Frequent Flyer

Katya and I landed at Gatwick airport at nine twenty this morning having returned from our little January getaway. From looking at the picture on the front cover of the Racing Post my suspicions that it may be rather cold in England were confirmed as soon as I stepped through the arrival doors! We had a wonderful time in hot Cuba, it was our second trip out there and once again we discovered some really beautiful and extraordinary places. The team at home did a great job in my absence, there have not been many runners due to the weather conditions but everything has ticked over nicely which is a credit to my staff.

 

Royal Redemption ran today at Chepstow in the novice hurdle, Noel reported he hated the ground but he finished a respectable third. He looked a picture and jumped exceptionally, he will make a great chaser in time.

 

We are sending four horses up to Musselburgh tomorrow. Two run on Sunday and two should run on Monday. There is a lot of money on offer up there and the ground is the best in the country right now. Superb Story runs on Sunday in the Triumph Hurdle Trial and Seventh Sky runs in the novice chase. On Monday Attimo will run in a handicap chase and Murray Mount in the bumper. So it looks like I am heading back to the airport on Sunday morning but this time I will be seeing the Scottish Isles out of the aeroplane window when I land and not the Caribbean sea!

 

Having only just touched down I apologise for the lack blog but hopefully by the middle of next week I will have plenty to report!

 

 

Cody Wyoming takes centre stage

Apologies for the lack of blog this week but you can expect more at the end of next week.

 

A brief update on some of the goings on at Neardown include our Charlie Mann Racing Club morning on the gallops last Saturday.  We all had a lovely morning, although a tad chilli! Katya cooked fantastic breakfast for everyone before heading up to the gallops to see Cody Wyoming in action. Once back in the warm everyone enjoyed a glass or two of bubbles and some cake made by Rose to celebrate the wins. CMRC members also had a chance to take some photos with Cody, who as it turns out is the perfect model! He didn't move an inch and had his ears pricked for every single picture. We still have more spaces available in the CMRC, if you are interested then please don't hesitate to get in contact as it is not to late to join.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other good news is that we have had a fantastic response to 'The Steeplechasers' as mentioned in last weeks blog. Interested parties have been invited to the launch day in a box at Sandown Park at the end of the month. We hope this will give everyone the chance to get to know each other and discuss the plans for the syndicate. We are really excited about 'The Steeplechasers' and can't wait to put the plans into fruition.

 

Portmonarch and Nimbus Gale run tomorrow at Doncaster. Nimbus Gale makes his handicap debut and although he is possibly well treated I would worry that tomorrow comes a bit soon after his last run. He is in good order at home and is nice young horse. We have plenty of entries over the next week but the weather will play a big part on where the horses run. Seventh Sky is unlikely to take up his entries on Saturday, nor is Royal Redemption on Sunday and Superb Story on Monday unless the ground dries up considerably. There are plenty of opportunities for Champagne N Caviar who could go to Leicester next week and Native Explorer could head to the mares maiden at Towcester.

 

After a lively response from our video last week we have been doing bits of filming for a short film on 'A day at Neardown' to show plenty of behind the scenes footage. Keep an eye out for it  appearing shortly.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

 We worked a few horse on Wednesday morning, Tony Stapleton came in to see Run To The Rhythm being put through his paces. Seventh Sky roared up the bank and Cedre Bleu did a nice bit. Later that day I went to get my shoulder treated at  Oaksey House by Kate Badger. I think it seems to have done the trick. Oaksey House is an extrodinary place, I think they offer a great service. The jockeys are extremely luckly to have a place they can go to and I am sure it goes a long way to keeping them fit, healthy and on the road.

 

On Thursday morning it really rained! We schooled Native Explorer and Libeccio. Cody Wyoming ran at Catterick, he stayed over night so he was well rested after his journey there. He made most of the running and jumped beautifully, he managed to win by a couple of lengths. Catterick do a good job and the prize money is top notch. Cody Wyoming has been a phenomenon this year, he has been first three times and second in his other three runs. We still have membership in the CMRC available. With a lot of new people to racing in the CMRC they have all had an excellent time being involved with such a fantastic horse.

 

On Friday I rode out for the first time in a while which I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed and my shoulder didn't feel too bad. We ran Seventh Sky at Huntingdon in a chase that on paper looked quite competitive. Apart from trying to demolish the second fence he ran a nice race, he jumped the last upsides a fairly good horse and put seventh lengths in between them when he got to the line. He was very impressive and I hope the handicapper doesn't kill him. He has some constitution as that was his tenth run of the season and he still looks as big as when he came in! I have to say I am glad his mistake at the second wasn't as bad as the one at Newbury below!

 

 

 

We had Andy Stone stay on Friday night and the next morning Bill Brindle came to see the horses work and discuss plans for their new syndicate 'The Steeplechasers'. We had a good meeting and I am proud to endorse this new venture, I am also very excited to be training the horses for the syndicate. Andy and Bill have worked very hard to get this up and running and they have great vision of where they see the syndicate heading. We all believe this new initiative is the way forward to bring higher quality Saturday horses in to the yard. I would be delighted to see some of my owners and some new faces join the syndicate for the 2015-2016 season. To kick start the launch, Andy, Bill and myself are hosting a days racing for interested parties at Sandown Park on the 31st January.

 

'During the past ten years of racehorse ownership I have found the key for me is the fun of watching good quality competitive horses with like minded co-owners. The syndicate will be based on tweleve members of 'The Steeplechasers' syndicate buying in at an upfront cost of £10,000, to be invested initially in three decent horses. It is important to us that all twelve shareholders will be on an equal footing with the involvement of the horse purchases. I am also excited about the use of our own app which will provide a platform for every member to comment and express their views.'

 

Andy Stone & Bill Brindle

If you would like any more information on 'The Steeplechaser' then please do not hesitate to contact the office. 

Libeccio ran at Kempton on Saturday, he finished fourth which I was a tad disappointed with but Noel did report that he would go better with a tongue strap. Katya and I then joined Paul Mott and Jackie at the Butchers Hook before heading to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea beat my team Newcastle 2-0. We then had a very good dinner at Kozu and stayed the night in London.

 

 

 

After a very good breakfast Katya and I went to have drinks with Nigel and Ros Kempner in The Heron Tower. We then had the most delicious lunch (including beetroot sorbet!) at the Mondrian Hotel on the bank of the Thames. It was extremely good food as you can see from the pictures below. We drove back to Lambourn later that day after having had a very enjoyable weekend in London.

 

 

 

 

We have a few entries this week but the weather is going to play a large part in where they all head. I rode Superb Story today and I can say he felt very well, he may well go to Ascot on Saturday. Cedre Bleu has entries at Ascot and Haydock next weekend.

On Saturday Rose sat out riding out and came up the gallops to do some filming, she has made a short film with the footage to give you a taste of a Saturday morning on the gallops. I hope you enjoy watching it. If it doesn't appear below follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhij9MIV3VM

 

Superb Story sets the standard for the year

On Wednesday my daughter Tildie got out of bed early to do a work experience day with me. It was good fun and nice to have her around. She did a lot of work with Rose in the office and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. She was great help.

 

We decided at the last minute to declare Superb Story at Musselburgh, we wanted some half decent ground for him as we knew he would not like it too soft. It meant that Iffy left straight after declarations to take him up the night before and enjoy seeing in the New Year in Scotland! As racing was off and I was at a loose end I was taken food shopping with Katya to Waitrose, it certainly was an experience which I hope I don't have to go through again!

 

We had a very good New Years evening at home with John Francome, the McEwen's, Rodney Powell and Alex, the Bowlby's, Evelyn Faber, and Riddles and we had a very fun evening.

 

On New Years day we had a fairly busy morning and Superb Story was running in the first race at Musselburgh. I was expecting him to finish in the first four but I was very pleasantly surprised when he won quite impressively. He jumped really well, seemed to enjoy himself and was given a good ride by Richie McLernon. I hope we may have a decent horse on our hands as he still has plenty of improvement. We then had a very impromptu lunch with fifteen people! I have to say I have had worse starts to the new year than this!

 

Friday was fairly quiet but all back to normal on the yard. Mark Hitchcroft had come to stay over night to see his horses in the morning. He bought his daughter with him who had her first taste of racehorses and had an excellent time.

Paul Mott came to stay on Friday night to see his beloved Sureness who is now back in work. We went up the gallops on Saturday morning to see Bridal Suite work well with Nimbus Gale. Portmonarch led Expedite and Run To The Rhythm up back of the hill gallop in a bit of work, I was very impressed with the baby horses going so well with Portmonarch who is a good consistent work horse. Gowanauthat and Attimo worked well together on the bank.

 

I drove to Wincanton to watch Champagne N Caviar run in appalling conditions. I thought Harry Bannister gave him a nice ride, he jumped okay (which was better than before!)and he finished fifth, I think he is capable of winning a small contest now his mark has dropped to 108.

 

We had a family day on Sunday with all the children and had a very nice lunch without any guests!

 

On Monday I made a big mistake by running two horses at Lingfield on virtually un-raceable ground. Nimbus Gale was never going on it and finished sixth which should now get him a mark. Sands Cove just didn't finish his race and Noel had to pull him up. He was very consistent last year but seems to have lost his way this year. Nothing seems untoward this morning but we will do some further investigation. It wasn't a very good start to the week, however you have to be so careful running horses in ground as bad as this.

 

 We have entries this week at Catterick, Kempton and Warwick. Cody Wyoming may well go up to Catterick again and Libeccio hasn't taken his chance at Ludlow tomorrow as I think the Kempton race may cut up form him.

 

This week Lord of House, Plum Stone, Always Smiling, Sureness and Western King are all back in work, it will be nice to get them back on the race track soon.

No rest for the wicked!

Gavin Sheehan came in to school a couple of horses on Christmas Eve ready for their boxing day runs. Later in the afternoon I did the remainder of my Christmas shopping, leaving it a little late as per usual!

 

On Christmas Day we got the six horses out that were due to run over the festive period. We had hot chocolate with rum and mince pies in the tack room afterwards and everyone felt pretty Christmassy!

We had 18 people for lunch at the house, everyone joined in and we had a delicious lunch and a very good day.

 

On Boxing day I drove David Obree and Sam Waley-Cohen up to Wetherby, we had a good run and made it within three hours. Cedre Bleu ran in the Rowland Merrick, he travelled and jumped very well and looked like winning turning for home but eventually finished fourth. He ran a solid race and I would love to get him qualified for the Grand National.

 

Libeccio ran in the Juvenile at Fontwell over an extended two miles in heavy ground. Gavin had walked the course and picked the best ground to finish third only beaten 1/2l and a neck, he ran a good race and stayed on strongly. I think he will be better on better ground although he does go okay in the mud too.

 

We worked a few horses on Saturday. I was impressed by the young Brian Boru horse and Superb Story worked very well. Gowanauthat worked well, he is ready to run now and we still have a 1/2 share available in him. He was an impressive Irish Point winner in October in the fastest time of the day. He has a great attitude at home and seems like he will dig deep.

 

I was making plans to got to Leicester on Sunday but it was abandoned so only Cody Wyoming ran at Catterick. He ran a very solid race finishing second giving 19lbs to the winner. If he hadn't have made a mistake at the last ditch he may well have won.

 

On Monday we had a very hard frost but luckily Newbury had their covers down and we were able to run Seventh Sky. It was a competitive novice handicap chase, Noel Fehily rode him to jump beautifully and pinged the last in front only to be beaten by 1/2l. We got him out this morning and you wouldn't know he had a race.

 

We have had a run of seconds recently, they are all going well at home and on the racecourse but it would be nice to go one better! Champagne N Caviar will have to get his jumping on target to improve tomorrow at Warwick. Other possible runners include Superb Story at Mussleburgh on New Years Day, I would prefer not to head up there as there are a few winners in the race but it is the course with the best ground which I think he needs and I have to get a run into him soon. It would be nice to get the new year off to a winning one with him!

Hunting On....

On Wednesday I was picked up by Michael Bowlby and Simon Marsh to go down to Dorset for a days hunting with the Portman. Michael Bowlby has been Senior Master with the Old Berks and was wearing his pink coat, Simon was very well mounted and I was on Katya's horse JP. We got to the first hedge and rail where Bowlby's horse refused much to our amusement, then we jumped a large wire fence on to a road and Marsh's horse jumped big and left while he went right and ended up in the ditch. By this time I was in hysterics and was looking forward to the drive home with the two of them as my horse was jumping brilliantly and the day was continuing to go well for me. At one of the last covers we were in a wood when JP suddenly decided to take off with me, when a horse runs a way with you with you in a wood the one thing you do know is that with the law of averages you are highly likely to hit a tree. I ended up on the floor lying there feeling that I was dead, fortunately someone caught the horse and I got to my feet and back on board, I even had to jump a fence out of the wood we were in. We then went back tot he horse box for the most delicious tea from our hosts. During the two and  half hour journey back I stiffened up so much I could barely walk to my front door.

 

On Thursday morning I couldn't even get out of bed let alone go to the yard or the office. I was on a lot of pain killers and black and blue from my foot to my shoulder on one side. Unlike AP I don't bounce as well as I used to. I managed to get out and about on Friday and watched two lots before heading to Ascot even though I was very stiff. We ran Bridal Suite in the first, he ran okay and will be better for a handicap mark.

 

I watched them work on Saturday morning, Superb Story went the best yet, he is improving every day. The young Brian Boru worked in the middle of two horses and is learning how to gallop. He is now a big horse and I like him very much. My secretary got run away with on the walking track down to the gallops so came up by herself rather red in the face!

 

I had a days shooting in Lambourn on Saturday with Charlie Nugent. I hobbled around the best I could but I was still rather sore which was a good excuse for my shooting!

 

On Sunday I went to Lingfield with Foxy. Portmonarch ran a fairly lifeless race to finish fourth after stopping three out. We ran a very nice bumper horse called Murray Mount in the all weather bumper, he ran a nice race to finish second after AP just got the run on us turning for home.

 

I watched two lots on Monday and took the kids Christmas shopping in Newbury. We had the lads and builders Christmas drinks in the house later that evening. Katya did a great job preparing some lovely nibbles and every one had a jolly time.

 

We did the declarations for Boxing Day this morning. Cedre Bleu runs at Wetherby with Sam Waley-Cohen up again. Sands Cove goes to Market Rasen, he has been dropped a class and is top weight in the handicap chase so our conditional Tommy Dowling will ride to take ten pounds off. Libeccio runs at Fontwell in the Juvenile hurdle with Gavin Sheehan, it is very soft there and over an extended 2 miles we will have to see if he gets the trip but he will be ridden more handy than his first run.  Looking ahead at the weekend we might have a couple at Chepstow on Saturday then Cody Wyoming at Catterick on Sunday.

New Model

Last Tuesday was a very busy day with a host of photgraphers and models doing a photoshoot for Lavenham Jackets. They were in the yard and office all day and both myself and our lads featured in some of the shots! I am hoping we will have some nice pictures of the string going up the gallops, which you may see in time and even the models Camilla Henderson, Verity Murphy and Drew Holmes rode out with us.

 

 

 

In between shots we ran a nice mare called Native Explorer, she was having her first run over hurdles on very bad ground at Uttoxeter but managed a credible effort to stay on for fourth.

 

On Wednesday I watched the horses work, Murray Mount, Portmonarch and Superb Story all worked well together on the Back of the Hill gallop. After this I drove to Dorset for my ex-mother-in-laws memorial service. I bumped into a lot of old friends and it was a good turn out for her.

We only schooled a couple on Thursday with Noel Fehily and our conditional Tommy. Superb Story had his second pop over the big hurdles and was given a lead by the improving Portmonarch.

 

Katya and I went racing to Warwick on Thursday where we had three runners, we also had two runners at Taunton. At Warwick Libeccio was dropped in at the back of the field and was never really put in the race, he jumped well and should be more competitive next time. Attimo was very disappointing, I thought he was our main chance of the day. He didn't jump and never looked happy which I put down to the ground which must have been too soft for him. We ran a lovely horse called Royal Redemption in a competitive novice hurdle, he ran a super race to finish second. He is a horse for the future and will come into his own on better ground and over a fence. On the way he should win a novice hurdle.

 

At Taunton Nimbus Gale ran a very good race to finish third in a three mile novice hurdle, he needed every inch of the trip and hopefully should be winning fairly soon. he jumps so well we are excited to seem him over a fence in time. Seventh Sky ran a really good race to finish fourth in an extremely competitive novice handicap chase, he was only beaten two lengths by the winner so I was happy with his performance.

 

On Friday we had a very busy day cleaning up around the new cottages I have built as the tenants will be moving in soon. I will be glad when it is all finished as it hasn't been easy keeping the builders in check! In the evening we had a drink in the old Malt Shovel which is now called the Mill House, it has had face lift and should now be somewhere to take owners who come for lunch.

 

We had 3 red letter days and Richard and Penny Green in for breakfast and a morning on the gallops on Saturday, it was lovely day and all the horses worked well. Superb Story worked very well and Gowanauthat flew up. The unnamed Brian Boru has grown a lot recently and is definitely going the right way. Katya took Mr Big to Larkhill point-to-point for one of our lads Johnny to have his first spin round. Unfortunately they did not managed to get round after parting company at he fourth last, they would have been placed if they had completed as only four of the thirteen starters finished. Listening to Katya's commentary over the phone it sounded like the Grand National!

 

We have had a lovely new French horse arrive from the Cheltenham sales, it has been sent to us by David Fox. He looks a nice type so hopefully we can do something with him and it is great to have David on board.

 

I rode out two nice horses on Monday, Murray Mount and Big Jer and again this morning on Gownaauthat and Superb Story. Yesterday I had lunch in the Outside Chance pub in Manton with some friends and then on to Toby Balding memorial service at Marlborough College Chapel. There was an enormous turn out and I am sure Toby would have been very pleased. He was wonderful man and he will be greatly missed.

 

We have a fairly quite week just with a Bridal Suite running at Ascot on Friday as his owner is hosting a Christmas works party which I am looking forward to! On Sunday it is likely that both Portmonarch and Murray Mount will run at Lingfield. With the lack of runners I may take the time to go hunting on Katya's horse with Portman on Wednesday so I did a little bit of jumping practice this morning!

 

 

 

Superb Story will hopefully be out shortly and will run in the same colours as Verano pictured below at Cheltenham.