Fauvette reaps the reward of her foreign excursion

Thursday, 25 August 2022

Rachel Flynn's Fauvette gained herself some valuable black type during her recent trip to Germany. The daughter of Dark Angel was beaten by the narrowest of margins to finish second in a Listed race at Hoppegarten in Berlin.

Fauvette travelled for two days by horsebox and ferry accompanied by Georgia Lea with a stopover in Cologne on the first night. They arrived at Hoppegarten racecourse at the end of day two where Rae and Rachel were waiting to greet them. Fauvette had travelled like a dream, staying relaxed and drinking plenty of water throughout. The following day was spent recovering from the journey as Georgia gave her plenty of walking in hand to ease any stiffness. Raceday fell on Sunday 14th August and it was a very hot day. Ours was the third race on a very competitive card of which the highlight was a Group 1 race. Fauvette's race was the Listed Hoppegartener Flieger Preis over 6f and eleven runners went to post.

Thore Hammer Hansen was booked to ride and in the race itself she broke a tad slowly from stall 10 and initially travelled at the rear of the field then as they tracked over to the rail she crept into the race and travelled well. Once the race began to unfold she hit the front and was unlucky to be beaten by a head on the line by the fast finishing French trained Kindred Spirit. We would like to thank Georgia for being travelling groom on this six day trip and for taking such good care of Fauvette. Thanks also to Rapido for shipping her out to Germany and dealing with the endless paperwork and especially Michael who did the driving. Thank you also to Dan for packing everything for Fauvette for the trip and making sure that nothing was left to chance.

The importance of this mare gaining black type cannot be underestimated as this will increase her sale value as a broodmare dramatically. Her form has also been franked again by Highland Princess winning last weeks Gr 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York's Ebor meeting, Fauvette won a race back in February in which Highland Princess finished third ! Needless to say there have been several enquiries from potential purchasers but it is highly likely that she will head to the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls. All being well she should still be able to take in a couple of races before she retires to the paddocks but she owes us nothing and we will look forward to watching her offspring in the future. Well done Rachel, your bargain basement purchase has done you proud !

New arrival

Monday, 15 August 2022

We welcomed an exciting new arrival into the yard this week, a filly we have looked forward to since she was born.

Passion Tango is the daughter of Berryessa who Rae trained back in 2017/2018. Her sire is the great California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Dubai World Cup and twice American Horse of The Year. There is an interesting back story to this filly's arrival as her sire actually stayed here in the yard during the lead up to Royal Ascot in 2015. His owners Perry and Denise Martin then joined Rae in a three horse syndicate with Berryessa being one of the three. A plan was hatched for Berryessa to be sent to the US on her retirement to be covered by California Chrome when he started his stud career with the resulting foal to be trained by Rae. And here she is ! (pictured).

However, there is a sad footnote to this tale as Denise Martin sadly passed away and will never get to see this filly race. We hope Passion Tango can repay her faith in us and we are sure Denise would have been filled with pride when she makes her debut. We would like to say to Perry Martin how grateful we are to him for sending this filly to us and we look forward to seeing him when he comes over to the UK. In the meantime Passion Tango is settling in beautifully and we look forward to seeing how she develops. Watch this space !

Bravo Cry Havoc !

Friday, 12 August 2022

Cry Havoc made a triumphant return to the winners enclosure yesterday almost two years on from her last win in September 2020.

The daughter of War Command owned by The Musketeers syndicate is now a five year old and many would be forgiven for thinking her best days were behind her. She made a very successful start to her racing career as she won as a two year old followed by a further two wins and several good placings as a three year old. She was then struck by serious injury in the Spring of her four year old year. Following lifesaving surgery she had a lengthy sabbatical from the racecourse of ten months so it has been a long road back to get her right both physically and mentally.

This was her twelfth run since returning from injury and there have been signs along the way that she may have been returning to her old form, however her last race only a week ago did not give great cause for optimism. Finishing 12 of 13 runners over Doncaster's straight mile she did not enjoy the firm ground and a win a week later seemed highly unlikely. Rae, on the other hand reverted to plan B ! He decided to switch her back to the all weather and back to 7f and entered her for this Class 3 Handicap at Lingfield, part of the Racing League Series where she represented Team East. Ray Dawson was booked for the ride and she went off at 14-1. Initially travelling well she was a little outpaced coming into the home turn but under a positive ride from her jockey she found her rhythm and got a great run up the inside rail to finish strongly and hold off the fast finishing Street Kid trained by Kevin Phillipart De Foy.

So congratulations to the Musketeers who are thrilled to bits to see her win again and delighted with the generous prize money from the Racing League ! Thank you to Ray Dawson for a super ride and a big well done to our very own Bola who looks after her at home.

A repeat win for Melodramatica

Monday, 25 July 2022

Kirsten Rausing's homebred three year old filly Melodramatica gained a repeat win on Saturday of her Lingfield success from last year. Over the same course and distance and ridden to victory once again by David Probert she provided Kirsten's Lanwades Stud with their 72nd homebred winner of 2022.

This daughter of Lanwades own stallion Bobby's Kitten won first time out as a two year old but unfortunately didn't run again last season due to injury. She had a couple of runs on the all weather during the winter and made her handicap debut at the end of March also at Lingfield where she finished third. 

Following a two month break she had a further two runs at Kempton and Newmarket before Rae targeted this Fillies' Handicap back at Lingfield. Breaking from stall 6 she found a good position just behind the leaders and quickly moved up into second place. Swinging around the home turn she laid down a strong challenge and went by the grey Public Opinion and was just doing enough at the line to repel the fast finishing Prenup who took second.

It is always a thrill for us to have a winner in the famous green and white silks and we also have a two year old filly of Kirsten's yet to run so fingers crossed there will be more success to come. Congratulations to Kirsten and her team at Lanwades and many thanks to David Probert for a great ride.

(Photo credit - John Hoy)

A win for Top Hat & Tails

Monday, 18 July 2022

The Top Hat & Tails Syndicate had a great win at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon when their two year old filly Divina Grace broke her maiden at the second attempt.

Divina Grace is by the champion 3 year old, Derby and Eclipse winner Golden Horn out of the Nayef mare Beautiful Forest. She boasts a lovely Godolphin page, her second dam is Group 3 winner Baya, the dam of Group winners Birthstone and Songcraft and her half sister Beautiful Secret is a well regarded Godolphin filly who is also a winner. She was purchased at the Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sale in September last year and despite being a big filly she has not been backward and has taken her training well. She made her debut last month at Newmarket's July course where she finished second to the Godolphin filly Fairy Cross and it was to the July course she returned on Saturday.

Eight runners went to post for this 7f Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes and Callum Shepherd took the ride. In the race itself she broke well and settled beautifully conserving her energy for when it mattered most. Coming into the dip they began racing in earnest and with three of them in a line it was a proper battle. Divina Grace is developing a lovely way of racing and got her head down low and refused to be passed by her rivals. She won by a head from the Richard Hannon trained Tessa.

So congratulations to Eamonn, Kevin, Scott and Marisa who make up the Top Hat & Tails, they have a nice filly on their hands with surely plenty more to come from her.