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January Newsletter 2018
Dear All
Goodbye 2017. You were a good year for us, but now we look forward to an equally good 2018.
The season has being going really well for us and December was a cracking month. Young horses purchased over the last couple of years have been winning and as soon as we hit 2018 we opened our account with a good win at Musselburgh with Cresswell Legend, who made it 3 from 3 over hurdles this season. I am not one to rest on our laurels so we have been busy ever since with more winners and more young horses coming into the yard.
Racing and training is all about success and having the right horse to head to the racecourse with, on that note we have been buying some young stock who hopefully will carry on the good work in bumpers in the spring.
January is never the most exciting month and snow played its part in annoying us. That said it did go quickly and it also gave us a chance to rest a few of the horses who have been busy earlier in the season.
We have so much to look forward to in 2018 and here’s hoping you all have a good one too.
In the meantime please enjoy catching up on our news and don’t forget to look at our web site for all the latest news and thoughts. There is always something new going on. Yes it is not to be missed.
DECEMBER REVIEW
Vinndication started December off on the winning note. Kim was hugely impressed by his win as on paper it looked a very decent race. Vinndication was always travelling like a winner and when he made a mistake at the second last we wondered if he’d hold on, but like his bumper win he put his head down and just powers home..
All very exciting and well done to his happy team of owners. Another of Peter Kerr’s run partnerships - Moremoneythan partnership of Gary and Phil Andrews, Philip and Sandra Arkwright, John Benson, Susan Brien, Chris Hill, Geoffrey Irving, David and Fran Ratcliffe, Darren Smith, Colin Stewart, Dave Wharton and Geri Worcester were very happy people last night.
A welcome double when Penny Perriss’s Station Master again showed that he was a decent horse to follow when winning his second race over hurdles. Progressive.. we like those sort of horses and delighted for Penny.
We were probably helped by the fall of Follow The Bear who was the favourite, but still he could do no more than win his race.
The bumper was a slight shock when Two For Gold powered past the opposition 2 furlongs from home to win impressively.
Two For Gold missed the break, so Richie Condon was sensible enough to sit tight and not panic. Waiting for the gap he set TFG alight and in a matter of seconds the race was over..
Delighted for Kevin Clancy and his family who won this horse under the partnership name of May We Never Be found out Partnership. The team consist of.. Kevin, Dermot, Conor, Mary, Michael, Patrick Clancy, Andrew Fundell, Matthew Proffitt, Stephen and Mathew Cannon.
Rhaegar won his race at Chepstow but had to share the win with Paul Nicholls’s runner.. yes they dead heated..
I have only had two other dead heats before and there were Mollys A Diva at Warwick and with a horse called Ivory Thrust (great name) who dead heated with a Leckie at Newbury.
Sunblazer.. what a little star you are…Again he was in the winners enclosure last night at Kempton. This time he was favourite and deserved to be after so many good runs, but it was also the first time he has been favourite as he is normally un fancied by the press.
Richard Kingscote was last nights pilot.. a new one for the horse and a new one for me. Richard had easy instructions and carried them out to the letter and they won as they should.. it all looked so easy.
Mat saddled our Newbury winner Lake Field who won the conditional jockeys handicap chase impressively for his owner breeder Martin Kiely.
Martin flew over from Ireland to watch his horse win yesterday. A Happy chappy indeed although he might notice that the Racing Post reporter James Burn did not notice that his horse was there, let along the fact that he posted the fastest time of the day retrospectively.
We had a winner at Huntingdon on Boxing Day and a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth from our five runners..
The ground was very tacky and holding and frankly did not really suit any of my team.
But our first runner Laval Noir ground it out to a 3 length win which was great news for the Mindy Partnership.. They were represented by Laura Goedhuis and Patrick Bailey.
Odds on and four runners for the feature race of the day at Catterick. David Bass had Lake Field handy and when one horse fell and brought down the second favourite then we knew, bar a fall, we should win. That Lake Field did in style. Job done, journey for all worthwhile. Lake Field with two wins over fences could now be for sale.
Newbury was a good days racing. The ground was certainly heavy but that did not stop First Flow absolutely bolting up by 20 lengths.. First Flow was never headed and never looked like being so.
This big weak horse, who we bought from Karrie Fanshawe really could be pretty useful, certainly when the ground is very soft. The tendency to compare him to Tony Solomons other horse Harry Topper is easy to make. Well we hope he turns out as good. A good result for Tony Solomons who has been my longest serving owner. Top man and the most loyal of supporters.
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
Cocklebarrow Races –
Sunday 28th January 2018
Cocklebarrow is a day for everyone, and as such, we offer far more than racing for all the family. So, if Father Christmas failed to come up trumps and you need to do some shopping, or you want to show off your prowess and take part in the Tough Farmer Challenge which you will find in the Brown Advisory Alternative Entertainment Arena, or take on a group of friends in the bungee run, we have it all!
Last year Mary Vestey had a winner
Entry is £10 per person.
Cocklebarrow Farm, Aldsworth, GL54 3PP.
For more information please see the website.
Festival Trials Day – Cheltenham
Saturday 27th January 2018
The last Saturday in January provides racegoers with the chance to savour great racing action, as the momentum of the season builds towards The Festival™ in March. For the horses, this is their last race in their preparation for the big event, ensuring that all eight races provide hugely competitive action to enjoy. The highlight race is the BetBright Trial Chase.
Festival Trials Day will be tinged with memories, as in 2017, Thistlecrack had been beaten by the brave Many Clouds, a shock many did not see coming, but thoughts after the race were very much with Oliver Sherwood and all at his Rhonehurst yard after Many Clouds collapsed following his gallant effort.
After racing, they will be hosting a live screening of the Many Clouds film created by his former work-rider, Nathan Horrocks on all screens around the racecourse. Plus, at intervals throughout the day there will be a live Q&A in the Parade Ring with Nathan Horrocks and the equine star's trainer, Oliver Sherwood. Keep your eyes peeled for more details coming soon including how to submit your questions for the Q&A sessions.
Clarence House Chase Day - Ascot
Saturday 20th January 2018
Start the new year with a bang at Ascot Racecourse for the Clarence House Raceday.
The Grade 1 Royal Salute Whisky Clarence House Steeple Chase takes centre stage and could be a pointer towards the Cheltenham Fesitval in March.
Also on the card are two competitive Grade 2's, The OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle Race and the The Holloway’s Hurdle.
For more information and to plan you day please see Ascot Racecourse’s website