Lady Grey
Christmas has been and gone – and whatever you did, wherever you did it, and whoever you did it with, I hope you all had a fantastic time! This year was slightly different for us – for the first time, we took ourselves away for a few days, not far, but far enough from home to relax and enjoy some fantastic food, and drink – and not have to think about the washing up!
Last Sunday, William Butler called with his weekly update on PENSELWOOD, the yearling colt with Sir Mark Prescott at Heath House. Once again, a glowing report card. The yearlings are now doing plenty of cantering on Warren Hill, and the team are delighted with the progress our son of Saxon Warrior is making – he is doing whatever he is asked to do very easily, which is all you can ask of him at this stage. Of course it is very early days with him, and no one could ever tell you how good a horse is going to be at this point, but you can be sure that given the ease he does his work, he is an athlete, as horses that are not blessed with any athletic ability would already be finding life tough. There are a number of parts that go into making a winning racehorse, athletic ability, heart and desire, and a good mind. The way that Penselwood is going about his work, even at this early stage, it would appear that he has the athletic ability box ticked!
‘Per chance to dream’
As I have decided to retain a share in him, there is just the single 10% share remaining – click the link and join this very special syndicate – as those that are already on board said when they visited Heath House earlier this month, and met Sir Mark –‘It is everything you said it would be – and more!’
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/penselwood
Monday – Alan King called after first lot to say that I’D GO MANIAC had come out of his race on Saturday night in great order. Although he was fourth in the end, he had run a very good race, and we were all very happy with his run. Having spoken to William Butler yesterday, the winner is clearly a horse that Sir Mark Prescott likes, and one that has benefitted from a ‘Sir Mark special’ and been campaigned very cleverly indeed. Time will tell that IGM has run very well, and that it was no disgrace to try to make a race of it with that individual and be beaten by it.
Knowing that IGM was fine – it was time to get the written race report typed up and emailed to Club members. Alan had been busy over the weekend, and the Club gained another two members. The uptake in shares has been very good for this new venture – and our race days and Club ‘get togethers’ at Barbury Castle have been great fun – a really good group that all get on really well together. Alan has been thrilled with the way that the new venture has taken off and is very much looking forward to continuing the Alan King Racing Club on into the future. In fact he is already taking reservations for next year’s membership – so don’t miss out – if you would like to be a part of it email me (nickbrownracing@gmail.com) to reserve your spot from August 1st 2026.
‘We few, we happy few, we band of brothers’ (and sisters)
Fergal O’Brien called mid-morning. We were tracking the entries in a mares’ handicap hurdle in Kempton, and he called to chat about giving GREYVAL an entry in it. She had not taken to fences as we had hoped and we have come up with an alternative plan for her for the rest of the season - as she had not really got out of 3rd gear last time out in Cheltenham, it was not too much to ask for her to go again just 14 days later, and looking at the entries as we spoke, it looked like a sensible thing to at least pop her in and have the chance of running.
Another one with an entry was RIDIN SOLO – who Donald had put in a novices’ handicap chase in Wetherby on the same day (27th). RS had been in good form since his last run in Uttoxeter, and having bypassed a couple of pre-Christmas engagements, he would look to get him out between Christmas and the New Year.
In the afternoon I gave Jason Maguire a call to catch up, wish him, Lauren and the family a Happy Christmas, and to thank him for all his help through 2025. Jason was on good form, and he reported that all the horses were too. DINO BELLAGIO and INTREPIDE SUD are turned out in a paddock up by the house, and upsides the sand gallop. Dino enjoys watching the horses work in the morning and likes nothing better than to give the workers some tips on how it’s done! IS less keen to trouble himself – he has always been far too sensible for ‘Dino’ capers!
We chatted through some plans for a couple of the others, CLOUD DANCER would be scanned at Timmy Murphy’s in early January, and if given the green light to resume light work, he would return to Ivy Lodge Farm. ‘FLOYD’ our unnamed 3 yr old gelding (Falco x Savingforvegas) would return to work at Ivy Lodge Farm in the next few days and start the preparations for a run in the spring. He is a lovely horse, with size and scope, and plenty of natural presence, he could be syndicated in the spring, or I do have the option of running him in a point to point, either in the UK or Ireland – that is a decision for January!
‘George’ our cracking 2 yr old by Golden Horn – is also out at Timmy Murphy’s, where he will remain until the spring when he will head back to Jason for his ‘secondary school’ term. He is a horse that showed us earlier this year that he has a one-of-a-kind attitude to everything with plenty of athletic ability to boot, and I can’t wait to get cracking with him in 2026.
‘The choices we make, dictate the lives we lead’
Tuesday – and plenty going on. We would be heading off in the afternoon – but there was plenty happening before that.
Handicap ratings published – Alan King Racing Club’s, Ghost Dancing having been placed in her first two hurdle runs was allotted an opening mark of 99. A couple higher than we may have envisaged after her first two outings – but she is still learning her trade and is sure to improve. GD is having a little break for now – she is a slight filly, and one that would not appreciate the very deep ground in January and February, so she has been given the chance to strengthen and develop and will be back on better ground in the spring.
At lunchtime we set off for our little Christmas break – those that know me will appreciate that we didn’t go far – but we felt that this year we just needed to get away from it all for a short while. Now. I never know where I am going to be from day to day, so when this little treat was booked in September, I didn’t know if I would have to be in Wetherby, Wincanton or a racecourse in between on Boxing Day – so, as some of you may have guessed by the quotes littered through this ramble – we headed to Stratford Upon Avon – nice and central! Three nights in the Hotel Indigo. We checked in and headed to our room – you can tell you’re in Shakespeare Country, when the fire escape plan looks like this!!
We settled in the bar for a welcome drink on the house – followed by a few more! It was a fun afternoon
The venison 'resting'
In the evening we headed out to a small family run Italian Restaurant in the town – Osteria Di Gino – a great little find – super food, great wine and really lovely staff!
Wednesday – Christmas Eve, and a work morning at Barbury Castle.
Alan King sent through a video of Uhtred Ragnarson working in a very nice bunch second lot. UR is in great order, he ran well last time out in Market Rasen, but Alan had felt that he hadn’t got him quite as well as he had had him for his win on his seasonal debut in Warwick. He looks to be back in great order now, and he will be out again very soon.
AND SHE WAS cantered third lot, she had scoped badly last week and was not able to take up either of her entries before Christmas. She was kept cantering and will be scoped again after which she will hopefully be given the go ahead to step back up to serious work. If the course of antibiotics has worked, she will be back on track very soon.
NEVADA SAMBA, who has been suffering with a frustrating issue for a couple of months, had extensive tests with a specialist a couple of weeks ago, where a small problem in his neck was identified. He had this treated last week and returned to ridden exercise once again on Monday. Alan felt that the treatment seemed to have helped him, and that he was better for it – as NS is so fresh and well, he is keen to get on an get some more serious work into him – hopefully we are back on the right track now – if not he will undergo further treatment – no expense will be spared – he is simply too nice a horse!
In the afternoon – we received plenty of well wishes for a great Christmas.
Fergal O’Brien and the team at Ravenswell sent through a fantastic festive video for all of the NBR ‘family’
Olly Murphy sent through a nice one too!
Donald McCain called – and having thanked us for our support over the last 12 months, and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, he went on to say that RIDIN SOLO, who had worked really well the previous day, had had his regular session with the chiropractor, and was a little sore that morning – he would need a couple of extra days with him – so he would not be running between Christmas and the New Year.
One that is moving well is Old Blue Eyes who is back in light work and moving great! The form of his two bumpers is well above average – and I can’t wait to get going with him – it has been a frustrating few months – getting so close to a run, and then having a small problem with him – he has always shown well above average ability, and he will repay his owners patience for sure!
We had a bracing walk around the town – it was bloody chilly in the wind! Stratford bustling with last minute shoppers and a few Christmas revellers! One who I think fell into the former ‘camp’ was Will Telfer who we bumped into in town – Will is one of Olly Murphy’s closest friends and helps hugely behind the scenes at Warren Chase - he looked like a man on a mission!
Christmas Eve night – we ate in the Hotel Restaurant, as we had a package that included all of our food for three days. The restaurant falls under Chef, Mike Robinson’s banner, and as you would expect features a lot of game. Mike, who is a keen shot, has made a name for himself as a chef whose menus feature local game and produce, including game birds and venison – and this menu did not disappoint.
Thursday – Christmas Day, and a lovely atmosphere in the hotel – another fantastic breakfast (I always think a good breakfast is a sign of a good hotel!) after which we wrapped up warm and headed out for a walk to build up an appetite for what was going to prove a marathon Christmas Dinner!
We sat down for the meal at 2.30pm and after 7 fabulous courses, finally got up from the table at gone 6.30pm. A thoroughly enjoyable Christmas dinner – with a few bottles of wine. As mentioned, our package included all our meals – but there was simply no way we were going to be heading for the evening buffet which ran from 7.00pm until 8.30pm – we staggered to our room and spent the rest of the evening watching films and trying to digest 7 wonderful courses!
It was good, and there was LOTS of it!!
He hath eaten me out of house and home, he hath put all my substance into that fat belly of his.
(Pretty apt this one!!!)
Friday – Boxing Day – and time to head home – but not until we had had another fabulous breakfast, (we would not take advantage of the Boxing Day brunch from 11.00am). It is safe to say – we had a fantastic few days at the Hotel Indigo (formerly The Falcon) The Hotel consists of two distinct parts, the 17th Century frontage, which has the bar, restaurants, snugs and a small coffee shop, and a contemporary building attached at the rear – which is very nice indeed. The hotel has it all, history and modern facilities, and the staff were amazing. The food – and there was masses of it was all outstanding, and it is safe to say that we had a wonderful Christmas, thanks to everyone at the Hotel Indigo in Stratford Upon Avon. Go there – it is excellent!
GREYVAL declared to run tomorrow in Kempton – a competitive field of mares – but she would have a nice float round and we would try and get her confidence back after a failed foray over fences.
MOLLY’S LAD entered in the Listed 4 yr old Hurdle on New Years day in Cheltenham – it has been the plan!
Back home in time to organise badges for her owners and watch an action-packed afternoon of racing. Kempton serving up a feast – what a race the King George was!! Captured so skilfully by Debbie!
A huge crowd enjoyed a fabulous horse race – it would be such a shame to lose Kempton – but I’m afraid The Jockey Club cannot be trusted to keep it. A 45-minute power cut half-way through the afternoon just shows the lack of investment at the track over the years. No power meant no card payments, and as Jockey Club courses do not accept cash, it meant that the facilities just ground to a halt! At least you can still have a bet with cash!
Good to see Olly Murphy continue in good form with 3 winners on the day!
Saturday, Alan King sent through a video of UHTRED RAGNARSON putting in another decent shift with a lovely group. He will have entries in early January.
It was time to face the traffic – always bad on the 27th December. The trip down to Kempton actually not too bad – usual spots on the M25. Everyone in good form and glad to be at the sports. GREYVAL jogged into the paddock full of herself as usual. This run was about a reset – get her confidence back and give her a try at the trip. The drying ground very much in her favour – Johhny’s plan to stay wide – keep it simple and do his best. Greyval was a little big at the first few as you would expect, and made a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes but Johnny had her well placed at the end of the back straight – and if she was good enough, she was near enough. On this occasion she didn’t quite pick up as Johnny had hoped and although she galloped all the way to the line, she was eventually 6th. She actually ran as the betting suggested she should, and as she is a mare that is never at her best in the depths of winter, it was pretty much as we expected. The run did confirm a few things that we had suspected after her last run in Cheltenham, which will guide us through the rest of the season – and help us to achieve what we hope to in the spring. She is sure to be eased in the handicap ratings which will also open up a few more options in the program book and will give us a slightly more suitable path to our ultimate target race in April.
Great to get a very encouraging update from Fergal about MOLLY’S LAD who had worked the day before and worked very well. He has him just where he wants him and is very much looking forward to running him on New Years Day.
Another trainer with an encouraging update was Olly Murphy, who when faced with two of JIMMY GATZ’S owners was able to inform them that he is really happy with him, and that if he kept improving week on week as he has been over the last month – he could well get him on the track in January! He was also keen to remind them that he is only a ‘baby’ and has the look of a horse that needs minding at this young age. I have seen him work, and he is a really good moving individual – there is a share left – click the link and get involved!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8143/jimmy-gatz
Sadly, the run home was horrendous – but we made it in the end!
Sunday – Heath House update – a disrupted routine for the yearlings over the holiday – PENSELWOOD – a little fresh in his box. He cantered this morning and was in good order and was nicely settled. Yearlings at this stage thrive on routine, and when it changes, as do they – the team have got through Christmas – but now have the same change of routine to deal with over the New Year. When that is out of the way – Penselwood will be asked to stride on in his work – and we will arrange a morning for his syndicate to get together at Heath House to see him. When that is done, he will head back to Ivy Lodge Farm for a well-earned break before returning to training in Newmarket later in 2026.
Next week just Molly’s Lad to run in Cheltenham on New Years Day – a race I have had in mind for him for a very long time – he shows plenty of ability at home, hopefully he has learned enough to show it on the track!
Looking forward to catching up with friends for New Year – it should be a fun few days.
There will be a few changes to the squad in 2026 – we have some very exciting young horses to add to the squad, and there will be some that will be heading off to pastures new. I am yet to decide where the future lies with Savingforvegas – she has been so good to me – but as enthusiastic as I am about breeding – it has become so expensive, that it may be time to rethink what we are doing on that front. We have all seen that she can produce talented offspring – all of those to have raced have won – and if anyone would like to join me in a breeding venture next season and share some of the costs then let me know – it is such a fun thing to do – it makes sense to split some costs if anyone fancies it? Lots to mull over!
Nancy - Nirvana du Berlais x Savingforvegas
From Myself, Cheryl and Debbie – we wish all our owners, syndicate members and followers all the very best for 2026 – lets’s hope we have plenty of winners and lots of fun days out! Happy New Year from Us to You and your families!
