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FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER 2018
Dear All
Hard to imagine a better start to 2018 than we have had with our horses. The weather gods threw a few punches at us, well white ones, but that did not stop the Thorndale team of horses doing their bit.
So good to see our youngsters coming through and winning their races. We started the new Year with a bang with Cresswell Legend winning up in Scotland, Musselburgh to be precise; we have come to like this friendly race track. This was followed by an impressive Grade 2 win with First Flow at Haydock in the big 2 mile novice hurdle. It was a good win and a hugely welcome one for my longest surviving owner Tony Solomons.
The count down has well and truly begun for the Cheltenham Festival and we look like having the odd fancied runner. A winner there is all you need?
Enjoy the shortest month of the year and I will be back early March with Cheltenham plans.
Have a good one.
JANUARY REVIEW
January has been a good month for us winner’s wise with seven winners and it started off with an impressive winner on New Years Day.
Cresswell Legend made the long journey north to Musselburgh in search of better ground as we had this race mapped out and thankfully all plans came to fruition.
I though David Bass gave Virginia Johnson’s progressive son of Midnight Legend a fabulous ride.. He was patient and sensible and hit the accelerate button just at the right time to be able to hang on by ¾ of a length.
It was a tough, tight, handicap and Cresswell Legend's first, and this win was his third win from as many runs over hurdles.
Sea Story who unseated poor Mikey Hamill at their last meeting, when favourite, was an emphatic winner of her second attempt under a cool ride for David Bass.
David always had Sea Story handily placed in the pack and produced her two from home to win by 3 lengths from the fancied Nicky Henderson horse (Nico de Boinville dropped his whip, but frankly that made no difference) while our other runner in the race Lady Of The Night ran a blinder to finish a most encouraging third.
It was a great result for owner/breeders John and Susie Kottler and Emma Buchannan who have been incredibly patient.
Well done to the Racing For Maggies team.. Their horse Another Venture was a good winner of the second race at Chepstow.
Maggie’s Cancer homes or rather the one in Cheltenham benefit from every win with 20% of the prize money going to the charity.. Now Maggie’s have benefitted by just under 20K so far..
What a great way to raise much needed money and enjoy racing at the same time.. Well done Henry Kimbell for organising and running the partnership.
They had big turn to welcome their winner back. Mikey Hamill rode him well.
Two very important novice hurdle winners.
The first was First Flow winning the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle by an impressive 10 lengths in a faster time that The New One.
First Flow is certainly progressive on that heavy ground and what a result for my longest serving owner Tony Solomons.
It is most unlikely that FF will go to Cheltenham. He is a tall angular gelding will benifit enormously for time .. But we will see how he comes out of Saturdays race first.
At Ascot Vinndication won the Rosling King British EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle by only a length but it was still a very good performance and more importantly all his owners were there to celebrate, and celebrate they did..
The rather aptly named Moremoneythan Partnership.. Peter Kerr who runs all my syndicates leads the team who are Christopher Hill (owner of The Month), Gary and Phil Andrews, David and Fran Ratcliffe, Colin Stewart, Darren Smith, Philip and Sandra Arkwright, Geri Worcester, Susan Brien, Geoffrey Irving, Dave Wharton and John Benson.
Rosmuc Relay was very green and showed even at his late age of 6 that he was a baby, if that makes sense… A late developer..
He spooked at the Racing UK cameras in the paddock, to the extent that presenter Stewart Machin shot out of the paddock to avoid being crushed; then David Bass his jockey was nearly deposited twice on the way down to the start.. David gave RR a slap down the shoulder to make him pull himself together and then RR nearly bolted with him…
The race went according to plan in the Somme like conditions. RR is a brilliant jumper and came to the last upsides when one fell, hampering the other runner.. Personally I don’t think it made any difference bar the fact it would not have been 19 lengths that RR went past the post in front of the second horse, while the third, who is certainly one to note on better ground, was 8 lengths further back.
A very delighted owner John Perriss welcomed his new horse back to the winners enclosure.. It was John's first winner of the season.. trainer much relieved that his biggest owner was happy....
Well done Mikey Hamill on such a positive ride on The Racing For Maggies Charity horse Another Venture when winning at Hereford.. It was their feature race of the day so the charity benefited from the win as well.. Another Venture was never happy on the tight course. The course was so unlike Chepstow where he last won about 3 weeks ago.
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
FOR SALE
MASTEEN - 6 YRS OLD BAY GELDING
BY: Astarabad OUT OF: Manson Teene
Masteen is a very taking individual with a fantastic French national hunt pedigree. He has had one run in a national hunt flat race where he finished second and will now run over hurdles.
He is a grand type of horse who should certainly pay his way and will be ready to run this month.
For further information please contact Peter Kerr on 07901 763 643 or Kim on info@kimbaileyracing.com
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL -
13TH – 16TH MARCH 2018
The highlight of the Jump season with an atmosphere that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The Festival™ epitomises and encompasses everything that is great about Jump racing, whilst delivering an unbelievable occasion as the finest horses, jockeys, owners and trainers battle it out for the highest racing honours, their reputations and over £4.5 million of prize money. Join the party, as just over 260,000 people pass through the gates over the four days.
ACCOMMODATION IDEAS FOR THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
With the Cheltenham Festival around the corner below are a couple of local suggestions of places to stay for The Festival in March. At the time of writing they still had availability.
Crickley Barrow Cottages - Three Cotswold Holiday Cottages
Crickley Barrow Cottages are available for holiday lets and functions. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds it is a perfect base from which to explore the area, wonderful walking – no pets please. Excellent stargazing.
There is a 5% discount if you mention Kim Bailey’s Newsletter when booking.
For all enquiries please contact Jackie Colburn on
01451 860212 info@cotswoldholidaybarn.co.uk
The Compton Cottage
The Compton Cottage accommodation is adjoined to The Compton Gallery , recently renovated and furnished by Jane Slemeck Design to an exceptionally high standard, this beautiful 2 bedroom garden cottage is available for self catering / B&B rental.
Our cottage comfortably sleeps a maximum of 4 guests looking for a weekend retreat in the heart of the Cotswolds. In a stunning location, surrounded by rolling hills and situated on the banks of the River Coln. We are only a few miles from the famous spa town of Cheltenham, home to the prestigious racecourse and a rich variety of festivals. Dogs welcome!
For all enquiries please contact Jane Slemeck on
01242 890733 enquiries@thecomptonco.com