Unlucky Strike
No shirts were ruined in the course of the last week – which makes a change! It was another busy one – a party to celebrate a big winner, two runners and a yard visit – we got plenty squeezed in!
Monday – Donald McCain called early doors to discuss a few options for Ridin Solo and Dino Bellagio. Ridin Solo in good form having not run for a few weeks after an aborted trip to Worcester, where their ground was the worst we had ever walked on – and we really couldn’t risk him. There was a 3 week break in jumps racing shortly after that Friday in July, so we took the patient approach and chose to give him a short break and wait for some rain. With a decent amount of wet weather forecast for the end of the week – Donald felt it was worth giving him an entry in Bangor on Dee later in the week. He has been in great form at home, and we have been looking to step him up to 3 miles for a long time – so this looked like a very good option for him - as long as the ground is OK.
Dino Bellagio is also in good form and is another one that needs the rain to come. Having looked through the programme book, there are limited options for him in 0-70 company – but there is an apprentice handicap in Chester a week on Friday, and we chatted about that race as an option. He won around the tight turns of the Roodee last September but has found it tricky around there this summer. We said after his last run that we would wait for soft ground and would only return to Chester if the ground was suitable – with rain forecast, and limited options Donald and I agreed to keep the race in mind, see what the forecast looked like and make a decision on an entry when we met up on Friday.
Our homebred 4yr old, Floyd retuned to work after a summer at grass. He is a gorgeous looking horse, who has been simply too weak up until now. He has actually grown again over the summer and is a horse that we will have to take our time with – but as ever – patience will be the key, and Jason has seen enough to think that he is very much worth waiting for after a slow start. He has started back on the water treadmill, and the plan is to get him up to full fitness at Ivy Lodge Farm before deciding on the right course of action with him.
Georgia King was in at her father’s Barbury Castle stables on a bank holiday Monday morning, after a weekend in the Cotswolds. She had a sit on I’d Go Maniac in a canter up the hill over at Sharpridge. The plan - to run IGM in Haydock on Thursday with Georgia in the saddle. Having been wanting rain in the North West for Ridin Solo and Dino Bellagio, we would not be wanting rain for I’d Go Maniac who loves quick ground.
In the afternoon, the hustle and bustle of a morning’s work at Alan Kings, gave way to the chink of glasses and plenty of chatter and laughter as a few gathered for a party to celebrate Daquiri Bay’s win in the Ebor. Really kind of Alan to ask us – and it was a fabulous party! Daquiri Bay paraded for gathered guests and one of his owners who was there, and all the staff had a relaxed afternoon, enjoying a few strawberry daiquiri’s! It was good to see Tom Bellamy there. Still very sore having suffered 11 broken ribs, a fractured sternum and two punctured lungs in a horror fall in Worcester a few days earlier. Despite that he was in great form and looking forward to getting back in the saddle in a matter of weeks – they are made if tough stuff!
A lovely way to spend a Bank Holiday afternoon – thanks the Kingy for the invite!
Tuesday – I’d Go Maniac declared in Haydock as planned – the forecast rain a worry, but as this race had been the plan – we would take our chance with him.
The rest of the day was spent in the office – it wouldn’t be early September without a glance through the BBAG yearling sales catalogue. The premier yearling sale in Germany, that a few years ago was the source of some great value stock. These days, the value is a touch harder to find as plenty of trainers and agents latched onto the fact that a huge number of nice horses came out of the sale – in both codes.
With the badges sorted for Haydock – time to watch West Ham take on Wolves – I am still not sure how West Ham won the match 4-2 – it is going to be a very interesting season following West Ham!
Wednesday – Donald on early – it was raining with him – the ground in Bangor currently Good, with more rain forecast. The Clerk said the ground would be no quicker than Good by Friday – and possibly a touch slower than that – so Ridin Solo would take his chance. Can’t wait to see what he can do over 3 miles!
Four video updates from Alan King. John Harrison back cantering after a short break – it seems to be a theme here – but he too needs a drop of rain and a softer surface to be seen at his best. He will return to 1m2f on juicy ground when he next runs.
Uhtred Ragnarson – worked nicely with Ernest Grey – (who would go on to win in Bangor on Friday) With this nice piece of work under his belt – Uhtred got an entry in a 2m hurdle in Bangor next Tuesday. He didn’t stay 2m4f last time out – is on a very handy mark – and the drop back to 2m will suit him well.
Nevada Samba looks fantastic – and got to stride on half a gear quicker. Alan has just started to quicken up the work with the winter horses, and it is safe to say that Nevada Samba is relishing it! He is looking and moving so well – I have every finger, toe and even hair crossed that we get to see what he is capable of this season – Alan is very excited by him – let’s hope he lives up to expectations!
I’d Go Maniac just did a routine canter leading a workmate ahead of his run in Haydock the following day.
Thursday – and we set off early for a couple of days in the North West. First stop Haydock Park – I’d Go Maniac contesting the Amateur Riders Handicap with Georgia once again in the saddle. Haydock had not got as much rain as was forecast overnight, but they had some – and the ground would ride on the soft side of good. As Alan had said in his update the previous day – that was certainly not in his favour, but this was the plan and we would give it a go.
I arrived early and got stuck into a bit of admin in the carpark. Lovely to welcome another new member to the Alan King Racing Club. We wish Tony the best of luck with the 4 horses for the next 11 months – and look forward to meeting up with him soon!
On to the race – I’d Go Maniac looked a picture in the paddock – and Georgia had a plan in place – get him out of the stalls quicker than had been the case in Windsor, and sit just off the leaders, make a challenge with 2 ½ to go and try and see it out to the line. She had walked the course and felt that the rain they had got overnight had got into the ground, which wasn’t ideal, but she would be doing her best. IGM broke more smartly this time, and Georgia was able to sit just off the leaders on the rail. They went an even gallop, and the pair were travelling nicely, as they turned for home. When the pace lifted, IGM found it tough to quicken on the ground and was soon beaten, keeping on at the one pace all the way to the line. Not his day – but great to have Georgia ride him again – it has been a fun summer watching the pair. IGM has been on the go for a long time now – and it might just be time for a break – I would speak to Alan on Friday and pass on his thoughts to Club members.
There are now just 3 shares remaining in the Alan King Racing Club – 4 horses – all year round racing with 2 to run over hurdles and 2 to run on the flat! This is outstanding value and you really should not miss out on one of the remaining shares!
https://alankingracing.co.uk/racing-club/
From Haydock I headed to my digs for the night – the Cholmondeley Arms, just up the road from Donald McCains. I have stayed here a few times and always found it clean and comfortable – the devilled lambs kidneys on the menu always a plus! This time I was a little disappointed in my stay if I’m honest – my room had a really musty smell to it, there were ‘bits’ all over the bed when I removed the hundreds of cushions that seem to be on every hotel bed these days! There was chewed gum on the windowsill, and the overall feel was that the room needed a bit of a freshen up!
Dinner was lovely, although the pint of Hoffmeister that I was really looking forward to, had a nasty tangy taste which I believe was a result of the pipe clean earlier that day. A shame really – as I liked this spot – but will probably give it a swerve next time I’m in the area.
Friday – in at Donald McCains Bankhouse Stables shortly after 7.00am, in time to see first lot work and enjoy a chat and a coffee before we were joined by Neil, who owns a number of horses and is looking to start a syndication business with a couple of partners. Neil has also joined our syndicate with Donald – Bankhouse thoroughbreds and got to see the Pethers Moon 3 yr old that he has purchased a share in. This good-looking youngster, is going very nicely, at the moment he is being brought on slowly, and doesn’t even realise that he is a racehorse at present. He is just tipping along on raw ability, doing his work and acting the fool. I could see a huge difference in his work – and the penny is just starting to drop with him. He went nicely in two canters up the hill gallop.
https://www.donaldmccain.co.uk/available-shares-/
Third lot, Dino Bellagio cantered on the deep sand gallop. He looked very well – and having had over ½ an inch of rain the previous evening turning the ground in Chester to Soft, we decided that DB would get an entry there next week.
Sixth lot – yes, I was still there, even after Donald had left for the races – and I got to see Old Blue Eyes canter in the arena. He is back in ridden work – and is very fresh! Josh had to sit tight! That said he is obviously on great terms with himself and was moving very well! It will be small steps with him – with huge emphasis on keeping the wheels on this talented lad!
Olly Murphy sent through one of his superb updates - Jimmy Gatz looking really well - and now doing 1m4f canters on the deep sand. In dry weather the sand rides very deep and is really hard work for the horses, so he has been being very careful regarding their workloads. With the recent rains the sand has tightened up a bit and is riding a lot better. Jimmy Gatz is very well, and has grown into the most gorgeous horse! He is far more mature than he was last season when running two very respectable races in bumpers - he loves jumping - is very good at it - and we are all very much looking forward to seeing him over hurdles this winter!
It was now off to the races. Bangor looked fantastic – and walked like Good ground with a lovely covering of grass. A good few of the Red Sash Racing Club there to see Ridin Solo make his long awaited first start over 3 miles – there was a fair bit of confidence in him!
I have to say I have never seen him look better pre race – his coat was gleaming and he was carrying just the right amount of condition as he can run up a bit light. He has been on a course of ulcer treatment – which looks to have made a huge difference to him!
Theo Gillard in the saddle once again – and he would sit mid div, get a lead and then challenge just before they turn into the short straight. That plan soon went out of the window - the race was not 1/3 through when it became clear that Ridin Solo was simply not travelling. He was never in a rhythm, and Theo was always just ‘at him’ to keep him up to his work. In the end Theo worked wonders to get him to finish where he did (5th beaten 8 lengths ). We were left scratching our heads – this horse so rarely runs a bad race that you just don’t expect him to not travel and be in the shake up – even when he was 5th in Catterick he was only beaten under 2 lengths! Theo could offer no real reason – other than the track may have been a shade tight on the Good ground. RS did have a cut on a hind joint, and it did seem as though he could have been struck into which might explain it – but at the end of the day he was safely back and we could go again. A disappointing day! Thankfully the drive home was a lot better than expected – home at 8.00pm!
During the afternoon, Alan King sent through a clip of John Harrison doing a lovely piece of work earlier in the day. JH did it very nicely and looks in great nick!
Saturday – Donald’s assistant, Adrian Lane sent through a clip of a stiff and sore Ridin Solo – who had actually suffered cuts on both hind legs which means he was definitely struck into by another horse – which could account for his below par run. He will be fine and we will go again in 3-4 weeks.
Dino Bellagio got his entry in Chester next Friday – it will be a long day as we will be in Newmarket for second lot with Sir Mark Prescott to see Penselwood stride on up the Al Bahatri gallop. Really looking forward to seeing him – the reports of his work thus far have been very encouraging! There are a couple of spots left on this visit if you would like to join us at Heath House. We will meet at 7.30am in the Heath Court Hotel for an early morning coffee. 07909 518902 – or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com if you would like to come to see Penselwood at the most historic yard in Newmarket and meet Sir Mark Prescott.
Alan King sent through a few updates – Nevada Samba once again taking the eye in his work – I just love watching this horse move!!
Uhtred Ragnarson worked well ahead of a possible trip to Bangor on Dee on Tuesday.
We had a few friends round on Saturday evening – but I did just sneak away at 9.55pm to watch Sir Mark Prescott’s wonder mare – Tiffany run in the $1m Kentucky Turf Cup in the US. My shouts could be heard by everyone as the ultra tough mare overcame a horror passage to win very cosily in the end! What a run and what a training performance! Tiffany has now earned her spot at the Breeders Cup. Sir Mark’s assistant, William Butler was over in America with the mare – and had forewarned me that my usual Sunday morning progress report would be a day late this week, as he would be pulling on his cowboy boots and enjoying a night in Nashville. When we discussed his trip last week – he told me of a ‘dream’ plan that they could follow with Tiffany – well the first leg is in the bag!
Don’t forget there is still that chance to get involved in our very imposing 2yr old, Penselwood – who is in training with Sir Mark. Click the link – read all about him – watch him move and get in touch – you can even book a spot on our visit to Heath House next Friday – to see him in one of his first pieces of fast work on the Al Bahatri gallop! 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com to book your spot – and click the link to learn all about Penselwood!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/penselwood
At Ravenswell Farm – Molly’s Lad very much over his bashed joint and cantering away – being his usual self – he simply loves life!
‘George’ is also doing plenty of cantering on the deep sand – which he finds very easy – he floats around it like it is good ground! His trainer still loves him!!
AKRC’s Ghost Dancing is back in ridden work, and we are looking forward to a season over hurdles with her.
Cloud Dancer was shod with some pads under his shoes last week, as he can suffer with his thin soles a bit – they have done the trick, and he is back cantering – he will be brought up to near full fitness at Ivy Lodge Farm before heading back into training.
The Blue Bresil 3 yr old is on R&R in the field.
We are having a few friends around this evening – so this is being typed on Saturday – as it will be marginally more coherent without a hangover!
Next week looks like fun – another couple of runners and a yard visit to Heath House. I will also be organising a couple of group visits, including a trip down to see the family, at Park Wood Stud – a chance for our Breeding Syndicate to get together and see Savingforvegas – Nancy and Nev which will take place over the course of the next few weeks
Keep dropping by for all the latest!
See you next week!
