Longest Travellers
We have to start this weeks’ catch up with news of a little night out we had with friends last Sunday, when we nipped up to Northampton to see Clinton Baptiste at the Royal & Derngate Theatre in the town. Those of you who know – will know about ‘Mr Baptiste’ – for those that don’t – He is a character form Peter Kays ‘Phoenix Nights’ – the character, written for the show by Peter Kay is played by Alex Lowe. Clinton Baptiste is a self-proclaimed ‘Medium, Clairvoyant’ who’s original appearance in Phoenix Nights was as a booked act at the club and was very short lived – for various reasons. The part lasted for less than 5 minutes – but from that – ‘Clinton Baptiste’ gained a cult following, and thanks to Sarah and Matt who purchased the tickets as a Christmas present, we all got to see him last Sunday.
After a quick tea in 7 Bone, a burger joint in town, (worth a visit – brace yourself for QR code ordering though) we spent a wonderful couple of hours watching the show, which was simply hilarious – if you get the chance to see the tour – do!! It is very, very funny!!
Monday, the start of what looked like being another relatively quiet week on the runners front – Just Dino Bellagio entered to run in Huntingdon on Thursday. I had a chat with Donald on Monday morning, and we talked through the options with him. One thing that we were both in full agreement with was the fact that we had to give Dino the very best chance of running to the level of his ability – we know from both his homework and his bumper runs, that he possesses a huge amount of ability – we have just not seen it over hurdles. We have tried various pieces of tack – and upped him in trip – Thursday we would change things up again – Donald would school him in blinkers on Tuesday morning, and if that went well, he would run in them. We need to get Dino to put his best foot forward – for whatever reason – he is not giving us a fraction of what he is capable of! Brian Hughes would be booked to ride, and we would try some different tactics on him. We had to get this one right! Dino had, once again, produced a phenomenal piece of work at the weekend – there had to be no excuses this time around.
Tuesday, I headed round the M25 and down to see Cloud Dancer at Gary and Josh Moore’s. Cloud Dancer was a touch frustrating last season, as he had a few niggly issues with his feet, but with those rectified this term, and with a step up in trip he has run really well. He is a lazy individual, but he does give when you ask of him – but he can be a hard ride for his jockeys. I don’t mind this – as while they are racing ‘behind the bridle’ they are conserving energy – which is only useful if they are willing dip into those reserves at the end of the race when you need it – thankfully he does!
While first lot were out on the various gallops around the estate, I had my usual catch up with Andrew Dickinson – one of the travelling head lads , and all round ‘dogs body’ at Cisswood Stables – always good to catch up with ‘Dicko’, who never really joined the Gary Moore team – he was employed by the trainer who owned the yard before Gary, and in his words ‘ came as part of the package’ There isn’t a blade of grass or an inch of gallop that Dicko doesn’t know – and it is always good to catch up when I am in the yard.
Cloud Dancer was out second lot – and looked in great order. We have a ‘target race’ in mind for him – and the plan is to go there fresh and well – but that isn’t for a couple of months, when the hope is that he will get the ground that he relishes – so he would have a run in between, and Josh has always had the idea of running him in The Sussex Stayers Hurdle in Plumpton. He was declared in the race originally scheduled for January, but when the ground went heavy, he was made a non-runner (the meeting was actually abandoned mid-morning after passing an early inspection).
We have been looking for another suitable race for him since then, and when they rescheduled the Sussex Stayers Hurdle for Monday 24th February – we decided to aim for that – and it’s £60,000 prize fund. He worked very nicely on Tuesday, under sunny skies for once, and got an entry in Plumpton.
On the way home I got a call from Donald who was going to give me the ‘good news, bad news’ routine, but in the end just came out with it – Dino had been declared in Huntingdon as planned, but would not be able to run, as he had been scoped after work, and what the vets had seen, had forced him to call me. We could run Dino, but he was far from certain that we would see him at his best – and as we were trying to not leave anything to chance, and no stone unturned this time, we both agreed that it would not be right to run him. His welfare has to come first! One thing we did learn, is that Dino was fine in the blinkers, and had schooled really well in them. A real shame that we would not get to see Dino later in the week – but I would be up at the yard on Friday, and Donald and I would sit down and talk through some options with him. What occurred on Tuesday morning, possibly answered a few questions, and could give us a few options going forward.
I know they are not everyone’s cup of tea, but I do love a bumper – I always pay close attention to bumpers and novice hurdles, as this is where the exciting young horses are first seen. I paid extra attention to the closing Bumper in Market Rasen on Tuesday afternoon – where Un Sens De La Vie was making his racecourse debut having been brought by the Twiston Davies team after winning his point to point in Ireland for Dennis Murphy.
Un Sens De La Vie – was the latest product of our pinhooking ventures to hit the track. The son of Muhtathir was purchased as a foal in France from Haras du Hoguenet in Normandy with the help of Nicky Bertrand de Balanda – he arrived over to The Elms later that autumn and thrived at the stud. He was always ‘typically French’ – slightly light of bone – narrow and tall, but he was always very athletic and grew into a very nice individual. He was sold to Dennis Murphy at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale and went on to win his second start in Points before being sold in Cheltenham in November. His racecourse debut in Market Rasen on Tuesday afternoon was very impressive, making all he settled well on the front, before sprinting away for a facile success, he looks to be another one with an awful lot of ability. Last year was a fantastic year for our ‘pinhooks’ – with Romeo Coolio finishing second in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and Horaces Pearl winning the Grade 2 bumper at The Grand National Meeting. It looks as though Un Sens De La Vie could head to Aintree too – what chance of another huge run form one of our ‘Old Boys’?
Un Sens A La Vie as a foal
Un Sens A La Vie at 2 yrs old
Wednesday – Alan King sent through a video of And She Was working very nicely on the turf of the Barbury Mile. Alan has been thrilled with her work as she builds up to her racecourse debut, and this was an excellent piece. She was tucked in behind Charisma Cat who had won her first two starts in bumpers before being beaten a neck in a Listed Bumper in Market Rasen in January. And She Was went very nicely with three other unraced horses in the group of 4, seemingly going the best of those – so we were all delighted. This would be And She Was’s last piece of work on the turf before her planned debut in Wincanton next week – she looks like a filly that is going to give her syndicate a huge amount of fun!!
With Dino Bellagio now a non-runner in Huntingdon on Thursday, I hadn’t expected to be sorting badges, but when two of his syndicate said they were going to be there anyway – it was the least I could do to get them a couple of badges – Hamish was, after all, making an 18hour round trip to be there from his home in Banff – which is just about as far up in Scotland as a man can be! He would be joined by Graham who would be making the ‘short hop’ from Ayr, and the two would spend a couple of nights in Huntingdon and take in a day at the races. I had planned to meet up with them on one of those nights, but sadly circumstances meant I couldn’t do so.
Thursday – And She Was came out of her lovely piece of work the previous day in good order, and as had been planned, got an entry in the bumper for 4 yr old fillies in Wincanton next Wednesday. This race would only get 9 entries, and it looks like the perfect place for her to start. Our fear is the weather forecast and the resulting ground – Alan and I both feel,that she has to run here, but would definitely not want to see her make her debut on very testing ground. The surface there for their last meeting wasn’t very nice – very hard work – hopefully they will miss a lot of the rain!
One that got an entry because of the possibility of the race being a test of stamina was our Red Sash Racing Club horse – Ridin Solo, who got an entry in Bangor On Dee on the same day. This 2m3.5f handicap hurdle, would be run over the same trip that he won over last time out – but we know that he really does need further now – and this race would only come into play if the ground was very taxing. It had been that way at their last meeting and Donald felt that it was worth giving him the entry and making it an option for him. We would sit down on Friday and cook up a plan for him.
Thursday afternoon I nipped up to Huntingdon to meet up with the ‘travellers’ Hamish and Graham. A shame that their horse, Dino Bellagio couldn’t be there, but great to see them and share a Guiness. It is not often I go racing without a runner, but I have to say it was a fabulous afternoon – great to see the days ‘longest travellers’ and catch up with other friends!
Graham (left) and Hamish - some job men!! Well done - great effort - good to see you!!
Friday, I set off early for Cheshire. A mild, overcast morning, but really good to be back at Bankhouse once again. Ridin Solo out second lot – He is in fantastic form – and after he had done his two canters Donald, and I discussed plans for him for the rest of the season. He is very adaptable – able to run over most trips and seemingly on any ground, so we had a number of options for him. In the end we decided on a plan that would see him qualified for the finals of two valuable race series – one over 2m5f the other over 3m1f – he will have one more run before his ‘target races’ and this will tell us which final to aim at. The Club members have all been updated – and know exactly what the plan is! Exciting times – he has been such a fun horse this season – and with the promise of a lot more to come over staying trips and when he goes chasing, the Club Members have a lot to look forward to!
James and Alex joined us for third lot – James in to see his horse Old Blue Eyes – his first visit to the yard. Old Blue Eyes got stuck in the ‘Lancashire Mud’ on his last start on Boxing Day in Aintree, in a race that is starting to work out pretty well. Brian said that he was the last one off the bridle that day – but just couldn’t pick up on the veery deep ground. We have to take his word for it – as we couldn’t see 90% of the race as it was run in thick fog – but we do know that OBE is a talented individual – and that he was not seen at his best that day. Since that run we have been waiting for the better spring ground for him. He has just thrown a small splint which is a touch sore at the moment, but it will settle down and is nothing to worry about. He should be out again on the better spring ground in the next few weeks.
Lizzie, Old Blue Eyes, James and Alex
Old Blue Eyes
Dino Bellagio, having an easier few days after his poor scope on Tuesday, headed up to the sand gallop and away from the hill. He cantered for a mile and a half on that before heading home – bouncing as usual!
Donald and I had a long chat about Dino – and as we have identified what may be causing him to underperform over hurdles, we are seriously considering giving him a few starts on the flat. Dino has shown what he can do in bumpers, and good bumper horses can make the transition to the flat and compete at a decent level. Since he has gone hurdling, he has just not performed – and we need to see what we see at home on the track. His homework is exceptional – so there is a strong possibility that we could have an awful lot of fun with him through the summer. Racing on the flat would put less pressure on him too – and would be easier for his system. Brian has always felt that they don’t go fast enough for him over hurdles, and that he was always over racing – on the flat, they would go a more even gallop, and he would not be over doing things – which would be a massive help to him We will look at the flat programme book and make a plan for him – it makes a huge amount of sense for a number of reasons if it is realistic – and we could just end up at a few nice meetings with him! A few fun nights in Chester anyone??
Friday afternoon Will Kinsey called with an update on ‘Red Bikini’ she is going nicely and is ready to make the trip down to Ivy Lodge Farm, where Jason Maguire will continue with her education. She will make the trip down to Gloucestershire on Monday, and I will be sending out the syndicate agreement to her new owners next week. There are just a handful of shares left available in her. One lease option, the rest to purchase. I will be heading down to Ivy Lodge Farm next week to see her, I can’t wait to see how she has developed since I last saw her! We thought the world of her half-sister Hidden Beauty – and the way this filly is shaping up, she could be following in the path of her big sister! Have a look at her details on the For Sale Page and get in touch – 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com
Saturday – 12mm of overnight rain meant that the ground was already testing in Plumpton, so no good for Cloud Dancer – he would not be declared, and we will look at a race in Doncaster for him next weekend.
I got a detailed update out to The Red Sash Racing Club - for all members on the website with all the videos from my visit to Donalds the day before.
Great to see Fergal win the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices Hurdle with Tripoli Flyer – he looks very smart – delighted for the yard and his owner Ismail.
Around the remainder – Greyval has come out of her run in Ascot last weekend fine – we will aim her back into mares’ company – with a run in Cheltenham in April her big target race. Chevelle will have another wind op on Monday – and will be aimed at mares’ novice hurdles through the summer. Intrepide Sud, is cantering and will make his chasing debut in March – can’t wait to see him over the bigger obstacles – Fergal is positive that there is plenty of fun to be had with him over the next few months!
Rockola is enjoying her spa break at Jamie Magee’s – she will be back on track again next month on some decent spring ground – she is still handicapped to win races – and should be winning again before the end of the season.
Nevada Samba has had his first canter on the turf at Barbury Castle – Alan said ‘He was only cantering, but he really did do it very easily’
At Olly Murphys – Itchy Feet continues his prep for a start in Hunter Chases – doing plenty of schooling over fences. He will be making his Hunter Chase debut in March. Tintagel Queen remains with Olly; I hope to have secured her a place at stud in the next few days.
Finally, it was a very good week for The Grey Gatsby – a sire that, as you know we like an awful lot! He had a winner in Huntingdon on Thursday when Timetoshine won the Maiden Hurdle in impressive fashion. She looks like a lovely mare for the future. The day before, over in France. Tide Of Dreams won on her chasing debut – already a winner over hurdles, she has been placed in Listed company and has a rating of 135 (UK).
We have just a couple of shares available in a lovely horse by The Grey Gatsby who is with Jason Maguire at Ivy Lodge Farm – he is a gorgeous horse, who has breezed through his ‘primary school’ and returns to work next week – he is a well made, good looking, strong individual who will head into training with Olly Murphy in the summer. Have a look at him on the For Sale Page – he is a cracker!
One last piece to cover - in last weeks news I talked about the sad passing of Jeremy Bartlett - this week Sarah, his wife has been in touch and passed on details of his funeral service should any of you that knew him, or were involved in any syndicates with him, wish to attend. Sadly I am not able to be there, but if you would like to go and pay your respects, please let me know and I will pass numbers on to the family so that they have an idea of numbers as they request.
That’s about it for this week – looking forward to seeing And She Was in Wincanton on Wednesday – hopefully they don’t get too much rain! The same applies for Cloud Dancer in Doncaster next weekend should he get an entry up there.
Have a good week – and check back in next Sunday – we could have a winner to chat about!!
