Sire Power
Back to the usual Sunday spot this week. A quiet week, not too much happening, time to catch up with a few trainers, and talk over some race options. We did swing by one yard, and managed to pick the worst morning of the week to do so! I wasn’t my usual ‘smiley’ self for a couple of hours!
Monday, and having bashed out the news from the previous week – I settled down to watch the racing from Exeter. Lulamba making his chasing debut – a horse that I have always liked, and one that I have always thought would make up into a top-class chaser. Still just a 4yr old, he is a tall horse, who always jumped a hurdle as if he would be well suited to the bigger obstacles and I was very interested to see how he got on. Regular readers will know that I have been a big fan of his sire Nirvana du Berlais for some time, and from what we have seen of his progeny thus far – there is a strong suggestion that they could well make up into better chasers than hurdlers – a first and third for his progeny in the Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gallois in Auteil last Sunday certainly backing up that theory! Lulamba was very good in Exeter, he travelled and jumped beautifully, and it will be fun watching him this season!
Later in the evening, Sir Mark Prescott’s business partner and assistant, William Butler called with his weekly update on the Saxon Warrior colt who has settled in well at Heath House. William and the team are all very pleased with him – he has been introduced to the swimming pool, and the covered ride, and everything has gone smoothly. He will be asked to do a little more each day, just learning the routine that he will be in when life starts to get serious next year.
Tuesday, Alan King sent through a video of I’d Go Maniac putting in an impressive shift on the Sharpridge gallop, he is in great form and is ready to make his handicap debut, with Alan considering an entry in a handicap in Wolverhampton next week. We know that he handles the all- weather, and looks to be in great order, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on in handicap company. It is a shame that the handicapper saw fit to give him an opening mark of 72 – we would always like to see them a little lower in the ratings, but a 2lb lower rating would have meant that he could have started off in a lower grade – making life a little easier for him.
I spent a good chunk of the morning researching races and ratings for a client, to assess the next step with his recent winner. I have always enjoyed doing this, as although the figures are only a guide, you can find some race options that surprise you – races that you think are not viable entries, suddenly come onto the radar, and some that you think are well worth a look suddenly look a bit ‘ritzy’. Regular readers will know I do love to try and nick a bit of valuable ‘black type’ for ours, and clients mares – so. with a race in mind – I settled down to research the previous renewals of that race, the horses that had run in it, and those that were likely to get an entry this year. In the end – I felt it was a viable option – now it is up to the trainer and owner!
Ridin Solo had worked very nicely on Saturday, and Donald felt that he was ready for an entry. RS had been given a bit of time after his chasing debut last month in Bangor on Dee – he had given himself a bit of a bash that needed a day or two to settle down, and Donald has brought him back up to ‘concert pitch’ slowly. He had come out of his weekend work well, and Donald gave him an entry in Sedgefield next Monday. A 2m 4f handicap chase, at a track he has always run well at. It would be an option, and we would keep an eye on how the race was looking and at other opportunities going forward.
Wednesday – bad planning – whoever thought that this was the right day to go and visit Olly Murphy was a complete and utter idiot. The temperatures dropped, the rain, sleet and snow fell, and it was very cold!! I was ill prepared for such weather – and I have to say, I did lose my sense of humour for a short while – I knew the coat was warm – but forgotten that it was far from waterproof! Thankfully, it dried up, and warmed up slightly by 9.30am, and life became a little more bearable! The one thing that did cheer me up was the sight of our 3yr old unnamed gelding by The Grey Gatsby on the new gallop. He is really coming together nicely. He continues to improve week on week, and along with changing shape and getting his ‘racing figure’, he has really changed in his work. He is now lengthening really nicely and getting ‘low to the ground and stretching out’ in his work. This is all a natural progression, and it was interesting to chat to Olly about him. He is really pleased with him, he has the size and substance that he would associate more with a nice national hunt store than a small, typical 3yr old bumper horse. Due to this, he has been mindful of bringing him along slowly up to this point, but the hope is that he can now push some buttons and have him ready to run in a bumper next month.
I’d Go Maniac had come out of his work in good order and earned himself an entry in Wolverhampton next Tuesday – a 1m4f handicap – the last race on the card – 8.30pm – it will be a long night in Wolves!
Alan also sent through a video of recent Warwick winner, Uhtred Ragnarson cantering, back into work, having come out of that run very well. He was raised 7lbs, which is just about what was expected, and will be prepared for another run in the next 2/3 weeks.
In the evening, Steve Holloway, who partnered up with me to breed ‘Nancy’ our weanling filly, by Nirvana du Berlais, out of Savingforvegas, sent through a link to an article in the Bloodstock pages of the Racing Post. A piece about Nirvana du Berlais and the huge potential he has a significant jumps sire of the future. It is a very interesting piece, and one that we are very proud to get a mention in!
Obviously, there is a lot of good fortune that goes into selecting young stallions – but with Savingforvegas I have managed to achieve some stunning value with her covers. I managed to use Blue Bresil when he was in the UK and standing for £2500, and now it looks as though we have hit on another great value sire in NdB. We are thrilled with ‘Nancy’ who will be retained, with a decision made when she is two, as to whether she is sold as a store at 3 yrs old or retained to run. The icing on the cake is the fact that Savingforvegas is once again in foal to Nirvana du Berlais.
It is safe to say that National Hunt breeding in the UK is very much in the doldrums – the costs of keeping broodmares and followers has increased hugely in the last 5 years, and I’m afraid the returns just don’t match the outlay. More and more respected jumps breeders are cutting the number of mares they have, or even in some cases getting out of the job completely – it is a very worrying trend, and one that I can’t see turning around in the short term. When you look at the figures it just doesn’t make a lot of sense, and although I really enjoy having the mare, who has been so very lucky for me – I too am having doubts as to the economic viability of continuing to breed national hunt horses. There is a lot of thinking to be done over the course of the remainder of the winter.
Thursday, I had intended to get the race report out for Molly’s Lad’s run in Aintree – I have not forgotten – I just haven’t had the chance to do it – once again I failed to do so – it will be emailed in the next couple of days! Molly’s Lad has had an easy couple of weeks since his debut, and with all eyes on Cheltenham on New Years Day, Fergal will step up his workload now, so that he is fighting fit to run in the Listed Bumper that closes the card on the first day of the New Year. He will have learned so much from his debut run, in a race that was run at a brutal pace – they took no prisoners, with everything happening so quickly, it certainly wasn’t ideal for a horse that was learning on the job as it were. Given how green he was and how quickly they went, he ran a fantastic race to finish second – and with so much more to come from him, he will be lots of fun for his owners going forward! Depending on how he shapes up next time out – he could remain in bumpers for the rest of the season or switch to hurdles – he is a very good jumper, and he really enjoys it too! Exciting times!
Donald rang – he is very happy with Ridin Solo, and although Sedgefield is an option – there are a couple more suitable races for him going forward. We said straight after his chasing debut, he is a horse that you can take anywhere, his jumping is so good and accurate, that no track holds any fears, and as a result it would be a significant advantage on a big track against other horses who are less gifted in the jumping department.
Old Blue Eyes continues on the easy list for now – the good news is that the vets are happy with his progress, and he shouldn’t be held up for long. He is walking and will continue to do so for another couple of weeks before hopefully getting the all-clear to resume training.
Mid-afternoon we caught the ‘rattler’ and made our way down to London with Matt and Sarah, who had kindly brought us tickets for a one-off night at the London Palladium to see An Evening With the Fast Show.
Pre-show dinner at Goodmans – a stunning steak and then onto the Palladium. The Fast Show is one of my all-time favourite comedy shows, and to see the remaining 6 cast members, all on stage together, talking about how they met and where the inspiration for the show and the characters came from was ‘brilliant’! An evening of stories and sketches, with a very moving tribute to the late, great Caroline Aherne – it was a fantastic night – thank you so much to Sarah and Matt!
With the show not ending until well after 10.00pm we had to make a quick dash for a cab to make our train home – but we made it and even met up with another reprobate on the platform! A fantastic night!
Friday the start of The Ashes, a quick look at the phone after an hours play suggested that England were struggling – an even bigger shock when I got up, to see that we were all out for 172, but had Australia at 31-4! Stokes then proceeded to take a 5 wicket haul and all looked well in the world! Aussie ending on 121-9 – all to play for!
Friday was Black Friday - or in our case Red, White and Black Friday - our chance to offer a great discount on shares in Ridin Solo. For Friday - (and due to a great response - now for the remainder of November ) we are offering you the chance to purchase 1% shares in Ridin Solo for just £350 (from £550 ) which covers your purchase price and all inclusive training/keep fees until July 2026! That is outstading value - Ridin Solo is already a winner, has very consistent form, and will run in the next few days! These shares make fantastic Christmas gifts, so don't miss out - grab a share!
https://www.redsashracing.co.uk/shop
Alan King sent through a video of I’d Go Maniac once again working very, very well – he really is in great order!
I spoke with Alan later in the day – IGM – he is delighted with his work – Wolves on Tuesday very much an option as long as he comes out of his work ok. He is very happy with And She Was who is very close to running – he had entered her in a mares novices’ hurdle in Uttoxeter next week. She would be working on Saturday morning and that would let Alan know where he is with her. Nevada Samba is doing better again – they are still investigating what has been troubling him – but the good news is that it hasn’t got any worse, and that he is 100% sound – it is a mystery at present – but they may have just found a key to him, and hopefully they can push on again very soon.
Nevada Samba
Donald McCain called – he had spied a race in Uttoxeter next week, that he thought might suit Ridin Solo and he had given him an entry. A conditional jockeys’ handicap chase – with two excellent conditionals in the yard in Charlie and William Maggs, it made sense to give him an entry!
Saturday – up early to watch the Ashes – England 69-1 – this was going very well – and then it wasn’t!! 6 wickets in just over an hour – a familiar collapse, It was all going so well until I tuned in! Sorry – in the end a sorry performance! England beaten inside 2 days!
On the subject of England cricketers - has anyine ever seen wicket keepr/batsman, Jamie Smoth in the same room as jockey Lewis Saunders? No thought not!
Lewis Saunders??
Jamie Smith??
And She Was worked very well – three times up the Sharpridge gallop. She worked with three talented workmates, and it was an impressive display.
And She Was had an awful season last term – she was twice prepared to make her debut in bumpers, only for the meetings to be abandoned. When she did get to go – she was practically over the top! She then switched to hurdles, only for the saddle to slip approaching the last in Newton Abbot when booked for second place – the form of that run has worked out well – with the winner, second and third all showing winning and placed form since.
Due to a colossal time waster – there are two shares available in And She Was – Free lease – have a look at her on the FOR SALE page – she is a cracking filly, who is a different horse this time round, and one that will give her syndicate an awful lot of fun this winter!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8201/and-she-was
Good racing in the afternoon – great cards in Haydock and Ascot – some very special performances!
Sunday – I’d Go Maniac’s very good work all week, saw Alan King declare him in Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening. With Alan’s regular jockeys unavailable, he booked the services of 3lb claimer Luke Catton – who is attached to the Gosden stable, and who rode a double in Newcastle in the week. 9 runners and drawn 3 – fingers crossed for a nice run. I am pretty sure that Mr King will not be joining us at 8.30pm on a Tuesday night in Wolves – but we will be there!
When Alan called to let me know about the declaration, we chatted over the rest of the team. Ghost Dancing is fine after her racecourse debut last week – she returns to work tomorrow. Uhtred Ragnarson worked on Saturday, but in all honesty, he didn’t sparkle, nothing sinister, he just looked to be working a lot harder than he usually does. Alan will work him again in a slightly different group next week.
Nevada Samba is tipping away quietly. The vet will check him over again on Tuesday – but the signs are encouraging that he has turned a corner.
William Butler called – the weekly update from Heath House. William, Sir Mark and the team are all delighted with our Saxon Warrior colt who has settled in really well to life at the yard. He does everything asked of him – during the past week he has successfully completed his swimming lessons and got his ‘Pass Certificate’. On his daily rides in the covered ride, he has shown a tendency to want to ‘run before he can walk’ and get on with the job – having spotted this trait – the team have been at pains to teach him every step that he has to take and not let him think that he knows it all! Being forward is a commendable characteristic, but horses have to go at our speed and not their own – otherwise they don’t learn every stage. Later on in the week he and his class-mates had their first taste of Warren Hill with a couple of canters up the famous incline. William says that he finds everything very easy – which is not always the case with yearlings at this stage, and he is very happy with him.
Late last night I spotted this wonderful image on social media, taken by Jayne Odell. This is our colt crossing the road from Osborne House over to Heath House under the watchful eye of his trainer, Sir Mark Prescott.
Thanks to Jayne for letting me use the image – have a look at her work on her website
https://www.jayneodell.com/ and check out her Instagram page.
There is still a share available in the colt – have a look at him on the FOR SALE page
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/sir-mark-prescott-bt
There will be a stable visit organised for his syndicate of owners in the next 2 weeks – there will be a couple of spots available on that visit for anyone interested in taking a share in this good looking and well bred colt – you will get to see the horse at exercise, have a look round Heath House, probably the most beautiful and historic yards in Newmarket, and get to meet the legendary Sir Mark Prescott and hear his thoughts on our latest purchase.
Book your place – 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com
Jason Maguire sent through pictures and videos of a couple this morning – both taking advantage of a glorious Gloucestershire morning. Dino Bellagio having a good roll. He looks great on his break – and will be back in work in early January.
Dino looking well
Intrepide Sud looks fantastic out in the field with friends. He too will be back in work in early January.
Around the remainder – Greyval is very well – and will have entries in mares chases in the next 3 weeks – she could head to either Bangor on Dee or Cheltenham.
The three at Timmy Murphys are well – Cloud Dancer is another that should be back in work in early January with Intrepide Sud and Dino Bellagio. He will be scanned in early Jan and hopefully be given the green light to return to work. ‘George’ our homebred Golden Horn gelding, looks great and will spend the rest of the winter with Timmy – returning to Ivy Lodge Farm for his secondary schooling in the spring.
As I type – another nice winner for Nirvana du Berlais in Windsor!
Next week – Wolves on Tuesday and possibly Uttoxeter with a couple on Thursday. I will try to get to a yard as well – and this time take more weather appropriate clothes!
