Prepping For The Summer
After the Grand National each year – the jumps season starts to wind down a notch. Plans have already been made for a couple of our squad to be ‘roughed off’ and head back out to the field for their summer breaks. This year we will still have plenty to do through the summer – a couple of flat runners, and a few of the team that simply don’t handle summer ground will be in action, and we are very much looking forward to the next few months.
Monday – Easter Bank Holiday, and no better way to start the day than to receive a video from Alan King. Nevada Samba having a school over hurdles under Tom Bellamy. He has done plenty of schooling – starting off with Jason Maguire as a 2yr old. He has always been very good, and Alan was delighted with what he saw of him. NS has a really good technique and makes a lovely shape over an obstacle – it will stand him in good stead in the future. The plan at this stage is to give him one more run in a bumper this month and then head straight over hurdles in the autumn after a summer break. Alan and I would discuss options over the course of the next couple of days.
Monday was a glorious day – the sun was out and it was the perfect opportunity to head over to The Elms and see Savingforvegas and ‘Nev’. Thanks to Louise for her time. Both SFV and Nev are doing really well -I am very lucky in the fact that SFV always produces a lovely foal – they are all correct, with good size – and being the wonderful mother she is – she gives them all the very best start in life. ‘Nev’ is a cracker! And is one of the nicest foals she has produced. I can’t tell you how lucky we have been with Vegas, not only does she produce lovely foals – all the ones that have run so far have all won and shown a well above average level of ability in the process. She has produced 7 colts from 8 foals and is the most wonderful mare to breed from. There are still a couple of shares in our new Breeding Syndicate. Click the link for all the details.
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8316/breeding-syndicate
Savingforvegas is due to visit Kingston Hill on Thursday, and the cycle will start again. To breed your own racehorse and follow it all the way from conception to the winner’s enclosure is very special – and to have the chance to do it with a mare that has a 100% record in producing winners is very rare. The added bonus of this venture is that you are very likely to be onto a winner before your foal is even born – as there is likely to be at least one significant pedigree update in the next 12 months, as half brothers Old Blue Eyes and Nevada Samba both look like they could be up to running in some very nice company, and could well add some valuable Black Type to the page!
Tuesday, and the first step on our ‘Summer of Fun’ – Donald McCain gave Dino Bellagio his entry in The Chester Cup. The way the system works is that you enter for the Chester Cup, but there is no hope of him getting into that race – but what the entry does is give you the chance to run in the consolation race – The Chester Plate, run on the same card – for those horses that do not get to run in the main event. The plan is to run in this race – which in itself is a valuable handicap. This race has been the plan for over 12 months, ever since we decided to switch DB to the flat. We did not have enough time to give him three flat runs to get a handicap mark before last year’s renewal, so we made it a goal to run in it this year. His run at the track in September, when he sluiced through the mud for an easy victory was a ‘trial’ to see if he handled the track - and with that passed with flying colours it was all about getting him to Chester in May. Even though he is an intended runner in the Plate – he is still not guaranteed a run – as his handicap mark of 76 leaves him dangerously close to the cut off of getting in, but that rating would have seen him get a run in the last 5 runnings of the race so finger crossed he makes the cut!
Another one to get an entry, this one a little sooner, was Nevada Samba, who Alan King entered in a bumper in Hexham. Alan did call me before making the entry and explained that he was looking at races in the north of the country as there looked to be a dry forecast in the south, and NS was much more likely to get some nice safe ground the further north we looked. I was happy to enter him, although I wasn’t convinced that Hexham was his track – it is a stiff track, and from what we have seen of NS thus far – he is all about speed and would likely prefer somewhere a little less testing. I would be heading down to Barbury Castle the following day – so he was entered and we could discuss options over a coffee on Wednesday.
With the work done, and the sun shining, we made a long-awaited trip down to Marlow. Lunch at Tom Kerridge’s, Hand and Flowers pub. I don’t know where everyone was going on Tuesday, but the traffic was mental! The trip down took a little longer than planned, so rather than having a wander round the town before lunch, we settled down with a nice cold drink in the sunshine for half an hour before heading in to eat. The food was excellent, although the menu choices were a little limited. I had three of the better known courses that the pub is renowned for– the mussels, the lamb ‘bun’ and the chocolate and ale cake! Safe to say that we were full, and it took a long walk around the town, and along the river to walk off lunch before the drive home. To sum up the Hand and Flowers – really well-cooked food as you would expect from a Michelin Star establishment – and it is well worth a visit.
Wednesday – an early start. Barbury Castle for a work morning. Another beautiful day – Nevada Samba and the Alan King Racing Club’s, Uhtred Ragnarson out first lot. Both looked fantastic in the morning sun. The pair were to work in the same group of four, but unfortunately that work went amiss, when Uhtred Ragnarson got a little free on the front end after whipping round at the start causing his rider to lose his irons. Unable to get his feet back in, he was forced to ride him without stirrups and therefore without the ability to steady him. UR thought this was wonderful and headed up the hill at full tilt – clearly going too fast. The riders of the other horses in behind did the right thing and let him go – and the work was all a bit of a mess. UR’s rider did well to stay on board and get to the top unscathed. Phil Armson, who was on Nevada Samba, was very happy with him, although the work had been ruined by Uhtred! Despite buggering up the work – Uhtred Ragnarson is really well and very close to a run!
Nevada Samba
Nevada Samba upsides
Uhtred Ragnarson
Nevada Samba got another entry in Market Rasen on Tuesday, which would be a track that would suit him far better than Hexham, but after chatting with Alan we both agreed that he would not run on watered ground, and we would rather wait for some rain and genuine Good ground than risk him on watered ground that can be a bit patchy. Uneven ground conditions can cause injuries, and as NS has nothing to prove – he would not be risked on ground that Alan and I are not happy with. As Alan said – ‘We know he is a smart horse, I would like to run him once more – simply for his own education as there was still plenty for him to learn after Wincanton – but he doesn’t have anything to prove this term and I don’t see the point in risking him’ We would both like to run him – but will only do so under the right circumstances.
Second lot – And She Was was another one gleaming in the sunshine – she looked fantastic. She has really done well for her mid-winter break – and will be far better suited to summer jumping on a sound surface. She just couldn’t handle the soft ground when last seen in January. It will not take too long for Alan to get her back up to full fitness and she will be back at the races very soon. She will be on a very nice handicap mark when she does return and it should be a good summer for her syndicate, who deserve to have a clear run and some good days out with her – it has been far from plain sailing thus far!
And She Was
Third lot – and the AKRC’s, Ghost Dancing did one canter up the hill over at Sharpridge. GD is another smaller filly, who was not suited to deep mid-winter ground. She will also run through the summer, and the Club are sure to get plenty of fun out of her.
Ghost Dancing
I’d Go Maniac was out fourth lot – and he simply went for a trot – he has to have a break between his races and having run in Lingfield late last month, he has had a couple of weeks of easy work before resuming harder graft. The form of his last run has a solid look to it despite no winners coming from it – several have gone very close to winning and having learned a fair bit from Rossa Ryan after the race, IGM should go well next time out, if we can find the right race for him!
19yr old Valdez, loving life! Whitey got to take him over to Sharpridge for first lot! They even got to do a bit of 'whipping in!!'
In the afternoon I checked in with Olly Murphy to see how Jimmy Gatz was. JG had been scheduled to run over hurdles the week before but had pulled a muscle while schooling in preparation for that hurdles debut and was unable to run. He had been quite sore, but Olly reported that although he was still not 100%, he was vastly improved and he should be back on the walker next Monday. Jimmy Gatz will now not run again this season – and he will have a summers break. He has shown in his two runs that he has plenty of ability – he ran really well on debut, before getting stuck in hock deep mud in Ffos Las next time out, when we all expected him to go very close! He has always been the most natural of jumpers, and really enjoys his hurdling, so he should have a very good season in novice hurdles next term!
Thursday, the start of the Grand National meeting in Aintree. We were not up there this year, sadly, but we would be watching from home. Aintree is always great fun, and we had a ball up there a couple of years ago when we had three runners throughout the meeting. Nothing went quite to plan this year – so no runners, but I think we will be back in 2027 with at least one runner for sure!
One name that is synonymous with Aintree and the Grand National is McCain. Donald’s father, Ginger trained the great Red Rum, who is probably the most famous racehorse to have ever lived. He also trained Amberleigh House to win the great race before Donald took over and won it with Ballabriggs in 2011, ridden by non-other than Jason Maguire. With such a strong connection to the track and the Grand National, Thursday seemed like the appropriate day to launch our latest venture – Bankhouse Thoroughbreds – a new syndicate that we will be managing for Donald McCain. We have been planning this new syndicate for some time – and plenty of thought has gone into it from as early as last year when Donald purchased a very nice and well-bred individual to target some specific races this year. The syndicate will be made up of 10% shares – and the full details can be found by clicking the link below.
https://www.donaldmccain.co.uk/available-shares-/
With a couple of hours to kill before the racing started in Aintree, I just thought I would check to see if there had been any updates to the pedigree of our 2yr old Penselwood. When we purchased him at the Book 2 Yearling Sales in Newmarket last October, there had already been an update to his pedigree in between the publication of the catalogue and the sale – his half brother Blarney (by Belardo) had won a handicap in Marseille Borely in France off a rating of 32.5 (UK equivalent -71) which meant that 4 of the first five runners that his dam, Pacific Angel has produced have won. Well, it turns out – that the updates did not stop there – Blarney has now gone on to win 3 of his four starts in 2027 and now has a handicap rating of 42.5 (UK equivalent 93). These are significant updates and goes to show that Penselwood is related to some very talented horses – three of whom have achieved official ratings over 89 (or the French equivalent). Penselwood has had a spell with his trainer, Sir Mark Prescott in Newmarket, and is now on a break with Jason Maguire in Gloucestershire. He heads back into training with Sir Mark in June, and there is still a share available in this lovely young horse, who Jason describes as very nice, and who Sir Mark thinks is fantastic value and who did everything nicely when he was with him over the winter. This is a rare opportunity to be involved in a syndicate with Sir Mark Prescott, and to make it even better – there are no monthly fees to pay until June! Click the link below and grab the share – he is a lovely horse – the shares are great value and there are no monthly fees to pay until June!!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/penselwood
Jason Maguire called with an update on all the four horses he has at Ivy Lodge Farm at the moment. Penselwood, as mentioned is now out in the field on a break and has paired up with a pal.
Cloud Dancer is continuing with his rehab form injury and is doing plenty of cantering. He looks really well – and the hope is that he comes through all of his rehab with no hiccups and he will return to the track in the autumn. Jason has been doing plenty with our homebred 4yr old, Floyd – who we have given plenty of time to – he was very flat when he went away for an away day gallop a couple of weeks ago – and at the time we were very deflated with his effort – but we had always really liked him - right up until that day – so we have made the decision to continue with him while we have him fairly fit – and try a few different things with him. We cannot believe that he is not a racehorse!!
One that definitely is a racehorse is our Golden Horn 3yr old – who showed us just what he can do when he was in work last year as a 2yr old. He is back at Ivy Lodge Farm and doing plenty of trotting ahead of cantering in a week or two. He is a lovely horse, and Jason is taking his time with him.
The racing in the afternoon was top class – four Grade 1’s – and it was great to see Brighterdaysahead win the Aintree Hurdle. I had seen her at the sales as a 3yr old – and been in the ring when she sold – she was a stunning filly – and is a top-class race mare!
Huge thanks to jockeys valet, Phil Taylor who was good enough to get a few of the jockeys at Aintree to sign a pair of Champion Jockey, Sean Bowens breeches. These will be auctioned for charity in a few weeks time, where they will be offered, mounted and framed to raise funds. The auction will take place at a Ball - but I hope to be able to include readers of this page - who will have to opportunity to win them on the night as well. More to follow when I have finalised details.
Friday – a morning in the office sorting out a few things for the future. I do like to keep exploring different revenue streams!
Alan King in Aintree, so his assistant Robin Smith sent through the video of And She Was striding on up the Sharpridge gallop. She is in super form!
Saturday – Alan King called early, to confirm that he would not be declaring Nevada Samba in Hexham on Monday – they were watering the ground and having said that we would not run him on patchy watered ground – he did not declare. Market Rasen also watering, so he won’t be heading there either. Alan and I did discuss drawing stumps for the season but decided to keep him in work for another couple of weeks and see if the rains came and he could run anywhere.
Jason called with a further update on the crew at Ivy Lodge Farm. He had taken ‘Floyd’ for another away day – and he had shown much more of what we had expected to see the first day – he had gone very well – much more like it! Jason will keep him in work for another couple of months – now that he has changed a few things with him, he has really responded and this was a very positive step! 3yr old ‘George’ (Golden Horn) is doing everything asked of him very easily. He has an absolutely bomb proof mind – he just accepts what he is being asked to do and gets on and does it!
Cloud Dancer is doing plenty of cantering and going well.
Penselwood is very happy with his new mate!
Fergal called mid-morning, all well with Molly’s Lad after he was unfortunately brought down in Bangor on Dee last week – he had a slight swelling in a knee, but that has settled down and he is fine. The plans for Greyval are very much still in place. She heads to Warwick for the mares Challenger Series Final later this month. She is in great from at home.
The Grand National was a bit of a ‘throwback’ – lots of drama – plenty that didn’t stay on their feet – lots of lose horses and some good old-fashioned mayhem! I Am Maximus running out the winner – the modern-day Red Rum – the first horse since ‘Rummy’ to regain his crown – having won it in 2024 and finished second last year! A new Aintree legend!
I Am Maximus (Photo Debbie Burt)
Debbie had been on duty for all 3 days of the meeting which she thoroughly enjoyed but has just described the hailstorm that the Novices Hurdle was run in yesterday as ‘Savage!!’. It didn’t look nice from where I was on the sofa!
Sunday – this morning – Nevada Samba not declared in Market Rasen – as expected.
One of the two remaining shares in Jimmy Gatz has been snapped up this morning. A lovely chat with a new client – we wish her and her husband the very best of luck with their new horse! I will be getting the paperwork off to them when I have finished publishing this weeks news!
Around the remainder – I know how busy Donald McCain gets in Aintree week – so I didn’t want to bother him. As reported, Dino Bellagio has his entry in Chester – he is doing masses of work, and I will check with Donald tomorrow to see if he is hoping to get a run into him prior to Chester or whether we head straight there.
Old Blue Eyes and Ridin Solo are both on the road back to full fitness. The plan is to run Old Blue Eyes before he has a short summer break and Ridin Solo will run on through the summer – as he is happy on any ground.
I hope to get up to Bankhouse either this coming week or the week after. This week I do have to go to Ravenswell one day to get some pics and a video of Greyval for a prospective buyer, and there is a sale in Cheltenham on Thursday that I hope to get to as well. I will probably do the two on the same day.
Tune in next week for all the updates – there are sure to be a few!
