Recent runners update

Saturday, 18 June 2011

Most of the horses that have run have run well recently, all helped by the rain.  Mirza and Flynn's Boy both made a good return to action last weekend at Sandown.  To get the ground they needed they both had to run a bit further than ideal and so were found out in the closing stages rather as Rae had anticipated they would.  Border Abby ran a great race under apprenctice Noel Garbutt to finish second at Salisbury at rewarding each way odds of 25-1.  She seems to have come out of her race well and needs to find a little race she can win. 

Next week sees another load of entries including the first two year old entries for Oliver and Jane Lury's Alice Rose so - all being well - we will start to see a bit more action on the track shortly.

The horses went up the grass this morning after overnight rain and - although it is a shame for the ladies in their hats - we are hoping the ground will be soft at Ascot today for Gaselee running over a marathon 2 miles 5 furlongs in the last race of the meeting.

Lastrose blooms before summer

Sunday, 29 May 2011

Eamonn Duggan's Lastroseofsummer ran a great race to win the Luke and Luke Construction Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell today under Matt Crawley.  Always travelling well, she sat off the pace before coming to challenge wide two out and fighting off the joint favourite under Richard Johnson to score by half a length.  It was altogether not as dramatic as her last win at Edinburgh thank goodness (when Matt won ride of the year after her saddle slipped after a mile) but it was more than exciting enough and a great credit to her after 108 days off the track.  The yard's fourth winner of the year. 

Runners update

Monday, 02 May 2011

Not quite in the same league as Frankel but good enough was Concilatory at Goodwood.  She ran well on her racecourse reappearance and probably ran above her current handicap mark in finishing fifth to the highly rated Seta. 

Storm Tide ran much too fresh and free earlier in the week but has returned bouncing and she looks incredibly well in her coat and ought to improve for the race. 

Gaselee has been declared at Southwell on the all weather as the lack of rain is making it impossible to run many of these horses on the grass. 

Rae is keen to get on and run them, including the racecourse debutante Rose of Sarratt, who has entries galore in the hope of rain, but we need some of the wet stuff before he will risk her.

In the meantime the others, including the two year olds, are ticking over using the artificial surfaces.  We acquired a new horse with a new owner this week.  The filly, by Dutch Art out of the Sadler's Wells mare Radiate, was consigned to the Craven breeze up sales by Emma O'Gorman's Seven Springs Stables and was bought by Colin Joseph, who, happily, has decided to send her here.  She is a big filly who breezed well and her first season sire has made a bright start to his new career.  Welcome to her and Mr Joseph.

Newmarket Guineas weekend

Monday, 02 May 2011

What an incredible race the 2,000 Guineas run on Saturday at Newmarket was.  Frankel's demolition of a perfectly good Classic field was really something to behold and one that will live in the memory for a long time.  Rae was on hand to congratulate sister Jane and brother-in-law Henry Cecil.  None of us has ever seen a horse win a Classic when 10 lengths clear half way.  Amazing.

Wedding bells in Watford

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Next Saturday sees the marriage of Steven Mills, Chris and Lesley's eldest son and long term other half Sarah.  It has been a long time in the planning with, reportedly, three stag nights and the recall of the prodigal son Robbie from Florida.  Robbie has been here working at the breeze up sales and riding work a couple of times. 

Everyone here wishes the happy couple a fantastic day, a relaxing honeymoon and a long and happy life together.