Patience Pays Dividends
Patience! It’s all about patience. This has been a busy week, but a very good week! We added a gorgeous horse to the team, and even a trip up the M6 on a Friday was completed with relative ease! All that said, we are having to be patient, the recent weather having been so dry has left many jumps courses with quick ground, and although a few are willing to risk their horses on it, I’m afraid we are not, and as a result we have not got going with the jumps team just yet.
After the weekly update was published last week, Alan King called with his weekly round up from Barbury Castle. His team have been in good from this summer, but like everyone the overriding theme to his call was his reluctance to chance any of the horses that we have there, on quick ground. He has most of them ready to run and is just waiting for rain. We will cover all of the team there as we go through the week – but two he was very keen to mention on Sunday were Alan King Racing Club horses, Uhtred Ragnarson and Ghost Dancing. We have seen from the videos that Uhtred Ragnarson has been working very well – Alan carefully matches his horses up in their work and the fact that he has been in a group of 4 with a Punchestown Festival winner, and two 130+ rated horses suggests that he works far better than his hurdles rating of 100. I mentioned this to Alan, as I had not seem him work last term, I didn’t know if he was a bit of a ‘morning glory’ – one who works very well at home, but fails to show that same level of ability on the track, and Alan said ‘not at all, last year he would never work like that, in a group of horses of that calibre – in fact I would always have to chose who he worked with very carefully’ A sure sign that UR has seriously improved for a summers break, and should be a fun horse to follow off of his 100 rating. In fairness, Alan did always expect this young horse to improve as he matured and strengthened, but the extent to which he has done so has, I think, even caught the trainer a little by surprise.
Another to get a very favourable mention was the three year old filly, Ghost Dancing, who continues to impress in her work. She is sure to be asked some more serious questions, but as Alan said, ‘I can’t tell you how good she is – as she does everything so easily!’ There is no doubt that she shows plenty of ability in her homework, and really enjoys her schooling – I think the three year old bumpers and national hunt hurdles are tailor made for her, and we will be having plenty of fun with her in both over the winter!
One thing is for sure, none of the jumps team at Barbury will be seen until we get some significant rain and there is a real ease in the ground. Alan has not even looked at races for any of them and won’t do so until there is ‘proper’ rain in the forecast, so not sure yet where any of them will be starting off!
Monday – day one of the Tattersalls yearling sales in Newmarket. This sale is the premier sale of the year, and a week when the very best bred and best-looking flat yearlings from across Europe are sold. The sale has evolved over the years and currently offers just shy of 2000 yearlings, split into 3 books, sold over the course of 2 weeks. Book 1 used to be called The Houghton Sale and contains the very best pedigrees and physical specimens and takes place over 3 days in week 1. This year the trade was once again exceptional with 2 of the highest prices paid for yearlings in the world achieved in a strong session. Last year produced fireworks when three ‘superpowers’ went head to head to secure the best stock on offer. The big two of Godolphin and Coolmore, were joined by the ‘new kid in town’, Amo Racing – and their arrival signalled a steep rise in prices – this week failed to match the numbers of last year – but it was a very strong trade! When Book 1 is complete, the circus rolls onto Books 2 and 3 which run concurrently from Monday through Friday of the second week. Book 2 filling the first three days, Book 3 the final two days. I will admit that I usually only pay a passing heed to the goings on in Newmarket over the course of these two weeks, maybe popping over for a day or two just to meet up with clients and discuss horseboxes. This year was slightly different, we would be putting our buying boots on and trying to secure a yearling! It would be a first for me – but with so many yearlings on offer, this was the right place to look for the horse that would be heading into training with non other than Sir Mark Prescott. As flat bred yearlings would not be my forte, I was to be guided by the team that Sir Mark has selecting his horses, and would be working from a list compiled by them over the course of the three days prior to Book 2 commencing, so after a few hours in the office I headed over to Newmarket to look at some of the horses on their list.
As I made my way to the sales, Alan sent through a video of Ghost Dancing schooling. As mentioned, she does everything very easily and really does enjoy jumping too – she ticks every box at present and is likely to start off in a bumper in the next couple of weeks providing we get some rain.
I arrived at Park Paddocks and soon met up with William Butler, Sir Marks assistant and business partner. Before I could finish the cup of coffee I had just ordered we were off looking at horses! We would be concentrating on horses that were due through the ring the following day as there were not many that ticked the boxes for us on the Monday. Looking at Book 2 horses with a limited budget can feel like a thankless task – but you just never know if something is going to slip through the net and as a result you have to look at everything that catches your eye in terms of pedigree on the page. Working from Sir Marks list, we found ourselves looking at a yearling that I was particularly keen on, a son of Nathaniel being consigned by John Bleahan, who is better known for selling some of the best national hunt stores year on year. John and his brothers are supremely good judges and looked to have a lovely horse to sell. Purchased for just 28,000 Euros, he could fall into budget, and we soon found ourselves at his door having a look. He was a very nice colt, and although John felt that he may just drop into our budget I was fairly sure he would make much more! He went on the short list – but as he was such a nice colt, and likely to go over budget we continued the search. We saw some lovely stock – and by the end of the day had a list of 4 or 5 yearlings that we would be following into the ring on Tuesday. Hopefully one of them would fall within budget and we would have our horse for Heath House!
As darkness fell and with the days selling still going strong, I slipped away and headed for home.
On the way back I received another video from Alan – this one of Uhtred Ragnarson having a school – great to see him bend his back – now just for the rain!
When I got home – I grabbed a quick sandwich and got straight back into researching pedigrees, and as a result I scratched a couple off the short list for the next day – which meant that our task just got significantly harder. The two I scratched looked sure to fall in budget, but I just couldn’t have them – both lovely individuals, but I felt that their pedigrees were just not going to offer what we were looking for.
Tuesday – first things first – handicap ratings. This week, Greyval – would she be dropped a pound or two for her brave run in Chepstow? The answer. No – the handicapper leaving her on a mark of 125. She will now switch to chasing, and I would be scouring the programme book for races for her.
More videos from Alan – Nevada Samba continues to impress in his work – Alan is very happy with him, and like the rest, he is just waiting for some rain so that he can make his racecourse debut!
It was also good to get a clip of And She Was working up the hill at Sharpridge. On Sunday, Alan had said how happy he was with her, and that she was another one that had ‘turned herself inside out since last season’ In fairness, like Uhtred Ragnarson, you would expect her too – she had an awful time of it last term – with a stop go campaign through no fault of her own, and like UR who is also just a 4 yr old, she has matured and strengthened and will find this term a lot easier. She will end up being very well handicapped as a result of her debut season and is the sort of filly that could rack up a bit of a sequence, hopefully.
With a few bits and pieces done in the office I headed over to Newmarket. With the first horse on the list, the Nathaniel colt due through the ring at around 3.30pm we had time to look at those still on the list a second time along with a few more. It is very important to look at prospective purchases more than once. Horses, like us, change in any given scenario, and a horse that showed very well on first inspection may get worse as the days progress, and their demeanour change. What you are looking for are horses that put on constant shows as the days progress, and even those that get better. Those whose shows regress are struck from the list. Glad to say that all of those that we liked on Monday were still showing well on Tuesday.
First things first – I had to watch the opening race in Market Rasen – Un Sens a la Vie making his hurdling debut. A horse that we purchased privately in France, he was sold as a three year old, and after winning his point to point in Ireland he was sold to Willy Twiston Davies. He was a very impressive bumper winner last season, and I know that the Twiston Davies team hold him in very high regard – hopefully his hurdling debut would go without a hitch – and it did – and easy win – and they are already talking about Grade 1 targets for him! Another very good one to have come through our system!
Back to matters in hand – the first on our list to go through the ring – the Nathaniel colt. We followed him in and took up the usual position that Sir Mark and the team fill when they are bidding. We looked on as the bids quickly raced through our budget, and ever upwards – eventually this lovely colt was sold for 120,000 Guineas – quite the return on a 28,000 Euro foal! So, the search continued – on the back of a strong trade we felt it was prudent to get round the yards and look at a few more. The next one on the list had not been on the radar the day before, but I really liked him when I saw him, and I felt he would be worth following in – this one we got closer on – underbidding him – but unwilling to go beyond our budget. Back to the drawing board. As we approached late afternoon, we followed another Nathaniel colt into the ring, only to see this one rattle past the top of our budget – it was looking less likely that we would get a horse that day. I then suggested that we had another look at a horse that I had liked when I saw him the previous day – and felt, having seen so many horses over the course of the two days, that I needed to refresh my memory. He would be selling late in the day – so while we still had a bit of daylight, we headed down the hill once again to see him. We met Sir Mark on the way down, and he said how much he had liked the horse, and that he felt he was a ‘real athlete’ – he hoped we would get him and wished us luck!
Debbie was in town – and by coincidence was on an assignment to photograph the man consigning this handsome son of Saxon Warrior, and she was on hand to photograph the horse as William, and I inspected him once again. We all came away liking him – but with nearly 3 hours until he was due to go through the ring, William would check the vets reports, and head back to Heath House to get a few jobs done, and Debbie and I would head to the café, for a cuppa – or two!
We met up with William as we waited for the colt to enter the ring, keeping a watchful eye on him in the parade ring. Now dark – he took everything in his stride and behaved impeccably. As he walked into the sale ring we followed. The bidding started off where we wanted it to – low – the vendor was being sensible and had not put a high reserve on the horse. As the bidding reached 28,000 Guineas he went through his reserve, which can be a signal for buyers to make a move as they now know that every bid is a buying bid. Thankfully for us it seemed like most of the buyers were already in the bar – our bid of 30,000 Guineas eventually winning out – we had bought ourselves a lovely colt! Delighted to get him – he is a lovely horse, and as he went through the ring late in the day, I think he was outstanding value. I had expected to pay an awful lot more for him!
Inspecting and Selecting
Conferring
Bidding
SOLD!
By Classic winner Saxon Warrior, who’s stock throughout the sale averaged just shy of 88,000 Guineas – he is out of a Listed winning mare who has produced 4 winners from 5 runners – with all of her stock having made the racecourse, she clearly produces, tough sound reliable offspring. She achieved a Timeform rating of 100+ and has produced talented stock. The pedigree is very solid, and this colt is just the type that will thrive in the system that Sir Mark and William have in place at Heath House – he is the perfect horse for the job – and is outstanding value! His full details can be seen on the For Sale Page – shares have been offered to existing clients ahead of general release, but having posted about him on our social media pages there is a long list of interested parties should we not fill him up ‘in house.’ If you would like to be part of this special syndicate, please get in touch – the opportunity to have a horse trained by Sir Mark Prescott at the stunning and historic, Heath House Stables is an almost, ‘Once in a lifetime’ opportunity, and anyone with an interest in racing should get involved! Hit the link to read more about the syndicate, the horse, Sir Mark and Heath House!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/sir-mark-prescott-bt
With his wind test passed, transport arranged and a couple of celebratory beers it was time for home – we had had to be patient, but as I always say – patience is rewarded – time will tell – but at this stage I could not be happier to have secured such a lovely horse for this new venture!
Debbie delved slightly deeper into the background of the farm where he was raised and his pedigree.
‘Though consigned by Selwood Bloodstock, our colt was bred by Stowell Hill who came to prominence by breeding the 1972 2000 Guineas winner High Top (dam sire of Kayf Tara). Further graduates include French and Irish Derby winner, Old Vic (sire of Kicking King, Our Vic, Comply Or Die and Don’t Push It) and more recently the 2018 1000 Guineas winner, Billesdon Brook.
Based in Somerset, about 20 years ago I spent a brief period there preparing yearlings for owners, Bob and Jeanette McCreery. Bob had been a champion amateur jockey, whose wins included the 1953 Welsh National and the 1957 Cotswold Chase, which is now the Arkle. So successful was he that the stewards of the time decided to limit amateur’s rides to 50 per season, for fear that rides were being taken from the professionals!
On retirement he was also a great supporter of both breeding and jockeys, helping to establish the European Breeders Fund, and JETS, the Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme, as well as
being a trustee of the Injury Jockeys Fund. After his death in 2016, Jeanette has continued to breed, (racing some of the fillies) and it was lovely to shake her hand outside the sale ring at Tattersalls.
However, our colt doesn’t trace to their foundation mare Camenae but descends from one of the most significant European bloodlines, the Wildenstein’s ‘P’ family, bought outright by another leading French racing family the Wertheimer’s. This includes Arc winner Peintre Celebre, 2019 French 2000 Guineas winner and Arc third, Persian King. Raced by Godolphin, Persian King is currently in the top five European first crop sires (winners to runners), whose top-rated runner, the Group 3 winner Cankoura, is out of a Dalakhani mare, as is the Listed placed Allure.
Policy Maker (a full brother to the second dam Perstrovka) is the sire of Chacun Pour Soi, and Spindleberry, winner of a Grade 1 chase at Fairyhouse in April - also for Willie Mullins. Another to feature in the current NH stallion ranks is Planteur, sire of the late lamented Trueshan and Lousia Carberry’s dual Grade 1 winning chaser, Gran Diose, whose earnings over fences exceed £1 million. Pacific Angel is the best of her dam’s twelve progeny to race, winning twice (including a Listed race at Maison Lafitte over 1m2f) and placing three times from 10 starts for Mikel Delzangles in the Wildenstein’s Ballymore Thoroughbreds colours. By the time she had won her Listed race in 2016, her sire Dalakhani had retired, so there was no chance to return to the well!
By Japanese champion Deep Impact, the Racing Post Trophy and 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior (nb NOT Ghaiyyath Nick!) was the result of a return visit to the stallion by the unbeaten juvenile Maybe. After the Guineas, he was for a time, considered a Triple Crown prospect by Aidan O’Brien, however his Derby fourth to Masar ended that dream, finding his nemesis in Roaring Lion who beat him a neck in both the Eclipse and the Irish Champion Stakes. Starting off at €30,000 in his first season, our colt was conceived off Saxon Warrior’s highest fee of €35,000, with his sales average for colts, currently standing at 61,329
guineas. Through Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road, Saxon Warrior gained a Group 1 victory in his first crop and highlights this year include Royal Ascot Ribblesdale winner, Garden Of Eden. However, from obviously very limited NH runners, he has already had Punchestown Festival success with Pigeon House, winner of a handicap hurdle for Jessie Harrington. Goblet Of Fire has been mixing it up under both codes this season for Nicky Henderson, winning over hurdles at Hereford in April and placing over 1m6f at Goodwood in August. Only five, he’s already won nine races for two different trainers.’
Wednesday – the Saxon Warrior colt headed from Newmarket down to Jason Maguire at Ivy Lodge Farm. Thankfully he had a free stable, as I forgot to check with him before we bought the horse – only making the call in the bar after he was purchased and transport arranged!
He arrived safe and sound, not a bother on him having travelled well – another testament to his wonderful temperament and attitude to life – he takes everything in his stride!
Molly’s Lad was initially given an entry in Exeter next week – but they abandoned their last meeting due to quick ground and next weeks meeting would switch to an all hurdles card later in the week for the same reason. The forecast 10-30mm of rain was predicted to make only a slight improvement, so after a chat with Fergal it was decided that the right thing to do was to give him a little bit more time and aim him at a couple of races early next month. While I had Ferg on the line I did bring up the subject of Greyval and her chasing debut – not many mares novice chases about – I suggested a bit of a ‘left field’ option for her, that surprisingly Fergal felt was quite a good idea. We will make a firm decision on that later this month.
Dino Bellagio, who was entered in Haydock on Friday was duly declared – he has been in great order since running out an easy winner in the mud in Chester last time out. This would be his toughest task to date – but it was the right race for him. We had Rossa Ryan booked, but a late change in declarations meant that he had to switch, so we were quick to get one of the hottest young talents in the weighing room – Billy Loughnane to ride.
I had a long chat with Donald – he is very happy with the other two at the yard – Ridin Solo has schooled really well over fences and will make his chase debut later this month ground permitting. A handicap chase at Bangor on Dee his likely starting point. Old Blue Eyes is fit and ready to run. Before he makes his debut proper, Donald is keen to give him an away day and a school round some hurdles, so he will head to Worcester next week for a schooling day. Should all go well, he will make his hurdles debut a couple of weeks later.
Another one that could be there on Wednesday is ‘Gatsby’, our 3yr old with Olly Murphy, who may make the trip if the ground is suitable – and have a hack round in a schooling bumper. He isn’t ready to do anything strenuous at the moment, but a trip away and a steady canter round will do him the world of good!
Alan King called for a chat – he was having the week from hell – while digging a hole on the yard, workmen cut through a cable that supplied power to the pump that pumps all the yards water from a borehole – they were without water – and relying on bowsers to water and wash the horses. Staff houses were without toilets or showers, and Wednesday was not going well! As well as all the water issues, the broadband was on the blink too – and when Alan called – he was just about ready to say ‘sod it’ and head to the pub! We chatted about all the horses once again – the theme, as it had been on Sunday – ground and weather. He is delighted with Nevada Samba who had worked really well that morning.
And once again reiterated how pleased he was with Ghost Dancing who had worked with a very smart mare! There are still a handful of spaces left in the Alan King Racing Club – three smashing horses – I’d Go Maniac with a handicap mark for the all weather, Uhtred Ragnarson- hugely improved from last season who looks to have improved way past his current mark of 100 and Ghost Dancing who is working away with one of the best bumper mares in the country last term! Hit the link for full details – it is outstanding value!
https://alankingracing.co.uk/racing-club/
Thursday, with badges organised for Dino’s syndicate members, it was time to check in with Jason Maguire and see what he made of the new colt. He was very impressed, he had settled in well, and Jason had already had a saddle on him. He took everything in his stride, and he would be long reined and lunged for the next few days. Jason described him as a lovely big, strong, scopey individual, with a great mind. Although very willing, he is a hardy sort who simply gets on with things, and has a wonderful outlook on life. Safe to say Jason likes him – as did one of his new owners, Craig who was keen to get in and see his new horse!
Jason is also very happy with Intrepide Sud who is looking really well in the field. He is moving well (for him) again now – and will hopefully be back in work in early January.
Alan sent through a video of And She Was doing her first swinging piece of work up Sharpridge, she looks really well, and her work reflects that.
Good to finally chat with Mark Blackford of Venatour who offer horseracing breaks around the world, and who also organise stable visits for the likes of ARC and the ROA. We met up in York in August and chatted over a few plans, and with Mark away so often it has taken us this long to catch up again and get something organised for next month. News of that in the weeks to come.
Friday I was faced with the daunting task of tackling the M6 on the worst day of the week – Dino Bellagio in the first in Haydock. Remarkably, the trip up was trouble free, and I arrived in good time. Donalds trip less good – and as a result he cancelled the transport for the horses that he had pencilled in to work after racing. I had a fun day planned – the first in Haydock – a nice lunch and then a short hop down the M6 to Uttoxeter to see Paul and Jan Wells’ mare Kaydence make her seasonal debut in their concluding bumper.
Dino got the ball rolling – he looked really well in the paddock, and as usual the plan was to buck out in front, get in a good rhythm and wind it up from the top of the home straight. The plan started well – he got to the front and was travelling easily down the back. Billy pressed the ‘go button’ as they straightened, only for the ‘lights to go out’ almost instantly. Dino just didn’t pick up and was soon beaten and eased. Billy felt that it was the end of a long season, and Dino just needed a break – the mud of Chester had possibly taken more out of him that he showed. He will now have a long holiday and head down to Ivy Lodge Farm for some R&R. He has done us proud this summer – having reinvented him as a flat horse, he has won 2 valuable handicaps and always run his race – he deserves a few weeks rest. As I grabbed a quick lunch, Paul called to say that they had changed course on the M1 and were now heading south – Kaydence a non runner – after the first hurdle race, Sean Bowen had said the ground would still be a bit quick for her.
There were a couple of others we were keen to see in Uttoxeter. Laurens Bay – who we purchased as a foal in France and sold as a 3yr old was making his chasing debut. He was the winner of the Graded EBF Final in Sandown last season over hurdles, and the hope was that he would make up into an even better chaser, judged on his facile win in a 2 runner beginners chase he could well do! The other one we had an eye on was Mister Cessna, purchased privately in the summer of 2024 before being sold to owners with Fergal O’Brien, he won a hurdle race in Ludlow last season – and looked like a horse that would be perfect for handicap chases this season getting his 4 yr old allowance! And so it proved, he ran out an easy winner of his race too. He brought up the hattrick of winners by horses we have purchased and sold last week – Un Sens a la Vie in Market Rasen on Tuesday – and these two on Friday – It is lovely to be associated with them – and just goes to show that the way be buy our horses pays huge dividends in the end. We are always patient – and all three of these horses ‘came to us’ and we were able to buy them at the right time and at the right price. I am sure the same applies to the Saxon Warrior colt – there were too many coincidences on the day that we purchased him – he has to be OK!
Saturday – Dino seems fine after his run – a good rest will do him the world of good.
Ghost Dancing put in a lovely shift on Sharpridge, once again matched with a Listed Bumper winning mare!
The rest of the morning spent putting together the sales details for the new yearling. More and more people on the public, pre-sale list. NBR members, both past and present have been offered shares first – and already 6 of the 10 shares are sold – if you are interested then please get in touch – as I think the remainder will be snapped up very quickly when they go on general release. Click the link – to see his full details including capital cost and monthly payment structure. 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/sir-mark-prescott-bt
Debbie was in Ascot for Champions Day – and ran into a few friends – she sent this report of her day through – she had one particularly interesting text chat with William Butler!
Ascot Champions Day - the end of the Flat with championship trophies presented and in years past, a chance to enjoy a six race card of great racing with the bonus of an early bath - particularly after an epic Arc weekend with nine races per day. Whilst later in the card there were some extraordinarily big prices, Powerful Glory at 200-1 and Cicero's Gift at 100-1, both in Group 1's, the first went to a more popular choice in the odds-on favourite - Trawlerman. By Golden Horn, like our George, I also caught up with George's current minder, Timmy Murphy, who was enjoying a day's racing to see Rosallion, who he rides everyday at Richard Hannon's. Closing our conversation with "Can you get me a good head shot of him" I then bumped into another new NBR connection, Sir Mark Prescott, stopping for a brief chat as he was crossing the paddock.
Trawlerman - another Group 1 for this son of Golden Horn
Timmy Murphy (Centre)
I'm really looking forward to renewing my connection with the yard through our latest purchase, the Saxon Warrior colt. Even more so after my latest text exchange with William Butler who said "It's amazing how quick he's got his saddle on and is out and about, fair play to Jason. He's an interesting horse isn't he, as he's obviously quite solid mentally, but he looks very forward going. I think we bought a very solid horse from a ‘mind’ point of view. Two people have commented on him to me this morning, one trainer said, 'you stole that horse' and another who works for an agent said, 'all our team loved him, but his pedigree wasn't what we were looking for'. So, all things considered I think we landed on the right one and hopefully we'll all be thinking that next year."
Next week – schooling day, ground permitting Wednesday – Cheltenham at the weekend – more fun!
The theme of the week was patience – and if you made it this far – well done!! You have shown great resolve and patience.
