Happy Birthday horses

Sunday, 02 January 2011

1 January saw all the horses turn one year older, so you will now see this year's two year olds featured on the two year olds in training section.  Lastroseofsummer ran a very creditable fourth at Fakenham on New Year's Day.  She probably didn't quite stay 2 mile 7 furlongs in the soft ground which looked much like a ploughed field by the time we got to the last race.  It has been very difficult to get work into the horses that need to run over the recent (freezing) weeks as, although Jockey Club Estates' staff have been doing a great job of keeping certain canters open, it has often been too dangerous to actually get the very fresh horses to the gallop on the ice and packed snow.  Nonetheless the indoor ride has been a godsend and they have all kept moving although perhaps neither as far nor as fast as they (or Rae) would like.  Happy New Year and every success in 2011 to all our owners, staff and friends.

Albany Rose wins at Wolverhampton

Sunday, 12 December 2010

Eamonn Duggan's Albany Rose ran a great race to win at Wolves on Friday, fulfilling the promise she had shown on her previous starts and at home, and becoming, somewhat belatedly, the yard's first two year old winner of the year.  She is the first foal of Eamonn's mare Teide Lady and has already done rather better than her dam by winning at two and, in fact, actually winning a race (Teide Lady's win at Newcastle was achieved on disqualification of the winner).  Not to say that TD was untalented - quite the reverse - she just had her own ideas about how things should be done.  Her daughter proved a real battler on Friday, leading from start to finish.  Let's hope she can go on to better things.  Congratulations to all concerned.

It's freezing at Newmarket

Sunday, 28 November 2010

 

No surprise there as the rest of the country is under snow as well, but here's what it looks like in Newmarket riding out at the moment.  These are the just broken in yearlings walking back from exercise after trotting and cantering six furlongs behind Montecristo, their not-very-sensible lead horse.  From left to right they are Montecristo, the Lurys' un-named Manduro filly, un-named Lawman filly (for lease), Pivotal (hidden, for sale), Eamonn Duggan's Discreet Cat filly and the un-named Antonius Pius filly (for sale). 

Here's another of the Antonius Pius filly who looked quite nice as she was passing.  Boy it was cold and it doesn't look set to improve this week. 

PS Hope you like the new website - all constructive feedback welcome!

Goodbye Mark, hello Liz

Sunday, 28 November 2010

From Monday 29 November you will hear a different voice picking up the phone when you call 01638 661508.  Mark Burrows, Rae's trusty yard secretary and office administrator has left to become a trainee accountant with a firm near Cambridge.  Mark has done a great job and we are very sorry to see him go.  Everyone will miss his wry sense of humour, enthusiasm for racing, reliable nature and dedication, characteristics that will serve him well in his new career (all apart, that is, from the racing bit - your new colleagues will all want tips).

Replacing Mark is Liz Kilfeather.  Liz used to be yard secretary for Mark Wallace, who emigrated to Australia to train, then she worked on computers for Mark Madgwick and most recently for Rent Right.  Liz has been working with Mark for the last two weeks to ensure a smooth handover.  Liz does not ride out but keeps busy with three ex racehorses of her own.   A very warm welcome to Liz.

More sad news to report: Rae's assistant Emma Jenkins has also left to travel the world - she has a job with Gai Waterhouse in Australia and she flew out last Tuesday.  Emma has done an absolutely fantastic job as Rae's assistant causing him to say once 'I wouldn't need 30 staff if I had ten of her'!  Seriously, Emma's enthusiasm, work ethic, attention to detail and pleasant way with both staff and owners have made her a great person to have around and we wish her well for the future - it really was a not to be missed opportunity.  We hope that they will both stay in touch.   

Lastroseofsummer scores spectacular hurdling success at Musselburgh

Friday, 19 November 2010

You can expect to see the 12.25 from Musselburgh shown a lot in the next few days and in a few months time turn up on A Question of Sport. Eamonn Duggan's Lastroseofsummer was having her second run over hurdles under 7 pound claimer Matt Crawley (attached to Lucy Wadham's Newmarket yard) when his saddle slipped in dramatic fashion after the 7th flight causing him to lose both stirrups and perform an acrobatic feat to keep the partnership intact, involving as it did his having both legs on one side at one point. Not only did he stay on her and keep her in a good position, coming to two out he showed that he had no intention of not having a go at winning the race, giving her a couple of slaps when she pricked her ears, and she went on to win easily in the end, only to be unceremoniously deposited on the turf when trying to pull up. It will probably be one of Matt's most memorable rides although he looked remarkably unruffled afterwards and gave 'Rosie' a lot of credit, more or less saying she had been fancied and he had expected her to win. To be fair to her the only thing she did wrong was to be a bit careful and jump a bit high over the early flights; and considering what was going on on her back she ran straight as a die and he could not have had a more co-operative partner. The press have been on to Rae and Matt, and John Francome will be interviewing Matt and looking at the video on The Morning Line tomorrow morning. Very well done to Matt for a remarkable performance and thanks very much to all concerned for giving Rae his first jumps winner since Run Free in 1989, Rae's very first winner.