Windsor Winner!
We are just in between heatwaves! The forecast suggests that we are in for an unprecedented fifth heatwave of the summer next week! I know it has been dry, very dry, but boy oh boy, what a summer we have had! It has not helped running plans – we only have a few in full training and ready to run, but most of those would appreciate just a little bit of cut in the ground, and not the very quick ground that is prevalent at the moment. The one that does like it ran this week, and gave us a fun night out, and believe it or not – we did get wet! Yes! We did manage to find ourselves caught out in a heavy shower! What are the chances of that?!
Sunday – having got the weekly ramble cobbled together and published last Sunday, I turned my attention to the afternoons action from Deauville and the Group 1, Prix de Rothschild, a race run over the straight mile, featuring Moon Target, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, and owned by Cheveley Park Stud. Moon Target ran a fine race to finish third behind two very smart fillies who have run bang up to form, based on their previous meeting in the Falmouth Stakes in Newmarket in mid July. Luke Morris bounced out and tried to burn the speed out of his two rivals, which wasn’t enough to beat them, but was enough to secure third place and a significant piece of Group 1 black type for her pedigree. It has been quite the start to August for Sir Mark, William and the team at Heath House. They have had Consent finish fourth in a Group 2 in Goodwood. Alla Stella place third in a Listed race in Clairefontaine, Martinet finish third in a Group 2 in Newmarket, and Moon Target run a great race to be placed in the Group 1 last Sunday. They also have Tiffany heading to Germany for the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in Hoppergarten this afternoon! All from a squad of just 50 horses! Quite an achievement.
Having found the most circuitous route to Deauville, which involved leaving Newmarket on Friday, spending Saturday in Kelso, and then ‘hitching a lift’ to France, William was relieved to be in his own car and on the road back from Deauville when he called with his weekly update on Sunday evening. It was a very positive report. Our 2yr old, Penselwood, had, along with the rest of his group just been asked to quicken up half a gear in their work, and William was delighted with what he had seen. Penselwood found the transition very easy and had taken it in his stride. Another box ticked – we know that he was very well bought at the sales – we know that his pedigree just gets better and better, and that he now has a half-brother who is a Listed winner on the continent – we know that he was good to break and ride away – and that he gives everyone that rides him a lovely feel – and now we know that he takes his work very well, and has found a step up in his workload very easy. All very positive signs, and William was genuinely delighted with his progress last week.
We would arrange to pop over to Newmarket later in the week and see him.
Monday – and with the August 1st renewal date for the Alan King Racing Club falling two days previously, it was a busy day! The AKRC was really well received last year, and the renewal rate has been fantastic. Why not? It has been a fun year. Four horses went to the races – two on the flat, and 2 over hurdles. Two were winners, and the other two youngsters were placed. I have listened to lots of people that have been involved in Racing Clubs over the years and one of the points that always comes up is the lack of continuity with the horses that trainers run in their Racing Clubs. Members build up an affinity with the horses over the course of the year – and Alan, Debbie and I all felt that it was key to retain the same squad if we could. So, the 2026/27 AKRC will have I’d Go Maniac and John Harrison to run on the flat, and Uhtred Ragnarson and Ghost Dancing to run over hurdles. All four are well capable of winning – and should give Club Members a huge amount of fun for the next 12 months. There are now just a handful of places left in the Club - £3000 one off upfront payment – 4 horses – 12 months – both codes – just 36 shares - all year round action! The Alan King Racing Club is probably the best value racing club of it’s size out there! Get in touch to join – but be quick!
In the afternoon we headed down to Windsor for the first runner of the new year for the Alan King Racing Club – I’d Go Maniac contesting the Amateur Riders handicap that opened the card. IGM would be ridden, once again, by Alan’s daughter, Georgia who had been in the plate for each of his last 4 starts. The pair have built up quite the rapport, and on a track where they were second behind a very well handicapped opponent earlier in the summer, this looked like the right race. The pair were a close third in the Lady Riders Derby in Epsom last time out and a repeat of that run would see them go close.
Once again, I’d Go Maniac was slowly away – which was not the plan, but Georgia did not panic and could get herself on the back of the main group quite easily. The early pace was slow, but when one went forward after a couple of furlongs the fractions lifted considerably, which was ideal. As they straightened for home, Georgia spotted a gap and IGM was through – with the clear leader, a suspect stayer at the trip, coming under pressure and falling back towards the chasing pack, there was really only one winner, and IGM came home well for an easy 2 ¼ length success.
A great result, hugely deserved for both IGM and Georgia who got a big cheer as they passed the post and an even bigger one when they got back to the winners enclosure! Once again, Mum Rachel had led her up, which was lovely – a shame that Alan could not be there, he was in Scotland. A great start to the new year for the AKRC – IGM is in a great place and could go in again in his current form!
It was good to see Alan’s assistant, Robin at the races. Robin had been the regular rider of Edwardstone until his retirement this summer, and he needed another nice one to take his place, so he had ridden Nevada Samba that morning. He had ridden him once or twice last season – but it is fair to say, he was blown away by the change in him this year! ‘What a beast!!’ were his words. Safe to say that Nevada Samba had confirmed to him as he rode him, what we have seen from the ground – he has really matured, strengthened and improved over the summer – it will be a lot of fun finding out how far we can go with him!
Tuesday – all well with I’d Go Maniac after his run, he had come home, eaten up and jogged up sound. A great result for the King family and the Racing Club – a fantastic start to the new year, and now we need to build on it. With Alan away, Robin was on video duty on Tuesday morning, and he sent through a clip of the other AKRC flat horse, John Harrison working nicely up Sharpridge. JH had not entirely let himself down on the quick ground in Newmarket last time out – and would wait for a bit of ease in the ground. If there was no rain – he could switch back to the all weather for his next run. He is in good form!
Olly Murphy sent through a further update from Warren Chase. Jimmy Gatz has settled back into his routine really well and looks fantastic. Last year he was always carrying a bit of ‘puppy fat’ and looked like the youngster that he was. A season in training has worked off that visceral fat and he now looks a far more mature horse and is moving great. Olly is delighted with how he looks and is very much looking forward to seeing what JG can do over hurdles. I’ve have said it before – JG is a horse that simply loves jumping and who is a complete natural – this season over hurdles should be great fun!
A few days late – but I finally got some prize money dividends settled. Apologies for the delay – I got most done – just one more to do – I will be on that on Monday!
Wednesday morning, and we had arranged to head over to Newmarket to see Penselwood out at exercise on Warren Hill. As his group of 2yr olds would not be out until 3rd lot, it meant that I could get the race report for I’d Go Maniac’s win in Windsor typed and sent out to AKRC members. It also gave me a chance to send out the confirmation of purchase letter to Ray and Fiona, who along with Chris and Kirsty, purchased the final share in ‘George’ our 3yr old Golden Horn gelding who is heading into training with Fergal O’Brien. We wish them all the best of luck with him. ‘George’ is now fully sold out, and there are only a handful of shares left across all the horses on the team, which is testament to the lovely horses that we have and a reflection of the service that our owners and syndicate members receive. Have a look at the available shares on our FOR SALE page and get in touch!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/
With the office work done I set out for Newmarket – you don’t want to be late for Sir Mark! Obviously, I arrived early- so chance for a sausage sandwich and a cup of tea at the Heath Court Hotel next door to the yard. After another cuppa at Williams, we headed over to the yard. Sir Mark in great form – he reiterated what William had told me on Sunday – that Penselwood was doing everything right, and that he had taken the step up in his workload very easily. We saw Penselwood warm up in the indoor school, and I have to say I was stunned with how he looked – he has grown enormously and filled his young frame. He is a big boy now and very strong at this stage. He almost looks like a 3yr old already! As he was purchased with a hurdling career in the back of our minds – he certainly looks like he will be tailor made for that should the cards fall that way! The string split into two groups with Penselwood leading the second group in two canters up Warren Hill – the second a little quicker than the first. I could see what Sir Mark and William had reported – Penslewood does everything very easily and moves very well. He will step up to long canters next week, which he will do for a couple of weeks before starting to do faster work on the Al Bahatri all-weather gallop. As we spied the hugely unusual sight of dark clouds on the horizon we headed up to the woods to see them have their pick of grass, and as we did so, the heavens opened! Not one word of complaint – we all got wet – but none of us moaned, it was lovely to smell rain for the first time in months!
Back to Heath House, and we got to see Penselwood have his swim. He is a cracking sort of horse that does everything very nicely. All being well he should be ready to run around the 15th September – hugely exciting!
Thursday – a sad day – the funeral of a good friend. Ann was a hugely popular lady – as shown by the turnout for the ceremony in Wellingborough – where over 400 people turned out to pay their respects. The huge number of her friends that were present to pay their respects was incredible and caused a few issues for the staff at the crematorium. There were at least 150 people outside the crematorium, watching the service on the TV screen, such was the turnout. Ann was forthright, and some would say formidable, but she was hugely respected throughout many parts of the horse world and will be missed!
We headed back to her village of Stoke Goldington for the wake, where it was lovely to meet up with so many old friends. Once again – so many, that I didn’t get to speak to a lot of them before we had to leave – but it was great to catch up with the group of girls who used to look after our horses a good few years ago – all in good form – and we have arranged to have a meet up for a drink very soon! It will be fun to talk about a few memories of racing and racehorses, trainers and jockeys (good and bad) that we have been associated with over the past 28 years! There’s plenty to catch up on!!
When I turned the phone back on after the service, the messages and emails started to ‘ping’. Alan King had given John Harrison an entry in Ffos Las next Wednesday. The ground in South Wales had eased to Good – meaning that the race was an option. It would mean he would be dropping back in trip, but this was a race limited to horses that have not won in 2026, so it could be a good move.
Jason Maguire sent through a couple of clips - he had had a sit on Molly’s Lad that morning. ML cantering away on the deep sand and going really nicely. He will head back to Fergal O’Brien in 7-10 days. ML is another one that has changed so much from a 3yr old to 4 and starting off from a very attractive handicap mark – he should be a horse to follow through the coming season.
Later in the day Jason sent through a clip of the Blue Bresil 3yr old that we purchased in June. He has completed his primary school education. He has been broken, ridden away, cantered upsides and schooled over hurdles – all of which he has done very easily. He is a lovely horse, and we have already sold a few shares in him. One thing is for sure – he enjoyed his time out in the paddock!
Have a look at his full details on the FOR SALE page - and join Jason Maguire in this exciting syndicate. This is a lovely horse with a big future!!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8342/jason-maguire-syndicate
Friday – Alan King, back from his trip to Scotland sent through a clip a couple of clips.
John Harrison working really well on the ring gallop. If Alan feels it is the right thing to do to run in Ffos Las next week, he is ready.
Alan also sent a clip of Nevada Samba having a canter up Sharpridge. I’m glad he did – as you can now see what an unbelievable specimen he is! Robin was right – What a beast!!
Uhtred Ragnarson was back cantering and would be back in stronger work next week. He didn’t stay the 2m4f last time out – and will drop back in trip for his next start.
Saturday – Jason Maguire was flying out to Ireland as Paul and Claire Rooney, who’s horses he manages have a runner in the Group 3 sprint later today. When he landed in Dublin, he sent through a clip of ‘George’ having a canter on the deep sand. I am thrilled with his progress, he has grown and matured, and we know that he has an engine as he did several bits of work in the spring. He is another one heading to Fergal O’Briens and it very much looks like he has a very nice future!
There were no updates from Bankhouse this week – as the McCains were all in Mallorca celebrating the wedding of Doanld’s daughter Ella to Theo Gillard. Looks like it was some week!
Dino Bellagio is ready to run, but like a few – needs rain. He doesn’t like this quick ground. With no jump racing until the middle of August, Ridin Solo has been on tick over. He will not be risked on quick ground – so we will be waiting for rain for him. Old Blue Eyes is recuperating from a small injury, and I will get an update on him next week.
We will be at Bankhouse next Saturday, when we welcome members of the new syndicate we are managing for Donald. There looks to be a good turn out – if you would like to join us and see this very impressive young horse on the gallops let me know – it will be a fun morning!
Around the remainder – Ghost Dancing is still on her break at Barbury Castle.
At Ivy Lodge Farm – Cloud Dancer is back cantering and will continue to do so until we feel he is ready to return to training. Floyd our 4yr old homebred is back in the field after parading at our Open Day. He is not scheduled to return to work until the autumn – he has needed time!
Next week we could head to Ffos Las, and if we do – we will be in to see the team at Barbury Castle on Thursday. We will also be at McCains on Saturday – so it looks like a fun week!
Drop by next Sunday for the latest!
