Fantastic First Timers
Last week was fun! When I signed on last week’s ramble – I said, ‘With a bit of luck I could have some winners to talk about’. At that stage we had plans for four horses this week – all of which with a really decent chance of making it to the winner’s circle! We didn’t quite hit those heights, but we did have a bloody good week!
Sunday morning – and the first jumps runner for the new Alan King Racing Club was declared. Uhtred Ragnarson would run in a handicap hurdle in Warwick on Tuesday. UR has been working very well at home, and had benefitted hugely for a summers break, maturing both physically and mentally. The hope was that he was on a favourable mark to start his season should he transfer his work at home to the track!
Having completed the weekly ‘one fingered typing assignment’ last Sunday, we made the short trip to Huntingdon, to see Greyval make her chasing debut. It had taken Fergal and Johnny all of the previous week to persuade me to run her in Huntingdon and not Carlisle, a great track to start a novice chaser at, and on ground a fair bit softer than Huntingdon. On a bright, breezy and sunny afternoon, I was concerned that the ground may be a shade quick for Greyval – who does appreciate a sound surface, but all the same, would not be risked on ground too quick. Johnny and Fern both with rides in the first would report back and let me know if they felt that the ground was OK for her – they both felt that it would be fine – Good, safe ground – Johnny weighed in from his ride, and after a quick change of colours, popped back out to talk through his feelings about the ground, what he intended to achieve on Greyval, and the ride he would give her. Johnny is top class, not only is he very good in the saddle, but he is also great out of it, his analysis of each race before he rides in it is excellent, and his communication with both myself and syndicate members is superb. Having put my mind at rest that the ground was fine, he explained why he had been keen to come to Huntingdon and not make the trip to Carlisle, where he felt that there was a possibility that with the way the race was likely to shape up, Greyval could be left tackling a lot of her fences in isolation, which would not be an ideal start. Here in Huntingdon, with just 4 runners, he would be able to hold her up, in touch with the others, and teach her a lot more about her new discipline than he may be able to in Carlisle. Four runners in Huntingdon, and well over 3 hours closer – don’t get me wrong – I wasn’t complaining, but it is not about me – it’s always about the horses, and we always do what is best for them. Doing what is in their best interests on a certain day can pay huge dividends in the future – we are always thinking ahead.
Greyval, made it to the paddock this time, (we didn’t see her in Chepstow) – and looked fantastic in the sunshine. With just four runners and one with 9 chase starts under his belt, it was pretty clear how the race would set up. The experienced runner would buck out and make it a strong jumping test for the other three, Greyval, up to 3 miles, would be waited with, Johnny would get her jumping, and creep into the race on the final circuit, when hopefully she would be in a position to challenge after the last in the back straight and make a race of it.
The race went exactly as we thought it would, Greyval jumped off in rear and Johnny got her jumping over the first few, she was very good and accurate, standing off when asked and being clever when in deep. The field down to three after the fourth when one fell in front of her, but she kept popping away, and despite their being a strong pace on, she was travelling and jumping well. She got in tight to one, but was clever, and learned from her mistake, and as they headed down the back straight for the last time she had closed up to within a couple of lengths of the leader, and going really well. The race changed 3 out – Greyval in close, made a mistake, halting her momentum and costing her ground. The leader was good and got away much better, and from there Johnny knew the game was up. He was not going to catch the leader, and rather than risk a tiring horse over the last two – he ‘took his medicine’ and popped her home for a distant second.
A relief for everyone, their first chase starts are always nerve wracking, but she was home safe and sound, and Johnny was beaming as I met him on the walk back. ‘She has a right future at this job’ were his words. Dragos was simply happy to be able to breathe again.
A smiling jockey debriefed everyone – thrilled with her jumping, showed plenty of courage and scope for fences, learned from her mistakes, and would appreciate a drop back down to 2 ½ miles and mares’ company. All in all, a lovely start to her chasing career, and we can now plot our way through the season with her. Taking on a horse with 9 previous starts over fences in a Beginners Chase (for horses that have not won over fences), and a 130+ rated one at that was never going to be easy – but it was the right place to start, and we are sure to have lots of fun with her for the rest of the season.
We started the week with a silver medal – with three lovely horses to run during the remainder of the week – we were off to a good start!!
It was great to catch up with so many folks in Huntingdon – a fun afternoon!
Monday – great to get a video of Greyval trotting up really well after her run in Huntingdon, a superb start to her chasing career and she will be out again towards the end of the month in mares’ company.
Molly’s Lad, our lovely homebred 3 yr old, is ready to make his debut. He had worked very nicely on an away day two days earlier, and although he held an entry in Ludlow on Thursday, that race was always likely to come a day too soon, and he got an entry in a Junior National Hunt Flat Race in Aintree on Saturday.
With Greyval getting the week off to a good start, a big run expected from Uhtred Ragnarson, and the exciting Molly’s Lad an intended runner in Aintree at the weekend, it looked like being a very good week – especially as another one of our ‘bright young things’ – Old Blue Eyes held an entry in a winnable maiden hurdle in Sedgefield on Thursday. Later in the morning I checked in with his trainer, Donald McCain to get an idea if he was an intended runner, only for him to inform me that OBE had been slightly lame on Saturday and would not be able to run. He seemed to be sore across his back, and Donald would have the vet in on Monday to give him a once over. It looked like he had pulled a muscle. A real shame – Greyval, Uhtred Ragnarson, Old Blue Eyes and Molly’s Lad in one week – would have been some fun!! But as Meatloaf never said ‘Three out of four ain’t bad!!’
With the Badges all arranged for the members of the Alan King Racing Club heading to Warwick, I took the chance to catch up with the ‘red hot’ Olly Murphy and get an update on our unraced 3 yr old ‘Gatsby’, who he had planned to take back to Worcester on Tuesday morning for his second schooling race. Olly saddled 18 winners from just 44 runners in October and has his horses in great nick. Warren Chase is very much a yard on the up, and we are delighted to be part of it!
Gatsby had been to Worcester for their first schooling morning last month, and Olly felt that another spin round would not hurt him. The first morning had seen nearly 140 horses head to Worcester, and it had worked so well that the organisers were inundated with requests from trainers to bring horses to the second one. As a result, Olly, who had intended to take a team of over 20, had his numbers limited, and as Gatsby had been before he was one of the ones that ‘missed the cut’. He would instead head for an away day either locally or down in Lambourn. He is progressing really well, and Olly is very happy with him.
Tuesday, having pulled out slightly lame on Saturday, Old Blue Eyes was not declared in Sedgefield as expected. Shame, as the race was perfect for him. Having won his bumper at the track on debut, it would have been good to get his season off to a good start at the same track.
Alan sent a video through of Ghost Dancing working. She is in great order and is very close to making her racecourse debut. She could go one of two ways, start in a junior bumper, or head straight over hurdles, she schools really well – and she will have entries in both going forward and Alan will decide the best route for her.
With the morning work done – it was off to Warwick for Uhtred Ragnarson’s seasonal reappearance. Alan with three runners on the card, was there early – and it was good to grab a pint with him before the first, and chat over a few things. He gave a full update on all of the Alan King Racing Club horses. He was thrilled with Ghost Dancing’s work earlier and would be giving her a couple of entries the following morning. He was also really happy with I’d Go Maniac who is nearly ready to make his handicap debut on the flat. Alan was also keen to see if Uhtred Ragnarson could take forward the definite improvement he had shown him at home onto the track – and we would soon find out!
UR looked really well in the paddock, fit enough to run, but it was clear Alan had left a little bit to work on. Last season he had been both physically and mentally immature, but he had been a different proposition since coming back in from a summer’s break this time round. Physically much stronger and although sporting a red hood in the paddock, and going to post early, he behaved impeccably throughout. Stable jockey, Tom Bellamy in the plate, his plan to get some cover as UR can be a little keen, pop away and challenge off the home turn. Hopefully he would be in the mix! The race went pretty much to plan, although UR was very keen throughout. Despite this his jumping was good on the whole. He was still taking a good grip as they neared the end of the back straight, and I for one was beginning to question what he would find at the business end after being so free. Tom made his challenge between horses as they turned for home, and it was soon clear that he was going very much the better of his two closest rivals. Despite wandering around on the run to the last having hit the front, he got over it and ran out a ready 4 length winner. A superb start for the Clubs jumpers! The first winner with their first jumps runner, after two spins on the flat for I’d Go Maniac. Delighted Club members welcomed Uhtred back into the winner’s enclosure, and it was good to see Tom Bellamy positively buzzing about the performance. He, like us all had expected UR to tire having been so keen and was pleasantly surprised how he picked up and went on to win his race. The performance can be marked up, and UR looks like a horse to follow! Alan quick to get a plug in for the Club on Racing TV, and we even had folks enquiring about membership on track after the race.
Wednesday, all good with Uhtred Ragnarson after his win the previous day. The ground in Warwick had been genuine good ground, it suited him, but there were plenty of non-runners due to the going. UR showed no ill effects. We will see what the handicapper does on Tuesday and then look for another race for him. Hopefully there will be enough in the tank for him to handle his rise up the weights!
The vet gave Nevada Samba another thorough check over the previous day while we were in Warwick and was pleased with the progress he has made since his last visit. He allowed him to be turned out in a paddock for a few hours a day – not on the walker, and the plan is to have him back ridden in the next few days. Hopefully he is over whatever it was that was ailing him – which is a bit of a mystery – and we can crack on with him again.
Ghost Dancing got a couple of entries for next week – Hereford, a fillies juvenile hurdle, Huntingdon a fillies junior bumper. We would look at the opposition and ground conditions and decide if/where she runs on the morning of declarations.
We have teamed up with Venatour (https://venatour.co.uk/horse-racing/) and are hosting a morning on the gallops at Barbury Castle on Wednesday – Harry from Venatour called mid-morning to say that the numbers for the visit continue to grow – and that they were exceeding what we had both envisaged when we started talking about the visit back in August. Not a problem – Alan would simply adjust his work schedule and would welcome all comers. This visit will be for members of the Racehorse Owners Association, Arena Racing Members, and Venatour clients – if any NBR members, owners or followers would like to join us then please let me know by 12.00pm on Monday – so that I have an accurate idea of numbers. The visit will be from 10.30am, horses will exercise on the round gallop, and there will be ample opportunity to wander around the yard and see the horses and meet the staff afterwards.
Thursday – having planned to go to Sedgefield, it was a welcome (quieter) day at home.
Alan sent a couple of videos through – both Ghost Dancing schooling – she is very good. She has the two entries, but with a smart filly looking like it goes to Hereford he may just wait a few days with her, and find a possibly easier assignment later in the month.
One who would be making his debut would be Molly’s Lad who was declared in Aintree on Saturday. He would run in the concluding 3 yr old bumper, and we were very much looking forward to getting started with him. He has always shown a fair bit at home, and this looked the right place to start. A nice track – nice ground and a medium sized field – he would be sure to improve for the experience, but he seems to be a nice one and it would be good to get going with him!
Friday – another update from Barbury Castle – members of the Alan King Racing Club, with three horses in full work, are spoilt – they get so many updates each week – it really is a feature of this Club – I have always maintained that communication is the key to successful syndication – and it has been a joy to work with Alan on the setting up and running of his new Racing Club – his videos are both frequent and informative, and keep all Club members bang up to date with the progress and plans of all the horses! Friday morning – Ghost Dancing once again putting in an impressive shift – we are all looking forward to getting started with her – very exciting to have so many talented youngsters on the team!
I had a long chat with Jason Maguire – who is delighted with our latest purchase, the colt by Saxon Warrior that we purchased at the yearling sales in Newmarket. He has really settled into his work and is thriving. He is now cantering away upsides on his sand gallop and is doing everything asked of him very easily. The plan is for him to continue to work away at Ivy Lodge Farm for another couple of weeks before switching up to Sir Mark Prescott’s Heath House stables later this month.
Sir Mark has his yearlings broken in away from Newmarket, and they all head back there in November to acclimatise to their future yard and routine. They are all taught to swim, and canter on the treadmill, as well as riding out in the huge covered ride. When our colt has settled in, we are looking forward to hosting his owners at Heath House for a morning, to see their new boy, and meet Sir Mark and his team. There are two 10% shares remaining – a rare opportunity to be involved in a horse at probably to most historic and beautiful yards in Newmarket, with a legendary trainer in Sir Mark. Have a look at the horse and the syndicate details on our FOR SALE page and get in touch!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/sir-mark-prescott-bt
Intrepide Sud is still on his break in the field, and Jason is happy with him, he is moving better again – especially when he is cantering away from Maguire as he tries to catch him! He will return to work in January and be aimed at another spring/summer campaign.
Dino Bellagio is enjoying his well-earned holiday, he is turned out with a racing pony up by Jason’s house, in a paddock that runs upsides the deep sand gallop, and Dino likes nothing more than cantering alongside the yearlings on his side of the fence as they are out at exercise!
In the afternoon, Olly Murphy sent through a video of ‘Gatsby’ working away through the week. He continues to improve as he shifts his weight, and Olly is very pleased with him. He moves well, his wind is good, and every week he gets better and better around his deep sand gallop. The yard is on fire at the moment, and we are really looking forward to getting going with this gorgeous horse. Being just a 3 yr old, and a big unit, he is being brought on slowly, and when he is ready, he will make his debut in a soft ground junior bumper before switching to hurdles. He loves his jumping and will relish life over obstacles.
Saturday – we headed up the road to Aintree, to see Molly’s Lad make his debut in the concluding bumper. A hold up on the M6 meant a circuitous route up there, nearly 4 hours in the car! On the way up Alan sent through a clip of And She Was working nicely up the Sharpridge Gallop. She continues to progress back up to full fitness, and like Uhtred Ragnarson, she really has improved physically for her summers break. She is still as sassy and tough as ever, and with another run under her belt, like UR she should find herself on a very workable mark. She will give her syndicate lots of fun!
We eventually arrived in Aintree. A good crowd, boosted by thousands of students – they really to make for a fun atmosphere – although when I met Donald McCain who had been up to a box, and had to walk through their massed ranks – he had decided the world need to find another name for some of the no existent mini skirts the girls were wearing! Micro evidently doesn’t cut it anymore!! Maybe the nano-skirt? Or just non-skirt?
A good crowd in Aintree
When he had composed himself, Donald gave me an update on Ridin Solo – who was back cantering away. He had given us a little scare after his run, but that was just a bang, and he is 100% now. He will be out again in the next couple of weeks. There are still spaces available in the Red Sash Racing Club, for a one off all-inclusive payment – tap the link and get involved – don’t miss the chance to be in the winner’s enclosure – listen to our Club ambassador – Luke Harvey!
https://www.redsashracing.co.uk/Shop/18/ridin-solo-
With the O&T restaurant fully subscribed, The Ravenstone Partnership were in a dedicated Syndicate facility in the Rec Rum Bar, where we met for a drink.
Molly’s Lad travelled up to Liverpool early, and was settled in his stable, even chilled enough to eat his lunch. When it was his turn to perform, he wandered around the pre parade ring as if he had done it all his life – but when he made his way down to the paddock and saw the sights and heard the sounds of the racecourse for the first time – he really started to enjoy himself. He jogged round the paddock with his tail over his back and was having a ball!
Molly's Lad in the pre parade ring
For all of his greenness in the paddock he did not get himself worked up, he didn’t break out into a sweat or need two handlers – he was just having the time of his life.
Johnny came out and let everyone know his plan. He would jump off in rear and travel away in the last three or four, and when they turned for home, he would press the button and try and pick them off one by one up the home straight. He had been very impressed with ML in his work, adding that whenever he asks him at home, he just keeps going quicker – so he was sure he had plenty of ability, and we would hopefully run a very nice race.
The tapes went up, and Johnny was where he said he would be. The pace was always going to be generous with two wanting to go forward and this was a truly run bumper. One thing that we hadn’t reckoned on was Molly’s Lad being so green during the race. At half-way Johnny thought, ‘Oh dear this really isn’t going to plan’ he was having to drive ML, and he was finding it tough. Johnny knew that the horse was better than that, but he just needed to educate him without giving him a hard time and teach him all about racing. Around the top bend it didn’t look good, Johnny now really having to stoke the fire, but Molly’s Lad kept responding and half-way up the home straight the penny half dropped and he kicked into a higher gear – still not top gear – he still didn’t know what was required of him, but he was finally motoring. Eventually he passed everyone bar the winner which had got first run on him to finish a really pleasing second.
Having been so green, and never really engaging top gear, he had run a blinder, and we were all delighted. The dream had always been to have a horse good enough to head to the Listed junior bumper in Cheltenham on New Years Day – and by finishing second, he has booked his spot. This was a decent heat I think, and even with being so green and clueless, he has shown he is a nice horse, and with so much more to come he should be fun to watch in Cheltenham, where the likely softer ground, and the stiff uphill finish will really play to his strengths.
A great start, and a fun day out for his owners – I am sure there will be plenty more!
Last week a share came available in Dino Bellagio – and yesterday that spot was filled – great for him to have a full compliment of owners again – and the latest member of his syndicate is sure to have some fun days out with him next season, with Chester’s May meeting very much part of his plans!
Sunday – Molly’s Lad jogged up sound – and full of the joys of spring – he is a hardy horse, and all roads lead to Cheltenham!
Alan King called, he would declare Ghost Dancing in Hereford on Tuesday – the filly with very decent flat form was not going to be declared, which left a field that Alan was happy to take on with his homebred filly. Tom Bellamy to ride – you have seen her school and seen her work – now she is booked to go – what better time to get involved in the Alan King Racing Club – a small, exclusive Club, with three lovely horses, two already winners, and Ghost Dancing, who could well make it three on Tuesday! Tap the link and get in touch – you will not be disappointed I promise!
https://alankingracing.co.uk/racing-club/
That just leaves a few more to mention. Cloud Dancer looks really well at Timmy Murphy’s – He is turned out with ‘George’ our Golden Horn 2 yr old. CD will be scanned again in early January and if given the all-clear he will head back to Ivy Lodge Farm to resume controlled exercise. 2 yr old ‘George’ will over winter with Timmy, he will remain in the field until the weather changes and then join in with a few mates in a big shed under cover. When that time comes, and he heads indoors, Floyd our homebred 3 yr old by Falco (same sire as Molly’s Lad) will head back to Ivy Lodge Farm where he will continue his education. He was under the weather in the spring, and we drew stumps with him quite quickly as he was not thriving and it was not fair to keep him in work when he was clearly not 100% - so he will have the winter gently exercising in preparation for a debut in the spring. He is a lovely horse, the spitting image of his half-brother Nevada Samba – and he will be syndicated early next year when he has shown us that the plan we have in place for him is achievable.
That’s it for last week – three runners – second, first, second – a good week!!
Next week – hopefully get a few jobs done on the car – Hereford on Tuesday – stable visit to Alan Kings on Wednesday – and then down to Cheltenham for the weekend. The fun just rolls on! Next week’s Sunday Sermon may be on Monday!
