Happy New Year

Wednesday, 02 January 2013

and of course happy birthday to all the horses who turned a year older on 1 January.  We will get some better photographs for the website later in the year when the horses look a bit less hairy in their winter coats.

It's worth lingering for a moment on the success of 2012.  Not just Olympic and Jubilee year, it has also been breakthrough year for Rae, with 36 winners including one Listed winner in Ireland and a strike rate of 20%.  Add to that 25 seconds, 20 thirds and 17 fourth places in 2012 and you see what great form the horses have been in from start to finish. Not many trainers averaging 30 - 40 horses in training a year can boast a year like that and four Group 1 winners in a 24 year long career.  It really is something to be proud of and reflect on for a minute.

So Rae's thanks go to the strong team behind him - head lad Steve Lodge, consultant head lad John Wilsoncroft, assistant head lad Steve Davis, assistant trainer and office manager Nick McKee and travelling head lad Andrew Bubb.  Well done to them and everyone else at Chestnut Tree Stables.  A hard act to follow but let's see if it can be done in 2013.

Exciting win for Kickingthelilly

Friday, 21 December 2012

Just when you thought it was all finished for 2012, out comes Kickingthelilly, on the first run of her winter all weather campaign, to remind us that it's not all over yet.  At the very rewarding price of 20 - 1, the diminutive Lilly showed real grit in running down the whole field to grab a last gasp victory at Lingfield under Chris Catlin.  And who knows, there could be more to come before it's over.  Well done to all connections.  36 winners in 2012!

New horse for sale

Sunday, 02 December 2012

Rae has had his buying boots on again at Tattersalls December yearling sale.  Among others he bought and is offering for sale a daughter of second season sire Tamayuz, a dual Group 1 winner in France from just seven starts.  This one is a well made filly out of the young Montjeu mare, Lolla's Spirit, from the family of Classic hopeful Housemaster, third in the Racing Post Trophy in his year. For more details see the horses for sale page.  As before, if she is bought and paid for by 24 December, Rae will pass her on at cost, being 9,000 guineas plus VAT and keep to the date of purchase, provided she stays in the yard.

Ever Fortune doubles his score

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Ever Fortune scored comfortably at Yarmouth this afternoon in very heavy ground under a patient and considerate ride from Frankel's jockey Tom Queally to take the yard to 35 winners for the year so far, our best ever.  Ever Fortune is a lovely little horse who is kind, honest and tries his hardest.  He had been feeling in very good form, fresh and well, before this race and happily his owner, Mr Li Fung Yok, has resisted the urge to send him to the sales this week.  Well done to everyone concerned.  God's Gift ran a second good race, being placed third again but probably finding the heavy ground too testing.

Rae has been busy at the sales

Saturday, 20 October 2012

The last week or two has been incredibly busy with runners most days and Rae up at Tattersalls main October yearling sales hoping to buy next year's winners.  There are five yearlings in the yard at the moment, in a separate barn as like children at school they often come full of coughs, colds and other bugs.  He is pleased with what he has bought and as of now there is just one being offered for sale to stay in the yard, a Compton Place filly pictured right from the family of Notnowcato.  See the horses for sale page for more details but if this filly is bought and paid for within a fortnight Rae will pass her on to a buyer at cost.  If you are interested please feel free to call Rae on 07711 301095 but do it soon as this is a time limited website exclusive offer.