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.

Congratulations Vicky !

Thursday, 07 July 2022

We were over the moon yesterday for our owner Vicky Markowiak whose four year old homebred filly Kiss Kiss won at Yarmouth.

Kiss Kiss is by Power who is a tough two year old who won the National Stakes and went on to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas as a three year old. She was homebred by Vicky from a family Rae knows well. Her dam Formidable Guest was out of Fizzy Treat, a two time winner and multiple placed filly for the yard in 2001-2002. She is a nice looking filly who can be a little hot headed but has taken to her racing well despite this. She is very lightly raced as she didn't begin her racing career until this year as a four year old. Rae started her off on the all weather at the beginning of the year where she ran respectably in her first three runs. She then had a break and was turned away for a couple of months which helped her both mentally and physically. Since her break she has had three races, finishing second on her two previous starts before this win, both also at Yarmouth.

James Doyle was booked for this race and she started 11/10 favourite of the 9 runners under top weight of 10 stone. In the race itself they split into two groups and she raced in the group who were on the far side of the track. Two furlongs from home James Doyle got to work on her and she came through horses to be joined by Priscilla's Wish ridden by Hollie Doyle to fight out a good finish. She was able to hold off her opponent and win by three quarters of a length.

We are so delighted for Vicky as this homebred winner is so deserved. There should be more to come from this relatively unexposed filly so keep an eye out for her in future races.

Stable stalwart back on the winning trail

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Mr Eamonn Duggan's homebred Jewel In My Crown made a return to the winners circle last night after taking the 1m 2f handicap at Windsor.

The winner of three races last season she had a well deserved long holiday over the winter. When she came back in she had done particularly well for her break and had gained plenty of condition which gave Rae a good starting point to begin her fitness program. He started her off at Brighton at the end of April where she finished a very creditable fourth despite lacking match practice. Since then she has been the runner up at both Windsor and Sandown. The run at Sandown was particularly galling as she was definitely the best horse in the race but met trouble in running and the line came too soon for her.

However, vindication came in the form of yesterdays win at Windsor. With ground conditions to suit (good to firm) and her favoured distance of a mile and a quarter she went to post as the 2-1 favourite. Despite giving away a couple of lengths at the start (thank god it was 1m 2f !) she tacked on to the back of the field and Callum Shepherd kept a cool head and rode her like the best horse in the race. Three furlongs from home they quickened up and she came through the middle of them to win impressively by three and a quarter lengths from the Paul Cole trained Splendent to whom she was giving over a stone in weight.

So congratulations Eamonn we are delighted for you although we will await the handicappers ratings next week with bated breath !