France look very good! I watched with a cup of tea – not like me!
Dublin Racing Festival – Galopin Des Champs – a proper one – hopefully he gets the recognition he deserves after his third Irish Gold Cup win! It was quality racing!
Around the rest – Itchy Feet is well, has come out of his Huntingdon run really well, and will now switch to Hunter Chases for the rest of the season.
Last week I caught up with Will Kinsey at the sales in Doncaster and we set out a timetable for the 3yr old filly we have up there with him. This gorgeous daughter of Masterstroke is a half sister to Hidden Beauty who was such a great mare for us a couple of years ago. Hidden Beauty was a very very good mare – it was no shock when she bolted up on her debut, and she was strongly fancied to follow up in a Listed bumper next time out, only to suffer Atrial Fibrillation during that race and pulling up. It took a great deal of patience and skill from the team at Ravenswell Farm to get her back – but they did, and she was the easy winner of a good novice hurdle in Doncaster the following season. She then suffered a pelvic injury which sidelined her for a while – and eventually forced her into retirement. She was a very talented mare, and one that could have gone right to the top had she not suffered the AF in Cheltenham – although she won a decent race after that, she was never quite the same. We are delighted to have her half sister on the team – by a stallion that is sadly no longer with us, but who’s progeny are doing really well on the track, this three year old filly is a gorgeous individual – who we feel is perfect for the junior bumpers and national hunt juvenile hurdles next season, where she can run for the very generous GBB bonuses on offer.
Will has brough her back into work – and she will transfer down to Jason Maguires in early March. She will have 2 months of pre training, followed by 2 months R&R before heading into training with Fergal O’Brien on July 1st.
She will be syndicated from March 1st – 25 shares will be priced at £500 plus £132/month all inclusive training/keep costs. There will be a small percentage of the shares available on a free lease – the terms are roughly the same – you will receive 100% of your share of the owners prize money – but will not be eligible for a share of any of the GBB bonuses she wins. I know there are plenty of the Hidden Beauty syndicate members who have been waiting for the opportunity to grab a share in this exciting young filly – so shares are sure to be reserved very quickly. If you would like to put your name down for a share in her then please let me know – both purchased and leased shares are available on a first come first served basis, a small deposit will be required to purchase a share in her and the all inclusive monthly fees will commence on March 1st when she enters pre training.
She is a lovely filly – be quick – don’t miss her!
