Great Strides
Another dry week. Not too much rain about – and we hear the heatwave is returning! We got out to the races a couple of times – and tied one trip to the track in with a yard visit too. The new lad is making giant strides – and looks really nice, and we will be heading off to the races again this afternoon!
We start this week’s news with a ‘Parish Notice’. You may remember, at this years Grand National Meeting, Champion Jockey, Sean Bowen kindly donated a pair of his breeches, which were then signed by a number of the leading names in the weighing room (both past and present) and were destined to be auctioned at a charity fundraising evening locally. Sadly, that event has had to be cancelled, so we are changing tack slightly – instead, they will be auctioned at our Open Day – held on Sunday 26th of July at Jason and Lauren Maguire’s, Ivy Lodge Farm.
Although we will be seeing a great many of you there (we are expecting around 120) there are many of you that will not be able to be there, but who may like to bid on this very special item of racing memorabilia. These breeches are signed by a host of Champion Jockeys from both sides of the Irish Sea, including the winner of this years Grand National – Paul Townend. For those who would like to bid on these framed breeches, and cannot be at the Open Day, I will take commission bids and bid on your behalf on the day. Simply Text/Whatsapp or call 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com with your maximum bid, by midnight on Friday 24th July and I will do the rest. Good Luck!!
Sunday – never a day off – John Harrison declared to make his debut for the Alan King Racing Club in Salisbury on Tuesday. John Harrison is a lovely horse who works well at home. He would be starting his career for the Club off of a mark of 63, which looks like a nice starting point. Last winter Alan felt that he would benefit hugely for a gelding operation and with that done at the start of the year – he was ready to run. I have never been to Salisbury before – always nice to tick another one off the list!
As I was watching some very strange developments at the Test Match in Trent Bridge, I sold another share in the 3yr old Pethers Moon gelding up with Donald McCain. An existing owner in the yard had been in touch with Donald about the horse and was soon on to secure his share. Donald now has this lovely youngster back in work and we will be organising a group visit to see him in the next couple of weeks. Click the link and get in touch if you would like to pop along and see him – he’s worth the trip he is rather nice!
https://www.donaldmccain.co.uk/available-shares-/
Monday – having been away in Ireland at the sales last week, I needed to get into the office and do the monthly admin before month end. Bills to pay!!While settling accounts I was keeping an eye on the entries at the weekend. Dino Bellgio had not taken up his entry in Chester the previous weekend, as we felt that after such a hot week their ground was sure to be on the quick side, and we are trying to avoid Good to Firm if we can. In the end, even tough they had watered Chester to ‘within an inch of its life’ reports are that it was still pretty quick in places. So, we had our eyes on a couple of races the following weekend, Carlisle on Saturday evening and Southwell on the all-weather on Sunday. The Carlisle card, a meeting solely for female jockeys, with a nice staying handicap on the card. Southwell on the all-weather which we know Dino likes having won a valuable handicap there last summer. As time rolled round to midday when entries close, and with DB entered in the 1m6f handicap on the card – I noticed that the closing 2m 0-90 handicap had attracted only a few entries and although it was in a far higher grade – I felt that it was worth popping Dino in, just in case it cut up to 3 runners and he would be guaranteed a nice chunk of the £15,000 prize fund. So, we gave him an entry in that too.
In the afternoon I headed up to Stratford to see Uhtred Ragnarson run for the Alan King Racing Club. Uhtred had rather blotted his copy book last time out in Aintree, where he travelled very sweetly only to hang his chance away as they turned for home. Nothing came to light as to why he did that, but we were sure that having the hurdles on the inside of the track and the rail to help him all the way round we would see a different performance this afternoon.
Uhtred sported the red hood in the paddock and headed to post early as usual, but on this occasion, he was down at the start for quite a while on his own, and obviously got rather too familiar with his surroundings, as when the field was called in to line up, he decided he liked the area so much he would stay there and was rather reluctant to join the rest of the field. In the end, and with the help of a lead he did jump off, but a tad detached at the rear of the field rather than in mid division where Tom had hoped to be. It is nearly impossible to give ground away around Stratford, and to eventually finish third, beaten just 1 length goes down as a very good run. The race was lost at the start, and Alan and his team will adopt different protocols from now on to overcome that issue. Uhtred Ragnarson remains on a very nice mark, and if he behaves at the start next time, he will be tough to beat!
Tuesday morning. Uhtred Ragnarson fine after his run in Stratford. Alan happy with him with the run – less enamoured by his antics at the start – that can be rectified. Tom Bellamy frustrated post-race – to be left lengths at the start, run a blinder and be beaten just a length probably meant it was a race he should have won – but even he could see the positives later on!
Penselwood headed back to Newmarket to begin his life as a racehorse proper. He had spent a couple of months at Sir Mark Precott’s, Heath House Stables over the winter to familiarise himself with his surroundings and the regime at the yard – this time he was there to do some proper work! He has grown into a fine-looking horse, with size, scope and plenty of strength about him. Sir Mark and his assistant, William Butler both liked what they saw of him over the winter, and we are all looking forward to cracking on with him now! You have heard me rattle on about the pedigree every week since we bought him – but it really does get better and better. His half-brother is rapidly developing into one of the best stayers in Europe, and his sire, Saxon Warrior, keeps banging in the winners! In July alone he has sired 5 individual winners from 13 runners!
If all goes to plan this horse will be a lot of fun going forward. The plan will be to give him a few educational runs from September and then concentrate on his 3yr old campaign. There is no better man to plot a path for him than Sir Mark, and I am sure that he will get the very best out of him. Proven stayers at the end of their 3yr old year are in huge demand across the world, especially in Australia – where they have some very valuable staying races. Of course, his sire is very familiar to Australian racing as he shuttled there from Ireland at the start of his stallion career! If everything goes to plan – Penselwood could be just the type to make a lot of money in October 2027 and be heading down under!!
It has already been a very interesting journey with him, and the fun is about to ramp up a notch! Join us – I keep saying it – you don’t want to miss the share! Click the link – I have kept the price the same for months now – even as the pedigree keeps getting better and better and his value increases – it will be going up shortly – so act now!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/penselwood
They had a drop of rain in Gloucestershire overnight, and where there was a dust bowl the day before, there was now a glorious mud bath! The lads in the field had great fun in that – including Cloud Dancer, who loved playing Hippo’s! Cloud Dancer will be back in work later this month – and we will, as ever be guided by the vet as to the speed of his return to full training. We have done everything we can to get this talented horse back to the track – and we will not cut corners now. He will be some chaser!
It was a very busy morning in the office, and I had not had anything to eat by the time I left home and headed to Salisbury. By the time I picked up the A303 I was getting a little hungry, so I popped in a service station to grab a quick bite – a chicken salad wrap would do! Mistake – as I sat in the car and ate it while catching up on Whatsapps and emails, I did not notice the juice run from the bottom of the wrap onto my nice clean white shirt!! It meant I spent the rest of a warm afternoon in a wool gilet zipped up almost to my neck to cover an unsightly stain – made for a sweaty few hours!!
A good group of AKRC Members in Salisbury to see John Harrison make his debut in Club colours. He looked great in the paddock, but having only worked once on grass he was sure to come on for the run, and would likely be better off over slightly further, but this was a good place to start. David Egan doing the steering, with instructions to bide his time, ride him to finish well and hit the line hard. The race went pretty much to plan – drawn wide, he slotted in behind his 5 rivals and got into a good rhythm. Outpaced at the 3 pole, he didn’t handle the downhill section, but when they hit the rising ground, he really found his feet and stayed on eye-catchingly to finish a very good third! David very pleased – he had a good blow, could win over a mile on easy ground – wouldn’t want it any quicker than it was in Salisbury – and will stay further. There is a huge amount of fun to be had with him!
Photos: Debbie Burt.
Salisbury a small, friendly track – I liked it!
Back up to Marlborough for the evening, booked in the Castle and Ball in the High Street. Alan invited Debbie and I up to Barbury for a bit of supper in the evening, which was very kind. I know he likes a curry – turns out he likes a hot curry – even on a hot day!! Lovely to have supper with and the family!
The Castle and Ball – a High Street pub with rooms. Nice enough, clean and tidy, but not a place where you would base yourself for any length of time. I checked in and was out again within 2 minutes, and when I got back from Kingys I was straight to bed! Up again and out just after 7.00am, so a full review would be a little unfair!
Wednesday – a beautiful morning at Barbury. With Uhtred Ragnarson and John Harrison having run on each of the previous two days – it was just I’d Go Maniac to work. He is really well and ready to run.
The reason for stopping down was to have a chat with Alan about the structure of the Alan King Racing Club for next season. There will be more to come on this in the next few weeks – but memberships will renew and reopen on August 1st 2026 – the structure will remain very similar – there will be 4 horses on the team – Ghost Dancing, Uhtred Ragnarson, John Harrison and I’d Go Maniac – these will rotate throughout the 12 month term ensuring that the Club always has 3 horses in training at any one time. We felt that it was important, if possible, to retain the horses that we have on the team, to allow some continuity. Members become attached to the horses that run for them and it is nice to be able to offer them the chance of being part of their careers moving forward.
The Alan King Racing Club has been a huge success, since we started it last summer, and we are already very well subscribed for next year. If you would like to join – then please get in touch (alankingracingclub@gmail.com) and I will send you full details later this month. It really is great value – as unlike other racing Clubs which have horses solely for the flat or jumps seasons – Alan being a top dual-purpose trainer, can offer runners every month of the year!! It’s a great Club with some fantastic members!
John Harrison all fine after his run in Salisbury.
After a lovely couple of hours at Barbury, Debbie and I sat down and went through a few things for the 2026/27 NBR Brochure – something new for this year, which will be available at the Open Day later this month.
Jason was away from the yard for a few days, but the work didn’t stop. The new boy was backed before he went away last weekend, and the staff cracked on with him. He has been the model pupil and taken everything in his stride. He was extremely well prepped for the sale and has been a breeze to do – he’s a lovely horse and we can’t wait to introduce him to everybody at the Open Day!
Thursday – back home and in the office. I wouldn’t be the best man to organise a big garden party with a parade of horses – so it’s a good job I was put in touch with a lady that can! There’s a lot that goes into it – but I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to it! If the weather plays ball it is going to be a fabulous day!
July also means time to wrap up the Jump syndicate year ends and calculate the prizemoney dividends. First one to do – Greyval as she had been sold, and the syndicate were due payment. I am delighted that a few of them have taken shares in ‘George’ our 3yr old Golden Horn gelding – I had hoped that a few more would take up the option and keep most of the group together and had kept this nice young horse back for that very purpose, but not to be, and life moves on. ‘George’ has a great group of new owners who are really looking forward to seeing him run for The Oakley Partnership.
We had to make a decision before 10.00am – declare Dino Bellagio in Carlisle or not? The decision made slightly easier when one trainer, having said that he would not be using one of the best jockeys available at the meeting was now being difficult and saying that he wanted her, and the clerk of the course saying that the ground was very likely to be Good to Firm by 8.09pm on Saturday evening. We are trying to keep Dino away from that quick ground – and as he has won round Southwell on the all-weather – we decided to swerve Carlisle and concentrate on Southwell on Sunday. Saying that – I did spot a race in Kempton next Wednesday with only a handful of entries, so we popped him in there as a back up too!
One bit of less good news dropped on Thursday. Old Blue Eyes, just days off returning to the track had given himself another little injury, which would keep him off games for a few months. Again, nothing serious – just awful timing. He will be back – and as he has already shown us – he will be well worth the wait!
Friday – my Birthday!! How would I spend it – I know – we will go to Costco, register our membership and check out the wine on offer for the Open Day! Lovely!!
Before setting off, there was Dino’s possible declaration to track – two races in Southwell. In the end we plumped for the 1m6f race. David Nolan would ride. Once again, half an hour after decs closed I logged on to see what draw he had – and he was drawn 8 of the 8 runners! Not ideal, but there does not look to be an abundance of pace in the race, and he may just be able to break and get up close to the pace from there.
Alan King gave I’d Go Maniac an entry in Newbury on Thursday evening. There had been a few quiet conversations about his possible entries when we were at the yard on Wednesday – none of them with the trainer – as a devious little plan had been hatched and we were to be the ones to deliver them to Alan – watch this space!
Next stop Costco – well – that is some sort of hell on a hot Friday!! I’m not sure I do big crowds in these types of places – I’ll not be venturing there on a Friday again. The trip made a whole lot better with a stop off at the Swan in Salford for a bit of lunch a few pints!!
In the evening, Jason sent through a host of clips of the new Blue Bresil 3yr old. Considering we only purchased him 7 days ago, and he arrived at Ivy Lodge Farm on Saturday morning – his progress has been very very good. He has gone from being backed on Saturday morning, to schooling over barrels 6 days later – a testament to the horse, and the skill of Jason and his team. It has been a cracking start with him!
Saturday – Ridin Solo ready to run again – and he got an entry in Worcester next Friday evening. He is a horse that we have always felt would relish a test of stamina, but he is definitely not short of speed, and we are very much looking forward to seeing him over 3 miles and fences! By Ocovango, a good source of stamina and out of a Classic Cliché mare he is tailor made for this test – and he got an entry in a 2m7f handicap chase in Worcester.
July 1st is renewal day for the Red Sash Racing Club – and I sent out the email this week to all members. There are a few shares remaining if anyone would like to join the Club. Membership includes the ownership of you share (not leased) and the all-inclusive training keep fees for 12 months. This all for just £500! Click the link and join in the fun – Ridin Solo always runs his race and brings home some prize money! And with the step up in trip next Friday – he could well reward new members with some instant fun and a winning feeling!! Join now and be there!
https://www.redsashracing.co.uk/Shop/18/ridin-solo-
Sunday – Sir Mark Prescott’s assistant, William Butler called, Penselwood has settled in well back at Heath House. He had an infection in a hind leg a couple of weeks ago, but that has settled down well and he is cantering away in the indoor ride. He will continue with that for the first part of next week, and they hope to get him and the rest of the 2yr olds out on the heath from Wednesday. I will pop over to Newmarket in a couple of weeks and see him canter.
Jason called to chat over a few things. He is really happy with the Blue Bresil we bought last week. We purposely set out to buy a horse that would not take too much time – and he believes that is still the case. He is a horse that any trainer should be able to crack on with. He will stay in work until the end of the month and then have a break in the field – he will have earned it.
Jimmy Gatz, Cloud Dancer, Nevada Samba and ‘George’ will all come back in from the field next weekend, as will Molly’s Lad who will return from Timmy Murphy’s.
Off to Southwell now – Dino having a stab at a 1m6f handicap. There is a well backed favourite, from a shrewd yard – so it may be tricky – but he is sure to run his race and give the syndicate members who are travelling to the races a good day out!
Interest in the German Derby this afternoon – Gostam – by Saxon Warrior – favourite for the Classic! Heavy ground likely in Hamburg – it will be interesting to see how he handles that!
A few entries towards the end of next week – and I am aiming to get down to Ivy Lodge Farm on Tuesday.
Should be a fun week – and I am really looking forward to seeing Ridin Solo tackle a staying trip for the first time! Don’t forget – join the Club (or renew) to be there!!
See you next week!
