Rain needed at HQ

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Very few runners and not that much to report from Newmarket.  Having done all their conditioning work, Rae would normally expect to have some of the older horses on the track by now and the two year olds doing a few gallops.  However there has been no rain at all and the management at the racecourse must be reasonably concerned about the prospect of very fast ground for the Guineas.  As such, many of the horses are ticking over - some are desperate to run, Storm Tide and Mirza among them, but there's no point in getting them jarred up or, in Mirza's case, being tempted to run him on completely unsuitable ground. 

A few groups of older horses made an unusual foray over to Long Hill polytrack yesterday to go six furlongs and all went well.  Gaselee and the unraced Rose of Sarratt went well together; Conciliatory with Mirza; Border Abby, Fully Armed and Storm Tide, the latter going the best; and they were all followed up by Lastroseofsummer, new recruit Toymaker and Albany Rose.

The two year olds went up Warren Hill, although not fast.  The early ones seem to be the Manduro filly Alice Rose, Chris and Lesley Mills' Exceed and Excel/Millyant filly and the Holy Roman Emperor, but it is very early days for them all.  The real test will be when we start to get some rain and can get on the grass gallops.

Flynn's Boy couldn't really get into the race this week unfortunately, but seems none the worse for his exertions.

Opening up the historic Jockey Club Rooms

Saturday, 26 March 2011

For the first time ever, Jockey Club Estates has decided to open the doors to the historic Jockey Club Rooms to selected non-members which, happily, includes our owners.  Understandably the invitation does not include sales or racing periods but at other times they are offering overnight accomodation (very nice rooms); private dinners; Sunday lunches and afternoon tea on selected Sundays at £19.95 per head to include full afternoon tea and a tour of the Rooms.  Upcoming dates for the afternoon tea include 17 April, 22 May, 26 June, 17 July, 14 August and 11 September.  For further details please visit www.jockeyclubrooms.co.uk or contact them on 01638 663101.  Space for the Sunday afternoon teas is limited.

If enough people are interested we could arrange to take a table or two for Sunday lunch one day - let Rae, Liz or Rachel know if that would appeal.

Work steps up for early runners

Saturday, 26 March 2011

The turf flat season starts at the end of the month and the yard hopes to have a few horses ready to go in the first couple of weeks.  These should include dual winner Flynn's Boy who worked well this morning with Conciliatory and Mirza on the Cambridge Road polytrack.  In the same lot Gaselee led the unraced Rose of Sarratt a swinging canter and Kalgoolie and Fully Armed took their turn to show off to owners Chris Mills, Derek Willis, Colin Murfitt and Eamonn Duggan.  We have had a few lovely days this week but are crying out for some rain so that we can get on the turf.

Flynn's Boy strikes again

Friday, 04 March 2011

This week has turned out a really good one for the yard with both runners, Storm Tide and Flynn's Boy, returning victorious.  They scored in similar fashion, both coming from behind, but the latter was rather further back in the closing furlongs and showed a great turn of foot to win by half a length, readily.  He is a rather green, inexperienced horse, but not many of those achieve form figures of 311 so all credit to him, he is certainly a trier and it looks like there could be more to come from him.  Robbie Mills did always say he could turn out to be the best horse Colin has bred, let's hope he does.  Well done to Colin, who was represented by sons Daniel and Russell today at Lingfield.

Storm Tide breaks her duck

Wednesday, 02 March 2011

It was great to see Adrian and Maggie Smith's Storm Tide winning at Kempton this evening under a hands and heels ride from Martin Lane.  Their homebred Tobougg filly had arrived late last year only to be struck down with a bad dose of the flu and therefore unable to run.  Poor little horse ran out of season and so has remained in training during the winter.  After an encouraging debut fourth for the yard at Lingfield, she ran well to finish third at Wolverhampton last week before really finding her stride in the final furlong at Kempton this evening.

Although it did not look the strongest race in the world, she was always travelling well mid field and Martin Lane picked his moment, hit the front just inside the final furlong and won by 3 lengths.  Provided the handicapper does not get carried away she ought to find another similar race within her grasp. Many congratulations to Adrian and Maggie and thank you for giving the yard our second winner of the year.