The State Of Play

The long summer

2024-09-16T08:59:00.002+01:00

Hi,

Exeter was the last run of the season for Rocky, he came back with a little stiffness and that lasted a few weeks, so it was time for him to go on his summer holiday. This meant another trip over to Billy Worthington's yard near Hanley Swan.

Rocky in his field for the summer

This gave Rocky the chance to spend time in the field with other horses, and have some downtime after a full season of racing.

This decision to give him an extended summer holiday was debated within the syndicate, some wanted to run again after the fall, but as his stiffness hadn't resolved, the syndicate agreed that the break was what he needed. I hope this pays off for Rocky and the lads!

The summer passed, the whole single day of it, and then it was time to bring Rocky in from the field and get him back into work. This happened in the first days of August, over a month later than we had done so in the previous season.

He came back in looking light, and having lost his topline, but more importantly (in my opinion) he seemed to have had a good summer and he looked alert and well.

The one thing with Rocky is that he really enjoys his food, so I was content enough that he would put on condition as he returned to training. Indeed he did, and when Billy stated that he had put on 8KG in the first week, I was much more reassured.

A month of swimming, cantering and then faster work followed ad it was time to return to Ravenswell, but before that I got to see him on the road gallop.

This happened last weekend, and he did his first gallop up the hill on Friday. He now has to progress and strengthen, and then we can get to the exciting planning stage!!

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Race 6 - Exeter

2024-02-25T10:30:00.002+00:00

I guess it is ironic that I started the race 5 review with saying that writing a blog post is positive because something interesting has happened!

We came out of Sandown with the feeling that Rocky needed 3 miles and perhaps testing ground would be where he was at his best. We had seen this at Hexham, and at Uttoxeter earlier in the season. So we had planned on giving Rocky another month before his next run at Wincanton.

However, the rain came, and the conditions were as we had hoped, and we found a race at Exeter, which was twenty days after Sandown. The race was a 3 mile open handicap hurdle, for horses rated 0-120, which looked an ideal opportunity from Rocky's mark of 116.

The yard were for this, he then started to show more in his work in the week before Exeter, so we went to the course with expectations of a good run. I guess this is why horse racing can be so difficult!!

Seven of the eight shares in the syndicate were in attendance at Exeter, and the preliminaries went well. When I say this, it was the drive to the course (picking the man from Spain up at the airport on the way), the beverages in the owners room, and the katsu curry lunch.

The man from Spain managed to tip a 28/1 winner and it was like a usual day at the races. Leaving the owners room for the course, I began to feel the nerves. However seeing Rocky in the parade ring my nerves reduced, he looked very well, really relaxed and taking the day in.

We were joined by Charlie again (assistant trainer) and we chatted about the day, the weather and the like, and then Daire joined us. He talked us through his plan, sitting prominently before kicking when the time was right. The key was to get a good position and to jump well as he has all season.

Then came the race, Rocky took up a prominent position and jumped well for the first couple of hurdles. We then saw a bit of interference on the turn, but he retained his position and jumped well again. This remained the case until they turned for home, he was niggled to keep his position and then after 4 out he wasn't able to go with the pace. Sitting in 5th place, and remained there over three out.

Then came a moment I wasn't expecting, and to be honest I have watched it back numerous times and I still do not understand why it happened. Rocky seemed to jump two out in his usual way, barely touching the hurdle, but he crumpled after landing, sending Daire flying and I will be honest I thought we might have been going home without a horse.

Thankfully he got back to his feet, slowly, and then continued to jump the last hurdle (very slowly) before being caught by the lightning reactions of Kaitlin and Charlie. At this point half the syndicate had made their way to the parade ring, but I was stuck to my spot, kind of in shock.

So making my way to the parade ring, I didn't know what to expect, other than that Rocky was up. I didn't know if Daire was ok, and I was still fearing that injury had happened.

Rocky was back in the pre-parade ring when I got to them, with the man from Spain and another giving him a pat. This was pure relief to see, and whilst he had a muddy and grassy face, and a small cut, he seemed none the worse. A truly relief filled moment.

Now, as you might imagine, the drive back to Bristol airport was full of "what ifs" and whilst I am normally one to analyse, probably over analyse, I actually think that I can just draw a line through Exeter and start a fresh.

The video came in from the yard that evening, and then the next morning, showing Rocky was well!!

The key for me now is seeing Rocky well at Ravenswell and then deciding what we do next, do we go again over hurdles, or do we take him out of training and go for novice chases next season? All to be decided, but one thing is for sure, I am glad we still have Rocky and we still have the chance to make such decisions.

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Race 5 - Sandown Park

2024-02-07T10:06:00.003+00:00

I like updating this, it means we have had something new to talk about, and this time it is another race.

After Plumpton, I was really disappointed (yes, I am still going on about it) , and everyone at the course knew it, I thought we hadn't given Rocky the best chance, and to be honest, I didn't think we had learnt very much. However after a few days, this changed somewhat, we had learnt that we need to test Rocky over a course that would be more suitable for him, so no tight turns and more stamina requirements.

We had a look at the races as a syndicate and then I had a chat with the yard, and races were suggested over 2 1/2 miles and 3 miles, on tracks that might suit more. One of these races was at Exeter and another was at Sandown.

Now it might be looking at this with hindsight, but a novice 0-125 on a grade 1 day was likely to be tougher than an open 0-120 elsewhere, and I think that has been proven true this season. Last year the Sandown race was won by a 107 rated horse, this year it was a 124 rated horse from Nicky Henderson's yard!!

I think we were unfortunate that the rain has disappeared for a few weeks, and that has meant that we have had what people would term "spring" ground. It means that we probably should have gone up in trip, but we wanted to see whether Rocky could cope in a good race on a big day.

We went for Sandown, and we turned up in good numbers, and I must admit, I think we had a great day out. We asked Daire to be really positive and we found that Rocky can go with a gallop over 2 1/2 miles on good-soft ground, and once again he jumped beautifully.

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Rocky finished 6th in the end, but this was much more pleasing than Plumpton, we had learnt that he could run from the front and compete in this class of race in a handicap. It did show that he doesn't have the speed of the front two, but given the positive ride I thought he acquitted himself really well.

We now know that at the 2 1/2 mile trip he needs softer ground or a lesser competition, but we also know that he has looked a real stayer in his races and this may be the last time we run over this trip. It looks likely we will be going up in trip next time out and we might not be bumping into horses with such progressive profiles.

It will soon be time for his summer holidays, and with chasing on the radar we have plenty of excitement left for the journey with Rocky.

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Race 4 - Plumpton

2024-01-13T10:32:00.001+00:00

Well the discussions were had after Hexham, what should we aim Rocky at next? We had options open, we got a mark of 118, and he was still eligible for novice hurdles.

I was of the opinion that we should head straight into handicaps, given he was going to be 7 by the time of his next run, I thought staying in novice hurdles wasn't what I wanted. However our man in Spain had spotted an EBF qualifier, over the same trip as Hexham but this time in the South, at Plumpton. The qualification would be top 4, and it would allow entry into the final at Sandown in March.

Discussions were had within the syndicate and we suggested that we enter Rocky in a couple of races, the one at Plumpton and a handicap hurdle at Wincanton the day previous. However it was clear that others in the syndicate had their mind set on Plumpton, and therefore at entry stage, I decided to save us a few pounds and enter solely at Plumpton.

Then the entries came out, 13 runners including a horse who had finished second in a grade 2 on its last run!! This looked ominous but the goal would still be the same, and that was qualification for the final. I bullishly told the yard to declare Rocky, and others can worry about the race.

As the declarations closed, it looked a much more winnable race, with a few last time out winners, but no runner from Paul Nicholls or Nicky Henderson. It looked ideal, and the ground was stated as Heavy, soft in places!! This looked like a prime opportunity.

However, a lot changes in 48 hours, and with two dry days we turned up at Plumpton with worries about whether the conditions were ideal. We had a good number of the syndicate at the course and we enjoyed the day, but the race was frustrating to say the least.

The idea was to jump off prominently and then kick early to make it into a staying test. However, it turned completely the opposite with Daire having to niggle Rocky from the start to stay with the field. He stayed nicely and turning for home I was hoping for a solid finish, I thought if he was within a length after the turn, he had a right old chance.

Unfortunately they quickened and he didn't on the turn for home, and he was caught out of his ground. He jumped the last two hurdles well and finished a not too distant 4th, beaten just over 5 lengths. He was giving weight to two of those ahead, whilst the other is a 120 horse who had won a handicap at Sandown off 114. Not too shabby, but not what we were hoping for.

I must admit I was really disappointed, but in retrospect, I probably shouldn't be, he had run another solid race, in which he showed that he is honest and tries his best. It was circumstances that didn't play into his strengths, the ground dried, the course was sharp and it wasn't a thorough test.

Most importantly he came back safe and well, and we can now ponder which race to go for next... who knows, if he runs well next time, that fourth place finish and a trip to Sandown for the EBF final might still be on the cards.

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Race 3 - Hexham

2023-12-18T09:34:00.001+00:00

So we got past declarations, so it was all go for Hexham... After asking who would like tickets, it was time to book a hotel near my parents. Unsurprisingly no one from the syndicate was planning to make the journey, but our man in Spain suggested that he has a couple of friends (who knew) who were currently in the area who would like to come.

So it was four tickets sorted, once again I would be taking my dad, but with the opportunity of him being the designated driver!!

So... what possibly could go wrong? Well, this is racing, and these are horses.

My WhatsApp pops up with a message from the yard, and the last time this happened, it was the dreaded nail!! This time it was a photo of Rocky with a drop of blood coming from his nose, with the message that he had worked nicely that morning but the blood had been found at lunchtime.

The suggestion was to do a trach wash on the Tuesday morning, rather than pulling him out on the spot. I agreed, and pondered about going to Hexham anyway. It isn't a course I had been to, and it would be good to cross number 26 off the list.

It was a waiting game, and if nothing else, this whole experience has taught me that its a great skill to have, patience!! I will find some of it, some time in the future!

So Tuesday came around, and we got to lunch time, and another photo pinged into my WhatsApp, I was dreading this...

The wash contained blood, but importantly it didn't seem to have any mucus, so apparently (I am no Vet!) we needed to see if it contained any neutrofils, so we could either call the run off now, or we could wait for the results. Patience and all of that!!

Now I may not have told the syndicate about the option of pulling him out, so apologies for that, but I made the call, lets wait for the results and trust the process.

This made for a very late call on participation, it was at 07:00 on the day of the race that we got confirmation that he was completely fine to run and that he was on his way. We set off shortly afterwards.

Hexham, oh Hexham, what a place... on arrival I knew this was going to be a different experience, from the quick chat with Mike Cattermole in the car park, to the helpful stewards outside the course (albeit sent us the wrong way), it was a delight from start to finish.

For those who haven't been to Hexham, it is a bit like stepping back into time, from the bar in a shed (apparently used to be the best place to stand and watch horses being saddled), to the long walk up the steps to the Owners room. It was all a bit 1940s... but that is part of the charm.

Once those steps have been climbed, you come to a long owners room, with tote, bar and food facilities. Being early to the course we went for a coffee, which was being looked after by about five members of the facilities team.

"Can I get two coffees please?"

"Sure, the coffee is already in the cups, just add water"

I couldn't help but laugh, but then we found a table and the view...

Hexham is set in a natural amphitheater, and with the sun shining it felt like a delight. After a quick flick through the card we were joined by Mac and Linda. I am not sure how they are friends with our man in Spain, because they were a delight. After a couple of Guinness' (thanks Mac) it was lunch time.

Now anyone who knows me, knows my fondness for rating Owners & Trainers lunches, and whilst this wasn't Ludlow levels, it wasn't half bad, and once again there was a moment that made me feel right at home at Hexham.

Beef Bourgignon was on the menu, with plenty of roast potatoes and veg... but it wasn't that, it was the offering of "Extra gravy with that". I am only still slightly upset that I didn't take a cob for mopping up the plate!

So lunch finished, it was almost time for our race, but not before I got to shout home a grey, with Juge Et Parti winning the 13:15. Such shouting perhaps was the reason why I was then asked "what do you like in the next?" I mentioned that I really liked Event Of Sivola.

So as the runners went to post for the 13:45 I decided it was time to relieve the bladder and then head down to the parade ring. Nerves...

Event Of Sivola was turning for home as I wandered towards the parade ring, and as he passed the horse I remembered that my bank balance was looking healthier. However, that didn't matter, it was time for Rocky... how did he look? How would he run? Was this a trip too far?

Kaitlin and Rocky entered the parade ring, and after a quick word, I was happy. He looked awesome and he had slept most of the way from Ravenswell. Soon the four of us were in the parade ring, and were joined by Katie the second travelling lass from the yard. Katie answered questions about the horse from our guests and made everyone feel really welcome.

Robert the manager of the course came across and introduced himself. A very friendly chap who clearly is passionate about his racing and making his racecourse welcoming. It was great to say hello!

Then Daire joined us and spoke about how he was going to ride Rocky, and whether we were happy with the orders. I mentioned that he can be tricky, but Daire obviously had heard Kaitlin talk all the way up about this!!

Soon it was time to watch the race, Daire got legged up, and then Rocky did such a Rocky thing, and nearly tripped himself up leaving the parade ring. Right next to the vet!! Who was straight on the radio to colleagues at the start.

So as I rushed to take up a viewing position, I was even more nervous. Not about expectations, but would he get to run? Would he have issues after the bloody nose?

Thankfully he lined up, behaved beautifully and jumped off upsides. We could now concentrate on watching and learning.

Ping, Ping, Ping.

He was jumping beautifully, slightly behind the Skelton half brother of Crambo. The Irish horse on his outside, and after a slow start, they started to speed up as they went past the post on the first circuit.

Ping, Ping, Ping. He was still travelling well, similar position as before, but now the outsiders were feeling the pressure. It looked like a top 3 finish.

Then three in a line coming to two out, and once more Ping. He took half a length out of the Skelton horse, and his nose was in front. This was a long way from home though, and he still had the hill, the Skelton horse and the Irish horse.

The picture soon changed on the turn, as Crambo's half dropped a length back, and then out of the picture completely. The front two!! Rocky was travelling still, but so was the Irish horse. As they turned in, Rocky was headed, but one thing I know about Rocky is that he tries, so with his head down and with Daire pushing along, he got to the last on terms with the Irish horse.

Once more he jumped beautifully, and then he kept straight and ran strongly all the way to the line, he was going to win!!

My throat was hurting, from shouting on Rocky, with terms such as "Get him off the bridle" causing confusion to those stood near to us. Frankly I am not sure how many expletives may have been used. Hugs all around!!!

To the parade ring to cheer him back, and to see how he was. Not a bother, he looked fresh enough, albeit tired. The debrief was as you would expect, then it was photos and prizes time.

https://x.com/FOBRacing/status/1734946164288434299?s=20

We then went for champagne in the directors box. The nicest portakabin in the world!!

My phone begins to ring, it was Fergal. Who sent his congratulations and asked if I was at the course, and that I made the right call to go to Hexham. He needn't have said this, but it was great to hear, after all the stress, conversations and calls, we had got Rocky a win, and one he deserved so much.

Another call with Sally followed, who said exactly the same and that we should celebrate it! So only one thing for it, and a rare sight as all who will read will know, it was my turn for buying a round!!

Off we went to the shed, for a pint to celebrate!! Then as the Nicky Martin horse crossed the line in the last, my dad mentioned he had 6 out of the 7 winners on the card... It really should have been his round!

Off to the car, and who was stood next to us? Mike Cattermole again, who gave us hearty congratulations.

Time for the long drive, and a Chinese takeaway with the parents, what more could you ask!

An early start the next day, off home to watch my sons Nativity. He was the most serious king in the world, but he did let me into a secret... his Frankincense box was empty. As was his dad, absolutely gone after a spellbinding performance, and Rocky as well!

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Race 3 - the build up

2023-12-17T14:26:00.000+00:00

Well, Uttoxeter went well, Rocky came out of the race in fine form, and we could start planning for his next run. The result had forced us into dreaming of him winning his maiden, or perhaps a novice, and then going from that point.

So I shared the Racing Calendar with our man in Spain, and we plotted where we would like to go. It could have been one of a few races...

We had already run well at Chepstow, and the heavy ground didn't seem an issue, and we also had options of going up in trip as well. However one race stood out for our man in Spain, and when he mentioned it, I was both surprised but also delighted.

Hexham, their last meeting of the year and a decent enough pot for a maiden hurdle. I went away and looked at the data on previous renewals of the race, and the other races in the calendar, and it made obvious appeal. The meeting had been abandoned the previous year, but prior to that they'd had a six runner field, with a southern raider winning in Feival for the good doctor. That horse turned into a mid 110s - low 120s handicapper, and we had ambitions of Rocky being able to run up to that level.

Similarly James Moffatt had won it the year previous, in a small field, with few finishers. We knew Rocky was fit and well, and this trip should be ideal on likely testing ground. So that was two of the syndicate who were in on the idea of a long trek northwards.

I then floated the idea past the others, with all seeming a little surprised but they all saw the logic and that it was an ideal target. Probably knowing how our previous targets of Bangor, Market Rasen etc etc etc had all fallen to the wayside along the way.

I was then up at Ravenswell with Jason in the syndicate, who I asked to announce the location of our plan to Sally and the yard, all of whom surprisingly said positive things. Albeit mainly about how good Hexham racecourse was!! Rather than the plan of taking a horse on the 5 1/2 hour journey north.

Sally looked at the card with their race planner, and suggested that Warwick on the 14th was also an ideal location, so we got Rocky added to both fields. I fully expected this all to fall apart with the weather, horses etc.

However, we got to entry stage and Rocky was working well, and we saw the cards at Hexham and Warwick. We also added in Exeter for a meeting that had been arranged at shorter notice. We had three races, but he could only go to one.

Hexham looked a decent race, we had an Irish raider, a horse who had run 6th in a listed bumper at Cheltenham and we had a Dan Skelton raider. My thought at the time was that I didn't want to see the bumper horse declared, but the others weren't scaring me too much. A few others from Lucinda Russell yard were entered as well, and they also concerned me.

At Warwick we had Henderson, Skelton, Nicholls and a whole host of others... nearly 50 horses entered! So I quickly scrubbed that idea off the board.

Then we had Exeter, where again we had Henderson and Nicholls horses, and one horse from each yard worried me. Nicholls had a 150k purchase from a good family, and Henderson had a 125+ horse he has from France.

So I set my stall out, it was Exeter or Hexham. Depending on declarations.

As the declarations started playing out, we saw Skelton was sending his horse to Hexham, and another from James Moffatt was declared. The irish horse was also in, and it looked a competitive enough field, but weak in numbers.

Similar was the story at Exeter where we had few runners, but the Nicholls 150k horse was in, as was a weaker looking Henderson horse, and an expected second string for Nicholls.

The phone rang, it was time to make the choice. As most owners do, I presume, I asked for stable advice and it came with the line I didn't really want to hear. Exeter was their preference, it looked the ideal race in their opinion and they feared the Irish raider and Skelton horse at Hexham. Jack was also at Exeter so could ride.

I stated that I disagreed, but it was probably best to listen to the experts, but Sally and Fergal clearly knew I wasn't convinced. They gave me space to think, and I asked what I thought was the key question.

"What do you think is the best handicap mark he could be competitive from?"

After a moment or two, the answer came that they thought he would be doing very well to be winning from 110 on what he has shown.

This honesty is why I like the yard, but again I didn't agree, and to be honest I thought that if he was to run to 110 then the best place of getting a result was Hexham.

Given the space, I had now come up with a decision, and I truly thank the yard for letting me think. We were to go to Hexham...

Then I was told, the two jockeys that had ridden for us before weren't available. So we had a choice between Connor Brace or Daire Davis. Now racing is a game of opinions, and many of us have strong opinions on jockeys. So we went with Daire, who claims a very useful 7lbs.

I think most of the syndicate were expecting us to be going elsewhere, but if they did have disappointment in the decision, they didn't say so.

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Race 2 - Uttoxeter

2023-12-16T10:07:00.000+00:00

This is written after race 3, so a lot of hindsight might be spotted, but hopefully this is a fair representation of Rocky's second race.

Importantly, Rocky came out of his first run in good condition and stepped back into full training without too much of a worry. He continued to show decent work at home, and we could start planning his next run.

The two key things that were ringing in our ears were Liam Harrison's words about Chepstow, he wouldn't like it too heavy and he might have an issue with his breathing.

The yard had a plan for the second, firstly telling us not to worry too much, they put him a noseband on to keep his mouth closed. He wasn't a fan of this at home, and decided he could be more awkward as a result, but it was the dedication of Kaitlin his regular rider that allowed him to learn how to run in the noseband and how to settle down at home.

The ground though, it was a right royal pain, we had hit winter now, and a very wet winter it is. We had planned to run at Market Rasen, only for that to be called off. One of the only options was to go to Uttoxeter for a race that was likely to be run on heavy ground.

We purchased Rocky as a winter horse, and I felt we had to give him chance to see if he could perform on heavy ground, before we could switch plans and adapt. In my mind if he ran poorly on heavy it would at least help get him a handicap mark. My only worry was not finishing and or the hurdles.

Fortunately they managed to get Uttoxeter on, and two of the other syndicate members made the journey, and I managed to invite my dad along for the day.

Arriving at the course we were shown to the Owners & Trainers section, and well looked after by the team, and then Charlie turned up. Charlie is the new assistant trainer at Ravenswell, and he certainly fits into the mantra of hospitality and looking after the owners. He spoke candidly about what the yard expectations were and made sure we were happy with riding instructions for the race.

Luckily we were the first race on the card, so they would be running on fresh ground, and that should help Rocky. Into the pre-parade we wandered, where Kaitlin was preparing Rocky for the race

This was the first time a few of the syndicate had seen him at a racecourse, and they were all blown away by how well he looked and how calm and settled he was. An ideal state for a racehorse!

Soon Jack Hogan had joined us in the parade ring, where we had a chat about what our expectations were and what we wanted from his ride. The plan was to run prominently and see where we ended, I reminded him that placings weren't the be all for the day, it was another education for Rocky.

Well, as the horses went to post, we took a standing position near the rail, with the Foxtrot Racing owners in the box behind us. I've known Dan at Foxtrot for a while, and he and the syndicate deserved the win, but we were delighted with Rocky, whilst also being left with a case of the "what ifs".

Rocky was tricky at the start, and was wide early. He then lost his place and settled at the rear. As they turned the taps on in front, he was stuck behind horses and had lost possibly 10 lengths on the front pair. Turning in, he was 5th, and then it was quickly into a remote enough 3rd. He then closed down on the second at the last hurdle, and despite all of the shouting, the line came too soon as he closed to within 4 lengths of the winner.

He had run a mighty race, a race where things didn't go to plan, but the joy on the faces of the others in the syndicate made up for the mixture of emotions I felt. I was proud that he had shown himself as a racehorse, but "what if"?

A chat with Jack confirmed a few of my thoughts...

As you can see, I wasn't particularly happy!! 😄

However, Jack looked after Rocky, and that was important to what happened next. We knew he had ability, and after talking to Dan at Foxtrot, I knew we had finished behind a pretty decent horse. So once more, if we got the video in the morning that showed him fit and well, we could start planning again.

We also found out two key points... his breathing was better and he didn't mind the ground. A few more doors opened as a result.

So now with his ability coming to the fore, we had to go and try and win a maiden. Where would we go? The debate had started....

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Race 1 - Chepstow

2023-11-23T07:56:00.000+00:00

So entries came and went, and we got to declaration time!!

Then getting tickets sorted, and then the period known as the night before nerves!!

Normally people get these about how the horse is going to run, but for me it was about the past experiences, would the phone ring, and would we have another issue before race day.

It didn't ring, but I didn't have a particularly restful night either!! The expectation of seeing Rocky running, and would the dream of the journey be over after just one run?

As most people know, I am quite a studious reader of racing form, and for me there are very few places better for starting a racehorses career than at Chepstow. The course brings together runners from the West Country, Wales, Lambourn and the Cotswolds, and the race Rocky was due to run in was no exception.

We had runners from Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton, Evan Williams, Kim Bailey, Warren Greatrex, Joe Tizzard and numerous other names synonymous with National Hunt racing.

A big field, and what to expect? Rocky hadn't been seen for 600+ days, since finishing midfield in an Irish P2P, and here he was taking on the might of Paul Nicholls.

My expectations were simple, a clear round and for him to finish the race, and if he was finishing the race well, then that would be a bonus. If he didn't finish, or was totally tailed off, we would have had to discuss whether he was suitable for racing, and that is what I didn't want to happen on debut after such a long journey!

Yet, despite this, arriving at Chepstow I was optimistic of a good run, he had schooled well at home and I believed in his form and what he showed on the gallops at home. The rain bucketing it down as I arrived at the course didn't help though, was a slog in the mud what we really wanted on debut? After such a long time off?

The rain eased slowly, thankfully as I needed to dash!! Walking into the courses O&T entrance was good, stating the horses name and getting the much important lunch voucher and racecard. Then it was to the O&T bar, for a coffee and a catch up with an old friend (He is old, as well as the friendship) who had trumped me with his journey from Spain!

Two others in the syndicate joined us, and we caught up with other owners from Fergals, the yard had seven runners on the card!!

"What are expectations" *20!!

Our race was second on the card, so we watched the first division of the race, which had some very interesting horses in, including a form horse who had a handicap mark of 119!! And he only managed third place. Were we going to be up against such good horses in the second division? Hmmmm.

We wandered down to see Rocky come into the pre-parade ring, and were met by Fergal, in his jovial form as usual. Discussions about sheep and the like ensued and then Rocky walked in, looking great and settled.

twitter Video

From the pre-parade to the parade ring, where Liam joined us for a chat about tactics, about expectations and whether there was much talk in the saddling room about the runners in the race. It sounded like others had plenty of expectations in the race, and that Liam was going to give Rocky a wide ride to allow him to see his hurdles and for him to have a sensible debut.

I then made the mistake of looking at the market, and he had been nibbled into 18/1 in the market, which was very surprising, and raised expectations of a good run.

Chepstow Video

Rocky settled well and ran to expectations, finishing the race well under hands and heels riding and finishing 8th of 15. Importantly he had a clean run, jumped well and showed signs to suggest that he was a racehorse.

We then enjoyed the rest of the afternoon, and hoped we would get a nice video the next morning showing Rocky being trotted up.

The video arrived, and it meant that we could start planning the future!!!

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The Long Journey - from Purchase to Racecourse

2023-11-22T10:44:00.004+00:00

Since posting the blog on the 14th July 2022, a lot happened!!

At the time I didn't want to share the name of the horse, but he is called Rock Danse, and has now run twice under rules for us. In July 2022 he was in a field near Towcester under the watch of Tracey Leeson, and since then he has been at Jason Maguire's Ivy Lodge, Billy Worthingtons and at Fergals yard Ravenswell.

He has had quite the journey!!

When Rock Danse arrived at Tracey's he looked a shell of a horse, he had an overreach injury that wasn't healing particularly well, and he needed time in the field to get some condition.

Rock Danse - May 2022

He stayed at Tracey's before going into pre-training at Jason Maguire's Ivy Lodge, where he looked a completely different horse on arrival.

Rock Danse - 25th July 2022

He spent a lot of time on the water treadmill and began to strengthen up quickly, a few weeks later he again looked a different horse, developing quickly and gaining much needed condition as shown below.

Rock Danse - 5th August 2022.

He then went into training at Fergals, where they wanted to take their time and develop him for a bumper in the late Autumn. He started well, and we were aiming for a Chepstow bumper, but as that got closer his work deteriorated and we took a late decision to give him extra time. This would mean we were looking at a later bumper, this time at Bangor on Dee.

As Bangor came onto the radar, Rocky's work improved and we were looking forward to seeing him on course, this was due to be the 26th November 2022. We had arranged for most of the syndicate to be in attendance, and then it all began to unravel again.

I received a call the night before the race, saying that Rocky wasn't able to go to Bangor, and that he had stood on a nail. What accompanied this call was an image that made me feel quite uncomfortable!!

It was apparent that Rocky had been quite lucky that the nail hadn't gone into the bone and that he would hopefully heal quickly and we would be looking at another small delay. Alas that wasn't the case.

The injury got infected and box rest wasn't particularly nice for Rocky, he started to lose condition and the infection was pretty bad. We took the decision to take him out of Ravenswell and give him time to heal at a small yard. In stepped Billy Worthington, who runs a yard that was used by David Dennis for racing. This yard was perfect for Rocky, it had a swimming pool that meant that he could do exercise without putting pressure on the injury.

Rocky then got back to soundness and went back to Ravenswell, where he again went lame and the decision was taken to cut the season short and give him as much time as we could to full recover.

So it was back to Billy's and box rest. He spent the first part of 2023 in his box, and then just as the spring racing got going, he was able to move back out into the field. The field then turned into pre-training and all was good, he was coming to himself and was delighting the yard.

So it was time to go back to Ravenswell and become a racehorse! We got him ready, and despite a few hiccups along the way (Firm ground at Hereford) we managed to get him out into a Chepstow maiden hurdle.

The story is to be continued!!

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The Journey - How it starts!

2022-07-14T12:35:00.004+01:00

Hi,

I've not kept the blog up to date, no one wants to read my diatribe regularly, especially nothing about 240 characters in length!!

Since last updating the blog, I have been involved in the FOB Partnership horse The Toojumpa, who managed to win on stable debut before a frustrating season of non completes and loss of form. I believe FOB Partnerships are continuing with her, but I am not.

Why?

The reason being is that I want to see the sport from another angle, I have been fortunate to be involved in two winning horses with Fergal. However both were experienced horses who were competing at lower levels, (The Toojumpa won off 93 and Project Mars won off 95 & 102) in handicaps. Both horses were brilliantly sourced by Sally and Fergal and both horses gave me the opportunity to make friends with other syndicate members.

FOB Partnerships is a brilliant thing, and I cannot recommend them high enough, but I wanted to see if I could do something different and with similar views of the friends I've made, it was decided to go and see if we could go on the "Journey" with a horse that we sourced.

Thankfully Sally has been a great help and she was delighted for the opportunity to develop and has agreed that the yard would train the new recruit for us.

How?

The million dollar question; how would we source a horse and what did we want? We had a honest conversation with six of the team, discussing what we wanted and what would put us off. These included what type of horse we wanted, how would we go about finding one and most importantly - what was the budget!!

This was pinned down to - NO TELESCOPES, no mares, and a "new" horse for the NH winter season.

So the first thing we did was to have a chat with Sally about if they had any horses hidden down the back of a sofa that might be suitable, and/or if they had any views on horses in Ireland that could be available. This came back with a couple of suggestions that we might want to watch for the next month or so of the P2P season.

However, Tattersalls Cheltenham was just around the corner, and we took the opportunity to see what the market looked like at Cheltenham. Bonkers was the answer, with the one horse that was suggested to us having a reserve around three times what was expected. The horse was sold at the sale, which showed us what a task it would be to get a horse to be within budget and with any form in the book.

One horse that went through the ring that was within budget was Copper Fox, who is in training with McCain, who has won a novice hurdle this summer. So it does show that finding winners at lower costs is possible.

I put out a couple of messages to others in the industry that I know, and one came back with a few suggestions, including a horse that has since won a bumper and went through the ring for a decent amount afterwards.

However, the same source then came back with a name... a name I won't be sharing for a good while yet!!

The horse is young, and its form looks moderate on paper, with an incomplete and then a low placed finish. However, the form of the latter is fantastic and when looking at the horse and its breeding, it was decided that it was of interest to many of the group.

Getting the horse purchased was interesting!! We had a few discussions about whether to go for it or wait for sales and the end of the P2P season. We asked Sally, Fergal and a few others about the form and the horses breeding, and all came back with similar answers...

"form is good" "worth a punt", "can't complain about the worth of form and who trains the others in the race".

So with only one of the group not happy, for which I am sorry about, we went ahead.

Then What?

The horse was already in the UK, so we kept him at the yard he was at, and he has summered well. He needed time in the field and has put on condition ready for going into training this month.

We needed to increase the membership of the syndicate, thankfully a couple of others were suggested and they have seen his page and form and decided to join us on the "journey". So with only one share left (get in touch!!) we are on the way to having a new horse in training for the winter.

To this point it has been an exciting few months, from going to the sales and leaving feeling bemused and quite frankly, out of depth, to having a horse ready to go into training with the form of its P2P race working out well.

Now is the journey, hopefully we will see him through his pre-training in fine form and then it is up to Fergals yard to see what ability he has and how much fun he can supply to the team this winter.

My hopes are simple -

To go racing with a horse that is competitive. If he is able to do that in bumpers or novice hurdles, that would be brilliant, but if not I hope we can get him on a handicap mark that allows him to be competitive.

It will be great to see the syndicate at the racecourse, hopefully with a pint or two and everyone enjoying the racing!

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Chepstow - 8th and 9th October 2021

2021-10-10T11:29:00.002+01:00

Notes from the two day meeting

Firstly, good to be back jumps racing with big names and quality horses, and a crowd too!! Although a very different crowd from Friday to Saturday, I have no idea how anyone goes in cattle class on Saturdays at the smaller courses, it was horrendously busy, full of drinking, swearing and eejits walking into you. Luckily I took my boy to the play area for a bit and then spent the rest of the day at the pre-parade ring,

The Pre-Parade Ring - a calm in the storm of a Saturday at Chepstow Racecourse

Day 1 -

Probably the best days racing of the season to this point, with the Persian War taking centre stage.

First race we saw Knappers Hill taking on a decent looking field of novice hurdlers, with the Tizzard's horse Earth Business the only real opposition in the market. Knappers Hill went off at 2/13 and won nicely at the finish, beating the Skelton runner Pikar with the interesting The Plimsoll Line in third.

Knappers Hill

I thought it was a decent race to start the meeting, but it didn't seem to be a classic renewal of this race which has given us some very good horses to take for the future. In finishing so close to the winner I think Pikar and The Plimsoll Line are likely to be overbet next time out and I do not think they've achieved perhaps as much as some might suggest here.

Race two had only four runners, and to be perfectly honest I didn't like any of them when looking at both form and how they looked in the parade ring. I love the size and attitude of Ask Dillon, but unfortunately he doesn't jump fences with fluency and I hope he is returned to hurdles to target the big handicaps over staying trips.

I didn't like the look of the favourite, and whilst he ran very well, he was pushed aside by Does He Know, who still looks to be a horse that has further development in him and I thought he was one to be taking on over fences at shortish prices.

We then saw a Veterans Chase, and I absolutely love these races, both on a betting side but also more importantly on seeing old favourites again. This race was dominated in the betting by a market move on Some Chaos (I am claiming that I started this) who duly hacked up. Vivas came second with a good run, but again I wouldn't be rushing out to back any of these next time out. It was lovely to see Dancing Shadow jump so well from the front and that alone was worth the trip to Wales!

The Hobbs yard dominated the Persian War with Comprond beating Luttrell Lad at the finish. They pulled miles away from the third and put in a good performance which puts the pair in a good position for attempts at future graded races. The issue for both might be their need for good ground, and it might be that novice chasing next spring is their targets.

I liked Paso Doble in the parade ring, and whilst I thought he would come on for the run, I was disappointed with his finishing effort and hope he is ok and comes back in better form. He is one I am keeping an eye on.

The 4YO hurdle didn't appeal in the parade ring, and so it proved for me on the course. The lower weighted horses dominated the finish, and the one horse who moved stylishly in the race fell when about to challenge. Megan was the horse, and she is one to follow if she goes into mares races next. It was interesting to see yet another Milton Harris horse run very well in Pyramid Palace but he was beaten by Progressive who could well be just that.

Nina The Terrier didn't look to be the scopiest mare before the mares novice, but she ran out a very convincing winner, barely coming off the bridle to beat the Skelton horse who did impress in the parade ring. The two pulled well clear despite the race not being run at the fiercest of gallops. I think the winner is a horse to follow until she has been beaten, she jumped well and showed that she has the engine to match.

A front runner won the conditional handicap chase, something that I like to follow at the course, but didn't here. Or for that matter on day two either.

Jean Genie here was the one that caught my eye. I will be watching with interest to see how the Tim Vaughan yard go this season and this one could be very well handicapped.

Day 2 - I didn't get to see as much of this day, having taken my boy racing we spent the day switching between doing as I was told and hiding away from the crowds!! He enjoyed his ice cream though.

It was a competitive days racing, but started and ended with two short price Paul Nicholls winners, like most days of this meeting seem to go! The first race was a juvenile hurdle and we saw a good performance from Magistrato, but I wasn't overimpressed by this and I will be wanting to take him on if he reappears at Cheltenham next. I just don't think this race will work out.

We then saw the reappearance of Allmankind, who was fresh enough through the race but battled on very well at the end to finish a close up third. This race annoyed me slightly as I thought Galice Micalo was going to win nicely at one point. She showed plenty of ability again and if she wasn't completely primed, she should be tough to beat in a good race next time.

Valentino Dancer was primed and I thought he was going to win, before Masters Legacy outstayed him for the form yard of Philip Hobbs. A very good display coming off the pace and picking up resolutely after the final hurdle.

Chirico Vallis made all in the handicap chase that followed, much to my annoyance having looked at him the night before at 33/1. He jumped beautifully and just managed to beat off the impressive Kittys Light. The second horse lost nothing in defeat (bar the race) and I do think is a horse to follow in the biggest handicap staying chases this season. He'd be a pick for the former Hennessey for me.

Tea Clipper was very good in the novice chase on chasing debut, a very impressive looking horse in the pre-parade and he showed his ability in the race. I don't particularly like the second horse, so wouldn't be going overboard with the form, but he did it in good style and can continue to be progressive over fences.

Orbys Legend showed the good nick of the Hobbs yard in the Silver Cup with Didtheyleaveuoutto running superbly in second. It was great to see the latter back to some form, he is clearly a very talented horse who has had frustrations throughout his career.

Paint The Dreams hacked up in the next chase for Fergal and the Brace's on the day that their business Dunraven Windows were sponsoring the card. This horse is superb on his day and he showed here that he probably is an improved horse for this season. I hope he continues to progress from this, he is very classy and he jumped very well. Emma Lavelle yard are in good form and their runner finished second which gives the form a solid look.

We didn't stay for the bumper. Getting away from the crowds was much overdue!!

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Saying goodbye to Boris

2021-06-20T20:58:00.001+01:00

Hi,

In the last few weeks we have taken the decision to retire Project Mars (Boris) from racing, having had a difficult season and losing his form, it has been decided to give him a happy retirement and an opportunity to have a life away from the sport.

Boris started this season rated 100, and ran good races at Stratford on debut and then at Market Rasen before visiting his beloved Huntingdon on the 10th November. He managed to win that race in a photograph finish, and at that point he looked to be a mildly progressive horse who had won two races from his starts for the syndicate and hadn't run out of the money in all attempts.

That race gave the syndicate a great thrill, despite us unable to go to the races due to the pandemic. I remember vividly the Whatsapp conversation post race with a video from Sally from the course. It was brilliant to see his win, but also very sad to be away from the course.

The emotion of the win at the same course the season before will be one of the overriding images from our time with Boris as the syndicate horse. This time it was very different!!

He then ran another good race at Huntingdon on the 22nd December, when we were able to attend the meeting, having run very well until the last hurdle and then finishing a not too distant 5th. At this point we were all looking forward to a good 2021.

Then we had the massive frustrations of racing, every meeting we had Boris entered in was called off, either frozen ground or flooding. It took until the 22nd March to see him back out, and that time between races is one of the reasons I feel that his form went away.

He returned to the track with poor runs at Wincanton and Southwell, before falling at Market Rasen on what would be his last run for the syndicate. The fall was a horrible moment, but he was non the worse for it, and we had planned to run him again.

Things haven't gone to plan since that race, and with the summer ground starting to firm up (prior to Royal Ascot!) it was only fair to retire him and let him have another career.

Boris is a lovely horse and he has been given the opportunity to go to a new owner, he was quickly viewed by his new owner and has from all accounts started his new career/life in great manner.

He means a lot to us, he has been a big part of the last two years of the life of my young son, who absolutely adores going up to Ravenswell and seeing Boris (along with his real favourite - Silver Hallmark). However the sense of pride in what the yard do for horses retiring, and the opportunity we have had to give Boris a career/retirement that he deserves (he wasn't exactly Sprinter Sacre as a racehorse!)

When folk make comments about how ruthless the sport is, and how horses aren't cared for, you just see the pride, passion and love for horses that Sally, Fergal and the whole yard have for horses it makes the whole experience of ownership and the sadness of retirement much better.

As a syndicate we are very lucky to have wonderful folk involved, we enjoy going racing, sharing the experiences of racing and visiting the yard. The experience of meeting people that you now regard as friends is something that I wasn't expecting (being a grumpy northerner).

The syndicate and the experience with Fergals yard is much more than just a financial interest (or burden if you are a realist!), it has been great socially, educationally, and even comically. The whole experience has given us some wonderful days, superb memories and most importantly something to look forward to during many dark days of the pandemic.

What next? Well lets see what Sally finds for the syndicate!!!

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Lincoln and Brocklesby

2021-03-26T19:49:00.001+00:00

Hi,

As a jumps racing fan I much prefer a day out at Stratford or Warwick watching jumps racing than a day at a big flat event like tomorrow at Doncaster. However, I do really like the flat racing as a betting proposition and I find juvenile racing fascinating, along with these big heritage handicaps where you get big fields of interesting runners and you often get interesting angles to follow through the races.

Tomorrow we have the Lincoln, the seasonal curtain opener for the flat, a handicap over the straight mile which has been won by some very talented horses and some incredibly well handicapped ones too!!

Tomorrow we have a full field of 22 due to go to post, so lets have a look at a few angles into the race.

Age is often a barrier

Four year olds have won the last four runnings of the race, and are ten wins from the last twenty runnings of the race. Interestingly you would expect that a large proportion of the field would be four year olds in those renewals to reach that number, however only the 2019 renewal in the last five runnings had a high percentage of four year olds (8 from 19 that ran).

Four year olds have also done well in the other places for the race, with the 2016 and 2017 renewals having four year olds in first and second place. The rest of the races have been won by five (5) and six (five) year olds in the last twenty runnings.

As such you can probably discount - Librissa Breeze, Scottish Summit, Born To Be Alive, Kynren & Graphite for being seven years old or older.

This years race entries is dominated by four year olds, with eleven set to take part, as such I think the majority of the study needs to be about these runners.

Profile of winners

I have looked at the number of runs, the age horses first raced, the number of runs in handicaps and the career win rate for the last four winners, all of which were four years old. This is interesting as it splits the winner profile quite neatly between regularly raced horses and those who have started their career later and are more unexposed.

In 2019 and 2018 we had two very impressive winners who were lightly raced, (4 runs and 6 runs) and had started racing as three year olds. In 2019 the winner had only raced in one handicap previously, whilst in 2018 the winner had raced in three handicaps. Both horses had won three races in their careers with strike rates of 75% and 50% respectively.

However the winners in 2017 and 2016 had both run over ten times (13 and 17) and had begun racing as two year olds. In 2017 the winner had only raced in two handicaps (raced in graded races) whilst in 2016 the winner had run in six handicaps. They had won a smaller proportion of their races (7% and 17%).

So you are either looking for a horse who has untapped potential and is potentially leniently treated (maybe started racing at 3) or a horse that is battle hardened and/or finally finding their feet in big field handicaps.

So this year that makes it very interesting. I would split the runners into -

Unexposed - Haqeeqy, Brentford Hope

Exposed - Johan, Dashing Roger, Ascension

with Brunch, Grove Ferry, River Nymph, Danyah,, Eastern World fitting towards the latter group (all run four or more times in handicaps)

Man Of The Night fits in between groups with eight runs but only three in handicaps and only one victory in his career (on debut)

Interestingly all of the four year olds started their careers at two.

So Haqeeqy and Brentford Hope are interesting on the unexposed angle, but they fall down on the next aspect.

The Draw

The Lincoln has been won by horses drawn 17,10,20,22,15,3 in the last six renewals, with second places of 22,9,2,2,6,22 and thirds of 14,11,21,18,19,20. Bearing in mind that the maximum field is 22, you are seeing lots of runners drawn in the top four stalls going on to win/place.

3 winners from 24 (6 races)

8 places from 24 (6 races)

Haqeeqy is drawn 10 and Brentford Hope is drawn 3. It looks like the draw is a negative for both on the last six runnings.

So to concentrate on those drawn high you would be looking at Dashing Roger (22), Man Of The Night (21) and Eastern World (19).

The selection for me is Man Of The Night, who ran a decent race at Wolverhampton on his return. This son of Kingman won very takingly on his juvenile debut, but he hasn't been found to be as good as the yard had hoped. He is lightly raced (8 runs) and importantly for me he has shown enough to suggest that he could improve further for fast raced mile + handicaps.

1.5pt EW @ 16/1 - 5 places

The Brocklesby

the first big juvenile race of the season, and it interests me for the breeding industry aspect and the importance of siding with trainers who know how to ready a horse for the race.

Trainers

The race has multiple trainers who have won it in the last decade - Fahey (2019, 2017, 2010) Johnston (2016, 2015) Bill Turner (2013, 2011) with single wins for Channon, Carroll, Dixon and M Easterby in the timescale. As such I think its important to focus on runners from those yards and potentially the yards who are new to the game.

Richard Fahey has Vintage Clarets. Mick Channon has Wonderful World and then you've got trainers like George Boughey and William Stone too.

Age is still relevant

All of these are two year olds, so why should we look further than that? Well from the last eleven runnings we have had five winners foaled in February with a further three in March (1 in January and 2 April), so its important to have an early foal who has had more time to develop.

Vintage Clarets is a March (2/3/19) Foal

Wonderful World is an April (20/4/19) Foal

Others -

February - Kenyan Commander

March - Black Hill Storm, Graftonat

April - Makalu, Chipotle, Muskateer Three, Dashing Rat, Forca Brasil,

So on those dates you would be looking at Kenyan Commander and then Vintage Clarets, Black Hill Storm and Graftonat.

Kenyan Commander - Mark Walford is 4 from 49 with 2 year old runners in his career. This horse is by War Command (11% strike rate with juveniles) out of a five furlong winners. He is bred to be forward and he is an early foal. He however comes from a yard not renowned for early types and I think others will be stronger.

Black Hill Storm is another bred to be an early juvenile, being by Coldovil (12%) and is related to sprint winner. He is from David Evans' yard which is known for early types and they have to be respected. On jockey bookings though I would have him as the second choice for the yard and I think I prefer others.

Graftonat is the other David Evans runner, he is by Heeraat (6%) out of a mare who won as a two year old. She is ridden by Sean Levey who I assume is jocked up on the first string (much better jockey). I think this horse can be overlooked too on breeding.

That leaves Vintage Clarets who is by first season sire Ardad, who was a high class sprinter who won the Flying Childers as a juvenile. His grandsire is Kodiac (13%) who has had high class juveniles and is a respected sire of early juveniles. Vintage Clarets is half brother to Morache Music and Never Lose who are both good horses in context of this race and Vintage Clouds is probably by a better sire (Sleeping Indian/Diktat for the others).

Therefore this race is all about Vintage Clarets for me and I am shocked that he isn't the market leader.

1pt Win @ 10/3 (William Hill) and a further 1pt at Betfair Exchange SP

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Horse Racing - an entertainment business?

2021-03-07T18:59:00.001+00:00

Hi all,

Having seen a week of bizarre and peculiar news and debate take place in racing, I wanted to share my thoughts about the sport and my honest and frank opinions on where it needs to go.

Firstly, I have spoken about the Gordon Elliott case and my views on it, so this blog isn't particularly about that, but obviously given how awful I have found that story it is bound to hold a part of what I am going to post.

I have a financial interest in racing, with syndicate horse with Fergal O'Brien, and as an avid racegoer (member at Cheltenham and often go to many other courses in the South West throughout the year) and I do like to have a bet on the racing. I put a decent amount of money into the sport and I do it because as Fergal has said previously - It is an entertainment industry.

I like going racing, the whole feel of seeing new horses in novice races and following the careers of horses from the early promise, through their careers in racing over hurdles and fences. I like the spectacle of a horse race, the tactics, the skill and the thrill of seeing a selection being in contention.

I also really like studying the form, predicting if horses are likely to improve enough to feature in a race at big odds and I like winning. All of which led me to contact Fergals yard a few years ago. I went to see Sally at their old yard and chatted about their FOB horse Project Mars. The whole idea of going to a yard was new for me, I am the first in my family to go to University and to work in a "professional" industry, we have had very little interaction with horses other than through my Auntie who rescues and looks after as many animals as she can!

Given that I am an outsider to the sport I didn't know what to expect at a racing yard, and whilst the old yard was in need of some TLC, the one thing you could tell was the work and effort that went into making sure the horses were looked after to make them the best sports animal they could be. They are well fed, meticulously turned out and also get plenty of time in the field to relax and enjoy their surroundings.

However what impressed me most about Sally and the team was their friendliness and openness to talk to people about their industry and their team. I felt welcome and that I wasn't an imposter in their yard, which to me is one of the main reasons that I wanted to see if I would like to be involved in a horse.

Now owning a racehorse is an expensive hobby, even if its only a relatively small share in one!! You get very little pure return on investment but you should know that before getting involved. You get involved because you have other reasons, mine was I wanted to feel even more a part of a sport I have followed for ages.

Now, with the pandemic and the lockdown of our lives, racing has become a solice for many who watch the racing daily/weekly and it provides welcome distraction from lifes monotony. However the lockdown has meant that visiting the yard hasn't been possible and going racing is also off the cards. Watching racing on TV is fine, but it doesn't give me the thrill of going racing and to be honest I have become pretty uninterested with racing on TV.

Racing as an entertainment industry therefore hasn't been interesting or entertaining, it has become frustrating and with the lack of funding of prize money and lack of going racing it has become pretty pointless. The run up to my favourite four days of sport has become tedious, I don't like listening to racing broadcasting community tell me which horse they like for the Champion Hurdle. I don't value your opinions, I have my own and lets face it, how much of what you hear on the previews is absolute bunkum? I'd argue at 90%.

So, when racing then gets dragged through the mud, via the Gordon Elliott saga and also other issues like Dubai and the Godolphin kidnap story, I end up asking myself - is this the sport that I love?

At the minute it isn't, without going racing and going to the yard, racing isn't what it should be. It has been made even worse by the awful stories, the awful return on investment and the awful entertainment value. I am sick of seeing horses die on TV, I am sick of hearing the same old lines about the horses being beloved and images of stable lasses and lads hugging their horses.

I say that not because I think racing is bad, the love the lads and lasses have for the animal is true, I can assure you of that from everything I have seen at Fergals yards, but the sport damages itself in the UK and Ireland. Through betting exchanges and the poor funding for prizemoney we have left the sport in tatters, the UK isn't competing well with Ireland in NH racing and it isn't attractive to many who aren't bred into the industry or who are close to the sport.

So it begs the question - Will you continue to support the sport?

I will, but it is teetering very close to the edge for me, I hope the sport can take massive positive steps out of lockdown and allow people to go racing again. The thrill of that might change my views on whether racing is the entertainment industry for me. If not, I might well be going to more football games and less racing fixtures in the coming years. That would cost the sport my money, and whilst that is a small amount in the grand scale, I am sure the sport has many others who may be turning away with bigger investments and bigger implications.

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Staying Handicap Hurdle - 12:57 Catterick

2021-01-02T22:03:00.001+00:00

Disappointing first day for the blog, with one departing at the second after being impeded and the other one never landing a blow.

Tomorrow a horse I have been waiting for is out, and it runs in the 12:57 for DJ Jeffreys.

The horse is First One D'Ana who ran a very eyecatching race on debut for the yard, when being too far back when the sprint started for home. He looked to be in need of a stamina test and that is what he should get here.

The handicapper has left his mark alone, and as such I think he has a standout chance for this race.

He is a confident selection - 4pt win is the call. I have had some of it on at 8.4 on the exchange and will add the rest in the morning depending on odds.

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2nd January - 15:00 Veterans Chase

2021-01-01T18:56:00.002+00:00

Hello,

One of my new years resolutions is to bet less and research more. One way of doing this is by keeping the blog going and posting when I can.

So here goes -

3:00 - Minellacelebration & Fingerontheswitch - 14/1 Each Way each - 6 places

This is a veterans chase, and very unusually we do not have a ten year old in the field, so it is a bunch of older veterans we get to see here. As a rule I like backing horses in Veterans chases who have run well in traditionally more competitive races and ones that should improve for a slightly slower pace of race.

Tomorrow we are due to see a field of 16 go to post, and for me there are two horses in the race which are very eyecatching. Minellacelebration has been in good form this season, moving up to a mark in the 150s as a result, but the wheels fell of at Aintree last time out. That day though was about the issues with the tack, rather than the horses wellbeing and aptitude of running well from this mark. He unshipped Ben Poste on one of the turns!

Prior to that he hacked up in a Veterans Handicap going clear of Pobbles Bay and the reopposing Sametagal. He travelled noticeably strongly in that race and importantly he normally jumps very well. He then went away from the field in the style of a horse who was on the top of their game. He now reappears after another short break and hopefully that will have freshened him up again and he can be competitive from this lofty mark.

Fingerontheswitch is another eleven year old who has good competitive form in the book, albeit last season. He reappeared with a modest effort, but that was probably his pipe-opener for the latter veteran chase races of the season. He now appears for an in-form yard, over a course and distance that should suit and I think the handicapper has given him a very good chance here.

He ran a superb race in a listed handicap last season from 132, and was handicapped higher since, but now back down to 135 he can return to that form where he ran Ok Corral to 1/2 length!

In a race where many have questions to answer about wellbeing and/or jumping ability I think these two are very solid horses who should not only run their races but also have the required ability to win this race.

1.5pt EW Minellacelebration

1pt EW Fingerontheswitch

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Return to racecourse

2020-12-11T21:11:00.000+00:00

Hello all,

Firstly, a good day for the blog with two winners from four races and I managed to back the Kerry Lee winner and the third in the first handicap each way. A profitable day.

However, I wanted to talk about the positives of being back on a racecourse.

I took my son racing today as mentioned here last night, and that wasn't missed by anyone today!! From entering the course to exiting we were treated very well by the team at Cheltenham, with friendly chats to positive suggestions on arrival. The team at the course have obviously been working very hard to make the racecourse a friendly and safe place to be.

In my opinion they did everything to make the day a lovely experience, and to be honest everyone on course seemed to be in the same mindset, the joy of being back whilst being sensible and courteous to others. Only on a couple of occasions did folk move into a zone of being too close to us, and that was purely accidental.

Now, apparently the TV folk at ITV4 love seeing children on course, and somehow they managed to get footage of me and my boy at the only part of the day when I removed my flat cap!! Thanks to FOB Partnerships for tweeting the footage!!

The footage got my phone buzzing, with friends watching from afar noting seeing the young un on TV. I've told him he needs to stop hogging the limelight and that he has to stay home tomorrow!!

Tomorrows card is difficult but here are my main thoughts -

Goshen - How do we judge him and what happens next? I have massive doubts about him and I might be proven wrong, but I have to take him on in his first venture into Open company. He no longer is the big kid in the class and will he be able to bully older, stronger horses now he is up against them? I think my old friend Stolen Silver is a massive price, and I think the two mares are worth a look. Verdana has been disappointing over hurdles so far this year, but a faster race and a stamina test could see her return to that good form she showed on the flat. Stormy surely jumps better over hurdles and has the ability to run well.

Master Tommytucker - I have followed this horse since that Chepstow chase debut, and he has been frustrating and brilliant in equal parts. He now goes into a handicap at Cheltenham!! I hope he jumps his way around and shows that he is better than handicap class. I can't back him here and I did back the Nicky Henderson runner Champagne Mystery earlier in the week. I think first time out could be the time to catch him and this race doesn't look a strong field.

Chantry House - Short priced favourite in a race that the yard run two horses. He is obviously a horse of immense potential, but should he really be as short as he is? Fusil Raffles was poor last time out, but can this race suit more? I think if it does, he will run a massive race and I wouldn't be surprised to see the jumping being sternly tested for Chantry House.

My bets -

Adagio

Fusil Raffles (and Fusil Raffles to beat Quel D'estin in a match)

Champagne Mystery (each way)

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International Friday - First day back at School

2020-12-10T18:56:00.002+00:00

Hi all,

Tomorrow I am fortunate enough to be heading back to Cheltenham for the first of two days racing, I am very grateful of the opportunity, and going to Cheltenham is always special. Tomorrow however is bound to be an odd event, with just 2000 spectators on course, and everyone having to cover their faces when both inside and outside.

I've only been to Stratford since the start of the pandemic, so this will be my first day on a racecourse as a spectator since the Gold Cup day back in March. It has been a long time, and I have missed the opportunity to take my boy racing over the summer and autumn.

This morning the course rang me up and stated that I could get a ticket for my son tomorrow, which means he will be going racing for the first time for a long time. He will be very excited when I tell him tomorrow!!

Anyway, given how exciting the opportunity is, I thought I would write a few early thoughts about tomorrows racing -

The first race looks moderate for the course (something that will get repeated through the blog) - with the top handicap mark being 133. We have just six runners, and it doesn't look like we have a Chantry House in the field this season.

Any News is the current market leader, this novice winner for Mulholland ticks a lot of boxes, but he has only had one hurdles run and a win in a small field at Exeter doesn't look the most competitive form available. He stretched away from Glory And Honour in his bumper win and that is a bit of form that I think will read well later in the season. He looks to me to be a mid 130s horse on what we have seen, but will that be enough to win this?

The two who look main dangers are Lucky One and Make Me A Believer, the former being a nice winner last time out at Southwell. He is a more experienced horse than the favourite, but his form looks lopsided and either he is improving for experience with Paul Nicholls, or that Southwell race wasn't of much depth.

Make Me A Believer is of more interest to me, being well bred and showing a good level of form on his hurdles debut behind Bear Ghylls. That form has been franked by those further back and I think this horse has the potential to be another good horse for Prof Tidsall and David Pipe. He is by Presenting which is something else that I like and the fresher ground should suit him here.

The Novice Chase looks very competitive despite the small number of horses, with 6lbs covering the field on official marks. Hold The Note and Fabulous Saga get weight from the field and both have interesting angles. The former is experienced and has big race experience over fences, but has disappointed this season and the latter has a mere 1000 day absence to overcome!! I quite like Hold The Note and whilst he has been disappointing this season so far, I hope they ride him positively here and if they do he could take some beating.

I can't have The Mighty Don (so lump on) and L'air Du Vent needs to back up his good run last time out. The one who I fear is the favourite Happygolucky, who is a fine stamp of a horse and has the form in the book to go well here. My concern is that he might be vulnerable to something carrying less weight in what looks a trappy race.

The Peterborough Chase is the next of interest, rearranged from Huntingdon, and attracting a good field. The two I like are Mister Fisher and Kalashnikov, these to me are the classiest horses in the field and both could run away from this field on their day. At 5/1 each they are both a bet in a classic dutch.

Kalashnikov ran well at Haydock in that good handicap hurdle, he returns to bigger obstacles an I am hopeful that better ground will suit him even more. Similar ground optimism is see for Mister Fisher, who was a very progressive novice and can progress further this season over these mid distance races.

Finally I will touch on the Cross Country, which is not my favourite race of the festival, and it certainly isn't a great renewal of the handicap tomorrow. I can't believe we are missing Easysland because the handicapper wouldn't relent after his effort at the course last time. I think they need to look at putting this race as a conditions heat, we should be giving the best cross country horses a chance for preparing for the festival here.

As such it leaves a tightly packed field, in which I think early pace is going to be key. Kingswell Theatre won very well last time and whilst up in the weights, he must have a chance here. However I worry that Step Back will take him on early, and that could mean neither get the perfect set up in the race. I am not sure we can trust Beau Du Brizais to repeat his fine jumping performance again, so I am looking elsewhere and further down the prices.

My Hometown takes a leap of faith given this is just his second start since 2018 and his last one was a pulled up effort over hurdles 50 days ago. However I think this has been the target and if he returns to anywhere near that form from 2018 he would be winning this.

So for the blog its

Make Me A Believer

Hold The Note

Mister Fisher/Kalashnikov

My Hometown

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Project Mars Review & Showcase Day 2

2020-10-24T09:58:00.000+01:00

Hi,

It has been a week since Project Mars ran his seasonal reappearance at Stratford Upon Avon, and its been an interesting week with a few positives and one negative!!

Project Mars ran a good solid race at Stratford, but once again showed that his handicap mark was high enough to stop him winning in the grade. After his win at Huntingdon (off 95) he has now run placed twice off a mark of 100, with a decent distance between him and the winner on both occasions.

The handicapper doesn't agree with this though and suggested that he has improved 2lbs from Kelso and has put him up to a mark of 102. This to me seems very unfair for a horse who clearly was running to his merit at Stratford and had his limitations exposed by a last time out winner and a horse who is best known as a Hunter Chaser.

The issue with this is that it makes it much harder for Project Mars to run in his grade, given the rules about being able to run in a 0-100 if you are rated above the band, we would obviously like to run him in that class, given that he's been beaten in it at Stratford. However given how many horses get entered in these races (so many got balloted out at Stratford) it will probably mean that we need to raise him into a 0-105 or 0-110.

These races aren't abundant in the early season, so we have to hope that Sally and team at the yard can improve him and pick the best race for his next run.

Stratford was an odd day out, fortunately the syndicate got quite a few tickets so I was able to go and see the race. The whole racing without a crowd isn't pleasant, with us unable to see Project Mars post race as only the winner was allowed into the winners enclosure. However it was nice to speak to the other syndicate members and catch up on what we've all been up to (or haven't) since we last met.

Now onto today, one of the syndicate was desperate to hear my views given how poorly the selected horses did at Stratford!!

3:15 - Philip Hobbs has had three runners in this race in the last five years, with one winner, one second and an unplaced effort. Amazingly in 2016 he managed to get the forecast with Golden Doyen beating For Good Measure into second. He has a good record in all of the qualifiers too, havign a 15% strike rate with 6 winners from 40 since 2015

Today he runs Flinck who is interesting given his good seasonal reappearance at Chepstow (Video) where he stayed on very takingly from the last hurdle (usual two out) over a trip that looked too short for him. Given that run, it looks like today is the plan for him and that along with the good stable form in this race makes him a very interesting bet at 15/2. Given each way terms are for the first five, I think that is generous enough as a back up for the win bet.

3:50 - This is the sort of race that makes Cheltenham what it is, a competitive handicap chase over a staying trip where jumping is going to be tested as is stamina. Cogry is a standing dish in this race, as is West Approach. Frodon is a cult hero and tops the handicap, but to me the field has a couple of unexposed sorts who could well get into the finish.

Manofthemountain is one of them, but it is Cloth Cap that gets the selection. Cloth Cap is a horse that has always shown plenty of class and last season he never raced on ground that I think is his optimum, and therefore getting that ground today means that he could be the one that is best handicapped.

I think they will go hard enough here and he should be able to sit behind the pace in a prominent position and hopefully can hit the front at the last.13/2 looks very fair.

5:00 - Fergal O'Brien won this race last year when Liam Harrison took Petite Power to victory. Liam rode Project Mars for us last week and he is an excellent young jockey. This year the Fergal O'Brien horse is Call Me Vic and has the assistance of Albi Tufnell in the saddle. I hope the old boy does well for Albi who rides him at home and hopefully its another opportunity for a young lad associated with the yard to ride a good race at Cheltenham.

I however think Boughtbeforelunch is the one to be with here. He is ridden by the in form Jack Savage (2 from 2 for NTD in recent weeks) and his form ties in well with Ballymalin from their encounter at Worcester last year. On that form he looks very well handicapped, and whilst he was disappointing on his reappearance he has generally been consistent over fences and that should return today. I have backed him at 10/1 each way with 3 places as the place terms.

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A first run of the season - a trip to Stratford & selections for the day

2020-10-16T19:45:00.002+01:00

Hello,

Tomorrow we get to see Project Mars out for his first run of the season, in the 13:43 at Stratford, a 0-100 over 2m2f143yd and I am looking forward to seeing him run again.

The partnership started last season, when Boris (PM) was returning from a year off with an injury, and we have been fortunate enough to have seen him win once, and place on his other two runs. Those runs were on very different ground to tomorrow, but being by Presenting we are hoping that the change of ground might suit him even more. It is a bit of an exploration with him, we don't know if he is well handicapped, or whether we found him good opportunities last year, where conditions and opposition played to his strengths. Tomorrow we hope to learn more about him!

I am very surprised to see him as a well backed favourite this evening, in a race that looks more like a stakes race than a handicap, with only 2lbs between all eleven runners, and the race looks set up for the best horse to win. He is up against a few interesting runners, no more so than an ex Fergal O'Brien runner called A Book Of Intrigue who has the assistance of Richard Johnson. This horse won two bumpers and has been handicapped on novice form on heavy going. If he improves for better ground and he is ready, then tomorrow he could prove too well handicapped for them all.

My hopes? A safe trip for horse and all connections. Since lockdown the syndicate has lost a few members and a few new people have joined, its a shame to say goodbye to his other owners, but its also exciting to see others join on the journey with him. Hopefully this season goes as well as last for them.

If he places I will be pleased, if he wins I will be overjoyed!

Tomorrow is my first day on a racecourse since Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, and the atmosphere will be poles apart! I am sure that regular racegoers can agree that those big days and the crowds are part of the great appeal of racing, the roar of a close finish, the celebrations of a winner. Tomorrow will be different, but it will also be great to see the horses out racing, and to see the speed and action that unfolds on course.

Stratford is a course I really like to visit, both the centre course or in the stands, the action is close to the spectators and the jumping of the last fence is spectacular. I am fortunate that this is the course we get to go to for his return!

So my views on tomorrow -

Race 1 - I have gone for Numitor in this. He showed enough on his second hurdles run to suggest that he has a future in the sport and with his yard in great form I thought he was worth chancing against some interesting runners. The favourite The Bull Mccabe looks a big horse with a good future (over fences) and the second favourite of Paul Nicholls looks a big type who was readily outpaced in bumpers. I thought that both were possibly vulnerable to anything with a turn of foot if this got tactical, and I thought Numitor would be best placed to test them.

The newcomers from Hobbs and Twiston Davies appeal on their trainers, but their sires have a poor strike rate with first time out runners in hurdles (so no bumper runs) and as such I thought they could make the market for others.

Race 2 - All about the Paul Nicholls trained My Way, who I think will prove to be a cut above this field. He was a decent chaser last season but he hasn't won in 17 runs! I am not worried about that though here, with the course and hurdles likely to provide him with an ideal opportunity to get that elusive first victory. If we see money for Peachey then my bet won't be looking peachy!

Race 4 - A seller. I will make sure I am nowhere near the ring after the race, I don't want to be taking another horse home!! The form here is around Dariya and Authorizo over hurdles, and I prefer the latters handicap form to the former. However it is Ingenuity that appeals the most to me. He ran very well at Bath last time and I think he will run prominently here and could prove hard to pass. It is a trappy race, good luck to them, and good luck to anyone wanting to buy the winner.

Race 5 - Best race on the card and one with plenty of appeal for punters. I am siding with the inform family of the Bowens and their horse Francky Du Berlais. He races prominently, has had a win on return and is open to more improvement too. I am hoping he becomes a better chaser than hurdler this season, if he does then this is well within his ability.

Race 6 - Getariver is a mare I really like and now she is back over hurdles and on good ground, I think she can give weight and a beating away here. She is a confident selection in this race, she should be able to sit with the early pace and she could outclass this field.

Race 7 - #Goonpaddylad - top marks to the course and everyone in involved in getting a race named after Kian. I must say that the good Dr Simon has been an inspiration for most who have been up to Fergals and/or follow their twitter feed. He, Fergal, Sally and Paddy are so inclusive and the way they not only let people visit but make them feel a part of something. That has happened for Kian and his mum and this is another great example of it.

I think there is a massively overpriced horse in this race, Running Wolf for the in form Alex Hale yard and I am amazed he is double figure odds. He should run near the pace, and second time with the blinkers might see him settle a bit better and the fences here could help him. He is so well handicapped these days, and whilst he is unreliable, I am willing to forgive horses runs after Southwell races and with the yard in such good form he surely can go well. Hopefully Kian will be shouting #Goonharrylad in the finish.

Race 8 - A nice double for Alex Hale would be great, the consistent Say Nothing is the selection here. Tough race.

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A new season – The hopes, dreams and the reality of racing

2020-07-14T11:16:00.001+01:00

A new season is finally upon us, with jumps racing back in the UK from the 1^st July, and Boris is back in training! It is exciting at the start of a new season, that first yard visit of the season to see how the horse has summered and to take a sneak peek at new horses in the yard and to see if old favourites have returned.

We visited Boris on Friday last week, the first time we had been up to the yard since the creation of the Golden Cake Bridge and the opening of the new owners’ room and the accommodation for the lads and lasses of the yard. On arrival the first noticeable change is that the horses have their own path to the gallops around the foot of the building, meaning that they don’t need to mix with the cars in the car-park. Everything at the yard is beautifully thought about and they’ve achieved big things with the development!

As many are aware, Boris had three runs last season, with a good return at Fontwell when finishing second to Ruby Yeats, then the win at Huntingdon and then the long trip to Kelso where he finished third. So what am I hoping for this season?

First and foremost I hope he takes his training well again this season, today he has had his first canter and fingers crossed that he continues building up fitness and strength for the season. He is rated 100 now, and I hope that we have yet to see his full potential on the racecourse, so at this point of the season I hope we get to go racing plenty of times this season and that Boris stays happy and most importantly, healthy. Dreams? A win would be nice, two would be great and anything more than that would be amazing.

The syndicate has had a change over the summer, and I was fortunate enough to meet our new member at the yard on Friday. Hopefully they have as much fun with Boris as we had last season and I look forward to a few days at the races with all! It’s a shame to say goodbye to one of the syndicate, especially one who celebrates and gets his picture in the Racing Post! Great memories.

As discussed in previous posts, going to the yard is a brilliant experience for myself and my son, and the same has to be said of last Fridays visit. We arrived as a few of the string went for a walk down the drive, so after pulling into the siding to let the string past, we were welcomed by all of the riders and that feeling of friendliness continues from that point onwards!

We walked down to the yard via a new set of steps, a great bit of fun for a three year old!! We then watched a couple of horses being washed down, at this point the wonderful Florian greeted us like we’d never been away!! He greeted us and asked how Dylan was and where his big yellow coat had gone!! & that See Forever was back and that Dylan would be able to see five or six greys at the yard!!

It is this sort of moment that means a lot to me, and is why it works so well with FOB Partnerships. We might only have a small stake in one horse, but that doesn’t matter to the yard.

We were pointed in the direction of where Boris was in the yard, and Florian proudly stated that he had been looking after Project Mars for us! Boris seemed happy to see people and as usual he was in a friendly mood. A few pats and a pep talk from Dylan and then we decided to have a wander around to find some of the aforementioned greys.

Please don’t tell Florian!! but Dylan now has two favourite greys that aren’t See Forever! We saw Teqany which made Dylan ponder “Why does he have a pink face” and then he fell in love with Silver Hallmark again later in the morning.

The whole place is looking smart and as usual we were made welcome by the team as they went along with their daily routines. As always we had a quick chat with the assistant head lad and a few of the lads and lasses about how their spring had gone (and all that went with the unusual covid situation).

We then had a chat with one of the yard as they were mucking out, and this conversation really showed me how much horses mean to those who work with them. The jobs these folk do aren’t well paid, and they have long hours and have to deal with working outside in all weather, yet they do the work because of their passion and love for animals.

We had a conversation about the horses that he was looking after, and how they were getting on. We then discussed one that had lost its life on its stable debut last week. Dusty’s Choice was a grey horse who had come to the stables with new owners and had been their first runner on the day he lost his life. He was going well when he fell at two out, and unfortunately he couldn’t be saved.

The rawness of the situation was still clear, but it wasn’t anger about the loss, it was the sheer upset that such a “perfect horse” had lost his life. These horses are far more than possessions and opportunities to go and experience the thrill of racing, they are also companions and friends for those who are involved with them.

Racing is a tough sport to love at times, we see accidents and loss of horses, but what the public doesn’t see is what that loss means to those folk who look after and care for the horses at stables across the UK.

I know that the yard rally around and help each other when incidents like that happen, and I hope that those connected with Dusty have many winners in the future and much more luck in racing. They deserve it.

We then went and had a chat with Sally in the new owners’ room. A lovely development for the yard, and it was great to see a picture of Project Mars from Huntingdon on display! The facilities match the ambition and dedication of the outfit these days, and expect the yard will go from strength to strength.

As usual, the cake was delicious and Sally made Dylan feel welcome (so much so that he won’t stop going on about seeing Sally at the yard and her coffee machine!!), all it takes to get him onside is a piece of cake or a chocolate or two!!

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How it feels to have a National Hunt winner!

2020-02-24T21:38:00.001+00:00

Hello,

The dust has settled on last Thursday's visit to Huntingdon, but I feel the need to balance the points I made on this blog after the trip to Huntingdon.

On leaving home at 10 o'clock in the morning, we were greeted by leaden skies, which would cause the trip to be quite a testing drive! It take over 2 hours to get to Huntingdon from home, and with toddler and a bag of toddler snacks I expected it would feel a lot longer than that!!

One stop at the motorway services to fill up on more snacks and a much needed coffee, and we finally arrived at Huntingdon racecourse without much hassle. It is an interesting racecourse to arrive at, especially in pouring rain, because it is in such a non descript location. At Cheltenham you've got the hill, at Fontwell you see the course through the bushes from the main road. At Huntingdon you see a car park and some rectangular dull buildings!!

It doesn't help when you are ushered onto a section of grass that looks like it has been grown for a sixth division village cricket team to play its Sunday games on!! A lack of grass, and lots of pooling water!! The first thought was that I hoped they had tractors at the ready to get us out of the mud bath post racing.

We then ventured the rain. Rain of storm proportions, which soaked us despite the winter coats and hats. We walked into the owners and trainers gate and were given programmes, badges and two tickets (which days later were found to be food vouchers!).

After being directed to the owners stand, the whiter clad of all the rectangle buildings, we found the warmth of the bar. This was a lovely room which was well populated. As we walked to the bar we met some of the syndicate, all of whom had arrived before the rain and were a bit surprised by the drowned rat look that I had partaken!!

The great thing about our syndicate is how friendly everyone has been, racing as i've found from discussions in the office, has often got the reputation of being a sport for the old, the rich, the ultra rich and the monarchy! However, I think Fergal O'Brien and the yards friendly and fun outlook has attracted people who are interested and passionate about the sport and the entertainment value of it.

I've always found people associated with the yard, from Fergal & Sally, to Chris Coley and the good Doctor are friendly, knowledgeable and aware of what makes people want to invest their hard earned money into racing. It isn't an investment!!

FOBR9 has a nice mixture of members, and through visits to the yard and racecourse i've met some lovely folk, who we've shared a laugh and a joke and also some memorable moments like those at Huntingdon.

After a quick chat with the other syndicate members we braved the rain to take a walk around the stands and to see a few horses. This time we had a runner later on the card, so this gave us time to go and sample the racecourse.

Huntingdon is unspectacular. It is plain in fact, there aren't the flourishes of the gardens of Fontwell or the statues of Cheltenham, but it was welcoming. Every place we went we were met with smiles and chatter, the best example was when we went to one of the 'bistros' for some pasta for lunch. The ladies serving the food were in good form and made us feel welcome.

Huntingdon, certainly has the hospitable nature that is to be applauded!!

So to the race, we met Paddy Brennan in the parade ring, who was in good form as ever, and he actually made my day by being so welcoming to my son. We had discussed previously at the yard about how shy my boy is currently so for Paddy to take the time and say hello to him, showed that FOB racing thing in action!

We then split into two groups, and ended up in the two stands, our group taking a view in the top of the older stand, which I think has the better views of the course in its entirety but is just past the post. As the race started the nerves were obvious. Then when he settled and sat in the perfect position the nerves became more expectation of a good run.

A lap in and one of the group had gone down to the rail to talk to Mollie who was the travelling lass, and some of you may have seen the images on twitter of Eddie and his celebrations as Project Mars dug in after the last and won going away.

That feeling between two out when going the best and the last when he looked to have stopped his effort was something weird, because we all thought that he was going to throw the race away. However Paddy galvanised his effort and he pulled away nicely in the end.

A few hugs followed, and then we saw the post race celebrations!

A truly special day for all of the syndicate. It was a first winner for a few, and whilst we had to leave and get back on the road shortly afterwards, it was a great catch up with the other syndicate members and Sally who as usual was the exceptional host to us.

So all that was left was to brave the car park, I need to admit to Huntingdon racecourse here, I had to remove one of your posts that seperated the car parks. There was no way I was driving uphill on the grass/water/mud combination, and needed to escape along the field to a sounder surface!!

Gently did it, & we were off home. Two hours or so later and another few snacks lighter, we arrived home. Another great day out with Project Mars!!

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An Open Letter to racing - The BHA and The Jockey Club & Huntingdon Racecourse

2020-02-20T19:59:00.000+00:00

Evening,

The blog post you are expecting is going to be delayed somewhat, I will wax lyrical about Fergal et al on another post.

Firstly, this post isn't a criticism of Huntingdon Racecourse, but of one aspect of the day out today, and I think it is symptomatic of racing in this country. The vast majority of staff at Huntingdon today went out of their way to make myself and my son feel not only welcome, but also very special, and that was brilliant.

However, one individual, who I won't name was very close to ruining the whole day for me, because just after we had been congratulated by one of the Huntingdon racecourse management team, the certain individual came across and announced that to paraphrase -

You aren't allowed in here with children. It is against the rules of the racecourse, please can you leave the winners enclosure. Children under 12 years of age aren't allowed in.

So from have a celebratory conversation with the other syndicate members whilst waiting for Project Mars to return to the winners enclosure I had to walk out of the ring and around to the other side where the viewing spectators were. We missed all the debrief with our jockey, we missed the photographs and most of all we missed welcoming Project Mars back into the winners enclosure.

Now, I am a responsible parent, I had stood well out of the way of the hubbub of the winners enclosure and I know full well what horses can do to people. However, I also understand that moments like that do not come along very often for people who are involved with one racehorse. He had won his first race for the syndicate, and his very first race in his career. Many of the owners had their first winner, and it was my first winner with a National Hunt horse.

So, a few points I want to raise -

1 - Did the gentleman really need to come over and announce such a thing, knowing that I had my boy in my arms and well away from any harm? I know that we live in a time of litigation and all that malarkey, but surely all that was needed was a word in my ear stating that we shouldn't get close to the horses and to keep my boy in my arms.

2 - Why is it OK for a twelve year old to be in the winners enclosure, but not an eleven year old? Why is this an arbitary figure? I know plenty of twelve year olds who I wouldn't take into a winners enclosure, but I would take my three year old son who knows what horses are like and has a very placid approach to such situations.

3 - How is it that racing is supposed to be inclusive for families, yet when we have the pinnacle moment in the sport as a little owner, we cannot celebrate it fully because we have a child with us?

I was very close to walking straight out of the course when I was told to leave the winners enclosure, but I stuck around because I wanted to share other moments with the syndicate. However the whole situation was tainted by one overzealous and down right rude individual.

The said individual is a relatively well known figure in racing, and what is most ironic is that if you look his name up on the internet one of the bits about him states that - "passionate and lifelong horse racing supporter, having spent many of his early years at Warwick, Stratford and Uttoxeter with his Grandfather."

It would be great to have a response from the Jockey Club, Huntingdon Racecourse and even the BHA on this matter, is it a blanket ban on children being allowed into the winners enclosure at racecourses? Does this include members of trainers families, or is it the small syndicate owners who get this sort of treatment?

I know for a fact that i've seen children in winners enclosures at Cheltenham, Aintree and at the biggest events. I recall the great pictures of Leighton Aspell with children after Many Clouds won the national as one vivid example and then the Keighley boys at Cheltenham too.

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Project Mars - A trip to Huntingdon

2020-02-20T09:17:00.001+00:00

Morning,

Today we see Project Mars head to Huntingdon racecourse for his second run for the syndicate, an 18 runner handicap in which he is currently the 5/1 favourite!

However, I wanted to write a bit of a blog about what has happened this week and why being involved in this syndicate is well worth the money for me.

I work for the Environment Agency, and i've had a very difficult week, as you will know we have had lots of flooding in the UK and in the West Midlands we have had a very testing situation for many people. Flooding is a cruel disaster for those directly impacted by it, and unfortunately we have had homes and livelihoods flooded this event.

I am a mapping specialist, so i've been creating masses of maps for the response to the flooding, the maps have been shared with the emergency services who have had the unenviable task of warning and informing people of the situation in their homes and towns. It has been a very difficult week for me because i know that each map I create is showing the location of distress, worry and worse for people.

However, it must also be said that its a very rewarding job, knowing that the data and evidence I can create is giving situational awareness for people, helping with preparedness for what might happen, and even have the potential to save lives. It is just hard to remember that at times!!

Anyway, given the tragic death of Caroline Flack and many others over the last few weeks, it is the mental health aspects of horse racing and its community that I wanted to flag up here.

As many readers will know, the Fergal O'Brien yard is set in amazing countryside in the Cotswolds, and a trip to the yard is one of the nicest ways i've found to improve my mental health. Seeing horses train on their gallops, which is set on top of a valley, is spectacular, but its also the stables/barns that make the experience.

I take my nearly 3 year old son up to the yard, and his favourite thing is watching the horses being washed down after gallops, he is happy to just stand and watch this for ten minutes. And anyone with an active 3 year old boy will probably know, 10 minutes of standing and watching is a very rare treat!!

Then being able to walk around the yard is another big bonus, I am a bit of a racing geek, so I know most of the horses formlines, but for my boy its being able to see the few grey horses in the yard that makes the day. See Forever and Silver Hallmark are his favourites!!

Then we have days at the races! Today I am sure will be an interesting day out at a new course for me, but it will also have the nerves of watching Boris (Project Mars) run. However as a day off, I can't think of many better ways to spend it, being close to horses, meeting people and spending the day with my little boy!!

So if you are in Huntingdon today, come say hello.

Oh, and as for the chances of Boris today, my thoughts are -

He ran a good solid race at Fontwell, the races time was quicker than the second division and I think he got tired up the hill at the end. I am always worried about the 'bounce' factor for horses, but Fergal and Sally have him in good order and he has been given time to get over his return run.

The race looks very tricky, but I am very hopeful of a good run. I hope he jumps better early in the race, and then sees out the race better than at Fontwell. I don't see why he can't do it!

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Project Mars - Race Day 1 - Fontwell - 25th January

2020-01-27T19:43:00.000+00:00

Evening,

I have a tenth share in a racehorse with Fergal O'Brien and Sally Randell, through their in-house syndicate, and after returning to training this autumn he finally got to the level of fitness to make his return to the races after over 600 days off. He like many horses who have been in training, had time off with injuries and whilst that has been frustrating for Fergal and the yard, it probably & hopefully has done him the world of good.

When he was put up for syndication he looked like -

and now he looks like

He has really strengthened up and developed physically, and whilst being only rated in the 90s, he looked to be the sort of horse that could provide plenty of fun for this season and beyond. Being by Presenting people would suggest that spring/summer ground would suit, but from his action you'd say that he is likely to be best seen on winter soft ground.

So on Sunday we got the first outing to a racecourse with him, and it was a first for me at Fontwell Park, which provided a nice day out, albeit a long and sometimes tedious one! Leaving home at 8:30 on Sunday morning, stopping at Membury services and then ploughing on towards Fontwell, feeling optimistic about Boris's chances (Project Mars, PM, Boris, are we all on the same page?). He was favourite or close to it as I left home and then clear favourite when I reached the track.

Fontwell Park if you haven't been is a very interesting course, with lovely gardens and plenty of space for you to take a view of the racing in a way that suits. I'm a bit of a wanderer at racecourses and love to see the racing from the rails, as well as high in the stands and down by a fence/hurdle. Fontwell allows good viewing due to its compact nature and interesting figure of eight chase track.

Anyway, first day in owners and trainers at a NH racecourse, and lets start with the food! It was ok, a stew and a cup of soup. It did its job, nice and warming and saved trying to find another place to eat. A complimentary glass of prosecco was very kind too, and whilst i didn't partake, plenty did!

The parade ring was easy to access, and provided good viewing of Boris being led around by Lauren, who prepared him brilliantly for his race. He looked very well in the parade ring, he was very chilled (as he always seems to be) and looked ready for the race.

Fergal and Paddy were both great, as Fergal has stated in the media, racing is an entertainment service, and that is something the yard do brilliantly, they make you feel at ease and yet the professionalism and steely determination to win both shine through.

I invited my inlaws along for the day, and thankfully Sally and Fergal had managed to get the tickets sorted that allowed them to experience owners and trainers for the day. My inlaws have a nice history with racing, with my wife's grandfather being a preeminent photographer in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s. As such one of his pictures from his day at Epsom for the Derby hangs proudly in our house, a black and white image similar to the one below.

Image from Course-Specialist.com

During the day they commented how special it was to see racehorses up close and from a different perspective, and that they felt so welcome by the team and the racecourse in general.

So Paddy got the leg up on Project Mars and we were away to watch the race. I am a pretty calm racegoer (unless i've backed one which is within 10 lengths of the lead at the last at Cheltenham) but after Boris made a mistake at the first hurdle, it was a lot of nerves for the first circuit. As he settled into the race, the nerves turned to optimism and then expectation, as Paddy took him to the lead turning in.

However, Gary Moore had a runner who was going nicely in behind, who joined Boris at the last and then I think the lack of recent races took its toll and Boris faded into an 8 length second place at the line. A very good return to racing for him, and most importantly he looked to have come back to the winners enclosure in fine health.

We then got a full debrief from Paddy who was very complimentary about how he raced and gave a few suggestions for the future. It was really interesting to hear an experienced older jockey discuss what had happened and his views on what we could look forward to if he returned sound. That feedback must be absolutely invaluable for the yards he rides for.

Fergal then led us to the bar and we had a nice conversation in the syndicate before going our own ways for the rest of the afternoon.

This morning I popped down to the yard to see Boris, and the great news was that he trotted up soundly and looked in good health and was his usual chilled self. Hopefully meaning that we can see him back on the racecourse in the not too distant future.

If you've got interest in racing ownership, I would recommend going to visit Fergal and Sally, the yard is a stunning location, they are a very friendly bunch and they make even us little shareowners feel very welcome and part of a team.

Today i've had a chat with Fergal, Paddy and probably more importantly the people who work so dedicatedly behind the scenes, including Lauren who spent Sunday on the road with Boris and the others like Liam Harrison & Conor Brace who are both young jockeys going places. The friendliness of the place is quite something. Even when you are getting in the way with a two year old toddler!!!

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