Say hello to the new boys!

I woke up on Monday morning with a spring in my step last week just like it was Christmas Day...in fact it was even better as it was more like Christmas week! Like the festivities though, sales week at Tattersalls isn't without stress as preparation had begun months before with lots of research into which horses are suitable to buy and which ones to avoid. I was lucky enough to have orders to buy four different horses and managed to come away with everyone happy.

We have always done well with buying horses from the Juddmonte dispersal but it has become harder and harder to get value as others realise that they are a great place to buy from. I was getting a bit worried as the early lots went for ridiculously high amounts of money but struck lucky as the one I wanted came within budget. One of my best horses was one called Rapid City who won five races in just a few months before running in all the top handicaps. He was bought from Juddmonte and this year his brother Dakota City was in the sale. He has just had two runs in France where he showed great promise and he looks a horse with massive potential. He is a fine looking animal and is one of the biggest in the yard who could develop into absolutely anything.
He was bought for the Good Company Partnership as the replacement for No Such Number who was sold a few months ago, however, there are still two shares still available if you wish to join this friendly and enthusiastic syndicate. A 10% share costs £1500 with £200 per month all inclusive training fees. Email me at juliafeilden@aol.com for more info!

Dakota City

The second new face in the yard came from David Barron's yard in Yorkshire. Guising was promising in the early part of his career before losing his way a little and his ex-trainer said a change of scenery would perk him right up. He was bought by Carol Bushnell with the aim of her riding him in the Newmarket Town Plate next August. He'll run before then though and can hopefully win a few other races.

Carol gets a feel of her new purchase Guising!

Also in need of a change of scenery is fellow new boy Sabre Rock. He is a maiden four year old but has only had ten runs and actually finished third at Kempton the night before he was sold. His new owner has had his eye on him for a while and thinks he could be one to follow in the right races. He's a massive horse and by top sire Dubawi so I hope he's right!

Sabre Rock

The final arrival is pretty hard to miss as he is a big grey called Tight Lipped. Like Guising, his former trainer said a change of scenery should get him back to form and he is now well handicapped. He will be running in the colours of Dick Creese and can hopefully provide him with many great days ahead.

Tight Lipped (Ross)

We haven't had too many runners over the last month or so but the ones who returned to the track this week did really well and hopefully it's a sign that a winner or two is just around the corner.

Meddling came back from her summer holiday with a fine third at Lingfield. She hit the front turning for home before just getting collared late on. We have found the key to her now and she should be in for a successful winter season.

We weren't expecting much from Handheld at Newmarket on Friday as he was very high in the handicap but, despite his high weight and the firm ground, he ran a mighty race, just losing out by a head to come in second place. He is such a fun horse for the Newmarket Equine Tours racing club and may have one more run before enjoying a well-earned holiday.

Handheld (red) just loses out at Newmarket

As I said, hopefully a winner won't be far away and we have some good chances coming up.
Avidly has run her best races on the all-weather and never got a run through last time. George Baker seems to get the best out of her and, if she gets lucky with her hold-up style,  I expect her to be in the money at Kempton on Tuesday.
Don't has undergone a wind operation to help her breathing and Tuesday will be the acid test to see if it has worked. She seems to be galloping a lot better at home now but you just can't tell if, when under maximum pressure, her breathing will be good enough. She has lots of ability and is more than capable of winning a race like this.

Avidly (Tess) & Don't (Shelley)

The Ducking Stool needs no introduction and has had a fine season, rarely finishing out of the prize money. She heads to Nottingham on Wednesday for what will probably be her last run of the year. She is in fantastic form and, although the 1m2f trip is a bit on the short side, she should do herself proud once again.
Also entered that day is Sadiigah. She ran with promise on her return from injury but then disappointed last time. Soft ground on the turf should suit her so a return to form could be possible.

The Ducking Stool (Ross)

With the clocks going back last weekend, the evenings get dark pretty quickly so we've had to invest in a high-viz jacket for little Royston!

Be safe, be seen: Royston