Update on for sale two year olds

Monday, 03 January 2011

The casual or not so casual reader may be considering investing in one of the two year olds we have here.  Four of the horses originally offered for sale have now found new owners - the Pivotal, Shamardal and Peintre Celebre to a new partnership called the Chestnuts (all the fillies are); and Jim Duggan has snapped up the Whipper filly.  So what about the others?

People always ask what Rae thinks about them, so your editor took the liberty of seeing what could be gleaned from the horse's mouth.  Rae says: "all three fillies are broken and ridden away - i.e. trotting and cantering - and doing well.  They are all now qualified for the £10,000 Racing Post Yearling Bonus."

"The Antonius Pius (pictured right in the snow) was the first yearling in and so we have had her a while.  She has grown a lot, has become a really nice filly and is going very well now."

"The Holy Roman Emperor is typical of her sire who was second leading sire of two year olds last year; and she looks a sharp early type."

"The final one is a lovely Rock of Gibraltar filly from a good family.  Having been originally intended for Tattersalls flagship October 1 sale, she is eligible for the eight Tattersalls Millions races.  She has a nice attitude and is a very good mover."

Conformation pictures of all the horses available for sale or lease appear on the horses for sale page on the bar to the left or via the home page.  They are all here and available to be viewed in action on the gallops.  Please call the office on 01638 661508 or Rae on 07711 301095 to make a time.

Happy Birthday horses

Sunday, 02 January 2011

1 January saw all the horses turn one year older, so you will now see this year's two year olds featured on the two year olds in training section.  Lastroseofsummer ran a very creditable fourth at Fakenham on New Year's Day.  She probably didn't quite stay 2 mile 7 furlongs in the soft ground which looked much like a ploughed field by the time we got to the last race.  It has been very difficult to get work into the horses that need to run over the recent (freezing) weeks as, although Jockey Club Estates' staff have been doing a great job of keeping certain canters open, it has often been too dangerous to actually get the very fresh horses to the gallop on the ice and packed snow.  Nonetheless the indoor ride has been a godsend and they have all kept moving although perhaps neither as far nor as fast as they (or Rae) would like.  Happy New Year and every success in 2011 to all our owners, staff and friends.

Albany Rose wins at Wolverhampton

Sunday, 12 December 2010

Eamonn Duggan's Albany Rose ran a great race to win at Wolves on Friday, fulfilling the promise she had shown on her previous starts and at home, and becoming, somewhat belatedly, the yard's first two year old winner of the year.  She is the first foal of Eamonn's mare Teide Lady and has already done rather better than her dam by winning at two and, in fact, actually winning a race (Teide Lady's win at Newcastle was achieved on disqualification of the winner).  Not to say that TD was untalented - quite the reverse - she just had her own ideas about how things should be done.  Her daughter proved a real battler on Friday, leading from start to finish.  Let's hope she can go on to better things.  Congratulations to all concerned.

It's freezing at Newmarket

Sunday, 28 November 2010

 

No surprise there as the rest of the country is under snow as well, but here's what it looks like in Newmarket riding out at the moment.  These are the just broken in yearlings walking back from exercise after trotting and cantering six furlongs behind Montecristo, their not-very-sensible lead horse.  From left to right they are Montecristo, the Lurys' un-named Manduro filly, un-named Lawman filly (for lease), Pivotal (hidden, for sale), Eamonn Duggan's Discreet Cat filly and the un-named Antonius Pius filly (for sale). 

Here's another of the Antonius Pius filly who looked quite nice as she was passing.  Boy it was cold and it doesn't look set to improve this week. 

PS Hope you like the new website - all constructive feedback welcome!

Goodbye Mark, hello Liz

Sunday, 28 November 2010

From Monday 29 November you will hear a different voice picking up the phone when you call 01638 661508.  Mark Burrows, Rae's trusty yard secretary and office administrator has left to become a trainee accountant with a firm near Cambridge.  Mark has done a great job and we are very sorry to see him go.  Everyone will miss his wry sense of humour, enthusiasm for racing, reliable nature and dedication, characteristics that will serve him well in his new career (all apart, that is, from the racing bit - your new colleagues will all want tips).

Replacing Mark is Liz Kilfeather.  Liz used to be yard secretary for Mark Wallace, who emigrated to Australia to train, then she worked on computers for Mark Madgwick and most recently for Rent Right.  Liz has been working with Mark for the last two weeks to ensure a smooth handover.  Liz does not ride out but keeps busy with three ex racehorses of her own.   A very warm welcome to Liz.

More sad news to report: Rae's assistant Emma Jenkins has also left to travel the world - she has a job with Gai Waterhouse in Australia and she flew out last Tuesday.  Emma has done an absolutely fantastic job as Rae's assistant causing him to say once 'I wouldn't need 30 staff if I had ten of her'!  Seriously, Emma's enthusiasm, work ethic, attention to detail and pleasant way with both staff and owners have made her a great person to have around and we wish her well for the future - it really was a not to be missed opportunity.  We hope that they will both stay in touch.