tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-336489582024-03-07T19:53:15.897-08:00Unstable LifeEmma Berry's notes on life in a small racing stable in Newmarket and other ramblingsEmma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-45205329102856001992020-04-15T08:05:00.000-07:002020-04-15T08:30:15.048-07:00Somewhere Down The Road<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the days
before syndication became as big business as it is nowadays in Australian
racing, a group of old school friends from Melbourne got together and bought a
broodmare in the hope of one day breeding a Cup winner. Road was her name, a daughter
of Whiskey Road. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Cup
dream hasn’t yet been realised and, in keeping with most people’s experience of
racing, there’s been plenty of heartbreak interspersed with the happy occasions
when a number of Road’s offspring have saluted at the track. The mare died a
while back but one of her daughters, the nine-time winner Spaceage Juliet, now 19
herself, is keeping the dream alive.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The friends
called their syndicate ‘The Empire’ and their shared racing interest has in
many ways provided the means to uphold strong bonds that stretch back more than
four decades to primary school. The Empire has expanded over the years and,
back in 2006, I was drawn in to its embrace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Although it has become the norm to refer to racing as
an industry</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, let’s not
forget that it started as a sport. Many of us working in racing came to it
first as a fan and later were fortunate enough to be able to turn it into a job.
I also now live in a small racing stable and the success of the horses trained here
by John means so much to us that I tend to go to the races filled with worry
that something will go wrong. Sometimes it does, and sometimes that means that
I enjoy racing a lot less than I used to. It has become a business, even if it
started as, and remains in many ways, one of life’s unmatchable pleasures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s part
of the reason I have enjoyed the involvement with the Empire horses so much.
We’re removed from them geographically and though we take great pride in being
a very small part in their lives, watching them grow and eventually race, to a
great extent they are someone else’s concern. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">More than
that, however, they are the stitches in the fabric that holds together a fantastic
group of people with an age span of five decades, spread across Australia, Hong
Kong, Dubai and England. Regular emails between us, which have evolved into
what’s app messages, would always be signed off ‘GTE’ – Go The Empire.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John’s
friendship with this group goes back farther than mine, to the days when he was
pupil assistant to Luca Cumani in the 1980s and working alongside Joff Dumas, who eventually returned home to Australia but remains one of John's greatest friends. Joff is
really the one who holds the whole thing together. He has the thankless task of
being the syndicate manager, of collecting fees, of refereeing discussions over
naming the horses and deciding which stallions to use, of delivering news from
trainers and stud managers, both good and bad.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joff, with
his brother David, and old school friends Cameron Plant, Dan Happell, Patrick
Stock and Mark Ritchie, formed the original core of the Empire which now runs
to 18 members. Eighteen friends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The most
recent horse we raced together – unsuccessfully, sadly – was a grandson of Road,
named Thousandmilesaway. All of the mare’s descendants have been named after
songs by the Empire’s favourite band, The Hoodoo Gurus, and Thousandmilesaway
seemed particularly appropriate given the geographical spread of the group. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In recent
years, my work for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TDN</i> has taken me to
many places around the world. Any trip to a major race meeting is a thrill but
being away from home frequently can sometimes be a little disorientating.
Fortunately, on travels to Melbourne, I know I’ll see my Empire friends. It’s an
extraordinary feeling spending almost 24 hours flying to the other side of
world and stepping off a plane to find yourself very much at home. That’s what
their friendship has given me, along with a deep-rooted love for Australia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many of the
Empire members have stayed with us in Newmarket over the years and the most
frequent visitor among them was Cameron, whose work also caused him to be away
from home often. For the last four years he’s been based in Dubai, meaning I
could see him annually, at least, when at the World Cup meeting.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cameron also
took a share in a horse with us in Newmarket. Perhaps only an Australian could
view a ‘short’ six-hour flight from Dubai to the UK as being perfectly feasible
in planning to see the filly race. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In recent
weeks, as the news around the world has united us all in a common fear, there have
been several upbeat bulletins from Wangaratta to give the Empire a little lift
in times of trouble. Adrian Corboy has been pre-training our two-year-old
gelding by Puissance De Lune out of Spaceage Juliet and, in his own inimitable
fashion, has relayed news that this one ‘might be alright’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While we
have all come to accept bad news on the equine front over the years, on Easter
Sunday the news Joff had to deliver to us all was of an altogether more
desperate kind. Cameron, more than halfway through a fortnight’s enforced quarantine
in Melbourne after arriving home from Dubai, had taken his own life.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is
unbelievable even to have had to type those words. To think of the person that
I only ever knew with a smile on his face to be gone just like that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">The dreadful new normal of all our lives in the last few
months has been to switch on the television and hear of an ever-increasing death
toll.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The relentlessness of the bad news is almost
numbing but, to many of us, there are no names and faces behind these numbers
to make them seem real. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">There is now a different reality to those of us who
were lucky enough to call Cameron a friend.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> He didn’t die from coronavirus, of course, but it’s hard not to
connect his demise to being isolated at a time of his life when he needed more
than ever to be among people he loved and who loved him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We’ll never
know if the outcome would have been different without the pandemic constraining
everyone’s lives. Perhaps not. But </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">what I do know is that it has robbed us of the
chance of spending any more happy days with him at the races.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps
people will read this and think ‘there’s more to life than racing’, and of
course there is. Much more. But what racing gives us is the chance to forge
friendships with people from different parts of the world who we’d never have
met otherwise. And it means that as race meeting after race meeting is
cancelled in the pandemic’s wake we know that, for a while at least, we will
miss not just the sport we love, but also those regular meetings with friends. At
a picnic in the car park at Ascot, on the rail at the pre-parade ring at
Newmarket to cast an eye over Classic hopefuls, in the bar afterwards to celebrate
our winnings, cut our losses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This loss,
however, is one which will be keenly felt for years to come. The technology we
all rely on these days means that we’re never really that far apart. From
Dubai, Cameron kept a close eye on our runners in England and I knew that,
without fail, he would be the one person to send me a message pre- and
post-race on any day that my mare Hope Is High was running. He sent messages of
support and solidarity when things didn’t go her way, and took as much pleasure
in her winning as I did. And that’s one of the special aspects of a racing
friendship – that shared joy in someone else’s success.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There will
be more days in the sun for the Empire even if for now it feels as though
darkness prevails. And when we are all able to meet again at the races, Cam
will be with us still in heart and mind, his camaraderie and love of the game
galloping on through every horse we are fortunate enough to share. GTE.</span><br />
<br />
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style>Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-25401472790622295002018-08-12T05:42:00.002-07:002018-08-12T13:51:39.900-07:00Days like these<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
The racing world is no different to the world at large in
that the politics of it all often spoil the sheer fun of day-to-day existence.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not suggesting that my life is a constant barrel of
laughs. It’s not. I worry about things all the time: horses, friends, horses,
money, horses, work, oh yes and horses. But I also know that I’m incredibly
fortunate to live in a racing stable in a part of the world that isn’t as
terrifyingly dreadful as other parts of the world, to do a job that I truly
love, to be pretty healthy, to have many wondrous friends and family, and to
have my special dog Blakeney lying at my feet as I type this, just as he does
for most of the thousands of words I type every week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jNPfqDEDfBZPCG_C5p8KxjHnW04mumNt78O6aajsfsGNZ-09sU2sqM_KIn_fHKS_HmQ1IWohMlRMQjy9LFMIfsXoLjQ1ZyT-4jmeRySLWoWthIma47_A0jptwv-wIb-jK4W8/s1600/Dogs+%2526+Natagora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1000" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jNPfqDEDfBZPCG_C5p8KxjHnW04mumNt78O6aajsfsGNZ-09sU2sqM_KIn_fHKS_HmQ1IWohMlRMQjy9LFMIfsXoLjQ1ZyT-4jmeRySLWoWthIma47_A0jptwv-wIb-jK4W8/s320/Dogs+%2526+Natagora.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan and Bean with the fearless Natagora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But even with those blessings life can sometimes get you
down. Little jolts of sadness interspersed with bigger jolts. The deaths in
February and March of Johnny Winter and Peter Temple were just two such jolts
in a year which started badly and stayed fairly gloomy for a long time. The
thought of either of those two excellent men no longer walking among us is
enough to bring a cloud across a blue-skied heatwave. And then there are the little stabs
of mental anguish that come without warning, like when meeting Billy the blue
greyhound on Friday and almost bursting into tears in front of a man I barely
know because I still miss my greyhounds so much, almost two years after they
died.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess I’m lucky to have been given a temperament that
searches almost endlessly for a silver lining, and usually one can be found if
we keep telling ourselves that it’s out there. Even so, that mentality has been
sorely tested over the years by my involvement with this sport we all love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLdNGYaM8XAv-EHsskm-gHw2iZtnWv2JXyTNWSOmAHrw_ay9zLnu2P8BeoqgPvYCxePTd1bqDoLpAu5t5KPjD9HBjrvvgtjaGgg5w7YwUZ_3fFY3xRKQEuayeLHn6qHxXwYzn/s1600/Roy+Rocket+9th+win+Brighton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1466" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLdNGYaM8XAv-EHsskm-gHw2iZtnWv2JXyTNWSOmAHrw_ay9zLnu2P8BeoqgPvYCxePTd1bqDoLpAu5t5KPjD9HBjrvvgtjaGgg5w7YwUZ_3fFY3xRKQEuayeLHn6qHxXwYzn/s320/Roy+Rocket+9th+win+Brighton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy, right, wins for the ninth time. Photo ©George Selwyn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week started with the hope of four runners, all of
which should have had a decent chance. Two were ruled out almost immediately,
Hope Is High having had a frustrating but not serious setback which means she’s
on the easy list for a short time, and the perplexing Solitary Sister being
just marginally unsound enough to have missed her intended stable debut on
Thursday. Sussex Girl went to Yarmouth with an excellent chance and indeed
started favourite. She failed only by two noses to win, which was tedious but
not desperate, though an abusive email to our website as soon as she crossed
the line just served to rub salt into a very fresh wound.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The message was actually tame compared to those sent to
Roger Charlton and Mick Appleby this week, which were completely abhorrent, but
this kind of modern-day poison-pen letter, made so easy by websites, email
addresses and social media, really is a side of the racing business I could do
without. Does anyone emailing John or me with abuse really think that we wanted
one of our horses to be beaten? In racing, we all have to take losing with
grace and dignity but that doesn’t alter the fact that winning matters above
all else. It is the difference between us having a business and not having one,
so please, anonymous, spineless critics, think twice before you spew forth your
streams of bile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But enough of that. It’s silver lining time, and the silver
in this case doesn’t come much more precious than Roy Rocket. ‘Roy’, as he is
now known by just about all and sundry (even yesterday’s Racing Post headline
referred to him simply as Roy, which made me laugh) lives in the stable nearest
to our house. It wouldn't surprise me if I came home one day and found that
John had moved him into the house, such is his affection for the naughty,
quirky, adorable creature that he bred some eight years ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve managed to talk myself into believing that I’m a jinx
for some horses. Ex Con won five races for this stable and I wasn’t present for
any of them. It got to the stage where I felt that I couldn’t go racing with
him as it would be my fault if he didn't win. I now feel like that with Roy.
I’ve been racing masses of times with Roy but never on one his nine winning
days, which is a shame, because as we all know, he only wins at Brighton, and I
love going to Brighton. I especially love seeing and hearing the response to
him from the crowd at Brighton, which starts as soon as we arrive and the
lovely, friendly man on the crossing between the horsebox park and the
racecourse stables booms, ‘Ere ’e is, the Brighton Legend’. And he’s been
saying that for years, long before he was the Brighton Legend. But I think we
can all agree, weird though it is that the word legend be applied to a horse of
such glaring mediocrity, that Roy is approaching legendary status, and I’m
pretty sure he knows it too, the clever old monkey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT5Gqj9yXuxQUn-hp6MYEl40zJPJ2ZjTzIUHYBVHGp9L4o-ae4svYIg5HEKgZqf58LbrMu4rS0GFhldriHJ2qdEtNCotBmQ_c_WNr_kosz54BuHIC0APrXlmU6dNpYnZCaJUe/s1600/DkNxyrJXcAA7TF3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT5Gqj9yXuxQUn-hp6MYEl40zJPJ2ZjTzIUHYBVHGp9L4o-ae4svYIg5HEKgZqf58LbrMu4rS0GFhldriHJ2qdEtNCotBmQ_c_WNr_kosz54BuHIC0APrXlmU6dNpYnZCaJUe/s320/DkNxyrJXcAA7TF3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Epsom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My plan had actually been to go to Brighton as I had
arranged to spend the morning in Epsom with Simon Dow on Friday with the
intention of heading south after that. Then I remembered my jinx-like ability
and the list of features I had to write before leaving for the sales in
Deauville on Thursday and decided to opt to head back to Newmarket instead. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But even without being there, Friday was a very memorable
day for a number of reasons. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A 4am alarm call isn’t everyone’s idea of fun but it’s
not too bad at this time of the year, and beating the M25 traffic to arrive in
Epsom for 6.30 made it well worthwhile. Apart from the fact that I’ve been
going to the Derby meeting for years, and then to some smaller meetings,
usually with Roy, I don’t know Epsom at all. What I do know is that the first
view of the Downs, having cut through a suburban road not long after leaving
the motorway and then ending up at Tattenham Corner, where that fantastically
quirky course rolls away beneath you to draw your eye to the ocean-going liner
of a grandstand, is just about one of the most spine-tingling sights in racing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love Epsom but I’ve always wondered if that’s simply
because I love the Derby and the Oaks and the way the history of those races
weaves through pedigrees like threads of spun silver, meaning that I’m simply
excited about being there on that weekend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it’s not just that. Epsom is properly special. I love
watching racehorses being trained anywhere and hearing trainers of different
nationalities and stable sizes talk about issues, problems, thrills that are
common throughout the sport. But I have to say it’s pretty bloody special being
at Simon Dow’s Clear Height Stables on a sunny day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a clue in the name. Being on the top of the Downs, a
hop, skip and a jump from the stands and the Rubbing House, you have to one
side the most magnificent view across London’s cityscape: Canary Wharf, the
Wembley Arch, the London Eye and the Shard — they’re all there as the eye scans
across. But then swing around and there’s that most famous of racecourses,
which, on a normal day, is criss-crossed by the 200 or so horses trained in
Epsom as they go about their daily exercise. I’ll save the best bits about the
morning for a piece I can’t wait to write for TDN, but I will just say now,
that if I didn’t live in Newmarket and still lived in London, I would be making
a regular pest of myself at Simon Dow’s yard, begging to have a share in a
horse in training with him, and finding any excuse to spend a few moments with
Billy the greyhound.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would put Simon very much in the same category as John: a
workaholic, obsessed with his horses, doting on his dog, passionate about the
historic training centre in which he lives, seemingly a very kind boss and a
good trainer who deserves support from owners because it’s just obvious in
everything he says and does that he would do all in his power to ensure that
their horses run well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGRvjQcVi7G1OADt1nPXdeK2EfA7-FItCmVY_C29LdPR0X2Srq4PqhGiByEWWDVYPHF0qytt0R9_RfDxGysQx0cgU24QxN0ZzXN0ti7o4cz3Ow-J7bXZ5zty4XhX1RCrOUZ41/s1600/Brighton+crowds+cheering+Roy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGRvjQcVi7G1OADt1nPXdeK2EfA7-FItCmVY_C29LdPR0X2Srq4PqhGiByEWWDVYPHF0qytt0R9_RfDxGysQx0cgU24QxN0ZzXN0ti7o4cz3Ow-J7bXZ5zty4XhX1RCrOUZ41/s320/Brighton+crowds+cheering+Roy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brighton racegoers cheering home Roy Rocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that was a super start to the day, and getting home in
time to watch the racing made things even better. Because Roy runs so
frequently at Brighton and it’s often one of only a few meetings on At The
Races on the particular day, the ATR team really does do a good job of building
up Roy’s appearance (and actually, generally, ATR just makes watching racing
fun). Maybe some people find it too much but of course we love the fact that a
member of our family has become so popular. Matt Chapman knows John well and
always does a good pre-race interview, and I particularly enjoyed the fact that
it was Luke Harvey in the studio yesterday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luke is the current HWPA Broadcaster of the Year and he
really deserves to be, because when it comes to racing he totally gets it. He
knows all about the blood, sweat and tears, because he does it himself,
training his point-to-pointers that he clearly loves as children. I was once
lucky enough to be at an Easter Monday meeting when Luke’s dear old Cecil won
and the look on his face when he led the horse back in was one of pure
unadulterated joy. As Cecil’s daily rider, Luke knows just how John feels about
Roy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luke said many kind things about Roy and seemed really to be
enjoying the result of what was a moderate handicap as if it had been Derby
day. In the week someone suggested to me on Twitter that I was wrong to say
that Brighton’s August meeting was one of the best of the year. I had perhaps
phrased it badly. It is clearly not the best as regards the quality of the
races themselves, but the sheer delight of being on the south coast (on a
school day!) with views out across the sea, having fish and chips, a pint and a
punt, makes it one of the most enjoyable racing experiences I’ve had.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brighton has a faithful crowd and a really friendly team at
the racecourse, to the extent that you walk in through the gates and think ‘ah,
here I am again’ with a sigh of happiness. I was stupid not to go and share the
fun of Roy’s ninth victory with the ‘golden girls’ who always accompany Larry
and Iris McCarthy to the races when Roy runs. We all miss Larry’s father and
Iris’s late husband, Joe, in whose lucky old silks Roy runs, but somehow Joe’s
luck as an owner is still rubbing off on us all, and I know that nobody would
have enjoyed the Roy Rocket story more than Joe. In a way he was its
inspiration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brighton’s card on Friday certainly wasn’t all about Roy though.
Poppy Bridgewater, an up-and-coming apprentice I feel sure we’ll be hearing
plenty more about, rode her first double. The first leg came aboard another
wonderful old Brighton warrior, Pour La Victoire, who, like Roy, is now eight and
is one of those low-grade wonders who make midweek racedays a bit more special</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWR0QLGft89SbMN_AE6c7NMVwWcD5r6CqNhVfh5-KOSvnnwPVgPhKi8Uk2p4ZKrSSJUZ4tuV53FIHh0D7WLoiNxlQ-LhWqd2VTzGT35vn3mtgejcU-XRFcjF-ZyUvZRy2oIKs/s1600/Wasted+Sunsets+and+Roy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1316" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWR0QLGft89SbMN_AE6c7NMVwWcD5r6CqNhVfh5-KOSvnnwPVgPhKi8Uk2p4ZKrSSJUZ4tuV53FIHh0D7WLoiNxlQ-LhWqd2VTzGT35vn3mtgejcU-XRFcjF-ZyUvZRy2oIKs/s320/Wasted+Sunsets+and+Roy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy and Wasted Sunsets on the Al Bahathri...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHD66ZU02RV1Z7Ah6jrOUCkKNJ_ApU5G3rs5s5Roc5vZ5_9hXnXrcQSRmPbwwQ7wEe5_Zp1JJbGVBMhjCr0e4ov-mEDgXqbfqFjcKdghMkAzWBltmuuPh5RYX7jz0gU_x1N7l/s1600/Enable+and+Frankie+Dettori+%2528right%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHD66ZU02RV1Z7Ah6jrOUCkKNJ_ApU5G3rs5s5Roc5vZ5_9hXnXrcQSRmPbwwQ7wEe5_Zp1JJbGVBMhjCr0e4ov-mEDgXqbfqFjcKdghMkAzWBltmuuPh5RYX7jz0gU_x1N7l/s320/Enable+and+Frankie+Dettori+%2528right%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...followed minutes later by the great Enable and Frankie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then rather poignantly, Black Caesar was one of the last
runners for Philip Hide, who had made a positive start to his training career
but recently decided that the show couldn’t go on. It’s clearly not a decision
he wanted to take, and I wish it was one he hadn’t had to make. Listening to
Philip’s young daughter waxing lyrical about Black Caesar and instantly
becoming tearful about her family’s stable flagbearer was a reminder that,
however small the meeting, or relatively moderate the horse, there are people
out there for whom these results, these horses and these days really matter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday morning I’d gone up to watch Roy gallop on the
Al Bahathri and only moments later Enable followed the exact path with Frankie
Dettori. However much we all love Roy, and however fanciful my writing becomes,
this is really the only legitimate time I can write the names Enable and Roy
Rocket in the same sentence. She’s one of the best in the world, he’s not even
the best in our own small yard. But just as Enable matters to Juddmonte and
Prince Khalid Abdullah, Roy Rocket matters to us. And whatever the level of
talent each horse possesses, if they can bring fun to the many while racing,
even on the small days, or just to one person once retired into a different
lifestyle, then that really does make racing’s lows much easier to bear while
we wait for the next day in the sun.</div>
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-->Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-69037672601670506852017-12-31T10:15:00.002-08:002017-12-31T10:17:50.296-08:00Old Year's Night<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s New Year’s Eve, almost Old Year’s Night as my Scottish
friends would say, and whether you like partying through the night or, like my
husband, aim to be tucked up in bed well before 10pm, it’s hard not to be in a
reflective mood as we flit from 2017 into 2018.<br />
<br />
The real world of Brexit and Trump is just too ghastly even to contemplate, so I'm going to stick to my small world of horses and run back through a year which, typically in racing, had some jolly old highs and a few depressing lows. And, when I say small world, I'm restricting the reflections specifically to this stable as I spend much of the year writing about the racing and breeding world beyond the gates of Beverley House Stables.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-z1hLLKakISalfBulwPiOj_1kHFNkG7zZg_3l767kWVOjWfa_n7dzPMj2doEElO_ijYHRo1pruV2YnJe88OhEH_fp73f_SqyHWtLvZwf65viozkrxB4Q14xW4Tu4e6r7_9mh/s1600/Hope+Is+High+Roy+Rocket+15+April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-z1hLLKakISalfBulwPiOj_1kHFNkG7zZg_3l767kWVOjWfa_n7dzPMj2doEElO_ijYHRo1pruV2YnJe88OhEH_fp73f_SqyHWtLvZwf65viozkrxB4Q14xW4Tu4e6r7_9mh/s320/Hope+Is+High+Roy+Rocket+15+April.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two stable favourites, Hope Is High and Roy Rocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On this day last year I asked John what he thought about the
coming season for Hope Is High and he said he would be disappointed if she
didn’t win three races. Well he wasn’t disappointed at all, and neither was I,
as she won four and was arguably unlucky not to win five as she stumbled out of
the stalls on one of her starts at Yarmouth and, despite trailing the field in
the early stages, fought her way right back into contention to be beaten only a
head. Hope was only a small part in Silvestre de Sousa's personal record of 206 wins in 2017, which saw him crowned champion jockey, but it was a pleasure to be involved, even on the fringes, with such a professional and hard-working jockey. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah, Hope Is High. If only all racehorses were as consistent
and as straightforward as she is. She’s given us nothing but pleasure since we
bought her in February 2016 and of course we hope she can continue on her
upward climb, without wishing to be too greedy. She’ll return from her winter
holidays next week and I’ll be counting down the days until the start of the
Flat turf season and seeing her back on a racecourse. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hBx1b-clN4k7wW4zLE1D6Y9cSiSPVspnu-BnqdJ_QE6q-qIupJFBcXQEzTJKZOtr-rSZkKi1yJbiVwFeFNCe6_D9FwOFLEgZvpVyOlYOBO1vvNjuzWEPzYnI8mwL9eMUtzRG/s1600/Delatite+wins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1242" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hBx1b-clN4k7wW4zLE1D6Y9cSiSPVspnu-BnqdJ_QE6q-qIupJFBcXQEzTJKZOtr-rSZkKi1yJbiVwFeFNCe6_D9FwOFLEgZvpVyOlYOBO1vvNjuzWEPzYnI8mwL9eMUtzRG/s320/Delatite+wins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delatite and Will Kennedy win by nine lengths at Sedgefield</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, if this year has taught me anything at all, or rather
reminded me, it’s that nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to
horses. I’ve had an unbelievably lucky year as an owner, with Delatite becoming
my first homebred winner when romping home in a Sedgefield bumper in October.
I’d been at his three previous races, including driving home as fast as I could
from Deauville to Towcester to see him in action in May, but I couldn’t be at
Sedgefield as it was the first day of the October Yearling Sales and I was on duty for TDN. I watched the race with my friend Liam in the back
bar at Tatts and seeing him pull clear of a fairly decent field to win by nine
lengths will live long in the memory. When I returned to my desk I struggled to
write anything as I was shaking so much and by the time Delatite, John and
Abbie returned late that night from the north, Liam, Conor, Peter and I had
rolled back from the sales a little the worse for wear to greet the returning
hero.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little did I know then that I’d used up all my luck for
2017. Three weeks later Delatite’s life hung in the balance after the onset of
an aggressive infection that came out of the blue and caused severe damage to
his off-hind fetlock joint and suspensory ligament. We went from dreaming about
what looked to be a bright future to praying that he’d survive. Thanks to the
skills of the brilliant team at Newmarket Equine Hospital he did survive
surgery and looks almost back to his old self nine weeks on, though it will
take a lot longer than that for us to be able to ascertain whether or not he
can return to training. The likelihood is that his ligament has been damaged
too badly for that to be possible, but just occasionally horses can make
miraculous recoveries and I’ve set my mind on giving Delatite every chance of that
being the case. He’s being allowed off box rest at the end of January and will return to
Hilborough Stud, where he spent plenty of time in his formative years, to
continue to recuperate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Delatite wasn’t the only one of our horses to see the inside
of the NEH operating theatre this year. In early February, Kryptos returned
from exercise safe and sound only to be thrashing about in agony within minutes
of going back to his stable. A twisted gut was swiftly diagnosed and he went
under the knife of Mark Hillyer to be put right. Thankfully both horses were
model patients and though Kryptos made a later debut for this stable than
originally intended, he paid us back many times over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_nB4MEGNA-Spq7Eqpv_xCY6E7MvqNXJ15MsNjRkf7i8RPcu2JPndjdeDekCPPxcYDZehwgMcTeFGn_tvdMHyqyZaInkLLyynH-nCbZFIslnl60-qfDR6Vb1ldSs5eLoKmxuW/s1600/Kryptos+Sussex+Girl+Kilim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1500" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_nB4MEGNA-Spq7Eqpv_xCY6E7MvqNXJ15MsNjRkf7i8RPcu2JPndjdeDekCPPxcYDZehwgMcTeFGn_tvdMHyqyZaInkLLyynH-nCbZFIslnl60-qfDR6Vb1ldSs5eLoKmxuW/s320/Kryptos+Sussex+Girl+Kilim.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three winners together: Kryptos, Sussex Girl and Kilim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In five starts for Tony Fordham, he won three and was second
and third, his rating rising to 100 in the process. He’s a very talented horse
and we’re lucky still to have him in the stable still as he caught the eye of a
number of parties through his glorious summer. He had his season curtailed
abruptly when some heat was detected in a leg but he is coming to the end of
his semi-box rest and will resume training in the coming weeks. Fingers are
tightly crossed that there is plenty more to come from him in 2018.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our season wouldn’t feel quite right if Roy Rocket didn’t win
at Brighton and that he did – for the sixth time – on his seasonal debut on 25
April. He went up 6lbs for that and has struggled a little since then but he’s
dropped down the handicap a little again and, turning eight tomorrow, he’ll be
back for more before too long.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our new Brighton specialist towards the end of the season
was Kilim, whose final three runs of her career came at the course. She won
there on 22 August under a very canny ride from Nicola Currie and was then
second twice, beaten half a length and a short-head respectively. Kilim has now retired to
the paddocks and we wish her new owner Jenny Norris the best of luck in
breeding plenty of winners from her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And not to be outdone, of course, was the horse who is more
entitled than most to be a winner at Brighton – Sussex Girl. She is
following in the footsteps of her half-sister, our Brighton Cup winner Ethics
Girl, so it was highly appropriate that she should record her first victory
there on 19 October. Proving that she can cope with faster flat tracks just as
well as the undulations of the South Downs, she followed up five days later
with a second win at Yarmouth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sussex Girl will also be back in training in the coming
weeks and in the meantime we’ve welcomed Ethics Girl’s first foal, Ethics Boy,
to the stable. He’s just been broken in and ridden away and will be racing in
the colours of his part-owner-breeder Lawrence Wadey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a successful summer for the stable it was
disappointing not to have any yearlings come in from the sales. It’s definitely
getting harder for small stables as the big yards continue to attract record
numbers. I’ll never see the appeal of being an owner of one of 200+ horses in a
big yard but then I would say that, wouldn’t I?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkLW5k3vNMPLkdSNRjSKQJ1uHnBgN2IAtSniSWTn55E5deYrbJ7zVD9bdhlNS00czgOVz4Tts5S1JBzS7tdplJMTenqUcZmqhR5cr7I_8O5zncuU0g8go8-YesJFK3Ljt2KM9/s1600/Dereham+and+Steve+Barry+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkLW5k3vNMPLkdSNRjSKQJ1uHnBgN2IAtSniSWTn55E5deYrbJ7zVD9bdhlNS00czgOVz4Tts5S1JBzS7tdplJMTenqUcZmqhR5cr7I_8O5zncuU0g8go8-YesJFK3Ljt2KM9/s320/Dereham+and+Steve+Barry+sm.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future hope: Dereham with Steve Barry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will have one other two-year-old this coming season and he’s one
who will give me a huge amount of pleasure to watch on a daily basis as he’s a
Sir Percy half-brother to Delatite, named Dereham. I am immensely proud to have
bred him as he’s a super little horse who has recently been broken in and is in
pre-training with Katy Lyons and Steve Barry of L&B Equine Services who
have done a fantastic job with him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are also a few unraced horses in the yard who
will be making their debuts in the coming weeks and months, including Irene
Wilde, a lovely, strong staying filly owned by Charles Wentworth, and Das
Kapital, a strapping son of Cityscape, owned by Jonathan Wilson, Jocelyn
Targett and Simon Sweeting, aka The Geezers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve had snow, wind, mud and high water aplenty over the
Christmas week but, grim weather aside, there’s plenty to look forward to in
Newmarket. After all, it's only 15 weeks to the Craven Meeting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A happy and peaceful new year to you all. </div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-24737705082746997052017-10-26T10:49:00.000-07:002017-10-26T12:35:45.000-07:00Riding the rollercoaster<style>
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I didn’t write anything about Delatite’s very exciting win
at Sedgefield on 3 October, partly because it was the first day of Book 1 of
the October Sale and the middle of a long sales run of churning out reports day
after day, and partly because I felt, quite reasonably at the time, that it was
the first successful step on what might be a long career ahead.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Apart from being slow to come to hand and once impersonating a
kangaroo to attempt to jump out of his stable from a standstill, Delatite has
never really given us a moment’s concern, and there aren't many five-year-olds
you can say that about. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox-dZzJsgWZgbdwkUMEwppvQtM6Fegf_7OJFmBpJihWkx2jhLlrUzuS3Fp-8fYA5VJsAo0bZnqfxJcVKVoNsIHPgUOgSyMG7H3WjDoeaFswXjjV9NGMTGJOvVrpe9d-epeKbm/s1600/Delatite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1500" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox-dZzJsgWZgbdwkUMEwppvQtM6Fegf_7OJFmBpJihWkx2jhLlrUzuS3Fp-8fYA5VJsAo0bZnqfxJcVKVoNsIHPgUOgSyMG7H3WjDoeaFswXjjV9NGMTGJOvVrpe9d-epeKbm/s400/Delatite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delatite on the Al Bahathri last week with Ivona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week, however, that all changed. It’s a week I’ll long
remember for the worst of reasons when in many ways it should have been a happy
one. As I watched the racing at Ascot on Champions’ Day my mind was already
more on what might happen at Pontefract on Monday and I can’t remember feeling
more excited about a race.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Delatite had been showing such a turn of foot, both in the
way he won his bumper by nine lengths and in his increasingly impressive work
at home, that John had been emboldened to try for a maiden on the Flat and we
both felt pretty confident that he wouldn’t be disgraced. By the time I got
home from Ascot, however, John told me we wouldn’t be going to Pontefract as
the horse appeared to have a foot abscess and was lame. I remember being
bitterly disappointed that he would miss a few weeks’ work and would probably
end up running during the next round of foal and mare sales when I would once
again be unable to be there. I’d happily settle for that situation now given the events
of the last few days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
After several days of strong antibiotic injections to try to
reduce what NEH vet Stuart Williamson correctly felt was a leg infection rather
than a foot problem, Delatite’s condition worsened by such a degree that on
Tuesday evening Stuart decided he had to go into the hospital for further
examination. Despite there being no outward sign of how the infection could
have started, X-rays revealed that it had got into his hind fetlock joint and
the suspensory ligament, a troubling assessment which meant that he would
require surgery to save him, with no real guarantee of a positive outcome.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent much of Tuesday night awake fretting about whether
or not be would be able to be stabilised sufficiently for it be safe for him to
undergo general anaesthetic but he had rallied a bit by Wednesday morning and
into surgery he went. Thankfully, he came through that and, 24 hours on,
remains under observation in a leg cast in the ICU looking half the horse he
was as he cantered around the heath on Saturday morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPR-EbKMr4Ow1Lj3QsZGmAOBD4ei2Wm_Gf3L9oudxOVpjSZGzoqP_nAvFUfK3UZqdf6Nk2ZcnshLscOTRQw4hWY0GWjYSY2d6G0LiLcYJPhl0gGRIvtfg1cOjASB5KifgEIWs/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1338" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPR-EbKMr4Ow1Lj3QsZGmAOBD4ei2Wm_Gf3L9oudxOVpjSZGzoqP_nAvFUfK3UZqdf6Nk2ZcnshLscOTRQw4hWY0GWjYSY2d6G0LiLcYJPhl0gGRIvtfg1cOjASB5KifgEIWs/s400/Unknown.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
I’m fortunate of course that he’s even made it this far.
I’ve had many reasons to be grateful that we live on the doorstep of one of the
world’s best equine vet clinics and this is another occasion that the quiet
professionalism of the excellent team at NEH has been a source of comfort.
Delatite is by no means out of the woods, however, as all sorts of
complications could still arise from what he’s been through, not least the fact
that his good back leg is taking a lot of the strain while his other leg is in
the cast, although he is at least shifting his weight across a bit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I felt quite positive until I went to see him again this
afternoon, less woozy now than he was after anaesthetic yesterday but with a
look in his eye that was a mix of bewilderment and pain. It probably sounds
stupid to people who don't spend much time with horses but when you see a horse
every day you know their expressions as you would a member of your own family
and the expression on the face of the usually kind and sweet Delatite was one I
hope I never see again. There is of course only one way for him to get better
and that’s by going through this awful recovery, and while I pray he continues
to recover I also hope that the discomfort he must be feeling will be
short-lived. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
There have been happy moments this week, and Sussex Girl
winning her second race in less than a week was certainly a highlight. It has
in fact been a particularly pleasing second half of the season for this stable.
The horses are currently running at about a 40% winning strike-rate, which is
incredible, and from my own perspective I’ve been hugely fortunate to see my
colours carried to victory five times this season – the first four by the mighty
Hope Is High, who is now on her winter holiday, and most recently by Delatite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
As much as I love Hope, who has now won five races and has
never been unplaced for us, it was Delatite’s win that meant the most and will
remain one of the best racing days for me, even though I couldn’t be there. I
bred Delatite from the first racehorse I ever rode when I arrived in Newmarket.
Dear old Desiree has been a bit of a hopeless broodmare until this horse came
along, but like her son she has a lovely nature and has been a very good mother
to her foals.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s unclear what the future holds for Delatite. If he can
survive beyond the weekend, and another week or so in NEH, then hopes for him
having some kind of comfortable life in retirement will improve. At this stage
it seems unlikely he can ever return to being a racehorse but only time will
tell. The only thing I do know is that I’d give back every single
win and happy day of the year for this never to have happened to him.</div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-33327714605296900432017-08-01T11:01:00.001-07:002017-08-01T11:41:00.248-07:00At the going down of the sun<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is always worth keeping a sense of perspective, or trying
to at least. Last night I watched part of the service of remembrance from Ypres
to mark the 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.
Despite the fact that my husband thinks I have a heart of flint, I had tears
rolling silently down my cheeks listening to stories passed on to the relatives
of survivors. Stories of complete and utter horror, that many of us, in our
cosy, easy lives these days, couldn’t even begin to imagine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvGSYO4xp_l4ZJaHvJDCNeirhk2xgm7XDCbSO77GVk1j-ihIf0yA7yYyByHpFur2_VIusE8pvvBOhpGX_6cGkeVnW1v6AhX5dmR_oUUxVs3wVZGLKhD7wf88Kpyz3LxkQ6l0W/s1600/Hope+Is+High+16+May+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1500" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvGSYO4xp_l4ZJaHvJDCNeirhk2xgm7XDCbSO77GVk1j-ihIf0yA7yYyByHpFur2_VIusE8pvvBOhpGX_6cGkeVnW1v6AhX5dmR_oUUxVs3wVZGLKhD7wf88Kpyz3LxkQ6l0W/s320/Hope+Is+High+16+May+17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful Hope Is High, as honest as her trainer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I was thinking about those sacrifices made mostly by men
young enough to be my sons as I drove home from the races today, telling myself
to get a grip for feeling so miserable after what was essentially the best run
of Hope Is High’s career. She was second, beaten a head, after stumbling coming
out of the stalls, losing at least six lengths and causing Silvestre de Sousa
to lose an iron temporarily. Silvestre’s a brilliant jockey – as is evident
from yet another four-timer on the day from him even without our red-hot
favourite – and he did his best to rebalance the filly and work their way into
the race until they had a fighting chance. And fight they did, all the way down
the straight, a head to the deficit at the post, and ahead of the winner The
Detainee two strides later. Ah well, that’s racing. It’s a small disappointment
on an otherwise nice, sunny day, and both horse and jockey have walked away
none the worse, which is the only thing that matters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This wasn’t what put me in a bad mood. That started when a
foul-mouthed racegoer leaned over the rail, clearly disgruntled at backing a
losing favourite, telling Silvestre he should have “f***ing hit it”. I felt
like hitting him but managed to keep my cool until John’s phone rang as the
‘horses away’ announcement was made. It was from a withheld number and it was
quickly easy to ascertain that John was on the receiving end of an earbashing
from someone, who it transpired called him a number of names and implied that
he had cheated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The mood darkened further still when the lady serving the
tea in the owners and trainers’ area adopted a ‘computer says no’ attitude and
refused to give John a cup of tea as he didn’t have a voucher (he didn't have
one as he drove the horse to the races and so came in through the stable
entrance instead of the main gate as I had). We both had metal badges but this
wasn’t good enough for the rude person who clearly needs not to be doing a job
which means interacting with members of the public.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a quick aside, this is now the third incident within a
month or so at racecourses owned by ARC where we or owners connected to this
stable have encountered rudeness from staff in areas specifically designated
for owners. Racecourse staff shouldn't be rude on any part of any course
because everyone who is there is either with a horse and thus is helping to
provide the entertainment, or is a paying customer and is entitled to be
treated courteously on what is often an expensive day out. The first two
incidents came at Windsor, and I wasn’t surprised by Richard Hughes’ column in
the Post on Saturday, which criticised Windsor for its treatment of owners. I
used to love going racing at Windsor because I grew up there so it was the first
racecourse I ever attended and it still feels like going home. I’ll try to
avoid going home now if I possibly can. I don't really want to add Yarmouth to
the blacklist as I always love going there, even though it’s one of the
shabbiest tracks in the country. But it’s convenient for us, the track is fair,
there’s fish and chips or cockles and whelks with a whiff of sea air, plus the
biggest pick ‘n’ mix stall I’ve ever seen. Who could ask for more? Well, a cup
of tea would be nice, I suppose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can get over all that but I can’t allow anyone ever to
call John a cheat. I’d like the cretin who phoned him to call back so we could
arrange for him to spend a day shadowing John. That day would involve being up
just before 5am to ride out one lot with Lucinda before Jana, Ivona and Abbie
arrive. The dedicated Lucinda then goes off to work for Juddmonte while John
rides usually another four lots, along with feeding and dealing with the
never-ending amount of admin before either going racing (always driving the
box), or spending the afternoon writing one of his various columns for TDN,
Winning Post or Al Adiyat, or perhaps doing a shift on ATR. If he’s not at the
races, he’ll always be at evening stables, feeding again, perhaps fixing
fences, etc. During all of this he rarely loses the smile and friendly manner
that so many people in this town and in the wider world of racing love about
him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His smile might slip if he realises I’ve cooked him
something suspiciously spicy for supper, but if it’s good old meat and
potatoes, he’s happy until he falls asleep, usually in his armchair around 9pm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Underneath the smile, though, just like any other trainer,
John has an unrelenting desire to win. It’s not a win-at-all-costs attitude
that would ever see him overlook the welfare of a horse just to keep the
strike-rate up, but he needs winners for his own sense of pride in the job that
he’s doing, for his owners, their horses, and the people who work with him in
this yard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyone who thinks that John would stop today’s 5/4 favourite
winning by cheating has no idea what it means to him every time another number 1
goes up on the board next to his name. Nobody remembers all the places you
chalk up – and Hope has never been out of the places for John – it’s the
winners that matter. Losing out on one today mattered to John, but being called
a cheat hurt him even more than that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even winning would only have brought an extra £1,700 to this
year’s tally – Yarmouth's meeting being embarrassingly impoverished next to the riches on offer this week at Glorious Goodwood – but it would also have brought an enormous amount of satisfaction and
joy. For being beaten that head, we ‘brought home’ £547 instead, though once we
take into account entry fees, jockey fees, box hire, diesel for the lorry and
my car, and Jana’s expenses for the day, more than £400 of that is already
accounted for. And if we hadn’t run Hope, whose form figures at Yarmouth are
2-4-1-2, thus guaranteeing she’s always a good betting proposition there, only
seven runners would have lined up for the race, a figure that the bookmakers
demanding yet more and more fixtures hate to see.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we played our part, brought our horse along, were
rewarded with abuse and rudeness, and left with a feeling that if ARC doesn't
start to pull its finger out and commit to honouring the minimum £6,000
prize-money levels as called for by the BHA through the extra funding being
made available next year, then it’s really not worth supporting their tracks.
Well, maybe our beloved Brighton, but the staff are never rude there, and it’s
Roy Rocket’s favourite so we have no choice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, in the wider world, none of this really matters
at all. The sun is sliding down, it will rise tomorrow and I will feel less
grumpy. The boys lost
at Passchendaele enjoyed far too few sunrises in their short lives, and that’s something
which brings true sorrow, even to this flint heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-30302186039287397582017-04-13T02:24:00.001-07:002017-04-13T02:29:32.408-07:00From Florence to Delatite<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx53YrAq3eL6o6EVe2KWJ5bmsVRcB7Mxs68ZHbHmqcdgqGDHqey63Np9eLKqjtlHSbYAmIvuIEd4XBBmyula0hFWNW3fh6ec43MZobxsIoWKONVlZtF7LMVGsjR0pv-19bS-F/s1600/Nan+and+grandad+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx53YrAq3eL6o6EVe2KWJ5bmsVRcB7Mxs68ZHbHmqcdgqGDHqey63Np9eLKqjtlHSbYAmIvuIEd4XBBmyula0hFWNW3fh6ec43MZobxsIoWKONVlZtF7LMVGsjR0pv-19bS-F/s400/Nan+and+grandad+sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence Annie and Billy Barnes in their 1942 engagement photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ten years ago, the Easter weekend was spent in and out of
hospital visiting my grandmother Florence Annie Barnes after she’d had a
stroke.<br />
<br />
She was in and out of consciousness for the last few days of her life
so I’m not sure really how aware she was that her son, daughter and eight
grandchildren were there at different times over that weekend but I’ve always
just hoped that she somehow knew.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was a very small person who had a very big influence on
my life – one that continues in everything that I hold dear as we approach the tenth anniversary of her
death. I used her full name above because when she was alive I was the only
person who could get away with calling her Florence Annie. She hated her real
name and all her friends knew her as Nan or Nancy. I like to think that as her
eldest grandchild I had special privileges but, in truth, she loved us all the same
and, in my biased eyes that still cloud with tears when I think about
her, she was the perfect loving and indulgent grandparent, with an amusingly feisty edge at times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been thinking of her quite a bit this week, not just
because Easter is approaching, but because today at Towcester we run Delatite,
a living, breathing, furry, 16-hand reminder of her legacy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When Florence died she left some money to each of her
grandchildren. I’m sure that my three sisters spent theirs more wisely but mine
was foolishly frittered away on the decision to send Desiree to stud. I started
riding Desiree when I first met John and became so attached to her that when she
retired from racing I couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving us for good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In truth she wasn’t really good enough to be a broodmare,
though I live in hope that Delatite, her third foal, may prove me wrong. It
almost certainly won't be today. It’s his second run in a bumper and even
though it’s a small field, almost all of our opponents boast quite good recent
form. He wasn’t disgraced on his debut on Boxing Day, however, and he appears
to have come on a bit since then so we’ll see. But we travel very much in
hope rather than expectation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDrQ5f9iXOWsuGcOOEoXsyPmSEfea6JMBQFRTz1dsdiJD4r8oBS1uXfejZl_BQsi0Tz8U1qGXAjo-_9huF3mQHIXchBDoUtOIbPjACjVL6nq2jpT6vjhEnStOotvWOQE1naoa/s1600/Bob%2527s+sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDrQ5f9iXOWsuGcOOEoXsyPmSEfea6JMBQFRTz1dsdiJD4r8oBS1uXfejZl_BQsi0Tz8U1qGXAjo-_9huF3mQHIXchBDoUtOIbPjACjVL6nq2jpT6vjhEnStOotvWOQE1naoa/s320/Bob%2527s+sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real Delatite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Incidentally, the photograph to the left is the view looking across to Mount Buller from Bob's Cottage at the Ritchie family's lovely farm Delatite in Victoria, Australia. It's one of my favourite places in the world and was the inspiration for this horse's name.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever happens today or in the future for Delatite, his
full-brother Dear Alix and half-brother Dereham, they and their mother have
already given me more fun and pleasure than any other hobby I could imagine. I
say hobby because even though I take the business of breeding very seriously
when I am writing about it for work, my personal involvement is a mere toe in
the water compared to the major breeders around the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s taught me plenty, however, not least the art of
patience. Any morning I’ve managed to sneak away from my desk to see Desiree
and her various youngsters over the years in Norfolk have been hours that I’ve
cherished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Desiree’s breeding record is not good, though she still has
some chances to come and I remain convinced that Delatite will be her first
winner, even if it’s not today. She’s still very much a part of the family and
is living in retirement as a companion at Hilborough Stud with Chris and Nicky
Murray who have looked after her so well throughout her career as a broodmare.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’s still young enough to be brought out of retirement
should any of her offspring suddenly do something extraordinary, a scenario that wafts across my mind every now and then.
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--></style>And that’s the other great thing about breeding horses – the
chance to dream. Of course reality is likely to come crashing down around our
ears eventually but no-one can take away those quiet moments of joy as you watch
a young foal gambol across a field and wonder to yourself if he might just be
the one. </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-73488444106329796262016-09-08T11:26:00.002-07:002016-09-08T11:57:44.008-07:00Now cracks a noble heart<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0RJu_YttiEjKyuV4jP62nG3NrO1C4W6Sr-1yOvdN773h8ZCrWrNMoKOX2kzi9AN0b8JutuSqsjaax5ow5QhuCVdDWgJltWUOVubLQgFyrOgCuN1aT7qWK2Z17vDdrOgrdh14/s1600/Ex+Con+5th+win.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0RJu_YttiEjKyuV4jP62nG3NrO1C4W6Sr-1yOvdN773h8ZCrWrNMoKOX2kzi9AN0b8JutuSqsjaax5ow5QhuCVdDWgJltWUOVubLQgFyrOgCuN1aT7qWK2Z17vDdrOgrdh14/s320/Ex+Con+5th+win.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ex Con wins for the fifth time, with the All Points West P'ship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are no worse days in racing than when you have to say
goodbye for the last time to a much-loved horse. Today has been one of those
days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even sitting down to write this has made the tears return but I can’t finish the day without paying tribute to our old friend
Extreme Conviction who left this world peacefully at noon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He’s actually been gone from this stable for more than three
years but he’s never been far away as he retired to become an extremely valued
member of the British Racing School’s team of horses, a fact which fortunately
meant we were able to visit him regularly and hear constant news of his
progress from our friends there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-W-sbg_rTtDM_UkG4kKS69RaoAnfx4tUrvg_7EAK0HeFUIdqhFZ-pne5yqLbmj9LBc-vSMEUmV22GqWADbv749kMMM8HEBdxbCTxFLpf0NrnpMGKfPpDgddsGYmzsQq4bh55/s1600/Anthony+Ex+Con+John+Alcalde+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-W-sbg_rTtDM_UkG4kKS69RaoAnfx4tUrvg_7EAK0HeFUIdqhFZ-pne5yqLbmj9LBc-vSMEUmV22GqWADbv749kMMM8HEBdxbCTxFLpf0NrnpMGKfPpDgddsGYmzsQq4bh55/s320/Anthony+Ex+Con+John+Alcalde+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ex Con, ridden by Anthony, with Alcalde and John</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Known by one and all as ‘Ex Con’, the giant son of Danehill
Dancer had been an expensive yearling and initially joined Jeremy Noseda’s
stable after John Warren bought him for €110,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.<br />
<br />
However, he proved to be a rather backward sort and two years later Ex Con
ended up as an unraced three-year-old in the July Sale at Tattersalls, where
John was able to buy him for the All Points West Partnership for 8,000gns. His
owners Ken, Tim, Jason, Kevan and Richard were all big jumping fans and the
big, rangey gelding appeared to fit the bill as a future National Hunt horse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the March of his five-year-old season he won a bumper at
Stratford under Will Kennedy, and went on to win four more races over hurdles,
three with Will in the saddle and once with Rhys Flint. Obliging in every sense
of the word, the dear old boy even managed to spark huge celebrations by
winning on Ken’s 50<sup>th</sup> birthday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-AS5_qPRv6-WM9OAzbJbPAnKwnZJIXF4E9tvADqJAFKUnNsh27MXK6OByH_ucj3G47_r_aV1mdqFZVjlbV33-OjuaaF8D4dgv-jQWBGeVB4W0H2ieCjNbUp9KO9mDr-mubKs/s1600/Gemma+%2526+Ex+Con+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-AS5_qPRv6-WM9OAzbJbPAnKwnZJIXF4E9tvADqJAFKUnNsh27MXK6OByH_ucj3G47_r_aV1mdqFZVjlbV33-OjuaaF8D4dgv-jQWBGeVB4W0H2ieCjNbUp9KO9mDr-mubKs/s320/Gemma+%2526+Ex+Con+sm.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With his biggest fan Gemma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ex Con’s racing career wasn’t without issues. A tendon
injury forced a prolonged break towards the end and he ultimately had a breathing problem plus the occasional bout of lymphangitis,
which, combined, hastened his retirement in the spring of 2013. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Racing School takes on a number of retired racehorses
each year and it was decided that Ex Con fit the bill perfectly to join their
team. Not only was he a really easy ride – witness the fact that among this
story you will find a photo of Anthony, then aged nine, riding him on Newmarket Heath – but
he was also a very good jumper, making him a valuable asset for the jump
jockeys coming to the school to complete their licence training.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years, Ex Con became as adored by the team of staff
and students there as he was while he was at our yard. He was stabled for most
of his time at BRS next to a rather better credentialed jumper in the Grade 1
winner Our Vic, but I know he was every bit as cherished as his more illustrious
neighbour. Simply, it would be impossible to find a kinder horse than Ex Con and this naturally made him a favourite of the students, a number of whom had never even sat on a horse when they arrived at the school.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0eoQ1BpjvlhI0VsZSPxNpaYByEZoTuWKgNuG7EaKgCyQ72W4zd0cGGiDEcS3u04W-gbyn7pF3L-8nVI6j8-iib02BuxT4fUJ59ilme2ml1XbLQJE8OjiNG9Z1ndLuOGI3C63/s1600/BRS+Ex+Con+manege+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0eoQ1BpjvlhI0VsZSPxNpaYByEZoTuWKgNuG7EaKgCyQ72W4zd0cGGiDEcS3u04W-gbyn7pF3L-8nVI6j8-iib02BuxT4fUJ59ilme2ml1XbLQJE8OjiNG9Z1ndLuOGI3C63/s320/BRS+Ex+Con+manege+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behaving like a true gent in a BRS lesson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Through the last few years, Ex Con continued to suffer
intermittent bouts of lymphangitis, a condition which caused his
off-hind leg to swell up on occasion, sometimes to a very painful degree. A
lymphatic drainage expert eased the situation last year with the addition of a
special boot and compression bandages but in recent weeks the problem returned
with a vengeance and was causing him considerable discomfort. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The BRS team, led by Julie Lingham, who devoted hours and
hours of her own time to looking after Ex Con, did an excellent job in managing
his problem and keeping him sound and happy to continue his role at the school.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxz72v9GdlybOYSq7mV1mI-BoHwmux5l1nKYRiqBlp5GJrZ7hZlbE19pp_Y6uwoVYjwWcRFHYT9BiCdPoK5-hp0LFhPHsDgK7S3ltZKlj12KZmTlxNkj0VEfi80y18BhV8xVz/s1600/Ex+Con+and+John.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxz72v9GdlybOYSq7mV1mI-BoHwmux5l1nKYRiqBlp5GJrZ7hZlbE19pp_Y6uwoVYjwWcRFHYT9BiCdPoK5-hp0LFhPHsDgK7S3ltZKlj12KZmTlxNkj0VEfi80y18BhV8xVz/s320/Ex+Con+and+John.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adored by his trainer, as he was by us all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Within the last week, however, it became apparent that we
were fighting a losing battle and sadly, on veterinary advice, we all decided
that it was no longer fair to ask him to carry on. It’s not a decision that can
ever be taken lightly and, even though I knew deep down it was the best thing
for the horse, I’ve spent the last few days questioning it and praying for a
miracle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was of course no miracle but I’m grateful to have had
the chance to say goodbye properly, and to know that every avenue was explored
in trying to save him. Many racehorses don’t make it to the age of 12, but for
me, this was still far too young for him to have left us. We were so lucky to
have him with us for as long as we did. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rest peacefully, Ex Con. I only wish you knew how much you
were loved by so many.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-70017159869076776622016-03-20T09:58:00.001-07:002016-03-20T10:09:28.639-07:00In praise of red mares: from Annie Power to IndiraCheltenham week is always one of my favourite times of the year but I can't ever remember enjoying the Festival more than I did this year.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iQGLliu2NDR1Zp-az3nY1zEcQPDHuyH7aAPNsYxQ0oLx7NpkjxdRIPPc2fQGrfHpKhEJP1wHPafPCDoMwJXNK7fcDB-_Pu9KtovNi5u4l1mLGaDRvanmiPkuoVedbXljMpmH/s1600/Annie+Power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iQGLliu2NDR1Zp-az3nY1zEcQPDHuyH7aAPNsYxQ0oLx7NpkjxdRIPPc2fQGrfHpKhEJP1wHPafPCDoMwJXNK7fcDB-_Pu9KtovNi5u4l1mLGaDRvanmiPkuoVedbXljMpmH/s320/Annie+Power.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Power greets her adoring fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's a kind of ritual involved now. The racing calendar means our lives are pretty much governed by certain key meetings each year and with Cheltenham the details are reassuringly and deeply etched.<br />
<br />
It starts at Lou and Charlie Eddis's house on the Friday before the Festival kicks off, their annual dinner and tipping contest, which was initially our old Pacemaker crew and now includes a few extras, being one of the social highlights of the year.<br />
<br />
The Monday of Festival week is more exciting than Christmas Eve for fans of jump racing, and the annual gathering of my dysfunctional Festival family, made up of various miscreants from from the racing press room, takes place at Durcott House where we gather ahead of the traditional Cheltenham eve curry. This year's housemates were Ed Prosser (main organiser and breakfast chef), Tom Peacock, George Primarolo, Martin Kelly and Hayley Moore. Julian Muscat joined us for one night, just to ensure there was at least one evening when we all stayed up far later than we wanted to and drank the house dry of red wine, and George's wife Sally swapped Beverley Racecourse, which she runs very efficiently, for Cheltenham on the final day.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPfBH7MU6QCt40Y6dgmDQ-st1ymKJSaqjSHng7P7OkZ3tJX_-g7iTJ1XbxfZVZaEhA8vFUIVYNEu4nNvTwWw3t5lOYawd2jK7G8C_QLlza9H-_gT5-Hnlk4kYouisXE9vJMQG/s1600/Emma+and+Zoe+Guinness+village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPfBH7MU6QCt40Y6dgmDQ-st1ymKJSaqjSHng7P7OkZ3tJX_-g7iTJ1XbxfZVZaEhA8vFUIVYNEu4nNvTwWw3t5lOYawd2jK7G8C_QLlza9H-_gT5-Hnlk4kYouisXE9vJMQG/s320/Emma+and+Zoe+Guinness+village.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating St Patrick's Day with Zoe Vicarage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The week got off to a bad start for me when my car started flashing lots of warning lights on the way into the racecourse on Tuesday morning. Fortunately we made it into the car park and the AA towed it away to be magically fixed for a small fortune. Such inconveniences were quickly overlooked, however, when Annie Power waltzed her way to victory in the Champion Hurdle several hours later. Remembering the roar as she was brought in to the winner's enclosure still sends a shiver down my spine. She seemed to love the adulation, too, as she stood still with her ears pricked towards the gallery while the cheers rang out.<br />
<br />
I've been at Cheltenham for all sorts of special occasions - Istrabraq's third Champion Hurdle, Best Mate's third Gold Cup, the battles of Denman and Kauto Star - but I'm pretty sure none of them received such a rapturous reception as Annie. I went home thinking we wouldn't see anything as special as that for the rest of the week but was proved wrong only 24 hours later. Even Nicky Henderson admitted that he never dared to hope that Sprinter Sacre could come back as good as he once was but hearts and voices soared collectively as the great beast cruised past the young upstart Un De Sceaux coming down the hill with two fences left to jump. After that it was just a case of praying that he got home in one piece, which he did, to a reception pretty much on a par with Annie Power's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDA6TRas8suxzLO3JFab11AbaKzNjPavL_xEfX6loWDz28QlCvOuMAw-c3Doogkzkg1asO910kX7h0Q_2laj2GnqTgBnuznXBiroRAuLVLHGUoE6CYD0C8SjcpWgNe27yS9KmP/s1600/Sprinter+Sacre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDA6TRas8suxzLO3JFab11AbaKzNjPavL_xEfX6loWDz28QlCvOuMAw-c3Doogkzkg1asO910kX7h0Q_2laj2GnqTgBnuznXBiroRAuLVLHGUoE6CYD0C8SjcpWgNe27yS9KmP/s320/Sprinter+Sacre.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabulous team of Sprinter Sacre and Nico de Boinville </td></tr>
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For me, they were the two stand-out moments, but there were plenty more, and if I had to nominate three young stars of the game, they would be Thistlecrack, Nico de Boinville and Joseph O'Brien.<br />
<br />
Thistlecrack, whose extraordinarily effortless victory in the Ryanair World Hurdle brought up a treble of Grade 1 wins for the wonderful Kayf Tara, isn't actually that young but he is still a relatively new name to us all, having been minded so well through his early years by Colin Tizzard. The trainer praised the horse's owners John and Heather Snook for their patience and they wouldn't have been empty words because there is almost certainly nothing jumps trainers – and many of their flat counterparts – want more than owners with great reserves of patience. Great reserves of cash come in handy too, of course, but owners who have patience and are prepared to go out to buy an untried youngster and let a trainer take his or her time with that horse can be rewarded with success for a fraction of the price that some of the form horses command. Thistlecrack wasn't a real cheapie – he still cost €43,000 as a three-year-old store at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale – but I'm guessing that's around a tenth of the price that some of his equals have changed hands for when being imported from France.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RFsojSor4ts7R8PXfjVm1PzvYK9F6PQ78plgKfVUwbzAPk7HC7JGUjidFfvYqbDW1dx802Fek9u80-1SJalqFxpW4PIqyGTvUjoTCxHiBvDtXVHeUkCrLHglgOkzPHCz-pfy/s1600/Jospeh+O%2527Brien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RFsojSor4ts7R8PXfjVm1PzvYK9F6PQ78plgKfVUwbzAPk7HC7JGUjidFfvYqbDW1dx802Fek9u80-1SJalqFxpW4PIqyGTvUjoTCxHiBvDtXVHeUkCrLHglgOkzPHCz-pfy/s320/Jospeh+O%2527Brien.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph O'Brien faces the press after his first Cheltenham win</td></tr>
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On the subject of Nico and Joseph, if they will forgive the familiarity, it is especially nice to see two very talented young men act without a shred of arrogance or entitlement in their moments of triumph, but instead deflect the praise to the equine talents who have helped to elevate them.<br />
<br />
Having had a random encounter with Nico de Boinville at the Swedish Grand National meeting some years back when he was riding in the Fegentri series, I've followed his career with interest and could not have been happier to see him win last year's Gold Cup with Coneygree. He's long been hailed as the work rider of Sprinter Sacre and other good horses at Nicky Henderson's, and credit must go to the trainer for putting his trust in the young jockey to fill the saddle vacated by Barry Geraghty when Sprinter returned to the track. His loyalty has been duly rewarded by a jockey who has as cool a head as anyone far senior to him in the weighing-room, and one which I hope will feature in many more big-race victories in years to come.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R3mkP8IV1PNzoE17IQbs6KnekuLwpCglFfMnloYBlkVNMuXLQ2yORHOUfCUcY22pPDrjzr_BUeSBroxZRa4L3I4wPKzbL2Ammov_o1DIkuc5g8q-IgvyLgnD9uIr16_WNK04/s1600/Indira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R3mkP8IV1PNzoE17IQbs6KnekuLwpCglFfMnloYBlkVNMuXLQ2yORHOUfCUcY22pPDrjzr_BUeSBroxZRa4L3I4wPKzbL2Ammov_o1DIkuc5g8q-IgvyLgnD9uIr16_WNK04/s320/Indira.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indira gave us cause for celebration on Saturday evening</td></tr>
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There will be many people who throw silver-spoon accusations at Joseph O'Brien, and he is the first person to admit that he had access to a phenomenal range of top-class horses during his riding days. Plenty of jockeys would have been found wanting when put under that much pressure at such a young age but, in my amateur opinion of jockeyship, Jospeh rarely put a foot wrong and, like Nico, rode with an assuredness way beyond his years. I'm sorry we won't see him race-riding again but I'll look forward to following the next stage in his career and wish him plenty of luck along the way.<br />
<br />
John Cobb's comments in today's Racing Post about how much harder it has become for smaller owners and trainers to compete at Cheltenham of course have resonance in this yard. John has had two runners at the Festival over the years, with dear old Diamond Joshua finishing third in the G1 Triumph Hurdle back in 2012. We live in hope of having a horse to take to the big meetings, but it is getting harder to compete, for horses and owners, on the flat and over jumps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethics Girl and her long-awaited first foal by Anodin</td></tr>
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We are extremely fortunate to have the horses and owners that are already here in the stable and the joy of having a winner is multiplied many times over when it happens to be for a syndicate of really nice and patient people. The Severn Crossing Partnership, which races Indira and includes her breeders Louise Parry and Peter Steele-Mortimer, had plenty of fun with her at three, when she won twice and seemed never to be out of the places, but the price of that consistency in handicaps is that it can take a long time for a horse of a certain level to win again. Hope and fun have always been the watchwords for this syndicate, however, and there was plenty of excitement when Indira returned to the winner's enclosure on Saturday night, having been backed by most of us at double-figure odds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYlhtwW3KDfGdjgd6DU2DvcFTKtzfGp-XVgAt7-SYUwSU-t1ou9AaU-r_4de1v_Mivqg8vepxokm2jqr6TRkuepl0KiT9Vt9vxwQCqnG1_bjfTIGpWMoP4tSl3-X1cX0rr8W0/s1600/Dereham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYlhtwW3KDfGdjgd6DU2DvcFTKtzfGp-XVgAt7-SYUwSU-t1ou9AaU-r_4de1v_Mivqg8vepxokm2jqr6TRkuepl0KiT9Vt9vxwQCqnG1_bjfTIGpWMoP4tSl3-X1cX0rr8W0/s320/Dereham.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desiree's Sir Percy colt, who will be named Dereham</td></tr>
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That lovely winner wasn't the only joyous occasion of the week on the home front, however, as our old stable star Ethics Girl, who I am lucky enough to now own in partnership with Lawrence Wadey and Bruce Sherwin, produced her first foal on Thursday at Haras de la Cauvinière. He's a fine colt by Anodin and if he's anywhere near as game, hardy and sound as his mother then he has a very good chance of being a proper racehorse.<br />
<br />
A wonderful week was capped off by a Sunday morning visit to another colt foal, Desiree's son of Sir Percy, who is bonny and bold and looks very much like his father. I'm not sure how amused John will be when I ask him to make a Derby entry for him, but there's no point breeding horses if you can't dream a little.<br />
<br />Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-2333186895294395752015-09-11T03:23:00.001-07:002015-09-11T03:23:18.983-07:00Green Desert remembered
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">As mentioned in yesterday's<i> EBN</i>, I was one of the lucky ones to visit Green Desert in his final years. While some people are excited by a chance encounter with a pop star or actor, I know I'll never grow tired of meeting famous racehorses, particularly those who continue to have such an influence through the current stars of the track. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Without Green Desert, who died on Wednesday, there would be no Golden Horn, Muhaarar or Shalaa, to name but three of his grandsons who have made such an impact on this season alone. The morning I spent gawping at him in his vast paddock at Nunnery will long burn bright in my mind's eye. I knew then that he wouldn't be with us for much longer, and it is to the immense credit of the team at Shadwell that he lived on for another two years to the age of 32. Below is the piece in full that was written for the <i>Racing Post</i> shortly after that visit. He may be gone, but we will conitnue to hear plenty about Green Desert for generations of racehorses to come.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">-------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">POEMS
about horses are guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye and there’s none
lovelier than Philip Larkin’s <i>At Grass, </i>which depicts two retired
racehorses out in their paddock long after the echoes of their final race call
have died.</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">‘Almanacked their names live; they have slipped their names, and stand at
ease.’</span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Desert patrols his paddock, September 2013</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Larkin’s
evocative words were brought to mind recently when, on a visit to Shadwell’s
Nunnery Stud, an enjoyable hour was spent wandering the stallion paddocks with
Ron Lott and Rachael Gowland. With no disrespect to Sheikh Hamdan’s active
stallions, arguably the biggest treat was saved until last as we made our way
to the bottom of the hill to pay homage to the grand old man of Shadwell, Green
Desert. Now 30, the son of Danzig still has a glint in his eye which unmistakably
says, ‘look but don’t touch’, and though he’s diminutive when viewed straight
after the strapping Nayef, his reputation will stand tall for generations to
come.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">It’s
no mean feat for a thoroughbred stallion still to be breathing at 30, and Green
Desert was only stood down from active duty two years ago. There isn’t space
here to do justice to his stallion career. In what it’s fair to call a current
golden era for British sires – his own son Oasis Dream being high up in the
pecking order along with stud mate Dansili, Dubawi, Pivotal, New Approach and,
hopefully, Frankel to come – the pensioner still shades them all as the most
influential stallion on these shores.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">His
reputation is earned chiefly through his stallion sons – Oasis Dream,
Invincible Spirit and Cape Cross all occupy top 20 positions in Europe, and
Byron has been represented by top-flight winners in the UK and America this
year. In New Zealand, Volksraad was champion sire for six consecutive seasons,
while Desert Sun will be best remembered for his influence in Australasia as
the sire of Sunline and broodmare sire of Black Caviar.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Green
Desert didn’t let the side down on one of the rare occasions that Hasili was
allowed to visit anyone other than another of Danzig’s great sons, Danehill.
Their liaison resulted in the dual Grade 1 winner Heat Haze, now the dam of one
of the most eye-catching juveniles of the season, the recent 15-length maiden
winner Radiator. Hopefully her turn to heap further glory on an already
over-achieving family will come in next week’s Shadwell Fillies’
Mile. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">The
dark, stocky Green Desert, his coat still dappled even in his dotage, is more
though than just a name on numerous catalogue pages. For many years after
prized colts have left the care of racing yards, they are tended to by some of
the unsung heroes of the breeding business, the stallion men. There are a few
women, too, such as Yorton Farm’s admirable Lucy Dawson, but largely the role remains
a male preserve.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Desert, age 30, September 2013</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Despite
the fact that Ron Lott’s eyes mist slightly when he talks about his beloved and
clearly much-missed Unfuwain, he’s no softie. His years at Nunnery Stud stretch
back to the days of its ownership by Sir John Musker and for nearly three
decades, while other big-name stallions have come and gone, Green Desert has
been a constant in his life. Ron speaks of the veteran with the wary admiration
a matador might have for a bull. Dealing with stallions every day is not for
the faint-hearted and respect must be earned on both sides.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">“I
hate the thought of anything happening to him and I’ll miss him when he’s gone
because of everything he’s achieved,” says Ron.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Won’t
we all, almanacked though his name may be.</span></div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-80567851667812031392015-07-17T09:29:00.003-07:002015-07-17T14:20:17.168-07:00Nothing to report but lots to sayMy job dictates that I spend quite a bit of time talking to breeders who have enjoyed great success on the track and writing about their mares and families.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DKzlC7JBTF50CM4tdcdyDj6M_LLggOV1Ca2mKk7_QfaxWxj7fRHBE9Cqw70VzenS2nTWctghoE4bfx1YxwmXDkqmEf-LzrV6oQH3ip7rVuaddenoULwaiH6zEjYnHTfvNVi3/s1600/Oscar+14+July+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DKzlC7JBTF50CM4tdcdyDj6M_LLggOV1Ca2mKk7_QfaxWxj7fRHBE9Cqw70VzenS2nTWctghoE4bfx1YxwmXDkqmEf-LzrV6oQH3ip7rVuaddenoULwaiH6zEjYnHTfvNVi3/s320/Oscar+14+July+15.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar at Cheveral House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My own so-far-unsuccessful sideline as a small hobby breeder has given me very little to write about but I enjoy the reflected glory of 'my other mare' (John's mare) Minnie's Mystery, whose first three offspring have so far won 20 races between them, including Roy Rocket, who has won three for this stable this season.<br />
<br />
Anyone who has read today's feature on John in the Racing Post, written by the excellent Nick Godfrey, will no doubt be surprised to hear that John would rather train Roy than Golden Horn but I know what he means when he says that. Of course we'd love to have a horse of the calibre of Golden Horn in this yard but recording a win, no matter how small, with a horse whose mating you've planned and whom you've known since the very first second he drew breath remains one of life's great thrills. Not that I'd know, of course, but I have lived vicariously through John's successes and consider that naughty monkey Roy to be my boy just as much as he is John's.<br />
<br />
Of my own boys, there has been a fair bit of news of late. Nothing in the way of actually getting anywhere near a racecourse but the flame of hope has not yet been extinguished in my heart. Oscar's rehoming with Jade (who has looked after him so well over eight months) came to an end on Tuesday when I picked him up from Northamptonshire after she decided he was not going to go as far as she'd like him to in the world of eventing. So, in a rather sad echo of Oscar's one and only outing to the races, which ended in injury, we returned to Southwell (or very nearby) where he has joined Kate Turner's Cheveral House rehoming centre.<br />
<br />
Kate is much more than just Hayley's mum. She's an extremely competent horsewoman and riding instructor, who clearly gave her daughter an excellent grounding in her early days, and she instantly put me at my ease when she so clearly warmed to Oscar and assured me she would do everything she could to find the right rider for him in due course. Most important was her assertion that she would not be in a rush to do anything with him. She plans to let him find his way and settle into his new home (which it sounds like he's already doing, turned out in a field of long grass with Hayley's old pony) before seeing what he's best suited to in his new career.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHAExHsmY5YZsirjRXZeW4RTl5QtsNKJ4fpMXkAbrjnfNH8-CHHhV4QEqBf4veGsCwTOSa7Eru3BF9mPqgpiu1U1cawl2vi3fiXWS1gemLIB6z63zDn4pna6zhMs5fI04kGd4/s1600/Delatite+2+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHAExHsmY5YZsirjRXZeW4RTl5QtsNKJ4fpMXkAbrjnfNH8-CHHhV4QEqBf4veGsCwTOSa7Eru3BF9mPqgpiu1U1cawl2vi3fiXWS1gemLIB6z63zDn4pna6zhMs5fI04kGd4/s320/Delatite+2+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delatite as a foal at a couple of weeks old</td></tr>
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I remain convinced that a horse who moves as well as Oscar does certainly has the aptitude to do something else and I'm looking forward to hearing updates on his progress at Cheveral House, which, even on my short visit, was so clearly a haven of calm that it's hard to imagine horses not thriving there.<br />
<br />
So that's Oscar. Next in line, Jack, was so small he didn't ever make it to the races. He now lives with an even smaller Shetland pony called Joey and is owned by our neighbour Natalie Dunn. An otherwise laidback character, Jack's one foible is a severe dislike of having his back feet touched so Natalie and I have been in discussion this week as to recent naughtiness with his new farrier. Step forward our excellent farrier Darren Rose, who does such a great job of keeping my flat-footed and soft-soled Panto sound, and has valiantly offered to tackle young Jack again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7BwY-nljsPNfVePIOKtF2n9a5H3jv4Oobv3c8WZ_nyBuE6AaQo2xLrxteqWmPvdQgiyAbjK9R0IBmw0Qxk21gtcymO90GxRAtMo8Rvxd4hbuBKBaJgiZ58UWnbxabhApjqkP/s1600/Alix+5+weeks+8+March+15+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7BwY-nljsPNfVePIOKtF2n9a5H3jv4Oobv3c8WZ_nyBuE6AaQo2xLrxteqWmPvdQgiyAbjK9R0IBmw0Qxk21gtcymO90GxRAtMo8Rvxd4hbuBKBaJgiZ58UWnbxabhApjqkP/s320/Alix+5+weeks+8+March+15+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delatite's full-brother Alix, at roughly the same age in March</td></tr>
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A completely different kettle of fish physically is the three-year-old Delatite. He's the little brother by age only as he's a big, strong horse and is just being broken in by John now. A little spooky through greenness rather than anything else, Del managed to cope well with being long-reined on the Severals this morning and I'm itching to see him with a rider on his back in due course.<br />
<br />
The only filly Desiree has managed to produce so far is two-year-old Florence, by Archipenko. She may well join her brother at the yard before too long but so far has not left the farm. She's at Hilborough Stud with her mum and younger brother, who, like Delatite, is by Schiaparelli.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPCyfptyx5wNy4MotPYKnMzX3dx7SGJJIy7FUf2rNDWkXuLEE_99xnFF5DW_Tonx5rK44GPs0Iy_88vmmbKIb1X3quqs75F6Iml9YwOhul2hlBI4H2dGaKBnHv6Sp2KKjQqg-/s1600/Delatite+right+Florence+left+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPCyfptyx5wNy4MotPYKnMzX3dx7SGJJIy7FUf2rNDWkXuLEE_99xnFF5DW_Tonx5rK44GPs0Iy_88vmmbKIb1X3quqs75F6Iml9YwOhul2hlBI4H2dGaKBnHv6Sp2KKjQqg-/s400/Delatite+right+Florence+left+sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delatite at two, leading a pack which includes yearling Florence at the back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Desiree and 'Alix', as we know him at home, have a fairly major outing looming as they are entered to appear at the TBA National Hunt Foal Show next Sunday at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse. How they'll cope with this excitement I'm not sure.<br />
<br />
Des isn't actually being judged but she'll be plaited and preened, while Alix has been a natural poser ever since he was born so is likely to be less fazed by the attention than his mother. I'm hoping he's been bred to be a winner on the racecourse – and as the biggest and strongest of Desiree's foals so far he certainly looks the part – but if he can catch the eyes of the judges and win a rosette in the meantime I'll be more than delighted.<br />
<br />
So that's it, really. Nothing much to report in the way of success for my family just yet but there's always plenty to say - and the thing that hooks all breeders and keeps them enchanted year after year is that there's always hope.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAsk9bEOdD8BMAKOaQACTGitQoKPpJAM5yL0T8JCd78UagBz6VUUcA094dI47c1wCv7jHf5onkcpHtGmxg0gJuBowCLes7bcQU6frwxyVMTunar85MVKneMNBLmLSFi2bs9jp/s1600/Em%252C+Des+%2526+Oscar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAsk9bEOdD8BMAKOaQACTGitQoKPpJAM5yL0T8JCd78UagBz6VUUcA094dI47c1wCv7jHf5onkcpHtGmxg0gJuBowCLes7bcQU6frwxyVMTunar85MVKneMNBLmLSFi2bs9jp/s400/Em%252C+Des+%2526+Oscar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Oscar for the first time</td></tr>
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With Oscar I've had to admit defeat regarding his racing career but my hope for any horse who passes through this yard is that they go on to have a happy life in retirement after racing, whether it's as a competition horse, a happy hacker or even as a companion. I know that the team at Cheveral House will be doing all they can to find him a good long-term home and if for some reason that doesn't come about he can always come back to us here. The day I first set eyes on him as a newborn foal at Batsford Stud remains one of the happiest of my life, and though he may not have succeeded as a racehorse, he'll always be very special.Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-5910997723013008412015-07-01T04:34:00.001-07:002015-07-01T04:36:22.575-07:00Kauto Star: gone but never fogottenAlthough there are always horses I love to follow every season, there are a few 'I was there' moments that really stick in the mind. Istabraq's third Champion Hurdle, Best Mate's third Gold Cup, and the wonderful warrior Persian Punch raising the roof when winning his second Goodwood Cup are all such occasions, and I know I'll never forget my day spent watching Kauto Star from behind the scenes when he won his fifth King George on Boxing Day 2011.<br />
<br />
We lost Best Mate and Persian Punch so publicly on the racecourse. Kauto Star's death this week following a paddock accident is no less heartbreaking but somehow, perhaps stupidly, I'm grateful his sad demise was not the result of a fall at the track, even though the outcome is no different.<br />
<br />
Racing fans can remain grateful that he lit up our lives for so long and I'll always remember him for that special day at Kempton, which I wrote about on this blog at the time and will repeat here in his memory. What an absolute star he was.<br />
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On
Boxing Day, Hugh and I went to Kempton with Alcalde. Arriving early,
the first horse we saw as we entered the stable block was Kauto Star,
whose picture below is kindly supplied by <a href="http://www.horseracingphotographer.com/">George Selwyn</a>.
What struck me most about him, apart from the fact that he really is a
beautiful horse, is how calm he was through all the preliminaries. The
Kempton stables are close to the track and the sound of the crowd
roaring others home in earlier races may have been enough to unsettle
some.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_u7Vw4VTeji9jlKA-eNbrc6CpPLaOqwQNS7yphsrjrNVpog3F9ZP9kWNVBgQcZIx5waZVvt9Wgtbxa0MoKd2aRqQhmnruCLu3TNgsuBxjtAnMEcY7HEHvxBzOkXm8DqEA9Gt/s1600/KAUTO-STAR.3-300x234.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694790957323328866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_u7Vw4VTeji9jlKA-eNbrc6CpPLaOqwQNS7yphsrjrNVpog3F9ZP9kWNVBgQcZIx5waZVvt9Wgtbxa0MoKd2aRqQhmnruCLu3TNgsuBxjtAnMEcY7HEHvxBzOkXm8DqEA9Gt/s320/KAUTO-STAR.3-300x234.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 234px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 300px;" /></a>Kauto
Star, the consummate professional, stood and waited, his ears flicking
back and forth but otherwise hardly moving, as if he was mentally
preparing himself for battle and conserving every bit of energy needed
to win a fifth King George from a horse who stole his crown last year
and wasn’t even born when he won his first race in England.<br />
<br />
As
history relates, he did just that. As we led Alcalde out to the parade
ring for his race, the last on the card, Kauto Star was led back in past
us, tired but triumphant.<br />
<br />
Later, after darkness had wrapped up
the day and cars queued to leave the car parks, the five-time King
George winner grazed quietly at the side of the stable block, waiting
for his moment to get back on the lorry to Ditcheat, every now and then
lifting his head to watch his many fans heading home from the course he
has made his own.<br />
<br />
I stood for a while, hardly wanting to take my
eyes off him. The image of that perfect racehorse so calm and content
after giving thousands people their most memorable day at the races is
imprinted on my mind forever.
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<span class="post-comment-link">
</span>Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-91870624452057814162015-06-23T03:23:00.002-07:002015-06-23T03:43:47.085-07:00Happy times and one sad noteOnce again there's been a woeful blogging absence with plenty of scribbling elsewhere to keep me busy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJLXjh5Z9e23HMJxw_EvWrsDchXGeJF6YkN1gRxPlSCxvU26De6RgIkUwl3z9XMvZPnP9z-3DB8re-MOGjn3f0NUxrb_hgtmRlw0pHiWdkx0uNDVqwx-Qbs0Pq_s-8ZvG8c66/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJLXjh5Z9e23HMJxw_EvWrsDchXGeJF6YkN1gRxPlSCxvU26De6RgIkUwl3z9XMvZPnP9z-3DB8re-MOGjn3f0NUxrb_hgtmRlw0pHiWdkx0uNDVqwx-Qbs0Pq_s-8ZvG8c66/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm going to have to restrict my Royal Ascot round-up to a list of horses that stirred me the most: Time Test, Trip To Paris, Suits You (a wonderful first stakes winner for Youmzain on the biggest stage) and good old Medicean Man, so valiant in defeat. And thanks for a wonderful week of fabulous racing and downright good fun must go to Jenny, Liam and Conor Norris, Chris Hannaford, William Huntingdon, Susie Rowe, Richard Tucker, Rachael Andre, Will Lambe and the one and only Harvey Smith.<br />
<br />
They say you should never meet your heroes but in the past few weeks I've been fortunate enough to meet three of mine: the aforementioned childhood show jumping hero who, disappointingly, refrained from any two-fingered salutes in the Royal Enclosure; Roger Charlton, with whom I spent a fascinating morning on the Beckhampton gallops for a forthcoming TDN feature; and Peter Willett, who is an inspiration to every would-be writer on the planet in publising his latest book at the age of 95. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva85NUaQNZtnulzvYcbLXM5di6d0OQ97bZgxY6r3ZtoIOXbZ6E0EVqLhfDxSPUCJm7UbE7SbUYcwlkTsNt1-6w-vh3XGk8-fx9gx63wQZgYEdXzqVhMs-n2VnoPakrNrXlNjx/s1600/Cottesloe+and+team+%25C2%25A9Hoycubed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva85NUaQNZtnulzvYcbLXM5di6d0OQ97bZgxY6r3ZtoIOXbZ6E0EVqLhfDxSPUCJm7UbE7SbUYcwlkTsNt1-6w-vh3XGk8-fx9gx63wQZgYEdXzqVhMs-n2VnoPakrNrXlNjx/s320/Cottesloe+and+team+%25C2%25A9Hoycubed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottesloe with his very happy winning connections</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the home front, Roy Rocket continues to shine at his beloved Brighton, a track as quirky as he is himself. Cottesloe has been a truly welcome addition to the stable, winning on his first start for John and owner Stewart Brown on Saturday after a 162-day lay-off. Many thanks to John Hoy of Hoycubed Photography for the accompanying picture from Lingfield. Roy heads back to Brighton this afternoon so we're hoping he can justify favouritism and add to the Newmarket mayor's great strike-rate this season.<br />
<br />
Among all the fun, one piece of truly sad news was the death of Joe Janiak's terrific old warhorse, Takeover Target. We enjoyed a string of summers with him here in Newmarket and though I tend to favour stayers, he was a sprinter who got well and truly under my skin. The piece below was written for an Australian website after he retired in 2009. I can't really add to it, except to say rest peacefully, old boy, you were truly remarkable and much loved.<br />
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<i>We’ve come to know it as Takeover Target’s box. It’s the end
one in a row of six at Newmarket’s Abington Place Stables, an overflow from the
main yard occupied by Aussie ex-pat Jane Chapple-Hyam.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takeover Target's final exercise gallop on the Al Bahathri</td></tr>
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<i>For four consecutive annual visits, the great sprinter spent
his days there, contentedly picking grass in the quiet paddock after exercise
and heading off for evening walks with Joe Janiak once the morning hullabaloo
of Newmarket Heath, just beyond his gate, had abated. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Among more than 2,000
equine bluebloods in British horseracing’s HQ it would have been easy to
overlook Takeover Target. With his funny shuffling stride and almost common
head, his conformation gave no hint at the true champion contained within.
Looks, though, are irrelevant. Racehorses are often, wrongly, compared to
sports cars with high-performance engines but their ability to perform is much
more organic than mechanical. On the racecourse Takeover Target’s chipped knees
and strange gait didn’t matter: he was quite simply all heart. The good ones always
are.</i></div>
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</i><br />
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<i>Leaving the gallops one morning last year after watching a
string work, I spied through the trees the telltale saddle-cloth with the
target logo. Returning to the viewing platform, I was fortunate enough to watch
Takeover Target and Jay Ford complete a final exercise gallop before the July
Cup. None of us knew then that it would be the last gallop of his career,
barring the race in which he was injured seriously enough to bring the curtain
down without that longed-for Hollywood ending. </i></div>
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</i><br />
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<i>Disappointing though it was for those of us who had grown to
love him during his English summers, it was only right that he should have had
his last winning hurrah in his homeland, to stands packed with adoring fans at
Morphettville. He was Australia’s horse, a sprinter to make the nation proud,
his rags-to-riches tale an inspiration to every would-be racehorse owner in the
land.</i></div>
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</i><br />
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<i>So now, in his place at the end of the stable row, we have
Gold Trail, perhaps prophetically named if he’s anywhere near as good as his compatriots
who have arrived for England’s flagship meeting before him. Next to him, where
Scenic Blast stood last year, is the mare Alverta, while Nicconi is in the
next-door yard, the four-year-old colt stabled separately to keep his mind on
the game and off Alverta.</i></div>
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<i>
</i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JFaH8Rkk5sQTtB-ZRltxIEotfZOQxuj_QNeEZVx363jV3_ZqaySQRa9Aw5XnFhK0SkHDd5fMa-pT-4gkl4WFExRq79uUhlruwfc5w9dwwW93Udvp2LWCn1GYvPEwus0FlezP/s1600/Takeover+Target+%2526+Janiak+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JFaH8Rkk5sQTtB-ZRltxIEotfZOQxuj_QNeEZVx363jV3_ZqaySQRa9Aw5XnFhK0SkHDd5fMa-pT-4gkl4WFExRq79uUhlruwfc5w9dwwW93Udvp2LWCn1GYvPEwus0FlezP/s320/Takeover+Target+%2526+Janiak+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The champ, in his Newmarket box, with trainer Joe Janiak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>The 2,500-acre training grounds on Newmarket Heath will be a
bewildering environment for them, the masses of green space and gallops of
differing camber and length a stark contrast to the familiarity of the training
track. </i></div>
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</i><br />
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<i>Choisir taught English racegoers to have the utmost respect
for Australian sprinters, a message reinforced by those who followed in his
wake. Their now annual presence at Royal Ascot is a highlight of the summer, as
is their time spent in Newmarket in preparation. Gold Trail, Alverta and
Nicconi are welcome here. But it will always be Takeover Target’s box.</i></div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-13067266546784876172015-03-22T07:37:00.003-07:002015-03-22T08:18:59.517-07:00Lots of travels but Bangor is best of all<style>
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It’s pretty poor only to have contributed to this blog once
since the start of the new year. It’s been a busy few months with lots of
travelling, all of it work- and horse-related.</div>
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In January, Nancy Sexton and I spent a few days in Ireland
on the inaugural ITM Stallion Trail and at the ITBA Awards. While both events
were excellent, the highlight of the trip had to be seeing Hurricane Fly win
his fifth consecutive Irish Champion Hurdle. He’s a terrific and durable
campaigner who reminds us how lucky we are in jump racing that so often the
stars of the show are around for many seasons.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCsmlGfZGiA2RYL1I3Hpez4xaDm7tJ_A5JMKWXDN6-DBJKQE7aNRscTYx3EubRN2AeWXK4E396HBGKO7VmEOYvTIHg8ZzJYOl4FRA6lrcZVjfoUh5TCRQp3EG3KXwyZ7YBfCW/s1600/Nancy+Gwen+John+Dawn+Audrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCsmlGfZGiA2RYL1I3Hpez4xaDm7tJ_A5JMKWXDN6-DBJKQE7aNRscTYx3EubRN2AeWXK4E396HBGKO7VmEOYvTIHg8ZzJYOl4FRA6lrcZVjfoUh5TCRQp3EG3KXwyZ7YBfCW/s1600/Nancy+Gwen+John+Dawn+Audrey.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy, Gwen, John, Dawn and Audrey en route</td></tr>
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The following week Nancy and I were back on the road, this
time with Dawn and John, heading to Normandy for La Route des Etalons. This
is the sixth year running that I’ve been on the French stallion weekend and
it’s always a thoroughly enjoyable occasion with the chance to bump into plenty
of friends along the way and of course enjoy the odd glass of wine or Calvados. We also took the opportunity to call in on Minnie’s
Mystery at Haras de la Cauvinière, who now has Ethics Girl for company there. Minnie is expecting a foal by Youmzain in April and we have that foal’s
two-year-old full-brother, White Valiant, here in the stable and cantering
away. He’s the biggest and strongest of all Minnie’s offspring so far
and is one of three of her children in the yard, along with So Much Water and
Roy Rocket. I’m hoping to hear later today that Ethics Girl has been covered by
Anodin at Haras du Quesnay, and so will begin an exciting 11 months in the wait
for her first foal.</div>
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A quick return trip to Normandy came just a week later for
the Arqana February Sale with Liam Norris and
William Huntingdon, who also never miss the opportunity for a glass of wine or two, which is what makes them such excellent travelling companions. They ended up buying four mares, including one for
themselves who has recently foaled a first-crop Dabirsim filly. The
Norris/Huntingdon partnership is of course famous for having bought the dual Oaks winner Dancing
Rain but they also had a good result this week with the highly impressive win
of Karar at St. Cloud for Francis Graffard and Al Shaqab Racing. They bought
Karar as a foal for 55,000gns and resold him as a yearling for 120,000gns and
he looks to be a seriously exciting three-year-old prospect for the season
ahead.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEEI-WJijDsRDPIgbLhTOl1N9FMVqYuboKNephNa726uHFTS3Jsbyhyphenhyphen5IwZhVdwwmI5PrjNh3F4d18J2ZkF6Zh542xpzWLYDJpBOVgAxpgvNFzxbolq_Y4EGnYDyILDPiclMW/s1600/Camel+at+Al+Shahania+Stud+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEEI-WJijDsRDPIgbLhTOl1N9FMVqYuboKNephNa726uHFTS3Jsbyhyphenhyphen5IwZhVdwwmI5PrjNh3F4d18J2ZkF6Zh542xpzWLYDJpBOVgAxpgvNFzxbolq_Y4EGnYDyILDPiclMW/s1600/Camel+at+Al+Shahania+Stud+sm.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four-legged creature with a difference at Al Shahania Stud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A fascinating trip to Qatar followed for the HH The Emir’s
Sword Equestrian Festival in Doha in February. Of course Qatar is now a pretty
influential force in European racing, but plenty of horses bred here and in
Ireland are bought to race over there, so it was interesting to see their
facilities at first hand and to enjoy a few days at Al Rayyan racecourse as well as a visit to Al Shahania Stud. The warm weather was a bonus, as well as the good company, which included Adam Ward, Nick Godfrey, Tony Smurthwaite,
Tom Peacock, Isabel Mathew, Jason Singh and Seb Vance among a host of others.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBBNX3iJiffY3fSRSd26S0sDVVz-ayX3R6yfEX2elsZbIY5_r-i9YY3mE7jli1UrhVWOq9D4lbaQNwpCQAH_QUWe0n0MKxKmcyKFuwJUV7BttSs5TE9TTmYG1TAo2Cy69AyCr/s1600/11054323_10152636201091401_1732995583596380921_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBBNX3iJiffY3fSRSd26S0sDVVz-ayX3R6yfEX2elsZbIY5_r-i9YY3mE7jli1UrhVWOq9D4lbaQNwpCQAH_QUWe0n0MKxKmcyKFuwJUV7BttSs5TE9TTmYG1TAo2Cy69AyCr/s1600/11054323_10152636201091401_1732995583596380921_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Durcott House crew</td></tr>
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For the last 12 years, Cheltenham Festival week has been
spent at Durcott House in Evesham, where Ed Prosser does a very good job of
being our breakfast chef while the rest of us loaf around watching the Morning
Line before heading to the races. Leaving aside the terrifying fall of Annie Power, this year’s racing was some of the best I can
remember at the Festival. To witness four such outstanding novice chase
performances as those posted by Un De Sceaux, Don Poli, Vautour and Coneygree
in the space of four days is almost unbelievable, and the latter’s emotional
triumph in the Gold Cup was the icing on the cake of an outstanding week of
action.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5rwe40bzTrgrwZkApk-WWbTbnSO_7eq0RGR4BpUON-4g4m5tQLXQoMYOg9fwveSS6_TGftGKlwt758F8-RHrpgEX9b1xbvXEfLgIr9VxBg3b83ewKG4viZLVEezG_QGRWNte/s1600/Helen+Kirsty+Richard+and+Ken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5rwe40bzTrgrwZkApk-WWbTbnSO_7eq0RGR4BpUON-4g4m5tQLXQoMYOg9fwveSS6_TGftGKlwt758F8-RHrpgEX9b1xbvXEfLgIr9VxBg3b83ewKG4viZLVEezG_QGRWNte/s1600/Helen+Kirsty+Richard+and+Ken.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen, Kirsty, Richard and Ken enjoying the Bangor sunshine</td></tr>
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This Tuesday I’m being sent to Dubai to cover the World Cup
meeting for the TDN but prior to that we had a very exciting outing to Bangor
on Saturday, which has to count as the highlight of my year so far. Anyone looking at the results and seeing that Near Wild Heaven
finished eighth on her bumper debut might wonder how I could feel that was an
exciting day but, having bought her at the Doncaster Store Sale in May and then watched her
all through her early training right up to the stage where she’s ready to head
to the races has been an absolute pleasure.</div>
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It’s made better by the fact that she is owned by a really
nice syndicate of patient and passionate jumps fans and also because she is
simply a delight to deal with. She took her long trip to Bangor in her stride
and behaved perfectly throughout. She’s still a young, relatively weak-looking horse by
National Hunt standards and she will have a break before too long to benefit
from some good spring grass. But she appears to be of very sound mind and limb
and her progress so far, including making her debut on the date we had
pencilled in many months ago, has given us all plenty of hope for the future.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGEqgQnva3A5J__nD25CUv5XQ4Rsj4KDcDIOO7FELXTxNIAfn7EXfekoSvK9mSV207XiHOgbExt8_K63OWmElLOh7wIUCN_6G4QMusEBLdoWaNPi_PYi1k74J-I-Mdz-h1J5i/s1600/Near+Wild+Heaven+parade+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGEqgQnva3A5J__nD25CUv5XQ4Rsj4KDcDIOO7FELXTxNIAfn7EXfekoSvK9mSV207XiHOgbExt8_K63OWmElLOh7wIUCN_6G4QMusEBLdoWaNPi_PYi1k74J-I-Mdz-h1J5i/s1600/Near+Wild+Heaven+parade+ring.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Wild Heaven's first day at the races: a model pupil</td></tr>
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From the Beverley Hillbillies syndicate which owns her, Ken and Kirsty Gibbs and
Richard Jones made it to the races. Ken and Kirsty’s student daughter Helen was
the star of the show. After a heavy night out on Friday, she’d only made it to
bed at 5.30am but managed to come along to the races looking glamorous and mysterious in
her Raybans and then to back at least three winners, including,
appropriately, Binge Drinker. It was only a shame that the forecast was
narrowly missed when Al Co finished third.</div>
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For anyone who likes friendly country jumps tracks, then
Bangor is a must-visit. The staff couldn’t be more helpful and welcoming and on
a lovely sunny day like yesterday, it would be hard to find a more beautiful
location for a day at the races. It was great to catch up with Richard Kent and
Sarah Taylor of Mickley Stud, who raised Near Wild Heaven as a young horse and
board her dam at their farm. Also present was John’s old lodger Donald McCain,
who must be the most successful trainer at the track. His daughter Ella was
leading up for him and won best turned out for one of their charges.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnPU0ceo-Gc4gBqDYwV-CukfOgJ_2WSCTChpBaaEGrn3hWD-iTyIL-d_S5oyyBU1KzA14Le6NvrSSlQQF7qIO41hSr0dla8ZbGil4pSTJC-i13-FQJaq258WKI-jKRY9QOWD2/s1600/John+Berry+Donald+McCain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnPU0ceo-Gc4gBqDYwV-CukfOgJ_2WSCTChpBaaEGrn3hWD-iTyIL-d_S5oyyBU1KzA14Le6NvrSSlQQF7qIO41hSr0dla8ZbGil4pSTJC-i13-FQJaq258WKI-jKRY9QOWD2/s1600/John+Berry+Donald+McCain.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Donald, former colleagues at Luca Cumani's stable</td></tr>
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Near Wild Heaven travelled to the races with Lucy Wadham’s
filly Sunshine Corner, who is a very close relative to the stable’s good mare Baby
Shine and if her winning performance in the bumper yesterday was anything to
go by, then she is a horse with a very bright future. </div>
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The great thing about going racing with good people on a
nice day is that it helps you forget about all the politics which can ruin the
enjoyment of the sport. I’m not going to get on my soapbox about yet more changes to the Flat season. All I’ll say is that I’m a boring old traditionalist at
heart and I hate to see seemingly pointless changes to a sport whose main selling point is its rich
history and time-honoured meetings. It seems that each year racing is becoming
less and less recognisable as the sport which first bewitched me in the days of
the great Red Rum. I hope it doesn’t slide too much farther down the slippery
slope to corporate tedium.</div>
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Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-8956981987873203422015-02-08T02:37:00.001-08:002015-02-08T02:40:33.673-08:00Sunday morning walk<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">One
of the privileges of living in Newmarket is that, once the horses are away,
there’s seemingly endless open space for dog-walking on the Heath.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5i6yN9cbzQdUPpRq4nSanXxg3c7lJwFS1lADL6Z60gb6Afr_UqbfHxL4ByVkS9lt3teHxjNzmGt9jwHltrRqc59SfqtMTe49DgkzQ9s_ctmCPiFRDtDqxI9JEDftsI6NssKMo/s1600/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5i6yN9cbzQdUPpRq4nSanXxg3c7lJwFS1lADL6Z60gb6Afr_UqbfHxL4ByVkS9lt3teHxjNzmGt9jwHltrRqc59SfqtMTe49DgkzQ9s_ctmCPiFRDtDqxI9JEDftsI6NssKMo/s1600/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yearlings over the hedge at the National Stud</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A
favourite walk is to follow the track along the Devil’s Dyke between the Rowley
Mile and July Course and then come back around the National Stud hedges. If
time permits and Brian O’Rourke is turning a blind eye, it’s also good to walk
the Town Plate course backwards.</span></div>
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and I spend many Sundays at the spot that seems to encapsulate Newmarket best:
fields of mares and foals to one side and the vast expanse of the two
racecourses on the other. It’s what this place is all about. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Walking
back up along the hedge by the airstrip on the July Course you come to a place
which affords a view of both grandstands. In the farther distance the upstart
Millennium Stand of the Rowley Mile rises from the flat gallops which surround
it, backlit by the morning sun, a glowing, eerie, frosty white. Across the way,
the old lady next door, the fading beauty that that is the July Course, is cocooned
by her lovely trees. Stately she stands after all these years.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In
not so many months, both courses will be owned by racegoers’ shouts, the
drumming of hooves, flashes of coloured silks and popping of corks. This
morning the utter stillness is broken only by the flash of a black-and-white
spotted dog on the trail of rabbits and the incongruous shrieks of seagulls
circling above the yearlings’ feed bowls on the National Stud next door. Today both courses belong to me. And to Gus.</span></div>
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<br />Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-3212867100882873722014-11-10T06:57:00.001-08:002014-11-11T07:18:14.942-08:00Benedict<div class="MsoNormal">
Recent tragic events at the racecourse – particularly the deaths of two horses, Admire Rakti and Araldo, after the Melbourne Cup – caused me to revisit a short story I wrote some years ago after a horse trained here, Benedict, lost his life in the Lincoln. I'm not sure I ever meant it to be published – writing it was more a way of trying to cope with Benny's death, which I still find hard to come to terms with more than eight years later. The backlash against racing in the Australian media following the Melbourne Cup was savage and, to a worrying degree, misinformed, despite a sensible and measured advertising campaign run on behalf of the racing industry in the daily papers during the Spring Carnival. I don't imagine that Benedict's story will change the minds of those who are firmly set against racing, but perhaps it will help to demonstrate how those of us who work in and love the sport are deeply affected by the death of a horse.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">IT'S that feeling inside. A small flutter that increases through the day until the pit of your stomach holds the rest of you to ransom. Helping the trainer saddle is a good excuse to do something, to occupy hands and mind in an attempt to control the feeling of dread. The minutes drag by, waiting for the jockey, waiting for the horses to canter to post, waiting for the field to load into the starting stalls. The race, when it comes, when it’s over, brings merciful relief. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span id="goog_265045282"></span><span id="goog_265045283"></span>It wasn’t like that with Benedict. He was born to be good. Bred by The Queen, his sire won the Derby, his half-brother Right Approach won a Group 1 the year Benedict came into training. He was the most expensive horse to set foot in our yard. His very presence brought pride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The unimposing brown colt was delivered into the trainer’s hands a few months before I arrived at the stable. Both Benedict and I were green to the rigours of racing. The two-year-old had raced only twice before being found surplus to requirements at one of the biggest yards in town. There was no time to show his worth before the next year’s intake arrived. In our small stable, however, Benedict had a three-year-old season that was like a dream sequence: eight creditable runs, never out of the frame, three wins, two of those at our home track, the most special track: Newmarket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That morning, the alarm, set for even earlier than usual, wasn’t needed. It's rare to beat the trainer out of bed but the excitement of Benedict’s appearance in the Lincoln at the first meeting of the Flat season had meant little sleep. The winters are long in Newmarket, the winds so icy they could originate in the Urals. Blasting straight across the flats of East Anglia, they meet no resistance from Newmarket Heath, a perfect landscape for setting racehorses against each other but offering no protection from marauding eastern weather systems. By the time Doncaster’s Lincoln meeting is upon us, the town’s inhabitants, mostly workers in the racing industry, have shrugged off the worst months of the year. We look only forward to a fresh start, a new racing season. That’s our new year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We’d already won one battle with Benedict: keeping him in the yard over winter. His eye-catching season had aroused interest and a lucrative offer came for him from Hong Kong. Our biggest fear then was that his owner would accept a very generous sum for his now gelded and fully-fledged racehorse. But sporting owners know that good horses don’t come around too often, and Benedict’s honourable man stuck with the little horse who had already brought so much pleasure. He knew that money won on the racecourse is worth so much more than money from a business transaction which sees your horse race in someone else’s colours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee, his rider and groom, was in Benedict’s box when I got down to the yard from our flat upstairs. Lee rode him every day, loved him as much as we did, and was there extra early to prepare him for his long trip to the races. Development work that year meant the Lincoln had been switched to Redcar, some hundred miles north of Doncaster. With horse and groom on board, our regular driver, Tim, left the yard in the still small hours. The trainer and I would join them later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Lincoln date had been etched in diaries from the end of the previous season, Benedict’s form over a mile and his ability to cope with soft ground making this an obvious early-season target. Thoughts of his reappearance sustained us through the winter. From the shortest day just before Christmas, we ticked off each dark morning, every dawn taking us one step nearer to this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite Lee’s coaxing with body brush and curry comb, Benedict hadn’t quite surrendered the last of his winter coat. A tad woollier in the parade ring than his rivals, he was nevertheless ready and was attracting attention in the betting ring. The jockey appeared, black and white silks, blue cap. The pair cantered to post. In the stand, trainer and owner said little, full of hope rather than confidence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There are some horses whose entire racing careers are a bead-string of worries for a trainer. Never mind winning, young fragile bones and soft-tissue problems make just getting some horses to a racecourse a triumph. But Benedict wasn’t one of those. Apparently mentally and physically perfect for the job, his life with us brought not a lame step or fretful moment, just a willingness to work and an appreciation of being fussed over by whichever human friend happened to be near. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So to see Benedict falter so early in his race that day at Redcar wasn’t just a shock. It was scarcely believable. A bump from another horse in the headlong cavalry charge down the straight mile was enough to put him off his stride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Then the jockey started to pull him up. Within seconds he was off his back, dismounting so urgently that alarm flooded me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The other runners were still hurtling towards us. Desperately wanting to get to our horse, we had no choice but to wait for them to finish. The six of us eventually broke onto the course, running towards horse and rider, a steward's car stopping with room only for some. I kept running, cursing my lack of fitness, my choice of shoes. I wanted to reach him, but the closer I got, the more I knew that it was the very last place I should be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A circle had formed by the time I got there. Lee was at the horse’s head. Benedict was frighteningly still, head down, in shock. The vet was speaking in a low voice to the trainer. I didn’t need to hear what he was saying, their faces conveyed the sheer awfulness of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">‘He’s broken his pelvis, he has to be put down,’ the trainer says to me, trying hard to sound matter-of-fact when I know how much he loves this horse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">‘But Jack broke his pelvis and he’s fine,’ I shout, frightened by the eerie calm of the scene. ‘For God’s sake, can’t we get him to the vet’s, give him a chance?’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What the vet has said is that Benedict’s fracture is displaced and that he is haemorrhaging, bleeding so badly internally that he has little time left. His misery must be ended here on the track, where ours begins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The screens, the very worst sight on a racecourse, start to be assembled around him. The trainer tries to take me away but I can’t go. I stay, patting Benedict, talking to him, hugging Lee, apologising pointlessly. No-one wants to walk away, to admit that we have to let him go. The trainer begs me to leave as the vet prepares to commit his sorry deed. We argue but Tim the driver settles it. Tim, one cool remove from the horse loved so much by the rest of us, takes Benedict’s reins and shoos us all into a car that will carry us back down the track. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We simply don’t know what to do next. I want to leave the racecourse but the thought of going without our horse keeps us there, doing nothing, saying nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend from the press room passes and asks how Benedict is. He wishes instantly that he hadn’t as he sees me trying to answer without choking. Other friends watching on TV start to send text messages; the grim news has already spread, the sadness of the day has been so public. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally, home is the only option. Lee travels in the car with us, the empty horsebox too much to bear. The pair of us can only cry as the trainer looks straight ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cry almost as much for him as I do for Benedict. Every small trainer needs a chance with a horse that will bring recognition – a ‘Saturday horse’. His chance had come and gone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sunday morning dawned cruelly sunny. Bright heads looked over stable doors into the yard, waiting for their breakfasts. One head was missing. At breakfast, I open the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Racing Post</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A photograph of the big race is a head-on shot. It shows the winner surging to the post. Far away, down the track, stands the small figure of our stricken Benedict, stoically awaiting his fate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I can’t eat. But there is no time to dwell on sorrow. This is a racing stable and Market Rasen beckons for two of our young hurdlers. In the dark hours, I’d lain awake wondering whether I could return to a racecourse so soon or, indeed, ever. The problem with racing is that once you’re in, that’s it. There’s no choice. The bond isn’t with the sport itself, it’s with the horses. Benedict was gone but beneath our bedroom stood another 20 horses with whom we had an unspoken pact: to do our best for them if they’ll do their best for us. Walking away from them is unthinkable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I had to gather my courage to go to the bottom of the yard and enter Benedict’s box, empty except for his thick winter rug not needed at Redcar. It has to be shaken out, put away in the store. That act is the beginning of acceptance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ngauruhoe and Bilkie are our runners this day, both having their second run over hurdles, an occasion that would bring enough nervous anticipation without the ghastly events of the day before. Silent, glum, we drive to the races. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As they canter to post, panic surges and I start to understand Benedict’s legacy: never again will I be able to go racing with one of our horses without feeling fear. Both horses are pulled up by their jockeys before completing their race: the ground is too soft. But they come home unscathed. That’s enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There’s no let-up. The next day we’re south-bound to Folkestone with My Obsession, a big backward four-year-old having only the third run of his life after surprising us with two third places the previous summer. On his debut in a maiden at Lingfield, he was beaten less than a length at odds of 50/1. The trainer bought him as a yearling and owns him in partnership with long-standing patrons and friends from Jersey, who have made the trip to see him run. We must buck ourselves up if we’re to do a proper job of looking after his owners at the races, sharing in their optimism of a good run. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There’s every cause for optimism with a horse whose only ‘fault’ has been a slowness to mature. And just as they can be at the heart of the blackest of days, racehorses can change a mood, inject some hope, make everything seem that much better, just by doing what they were born to do: winning a race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That day at Folkestone, with perfect timing, My Obsession lifted us from the gloom with a performance we didn’t dare hope he was capable of. His victory will almost certainly not be remembered by anyone other than the five of us there connected to him. It would turn out to be his only win, several niggling problems in the following two seasons spoiling his early promise. But for that moment, for that one victory, long after he has taken up his second career as a riding horse, he remains unforgettable. The record will show that the big gangly horse, whose scope was such that he once jumped a five-bar gate from a standstill, won £3,562.35 for his Folkestone exertions. But what he gave us in elation and restoration of hope in that dark time cannot begin to be measured in money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Those three days are fixed in my mind as teaching me lessons I had to learn. The sport is so much more than the kaleidoscopic flutter of silks on a spotless day at Ascot or Sandown. We readily accept just one of racing’s glorious fleeting moments as a fair exchange for the relentless work in wind, rain and mud. But that’s not always the deal. More often than not it’s an unequal struggle of a life, a life of balancing bills, managing disappointment, coping with frustration and, sometimes, of having to look a horse in the eye in the knowledge that the absolute worst is about to happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In those awful circumstances, what makes it possible to carry on is knowing that throughout that horse’s life you did everything you could to fulfil your side of the pact. Horses always keep their side of the bargain. Only horses who have learned the hard way that it is not in their best interests to do so ever let you down. Even then it’s not their fault. They are what we make them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Some weeks later, we finally felt able to put another horse in Benedict’s box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it is occupied by a horse of a similarly charming disposition, a giant son of Danehill Dancer called Extreme Conviction (known to us as Ex Con). He’s a worthy successor, another cast-off from a big yard who has already won two races for us. It’s now Ex Con’s box but I’ll never come in or out of the gate next to it without seeing the big bright bay head with a white blaze and thinking, with a flash of pain, of the plain little brown head once there. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Benedict (Benny The Dip-Abbey Strand)</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5 April 2002 – 25 March 2006</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*Ex Con won another three races for the stable and retired in 2013 to the British Racing School, where he is a much-loved member of the team.</span></i></div>
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Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-78777022716313095722014-09-25T08:09:00.000-07:002014-09-25T10:21:08.137-07:00Arrivals and departures<div style="text-align: left;">
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The transient nature of the racing industry is such that to live and work within it one must get used to saying goodbye. In a small stable of around 20 equine residents who literally live underneath us it's never easy. Try as I might not to get attached, it's impossible not to care and to wonder what will happen to our horses once they leave our yard.<br />
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In most cases, we have some influence over where they end up and there have been some wonderful stories of horses who have gone on from here to have successful careers in other disciplines after retirement from racing. Vicky Melia, who oversees three fillies formerly in training here, sent yet more lovely photos only last week of Maroon and Ruby competing at their first BE horse trials and I always enjoy receiving updates on their progress.<br />
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I've already paid tribute to Ethics Girl on our homepage and, while I don't like not having her here, knowing that she's only half an hour away at a wonderful farm with good people is a great comfort. Excitement of a different sort starts with her now as we begin to make a selection for the first stallion she will visit next February.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RYLs4FLgxoV1iMK0iPPzuhAc4RZ9ZZekssiRw_ROzd7cEFXYNRj2zDND-Merp1WaCdWKuL0Ar9pVjhw1gn59sREbZb2Es3N1_IlLX90tIQcQOdoCJg7ig-VFBEUJTG2qmjRm/s1600/Berry+at+the+wheel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RYLs4FLgxoV1iMK0iPPzuhAc4RZ9ZZekssiRw_ROzd7cEFXYNRj2zDND-Merp1WaCdWKuL0Ar9pVjhw1gn59sREbZb2Es3N1_IlLX90tIQcQOdoCJg7ig-VFBEUJTG2qmjRm/s1600/Berry+at+the+wheel.jpeg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally a decent driver at the wheel</td></tr>
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I'm writing this from Fariyhouse at the Tattersalls Ireland Sale where we bought Ethics Girl seven years ago. Her owners have reinvested in a yearling from the sale, a very handsome son of Rock Of Gibraltar, and we look forward to bringing him home to Newmarket and starting his training.<br />
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While this was John's first yearling sale of the year, I've already been reporting from Deauville for the Arqana August Sale, DBS for the Premier Sale, and made a first visit to the Osarus Sale at La Teste de Buch near Bordeaux earlier this month.<br />
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Once again I hit the road with William Huntingdon and Liam Norris. There's been much disparagement of my driving skills since our trip to Germany earlier this year but, as the pictures accompanying this post show, this time I took the wheel for much of the seven-hour trip south through France while my travelling companions slept like babies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfwm2OyfIt62G9Cufh2Xs8eAhsI3EM3OLirptvqJOQdWofNfL45f6i9CUwvwQHSc_4DdG7g1hmuSal13AhMflCHVBekZUmgOfNZje1Q1d4TraQOQtu21NORBa1GIsniU-Iu9w/s1600/Huntingdon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfwm2OyfIt62G9Cufh2Xs8eAhsI3EM3OLirptvqJOQdWofNfL45f6i9CUwvwQHSc_4DdG7g1hmuSal13AhMflCHVBekZUmgOfNZje1Q1d4TraQOQtu21NORBa1GIsniU-Iu9w/s1600/Huntingdon.jpeg" height="320" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Lord-a-snoring</td></tr>
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William and Liam bought a Vision d'Etat colt and a Dalghar filly for clients and, while I didn't go there specifically looking for a yearling, Liam saw a filly whom he really liked and we decided to buy her on spec if she sold for a reasonable amount.<br />
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I was delighted when the hammer fell in Liam's favour at €5,000 and feel that we've got a real bargain on our hands. The filly is by Carlotamix and, as is common in France and Germany, was already named. Having been given the name Sirli, there's already been the predictable joke made that she's named after the agent who bought her but she's considerably better looking than him, as the picture towards the bottom of this page will testify!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJUczwTGfr7iOpSkFqDDzv82U5YUseESNBVVwUzC5XzpAz84Rj737fOPbgFZUzOaHWPVdxRlCBPudkbllDDJJ_seWy3qYUZcaJrX1h3Z81aaFE283AN2otTEPNuuySj8FCYJd/s1600/Norris+asleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJUczwTGfr7iOpSkFqDDzv82U5YUseESNBVVwUzC5XzpAz84Rj737fOPbgFZUzOaHWPVdxRlCBPudkbllDDJJ_seWy3qYUZcaJrX1h3Z81aaFE283AN2otTEPNuuySj8FCYJd/s1600/Norris+asleep.jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's an exremely tough life being a bloodstock agent</td></tr>
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Joking aside, I'm delighted to have her. Liam's a very strict judge at the sales and William and I can usually tell on the rare occasion he really likes a horse as he walks up and puts his hand on him or her. This has become known in catalogue short-hand as HOL ('Hand of Liam') and I'm delighted to say Sirli has a big HOL scrawled on her page. I'll be drawing up details of a new syndicate to race her very soon so keep an eye on our website if you're interested in getting involved.<br />
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While we were in La Teste we also had the chance to spend a morning with Christophe Ferland, who trains at the track and has a string of around 80 really nice horses. He was very generous with his time and we couldn't have picked a better day to be there as the early-morning mist gave way to a spectacular sunrise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ369_3D7IhtjxzsOIrYMCNfg5pQIk-OFq1AvyERoBm5E6pQlov50Xb5-l67Opqt_u0oOcf_PV7kYgC_28wkYn5DX2tSM-4RbD9-ATtwCPArEc8DWfiTIJDHs7EzUIVwmdrPf/s1600/C+Ferland's+string+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ369_3D7IhtjxzsOIrYMCNfg5pQIk-OFq1AvyERoBm5E6pQlov50Xb5-l67Opqt_u0oOcf_PV7kYgC_28wkYn5DX2tSM-4RbD9-ATtwCPArEc8DWfiTIJDHs7EzUIVwmdrPf/s1600/C+Ferland's%2Bstring%2Bsm.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christophe Ferland's string in action at Hippodrome de Bequet</td></tr>
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No matter how many mornings I spend out on Newmarket Heath I could never tire of seeing thoroughbreds at exercise and it's always nice to be able to visit different trainers in different countries to see how they operate. Christophe has a team of excellent riders and there was a really friendly, laidback air to his stable, which is always good to see.<br />
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One extra bonus of the visit was seeing a Monsieur Bond colt who is the first foal of our old friend Alpen Glen and is owned and bred by my former boss and friend Jocelyn Targett.<br />
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Sirli is already back with us and she will be joined by our Fairyhouse purchase in the next day or two, as well as John's Youmzain colt out of Minnie's Mystery, who is on his way to us from France. Later this week we will also take delivery of a Sakhee's Secret colt bred by Charles and Zorka Wentworth and we're delighted to welcome them to the stable as owners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX0RK5RhscKtICaBjQ5iA2lLKDhJpNrK48JonjjKB_S7xVWKQ7D3mNayvU8SLTUPC_CiKrumESrS0rIZ6N7NtJgPD-vtJS5F7-bCLpNfLI-7HqU1KrDq3t-PG1-_zHh0Yj4PT/s1600/SIRLI+(Carlotamix-Tailzie).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX0RK5RhscKtICaBjQ5iA2lLKDhJpNrK48JonjjKB_S7xVWKQ7D3mNayvU8SLTUPC_CiKrumESrS0rIZ6N7NtJgPD-vtJS5F7-bCLpNfLI-7HqU1KrDq3t-PG1-_zHh0Yj4PT/s1600/SIRLI+(Carlotamix-Tailzie).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sirli, our beautiful new yearling filly, is not named after Liam</td></tr>
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So there will be plenty to get on with as the yearlings are broken in and take their first steps out on Newmarket Heath. It's a time of hopes and dreams, which is just as well as this week I've had a long-held dream shattered with the retirement of Oscar, my very first homebred.<br />
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He did make it to the track once and came back injured from that bumper run. Despite being given plenty of time he doesn't really seem to be able to stand up to the rigours of full training so, with a very heavy heart, I have taken the decision to stand him down and look for options elsewhere. He's a lovely mover and a good-looking horse and I very much hope he'll have a worthwhile career doing something else, just not as a racehorse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjusZB7XH0cSeF0wFgc3kpijMZ_UWJGvPIIDc-hktXW_a1zZrcS0LIWvAqcsWMO14CZn8AvL_SY7WP4Uzr97VcTIGBHhoLxvQZ6-lYljH5bRQNflfKpoaezrvb4rf9H0IkNfZ-/s1600/Des+&+Oscar+3+days+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjusZB7XH0cSeF0wFgc3kpijMZ_UWJGvPIIDc-hktXW_a1zZrcS0LIWvAqcsWMO14CZn8AvL_SY7WP4Uzr97VcTIGBHhoLxvQZ6-lYljH5bRQNflfKpoaezrvb4rf9H0IkNfZ-/s1600/Des+&+Oscar+3+days+sm.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar at three days old with his mum Desiree</td></tr>
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I have several of his siblings coming through, including a very strong two-year-old by Schiaparelli, named Delatite, whom I hope will eventually bring some honour and glory to the family.<br />
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Oscar's done nothing wrong and he has given me many years of dreaming what a champion he may become. Sadly now it's plain that a racing life is not for him. Even though he'll only leave us once I've found him the best possible home, I'm already dreading the day of his parting. The time I first set eyes on him as a tiny newborn foal will remain one of the happiest days of my life.Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-6803608729641123142014-08-20T00:47:00.000-07:002014-09-01T07:58:54.657-07:00There's something about a tough fillyIt probably wouldn't be right to start this blog without mentioning two fillies who've brought much joy to the stable in recent weeks: Ethics Girl and Indira.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusgRB0vH1rgUEfAHR5tqihxwQ2pdj5ZJPoJqL5j-FdHzLVsEU-PFJu6max4PKns0DzpY7vl-GCmxuMNe7bh-ALqnIeR-pK6aN7YpHBrUWboqv6b-C7jWhlC7yTx1Y8oei0rVY/s1600/Ethics+Girl+Brighton+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusgRB0vH1rgUEfAHR5tqihxwQ2pdj5ZJPoJqL5j-FdHzLVsEU-PFJu6max4PKns0DzpY7vl-GCmxuMNe7bh-ALqnIeR-pK6aN7YpHBrUWboqv6b-C7jWhlC7yTx1Y8oei0rVY/s1600/Ethics+Girl+Brighton+2014.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethics Girl with John and Jim Crowley at Brighton</td></tr>
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Ethics Girl is the old-timer now really. At eight, she's the oldest horse we have in training. John bought her as a yearling at Fairyhouse for owners Lawrence Wadey, Gerry Grimstone and Bill Benter and she's been with us ever since. It's probably fair to say that she's the one horse in the yard who has never really caused her trainer a moment's consternation. She's very sound and has a wonderful temperament and those two factors combined make horses a pleasure to deal with. On top of that, she simply loves her job. She never seems to wane in her enthusiasm for her daily work or for racing itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqp8j2k_mWQTJOaewrJ7oCcQIi6hHhpHqOi2TriJd2-gQVDMNSjoBGWQGXSo1QI63pEeFbGk0ykFDyG7rG7X82oJzDm2D6_ZHnEZ0EPcziQV2IrUowRZCmXAFi6cOHPoHCRzI/s1600/Gift+Of+Silence+Joe+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqp8j2k_mWQTJOaewrJ7oCcQIi6hHhpHqOi2TriJd2-gQVDMNSjoBGWQGXSo1QI63pEeFbGk0ykFDyG7rG7X82oJzDm2D6_ZHnEZ0EPcziQV2IrUowRZCmXAFi6cOHPoHCRzI/s1600/Gift+Of+Silence+Joe+sm.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell to the lovely Gift Of Silence</td></tr>
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Her win at Epsom was typically gritty and put her in good shape to contest the Brighton Cup for the fourth time in early August. She won the race two years ago and laid down another good challenge this time around. The winner took the race by three-quarters of a length and three heads separated the next four horses home, of which she ended up being given the verdict of fifth place. We were immensely proud of her effort and hope she'll be racing a few more times this summer before the ground gets too soft.<br />
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Without wishing to tempt fate, Indira seems to be another Ethics Girl in the making. She ran her first race on 12 December as a two-year-old and she has now managed 12 starts, winning two of them and finishing in the first three on another six occasions. Her brother Rhythm Stick was also a multiple winner for the stable so it's been lovely to have another member of the family and to see her thrive so convincingly over the summer.<br />
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When she was a yearling she bashed her face in the stable and ended up with a long nasty cut down her forehead. The scar's still there and it makes her look even more Roman-nosed than she was already. She's not the prettiest but she's grown into a fine-bodied animal and, as the old saying goes, handsome is as handsome does.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy3-D9MI2aWBNWaw1Q27fLamT81Rk1nvZ9JTchaObBZWS1sQ_WLv2ahce3pasrG4JsAxlLrO9Ayd5CK8VCcrS_E0n5T4LnNKtWcusAUDsWhBjBpuxH2EHBNwX-63cBeyYgecI/s1600/Lot+27+Zamindar+ex+Tender+Morn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy3-D9MI2aWBNWaw1Q27fLamT81Rk1nvZ9JTchaObBZWS1sQ_WLv2ahce3pasrG4JsAxlLrO9Ayd5CK8VCcrS_E0n5T4LnNKtWcusAUDsWhBjBpuxH2EHBNwX-63cBeyYgecI/s1600/Lot+27+Zamindar+ex+Tender+Morn.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny Norris with Clairemont Stud's Zamindar colt</td></tr>
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Honorary mention must also go to Gift Of Silence, who won for the stable last year and has also been in the first three 11 times throughout her 18 starts. She ran another good second at Windsor on Monday but that was her last start for this stable. She has been sold privately for John Llewellyn's son to ride in amateur races and we wish the family the best of luck with her. We'll miss her but we're happy in the knowledge that she's gone to a good home and we very much hope to see her provide her new rider with his first win.<br />
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I'm obviously biased but I think John does an excellent job with fillies. He intuitively understands when to back off and give them a little break and, most importantly of all, how to keep them happy. Being turned out every day does wonders for them both mentally and physically, too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRF1zn57WACnt9ADv-SFEbbT7nakUK689UtOxGiR3lgNzmBNUb85MjtHFXq7emIhuJ2KcXDcEuLTK2VKIQzcXLrxOmVl5GGl9if3_5ytnBVX5hARgMb_xxQIwyvqcQcZvcG00/s1600/Emma+Berry+Martin+Pipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRF1zn57WACnt9ADv-SFEbbT7nakUK689UtOxGiR3lgNzmBNUb85MjtHFXq7emIhuJ2KcXDcEuLTK2VKIQzcXLrxOmVl5GGl9if3_5ytnBVX5hARgMb_xxQIwyvqcQcZvcG00/s1600/Emma+Berry+Martin+Pipe.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my hero Martin Pipe in Deauville</td></tr>
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I'm very pleased to have Oscar back in training after a long break and he's being prepared for a bumper run while Russian Link is waiting for the ground to come right for her hurdles debut, which could be at Huntingdon on Bank Holiday Monday if we get some rain.<br />
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With the European yearling sales season having kicked off in Deauville on Saturday, I'm now entering a busy phase of the year where I'll be away a lot covering the sales for Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder and the TDN. I arrived in Deauville on my birthday and enjoyed a great evening at Le Garage with Alix Choppin, Liam and Jenny Norris, Chris Hannaford, Chad Schumer, Nancy Sexton, Ryan Goldberg and John and Angela O'Connor. The sale was phenomenally strong and I can see that continuing through Goffs and Tattersalls and hopefully trickling down to the middle and lower tiers of the market.<br />
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I was thrilled for Jenny and Liam, who took a beautiful <a href="http://www.norrisbloodstock.com/#!Good-mix-of-business-and-pleasure-in-Deauville/c2w1/53BD81AE-E9FC-4482-8589-312FA1523453" target="_blank">Zamindar colt to Arqana for Clairemont Stud</a> and sold him for €200,000, while Liam's business partner William Huntingdon also had a good sale, with his Siyouni filly selling for the same amount through Haras d'Omméel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjx-xbvGJmasKinO06DaEK7hzgupjcrZATXMv-lb-6D2yvELAPM2dtm0K06pj_EwG5fYsl2C_jW_mWmxNFVUT30dK1jRazbDOz3bZae9yCWOA11m3wtuFCxhLC4jjAe-0Dj0wR/s1600/Cumanites+BIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjx-xbvGJmasKinO06DaEK7hzgupjcrZATXMv-lb-6D2yvELAPM2dtm0K06pj_EwG5fYsl2C_jW_mWmxNFVUT30dK1jRazbDOz3bZae9yCWOA11m3wtuFCxhLC4jjAe-0Dj0wR/s1600/Cumanites+BIG.jpg" height="252" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luca Cumani with former assistants Ed Walker, Marco Botti,<br />
Guillermo Arizkorreta, Simon Sweeting and John</td></tr>
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I'm writing this blog on the rattler to London where I'm spending a couple of days as the September issue of TO&B goes to press, then it's off to Madrid to visit and interview an old friend Guillermo Arizkorreta, who is Spain's champion trainer. We got to know Guillermo when he was working in Newmarket for Luca Cumani and he is much missed in the town. I'm looking forward to seeing his stables and going racing with him at La Zarzuela on Thursday evening.<br />
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After that, it's off to Donny for the Premier Yearling Sales, which will be followed by my first visit to the Osarus September Yearling Sale in Bordeaux. There are plenty more sales to follow those which means my usual panic is rising and I'm starting to think that it will be Christmas before we know it. Frightening thought but plenty of fun to be had before then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRkDi3WWtTxPIx2z1pAjXEBrkL3dnE75G0bJozX2GtVyh82WEMPb_G8yZ5HfksRKvIKilKVPKizgpmh0oKe1I_Cfer2_6EBM0Fqn25oJdqcZpNQXQRcyVYk3dU4vlwjiFZpZk/s1600/Minnie's+Mystery+&+2014+Rajsaman+colt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRkDi3WWtTxPIx2z1pAjXEBrkL3dnE75G0bJozX2GtVyh82WEMPb_G8yZ5HfksRKvIKilKVPKizgpmh0oKe1I_Cfer2_6EBM0Fqn25oJdqcZpNQXQRcyVYk3dU4vlwjiFZpZk/s1600/Minnie's%2BMystery%2B%26%2B2014%2BRajsaman%2Bcolt.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minnie's Mystery and her Rajsaman colt foal</td></tr>
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The final breeding stock sale of the year, back at Deauville in December, will include a Rajsaman colt foal bred by John. He's a half-brother to Dream Walker, Roy Rocket and So Much Water, and we'll be bringing his yearling half-brother by Youmzain home in the coming weeks. Sadly we can't keep them all, so this rather smart colt, who was born on 27 April, will be off to the sales under the guidance of the excellent duo of Gwenael Monneraye and Lucie Lamotte of the La Motteraye Consignment.<br />
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Before the sale got underway in Deauville last week I had time to visit the two youngsters and their dam Minnie's Mystery at Haras de la Cauvinière, where Minnie has lived for the last seven years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Youmzain yearling colt will be arriving at the yard soon</td></tr>
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The horses looked in great shape and it is always such a pleasure to visit the farm, which is about 45 mins from Deauville in a beautiful valley not far from Livarot. Sylvain and Elisabeth Vidal and Mathieu Alex are always extremely welcoming and have done an impressive job building it up from a small boarding farm into an increasingly influential stallion operation.<br />
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It has been wonderful to see Sylvain and Elisabeth enjoy such success this year with their homebred dual Classic winner Avenir Certain. She won again yesterday, landing the G2 Prix de la Nonette from another Cauvinière graduate, Crisolles. Both fillies are by the stud's resident stallion Le Havre, whose first crop are now three-year-olds. He already has eight black-type horses to his name, seven of whom were born and raised at the farm. As he is also the sire of Minnie's only filly So Much Water, we are really looking forward to seeing what she can do later this year.<br />
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<br />Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-79598934129342866742014-07-19T03:44:00.002-07:002014-07-19T04:14:08.097-07:00Busy timesThere's thunder rumbling away over Newmarket but we've largely had a pretty good week, which has been much cheered by the horses running well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethics Girl gets her head in front where it matters at Epsom</td></tr>
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Good old Ethics Girl was back in the winner's spot for the seventh time at Epsom last week and her soundness and enthusiasm for the game is emphasised by the fact that, at the age of eight, she has raced every season since she was two, winning seven of her 56 starts and finishing in the frame on another 18 occasions.<br />
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One filly who reminds me of her very much is Indira, so it was great to see her get off the mark at Catterick on Wednesday. She's also quite short and stocky, but also hardy and ethusiastic in her work. Let's hope she can have a career as lengthy and rewarding as Ethics Girl's.<br />
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We've had some new arrivals in the stable over the last few months, including Near Wild Heaven, the daughter of Robin Des Champs who is now fully syndicated and has been broken in. She too is proving to be very straightforward in these early stages of her career and the excitement will continue to grow over the next few months as she is gradually prepared for a bumper debut.<br />
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Oscar's been in pre-training after a lengthy break with Nicky and he'll be back soon, along with two new arrivals to the yard this coming week for two new owners, which we are course delighted about.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Akehurst has put in a lot of work with Russian Link</td></tr>
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I'm also excited about Russian Link's first run over hurdles, which I hope will be a week on Monday at Uttoxeter. She's been schooling really well with Joe Akehurst so we know she's a good jumper but that won't stop me getting very nervous as the big day approaches.<br />
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We had Liam and Jenny Norris staying with us in July week. Jenny was here for the TBA Awards and had to return to Clairemont Stud to oversee the horses while Liam stayed on to try to buy a broodmare for himself and a filly in training for a syndicate I'm hoping to put together. The first objective was achieved, and Liam took home Clutter, a very good-looking Juddmonte filly, to join his broodmares at Clairemont. We weren't so lucky on the filly in training side but will be trying again at Doncaster in September. Earlier this year, I helped Liam set up his website for <a href="http://www.norrisbloodstock.com/" target="_blank">Norris Bloodstock</a> and he has recently started a new blog which will be worth keeping an eye on as he gets busier through the sales season, both selling horses with Jenny for Clairemont Stud and Norris Bloodstock, and buying horses with William Huntingdon as Norris/Huntingdon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noel Cecil unveils his father's paving stone</td></tr>
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July week was the usual whirl of sales, racing and lovely social occasions, including the TBA Awards, the Darley stallion parade, Castlebridge party and Shadwell lunch on July Cup day. All in all, we were very spoilt. It's always one of my favourite weeks of the year. The most special part of the week was the unveiling of the Legends of the Turf project in Newmarket High Street. John is chairman of the project's committee and he and his fellow committee members have put in a lot of time and effort to get it off the ground. For the inaugural year, two candidates were nominated in each category – horse, jockey and influential person – and from 2015 on it will be one in each category. The first six to be honoured were Frankel, Hyperion, Sir Henry Cecil, Sir John Astley, Lester Piggott and Fred Archer and their names can now be found in special commemorative paving stones along the High Street. To find out more about the project please visit the website via <a href="http://legendsoftheturf.org.uk/" target="_blank">this link</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Wild Heaven ridden for the first time</td></tr>
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For those who have been following the Hatchfield Farm saga, which has been rumbling on for more than five years now, the latest twist is that Secretary of State Eric Pickles has called in Forest Heath District Council's decision to grant permission for Lord Derby's second application to build 400 homes at Hatchfield Farm. Now it's a case of wait and see, but of course the racing industry is very much hoping that Mr Pickles will overturn the decision.<br />
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Another issue of Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder went to press yesterday with a massive bloodstock section of sales previews and reviews. That was a lot of work but it's always nice to spend a couple of days in London when the magazine goes to press as it also gives me a chance to catch up with old friends there.<br />
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Seems an awful long time ago now but while I was at the Goffs Land Rover sale in mid-June to research a piece on the store-horse market which is in the next issue of TO&B, I was lucky enough to be able to stay with Lorna and Harry Fowler at Rahinston in Co Meath. Like Camilla and Jamie Trotter, Lorna and Harry are much missed in Newmarket but they live in a magical house in Ireland, surrounded by farmland and the Summerhill point-to-point course which Harry hopes will be back up and running next season.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Rahinston</td></tr>
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Among their young horses on the farm is a three-parts sister to the Cheltenham Festival winner Don Poli and it was great to have a tour of the stud to look at some of their jumping stock. Lorna's also training at Rahinston and is starting her jumpers off again after a summer break. She's got plenty on her hands with two-year-old Rosie and four-month-old Johnny, but like many people in the industry, she and Harry are both real grafters and they are sure to make a success of Rahinston.Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-92047471188310944632014-06-02T09:46:00.003-07:002014-06-03T09:42:39.733-07:00The dream begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It’s been another busy month of travelling and sales. At the end of April, I made my first trip to the Osarus breeze-up at Pornichet, with the main aim being to write a feature for Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder, which you can read by <a href="http://www.ownerbreeder.co.uk/2014/05/soaring-to-success/" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new recruit, a 3yo filly by Robin Des Champs ex Love Supreme</td></tr>
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I also had the idea I might buy a breezer to syndicate while I was there so I took my trusty sidekick Liam Norris with me and we were outbid on a few horses that we liked. One was very early on in the sale – a chestnut daughter of Stormy River catalogued as lot 2. She’d actually been the first horse we’d looked at the previous day and on second viewing she remained high on the shortlist.<br />
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I lost my nerve a bit as she got close to my reserve and she ended up being sold to Marc-Antoine Berghracht. As she left the ring, Liam said to me, “The last time I bid on a chestnut filly who was in as lot 2, it was Dancing Rain.” I resisted the urge to give him a swift kick in the shins and have spent the weeks since that day praying that those words don’t come back to haunt me.</div>
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I recently helped Liam set up his new website <a href="http://norrisbloodstock.com/">norrisbloodstock.com</a> and in return he has been helping me with my little syndicate project which has been really appreciated as I’d really only feel confident enough to buy a horse with a positive second opinion from either John or Liam.</div>
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The two Tattersalls sales and Arqana’s St Cloud breeze-up proved to be too strong for the likes of me, and I switched my attention from the flat to the store horse sale at DBS the week before last. I tagged along with Liam while he looked for a big strong gelding for a proper client and occasionally sloped off to look at some fillies.</div>
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I’m a big supporter of the efforts of the TBA and ITBA to promote and increase the National Hunt races for mares in both England and Ireland and, while the sales have picked up generally in the last few years in both codes, there definitely has been improvement in the trade for jumps-bred fillies, which at one point had reached a worrying low point.<br />
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It’s still much cheaper to buy a filly than a gelding, and it always will be, but with an improved programme of racing for the mares thanks to input from the BHA’s race planning department, there are many good reasons to buy a National Hunt filly. In fact, as the TBA’s marketing poster to the left says, there are at least 22.</div>
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I was rather taken with a filly by Robin Des Champs who was consigned by Mickley Stud but, as she was by such a good stallion, I’d all but ruled her out, thinking she would sell for beyond what I was prepared to stake to buy a horse on spec with a view to setting up a syndicate.</div>
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Maybe it was because she was late through the ring on a gloomy day when many orders had already been filled, or perhaps it’s because she’s on the small side by jumping standards, but I eventually managed to buy her for £7,000 and have not regretted the decision for one second, all the while keeping the thought in my mind that Quevega, who is by the same sire, is a very small horse. Liam had looked at her with me and given me the thumbs-up and now I had to break it to the trainer that he had a new horse to train…with owners to be named at a later date.<br />
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Happily, John was thrilled with the news, loved the filly on sight, and we now have a half-full syndicate of really nice people who have already been owners in other horses at <a href="http://www.beverleyhousestables.com/" target="_blank">Beverley House Stables</a>. There are four shares still to be taken up and anyone who wishes to know a bit more about the filly’s breeding and the syndicate details can <a href="http://www.beverleyhousestables.com/articles/new-jumping-syndicate-for-robin-des-champs-filly.html" target="_blank">click here</a> for further information.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No worries for our brave filly as she tackles the Severals</td></tr>
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John had the filly out long-reining for the first time on the Severals this morning. She had to pass quite a few big strings on the way and coped with all the sights and sounds of a busy Newmarket morning very well, which is really encouraging considering she’s been raised on a quiet farm in the Lake District before spending the last month up to the sale at Richard Kent’s Mickley Stud. The teams at both places have clearly done a wonderful job in their handling of her and she really couldn’t have a better temperament.</div>
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The next stage will be for her to have a rider on her back but on her behaviour so far, I can’t see that being too much of a problem. It’s really exciting to have this lovely project to work on and she hopefully won’t be our only representative in mares’ hurdles as Russian Link schooled really well on her first attempt under Joe Akehurst on Saturday and we look forward to seeing her make her hurdles debut later this summer. She’s a Juddmonte-bred daughter of Rail Link who should have the stamina to see her through, and she certainly is a natural jumper.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcn5o1Yh1DsKYWxG7Bk1UKWJBQYX8O5GlSk8QRpabga9bYVgwbhyLZKj-LPhfkxNc1vL5lTw05zxnMjc1WZfBMTNZuxZa-IzYAeA0VP5YSnMmaCPzTrXGDgyNnyYcN6rrtCSl/s1600/Lorna+%2526+Matteo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcn5o1Yh1DsKYWxG7Bk1UKWJBQYX8O5GlSk8QRpabga9bYVgwbhyLZKj-LPhfkxNc1vL5lTw05zxnMjc1WZfBMTNZuxZa-IzYAeA0VP5YSnMmaCPzTrXGDgyNnyYcN6rrtCSl/s1600/Lorna+%2526+Matteo.jpg" height="320" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers: Lorna and Matteo</td></tr>
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My malingering homebred Oscar Bernadotte is finally back in the early stages of work after being on a break since Christmas. He has managed one bumper run so far, in which he sustained an injury, and he’s now six, so as you can imagine, his co-owner Stephen and I are keen to get another bumper run into him this year before he turns seven. He’s really strengthened up on his break, however, and is looking great, so once again hope springs eternal.<br />
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I'm back off to the sales next week, for the Goffs Land Rover Sale in Ireland, but with my journalist's hat on rather than my buying one. The big treat will be to spend some time at Rahinston Stud with Harry and Lorna Fowler and to see their two young children, Rosie and Johnny. There have been some lovely jumpers bred at Rahinston by Harry's parents over the years and I'm really looking forward to seeing some of their mares and youngstock while I'm there. Lorna and Harry are much missed in Newmarket, especially by Matteo Botti, who was taught to drink red wine by Lorna at a young age at one of my birthday lunches, as the accompanying image shows!</div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-56266914873327742692014-03-31T07:22:00.000-07:002014-03-31T10:01:43.980-07:00To Dabirsim, with a few detours<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvcb8q6fyLPH1lxFT0YRh_Dxhpj1j3lJ_FlO01q4_bm90ndO4jZONuJpZzIDFc3Njj1XSXWG1ywouolyK8-QOJHVvuUUWJ-eTCPsFGWxPfap-rTEjGwRp6LFdu55lWeig867M/s1600/Dabirsim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvcb8q6fyLPH1lxFT0YRh_Dxhpj1j3lJ_FlO01q4_bm90ndO4jZONuJpZzIDFc3Njj1XSXWG1ywouolyK8-QOJHVvuUUWJ-eTCPsFGWxPfap-rTEjGwRp6LFdu55lWeig867M/s1600/Dabirsim.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Dabirsim at Gestüt Karlshof</td></tr>
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It's taken almost a week to recover from the latest road trip, which seemed to include most of Europe in just three days.<br />
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It was really only supposed to include Chantilly to just south of Frankfurt and back via Normandy but lack of map-reading skills (well, a lack of map for most of the journey) plus a sat nav with an evil sense of humour meant that a number of, er, scenic routes were taken at times. At most times, in fact.<br />
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My travelling companions were William Huntingdon and Liam Norris, who have already been mentioned in dispatches in this blog and who were kind enough to include me on their mission to visit several mares which they own in France and Germany, plus two stallions and a number of horses in training.<br />
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William and Liam bought a very attractive Dubawi mare named Plebeya at Arqana's December Sale last year with the intention of sending her to Dabirsim, who is standing his first season at Gestüt Karlshof. I'm happy to say that Plebeya appeared on a very long list of mares I was asked to provide for this express purpose, and though I played the smallest of small parts in her purchase, I will naturally be claiming all the credit when she produces her first Classic winner. She now boards, along with her first foal, a colt by Tin Horse, at nearby(ish) Gestüt Westerberg and has been joined there by Liam's nice Hernando mare Villabella.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plebeya and her Tin Horse colt at 10 days old</td></tr>
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Peter Rodde and his wife Aline run Westerberg, a really relaxed and traditional farm in Ingelheim where the horses all looked very well. Peter's clearly an extremely experienced horseman and when he's not patrolling the grounds, from his vast office he can look out on to an elaborate indoor school built by his wife's grandparents, who set up the stud.<br />
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It must be pretty nerve-wracking to send mares off to foal in different countries, putting them in the care of people you don't know very well, but Peter had come highly recommended and I imagine Liam and William feel that their mares are in good hands having now visited the place and seen what a good job they do there.<br />
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Villabella had in fact been covered by Dabirsim on the morning of our visit, and if that wasn't a good enough omen, her first foal, now three and named Vallila, had won the Spanish 1,000 Guineas Trial in impressive fashion the day before. Vallila raced in Liam's colours as a two-year-old when trained by Roger Charlton and was a winner in England before being sold at the horses-in-training sale. She now looks to be one of the most exciting fillies in Spain, racing from the stable of Argentinean trainer Oscar Anaya at San Sebastian. Needless to say, her breeder is waiting with bated breath to see what she can do when she lines up in the Spanish 1,000 Guineas equivalent, the Premio Valderas, on April 13.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Rodde at Gestüt Westerberg</td></tr>
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As we were driving to Karlshof to see Dabirsim (who is reportedly Germany's busiest stallion this season, with around 130 mares booked in), I received a text from Nicky at Colton Farm to say that my mare Desiree had tested in foal to Schiaparelli, which I took to be another good omen. On the strength of her now two-year-old, Delatite, being a promising looking horse – albeit very much one for bumpers later on in life – Desiree went back to Schiaparelli at Overbury Stud, so I was delighted later in the day to be able to see his full-brother Samum at Karlshof alongside Dabirsim.<br />
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Samum, who was champion sire in Germany a few years back, is actually much smaller than Schiaparelli, but there are plenty of similarities, not least their really good temperaments. They are by Monsun out of the Old Vic mare Sacarina, who was a real star for Karlshof, providing not just these two Deutsches Derby winners (Samum and Schiaparelli won 13 Group races between them) but also the Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner Salve Regina, who is their full-sister.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPw7MfB97ypcoHDgpOKZsGb4e5C0qYdLwcCMeJ7kFdWoivZRa1lhQapxBiZrEuLaFTN_TH9JYTNSQN9O4LKFKFkVsDlRJofwCVS2ffqMIZMPtPgZXUmvJxHgPwYKW2dO5EeEy/s1600/Rhein+Valley+castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPw7MfB97ypcoHDgpOKZsGb4e5C0qYdLwcCMeJ7kFdWoivZRa1lhQapxBiZrEuLaFTN_TH9JYTNSQN9O4LKFKFkVsDlRJofwCVS2ffqMIZMPtPgZXUmvJxHgPwYKW2dO5EeEy/s1600/Rhein+Valley+castle.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A castle on the banks of the Rhine</td></tr>
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It was on leaving Westerberg that we got into the most trouble. With a long drive ahead back up through Germany, across Belgium to Cambrai in France, we probably could have done without getting lost in the Rhine Valley.<br />
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With William snoring in the back seat, Liam and I attempted to navigate our way to the A61 (or was it the E61?). We ended up with a nice ferry trip across the river – twice! – and despite the fact that we should have been on the autobahn hurtling through northern Germany, I remain immensely glad of the meandering detour along the Rhine, its steep-sided valley interspersed with castles and vineyards along the way. It was stunning, and would have been even more so if viewed from one of the many lovely terraces lining the route with a cold beer in hand.<br />
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After William woke up, told us off, bought a map and took charge, we finally made it to our hotel in Cambrai at about 11pm where we had to make do with a liquid supper, which is not usually a hardship in France, and the wine was indeed extremely agreeable. Having called in at Jonathan Pease's yard at Chantilly on our way to Germany to see five horses bought by the Norris/Huntingdon partnership for one of their clients, we toured back through Normandy to see William's mare, foal and yearling at Hubert Honoré's Haras d'Omméel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gSZrNjbCjyneiW77pcr_ZmcZnYbGkhz1oyOjxulfsIassIOlwLjVuC5KGUIYShmmeZk2Xntbl3PfsKUtvByoTWxqerJZEILGRyxGKocJrvND9cK20jmrMy4NWR6TP_381Fwm/s1600/Liam+and+William.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gSZrNjbCjyneiW77pcr_ZmcZnYbGkhz1oyOjxulfsIassIOlwLjVuC5KGUIYShmmeZk2Xntbl3PfsKUtvByoTWxqerJZEILGRyxGKocJrvND9cK20jmrMy4NWR6TP_381Fwm/s1600/Liam+and+William.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better late than never: map reading with a few refreshments</td></tr>
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Another inadvertent deviation from our route ensued once we got near to the stud at Gacé. Let's just say we had Omméel surrounded.<br />
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But, as always, going off piste a bit can bring unexpected pleasures and this time it was the sight of two red squirrels on the verge. I can't remember the last time I'd seen a red squirrel but I was so petrified that I'd get shouted at by William if I dared to down the map and take up my camera that the opportunity for a little nature photography sadly passed me by.<br />
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Once we eventually found Hubert, he and Claire treated us to a lovely but swift lunch after seeing the horses and then it was lickety-split back to Ouistreham for the ferry to Portsmouth.<br />
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The boys did an excellent job of driving almost 3,000 miles in such a short time. I did an average job of map-reading and such a poor job of my sole stint at the wheel that William piped up, 'Ah, we've found your new career....as a hearse driver.' I have a feeling I may not be invited along on the next adventure.<br />
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<br />Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-36262983086982907792014-02-04T07:37:00.002-08:002014-02-04T07:51:26.987-08:00En RouteFor the last five years I've spent the first weekend of February in Normandy for the French stallion showcase known as La Route des Etalons. Having kept a mare in France for seven years, John and I have a perfect excuse to tag along and look at the many different stallions in the region – 98 were on show this year – plus it gives us the chance to visit Minnie's Mystery and her offspring at Haras de la Cauivinière.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ-et5n_NE5MBkW8ZsJobJFUeGQ29PZJmtYEOi4B3lii0ie_NKLAvmGc-_3zh9f8PDPWlgulDKuI8XrGrXXJYazIh_FPLGnZz52ElVMbTS8gc2nllksmgI_zlkQkMj_1Qf-_y/s1600/Youmzain-Minnie's+Mystery+Jan+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ-et5n_NE5MBkW8ZsJobJFUeGQ29PZJmtYEOi4B3lii0ie_NKLAvmGc-_3zh9f8PDPWlgulDKuI8XrGrXXJYazIh_FPLGnZz52ElVMbTS8gc2nllksmgI_zlkQkMj_1Qf-_y/s1600/Youmzain-Minnie's+Mystery+Jan+2014.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our yearling colt by Youmzain ex Minnie's Mystery</td></tr>
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Minnie has lived at Sylvain and Elisabeth Vidal's stud throughout her breeding career and the team there, which in the last few years has been augmented by the excellent Mathieu Alex, does a great job in looking after her and her young stock. She won't foal this year until April (she is carrying to Cauvinière's first-season sire Rajsaman) but she has a lovely strong yearling colt by Youmzain whom I was very pleased to see.<br />
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With John having been declared a non-runner on veterinary grounds and William Huntingdon a late scratching, it was left to Liam Norris to navigate our way to France (and moan about how cold my car was thanks to a broken heater). Liam is, however, a good wingman when it comes to enjoying a little of the local hospitality and we made sure that Normandy's wine supplies were somewhat depleted by the time we left for the ferry on Sunday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLTrYax8FLXyYnUCHCc1HMLj25mLwQXNQkg9Df3mNyxIpLsATbQlP8zt58yFaQv6WFbGUAP_d4dKPK2_r52zLIgepP_93M4OgOy7AmJZAmuncHQUiK3miGY8dsTqWQidgHev9/s1600/Liam+Hubert+Alix+Coralie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLTrYax8FLXyYnUCHCc1HMLj25mLwQXNQkg9Df3mNyxIpLsATbQlP8zt58yFaQv6WFbGUAP_d4dKPK2_r52zLIgepP_93M4OgOy7AmJZAmuncHQUiK3miGY8dsTqWQidgHev9/s1600/Liam+Hubert+Alix+Coralie.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liam, Alix and Coralie with Hubert Honoré at Haras du Logis</td></tr>
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But between refreshments we did get to see plenty of fine farms and stallions along the way. Alix Choppin, who lives in Chantilly but we wish would come back to Newmarket, was our tour guide for the cross-country trek, which was just as well as they're not big on road signs in Normandy. Alix's friend Coralie from Paris also joined us and we were all really impressed with how well the stallions looked at Haras de Grandcamp, our first stop on Saturday.<br />
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Liam was keen to see Tin Horse, whose first foals are about to be born, as he and William bought a nice mare in foal to him at Arqana's December Sale. Even though they usually don't end up being the most fashionable, I've a particular soft spot for stallions who have been in training for a number of seasons and have proved to be very tough and very sound racehorses. For this reason, I really enjoyed seeing Vision d'Etat, the winner of seven stakes races, including three Group 1s, during his honourable career, and who is about to have his first runners on the track.<br />
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Youmzain very much fits into this category, too, and the Quesnay stallions also looked in tiptop condition. Youmzain seems to have a wonderful disposition, as well as being a good-looking horse, so hopefully he will impart this trait, along with his talent, to his offspring. He also has his first runners in 2014.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEmuZkOXmvY5NCJuNKceGJY0kE2BzX6XGK1Xr4wOJ1GvBW8yYxjZmeM9sg3DN9e4TENiWS7aMTbKPwmSs1FNo_hfKD2SjxFQytZBGwQ5fBwvYFAlSaDwlAPq0k2J0ejg_yOHg/s1600/Haras+de+Victot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEmuZkOXmvY5NCJuNKceGJY0kE2BzX6XGK1Xr4wOJ1GvBW8yYxjZmeM9sg3DN9e4TENiWS7aMTbKPwmSs1FNo_hfKD2SjxFQytZBGwQ5fBwvYFAlSaDwlAPq0k2J0ejg_yOHg/s1600/Haras+de+Victot.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haras de Victot</td></tr>
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Another thing the four of us agreed on was how special it was to visit Haras de Victot, a place steeped in history with its neighbouring chateau dating back to 1524. It was both stunning and peaceful and I only hope that if it is about to change hands, as is rumoured, that its new owners do everything they can to retain its unique charm.<br />
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The organisers of La Route des Etalons have done a great job in attracting visitors from overseas and also put on a party on the Saturday night, which seems to get bigger and bigger. We managed to catch the second half of the rugby in Le Brok before heading to Arqana for the festivities, but this was painful for England fans – of which I seemed to be the only one in the bar. A few of Le Brok's famous mojitos eased the pain a little but also made me rash enough to strike a bet with Liam that England would beat Ireland later in the Six Nations. Here's hopin'.<br />
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I had an extra reason to join 'La Route' this year as I'd been asked to write a feature for the TDN. If you'd like to read it, please <a href="http://pdfs.thoroughbreddailynews.com/generic_upload/pdf/EmmaBerry.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-54129281396398227352014-01-11T08:57:00.002-08:002014-01-11T10:21:00.361-08:00Chillin' in KentuckySome may not consider spending a few days in temperatures around -25F the perfect way to start the new year but I can't think of a better introduction to 2014 than the week I've just experienced in Kentucky.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cold day at Keeneland</td></tr>
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I'd been warned by Jessica Martini to "pack warm" and I was immensely glad of her advice and the long-johns, fur hat and many layers during the first two freezing days at Keeneland's January Sale. The trip was a great opportunity to meet Jessica in person – she's the editor-in-chief of the TDN and has been kind enough to keep me very busy on assignments over the past year – and also to say hello to another TDN contributor Lucas Marquardt, who runs a very good bloodstock video and photo service called ThoroStride.<br />
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Being in Lexington for the Keeneland sale also offers the opportunity to visit a range of stallion farms during the open house week which takes place while plenty of breeders are in town. We kicked off at Darley, where hand-warmers and hot mulled cider were provided as we were shown the 15 stallions on the roster at what was once known as Jonabell Farm. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfBm2Z0VPxoRqptRowIVtmz5JvwnE6VkKdeT8nNDR_Pezx5KCiCGrr50liWXsN_WB7HJcFdRp_dSO2MPAX2r2HzK_hnJkZVIhGbEvLhkY0VVFtXzUKzOnXT0q0Y3JaIyHknBd/s1600/Animal+Kingdom+1+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfBm2Z0VPxoRqptRowIVtmz5JvwnE6VkKdeT8nNDR_Pezx5KCiCGrr50liWXsN_WB7HJcFdRp_dSO2MPAX2r2HzK_hnJkZVIhGbEvLhkY0VVFtXzUKzOnXT0q0Y3JaIyHknBd/s1600/Animal+Kingdom+1+sm.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal Kingdom at Darley America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The shuttlers, which included Bernardini, Medaglia d'Oro, Street Cry and Lonhro, looked especially good in their Australian summer coats. Animal Kingdom was the first of four Kentucky Derby winners I was lucky enough to see during the week and he really is a lovely athletic-looking horse with plenty of scope. <br />
<br />
I'd last encountered Street Cry in Australia back in 2006 and it was great to see him again. He's not necessarily the most eye-catching horse, especially when seen alongside the very good-looking Medaglia d'Oro, but his record at stud speaks for itself: top-class winners all over the world at all sorts of distances, including of course the great Zenyatta and his Grade 1-winning sons, Street Sense and Street Boss, who were also on show at Darley America.<br />
<br />
The visit to the farm also meant I could catch up with two former colleagues – Dean Roethemeier and Katie La Monica. Dean left Newmarket two years ago to return to his native Kentucky, while Katie and I spent a lot of time working together on opposite sides of the Atlantic in years gone by. Both are superb company and much missed.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpym_xbqcqN0SabG0MmkzWhize8SQ_vCYWJDnRBn6M50tMAyAuiBE-OXmKMBd4ny7vdxaiEgADoS6eDSD8NItSGYdFSEBO86zHQIwlNu7TrJtaAD6QG5MF0xnZmEw1Qhl0Z-z5/s1600/Lonhro+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpym_xbqcqN0SabG0MmkzWhize8SQ_vCYWJDnRBn6M50tMAyAuiBE-OXmKMBd4ny7vdxaiEgADoS6eDSD8NItSGYdFSEBO86zHQIwlNu7TrJtaAD6QG5MF0xnZmEw1Qhl0Z-z5/s1600/Lonhro+sm.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Lonhro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another father-and-son team on view was Lonhro and Denman, both Australian-bred. In his native country Lonhro is the stuff of legend, as is his sire, Octogaonal. Both almost jet black, they were each Horse of the Year during their racing careers, with 10 and 11 Group 1 wins respectively, and Lonhro went on to become champion sire in Australia (in 2010/11). So Denman has an awful lot to live up to but the Group 1 winner is off to a good start. Not only does he look pretty similar to his famous sire and grandsire, he's lying in second place in the Australian freshman sires' table, with three winners from just five runners to date. In fact, his first two runners were both winners on debut.<br />
<br />
One of the nicest things about working in racing and breeding is that you can turn up at a racecourse or sales house almost anywhere in the world and you're pretty certain to bump into a friendly face. During the first morning wandering around Keeneland, a voice piped up from behind me, "Excuse me, but aren't you Panto's owner?"<br />
<br />
The voice belonged to Mackenzie, one of the great team at the National Stud during Panto's recuperation from colic surgery last year. She is now working at Lane's End Farm, while her former National Stud colleague and fellow Panto fan, Rosie Carey, was another person I was delighted to see at Keeneland where she was on duty for the James Keogh consignment.<br />
<br />
Brendan and Olive Gallagher are well known to many in this part of the world from their days of involvement with Emerald Bloodstock. They are now Kentucky residents and owners of Frankfort Park Farm, and Olive was kind enough to act as an excellent tour guide, spending an afternoon driving me around to see various farms and stallions.<br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zBaH55VFpmwNDks_b7iNSpX93N1wHi_od7DWH7lDkZY1R6GOaj4PrqnKVqlxTyzefgxqA2bHkE91imBoik0ToDdtWU8PpthyphenhyphenVmQ3GNXitltljWa4jcU6ZL1329rXyajqfVli/s1600/Speightstown+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zBaH55VFpmwNDks_b7iNSpX93N1wHi_od7DWH7lDkZY1R6GOaj4PrqnKVqlxTyzefgxqA2bHkE91imBoik0ToDdtWU8PpthyphenhyphenVmQ3GNXitltljWa4jcU6ZL1329rXyajqfVli/s1600/Speightstown+sm.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speightstown: little horse, big reputation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We dropped into Coolmore's Ashford Stud to pay our respects to Giant's Causeway, looking terrific at 17, the extremely handsome Uncle Mo, Galileo's son Cape Blanco and new recruit Shanghai Bobby. Next stop was to WinStar Farm for an audience with Distorted Humor, Speightstown, Super Saver and co.<br />
<br />
Asked by Chance Timm at Winstar what I thought of Speightstown, I replied that he was "a really nice compact little horse", before quickly adding, "well not that little", knowing that most stallion farms don't like their horses to be considered too small or too big. Chance, however, gave an amusing response, quipping, "Oh, we don't mind him being small now that we know he's good. He was 16.1 when he first retired to stud, but now he's back to 15.3 again!"<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjupm0Pba58RWAI3hE5hhfrxLJydajI_mt-l3OV4ASQx9jFxParTBEq7vYmcMtLL1UyrQ2VgZ3mEEPo6FSupuqhq7Sqm2ixF12FMYnHgPk9zTcGHutg0VsqjzCmhKVMZYUOV16/s1600/Calumet+jockey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjupm0Pba58RWAI3hE5hhfrxLJydajI_mt-l3OV4ASQx9jFxParTBEq7vYmcMtLL1UyrQ2VgZ3mEEPo6FSupuqhq7Sqm2ixF12FMYnHgPk9zTcGHutg0VsqjzCmhKVMZYUOV16/s1600/Calumet+jockey.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Calumet colours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every morning as I was driven by my trusty chauffeur Ed Prosser from our hotel to Keeneland, we passed the legendary Calumet Farm, its barns still painted red and white as in the days of the Wright family ownership, with seemingly endless white post-and-rail fences marking its perimeter. Anyone who has read <i>Wild Ride </i>(and I strongly advise anyone with an interest in bloodstock to read Ann Hagedorn Auerbach's riveting book) would doubtless be itching to have a look around the infamous stud farm so I leapt at the chance to go in, briefly, to see a couple of the stallions with two breeders from Oklahoma.<br />
<br />
Directly outside the back door of the Calumet office, Alydar's stall, where his terrible injury – whether accidental, or deliberately inflicted – was sustained, stands empty, his brass nameplate still gleaming at the door. In the second stallion barn was a horse I was delighted to see – the imposing Americain, winner of the 2010 Melbourne Cup and just back from his first season at Swettenham Stud in Nagambie, where he has covered a decent book of mares.<br />
<br />
While Calumet holds plenty of fascination for myriad reasons, the highlight of the trip had to be the morning spent at Claiborne Farm for a feature I'm writing for the February issue of <i>Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder</i>. I won't give too much away here but the chance to glimpse a farm which has been so well managed and tended by the Hancock family and a devoted team of staff for more than 100 years was a real privilege.<br />
<br />
John Niehaus, who kindly showed me round the farm after I'd interviewed Bernie Sams and Walker Hancock, talked about the stallions he looks after – including the much sought-after War Front and the most recent Kentucky Derby winner, Orb – with the perfect blend of pride and knowledge. As we stopped at the small barn which houses the Claiborne covering shed, John was almost apologetic for how underwhelming the facility is compared to some of the bigger, more modern farms. "But then," he added, "six of the 11 American Triple Crown winners and 22 Kentucky Derby winners have been conceived here." Enough said.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBivhilmaB62s8xCPm83pawDaX3H_uqQFl9L8DEIqZmlQj-enIvQF2CoR-btN8K5ZrIQhml3A4JQPbEk6549DcKFgllceG043aJfURRbSuajbiWK21DynyVVN-HvauHE-IESPF/s1600/Ed+Prosser+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBivhilmaB62s8xCPm83pawDaX3H_uqQFl9L8DEIqZmlQj-enIvQF2CoR-btN8K5ZrIQhml3A4JQPbEk6549DcKFgllceG043aJfURRbSuajbiWK21DynyVVN-HvauHE-IESPF/s1600/Ed+Prosser+sm.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeneland's European representative, Ed Prosser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And all that remains for me to say is a big thank you to all those who made my visit really memorable in different ways. They include (and I hope I haven't missed anyone) Ed Prosser (who is unmissable in his lurid orange ski jacket), Olive Gallagher, Nancy Sexton, Chad Schumer, German the Chilean, Jessica Martini, Lucas Marquardt, Dean Roethemeier, Katie La Monica, Amy Owens, Amy Gregory, Bernie Sams, Walker Hancock, John Niehaus, Becky Ryder, Cath Hudson, Frances Karon, Mackenzie, Rosie Carey, Mill Ridge Farm for the delicious rum cake, and all the very special horses. <br />
<br />Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-91045734398181963602013-12-31T04:39:00.001-08:002013-12-31T09:09:10.757-08:00Come and gone<div class="MsoNormal">
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It’s safe to say that I won’t be sorry to see the back of
2013. Part of life in a racing stable is that horses come and horses go, but
this year we’ve had to say goodbye to a few more than usual.
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Only one was lost completely, and that was dear Alcalde, during a hurdle race at Warwick in March. He
didn’t fall – he was too good a jumper for that – but he broke a hind leg on the
flat and Will Kennedy pulled him up immediately, enabling the vet to take the
only option left to him after such a devastating injury. Having lost Kadouchski
the previous August in a similar way it was particularly hard to bear for us and for the members of the Alhambra Partnership who owned him and are passionate racing folk.
Both horses were real old friends who meant an awful lot to the team here and it’s
impossible, even now, to think of either of them without shedding a tear.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16-bmmiwMp6Y_009v5HUavel_5O9OtoP7kZs0l8UiDboyNbk89p1nqtzIWgyRXtoO9GhlDVoGd66ZGtChNr3WfUpYJWL13D8zJdNcGzivA9khgMPyKPliLsmGaklm7o7QRGcZ/s1600/Anthony+Ex+Con+John+Alcalde+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16-bmmiwMp6Y_009v5HUavel_5O9OtoP7kZs0l8UiDboyNbk89p1nqtzIWgyRXtoO9GhlDVoGd66ZGtChNr3WfUpYJWL13D8zJdNcGzivA9khgMPyKPliLsmGaklm7o7QRGcZ/s320/Anthony+Ex+Con+John+Alcalde+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony and Ex Con, left, with John and Alcalde</td></tr>
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One of my favourite photos accompanies this passage, of John
on Alcalde alongside Anthony on another old favourite Ex Con. The latter
retired in May with five wins to his credit and joined the British Racing
School, where he has quickly become a much-loved member of the team there. Also
on the BRS team is Brief Goodbye, a former seven-time winner for this yard, who
turns 14 tomorrow and retains every ounce of enthusiasm. I’m told he regularly
bucks students off at the school – bucking was a particular favourite pastime
of his – but he too is loved and valued by the team at BRS who do a fantastic
job, along with the apprentices, of looking after the 50-odd horses in their
care.</div>
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Brief ran 50 times for his seven wins and eight places, remained
in training until he was eight and has been active ever since his ‘retirement’.
The fact that he is still sound and loving life speaks volumes for the
care given to him by his trainer during his many seasons here and subsequently by his
first rider in retirement, Clare Malcolm, then the BRS. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLbh0Dl8ndPlBxtqWfJUT5kdbWc_f1GTsFBjUnwyU0Y3ZIOBPDdjHPoDqm-r79Gvk8arNW6HQ1qZDqBOwLTTiJtpYPfgRUwEaCU4dMNotYETj4vignRdujMxCnb0FLPeXJ47v/s1600/Smith+Eccles+on+Jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLbh0Dl8ndPlBxtqWfJUT5kdbWc_f1GTsFBjUnwyU0Y3ZIOBPDdjHPoDqm-r79Gvk8arNW6HQ1qZDqBOwLTTiJtpYPfgRUwEaCU4dMNotYETj4vignRdujMxCnb0FLPeXJ47v/s320/Smith+Eccles+on+Jack.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Dawson with Steve Smith Eccles</td></tr>
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There was news recently of another grand old servant of
Beverley House Stables, Jack Dawson, who was awarded the <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RoR/SEIB Elite Endurance
Performance Award for having completed 1500km since his retirement from racing.
Jack, a nine-time winner on the Flat and dual scorer and black-type performer over
hurdles, left here as a 10-year-old having run 71 times. His part-owners
Margaret Donnelly and Paul Wright teamed him up with the excellent endurance
rider Lorna Kidson, who also now has his younger sister Jenny Dawson, and they
have formed a very successful partnership. Jack celebrates his 17th
birthday tomorrow and we couldn’t be more delighted to hear that he’s still
thriving.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jack’s
other small claim to fame is that he was one of AP McCoy’s 4,000 winners (and
counting), that victory coming at Southwell on 13 September 2002 when he won a
novice hurdle by 22 lengths. Other jockeys to have partnered Jack to glory are
Stevie Donohoe, Franny Norton (x2), Graham Lee, Ted Durcan (x3), Steve Drowne,
Richard Hills and George Baker.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
fair to say that I am John’s staunchest supporter but I know from the nice
emails we receive through this website, along with messages on Twitter and
Facebook, that there are plenty of people who follow this yard and for that we
are ever grateful. John’s way of training is perhaps no longer so <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdgY1UN0L3u9BKfATa5jsrKXY0dIIVeHe6uUqZxKgT9KyDRx2_I1QQ7CUA4nhmu512h6LYRK_qeqo9cUjd_SRYdxc9DHd0_trcmn35BOh3QQtiK3Pl60u4Ll8Ga-55kz1ts3u/s1600/BRS+Brief+Goodbye+Our+Vic+vsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdgY1UN0L3u9BKfATa5jsrKXY0dIIVeHe6uUqZxKgT9KyDRx2_I1QQ7CUA4nhmu512h6LYRK_qeqo9cUjd_SRYdxc9DHd0_trcmn35BOh3QQtiK3Pl60u4Ll8Ga-55kz1ts3u/s320/BRS+Brief+Goodbye+Our+Vic+vsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brief Goodbye leads Our Vic at the British Racing School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
fashionable
in that he’s always been one to bring horses on steadily, letting them tell him when
they are ready, mentally and physically. Some owners are less prepared to take
a long-term view these days and that is understandable considering the cost of having a horse in training when prize-money, despite some recent advances, remains too low.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, horses
like Jack Dawson, Brief Goodbye, Extreme Conviction and Kadouchski – all but
one chuck-outs from bigger yards who went on to win 30 races between them –
show what John can do with the right horse who is given a bit of time to come
to himself.</span>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It happens to plenty of trainers, and we've benefited at times from other people's losses, but it’s
been pretty gut-wrenching to lose some horses to other stables this
year, particularly recently a three-time winner for this yard. As she’s a mare we had here from her yearling days we’re
naturally very fond of her and hope that she continues to show the good form she did when
racing for this stable. She’s game and straightforward and deserves plenty more
success for her owners. I guess the best way to look at these situations is to consider ourselves fortunate to have had the horses here in the first place and to continue to hope that in time they will be replaced by some new recruits, as some of them have been already.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
racing, as in life, it’s never wise to look back too often, even though it’s
hard to avoid doing so on the final day of the year. So we’ll look ahead, to
tomorrow, and to 2014.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9OYT7ZWpmpjFfOhaKQ5oP8OeU-3bvnFx_JMmlRNaO9D8iISuboiQYPeK8h2U9paipuKzTs99pSiP9hQbaImYb0PyxyApOFHcCzJM7r715FgB-pI3FC4uyhF70o8ReeGnJHF0/s1600/Wasabi+&+Terri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9OYT7ZWpmpjFfOhaKQ5oP8OeU-3bvnFx_JMmlRNaO9D8iISuboiQYPeK8h2U9paipuKzTs99pSiP9hQbaImYb0PyxyApOFHcCzJM7r715FgB-pI3FC4uyhF70o8ReeGnJHF0/s320/Wasabi+&+Terri.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prospective young hurdler Wasabi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
particularly looking forward to seeing Indira back in action for the Severn
Crossing Partnership in the coming week after her promising runner-up finish on
debut a few weeks ago. Wasabi has been schooling away and will do more of that
over the next month ahead of her first hurdles outing
for Tony and Rebecca Fordham. The Vicarage family’s much-loved Zarosa will return
from her holiday at Colton Farm in a week or so, bringing with her my
soon-to-be two-year-old Delatite. They will be replaced at the farm by
Delatite’s brother Oscar, who is on an enforced three-month break following a
minor injury (if ever a horse has taught me about patience it is Oscar), and Russian Link, who will be aimed at hurdles next year and will
need to show an attitude to match the ability we know she possesses.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Roy
Rocket, owned by John with long-time supporters Larry and Iris McCarthy, is
back in work, and his little sister So Much Water has recently been broken in.
We’ll also be welcoming the three sales yearlings back as two-year-olds in the spring. They have all been broken in and ridden for a short time and are now enjoying a deserved break at the respective owners' farms.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh880NWe6rAn2DtCL3u81t_EDK0ypaQGE020WegvjjT_mzRJAePdLcgnHzbeufGRw_xdGGQ5p-Tcho0XgBRRoohuYNCL15COB2c-n9moi4QOD7rqvp7c94j7-WfrvzieWgb-bJA/s1600/Ethics+Girl+WTK+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh880NWe6rAn2DtCL3u81t_EDK0ypaQGE020WegvjjT_mzRJAePdLcgnHzbeufGRw_xdGGQ5p-Tcho0XgBRRoohuYNCL15COB2c-n9moi4QOD7rqvp7c94j7-WfrvzieWgb-bJA/s320/Ethics+Girl+WTK+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethics Girl, the complete all-rounder, with Will Kennedy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some
favourite old faces are still with us, including the irrepressible Ethics Girl,
who is about to turn eight. She’s been here since she was a yearling and though
we know she’s no star in the wider world of racing, she is to us. She’s raced
52 times, for six wins and 16 places, with victories in the Brighton Cup and
Hambleton Cup. Above her obvious willingness to compete, however, is the fact
that she is simply such an adorable creature in every respect. She’s kind,
enthusiastic, tough, tiny and straightforward. Quite simply, we all love her.
We’re very glad she’s still around and we’re immensely grateful to her owners
Lawrence Wadey, Bill Benter and Gerry Grimstone for their loyalty and support
over many years with a number of different horses.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H3jdEnJST_z4nIBNIp-VvfyzUrwDnyhIZJ8zqoUMbllxr7ah9xlJ4pEXO6p-Xt2Y7CHkurjl9ITa2QvHvLC_tKWmo4AQZt7JqfR957p8SegD_p5HG_Rm2fcVYrb0Lbfoit88/s1600/Gus+in+snow+Jan+2013+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H3jdEnJST_z4nIBNIp-VvfyzUrwDnyhIZJ8zqoUMbllxr7ah9xlJ4pEXO6p-Xt2Y7CHkurjl9ITa2QvHvLC_tKWmo4AQZt7JqfR957p8SegD_p5HG_Rm2fcVYrb0Lbfoit88/s320/Gus+in+snow+Jan+2013+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year from Gus and from us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
week there have been several high-profile reminders of how fragile
thoroughbreds are, with the loss of Black Caviar’s two-year-old half-brother ‘Jimmy’
to that cruel disease laminitis, and Silver Train and Piping Rock to the
equally cruel colic. These are just the ones we know about and they are a
reminder that every day you turn in and there has been no equine drama is a
good day.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
biggest hope when working with animals is that they all remain safe, well and
sound throughout the season. I hope that not just for our own horses, but for them all.
I’d like to say a special thank you to everyone who has supported this yard in myriad
ways over the last twelve months, and to wish you all a happy and peaceful new
year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And most importantly, happy birthday to all northern hemisphere thoroughbreds, and thank you for the unending joy you bring all fans of racing.</span></div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-34129427043618098062013-12-08T07:22:00.000-08:002013-12-08T08:56:52.521-08:00Extraordinary times<style>
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It’s been a long time between drinks as far as this blog is
concerned and I’m blaming a hectic sales season which has kept me very busy and
endlessly entertained.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dWsMeP24UG94Vwdzzp5Khl-6sBngYyERaKJzOJMDqCIc8T6V61gYtihJ4WPW7Ol8v7AqlwYC4d6vRHbdze-2e6mT2vyBQLxK_mkxgtcBnblC6RuIHbrKq70eC3SRPwnec0B4/s1600/5+mill+top+lot+Galileo+ex+Alluring+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dWsMeP24UG94Vwdzzp5Khl-6sBngYyERaKJzOJMDqCIc8T6V61gYtihJ4WPW7Ol8v7AqlwYC4d6vRHbdze-2e6mT2vyBQLxK_mkxgtcBnblC6RuIHbrKq70eC3SRPwnec0B4/s320/5+mill+top+lot+Galileo+ex+Alluring+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 5 million guineas sister to Oaks winner Was</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Deauville in August now seems a distant memory but the Arqana Sale gave a
strong hint at what was to come with four yearlings selling for €1 million or
more – two by Dubawi and two by Galileo. The real excitement was saved for Park Paddocks in October and no sooner had
Newsells Park Stud’s Galileo colt out of Shastye set a new European yearling
record at 3.6 million guineas than he was trumped by the sister to Oaks winner
Was, who, less than 24 hours later, sold for 5 million guineas to Sheikh Joaan.</div>
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The strength of the yearling sales inevitably led to strong
foal sales, and for the last three weeks I’ve been following the action at
Goffs and Tattersalls. With Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder going to press
this week I had to sidestep Arqana’s December Sale, which is just as well as
the grim sales bug has me well and truly in its grip and I’ve spent the last
few days in bed trying to shake it off.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfjerUksXpO17rGoXEEZMYRlcm4Q8iM5qF4EzY-34lJ-u9pJdl049DqwvZvpLGaAuQCAULcmwrbWQr-11lil7pnWKAzRzRm19LvPVg4re7S50NpsfN_NXu6gaTR_Fk3cdx2J0/s1600/Liam+Norris+and+William+Huntingdon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfjerUksXpO17rGoXEEZMYRlcm4Q8iM5qF4EzY-34lJ-u9pJdl049DqwvZvpLGaAuQCAULcmwrbWQr-11lil7pnWKAzRzRm19LvPVg4re7S50NpsfN_NXu6gaTR_Fk3cdx2J0/s320/Liam+Norris+and+William+Huntingdon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liam Norris and William Huntingdon in action at Tatts</td></tr>
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Over the years, I've looked at
quite a lot of yearlings with John and, by that stage in a horse’s life, it’s easier to start
to see the future athlete emerge, in most cases anyway. One thing I’ve always
thought must be nigh on impossible is judging foals, so it was really
interesting – and educational – to spend some time at Goffs and Tattersalls
looking at foals with Liam Norris and William Huntingdon. The duo enjoyed a terrific yearling sale at Tattersalls, selling all of the previous year’s foals for
a profit through Clairemont Stud, which Liam runs with his wife Jenny.</div>
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I guess all good buyers of horses will tell you that first
and foremost it’s about the individual in front of you, so pinhookers will want
to see correct foals who walk well, but if you’re buying with next season’s
yearling sales in mind, thought must be given to stallion popularity and what
else might come through from the horse’s family in the meantime. There are
plenty of elements to consider and then of course luck must play its part too.</div>
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It was fascinating to watch Liam and William weigh up which
foals would and wouldn’t make their short-list – one filly by first-season sire
Dream Ahead was eventually purchased at Goffs with another six added at
Tattersalls – and I’ll be very interested to see how they fare next October.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX4X3GJL06R3mHFjbcM4Yl5aoIcGnrHv6KtqEUMF8lLuoF5fxolJVRjQT4q0CPHgq0aDf9INjfxcRAn3HSRK-Zh1YDjycX0c8ODeuL78B332e1t6CMJFNikKtpd0bfyNrmfVV/s1600/Liam+and+coloured+foal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX4X3GJL06R3mHFjbcM4Yl5aoIcGnrHv6KtqEUMF8lLuoF5fxolJVRjQT4q0CPHgq0aDf9INjfxcRAn3HSRK-Zh1YDjycX0c8ODeuL78B332e1t6CMJFNikKtpd0bfyNrmfVV/s400/Liam+and+coloured+foal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately I couldn't persuade Liam to buy the next Top Notch Tonto</td></tr>
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I first met William about 13 years ago when I was working
for Pacemaker and he was writing a column for the magazine. He’s a breath of
fresh air in the bloodstock world – someone who can hold forth on just about
any topic with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He also has a fairly wicked
sense of humour and loves a good wind-up, as I found out to my cost one evening
in Ireland. He and Liam make a great team – some might say odd couple – and I
can’t thank them both enough for their kindness and patience over the last few
weeks.</div>
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The evidence of how they work so well together was brought
to the fore last Monday when Dancing Rain sold for 4 million guineas at
Tattersalls, topping the first day and becoming the second-most expensive mare
of the sale after Immortal Verse set a new record at 4.7 million guineas on Tuesday. Dancing Rain had been bought by Liam and William as a yearling at Goffs
for €200,000 and raced in the colours of Martin and Lee Taylor, who also own
Clairemont Stud.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS4Bh7uLqU1b3ISVRjyrjgBKHJ3DjsoN8QvZ8ZJUIudclHo8Nq0HOZiZdOviR4wZnHmhuw_Zb_cg7t3zKFy40u0N0K-pGiitmHenQ0KkAdiUtn_E9DjRWKuiRkBiibtRAhCVR/s1600/Dancing+Rain+and+Jenny+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS4Bh7uLqU1b3ISVRjyrjgBKHJ3DjsoN8QvZ8ZJUIudclHo8Nq0HOZiZdOviR4wZnHmhuw_Zb_cg7t3zKFy40u0N0K-pGiitmHenQ0KkAdiUtn_E9DjRWKuiRkBiibtRAhCVR/s400/Dancing+Rain+and+Jenny+sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny Norris with her pride and joy Dancing Rain at Tattersalls</td></tr>
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The excitement surrounding the dual Oaks winner’s appearance in the
ring at Tatts had been building ever since it was announced in August that she
was to be sold. Dancing Rain retired at the end of last season and left William
Haggas’s yard to take up residence at Clairemont on Christmas Eve. Since then
she has been covered by Frankel, yet another factor which added to the intense
scrutiny surrounding her in the weeks leading up to the December Sale.</div>
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It was a pleasure last February to be part of a 90-minute
programme about Frankel on BBC 5 Live as the covering season started. The
station then followed up with bulletins before and after Dancing Rain sold,
with Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland also phoning for a comment on the day after
her sale. It’s rare for racing to be given much coverage in the mainstream
media so it was quite a coup for bloodstock to get in on the action – testament
really to how much we owe Frankel. His allure is still far-reaching even
more than a year after retirement, but then so is that of Dancing Rain, who packed the ring to bursting point on Monday. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5yKrdSx3tbZVwU2Oo_PbmnoYL83VUrHGo906BKGiq1gQcBBOPPfMixcHK9Brr8H1R8Ix3AyY_0cuYKoUx4qF3cAbaIAZ0ntBsvXSs0A0G6pLzn_EArSMKI6yJiXXRGN8E6HN/s1600/Chicquita+at+Goffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5yKrdSx3tbZVwU2Oo_PbmnoYL83VUrHGo906BKGiq1gQcBBOPPfMixcHK9Brr8H1R8Ix3AyY_0cuYKoUx4qF3cAbaIAZ0ntBsvXSs0A0G6pLzn_EArSMKI6yJiXXRGN8E6HN/s320/Chicquita+at+Goffs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely Chicquita with the Castlebridge team at Goffs</td></tr>
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I’m sure that Jenny, Liam and everyone connected with the mare must have been feeling the pressure as the big day approached but
they didn't let it show and neither did Dancing Rain, who was beautifully presented by Jenny and Rachael and handled all the
attention like the superstar that she is. It’s surely not the last we’ll hear
of her, or of Clairemont Stud, which looks certain to become an increasingly
influential name, both as pinhookers and breeders, in the years to come.</div>
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Of course I can’t mention this extraordinary sales season
without reference to the Goffs November Sale, which was augmented by the Paulyn
Dispersal. Chicquita was the star, and rightly so, selling for €6 million to
Coolmore after a thrilling bidding duel between the Doyles and our own James
McHale. Well done to James for playing it so cool and good luck to Aidan
O’Brien in keeping Chicquita cool next season. I hope she can put her
waywardness behind her and that the Ballydoyle team can continue the brilliant
work started by Alain de Royer Dupre in bringing out the very best in this
talented and beautiful filly.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7_oO2zGagaiZedQgUN_1Iq8touHHvDrLuo191pnVs3kodbbWHnZHcc2AZR11riWWsvk9y5DQf2109Ug4YAJ0OAyspojIAIVMoYbzCUn8cVCC93-RFo7TXncRa1UZwlo0fJaD/s1600/Nancy+and+Tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7_oO2zGagaiZedQgUN_1Iq8touHHvDrLuo191pnVs3kodbbWHnZHcc2AZR11riWWsvk9y5DQf2109Ug4YAJ0OAyspojIAIVMoYbzCUn8cVCC93-RFo7TXncRa1UZwlo0fJaD/s400/Nancy+and+Tom.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some members of the press bench bond better than others</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One final sales credit must go to the really good team of people I work with on the press bench. My friend Nancy Sexton had to put up with sitting next to me every day at Tatts and Goffs and I had the pleasure of getting to know the knowledgeable Ryan McElligott at Goffs this year too. Ryan also had to sit next to me for six days straight through Goffs November and pretended not to mind my barrage of stupid questions. The rest of the Racing Post team work really hard too – Martin Stevens, Tom Pennington and Katherine Fidler – and they are just putting the finishing touches to the Bloodstock Review, which is a publication to look forward to every year. Then of course there's Carl Evans and Sally Duckett who graft away for the EBN, Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder and International Thoroughbred, plus the Tattersalls live sales reporter blog, which is done by Sally. It's a long old season but they are all a pleasure to work with. Ever since the much-missed sales reporter Ed Prosser left the bench to join the team at Keeneland, I've benefited from his departure by doing extra work for the TDN which has been great fun. They have a really enthusiastic team based in New Jersey and cover the racing and bloodstock world in great depth. It was great to meet and work with their new international editor Kelsey Riley this week at Tatts and she's continuing to do sterling work from Arqana's December Sale. I must also thank the excellent Sid Fernando, whose thoughts and analysis from the Kentucky sales are always worth reading in Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder.</div>
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On the home front, John’s been hard at work while I’ve been
swanning around. He’s been giving me increasingly bullish bulletins about Oscar
Bernadotte, who is coping very well with training since returning from an
injury sustained in his bumper debut in February. I’m nervously pencilling in
December 22 for his reappearance on the track, in a bumper at Lingfield. He’s
my first homebred so hopes have been running very high for a long time, even if
expectation is well and truly in check.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qaBjr9mqS6qHUi4_0woJsOD6ZNvyMp1JdX0V-7BelnDh2eeUlK1gA8e2Lu0zZN3t-GK_q9jCg8FEu5GIkBBvR1au19U57QG3mEGfcG_wxlV9FmH4am9H_0aA-IaUA1dhbCjV/s1600/Timmy+and+Oscar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qaBjr9mqS6qHUi4_0woJsOD6ZNvyMp1JdX0V-7BelnDh2eeUlK1gA8e2Lu0zZN3t-GK_q9jCg8FEu5GIkBBvR1au19U57QG3mEGfcG_wxlV9FmH4am9H_0aA-IaUA1dhbCjV/s320/Timmy+and+Oscar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar, right, and Timmy. Picture by Nigel Goodenough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was a big blow to us to lose Grand Liaison to another
stable, especially as she’s won three times from this yard, but that’s part of
racing and we are very grateful to have had her here since her yearling days. She's made us all very proud and given us plenty of happy times. </div>
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In racing, as we all know, you have to take the good days with the bad, and this year it
feels like there’s been plenty more bad than good. Living among horses however means you have to keep getting
up (early) each day and looking forward. And there genuinely is always
something to look forward to, even if you’re not sure some days quite what that
is. For me at the moment, it’s Oscar in the short term and then, next spring, I
can't wait to welcome back the yearling fillies from this year to see how
they’re blossoming as two-year-olds. Watching the early stages of a young
horse’s training is always a joy and I’m really looking forward to seeing the
class of 2013 progress, including, of course, John’s Le Havre homebred So Much
Water, who already looks like a cheeky little minx.
</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panto's special privileges include breakfast outdoors with his canine friends</td></tr>
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One final thought, especially because I can rarely post a
blog without mentioning him, is for my very special horse Panto. One thing I’ve always
struggled to come to terms with in a racing stable is the coming and going of
horses you’ve grown to love. The coming is fine, of course, it’s the going
that’s unbearable. </div>
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Panto’s been with me now since 2006 and, having come so
close to losing him last year, no matter what else happens in any day, I
consider it to have ended well if I can spend a few minutes in his stable when
I give him his last feed before I go to bed. I can’t ask for more in life than
the sound of him quietly munching and looking so well while
knowing that nobody can take him away from me. It's the recipe for a good night’s
sleep.</div>
Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33648958.post-28077502734175457402013-08-25T05:21:00.004-07:002013-08-25T06:55:15.861-07:00It started with a kiss<style>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason proposes to Lauren</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">There are daily reminders of how hard it is
to compete in horse racing, even in the lower echelons. It’s not just Group
races that are dominated by horses running for sheikhs and princes, but maidens
and handicaps, too. We keep trying, however, and results such as the 80-1 winner for Ilka Gansera-Leveque’s small stable on
Friday at Newmarket – beating the favourite, a Godolphin colt by Raven’s Pass
out of Classic winner Zanzibar, by a nose – prove that it's all worthwhile.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The next day at Newmarket it was the turn
of our small stable to enjoy another memorable day at our local track on one of
our favourite days of the year – Town Plate day. The race probably
passes many people by but it is the oldest in the calendar, albeit not
run under the rules of racing. The Newmarket Town Plate was established in 1666 by Charles
II, a winner of the race himself who decreed that it should be run forever.
Yesterday’s renewal was the 344th running, so a few must have been
missed since the inaugural year, presumably during war time. The original
October slot has since been moved to late August but it is to the credit of
Newmarket Racecourses (and sponsors Powters and Goldings) that it has upheld the tradition of this famous and
historic race for amateur riders who race not for money but for glory, honour and, er, sausages.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It's not exaggerating to say that it was the happiest day of my life when
Kadouchski, owned, trained and ridden by John, was the 25-length winner of the race two years ago and
while that wonderful afternoon is unlikely ever to be bettered, the events of
yesterday came close to matching it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXjHnPFBnMuq_qnjtWwU7rYMcoBWtdLcay3bc2ccoVD2F3d3EkMB2GU9ohMfJzQshIwfgsYPEUvSIo-edFFb8XUM4kTiauBz0_PYl3JRnXbX4_lNCjSR0oUe5Wo5xxw1G-s_w/s1600/Lauren+Jason+FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXjHnPFBnMuq_qnjtWwU7rYMcoBWtdLcay3bc2ccoVD2F3d3EkMB2GU9ohMfJzQshIwfgsYPEUvSIo-edFFb8XUM4kTiauBz0_PYl3JRnXbX4_lNCjSR0oUe5Wo5xxw1G-s_w/s320/Lauren+Jason+FB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She said yes</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">A few months ago, John received an email
from Jason Carver, an amateur rider who had ridden in the Kiplingcotes Derby
and who was keen to follow that up with a spin in the Town Plate on a
thoroughbred filly he had owned since she was a yearling. John offered Jason a
little advice and the two kept in touch. More recently we heard from Jason
again with the sad news that his Kyllachy filly had been seriously injured and
that he was off to Doncaster’s August Sale with the hope of finding himself a
replacement mount.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Jason spent around 70
hours studying the catalogue and it was time well spent as, just 18 days before
the race, he came away from Doncaster with a beautiful nine-year-old gelding by the name of
Start Me Up, who had won five races for Charlie Swan in Ireland, having raced
for Timmy Hyde then Gigginstown House Stud.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to post</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Jason decided to send Start Me Up to John
to train for the fortnight leading up to the Town Plate. The horse came here in
great shape and Jason’s commitment was clear – every day he made the two-hour
journey from his home to Newmarket to ride his new horse. Start Me Up quickly
slotted into our routine and took to his new training regime on Newmarket Heath like an old pro.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Come race day it was hard to tell who was
more nervous, Jason or John. Jason admitted in the horsebox on the way to the
racecourse that he felt it was the biggest day of his life but even then I’m
not sure he realised how prophetic that statement would turn out to be.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">As the Town Plate jockeys filed into the
parade ring, Jason went over to his friend Chris and took something from his
pocket. In a flash, he was down on one knee and proposing to his girlfriend
Lauren Bentley, who had dressed in Jason’s blue and yellow racing colours for
the day. She didn't really have time for the proposal to sink in before her new
fiancé was legged aboard Start Me Up to make his way to post for the marathon
three and three-quarter mile race.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start Me Up and Jason Carver win the 344th Town Plate</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">For someone having his first ride on a
racecourse, Jason could not have been more professional in his deployment of race tactics. He had Start Me Up switched off in the middle of the pack as the runners galloped
through the National Stud and by the time the field reappeared at the top of
the July Course he was in an attacking position, shadowing the leaders. Making
a positive move with more than a mile still to run, Jason nudged Start Me Up
into the lead and from then on he was never headed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dear old horse kept finding more down the
long, undulating straight and, challenged close home, he dug deeper still to go
clear again and win by a comfortable couple of lengths. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">As ever with racing, a happy tale comes on
the back of a sad one and, just a week before the race, Jason lost his Kyllachy
filly after she failed to respond to treatment for her tendon injury. It hit
him hard and of course we all wanted Start Me Up to run well for Jason
but I’m not sure any of us had let ourselves hope that he might win. The
determination, judgement and commitment shown by Jason in choosing this lovely
horse and sticking to his game plan even in adversity is an example to us all.
His great victory a just reward for pursuing his dream.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKM4gb9iGhDAPqOH__xRrPUthoXklttkcI_Nrc7wCCKZeJ0tCMO74QniDOIm5sBPC6KCGqZ7eBtom62y9EXuI3geLAolpQSOVtOS8vLUZ-1LFM4eTDdUutolQceG26m0dwwdj/s1600/1173783_10151672016512655_521586936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKM4gb9iGhDAPqOH__xRrPUthoXklttkcI_Nrc7wCCKZeJ0tCMO74QniDOIm5sBPC6KCGqZ7eBtom62y9EXuI3geLAolpQSOVtOS8vLUZ-1LFM4eTDdUutolQceG26m0dwwdj/s320/1173783_10151672016512655_521586936_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very happy team (photo by Michael Smithson)</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I’m also really proud of the team here for
the part they played in Jason’s big day – John, Hugh, Terri and Iva all
contributed to helping to build Jason’s confidence in his new partnership with
Start Me Up and looked after the horse so well for him. Suzy Quirke, our new
friend from Dublin who was taking a break from riding out for John Oxx to spend
two weeks with us, walked the course with Jason the day before the race and was
a brilliant help to us and to Jason.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">All that remains is for us to wish Jason
and Lauren a very happy life together and to look forward to the return of
Start Me Up at Christmas after a well-earned holiday. Next stop Cheltenham and
the St Patrick’s Day Derby!</span></div>
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Emma Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01403915446653466600noreply@blogger.com1