Robbie rides again for AHT

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Robbie Mills, son of owners Chris and Lesley Mills, our former apprentice and current rider of California Chrome, will take to the plate again for the Animal Health Trust’s Charity Raceday on Saturday 27^th June 2015.  Robbie and his yet-to-be-decided-on mount will race for the straight mile of Newmarket’s July Course, hoping to maintain the yard’s 100% strike rate in the charity race.  Rae’s wife Rachel won it in 2014 on Brian and Elaine Cooper’s First Class.

To support Robbie and the AHT please donate via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RobbieMills.

The Animal Health Trust works behind the scenes to constantly monitor equine disease, identify threats to the Thoroughbred population and to put in place robust plans to head off infectious disease.  For more information on the Trust’s work see www.aht.org.uk. The Trust receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations so please give generously.

Racing UK feature now online

Monday, 20 April 2015

As you may well have read about in our week two update, Racing UK came down to Chestnut Tree Stables to do a feature on Rae and California Chrome.  This has been featured several times as part of 'This Racing Life' on Racing UK but as promised the link to the feature on the Racing UK website can be accessed by clicking here.

California Chrome update 17 April

Friday, 17 April 2015

California Chrome has been enjoying another week of sunny weather here in Newmarket and visitors from around the world.  He has been ridden by former stable apprentice Robbie Mills, starting the week jogging and progressing to cantering on the nearby round canter and rubbing house equitrack.  He is taking it all well and seems to be enjoying Newmarket as you can see from these photographs taken by Ascot official photographer Steve Cargill. 

Visitors this week have included representatives from the New York Racing Association who had hosted Chrome for the Belmont and a delegation of Danes led by Nick Elsass.  Everyone wants to see Chrome and he is enjoying his Mrs Pastures Horse Cookies.

California Chrome ridden

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

California Chrome was ridden for the first time on Monday by Robbie Mills who will become his regular rider. A link to a short video via YouTube is available by clicking here. He is being led by three year-old maiden Tell Me Another.

California Chrome settles in

Friday, 03 April 2015

California Chrome, the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and US Horse of the Year, is settling in well to his new environment here at Chestnut Tree Stables.

‘Chrome’ was shipped by Janah, Dubai’s horse shipping and transport service, to London’s Heathrow airport before arriving at Newmarket, HQ of British racing, around 9pm on Wednesday.

He quickly settled into his box, has been checked by vet Mike Shepherd of Rossdales, and appears to be taking everything well.  ‘Chrome’ seems to be a relaxed and professional horse and has been hand walked and out for a pick of grass in the paddock, he seems quite happy.

He is stabled in a separate barn with Mirza who also recently returned from Dubai. They have both tested clear of equine strangles, a precautionary test as a horse who returned to another Newmarket trainer earlier this week had tested positive for the disease.

The plan is for trainer’s son Alan Sherman to travel to Britain in a fortnight to assess his progress and decide on his first UK target, which could be the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 16th before a tilt at Royal Ascot in June.

We will endeavour to keep you updated with California Chrome's progress here in Newmarket and will aim to post regular updates to this website.