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MAY 2017 NEWSLETTER
Dear All
Well that was an interesting season. The 2016/2017 Jumps season closed on April 29th
Here is a resume of what has happened over the last 12 months at Thorndale Farm
The high points were obviously Charbel beating a Top Notch field at Uttoxeter, Bandon Roc winning three races in 10 days and Knockanrawley finishing a gallant second in the Eider Chase.. There were successful trips to Ffos Las with Dueling Banjos and Rockys Treasure for our biggest owner John Perriss where he must be nearly their leading owner! There will be a bar named after him shortly.
The Last Samuri finishing third in the Beecher Chase at Aintree in December; a race that went down as one of the 4 best races of the season as voted by the racing public. TLS might not be big but this was a good weight carrying performance to be so narrowly beaten. It set him up for Aintree again in April but the two false starts rather upset him and poor chap was in boil mood before the race.
Charbel promised so much after his first run and win over fences at Uttoxeter and then a good second to Altior at Sandown meant that we dreamed of Cheltenham. Cheltenham arrived in March and Charbel arrived there fresh and well and was running an absolute blinder until falling at the second last when in with every chance of beating Altior and winning the Arkle Chase. It was not to be.. Yes a nearly season.
It was good to see old Harry Topper back on the racecourse. This former Denman Chase and Charlie Hall winner returned after nearly 2 years off the course to run in a few races. Sadly he is possibly not the horse he was; unfortunately his need for very soft ground makes it difficult to find races for him. It was still great to see him back.
Our season/winter was not helped by a bout of coughing which resulted in a winner less period of nearly two months.
The horses returned from those couple of months looking and running well.
Young horses to follow after good wins in bumpers are Diva Reconce, Robin The Raven, Cresswell Legend and Blazon and other youngster to follow.. Minella Warrior, Silver Kayf and many others.. Yes we have a good bunch going forward to this season.
Frankly ending the season on 43 winners (the same as last year) was really not that bad all things considered. Loads of seconds again (58) showed that it was a nearly season. Of our total of the 325 races we ran in, 179 finished in the first four; so over 55% of our runners were placed.
On the jockey front David Bass has 'stabilized' his job as stable jockey, while Conditional Mikey Hamill and Amateur Henry Morshead showed that they are two young riders with a future. Tom Bellamy too has been most helpful; although based with Alan King Tom has ridden well and been hugely helpful riding out and riding winners.
Leigh Pollard my travelling head girl and her team have won a staggering 84 best turned out awards at the races and that is a testament to her skills and Mats for producing healthy looking horses turned out to their best on race days.
No season can finish without a big thank you to all my staff who have been brilliant, and of course to my wonderful owners who have been so supportive, even through our difficult patch. It has been a frustrating one all round, but as they say, the new one is on us and we have so much to look forward to..
I hope you enjoyed reading all that and yes we start another season full of confidence.. in the meantime a bit of rain would not go amiss.
APRIL UPDATE
This Horse Is Sale Partnership’s Cresswell Legend won the bumper in fine front running style at Huntingdon. Ably ridden by Mikey Hamill this lovely horse by Midnight Legend gelding has only run three times.
Cresswell Legend won a point to point in Ireland and was third on his only bumper appearance at Southwell, where we felt he should have won. Coughing during the winter which delayed his reappearance and yesterday he showed what we know he is capable of. He is a decent horse and is for sale.. Ring me for details.. He has a very bright future.
Rocky’s Treasure was impressive when winning the 3 mile handicap hurdle at Ffos Las. John Perriss his owner just loves Ffos Las and is almost now their leading owner.. We have a good strike rate their (26%) there too.
Those famous Worcester colours of Michael and Gerry were back in the winners enclosure at Towcester with Shaluna.. Famous because Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Mr Mulligan ran in them as did Looks Like Trouble for a while.
Henry Morshead rode an intelligent race and won well.. It might not have been the best of races but a winner is a winner and the mare is fine this morning. Shaluna jumps so well and will make a decent enough novice chaser.. she now heads to The Goffs (Doncaster) Horses In Training Sales in May.
Net Work Rouge really was at his best at Huntingdon to beat Sheford. NWR was 12lbs wrong at the weights so winning by half a length really was impressive.
A quick word about Liz Wills who had Net Work Rouge home over the winter.. She worked hard on her horse to try and improve his way of going and it showed that her work was well worth while and was rewarded by his win.. Co Owner David Reid Scott was also delighted.
Fast ground and a track he likes made a big difference to Gallery Exhibition.
Yes Gallery Exhibition, who had been given a chance by the handicapper after several lack lustre runs on soft ground won well at Kempton; although I have to admit we were probably a little lucky as the Sego Success fell when going well three from home.
Such A Legend made all at Chepstow; jumping brilliantly, SAL bravely held on by a shortest of margins under a typical David Bass ride giving owner/breeder Sandra Steer-Fowler a much deserved tearful moment.
The Real Partnership of Tim and Anita Dymond and Martyn and Sandra Steer-Fowler were all there to see their Chestnut boy do his stuff.. SAL was our 43rd winner and last winner of the season.
I do hope you have enjoyed catching up on our news; don't forget we would love to have you involved in the yard if you are not already; we are just a phone call away.
All the best
GOFFS UK SPRING SALE
23RD-25TH MAY 2017
For pure drama, there is no more electrifying venue than a British bloodstock auction. Leading buyers from around the world meet in search of the winning graduate who will bring them victory on the track or the broodmare that will produce the next champion.
The 2016 Spring HIT Sale saw significant increases in figures across the board highlighted by huge demand which saw the sale’s clearance rate finish at 87%. The annual Million In Mind draft, which will again feature this year, was undoubtedly the highlight in May when selling Le Prezien for a sale topping £290,000 and The Organist for £260,000 – both selling to Frank Berry on behalf of J.P. mcmanus.
The highlights weren’t restricted to just the Million In Mind draft with the Sale’s new Point-to-Point and Bumper Horse Section seeing Espoir De Teillee sell to Roger Brookhouse for £220,000 and MINELLA Warrior to Jill Lamb for £180,000. In all six horses sold for £100,000 with a further 12 selling in the £50,000 - £99,000 bracket.
The sale will follow the same format as last year and will follow the Spring Store Sale and together they act as the unofficial end of the NH season finale - attracting almost all the leading NH Owners, Trainers and Breeders.
INVESTEC DERBY DAY
2ND JUNE 2017
One of the greatest race days and social occasions of the British summer calendar, Saturday 3rd June is a day not to be missed.
From the carnival atmosphere and picnics on the Hill, to top hat and tails in the Queen’s Stand and upbeat musical entertainment, topped off by a post DJ set from BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley, on the Hyperion Lawn in the Duchess’s Stand, it is a day that delivers a truly quintessentially British experience. It’s a vibrant day full of fun, cheers and celebrations.
Amongst the six races, features The Greatest Flat Race in the World. The race that only the best three year olds can compete in. The race they get just one shot at. The one all Jockey’s want to win. The Investec Derby Stakes.