Lack of rain proves a challenge at HQ

Friday, 06 April 2012

Unfortunately, due to the particularly dry Spring, Rae has not been able to get the horses on the grass gallops as much as he would have liked.

The same applies to all the trainers in Newmarket so we have seen Henry Cecil and Michael Stoute bringing their massive strings over to the Cambridge Road to work.

Still, it is a big place and (over this side of town at least) there seems to be plenty of room for everyone.

Here are some pictures of our string working last Saturday morning.

In the first group were Miss Cato and Sushi; and Headline News and Alice Rose.  Then after a changeover the groups included Border Abby and newcomer La Confession (pictured above, Border Abby this side with the white face), Emperor's Waltz and Millika; Shamakat and Princess of Orange (pictured right); and Kickingthelilly on her own.

Gritty follow up from Ed De Gas

Thursday, 29 March 2012

Racing for new owner Richard Pegum (owner of Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Muhannak), Ed De Gas made it two from two at Wolverhampton on Thursday.  First time out he won so easily he hardly knew he had a race, but today was a different matter.  Wolverhampton can be a tricky track and Ed did not enjoy the clearest passage, but ran on in gritty and determined fashion to score by 3/4 length under Chris Catlin, taking the yard to 9 winners from just 14 winners in 2012 - a staggering 64% strike rate.  It can't last so we may as well enjoy it while we can. Very well done to bloodstock agent Alastair Donald who spotted Ed on behalf of Mr Pegum, Tony Whelan who rides him out at home (pictured right) and Ali who looks after him.

Lilly runs another great race

Sunday, 25 March 2012

Kickingthelilly has been a real revelation this year, continuing to improve with every run.  Rated 79, the lowest of all the 11 runners in the bluesquare.com Spring Cup (Listed), she ran a great race under regular jockey Chris Catlin, to finish a very creditable seventh.  This was a massive step up in class, a strong Listed race and it is likely that most of the horses in front of her will be (or already are) black type horses.

In the meantime the yard is a busy place at the moment, despite the lack of runners, as the main group of three year olds continue to go through their paces on the gallops.  Due to the lack of rain in Newmarket we have been confined to the all weather again so three groups went up the Cambridge Road gallop yesterday morning.  Jockeys Ted Durcan, Tony Whelan and Ryan Clark were in to ride out.  Flynn's Boy (Ryan Clark) and Albany Rose (Ted Durcan) are pictured.  The majority of these horses will have entries in April all being well.

Build up to turf now in focus

Saturday, 03 March 2012

Saturday morning saw the focus turn to the main group of horses who are gradually picking up their work regime, with a few (Albany Rose, Flynn's Boy and Shamardal/Daniella) doing a stronger canter on the Cambridge Road with the main group of three year olds and older horses now first lot going up Long Hill polytrack.  Albany Rose is pictured right under Tony Whelan.

The inexperienced pair Sushi and El Corredor/Beyond Price are further forward than the others and worked, while the rest cantered up behind.  It is a testing climb and will have helped their fitness significantly without having to go too fast.   The all weather horses are coming to the end of their respective campaigns and we can never recall a group being so successful - all four horses winning and (where they had the chance to), winning more than once. Even Reachforthebucks, who was working with them all winter but left to join Jane Chapple-Hyam in January, has shown his well being by winning three weeks or so after leaving.

Lilly carries on amazing run

Friday, 02 March 2012

The baton passed to Tony Hirschfeld and partners' homebred Byron filly Kickingthelilly this afternoon at Lingfield and she did not disappoint with another decisive 1 3/4 length win.  This takes her winning total to three and the yard's for the yard to 8 from 12 runners in 2012 (67%).

It wasn't the best race in the world, but there were two other last time out winners and it was run at a good pace so this effort is not to be sniffed at.  Ridden by Chris Catlin, Lilly tracked the leader covering his move three out and stretching away to beat what looked like her principal rival.  Lilly might be a due a break now depending on how she takes the race, but she has done her owners Tony. Steve Piper, Tim Hailstone and Lester Piggott proud.