Here's to the horses: a review of 2012

I thought I’d nip in early before the Queen addresses the nation on Christmas Day and offer my thoughts on the year in racing, or from this very small corner of the racing field. As ever, throughout the last 12 months there have been plenty of moments of joy to be gleaned from living and working with horses, so let’s focus on the positives first.

Zarosa leads Many Levels and Roy Rocket on Side Hill

John had long maintained that Grand Liaison was a lovely filly in the making – an opinion he had held since he first set eyes on her at the yearling sales of 2010 – and so she proved with a hat-trick of wins between 21 September and 15 October. In fact, she’s hardly put a foot wrong this year, her seven starts resulting in three wins and three places for owners Mike Meaney and Barrie Catchpole (Barrie also co-bred her and she managed to deliver her second win on his birthday, which was extra special).

Her mate from the intake of 2010, Zarosa, took a little longer to come to hand but it was worth the wait for the sheer joy she gave to her owner Roger Vicarage on 31 October, cruising home to win by five lengths at Nottingham.

They’ll both be back next season, as will their contemporary Wasabi, who had a minor setback last year but will be carrying Tony Fordham’s colours again and hoping to add to the four victories of Batgirl in the purple-and-green silks.

We bade farewell to Batgirl at the horses-in-training sale and that’s never an easy thing to do when you’ve known a horse throughout their yearling days. It wasn’t easy for Tony either, as he’s had plenty of fun with Batgirl along the way. She didn’t let anyone down in 2012 and managed three placed runs, including being beaten only half a length for second at Yarmouth, but all racehorses have to move on eventually and she’s gone to a very good home with local trainer Martin Smith, who is very pleased to have her.

Ethics Girl and William Kennedy schooling at the Links

Ethics Girl’s victory in the Brighton Cup for her Brighton-born co-owner Lawrence Wadey was a very special moment indeed and we still have the enormous cup here on behalf on the 1997 Partnership to remind us of that special day in the fog. Ethics Girl is one of life’s great enthusiasts. She’s six now, about to turn seven, and has notched six wins and 13 places from her 44 starts, which have included two recent outings over hurdles. She’s only small and she jumps well, but she does love better ground than we are having this wet winter so she too is on holiday and will return in the new year.

Silken Thoughts provided yet another memorable outing on one of the wettest days of the year when winning the Flat vs. jump jockeys’ handicap at Sandown on ‘Whitbread’ day in the hands of Aidan Coleman. She’s having a last spin of the year tomorrow at Lingfield before heading off for a well-earned break, but she too will return next year.

Karma Chameleon, who gave us plenty of fun last winter when recording a four-timer, left us in the spring to continue racing in Dubai. He was a tiny horse but was sound and tough and we look forward to following his career from afar.

Will Oscar (red cap) finally make it to the races in 2013?

There are plenty of horses to look forward to next season – Platinum Proof, Magic Ice, Many Levels, Roy Rocket, Oscar Bernadotte among them and, in racing, as in life, it is always better to look forward with hope and anticipation rather than back in regret or sadness. But it would be remiss of me not to mention some of those in this stable who have had a less fortunate year.

The saying (or is it the song?) goes, ‘two out of three ain’t bad’ and two of the three horses afflicted by serious illness or injury this year are still with us, almost against the odds. In February, Alcalde fractured a hind cannon bone during a routine canter. The break was very bad and not really one which gave him much chance of survival through a surgical option. His only chance was to be heavily bandaged and tied up in his box for two months in the hope that the bone would heal.

‘Cross-tying’ is common for this sort of injury or pelvic fractures to stop the horse lying down in his box as an attempt to rise again would almost certainly prove fatal. Of course, the success of this procedure depends on a number of factors, and some horses simply haven’t the temperament to cope with such incarceration. Fortunately Alcalde is a calm and sensible gelding and was the model patient. He had one colicky night, which the vet eased him through, and after that he was absolutely tremendous when it came to giving himself every chance of recovery. He ended up spending four months on box rest but is now back cantering after a steady reintroduction to work. Obviously we’re keeping everything crossed for him but our vet, David Dugdale, has x-rayed his leg again and is delighted with the way the bone has healed.

Ex Con and Alcalde out for a stroll this summer

Alcalde is seen here with Ex Con (Anthony is on Ex Con and John is riding Alcalde), who has recently been retired. Officially named Extreme Conviction, he won five races for the All Points West Partnership – a bumper and four hurdles –and none of us really want to see him go but he's telling us the time is right. He is an adorable horse, loved very much by us all.

Panto’s problems have been well documented on here but I am glad to say that after his life-saving colic surgery in July and 100 days away from the yard, first at Newmarket Equine Hospital then at The National Stud, he returned here in early November and seems better than ever. Let’s hope that continues to be the case.

Kadouchski and John after winning
the 342nd running of the Town Plate

For the final member of the trio, the outcome was much bleaker. Our beloved Kadouchski, won his final race for us on 11 June at Folkestone. It was the second time Hannah had won on him and she gave him a super ride to provide us all with a really happy day. Less than two months later Kadouchski suffered a fatal injury to his pastern at Market Rasen. Early indications were that he might be able to be saved, but on returning to NEH later that night, it was discovered that he had a displaced fracture which could not be repaired by surgery.

The loss of Kadouchski is still pretty hard to bear and the absence of that lovely little horse in the yard continues to be felt. His half-brother Douchkirk is here with us and will be back in action before too long. It’s a lot to ask of him to step into Kadouchski’s shoes but he has ability so let’s hope he gets his chance to shine.

It goes without saying that if we didn’t have the support of such loyal and enthusiastic owners we wouldn’t have a stable or a business. We are enormously grateful to everyone who has an interest in a horse here and thank you for your continued support.

Happy Christmas from Gus (and us)

It’s also really wonderful to receive emails, cards, texts and tweets from racing fans who follow the stable. Your support is also much valued and it’s always good to hear from you. I still haven’t got over the kindness shown by Peter Wheatley, who sent Panto a box of Polos and me a lovely letter when he heard what the poor old boy was going through this summer. Thank you again, Peter.

We still have three runners to come in 2012, so let’s hope one of them can add a postscript to this blog this week. Otherwise, all that remains is for me to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a healthy new year. New Year’s Day of course marks the official birthday of all thoroughbreds and we offer them heartfelt thanks for the excitement and joy they bring to so many.