Ladies Day Double
One thing is for sure – it is never a dull life when racing and horses are involved! It has been quite the week! A fantastic few days racing in York – horses on the move – and then one moving very badly – and then the same one moving much better. Ups and downs – it’s all here!
Monday – two more headed off to their trainers. With the summer that we have had we have been in no rush to get them back in full work too quickly. There are genuine concerns over how the ground will be when the National Hunt season starts to kick into gear in mid October. These winter tracks have been so dry this summer, that it could be some time until they get back to some sort of safe ground without the need for watering. It is not necessarily the grass growth, that will turn green again very quickly as we witnessed in 24 hours in York this week – but the soil moisture deficit is so great, that it could take a while to return to normal. The grass has dried back before, you just have to look at the state of the jumps track in Ascot during Royal Ascot week– but in normal years there has always been a drop of rain through the summer, and it has never been this dry, this long into August.
We always plan to bring the horses back into work on July 1st so they are ready to run around October 1st, and over the last decade have always found the ground to be too quick to get them out at that time - so this year we delayed – as there is no point paying expensive training fees just to have horses going through the motions at home as there is no suitable ground to run on. They are better off having a slightly longer summer holiday and starting back in work a little later.
As a result, it was only on Monday that two made the move from Ivy Lodge Farm to Fergal O’Brien’s, Ravenswell Farm just up the road.
Molly’s Lad was returning there after a showing up very nicely during his debut season last term. Second on debut, he was a staying on 5th in the Listed Bumper in Cheltenham on New Years Day, before switching to hurdles where he ran two very promising races being placed twice, before being unfortunately brought down on his last start in Bangor. He now has a handicap mark and will start off this season on a lovely mark – and will relish a step up in trip.
Our home bred 3yr old by Golden Horn, ‘George’ went too – his first time in ‘Big School’ – as with everything he does – he took it in his stride – honestly – when he arrived, he was so chilled I said that if he could simply shrug his shoulders he would! Both settled in well on their first night – but sadly that would not be the story later in the week!
With a bit of rain forecast for later in the week – we gave Dino Bellagio an entry in Chester on Saturday. He has been tipping away at home for the past few weeks and judging on his homework last weekend when we were there, he is very much ready to run again. We know he handles the track, and if the rain arrives, they should get some nice ground. It will be good to see him out again! After I had let his syndicate know that he had an entry, one of them kindly informed me that it was Ladies Day in Chester on Saturday – Dino does love a Ladies Day – remember Nottingham??!!
Tuesday – the two fresh arrivals were out in a very early lot at Ravenswell. Molly’s Lad and ‘George’ having a canter on the round gallop. ML his usual self – he really is a silly bugger – and once again ‘George’ without fuss, just getting on with things! Molly’s lad made Fergal laugh, ‘George’ made him go weak at the knees! It is fair to say he likes him. Judging by the heart shaped emoji’s I kept getting on Monday and Tuesday. It is no exaggeration to say that ‘George’ is a different horse to the one we saw just a few weeks ago at the Open Day. He has, very rapidly, gone from being a boy to a man, and he really is a gorgeous horse now. Then you see him move, and he simply floats around the deep sand at Ravenswell – at this stage he looks very nice, and the fact that the trainer has instantly fallen in love with him is very encouraging! It’s a good start for ‘George’. He could he be the latest star off of the Savingforvegas production line – at this stage it certainly looks like it – I have always liked him – when he was born, he was probably the nicest colt she had had up until then, and when he was a 2yr old he broke in very easily and proved to have a wonderful mind. Jason really liked him at that stage – and was amazed that he went from untouched and in a field to cantering upsides on Tom George’s gallop in 14 days! This spring went very smoothly with him, but it is the change in him over the last 6 weeks that has really been something to behold, and it is why I love the journey we go on with these yongsters from the start - rather than buying ‘oven ready’ horses out of point to points with inflated price tags! Let us hope for a clear run with him and lots of fun in the future!
Wednesday – Dino Bellagio got a second entry – this time in Musselburgh next Tuesday – again – rain around in the North, meant that he was likely to get his ground. We would monitor weather forecasts and ground for a few days and see where his best option would be. So good to be able to give him entries with a bit of wet weather about – it has been frustrating to have to sit on our hands for a fair while waiting for the weather to break. DB does handle any ground really, but we feel he isn’t quite as comfortable on quick ground and doesn’t move as well on it. Fingers crossed he gets to go at one of the two meetings!
Alan King sent through a couple of clips. Uhtred Ragnarson cantering up the all-weather at Sharpridge. He has been on tick over for a short while – there was the summer jumps break and then more dry weather, so Alan has been in no hurry to get him back up to ‘concert pitch’ just now.
Nevada Samba did two canters and is in great form. He is lovely and settled, and in a good place. He can get a bit fresh and keen when he is in behind or upsides, so Alan has him either on his own or in front and he is settling nicely into his work. It appears that it is a family trait, as we have all seen what his half-brother, Dino Bellagio is like when he is upsides, he gets very competitive and just overraces – even at home, it is so interesting to see these characteristics manifest themselves throughout the family. They may look different, but it seems as though the well above average level of ability runs through them all, as does a competitive edge!
There is till the chance for you to breed their half-brother/sister – with 2 10% shares available in our Breeding Syndicate. Click the link – your way to be involved in a very exciting and talented family from the very start – a journey you will never forget – click the link!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8316/breeding-syndicate
With the morning office work done – it was time to head up to York – for our annual trip to the Ebor Festival. I would usually drive, but the journey home can be a real battle on a Friday, so this year we decided to let the train take the strain and we hopped on at St Neots, changed at Peterborough and were soon in York. The train fare was less than it would have cost in diesel, and the trip much more relaxing – we will do that again!! A cab ride to the hotel – a slight hiccup at reception when it became clear that the tour organiser had booked for Friday and Saturday and not Thursday and Friday, but thankfully they were able to bring it forward a day with no problem. We have stayed at the Roomzzz Apartment Hotel in Terry Street for a number of years and it suits us very well – it is a 10 minute walk into town and a 20 minute walk to the racecourse. Being an apartment hotel there is no bar or restaurant, but you are not short of those just up the road. It is modern and clean and an ideal base for us for a few days. Time for a wander up into the city – having looked at the weather forecast, we decided it would be a good idea to buy an umbrella! Then it was time for a few pints in Ye Old Starre Inn – our usual rendezvous point with friends before the evening gets going, and then on from there to our favourite restaurant in York – Little Italy, where we once again had a wonderful meal!
Thursday – up early to get a horsebox from the horsebox park, around to the O&T entrance on the other side of the racecourse.
Donald called to say that the ground in Chester was Good to Soft, Soft in places and he thought it was the right move to declare Dino Bellagio there on Saturday. With York hosting their Ladies Day meeting that afternoon – that would be two Ladies Day in a week – York and Chester – what a win double!
With the box moved into place, and Dino’s syndicate informed of his declaration, it was up to Robinsons on Bishopthorpe Road for breakfast – it is our usual – and very good!
A good breakfast – and set up for the day it was back to the hotel to get ready for a fun afternoon. That is when Fergal spoiled the day! He sent though a video of a very lame Molly’s Lad. The staff had found ML with a big puffy joint when they fed round that morning, and he was ‘fracture’ lame when the vet trotted him up a couple of hours later. Not good! Thankfully there was no sign of a fracture on Xray, but sometimes these do not show up for a few days, when the injury starts to calcify. How he did it was a mystery, as he had been sound as a bell in his work the day before, but he had been acting like an absolute arse when he was given his tea the night before - standing on his back legs and trying to box his neighbour over the walls of his stable – never a good idea! With no fracture showing on Xray – hopefully he had just given himself a bang – but it was not looking good. I informed his owners straight away, but so as not to alarm them I decided not to send through the 2 second clip of him trying to trot for the vet – it wasn’t pretty, and they didn’t need the trauma of that! Bloody horses!!!
Jason sent through a clip of Cloud Dancer having a session on the water treadmill. He loves it on there and coming back off of the injury that he sustained last year, it has been an invaluable tool in his recovery and rehabilitation. A session or two on this every week – really helps with the circulation around his tendon – the water in there is at 2 degrees, so it stimulates blood flow, while he is getting a good workout. Another reason why Ivy Lodge Farm is such an important part of what we do!
Alan King sent through a clip of I’d Go Maniac back cantering. He is being aimed at a race in early September – and amateur riders handicap in Haydock, so he has had a quiet spell since winning last time out in Windsor. It has been huge fun to follow IGM and Georgia through the summer, and great that they get to go again next month!
Time to head to the races, where we would be joining Goffs in their excellent hospitality facility on the ground floor. It was a damp afternoon – such a shame for Ladies Day – but it never rains in bars – and we settled in for the afternoon. It did give me a chance to chat to a couple of the men who work for Goffs about options for our colt foal. ‘Nev’ who will be offered at a foal sale later this year. I have a couple of options, and I have a choice to make as to where he will go. It is one or the other, and I will listen to what they say when they have seen him, and consider a host of other factors including the implications of import/export duty etc. Decisions for another day – now to enjoy the racing! This year’s Goffs Sales race featured something a bit special – a Group 1 winner! Plenty of horses have run in this race and gone onto Group 1 glory – but never has one lined up having already won one! Sun Goddess, trained by Aiden O’Brien, had won the Phoenix Stakes on the Curragh just 11 days prior, and would come into this with a 7lb Group 1 penalty. In the paddock, it was so clear to see which one was the Group 1 filly, she had size and scope and had so much quality – she walked around the ring like she owned the place and absolutely filled the eye – what a Queen!
The race itself was less simple – at half way I stood with a very knowledgeable man who said ‘She’s going nowhere’ I responded ‘She wins nothing’ – how wrong we both were. Having been in behind a wall of horses and under pressure, Ryan Moore went to switch wide, she stumbled, he got unbalanced, and for a split second it looked as though he could be unseated. Instantly back on an even keel – he got her wide, and the race was on. Even then a win looked unlikely, but in a flash, she changed legs – and with it changed gear – forging down the outside to win by no less than 6 lengths! WOW – that took the breath away! She is very smart indeed, and it was a pleasure to see her do that!
Sadly, the horsebox cannot go to Ireland, (Coolmore have a few anyway) so it is awarded to the best placed British trainer – who was Kevin Ryan, who was second. Kevin is already a client – and him winning the box for next season is perfect timing!
The rest of the afternoon was spent having fun with friends and clients. In the evening we tried something a little different, instead of heading up into town, we made our way back up to Bishopthorpe road to Thai Season – a fun little place serving Thai Street food. Another one recommended, lovely staff, fresh scratch cooked food, and a wonderful atmosphere! A fun place!
Heading just up the road gave us a chance for a quick pint in a pub we have always wanted to try, but as we usually head up into the city, we never get the chance. The Slip Inn, a traditional back street pub – on our route back to the hotel. A great little find – a free house so a good range of beers and cider – and a dart board to have some fun with! Hard to play with a fit of the giggles – but what a fun little stop off! Luke Littler has nothing to fear from us!
Friday morning – another early start – horebox back over to the racecourse stables, where we ran into a trainer in contemplative mood! He is in the midst of a battle with the BHA and is finding it all a bit trying at the moment. He has our sympathies – in the last 2 weeks I have heard stories about the BHA that, if made public would result in the whole organisation being labelled ‘Not fit for purpose!’ It is shambolic really, and the ones that suffer are those at the ‘coal face’ This trainer was as melancholy as I have ever seen him – poor man!
Jason sent through a couple of clips – Cloud Dancer having a jog around the lanes – I think Singh prefers him to his old pal, Molly’s Lad.
After his little outing, it was back to Ivy Lodge Farm and a canter on the deep sand gallop. CD looks really well – his injury is holding up, and when the vet gives him the all-clear, he will head back into training.
Badges all organised for Chester – a big group will be there to cheer Dino home!
It was good to see the Pethers Moon 3yr old with Donald McCain go upsides for the first time – 3 of them did it nicely.
Time to catch the train home – a nice walk to the station, and a simple trip home, although there was a slight delay form Peterborough.
England won the test match – nice to see them play ‘normal’ cricket – much the better side – but I was left in some doubt about the application from the Pakistan players if I’m honest!
The best news was the clip I got from Fergal – Molly’s Lad had jogged up for the vet and was SO much better than the day before! He isn’t out of the woods yet, as he is still on a bit of pain relief, but this was a very welcome sign. I let his owners know straight away!
I then sent them the clip from the previous day – so that they could see how bad he was!!
Hopefully he will be fine – we just need to get to the bottom of the cause – what he has actually done, treat it and move one. Hopefully it is not a lengthy process!
When I got home, I had plenty to do in the office – the uptake in membership of the Alan King Racing Club has been phenomenal – with more shares taken this week – Alan still has a handful of people to call about renewing, and if they all return for the 26/27 season the Club will be sold out! There are currently 31 of the 36 shares spoken for! If you would like to join this fun Club –click the link and get in touch quickly – it is phenomenal value – 4 horses, all year round action for just £3000!!
https://alankingracing.co.uk/racing-club/
Saturday – off to Chester – but first I need to get the weekly news typed up and ready to publish tomorrow, as I will not be in the office! A few of us are heading down to Cheltenham for the final day of the county championship game between Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. The Cheltenham venue is a lovely place to watch cricket, and we decided to head down for a fun day! So, I’m busy typing these spelling mistakes before we head off to Chester.
Around the remainder – Old Blue Eyes back on the walker for a few weeks – rehabbing after his latest little niggle. Ridin Solo fit and very well – we just need more rain for him. He would not be risked on good to firm ground. He doesn’t need a quick surface, so there is no need to risk him on it!
Penselwood will have stepped up to long canters this week, and I await William’s report with interest tomorrow. Hopefully he will have had his first taste of the Al Bahatri gallop in the last week – and one of the jockeys will have sat on him. Up to this point, reports have all been very encouraging – hopefully tomorrows update is in the same vein!
Jimmy Gatz is fit and well at Warren Chase – doing plenty of cantering and building back up to full fitness.
The Blue Bresil 3yr old – a joint venture with Jason Maguire, is chilling in the field after having a hectic few months. He has done so well since he arrived at Ivy Lodge Farm, and Jason was impressed with his last piece of slightly faster work upsides – he looks to have a very nice future and will be back into pre training in a few weeks, with the aim of running in a bumper in the spring. He is a very nice addition to the team!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8342/jason-maguire-syndicate
Our homebred 4yr old, Floyd is also out in the field at Ivy Lodge Farm – he is a horse that has needed time – and he will be given as long as he needs – he’s a lovely horse too!
The Alan King Racing Club’s, Ghost Dancing is just back into ridden work after a break, and John Harrison is having a short spell on the water treadmill with Jamie Magee.
So, drop by next week to see how Dino got on in Chester, and if I survived my second Ladies Day of the week!
I will be in Doncaster for the Goffs Premier Yearling sale for much of the week – and from there straight down to Barbury Castle on Thursday, where Alan has opened his doors for National Racehorse Week – last time I heard, there were a few spots left if you want to go to that – it is a fun morning!
