Fabulous Grade 1 win for Serious Attittude

Saturday, 16 October 2010

Derek Willis and Rae Guest today equalled their biggest win as owners when their own Serious Attitude ran away from an international field in the Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine in Canada. Settled towards the rear of the field by big day jockey Garrett Gomez from a poor draw in 10, she was always travelling and the jockey reported that he never had any doubts about the outcome. She eventually ran away from the rest of the field to win by a widening two lengths. This really was a case of the plan coming together as she is to ship next to Lexington where she will be sold in Fasig Tipton's select sale on 7 November. It will be a sad day to see her sold, but fantastic that her career with us will end on a well deserved high. Sam Davis did a great job looking after her while in Canada and Woodbine have done a great job in looking after all the connections and everyone concerned and are a credit to their country. It's been a great day. Slightly worryingly for the rest of us, Derek plans to celebrate all night!

Serious Attitude update

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Rae, Rachel, Derek and Derek's brother in law Kim all returned from Canada yesterday morning tired but happy with their weekend away. It was an amazing experience and it is impossible to say how well we, and Sam, were looked after by Woodbine Racecourse particularly Julie and Carl who were responsible for making all the arrangements and ensuring everything went smoothly. Many, many thanks to them. One can only hope that visitors to Britain are treated in the same way - it was notable that all the Grade 1 winners came out of the quarantine barn. It is no small undertaking to prepare a filly to be able to reproduce the best performance of her life on another continent after a cargo trip that started at Newmarket then went via Amsterdam to Toronto and it was a great team effort as there are so many components that can - and inevitably do - go wrong. Starting here, Rae would like to thank Emma, John and the team in the yard for delivering the filly up in great condition; Mark in the office for being the lynchpin administratively; Adrian at the International Racing Bureau for suggesting Garrett Gomez might be a good jockey to ride her (right there, Adrian); Kevin Needham from BBA for arranging the transport and Serious Attitude's constant companion Sam Davis who was so delighted on Saturday and proud of his charge. Everyone there said what a great job Sam had done; and he more than anyone will be sorry to hand her over to the care of Wayne and Cathy Sweezey who will be responsible for consigning her at Fasig Tipton. She will travel in the course of this week to their farm in Lexington. That is likely to be the final chapter in the Serious Attitude story so far as we are concerned, as she has just put herself in the shop window as both a racing and breeding prospect in North America winning a Grade 1 in a very fast time. Many thanks to everyone who has sent us a text, fax, email or called (some from as far away as India) to congratulate Rae and Derek on Serious Attitude's success.

Would you like to buy the next Serious Attitude?

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Last week was most notable for the success of Serious Attitude in Canada, but that was only part of the business of the week. The past fortnight has seen the marathon October yearling sale at Tattersalls, Newmarket, and Rae has had his cheque book out again. It is worth remembering that Derek Willis bought Serious Attitude in 2007 from Rae's October acquisitions so who knows what there is in this year's selections! Rae concentrated on fillies as usual by a good selection of prestige stallions at good value prices. These include fillies by Medicean, Cape Cross, Antonius Pius, Pivotal, Manduro, Peintre Celebre and Shamardal. At least one if not two of these are likely to be offered for sale in shares or as a whole, details to follow on this website as soon as we get photographs taken. In the meantime if you want more details please contact Rae directly on 07711 301095 or Mark in the office on 01638 661508 or on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . When they're gone they're gone, so if you want to be involved now is the time to say.

Gaselee wins thrilling victory

Thursday, 28 October 2010

Owner Paula Smith had a good view of her blue colours throughout the entire two miles of the Exclusive Networks Proudly Partners Imperva Handicap at Nottingham yesterday as Gaselee made all to win well under an excellent ride by Martin Lane. Her jockey kicked clear three furlongs out and Gaselee responded gamely to his urgings to win by 3/4 length. Gaselee has run a lot of good races and been a consistent sort this year and last, so well done her, her jockey and other connections. Rae was not at Nottingham as he was supervising a substantial clear out of horses in training yesterday and today at Tattersalls. Indian Valley, Eye of Eternity, Privy Speech, Retrato, and Zelos Spirit all found new homes; and Melinoise, Mirza and Corton Charlemagne did not sell. Lastroseofsummer was withdrawn and commences a new career over hurdles at Uttoxeter tomorrow. Let's hope Andrew and Rae can find their way there.

Conciliatory latest winner

Wednesday, 04 August 2010

Kirsten Rausing's homebred Medicean filly Conciliatory won at Kempton this evening under Chris Catlin. Any winner is important but winning with a filly for a breeder is one of Rae's main raisons d'etre. In this case she will eventually retire to Kirsten's Lanwades Stud to replace her dam Condoleeza. Well done all.