NEWS UPDATE

 

June Update

 

Six winners added to the seasonal tally, and it was very pleasing to see several of our unexposed three year olds get off the mark.

 

 

Highland Knight was our first winner of the month, recording an easy win over a mile at Lingfield Park.  The second has won a maiden since and the form looks strong, so he is fairly-handicapped off a mark of 87. 

 

Mecox Bay is another to have broken his maiden tag this month, winning over 1m2f at Folkestone.  The form looks quite reasonable for the grade and off his mark of 76 and being from a good family, he is another very good handicap prospect.

 

Kakatosi was our third maiden winner of the week, winning on his second start of the season.  It wasn’t a very good contest (at 2-5, he may well be our shortest-priced winner of the year!), but he did everything that was asked of him and goes handicapping off a fair mark. 

 

Frances Stuart is out of a useful 10f winner by King’s Best (sire of this year’s Derby winner Workforce), and she did her paddocks value no harm at all when making all over a mile at Salisbury.  The 5th from that race has won a maiden since, and there is every reason to believe she is capable of winning off her mark of 78.

 

Critical Path supplemented last season’s win at Epsom with a narrow win over 1m2f at Chester under David Probert.  This is her time of year and she can win again over the summer.

 

We don’t have too many runners up at Ayr, however Breakheart made the long journey worthwhile by winning a valuable mile handicap there under a well-judged ride from Franny Norton.  He has now won both his starts this season and he is an exciting prospect for the rest of the season.

 

There were also several notable performances in defeat during the month.  Set The Trend went desperately close on his belated return in a handicap at Epsom on Derby day, and he deserves to find a big handicap this season.

 

At Royal Ascot, Dream Eater ran a career best to finish 3rd behind leading milers Goldikova and Paco Boy.  He has certainly improved for a wind operation this season and he will now go for the Summer Mile back at Ascot in July, before perhaps taking in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood en route to Turkey in September, where he will bid to go one better than last year in the Topkapi Trophy at Veliefendi.

 

Riggins has proved to be a bargain buy and after an excellent third on his first run for us, he finished an agonising ½ length second in the Royal Hunt Cup.  He has gone up 5lbs for that, but hopefully he too will be able to pick up a big handicap, with the Cambridgeshire an obvious long-term target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late April/May 2010 update

The horses remain in excellent form and it has been another successful month, with 13 winners from 70 runners at a strike-rate of 19%.

Dreamspeed built on the promise shown last year with a reappearance win in the Derby Trial at Epsom in April He has since run well in defeat in the Italian Derby, where he finished 5th on his first run on heavy ground, and he is a very useful prospect for the season.

Kingston Acacia is a filly who improved plenty over the winter and she has quickly made up in to a useful prospect, winning 7f handicaps on the all-weather at Lingfield in late April and at Warwick in early May. Looking ahead, we may try to get some black type for her.

Island Rhapsody built on the promise of her debut run at Kempton Park when winning on her next start there over 6f. That form looks quite solid for the grade and she has the potential to make up in to a useful filly.

Gardening Leave showed real determination when getting off the mark for the season in Listed company at Newmarket under an excellent ride from Jimmy Fortune. He is an improving colt and the Hampton Court stakes at Royal Ascot is his next target.

Constant Contact and Fireback both registered handicap successes at the beginning of May under front-running rides. The former had won his maiden at Epsom last season and returns there for a 1m2f handicap on Derby day, while the latter was breaking his maiden tag at the fifth time of asking and looks much-improved this season.

Chiberta King was a big improver last season, winning twice and rising 23lbs in the process. After a very promising reappearance at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day he was made favourite to win a valuable 1m6f back at that course in mid-May, and made all of the running to register a comfortable victory. He has been raised 8lbs for that win and a trip to Newcastle for the Northumberland Plate could be next.

The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of May was a particularly successful one, with five winners from just seven runners. Balducci is quickly developing into a very exciting prospect, and he followed up his win in maiden company by taking the valuable Silver Bowl handicap at Haydock. His next target will be the Britannia at Royal Ascot.

Final Victory showed he had come on plenty for his reappearance in the Great Metropolitan at Epsom when taking a good quality and valuable handicap at Goodwood under Liam Keniry and he could now go for the 1m4f handicap at Epsom on Derby day.

The Jeff Smith-owned pair Breakheart and Strictly Dancing won their maidens on the Saturday. The former is a half-brother to Dark Missile, who won the Wokingham and was placed 2nd in the Group 2 Diadem at Ascot for the yard in 2007, while the latter is out of the top-class sprinter Lochangel. Both are open to plenty of progress this season.

Brave Bugsy always seems to reserve his best for Bath and he became our fifth and final winner of the weekend when taking the stayers handicap. His form at the course now reads 1452151 and hopefully he can win again there this year!

Dungannon was another to have won at Bath in May. He struggled slightly with the soft ground at Salisbury on his reappearance (where he was also badly drawn) but he showed himself to be a very useful prospect for sprint handicaps when scoring easily in maiden company.

Trewarthenick and Veni Vedi Veci ensured we finished the month in the best possible style with an across-the-card double. Trewarthenick has improved of late and his win over a mile on what was his handicap debut suggests there is more to come from him this season. Veni Vedi Veci is a progressive filly who built on her reappearance 4th at Chester’s May meeting with a ready win in what looked a fair maiden at Leicester, and she can go on to better things with that win under her belt.

There have also been several notable performances in defeat recently. Lord Zenith ran very respectably in the 2000 Guineas and things didn’t go his way at Sandown Park when 4th in the Listed Heron stakes on his next start. He deserves to get his head in front at that level again soon.

Pipette bounced back from her run in the 1000 Guineas to finish runner-up in the Listed Height Of Fashion over 10f at Goodwood. It was her first run beyond a mile and she looked to handle the step up in trip well. The Ribblesdale could be next for her.

Simenon has run with credit on both starts this season in decent company, finishing 4th behind Derby hope Rewilding on his latest start in the Derby Trial at Goodwood. He might drop back slightly in grade next time for a conditions race at Doncaster, but hopefully he is capable of winning a Pattern contest this season.

Finally, Dream Eater ran a fine race on his reappearance in the Group 3 John Of Gaunt at Haydock on ground that was probably softer than he would ideally want. As well as winning in Listed company he ran some excellent races in defeat last season and he deserves to win a big one this year.

 

 

April 16th

 

After a quiet period in March, the beginning of the flat season proper has seen the yard’s runners hit top form, with six winners from just 12 runners so far in April.

 

Pipette is a filly for whom we have high hopes this year, and she showed her potential in easily dismissing a small but select bunch of fillies in a conditions event at Kempton at the beginning of April.  The step up to a mile was expected to suit, and so it proved as she saw the trip out really well.  She is entered in the 1,000 Guineas and hopefully she  will prove capable of making her mark at the highest level.

 

Swindler is a horse who has had plenty of problems, but the ability is undoubtedly there, and his confidence is sure to have been boosted by a comfortable success over 1m3f in maiden company at Kempton.  It is to be hoped that he can remain sound, as he is surely capable of mixing it in better company in future.

 

Lord Zenith provided us with our first Listed winner of the year, winning over a mile on the all-weather at Lingfield.  He showed a good turn of foot to put the race to bed on what was his first try over a mile, and he could now head for the 2,000 Guineas.

 

Two promising maiden winners have added to our tally, namely Balducci and Ipswich Lad.  The former showed the benefit of a couple of runs on the all-weather over the winter when taking a decent maiden at Newmarket’s Craven meeting, while the latter was impressive in a more modest contest at Kempton.  Both can progress further this year.

 

Dromore was another to win at Kempton this month, our fourth winner in a very successful ten day period at the track!  He has always shown plenty of ability but for whatever reason he struggled in a couple of nurseries after winning his maiden at Salisbury last season.  He was gelded over the winter though, and hopefully there is more to come from him.

 

Show Winner has run two very solid races over fences and with his jumping looking particularly tidy, he could be one to follow in that sphere, while back on the flat Topolski ran well on his first run for the yard, and he should progress for that.  White Devil is another to have made an encouraging seasonal debut.  He showed a good level of form last season but was always likely to do better this year, so with this run under his belt he too should not be long in winning.

 

 

February 2010

 

Our small number of runners on the all-weather have continued in excellent form, and since November have been operating at a strike-rate of around 30%. 

 

The yard recorded a first double for the year when Lord Fidelio (claimed after the race) and Dingaan both won at Kempton on the 17th under David Probert, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the year. 

 

Dingaan has not been the easiest to win with in the past couple of years, but he has struck up a good partnership with David, who is now two from five on him, and it was very pleasing to see him win on his first start of the season.  His record on the all-weather is an impressive four wins from 13 starts, and he may well run again on it before the start of the turf season.

 

Chink Of Light was our first maiden winner of the year, and he looked a smart prospect when comfortably winning over 1m3f at Kempton, showing plenty of improvement on his one run last year.  His mark of 75 looks very fair and he’ll remain in handicap company for now, however if all goes well there are some loftier ambitions for him in the future, including the German Derby.

 

Wigram’s Turn went very close to adding to his previous Kempton win in September when finishing second off a mark of 88 back there late last month, and hopefully he will return to winning ways very soon.

 

 

December 2009/January 2010

 

Flat

 

While the weather conditions have made for very difficult working conditions, results on the racecourse for our small All-Weather team have been excellent, with three winners in December followed by two winners (at the time of writing) in January, and this from just 16 runners in that period. 

 

Lord Fidelio has now won two of his last three, both victories coming over 7f at Kempton Park.  He showed ability on turf over the summer but really seems to be progressing now and he looked value for more than the winning margin on his latest start.  Hopefully he can continue to improve.

 

Danger Mulally won at Warwick in July but had been disappointing in three runs since until winning by a short-head at Kempton in December.  He was only put up 2lbs for that but his follow-up win at Wolverhampton was again gained by a very short margin, this time as a result of him hanging very badly right as he came in to the final straight.  Again, there could be more to come, especially if his occasional wayward tendencies can be ironed out!

 

Starburst gained her reward for a series of consistent efforts when winning in very good style in what was an admittedly weak maiden at Wolverhampton in December, and followed that effort with a good third at Kempton off a career-high mark of 65, where she might have finished closer granted a better passage through the race.  There could still be further progress seen from her.

 

 

Jumps

 

Briareus has been retired after pulling-up on his seasonal return in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park, where he suffered a recurrence of the problems that have restricted him to just a handful of appearances in recent years. 

 

Winner of the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle in 2006, as well as in a Grade 2 Novice Chase at Ascot a year later, he won six races during his career, and ran in a Champion Hurdle, and more recently in the King George VI (where he finished 4th) and the Champion Chase in 2008, where he was in the process of running a fine race, holding fourth place when falling at the last.

 

Owned and bred by Emma Lambourne and Nick Ovett, he has been a fixture in the yard for the best part of a decade, having made his debut as a two year old on the flat at Newmarket in 2002, and everyone at the yard wishes him a very happy retirement.

 

This year’s team of jumpers is a very small one, but in Amroth Bay we may have unearthed a useful horse for the future, as he was impressive in winning by 6 lengths at Chepstow on his only start to date, under Champion jockey AP McCoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOVEMBER 2009

 

While the last six weeks of the season were relatively quiet ones for the yard in terms of runners, Andrew was once again busy buying for next year as sales season started.  With many new arrivals coming into the yard, it’s an exciting time and we are all looking forward to the start of the 2010 season already!

 

It was certainly another very successful season, with 63 winners and an excellent prize-money haul of over £1,000,000 when including the foreign adventures of the yard’s globetrotters, Buccellati and Dream Eater.

 

It has also been particularly pleasing to see so many promising two-year-olds make the racecourse this season, and with 21 wins in that sphere (18 individual winners) in 2009, they are a very exciting group for next year.

 

Buccellati finished a fine third in the Canadian International at Woodbine last month.  A race that Andrew is keen to win again (he won it in his first year training with Phoenix Reach), he was beaten only by two Group 1 winners and on ground that was a little too firm for his liking.  He has improved throughout his career and confirmed himself to be a top-class horse this season.

 

Closer to home, Flaming Miracle and Gardening Leave both recorded victories in maiden company.  While the former has since gone through the ring at the Newmarket sales (selling for 35,000gns having been bought for 5,500gns as a yearling), the latter looks a potentially useful colt for next season, making quite an impression when running away with a mile maiden on soft ground at Newbury.  He has plenty of scope and is one to look out for next year.

 

Another to show plenty of promise on the same card at Newbury was the once-raced Pipette.  A daughter of Pivotal out of a triple winner in France, she had shown 16 rivals a clean pair of hooves on her debut at Salisbury and stepped up on that form in finishing third in the Radley Stakes (Listed).  She was staying on very strongly and certainly looked the one to take from the contest – she could be a very useful filly next year.

 

 

October 2009

 

Although October has proved to be a quiet month for us so far, the horses are continuing to run well and we’re delighted to have achieved our target of 60 winners with just under a month left before the season ends.

 

Bernie The Bolt has done nothing but progress all year and his latest performance, in winning the Cesarewitch Trial at Newmarket by over 4 lengths, was particularly impressive.  By the St Leger winner Milan, his pedigree is stamina-laden and he is open to plenty of progress.  He is certainly one to follow next year.

 

It was very pleasing to see Wigram’s Turn get his head in front for the first time since his debut in 2007.  He has been very unlucky to bump into well-handicapped rivals on several occasions in the past couple of seasons and hopefully now he has that elusive handicap win under his belt he can go in again without waiting quite so long this time!

 

Bengal Tiger has only had three runs this season, but improved on each occasion and was impressive in beating a subsequent easy winner 7 lengths on his second start over 1m4f on the Aw at Kempton.  He goes to the sales, and looks a lovely prospect for the jumping game.

 

The two-year-olds continue to run very well, with 19 wins between them this year.  Simenon supplemented his maiden win with another in novice company at Ayr before finishing a fine third in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Ascot.  He, along with Mon Cadeaux, who ran with a decent 6f conditions event at Salisbury, look very useful and will hopefully make an impression at a higher level next season.

 

Former stable star Passing Glance is proving to be a good sire, and his stock has risen with the recent successes of Side Glance and Constant Contact.  The former was sent off an unconsidered 50-1 shot on his debut at Newmarket but ultimately won decisively and he ran a very good race in defeat behind a 103-rated horse on his next start, where he still appeared a little green.  Constant Contact, who followed his Epsom maiden win with an excellent performance in defeat in nursery company there.  Giving 22lbs to the winner, he was beaten a short-head, showing real grit and determination.  Both look likely to provide the members of the KRC with plenty of exciting days at the racecourse next season.

 

Brick Red is another lovely prospect for next year, and he went very close to adding to his win at Kempton when failing by just a nose in a nursery at Goodwood off a mark of 79.  He is a big colt who looks sure to improve over the winter.

 

Flaming Miracle deserves a change of luck having been placed second on three of his last four starts, while Ipswich Lad and Strictly Dancing shouldn’t be maidens for too much longer on the strength of their recent placed form.

 

Finally, good luck to Buccellati, who heads to Canada for the Woodbine International on the 17th of October!

 

 

September 10th UPDATE

 

With just two months of the season to go, our tally of winners continues to grow and hopefully we will surpass last year’s total of 67 winners.

 

Dream Eater got his reward for several very good performances in top company when dead-heating for the Listed City of York Stakes, before running yet another excellent race in defeat when a very close second in the richest mile race in Europe, the Topkapi Trophy at Veliefendi racecourse in Turkey.  That run brought his career earnings to over £450,000, and it is to be hoped that he breaks through the half-a-million barrier very soon!

 

Siren’s Gift is another owned by Jeff Smith to have struggled to get her head in front despite consistently running well in top sprints (she has been placed on many occasions in Pattern company), but she too got off the mark for the year when making all at Epsom under a good ride from David Probert. 

 

Our two-year-olds always looked likely to be a good group this year and that has been the case, with 16 juvenile winners at a strike-rate of 19% this season.  Katehari won her maiden at Windsor in good style and looks to have been given a very fair handicap mark of 72, while Pipette suggested she might be one to go on to better things when readily accounting for a large field of maidens at Salisbury in a maiden that traditionally produces a couple of good ones.

 

Of the boys, Constant Contact and Brick Red both showed the benefit of experience when winning their maidens recently, the former winning very well at Epsom (and in doing so evoking memories of his sire, and former stable star Passing Glance winning the Diomed on Derby Day!) and the latter dead-heating in what looked quite a good maiden on the All-Weather at Kempton Park.  Cool Valentine left a couple of disappointing runs well behind when winning a competitive nursery at Sandown Park before finding a little trouble in running en route to finishing fourth off a 7lbs higher mark at Goodwood last time - he still looks to be on a competitive mark.

 

We’ve also, as is always the case, had several horses run very well in defeat of late.  Victoria Montoya has been so consistent this year and ran yet another excellent race when 2nd to the high-class Mourilyan in the Listed March Stakes at Goodwood before perhaps finding the Park Hill at Doncaster’s Leger meeting just one race too many.  She looks likely to remain in training next year.  Bengal Tiger, another to run for the Kingsclere Racing Club, looks unlikely to remain a maiden for too much longer having improved markedly for the step up in trip last time when finishing second at Kempton.

 

Flaming Miracle twice looked unlucky not to collect in nursery company late last month and hopefully he can make amends soon, while White Devil and Viking Dancer are other juveniles to have gone close recently and look more than capable of taking a maiden before the end of the season.

 

July/August Update

 

The traditionally busy summer months of July and August have seen the team add a further 19 wins to our seasonal tally, bringing the total to 47.  With nearly three months of the season left, it looks like being another very successful season!

 

Brief Encounter and Cool Strike provided Park House with a second double at Newmarket’s July Festival in successive years, following the successes of Jedediah and Donegal last year.  Both horses have done nothing but improve this season, and they look capable of further progress.

 

Old favourite My Learned Friend got off the mark for the year with a win at Brighton, and although he needs things to fall his way, he has a very good record at the likes of Lingfield and Brighton and it is to be hoped that he can add to his score in the coming months.  Another to have reached the winners’ enclosure in July was Dingaan.   A model of consistency last year, he somehow managed to continually find one or two too good, but put that recent record straight in very good style at Bath.  Ben’s Dream and Keep Dancing gave David Probert a double at Warwick earlier that month, and both are capable of further gains if repeating that form.

 

Rapid Water supplemented her Salisbury maiden win earlier in the season with victory at Ascot, while Isabelonabicycle and Parc Des Princes were others to register their second wins of the campaign last month, with the latter winning impressively on his first start on the AW since his debut run last year, suggesting that he is capable of plenty more success on that surface.  Critical Path and Bernie The Bolt both won their maidens in good style recently, and could well be worth following in the weeks and months to come.

 

Although the week of Glorious Goodwood wasn’t a particularly successful one for the yard, there were several noteworthy performances, including My Aunt Fanny’s eyecatching reappearance run, Victoria Montoya’s 3rd in the Group 3 Lilllie Langtry, and Stargaze finishing 3rd in the Group 2 Richmond. 

 

The two year olds have been running very well of late, with several winners in the past couple of months.  The aforementioned Stargaze has improved with every run, defeating a useful juvenile from the Richard Hannon yard before his excellent run at Goodwood.  He is very tough, and could well make another impact at a high level before too long.

 

Other to have run in Group company include Dreamspeed, who was impressive on debut at Sandown and who is capable of improving on his defeat at Glorious Goodwood, and Swan Wings, who put a couple of disappointing runs behind her when 4th in a Listed race at Newbury over 5f.  Hopefully, she can pick up some black type later this season.  Lord Zenith, 5th in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting, is another with a bright future.

 

 

 

 

Suffolk Punch and Danger Mulally both won their maidens in July, and though they have been beaten in nursery company since, they look fairly treated and should improve further with experience.

 

Finally, Simenon, Mon Cadeaux and Dromore, who all look well worth following this season after registering good maiden victories, at Newmarket and Salisbury (twice) respectively.  All three showed the benefit of a debut outing, and look open to plenty of improvement.

 

May/June update

 

With three months of the season gone, our winners tally has grown to 28, including 20 in the last two months.

 

Hatton Flight continued his winning sequence, following his Great Metropolitan win with victory in a valuable Newmarket handicap.  He is has won over £50,000 in prize-money so far this season, and with his handicap mark approaching 100 hopefully he can continue to improve and take a hand in the best staying races in the calendar.

 

Buccellati had already graduated from the handicap ranks last season, but in beating two former Group 1 winners in the Group 3 Ormonde at Chester he took another leap forward, and there is little doubt he would have finished much, much closer in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on Derby Day had he not suffered bad interference in the straight; he could well make his mark on the highest stage this year.

 

It was very pleasing to see Lochstar and Corriolanus get their heads in front last month, as both have had injury problems in the past couple of seasons.

 

Dream Eater has once again been running well this year, finishing second in the Group 2 Sandown Mile behind Paco Boy, before finishing 5th in the Group 1 Queen Anne at the Royal meeting.

 

Victoria Montoya showed herself to be an improving young stayer with an easy victory in a valuable contest at Newmarket, and though she could only finish second on her next start, the winner of that contest has gone in again since, and she has some ambitious targets for the rest of the year, with her next race likely to be the Esher Cup at Sandown on Eclipse day. 

 

Oceana Blue has won twice this season and she continues to improve, while Casilda, a new recruit to the yard this season, finished 2nd on only her second run for the yard and she looks to have a very bright future.

 

The three year olds have been running well, with Chiberta King supplementing his win at Windsor with victory at Newmarket, before finishing 2nd in the King George V at Royal Ascot.  He is a very good prospect, as is Brief Encounter, who was impressive when winning at York on his second start this year before finishing 9th when sent off favourite for the Britannia handicap. 

 

Final Victory has won twice over 1m4f in the past couple of months and looks the type to do even better with time, and Set The Trend continues to suggest he could be one to follow, with recent placings in the Silver Bowl at Haydock and in a conditions event against higher-rated rivals on the all-weather at Kempton.

 

Jeff Smith’s homebreds Rapid Water (a son of Lochsong) and Celestial Dream have both recorded wins and more can be expected of them this season, while Peking Prince, Cool Strike and Parc Des Princes all recorded handicap wins in June and it is to be hoped that they can win again in near future, so too Farleigh, a winner of her only start this season and by the sire of one of last year’s stable stars, Kalahari Gold.

 

As we approach July the two year olds will start to appear in greater numbers, but those we have run so far give us great encouragement for the group as a whole.  Stargaze was our first 2yo winner of the year, scoring with ease on Lingfield on his third start and he looks a likely type for nurseries, while Swan Wings fulfilled the promise of her debut 2nd at Sandown when making all to win at Salisbury, also the scene of Lord Zenith’s win on his second start following an eye-catching debut at Newbury.  Both look capable of going on to better things.

 

Others have run very well in defeat, with the Mick and Janice Mariscotti-owned pair Cool Valentine and Liquid Asset both finishing second on their debuts, at Lingfield and Sandown respectively.

 

Simenon did best of those previously un-raced when a good 3rd in a maiden at Newmarket recently, while Yarra River beat all bar the odd-on favourite when 2nd at Windsor.  Danger Mullaly is another to have run with promise and he is another who will probably go the nursery route.

                                                                                                       

 

 

 

We have started the 2009 flat season in much the same good form as last year, with plenty of winners and a 25% strike-rate during April; 8 winners from 32 runners at the time of writing.   It’s a really pleasing start and hopefully sets the tone for the remaining 7 months or so!  

 

Hatton Flight, having notched up a four-timer in the early part of the season last year, has been in sparkling form, winning a good handicap at Lingfield Park before following up in the Great Metropolitan handicap at Epsom. 

 

Set The Trend is another to have achieved plenty of success already the season, supplementing his Lingfield maiden win in February with a game victory at Kempton Park on his second start in handicap company.  He is quickly progressing into a useful performer.

 

Chiberta King improved markedly on last year’s maiden form when winning at Windsor on his handicap debut.  Stepped up to 1m4f, he outstayed the opposition and looks likely to add to that success this season.

 

Other recent winners include Inhibition, a three-year-old filly that runs in the colours of the Kingsclere Racing Club and for whom we have the Lingfield Oaks Trial in mind, and the giant Isabelonabicycle, who won on her handicap debut at Folkestone.  She looks open to plenty of improvement.  Western Roots, a multiple winner last year, registered his first win of this campaign in very good style at Brighton.

 

April also saw the return of Dream Eater.  Off since running 3rd in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, last year’s 2,000 Guineas 5th finished a slightly-unlucky 2nd on his recent comeback, and goes for the Group 2 Sandown Mile next.  He will be joined in the horsebox to Sandown by Buccellati, who has been so progressive and who bids for a first Group win in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes.

 

Of the jumpers, Briareus was unfortunate to never have been given a moment’s peace up front in the Melling Chase at Aintree, and he is now being given a rest having run with great credit on several occasions on the biggest of National Hunt stages this season.  Meanwhile, Kervriou registered what had been a long-awaited victory when successful at Huntingdon, and it is to be hoped that having finally got his head in front, he’ll be back in the winners’ enclosure very soon!

 

With the season now fully underway, we’ll be running more and more of the two-year-olds.  They look a really good group this year, and with the older horses already fighting to get their names on the winners list, all at Park House are really looking forward to plenty of success in the weeks and months ahead.

 

 

 

 

Winter Update

 

Once again, the winter months have been spent preparing for the season ahead, rather than focusing on the All-Weather; since the end of the turf season in November, we have had just 18 runners on the flat, with wins for Banknote and Set The Trend, both at Lingfield.   Banknote was ending a small losing run during which he had run with great credit in defeat, so it was very pleasing to see him win again.  Although he has yet to taste success in Dubai in two runs this year, he has shown he retains a good proportion of his ability and could well be in for another profitable year.  Set The Trend’s win was franked by the second recording an easy maiden victory on his next start, and he could well be contesting some much better races once the turf season gets underway.

 

The jumpers started off in fine style this season, with Albinus winning in style at Huntingdon, and Show Winner and Briareus (the latter on his return from a long absence) notching a memorable double at Kempton Park.  Though Albinus and Show Winner failed to shine in two subsequent outings apiece, both had demonstrated a tremendous aptitude for the winter game and will hopefully register further successes in that sphere.

 

Briareus, in giving weight and a beating to I’msingingtheblues (third favourite for the Arkle at the time of writing) showed himself to be better than ever after his absence, but his subsequent task, in taking on the likes of Kauto Star and Voy Pur Ustedes in the King George over three miles, could have been considered daunting.  In finishing fourth, beaten only by a trio of Cheltenham Festival winners, he showed himself to be top-class over fences, and a trip to Cheltenham in March awaits, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase (back over two miles) the target.

 

The recent bad weather did hold the horses up for a few days, but things are back to normal again now, and fingers crossed for a warm summer!

 

 

 

 

 

September/October update

 

The last two months have seen some very good performances by many of the yard’s runners, and while the winners haven’t flowed with quite the same frequency as was the case earlier in the year, there have been some notable victories in the final weeks of the season.

 

Kalahari Gold’s stock is rising fast, and he coped easily with the step up to Listed company, winning a 15-runner event at Newbury in good style.  He’ll head for the horses in training sale at Newmarket at the end of October, where he will surely generate plenty of interest.

 

Buccellati has also shown plenty of improvement of late.  Having shown autumn to be his time of year when winning a prestigious handicap at Ascot last year, he has reinforced that view, winning a Listed contest at Newmarket before taking some notable scalps in the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury.  He is clearly thriving at present and, if the invitation arrives, he’ll go to Hong Kong in December for the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase, which was won by former stable star and renowned globetrotter Phoenix Reach in 2004.

 

Another big improver is Ishpahan, who has won (and finished second) four times this season, the latest coming in a decent Ascot handicap off a mark of 85.  Raised 7lbs since, he now finds himself on a mark 33lbs higher than at the start of the season.  He is currently enjoying a break, but we hope he can climb further up the ratings in 2009.

 

Probably the most unlucky horse of the season here is Siren’s Gift, who has gone close in several big sprint handicaps, with her 3rd in the Portland at Doncaster closely followed by a 2nd in Listed company at Newmarket.  Her dam was a dual Listed winner and finished first past the post in the Group 1 Nunthorpe, and it would be no surprise to see Siren’s Gift make further improvement next season.

 

Amanjena supplemented her Kempton success in April (off a mark of 74) with victory in a good conditions eventat Ascot recently, highlighting the improvement she has made this season.  She remains lightly-raced and could well make her mark in pattern company next year.

 

The two-year-olds have been running well and showing plenty of promise for next year.  Cavera finished 4th in the big sales race at the St Leger meeting at Doncaster in September and looks sure to win races next year, as do, among others, Ben’s Dream , Celestial Dream, Keep Dancing and Cool Strike, all of whom have run well of late.

 

With just over a fortnight remaining of the 2008 flat season, we have 64 winners on the board and accumulated over £900,000 in prize-money.  With plenty of horses having shown plenty of promise for next year, hopes are high that we can surpass both totals in 2009.

 

JULY/AUGUST 2008

 

The July festival at Newmarket, traditionally the halfway point in the British flat season, attracted a powerful team from Park House Stables.  Having enjoyed such a successful first-half of the season, the highlight of which being Holbeck Ghyll’s win in the ‘Dash’ on Derby Day, it was important to start the second-half in a similar vein.

 

The much-improved Donegal provided the perfect start, winning the Listed Bahrain Trophy in a driving finish, once again showcasing the talents of leading apprentice William Buick.  David Probert’s (second in the race to be Champion apprentice) riposte was almost immediate.  Just an hour later, he rode the most significant winner of his career to date when successful on Jedediah in a tremendously competitive and very valuable heritage handicap.  It was the ideal kick-start for the late summer/autumn campaign.

 

Having been withdrawn from the Chesham at Royal Ascot, two-year-old Swindler made his debut in the prestigious Strutt & Parker maiden.  In finishing second to a subsequent Listed winner (who had previous experience) he showed exactly why he is so well-regarded here at Park House, and though unfortunately injury has curtailed the remainder of his 2yo season, he remains a very bright prospect for next season.

 

Another to have suffered a season-ending injury is Dream Eater, who was withdrawn on the eve of a second crack at Henrythenavigator and Raven’s Pass, in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.  His injury was a big setback to the yard, however he too will be back next year when Group-race success surely awaits.

 

Blue Sky Basin and Buccellati both showed themselves to be top-class handicappers this season, with the former running away with a competitive event at Glorious Goodwood, while Buccellati recorded his second win at Ascot, this time off a handicap mark of 100. While Blue Sky Basin has since been sold to race in Dubai, Buccellati remains in fine fettle and the very valuable Bosphurus Cup in Turkey is his next target.

 

Another handicapper to make his mark, and perhaps for many the surprise package of 2008 here at Park House, is Kalahari Gold.  Sent off at 16-1 for his debut at Salisbury in June (which he won in good style), he has since won twice from three starts in handicaps, the latest when easily beating some decent rivals off a mark of 97.  Having had just four starts to date, there could be further improvement to come. 

 

With Dream Eater out for the season, the aforementioned Donegal (who has twice been placed in Group company since his Listed win) and Top Lock look our best chances of recording Group-race success with the older brigade this season.  Top Lock’s third in the Group 1 German Derby showed that not only is he a top-class colt, but he is also versatile as regards trip and ground and as he is another to have run just four times to date, his chances of Group race success look very good indeed.

The Kingsclere Racing Club has shared in the success of the stable this season, with no fewer than 8 winners (a strike rate of more than 30%) so far.  After Whiskey Junction’s run of wins came to an end at Ayr, it fell to Victoria Montoya to pick up the mantle for the Club, and a gritty success in a decent handicap at Sandown Park suggested that the ambitious plans for her are merited.  Others to have contributed to the continued good form of the stable include Little Pete, Isphahan, My Learned Friend, Western Roots and Night Rocket, who has won twice since returning from a lengthy absence.

 

Of the two-year-olds, Prince Siegfried won his maiden very well at Salisbury and, though unable to run in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York due to the abandonment of the Ebor meeting, he should be running in pattern company soon, while Celtic Spur fulfilled the promise of his debut when winning a conditions event on the all-weather at Great Leighs.   There certainly is plenty to look forward to amongst the two-year-olds, not just for the rest of the season, but for 2009 as well.  With just over two months to go of the 2008 flat season, let’s hope the winners continue to flow!

 

JUNE 2008

 

 

The last two months have flown by, and we are fast approaching the halfway point of the 2008 season, but the horses remain in excellent form and we find ourselves just two winners short of last year’s total. 

 

Holbeck Ghyll and Hatton Flight have registered three wins apiece this season, with the former recording the biggest win of his career when successful in the prestigious ‘Dash’ at Epsom on Derby Day, while the latter looks to still be improving judging from his latest success at Thirsk. 

 

Whiskey Junction has been earning rave reviews in the last two months, during which he has registered four wins in a row.  His will to win is sure to stand him in good stead as he steps up in class to take on some of the best sprint handicappers over the coming months.  Western Roots has been another to make a big impression, and his three wins have helped to raise the profile of stable apprentice David Probert, who has partnered him to all of his victories, as he has Isphahan, who won twice this month and looks likely to progress further.

 

Blue Sky Basin and Rambling Light have both won in fair company recently and look sure to return to the winners’ enclosure this season, while My Learned Friend and Oceana Blue are both on two wins this season and have more races in them.

 

Little Pete and Brave Bugsy are new additions to the stable this year, but both wasted little time in getting their head in front where it matters, and they look to be thriving in their new home.  Ollie George and Border Music are long-term residents here, and it was particularly pleasing to see both running so well of late, with the former following up a string of good efforts with a win at Goodwood, while the latter went close to recording his second win at the course when a close 4th in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot. 

 

Royal Ascot week was slightly frustrating, as though all the horses ran with great credit, we were unable to register a win. The three year olds Dream Eater and Top Lock both placed in Group company, while the Peter and Jennifer McMahon-owned pair Buccellati and Jedediah both ran very well in defeat in two of the big handicaps.  Last year’s Wokingham winner Dark Missile, All-Weather winners Amanjena and Pinch of Salt, Donegal and Oceana Gold (who was slightly unlucky not to win on his seasonal reappearance) were others to perform well during the week. 

 

Although we’ll have to wait until next year to try for another Royal Ascot winner, there have been plenty of positives to come from some of the lightly-raced three year olds of late.  Kalahari Gold, My Aunt Fanny and Transfer have all won impressively in maiden company and are exciting propositions for the season ahead, while Victoria Montoya is another with a progressive profile, and her win at Goodwood last time contributed to the Kingsclere Racing Club’s tally of seven winners in its inaugural season.

 

Foundation Room and Motor Home have already registered impressive victories, but there has been plenty to like about the way all the two year olds have been progressing at home, and they look certain to contribute greatly to our tally of winners between now and the end of the turf season in November.

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL 2008

 

The start to the 2008 flat season has been a very successful one so far.  Our winners total is already into double figures and it has been especially pleasing to see so many of our lightly-raced horses showing so much promise.

 

Ada River, Restless Genius and Top Lock all won their maidens in very good style.  Ada River and Restless Genius have improved over the winter and look set for a productive season, whilst Top Lock finished a fine fourth in the Derby trial at Sandown Park last weekend on just his second start and is now being aimed at the German Derby.

 

We have also had several winners in handicap company, including Amanjena, who recorded a bloodless victory at Kempton Park.  The manner of her victory there suggests the handicapper has been no more than prudent in his decision to raise her 18lbs in the handicap and we are looking forward to running her again soon.

 

Holbeck Ghyll seems to have turned over a new leaf this year.  He was called plenty of names (not all of them complimentary!) during a winless 2007, but 2008 has seen him record two successive victories on the All-Weather at Kempton Park, and though he is now on a career-high mark, he is also in the form of his life and it would be no surprise to see his winning streak continue.

 

Hatton Flight has now won two of his last three and remains on an upward curve, whilst Oceana Blue, Relative Strength and Western Roots are others to have recorded handicap wins in the past month and all three look sure to enjoy further success as the season continues.

 

Unfortunately, Wigram’s Turn and Pinch of Salt seem to have missed out on the good fortune enjoyed by the yard at present, with the former finishing second twice in succession (on both occasions coming up against very well-handicapped horses) and the latter suffering a troubled passage in the Rosebery before having victory snatched away from him close to the winning line on his next start.  Both deserve a change of luck in the very near future.

 

Dark Missile is another to have come agonisingly close to victory, having led 50 yards from home in the Listed Abernante Stakes at Newmarket before narrowly losing out in a three-way photo.  She again ran with great credit in Listed company on a very wet day at Bath, just finding the 5-furlong trip too sharp.  She remains on course for a return to her beloved Ascot, where the Golden Jubilee is the target.

 

Two members of the older brigade have run with great encouragement on their return to action, with Vanderlin running third at Nottingham and Ollie George battling on to fill that same position at his old stomping ground of Bath.  Both are much-loved here at Kingsclere and we are all looking forward to their return to the winners’ enclosure.

 

Albinus ran with great credit on all three starts this year over hurdles but he will now return to the flat at Salisbury before embarking on his eagerly-awaited chase career in the coming months.

 

It will not be long before we have our first two year old runner of the season and as they look such a nice bunch this year, we are very hopeful that they can follow in the hoof prints of their older stable mates by getting off to a flying start!

 

MARCH 2008

THE JUMPERS

It has been a quiet season for Kingsclere’s small but select National Hunt contingent.  Briareus, who had looked so promising last year when winning a Grade 2 Novice Chase at Ascot, has been sidelined with an aggravation of a suspensory injury.  Whilst this was a blow to all of us, he still has time on his side and it is hoped that he will be back in training in the autumn. 

 

Albinus made a winning start to the campaign at Doncaster in January and in so doing gave the Kingsclere Racing Club its first ever winner from its first runner!  He gave the impression that day that there could be more victories to come in the future and that view has not changed in light of his excellent third in the Imperial Cup at Sandown Park.

 

Kervriou seems to be developing into a really fun handicap chaser.  He was narrowly beaten in a Novice Chase at Ludlow, before being brought down at Plumpton in early February which was desperately bad luck as he jumped the fence perfectly but could not avoid a stricken horse that lay on the landing side of the fence.  He has since run twice at Sandown Park finishing behind Noland in a novice chase before returning on Imperial Cup day to finish a good second in the handicap chase. 

 

Alecia has made a good start to her career over hurdles, running a race full of promise at Plumpton before proving unsuited by the awful ground at Taunton.  She jumps very nicely, and looks sure to win her races in due course.

 

 

THE FLAT

 

We have had a very quiet All-Weather season this time round, which is no bad thing, as the coming turf season looks like being one of our busiest ever!

 

That said, it has been a very productive year so far for Kingsclere jockeys with both Neil Chalmers and Liam Keniry already amongst the winners in 2008.  Neil has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence in the last few months, partnering nine winners since January 1st, whilst Liam Keniry is already into double figures in terms of winners this year.  Both Neil and Liam deserve every success they might achieve as both are prepared to put in the hard work and long hours in the pursuit of winners and we all hope that their current run of form continues into the summer. 

 

Franny Norton is also now back riding with some considerable success on his return from an operation to remove screws inserted to mend his broken leg last winter, whilst William Buick, who quickly became one of the best apprentices around in 2007, has spent the winter riding out for the leading American trainer Todd Pletcher in Florida and it is very unlikely that his allowance will last for long once the season starts.  Young apprentice David Probert has been getting plenty of rides since riding his first winner in December and he too is looking forward to a successful year.

 

The 2008 Flat Season will get underway at Doncaster on the 22nd March with the Lincoln Handicap It is some years since Fair Season beat stablemate Be Better to land a famous Kingsclere 1-2 in this, one of the oldest races in the Racing Calendar and it falls to Yeaman’s Hall to represent the stable this year.  Whatever happens in this most competitive of handicaps, he has always been thought to have plenty of ability and he looks likely to have a successful season.

 

Border Music is almost part of the furniture here at Kingsclere, having been foaled over 7 years ago at the Kingsclere Stud.  This will be his sixth consecutive season, however he seems to have lost neither his ability nor his enthusiasm for racing, and he looks sure to provide the members of the Kingsclere Racing Club, as well as his many followers, with plenty of excitement over the coming months.

 

Dark Missile did exceptionally well last season, winning the Wokingham at Royal Ascot and taking the step up to Group Company in her stride when failing by just a short-head to win the Group 2 Diadem Stakes at Ascot.  Her record there of 2 wins and 2 seconds from four runs makes her an obvious candidate for further honours there this season.

 

Plenty of the older horses look capable of making big impressions on the racecourse this year, amongst them the lightly-raced pair Rambling Light and the aforementioned Yeaman’s Hall, along with the siblings Lochstar and Lochverdi, who look capable of adding further to the considerable success enjoyed by their family!

 

The three year olds also look an exciting bunch this season, led by Dream Eater, who last year decided that the valuable St Leger sales race would be the ideal time to shed his maiden tag!  His last run of the season in the Group 1 Middle Park suggests that he will prove capable of mixing it with the best of his generation over the coming months.

 

Those that look likely to have a say in some of the better handicaps this season include the lightly-raced pair Relative Strength and Wigrams Turn as well as Donegal, whose smart early-season form last year took a disappointing turn but who could improve for the resulting gelding operation.  Jedediah, whose owners Peter and Jennifer McMahon enjoyed some considerable success last season with the potentially Melbourne Cup-bound Buccellati, looks another type to do well this year.

 

The two year olds have recently started faster work, and they look a very nice bunch.  Whilst it is always difficult to assess their exact individual merits at this early stage, Advertise is quite forward and should be making his debut at an early stage in the season, whilst Swindler and Inhibition are others to look out for as the season progresses.

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 2008

 

LAUNCH OF THE KINGSCLERE RACING CLUB

 

 

2008 sees the launch of the inaugural Kingsclere Racing Club, with 15 horses running under its banner this year, in the colours made famous by Derby winner Mill Reef.  The concept is a novel one, as the horses are all leased, allowing members maximum involvement in every aspect of the sport with only a limited financial outlay.  This is possible through the involvement of the historic Kingsclere Stud.  The Stud has produced several high-class winners in recent seasons, including black-type performers Hidden Meadow, Dashing Blue and Passing Glance.  Another to have regularly performed at a notable level is Border Music, already the winner of 8 races including in Listed Company and currently in training for the Kingsclere Racing Club.

 

 

This link with the stud allows us to remove the ever increasing cost and indeed risk of purchasing unproven bloodstock and with regular visits to the stud planned for this year, members will get the chance to see the future Kingsclere Racing Club horses in the form of foals and yearlings. 

 

With space for up to 50 members in the Club, the social side of racehorse ownership is also significantly enhanced.  Events will be taking place throughout the year, with morning gallops, summer barbeques, a Sportsman’s dinner and a golf day all offering Club members the opportunity to meet with other like minded racing enthusiasts.  The Club already has the support of several famous sporting and television personalities, from rugby icons Matt Dawson and Ian Robertson to broadcaster Clare Balding, all looking forward to many successful days at the races for the Club this season.  Albinus got the Club off to a fine start when winning easily at Doncaster in January before running a fine third in the ultra-competitive Imperial Cup at Sandown Park in March. 

 

Andrew Balding

With the other Club horses in great form on the gallops in preparation for the flat season ahead confidence is high at Park House Stables, and with good reason, as trainer Andrew Balding, who in addition to those horses in the Club has over 100 others in his care, has in his five year career to date trained the winners of 260 races, amassing over £6 million in prize money.