Fascinating Work
Another week rolls by – and we are ever closer to the start of the winter jumps season. The trainers of those horses that will be plying their trade as the mud flies are gently increasing the workload of their strings – with the pace of work lifting all the time. Around all the yards I have visited over the course of the last few weeks – I have to say that the horses all look really well – and I can’t wait to see them back on the track. A couple of runners this past week – and a very interesting visit to Heath House – as it is not only the jumpers that are nearing their first runs of the season – our 2yr old in training with Sir Mark Prescott is getting close to making his racecourse debut, and it was good to meet up with plenty of his owners and see him do his first piece of fast work under stable jockey, Luke Morris.
Monday – a quiet day for once, but I still had my eye on an entry in Musselburgh. Donald had earmarked a 2m2f handicap on Saturday for Dino Bellagio – and with a bit of wet weather forecast over Scotland during the week – it was worth popping him in and having a look. He had disappointed around Chester last time out, when he was taken on for the lead early and we were hoping that the return to a more orthodox track would see him bounce back to form. There would be other races to consider next week – so we would just pop him in and keep an eye on the weather forecast and the opposition.
Tuesday – with Alan King away for a few days, his assistant Robin Smith was in charge of the video updates from Barbury Castle. His first of the week sent through on Tuesday morning, was of John Harrison doing a lovely piece of work over at Sharpridge. With a more autumnal feel to the weather now, and certainly more rain about – JH will next run over 1m2f and on some juicy ground – he has run OK this summer on ground he found a touch too quick for him – and when he was dropped in trip last time out in an effort to let him run on ground he would be better suited to in the midst of the summer heatwave, he found the trip on the sharp side. He is in rude health and will be ready to run in 7-10 days.
Another one in great order is Molly’s Lad at Fergal O’Brien’s, Ravenswell Farm. Fergal’s partner Sally sent through a clip of him cantering up the hill. Thankfully he is showing no ill effects of the bash he gave himself on a joint a couple of weeks ago and is once again moving great. He will start off back over hurdles next month and will relish a step up in trip to 2m4f when the time is right. Starting off on the mark he finds himself on should mean that we are in for a fun winter with him!
While in the office in the morning typing and emailing the race report for I’d Go Maniac’s run in Haydock the previous week I was keeping an eye on the entries in Kempton next Monday – another race option for Dino Bellagio – this one a 0-70 hcp. At 11.45am I rang Donald and we decided we would pop him in and give ourselves a further race option in the coming days.
After lunch, it was in the car and off to Bangor on Dee where Uhtred Ragnarson would contest their 2m handicap hurdle. With Tom Bellamy out of action, and sadly back in Worcester hospital after picking up an infection at the weekend (we wish him another speedy mend) Tom Cannon stepped in for the ride. The ground was perfect for him, the tight left-handed track would be ideal, there was sure to be a strong pace, he was 9lb better off with the favourite for a 1 length defeat and he has been in fine form at home – things were set up for a big run! Lovely to spend the evening with Alan King Racing Club member Andrew Gemmell, who is so well known throughout the racing world as the owner of that superstar hurdler, Paisley Park. Andrew is fantastic company and the run up to the race was a lot of fun with plenty of banter – it’s a good job the trainer wasn’t there! Uhtred Ragnarson looked really well in the paddock, and hopes were high that he would give Club members plenty to shout about. Settled in rear off of a very strong pace, he was a little bit rusty at his obstacles, and he can certainly do better in that sphere, but he was travelling fine. At halfway I was beginning to think that Tom had given him an awful lot to do but as they swung for home, the pair started to make ground rapidly and were in a great position to challenge after the last. Sadly, UR hung left-handed under pressure which he can do, and Tom was unable to sustain the challenge on the outer, instead having to opt for the smaller gap up the leaders inner. In the end he just couldn’t get there going down by less than a length. One that got away.
After the race it was good to catch up with the McCain clan who were out in force – all 3 generations! A decent run home – back at 10.00pm
Wednesday, the Alan King Racing Club’s, Ghost Dancing had her first canter up the hill at Sharpridge. Alan gave her the summer off as he felt that she was just too weak and immature to do herself justice earlier in the year despite running some nice races in juvenile hurdles. She will be back on the team for the winter, substituting in for I’d Go Maniac who will have a well-earned break after possibly one more run at the end of October.
All well with the ‘family’ at Park Wood Stud. Savingforvegas is very well, and once again blooming in her pregnancy. Yearling ‘Nancy’ is developing into a lovely looking girl, and this years foal ‘Nev’ in great order too. Hanne at the stud has been noticing that he has become very independent over recent weeks and much less reliant on his Mum, so she felt the time had come for him to be weaned. This was done on Wednesday, and there is little doubt there would have been a bit of a racket from Vegas when she was separated form him. But she always adapts quickly and will not have long to wait until she has another little one to care for.
Jason Maguire sent through an update on Cloud Dancer who is doing plenty of cantering at Ivy Lodge Farm. He will do the bulk of his prep work with Jason before heading back into training and not be too far off of a run when he does so. He will have several away days around Gloucestershire in the run up to heading back into training, so that we can ensure he goes back with the best possible chance of returning to the track and winning races again.
With a visit to Heath House planned for Friday – I popped over to see my mate Rob at BMC Leisure in Kempston to collect a jacket and a T shirt, embroidered with the NBR logos for the groom to wear in the paddock at the races when Penselwood makes his debut. The colours are already at Heath House, and as his debut is fast approaching, I needed to get the rest of the gear over to the yard when we visited at the end of the week.
One thing that didn’t happen was Dino Bellagio’s declaration in Chester on Friday. Having chatted through the options with Donald at Bangor on Dee the previous evening – he felt that the other two races in Musselburgh on Saturday and Kempton on Monday were more suitable – with Donald possibly favouring a trip to Scotland. He has been so pleased with Dino’s homework that he was eyeing a crack at the bigger pot up North.
Thursday – and Dino was indeed declared in Musselburgh – at the time it looked like both races, Musselburgh and Kempton would both have field sizes of 6-7 and with a lot of money on offer in the former, and Dino flying at home it was decided to head there.
Friday – and a visit to Heath House scheduled for 8.15am – Penselwood would be working for the first time on the Al Bahatri second lot. With Sir Mark being such a stickler for punctuality, I made sure I was at the Heath Court Hotel next door to the yard at 7.15am – in plenty of time – and I wasn’t the first one there!! We would have a good few of Penselwood’s owners joining us, all looking forward to seeing their horse go as fast as he has ever been in his life – it would be a really informative day. After warming up in the indoor ride, the 2yr olds headed out up the Bury Road to the gallop. They would work in 2 groups, with jockeys changing over in between. Stable jockey, Luke Morris would get the leg up on our boy in the second group. He would be working in a group of 3 – who would join up at the 3 furlong marker and work 6 ½ furlongs, with Penselwood on the far side of the three. One of his two workmates would be a son of the mighty Sea The Stars, and a half brother to this years Irish Oaks winner – he would be in good company! The work went perfectly as planned – with the three working very nicely. The filly in the middle struggled a little, Penselwood worked very well, but in fairness the regally bred lad on our side shaded the work under Poppy Scott. It was fascinating (and very encouraging) to hear Sir Mark’s assessment of the work, and to understand the level of thought and attention to detail that goes into a work morning with the 2yr olds. After the gallop the string headed home, and we followed in the cars – taking some unorthodox routes back down the Bury Road – on the horse walks, on the pavements, and even a few yards on the road itself! Both groups then met up back near the yard and had a pick of grass – a chance to have a chat with Luke to get his opinion on how the gallop had gone. My first question was ‘Would he be riding him over 8 flights of hurdles?’ as Penselwood is such a big imposing individual – and unsurprisingly he immediately ruled himself out of the running for that job, but he was very complimentary about the horse. He said, ‘He is a horse that will be at his best over 1m6f next year – but for a big horse, he is light on his feet, not at all cumbersome for a big 2yr old and definitely not short of speed.’ Luke was very pleased with him! After the horses had relaxed and had their heads down for a few minutes they headed back to Heath House, and his owners got to see him have his post work swim after which he was stood up for the team so that they could get a good close look at how he is really coming together now. Sir Mark very happy with him – and said ‘He was very well bought, has done everything right, and will be ready to make his debut in 3 weeks’ time’ Can’t wait – although given his size and shape and his staying pedigree he is unlikely to be troubling the judge this autumn, we should be in for a very exciting 2027 with him – which is what he was bought for!
Whilst we were in Newmarket, Robin sent another clip of John Harrison working very well at Barbury Castle – he really is in great nick!
In the afternoon my great mate, Steve, over from Australia where he now lives, arrived and we headed into Bedford for a few pints of Guiness and a bite to eat before heading to Goldington Road in the evening to see Bedford take on Bath in a pre-season friendly. Great to catch up – it was a cracking afternoon and evening, although I didn’t actually see any of the rugby!
Saturday – and always a good morning when you get to see Nevada Samba striding up the hill. He just does it so easily and is a joy to watch!
Donald McCain called to chat through Dino’s race – I would not be making the trip to Musselburgh – and as Donald wasn’t there either – he had given jockey, Pierre Louie-Jamin his instructions. Buck out sharply and get to the front, if you get an easy trip stay there, if something takes you on – rein back and do not get in a fight – we have done that twice this season and it has not gone well. DB bouncing at home! He should run well.
The 250th running of the St Leger in the afternoon was memorable for a couple of reasons – Saffy Osbourne the first female jockey to win a domestic Classic – huge congratulations to her – just a shame that more was not made of it in the national media this morning! Secondly the sire of the winner Highwayman – is Persian King – who comes from a wonderful Wertheimer family in France – guess what – it is the same family as Penselwood! He joins Peintre Celebre and his sire, Persian King as another Classic winner on his page – and illustrates what a fantastic staying pedigree Penselwood has! He was bought to be a stayer as a 3yr old in 2027 – after which he could have the option of switching to a hurdling career next autumn, either in our colours – or someone else’s if he has the form to command a significant price at the sales. At this stage every box is ticked, and everything is very much going to plan and on schedule!
Highwayman wins the St Leger - photo Debbie Burt
Still amazed there is a share for sale – if it is not sold before he makes his debut – it will be removed from sale and I will be keeping my interest in him. After seeing him work on Friday – it makes a lot of sense for me to do so!
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8274/penselwood
Dino Bellagio was lining up in the Musselburgh Gold Cup over 2m2f at 6.50pm – and although he was a big enough price, we were expecting a decent show. The race went to plan early – he broke well, got to the front and for an instant it looked like we were going to get an easy time of things on the front end – only for another runner to charge around the outside and sit on his outer once again. Pierre did the right thing and steadied Dino into sit just behind and he was well settled passing the stands. He remained there until they turned for home, and when the pace lifted, he simply failed to pick up and go with them. He fell back through the field and was quickly beaten – very disappointing. Pierre had done just as he was instructed but felt that maybe on this occasion, he should have just continued to go forward, as DB seems to sulk when headed and didn’t overly exert himself when the race heated up. He didn’t blow for long, and we did take the precaution of scoping him post-race to rule out any issues - that was clear. We have a bit of thinking to do – we had put cheekpieces on him – maybe he needs something a little stronger – or maybe there is another physical issue that needs to be addressed? His homework is still electric – thinking caps on!
Out to visit friends so no time to dwell – my snooker about the same as Dino’s run – sh1t!
Sunday – Donald called to chat about Dino, we had both done some thinking. Dino had trotted up sound – and was fine. There were 4 possible reasons for his poor run
- Lame – he trotted up sound – so it wasn’t that.
- Burst Blood Vessel – he scoped clean so that can be ruled out
- Wind – he could have an undiagnosed issue
- He has got a bit cute and needs some stronger headgear.
We have a couple of options – he could get an entry in Chester next weekend in the race that he won last year – with stronger headgear. The rain is forecast, and we would hope for a decent draw. Or he could travel down to Gloucestershire to have his wind checked – I have left it with Donald.
Donald gave an update on the others in at Bankhouse – Old Blue Eyes still moving really well and doing plenty of trotting. Ridin Solo back cantering after getting struck into last time out, and the Pethers Moon 3yr old progressing really nicely!
Great to see Sir Mark Prescott as a guest on the Nick Luck Show this morning – always entertaining – if you can find it on RacingTv or even on Youtube, do give it a watch!
Jimmy Gatz is still pleasing Olly Murphy at his Warren Chase Stables – I hope to get up to see him next week.
‘George’ our unnamed Golden Horn 3yr old is still the apple of Fergal’s eye – he continues to impress and will graduate to the hill very soon.
Next week – I hope to get in to a couple of yards – we have a few folks heading to Ravenswell Farm on Tuesday – and as I say I hope to get in to see Jimmy Gatz later in the week.
Should be a fun week – and there will be plenty to chat about next week – drop by for a catch up!
