Lucky Lad
Happy Easter everyone! I hope you are all having a fun four day weekend!
A week when we had some bad luck – but on the other hand a huge amount of good luck – it’s all about perspective.
Having completed the marathon stint of one fingered typing last Sunday I popped up the lane to the neighbouring village of Keysoe to meet up with Jason Maguire and his daughter Freya who were at the Keysoe Equestrian Centre, for the annual Shetland Grand National assessment day. Those of you who have very little else to do and read this every week will recall that I was at last years event, when Freya was bidding to gain her spot on the roster for the first time. Having passed last year, Freya and her pony, Fireman went on to compete in plenty of the events and had a superb summer round the circuit, raising funds for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. As ‘Old Hands’ at the job, this year’s assessment was a little less stressful and merely involved a couple of heats to make sure that the pair still had what it took after a winter off. It was a successful afternoon - Freya and Fireman safely on the 2026 squad – a good job really – they were down to race twice in the next 7 days!
It was a good chance to catch up with Jason and discuss plans going forward. He is thrilled with the way that Penselwood has settled in at Ivy Lodge Farm after his stint in Newmarket. He has been kept in light work for longer than anticipated, as he needed to be kept moving after his gelding operation, and has therefore been ridden every afternoon – but that has given Jason the chance to get to know him a little better and get a feel for him and he tells me he is a ‘very nice horse’. I can’t wait until the middle of the summer when he returns to Sir Mark Prescott – he looks like a lovely horse to have on the team – and ideal for the plan that we have in place for him – the progeny of hos sire, Saxon Warrior are going from strength to strength under both codes and all over the world!
I thought that Cloud Dancer had started cantering – but I was a week early – he was booked in to be seen by the vet later in the week – and if given the green light – he would resume cantering after that.
One that we did have a long chat about was Floyd our unraced 4yr old homebred, who, we decided we would give a little more time to. He had disappointed us the previous week – but on reflection, Jason felt that there may have been reasons for his below par work – and he will work on a few things with him. Even though he is 4 – he is clearly still very immature, and instead of turning him away for the summer, Jason will try something a little different with him, which will hopefully bring him on. He has such quality, and is so athletic, we have decided to put all our efforts into getting the very best out of him – he is now a project!
Monday – Alan King sent through an early clip of the Alan King Racing Club’s, Uhtred Ragnarson schooling over hurdles. This was his first pop since he fell in Newbury in December, and as you can see the fall left no lasting effects. Uhtred Ragnarson is not a horse that enjoys deep winter ground and as a result he has had a little break over the last couple of months – but is now very close to a return to the track. He should be getting an entry in the next couple of weeks – and will be a fun horse for the AKRC through the summer.
I popped the car down to the garage, for what we hoped was the work that would cure the little problem I had been having – hopefully it would be sorted by close of play as I would be needing it for the trip to Bangor on Dee the following day!
Badges to organise for the members of The Ravenstone Partnership who would be heading to Bangor on Dee to see Molly’s Lad make his third hurdles start. Bangor provide one of the very best owner experiences but only allocate 6 badges and lunch vouchers – thankfully after a bit of work I was able to get everyone in and fed! Thanks to Adam at the track for working with me, when the PASS system decided not to let me log on to allocate the badges!
Mid-morning we heard the news that the final three days racing at Cheltenham would be abandoned due to necessary drainage work needing to be carried out as soon as possible. This was disastrous news for The Oakley Partnership, who’s Greyval was due to contest the Challenger Series Mares Final at the track in April. Greyval had won this race last year, and the track and trip are ideal for her – especially on the quicker spring ground.
The decision to abandon the remaining fixtures is a real blow – and many of us were surprised that the decision was taken without consulting owners and trainers. Those that I have spoken to about the situation are surprised that, given the amount of ‘real estate’ available, there was no way to route the runners around the problematic area, that you will recall came to light at the January Trials Day meeting. The other thing I found slightly surprising was the fact that owners and trainers were informed by way of social media – Fergal did not even know about it an hour after it had been posted on X. Debbie, who works for the track – was not informed at all – she learned through the press release on the Racing Post website!
Another baffling thing was the decision to only transfer some of the races from the 2 day April meeting, and not the entire cards. We were made aware that Greyval’s race would switch to an alternative track – but it was thanks to Matt, who found further details on the Racing TV website – who let me know that her race would now be run in Warwick on the 23rd of April. This is far from ideal for her – but we have no option – it has been the plan for quite a while, and we will stick to it. Warwick will make it an entirely different race and will not suit her half as well as Cheltenham. The race being 6 days later is also far from ideal – but there is nothing we can do about it – and we will just have to work within the parameters that we have. The BHA have subsequently rescheduled all the races from the 2 day April meeting – better news for those with plans in place.
Tuesday – I got brave – I collected the car at 9.00am after it had had a short 4 mile test drive – and headed straight off to North Wales – I really do have every confidence in my mechanics!
The journey went without a hitch, and the issue seems to have been resolved! A glorious sunny day – shirt sleeve weather – and the track in great shape.
Molly’s Lad would be making his third start over hurdles, he has been placed in his first two – and although the track as far from ideal for him – we decided to run as we felt that given the dry spell we have been having, conditions in Chepstow, who are due to hold the last race in the series next weekend, could be unsuitable for ML, and we were better off running on nice ground why we have it. Chepstow would suit him better, but having finished in front of three of his six opponents, and the favourite having to give him 7lbs, this race looked like a realistic option.
Molly’s Lad looked fantastic in the paddock – and he behaved like a real professional – a long way from the antics he showed before his debut in Aintree in November! Johnny Burle back in the saddle – taking over from Fern O’Brien who had ridden him on his last 2 starts. Johnny had a game plan – he would sit upsides the favourite and keep that one ‘honest’ all the way round – and come with one run as the race developed. Johnny was confident that the tactics would work, and that Molly’s Lad was capable of running a big race.
As they set off, everything settled into place as we had expected. One of the outsiders went forward, and Johnny had Molly’s Lad positioned on the outside of the favourite, keeping that one hemmed in on the rail and making life difficult for his jockey. Sadly, everything in our favour at this stage was to turn against us. Perfectly positioned on the outside on the approach to 4 out, it was all going to plan, ML was travelling sweetly and had the favourite locked away on the inside behind a big outsider. It was her that the leader clipped the top of the flight and fell. Molly’s Lad jumped the hurdle fine – but one stride later found himself with nowhere to go as the faller was right in his path! In a valiant effort to stay on his feet he tried desperately to jink right-handed, but it was to no avail. He was brought down. The favourite – on the inside, was only mildly hampered and came away from the flight unscathed as we desperately stared into the distance to see if Molly’s Lad and Johnny were both up – it had been a heavy spill! It took a few moments to see him – but thankfully he seemed to canter away from the incident ok – and Johnny was up unscathed. As the favourite cruised to a facile success, Molly’s Lad and two others that had departed in the same incident were having a whale of a time down the back straight! Joanna was soon down there and had him caught, and after being checked over by the vets they made the long walk back to us in the paddock. Thankfully Molly’s Lad seemed fine, no ill effects, but the team would keep an eye on him for the rest of the afternoon. It was a real shame to end his season like that. Really bad luck to be brought down – but on the other hand – a huge amount of good fortune to have come out if what was a nasty looking incident seemingly unscathed! We will never know what might have been but judging by the way the race panned out – we would not have been far away at all!
I had a couple of very interesting chats over the course of the afternoon. I am looking to add at least two horses to the racing team for the 2026/27 National Hunt season – our 3 yr old Golden Horn gelding, ‘George’ will definitely be syndicated in early summer – and be aimed at the Listed Bumper in Cheltenham on New Years Day – and I will also be adding at least one more to the team as well. The conversations that I had in Bangor could take us in a couple of directions – I will be looking as some beautifully bred fillies in the next month, and there is a small chance that we could have a very exciting addition to the squad – that is very much at an early stage – but I have thrown my hat in the ring, and who knows, there might just be a horse you all know in our colours next term!
I was on the way home when Fergal sent through a video of Molly’s Lad jogging up sound before he set off on the trip back to Ravenswell Farm – he seemed fine.
Wednesday – Molly’s Lad had arrived home safe and sound and tucked into his tea the night before. Fergal sent through a video and a couple of pics first thing Wednesday. He was sound – but had a slightly swollen knee, and a couple of minor scrapes – he had been very lucky. He would have a few days rest – hopefully the swelling would go down, and the team would be able to get plenty of schooling into him before he heads off on his summer holiday. One positive to take from his unfortunate run in Bangor, is that he remains on his handicap mark of 105 – which means that he is very well treated when he heads into handicap company next term. He will relish a step up in trip – and next season is sure to be lots of fun for his owners!
A busy work morning at Barbury Castle – and Alan King sent through plenty of videos.
Uhtred Ragnarson worked very well – it will not be long until he is getting an entry or two!
Nevada Samba put in a particularly eye catching shift – working really well in a very good group. He is in great shape – and the hope is that he will run once more this season – on a nice track – and on nice ground. If those two boxes can’t be ticked on the day he will head off on his summer holidays.
With the morning work done – it was time to dot the I’s and cross the T’s on the covering plans for Savingforvegas. The vet is very happy with her and felt that she may be ready to cover over the Easter weekend – so I had to get the paperwork sorted for her visit to Kingston Hill. I did not want to travel her abroad this year – so decided to send her to Kingston Hill, who’s progeny have had a fantastic 2026 – with a brace of Listed winners and a Cheltenham Festival success. He really seems to be coming into his own as a sire – and I am very excited about using him for the first time.
There is still the chance to be part of the journey with Savingforvegas – as there is still a share available in our Breeding Syndicate. Click the link for all the details – and remember, this is a good family that is about to get even better – so it is the perfect time to be involved!!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8316/breeding-syndicate
This season we have seen a lot of interest in our Syndicate Management Services – we have set up and are running the Alan King Racing Club and have other private clients that we have assisted. We will shortly be launching another new venture with one of our existing trainers – which fits in perfectly with what we have been doing – and both sides are really looking forward to getting started. I spent the rest of Wednesday working on this project with a launch scheduled for next week.
I had a chat with Jason Maguire late afternoon – just to check in on ‘George’ who has settled in well to his routine and is very happy. We know from last year that he has the most amazing outlook and nothing has changed on that score – Jason said you would think he has been in work for years – he just gets his head down and gets on with it – very happy to please and very willing to learn. He is the model professional! Jason will take his time with him this spring – he will not be rushed, and he will learn all the lessons he will need to learn before a short summer break and a return to work in July. He will head into training in early August and be prepared for a Junior Bumper in the Autumn and then on to Cheltenham on New Years Day!
Thursday – a day in the office – planning for the remainder of this season and the next – it soon comes around! We will have a number of horses to run through the summer – the Alan King Racing Club will be well represented by I’d Go Maniac, who had a quiet week after his run in Lingfield, Ghost Dancing who will be well suited by summer ground and Uhtred Ragnarson who will also be seen in a far better light on a sound surface.
Dino Bellagio is in great order at home – and will continue on the flat through the summer. Old Blue Eyes has had a frustrating season, after showing up really well in a schooling hurdle last autumn – he suffered a stress fracture in a hind leg – and then just as he was getting up to full speed again – he went and sprained a front joint. Both niggles kept him off games for a while, but he is back cantering again – and the plan is to run him this spring before a summers break. He is a horse that we have always liked, and it has been hugely frustrating to not see him on the track this season – but one thing is for sure – the form of his two runs in bumpers is working out really well – just yesterday the form of his Aintree run was franked once again – when Is This For Real won the opener in Huntingdon. He was just ahead of OBE in Aintree, in a race that has now seen five of the six runners win no less than 15 races under rules – I said at the time this was a strong bumper, and it certainly was!! Brian Hughes said that OBE was galloping all over the rest of the field in the straight that day – but got bogged down in the deep ground – we could not tell as the race was run in thick fog – but it is safe to say – Brian has been looking forward to riding him again – we just haven’t got him to the races. Looking at his form – he is sure to be worth the wait – and it will be good to get going with him!
Ridin Solo is another one who had a setback mid-season – but he is now back cantering and will have a summer campaign. He is very fresh and well!
Good Friday – and it was a good Friday for the members of the Keysoe Partnership which owns Cloud Dancer. The vet had been in on Thursday and scanned him and was very happy with what he saw. He gave him the go ahead to resume cantering. On Friday Jason rode him in his first canter for over a year! He is really well – and the plan is to canter away for a few weeks – scan again – and then step him up a gear in a couple of pieces of faster work – before a short summer break. His patient owners have invested a lot of time and money into his rehab, as he is a talented horse, who we believe still has a lot to offer in staying chases!
It was interesting to see the first race at the big all weather flat meeting in Newcastle. A Listed event over 1m – the 2nd and 3rd both by Saxon Warrior – the same sire as our own Penselwood. Saxon Warrior is a sire that I believe is going to come very much to the fore this year – he has started the year really well – and his daughter Sheza Alibi added the 1 million Australian Dollar Group 1, Doncaster Mile to her already impressive CV in Randwick overnight. His two yr olds in 2026 include 87 full or half siblings to black type performers, and the sons or daughters of 62 black type mares, a figure that includes Penselwood. Add into the mix the fact that a 4 yr old filly, bred on the exact same lines as Penselwood (Saxon Warrior x Dalakhani mare) won on just her third start and hurdles debut in Ireland last week – and you can see why we really like our lad. He was very well bought and represents fantastic value – no monthly fees to pay until he returns to pretraining – your chance to have a horse in training with non-other than Sir Mark Prescott, who has been very impressed with what he has seen of him while he was in Heath House! Click the link and grab the 10% share!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/penselwood
Saturday – and great to see And She Was do two canters up the Sharpridge hill. She has returned from her break looking really well and Alan is delighted with her. She is moving great and will be back into faster work next week.
Alan also sent through a further two videos.
Nevada Samba once again working well in behind
Uhtred Ragnarson also put in another impressive shift in a star-studded group including Edwardstone. He really is in fine fettle!
Just before racing I was on the phone with Donald McCain – it is with him that we will be working on the new venture – managing a new syndicate under his Bankhouse Thoroughbreds banner.
Like me, Donald likes the 3yr old Junior Bumper and Junior National Hunt Hurdle series and has quietly been gathering a team for those races next season. One of those is a cracking 3yr old by Pethers Moon – purchased last year – he is the ideal type for those races. Donald has already started the preparations – like us he had him broken in last year – and now has him back in work at the yard after a winter break. He is by Pethers Moon who sadly died last year – just as his stock started to come to the fore. He is out of a dam who is from a family stacked with black type performers, and who has herself bred a talented horse in Prends Garde a Toi, rated 133, owned by Gigginstown House Stud and in training with Gordon Elliott. There is a little bit more work to do before the official launch, but we will go public next week! More details in next weeks news!
Good to see another one of our pinhooking graduates break her maiden yesterday – Reel Orange who we purchased as a foal and sold to Tom Malone as a 3yr old got her head in front in Newton Abbot. Adding to the impressive strike rate of our graduates!
That just leaves one to mention – Jimmy Gatz who was due to run in Bangor on Dee on Tuesday instead of Molly’s Lad, but who sadly pulled a muscle late last week when schooling and couldn’t run. He was still sore this week, and the vet was minded to scan his pelvis to make sure that he hadn’t fractured anything – thankfully not the case, he has just got a deep-seated muscle tear that will need to be rested for a while. He will not run again this season and will head off on holiday when the vet says he can.
Drop by next week for all the latest – I hope to have a few foal pics for the gallery! A visit over to see ‘Nev’ is overdue!
