Spoilt rotten (I wish!)

Apologies for the late blog but Mothering Sunday was a busy one for me and unfortunately it wasn't because I was getting pampered by the kids! Instead we had two runners at Doncaster and it was great to be back racing on the turf. It also made a refreshing change to go to the races sand see a big crowd as you are so used seeing just one man and his dog at all-weather meetings. It definitely makes the job feel more enjoyable when there's are loads of people having a great day out.
Handheld ran a blinder on his first run of the year to finish third in a big-field handicap. He is a pleasure to train and gives his all every time. He was the first runner for the new N.E.T. Racing Club - for just £180 a year you can be part of it and cheer the club's four horses home. If this debut was anything to go by, it won't be too long before we're in the winner's enclosure.
Candesta also went to Donny that day and, after thinking he would like some soft ground, it turns out he probably doesn't. He is such a big horse you'd think he would like some cut but he couldn't get his feet moving quick enough.
Silver Alliance ran a cracker earlier in the week to finish second at Wolverhampton. It was his first run back after a winter holiday so it was a step in the right direction and he should be in for a good year.


Silver Alliance & Handheld chill out at the weekend

 

Kicking off  this week's runners is No Such Number at Southwell. I put him in the race because there were few runners and he went well at the track on the only time he tried it. He is in the grips of the handicapper a bit but he usually runs an honest race so it wouldn't surprise me to see him in with a chance.

Veeraya heads to Lingfield the following day and we'll be trying something new with him as he's running over 1m2f. He has been in great form over one mile recently but we feel he is worth a shot over further and hopefully his extra speed should be an advantage in the finish. He isn't a keen horse so he should settle and that will help him get the extra trip.

Veeraya & Automotive lead the string home

 

With a bit of a lull in the fixture list, we've got a few horses who are just being kept ticking over until suitable races arrive. It happens every year - the turf season starts but you have to wait a week or two before there are any turf fixtures.

Attain (Reno)

Tiger's Home (Graham)

Honeymoon Express (Ryan)

Rounding off the runners on Thursday is Previous Acclaim at Lingfield. She was desperately unlucky not to win at the track the time before last and I hope this will be a similar race. She isn't a world beater but tries her heart out so winning a race shouldn't be too hard.

Previous Acclaim (Ross), Italia (Adam), Celestine Abbey (Shelley)

The turf is back!!

The new turf season finally kicks off again next weekend and I'm delighted to have two runners heading to Doncaster for the opening meeting.
We also had Luhaif entered in the valuable Lincoln handicap there but his recent efforts have suggested that one mile is a bit too short for him so we'll be upping him in trip next time.
The pair who will be racing on the green stuff on Sunday are both in great form but could do with the ground riding on the soft side, something which looks unlikely with the dryish forecast.
Handheld has been kept fit leading the babies all winter without running as he isn't as good on the all-weather but he is in great form ahead of his return to action. He won two races last year on soft ground and that really is the key to him so we had better hope the heavens open.
Also wanting some rain is Candesta. He has shown promise in three maidens and goes handicapping off a competitive mark but he is a big, strong galloper who hits the ground hard so the softer the ground, the better for him.

Bethan (Danny), Candesta (Ross) & Honeymoon Express (Ryan)

 

Before that, we have quite a busy week with runners almost everyday, kicking off on Tuesday with Sheila's Heart at Southwell. He ran a great race to finish second at the course last time and another place looks to be on the cards. There are a couple in the race who could be useful but he tries and acts on the unique surface so they have more to prove than he does.
We're back at Southwell the following day when Bethan hits the track. She too was a runner-up there last time and it seems she is finally getting the hang of this racing game. She is in good form so should be in the shake-up at the business end.
Avidly is entered at Kempton on the same day too but may not run as there are better options for her in the future.

Handheld (Graham)

 

Of the horses who enjoyed a long winter break, Silver Alliance will be the first to run as he has come to hand very quickly and there is an ideal race for him at Wolverhampton on Thursday. The grey boy has come back with a real spring in his step and he put in a fantastic gallop on Saturday. He isn't 100% fit yet but he is definitely ready to win so fingers crossed for a good comeback.
Meddling is another down to run on Thursday but at Southwell. There were very few entries in the race as it is for fillies only so I thought it would be worth a shot. She prefers left-handed tracks which Southwell is. The only uncertainty is the surface but we will only find out by running on it.

Silver Alliance (Shelley)

 

Automotive is another who had the winter off and he too is back better than ever. He was starting to get the hang of winning last year and he seems a lot calmer this season. There's a good starting point for him on April 9th and it should build up to a good year for him.

Veeraya (Shelley) & Automotive (Ross)

 

Completing a busy week are No Such Number and Avidly on Friday. I've put Number in a race at Wolverhampton because there were few entries so it may turn out to be a weak race. He is fine after his run over hurdles last time.
Avidly too was a late entrant due to a lack of entries at Lingfield. It is a maiden but she will probably be the highest rated so they've all got her to beat according to the figures.

We've got five two-year olds this term and already some are showing themselves to be more ready than others. Our first runner looks set to be Italia at Windsor in a few weeks' time and she is acting very professionally and doing all her work easily. She is bred to be an early type and looks likely to be one.

Celestine Abbey (Ryan) & Italia (Shelley)

 

There have been lots of people joining the new racing club which is great to see. It really is phenomenal what you get for £180 - the club has four decent horses in The Ducking Stool, Tiger's Home, Handheld and Previous Acclaim. They will be running plenty at a variety of tracks so you'll get your money back through free admission alone! They all look like winners too so there is plenty of excitement to be had too!
You can email me at juliafeilden@aol.com for more details.

New Racing Club Launched

What a great week of action it was at the Cheltenham Festival. My highlight was undoubtedly seeing Gary Moore train his biggest winner to date when Sire De Grugy won the Queen Mother Champion Chase. I grew up with Gary in Brighton and we used to ride ponies together as kids so I have always got on great with him and a true grafter like him deserves all the success he gets.
We got into the Festival spirit at home by running a tipping competition amongst the staff for every race at the meeting. It was surprising how many winners we managed to get, if only we had backed them all! Well done to Graham who had a good third day and managed to hold off Reno in a close finale.

Our only jumper in the yard, No Such Number, didn't go to Cheltenham but headed to Kempton on Saturday. He was going fine before weakening rapidly three hurdles from home with no obvious excuse. I think this race may have come a bit too soon for him though as he always runs well fresh so the effort hasn't disappointed me too much and he'll be back.

There are no runners until Wednesday for us when Amelia George goes to Kempton. She was very green on her debut and I expect she will need this run again. She'll be better off in handicaps in a few months' time.

Amelia George (Adam) & Handheld (Shelley)

 

The only other runner this week comes in the form of Luhaif at Lingfield on Saturday. It's a valuable race at a track he seems to run well at so it is definitely worth a try. He has to make the running so it is hard to guess how he'll go but he seems in good form at home.
Silver Alliance has now done a couple of bits of work and looks set to make his reappearance at Wolverhampton later in the month. He has been quite quick to come to hand and is still loving the job so he should be in for a good time.
Candesta too has a target at the end of the month when he tackles a 1m4f handicap at Doncaster. He'll appreciate the switch to turf but wouldn't want the ground too firm.

Luhaif (Ross), Candesta (Shelley) & Silver Alliance (Reno)

 

Vastly hasn't run since winning a few weeks ago but I'm keeping him fresh for an apprentice race at the Lincoln meeting. All his best form has been on the all-weather but I think he is equally as good on the turf but hasn't had any luck the three times he has run on it recently.

Honeymoon Express accompanied Vastly up the grass and she has thrived for her winter break. She ended last year on a high with two wins before the ground went too soft for her. She's rated pretty high now but seems to still  be improving so she really could be anything this season. 

Veeraya (Danny), Honeymoon Express (Ryan) & Vastly (Graham)

 

Two more who are returning from winter holidays are Automotive and The Ducking Stool. Ducky is her usual good self and will make her return at her beloved Yarmouth for the Easter meeting there. Automotive has really strengthened up and seems to be acting a bit more normal nowadays. He has always had a lot of ability so hopefully this year he'll be inclined to show it a bit more often on the racetrack!


Automotive (Ross) & The Ducking Stool (Reno)

 

Also enjoying their first gallops of the year were Sadiigah and Bushy Glade. Bushy was very weak as a two year old but has put on a good bit of weight over the winter and seems to be going a lot better too. Sadiigah came to us from Clive Brittain's over the festive period and since then she has done nothing but please me. She looks to be a sprinter but some more work will reveal more.

Sadiigah (Graham) & Bushy Glade (Danny)

 

Opus Too is another who seems to have improved since last year and he is going a bit faster now. He has been suffering with a cough recently though so that will hold him back a week or too.

 

 

Unfortunately our association with the Hoofbeats Racing Club has come to an end but due to high demand, I'm going to run a similar syndicate of my own.
For £180 a year, you will become a member of the Newmarket Equine Tours Racing Club which will have four horses, including The Ducking Stool, Handheld, Previous Acclaim and Tiger's Home.
This is an exciting group of horses with old stalwarts like Ducking and Handheld with exciting prospects like Previous and Tiger. They will all be kept busy through the season and look sure to win at tracks across the country.
As a member you will get 12 months' rolling membership to the Club, monthly yard visits to see your horses at exercise as well as free badges to the races when they run.
If you are interested, please email me for more information: hoofbeatstours@aol.com

Baking in the sun

It has been great to see how many entries we've had for this season's Three to Follow competition with just under 100 entered including some names which are new to me so it's encouraging to see we have some fans out there! All of you who chose No Such Number have one point on the board already after his third at Southwell last week and I'm confident that won't be the only point he collects this year.
After he won first time out over hurdles in December, we have been waiting for some decent ground to run Number over the obstacles again but, after the wettest winter in record, that ideal ground never came. However, with the sun now shining and a healthy weather forecast, it looks like he'll be back jumping again on Saturday at Kempton. He's been kept fit by running on the flat and hopefully all the good horses will have run at Cheltenham during the week so he should go there with a great chance.

One horse who wouldn't mind a wet summer as she loves heavy ground is Bethan. She has been enjoying the surface at Southwell recently so we're heading back there on Tuesday with her. She is still learning with every run but put in a really good piece of work on Wednesday so maybe she is still improving.

Bethan (Adam) & Meddling (Ross)

 

The following day at Kempton we have Meddling. She really thrived on the step up in trip last time and, given a decent pace, she could have won. She has come out of that race in good order and it won't be long before she loses her maiden tag as I think she is well handicapped.

It took Attain 23 runs to finally get his head in front and then when he did, the handicapper decided to put him up 8lbs in the weights so life was obviously going to be tough for him. He seemed to run very flat last time so I hope a little break has freshened him up. He worked well on Saturday and has won at Wolverhampton where he heads to on Friday.
Going with him will be Previous Acclaim. She was desperately unlucky not to win last time and I'm keen to get her out again whilst the races in her grade are quite weak. She is no superstar but tries her heart out and that is half the battle with racehorses.

Attain (Graham)

 

Candesta is a horse I'm really excited about this season. He has shown promise in three maidens, two of them for us, and I think he is the type to excel when switching to the turf. There's a nice race for him on the opening meeting of the season at Doncaster at the end of the month so I'll keep him fresh for then. He is a real galloper and will thrive over longer trips plus a bit of cut in the ground wouldn't hurt him.

Candesta (Danny)

 

The horses who had a break over the winter are really stepping up their work now and a couple of them did a steady gallop on Saturday.
Silver Alliance had a great time of it last year with three wins and he has thrived over the winter. He looks a lot stronger now and we know what his likes and dislikes are so hopefully he'll be in for another successful season.

Handheld (Danny) & Silver Alliance (Reno)

 

The Ducking Stool has plenty of fans and she is looking good for her comeback. She loves Yarmouth with five wins there and, if all goes to plan, she'll be making her reappearance there in early April. She is a pleasure to train and our apprentice jockey Shelley Birkett gets on really well with her so I'm hoping they can get another hat-trick of victories again in 2014.

The Ducking Stool (Ryan)

 

Our staff like to get competitive over anything, whether it be over who can run the fastest or who can guess how a horse will run the best, and this week their attentions turned to seeing who could bake the best.

The Great Feilden Bake Off commenced on Monday with a top-notch rainbow cake from Shelley. She said it took her three hours to make and it certainly looked the part but was let down by being a bit sickly. She scored well though and set a high benchmark for the others.

 

On Tuesday, Reno baked his first ever cake. The sob story seemed to worked as he scored pretty well considering, but it was a decent cake, nicely presented.

The following day, Danny too lost his baking maiden tag with a tasty chocolate cake. Maybe some tactical voting cost him as it didn't really get the points it deserved but he scored enough to tie with Reno.

 

And finally, Ross pulled out all the stops with his topical Cheltenham cake. The presentation certainly caught everyone's eye and the judges seemed to be impressed with the taste too as he topped the leader board and walked away with the bake off title. It is still unclear whether the threat of redundancy to the rest of the staff caused this high marking. The stewards' enquiry is still on going!

Last chance to enter Three To Follow

We had just the two runners last week and they both showed the string to be in great form with another consistent third place from Veeraya whilst Previous Acclaim was robbed on the line at Lingfield earlier in the week.
The all-weather string have done themselves proud over the winter and most of them will continue into the new turf season which starts in just four weeks' time. Hopefully their race fitness will be an advantage in the first few races on grass.

We only have one hurdler in the yard at the moment and he is unbeaten over the obstacles so I can't complain too much but it has been very frustrating that we haven't been able to run No Such Number since his debut win because of the constant soft ground around the country over the last few months. As a result, we're having to run him on the all-weather and, although I think he's capable of winning on the sand, he hasn't shown great form on it yet. We're trying something new on Tuesday by testing him at Southwell which has its own unique surface. Number is a big galloper so should be suited by the place but you really don't know if you're horse will act on the track until you run there.

Omega Omega may be another to go hurdling should she show nothing at Southwell on Tuesday. She has hit the goal post a few times but can't seem to score that first win. She tries hard but just lacks another gear in the finish. We haven't even tried to jump her yet but it is definitely an option in the not too distant future.

No Such Number (Reno) & Omega Omega (Graham)

 

We've just got three runners this week and completing the trio is Avidly at Lingfield on Wednesday. She has shown some fine form in maidens but has been hit hard by the handicapper with a rating of 73 so it remains to be seen whether she is up to this kind of mark as it will be her first try in a handicap. She does have a lot of ability but a few quirks too so if she does put her best foot forward, hopefully she will be thereabouts at the business end.

Avidly (Shelley) & Handheld (Ross)

 

Our apprentice jockey Shelley Birkett usually rides Avidly and she's pretty gutted not to be in the saddle this time as she has to spend all week at the British Racing School in Newmarket, She will be part of an elite group of apprentices, including rising star Oisin Murphy, and they'll be put through their paces by former jockey Richard Perham. It's a shame she is missing a few rides but the course is compulsory and it will no doubt improve her riding.
We have a more than capable deputy in Adam Beschizza who has had a really good winter, riding plenty of winners and knows our horses well as he comes in to ride work twice a week.

Sheila's Heart (Ryan)

 

 

We now have well over 50 entries in the Three to Follow competition and this is your last chance to enter as the points can be earned from today. Anyone who has selected this week's runners could head straight to the top of the leaderboard should their selections run into the places.

So for one final time, here's  a recap of the rules and how to enter:

You pick three of our horses to follow for the season March 1st - December 20th and each horse will earn points for finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any race.

One horse must be chosen from POOL A (two-year & three year olds) whilst two horses are chosen from POOL B (older horses).

All turf, all-weather & jumps races count so pick the horses that you think will earn you the most points throughout the year!

Once you've chosen, email your 'Three to Follow' to Ross at rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk

It's free to enter and there's a £100 prize to the winner so it would be stupid not to enter!

POOL A PICK ONE
Duke of Diamonds, Opus Two, Captain Navarre, Previous Acclaim, Italia, Celestine Abbey, Mercy Me, Bushy Glade, Tolly McGuinness.

POOL B PICK TWO
Honeymoon Express, Candesta, Silver Alliance, No Such Number, Sheila's Heart, Avidly, Meddling, Luhaif, Vastly, Automotive, Attain, The Ducking Stool, Bethan, Veeraya, Omega Omega, Amelia George, Handheld, Sadiigah, Tiger's Home.


GOOD LUCK!!!