The best care on the track and off it

When you look after and see the horses day in, day out, they do become almost like close friends as you get to know their individual personalities and appreciate the effort they go to just to please us humans. When we feel we have seen the best of one of our horses, if they have no potential to further their racing career, we always try to find them the best home to live a happy second career after racing. These new careers can vary from just being a pony to someone or learning a new trade such as polo or dressage. I was chuffed to be able to catch up this week with one of my best horses - Spirit of Sharjah - who is now living a happy retirement with the British Racing School's jockey coach Richard Perham. Richard used to ride Spirit out when he was in training and the pair formed a great bond and Richard was more than happy to take Spirit on when injury forced his retirement. As you can see, they have both done well with age(!) and were enjoying a day's hunting when I caught up with them.

Spirit of Sharjah and Richard

It seems appropriate to mention the retirement this week of one of our longest-serving residents as Automotive bows out. He has been exhilarating and frustrating in equal measures since we bought him five years ago but his quirks were worth putting up with when he was on a going day at the races. My favourite memory of him was the day when he bolted up in a valuable handicap at Goodwood 15 minutes after Honeymoon Express won at Yarmouth. I think the crowd at Goodwood could hear us cheering from the other track! He retires uninjured but a great home became available for him and it was too good a place to miss. He will be moving to Tuddenham tomorrow and will live the rest of his life very happily as a riding horse.

Automotive winning at Goodwood

I do feel we did really well with Automotive throughout his career and got him to win races that other people would not have been able to. That's what we try to do with every horse and it's what we'll be hoping to do with this week's runners.
On Tuesday. Candesta goes to Lingfield. The one mile trip is a bit short for him but it is a very low grade apprentice race and it was too weak a race to miss. He may struggle for speed early on but hopefully he can stay on at the finish.
Then on Friday, we have another couple of runners at Lingfield. Vastly seems better in claimers than handicaps nowadays as the smaller fields mean he can get in front and lead. He is as well as ever and has some good course form.
Serendib's Glory will find things a lot easier in handicaps now and hopefully she can start to get competitive.

There have been plenty of photos of the two-year olds but one which has escaped the camera so far is Sunset Bounty. She is coming along well with the others and looks the type to hit the course from summer onwards.

Sunset Bounty (Liam)

Two babies who I hope will be hitting the track early are Secret Ballerina and Mungo Madness. They both look the types to be sharp and precocious and, although still a bit immature, they are showing good speed on the gallops.

Secret Ballerina (Adam) & Mungo Madness (Liam)

This is the first year where we have had two separate all-weather and turf squads to keep us busy and, after a great winter with the all-weather horses, it is now the turn of the turf team to take up the mantle and they are gradually getting back to peak fitness. Here are a few of the them stretching their legs on the Cambridge Road polytrack yesterday:

Silver Alliance (Ross) & Moment To Dream (Nick)

Star of the Stage (Liam) & Dakota City (Adam)

Sabre Rock (Mark)

Go On Gal (Chloe)

Duke of Diamonds (Caitlin) & Little Orchid (Sam)

Thanks you for all the Three To Follow entries, Ross says we already have more than last year which is great to hear. The competition starts on Tuesday so this is your last reminder to get those selections in to earn maximum points! Here is a reminder of the entry process:

Our Three To Follow competition is always very popular and provides plenty of banter throughout the year as well as a cash prize to the winner. This year's edition will be the longest yet with a start date of March 1st and running up until December 1st.
The rules are simple: pick three horses from the two pools and watch them collect points throughout the season - 10 points for a win, 5 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd and (new for this year) your horse will get one point every time it runs and isn't placed. So choose wisely and look for tough and consistent horses who will be prolific points scorers!

POOL A (Two and three-year olds) PICK ONE HORSE
Mungo Madness 2 year old (by Sir Percy)
Our Cilla 2yo (Sixties Icon)
My Name Is Jeff 2yo (Mount Nelson)
Kemsing 3yo (Footstepsinthesand)
Champagne Reef 2yo (Literato)
Secret Ballerina 2yo (Sakhee's Secret)
Sunset Bounty 2yo (Bahamian Bounty)
Serendib's Glory 3yo (Holy Roman Emperor)
Architech 3yo (Archipenko)
Little Orchid 3yo (Observatory)
Go On Gal 3yo (Approve)
Big Bang 3yo (Observatory)

POOL B (Older horses) PICK TWO HORSES
Silver Alliance
Dark Diamond
Vastly
Limerick Lord
Veeraya
Star Of The Stage
Sabre Rock
Candesta
Dakota City
Attain
The Ducking Stool
Handheld
Harry Bosch
Moment To Dream
Duke Of Diamonds
Artbeat

Once you have made your mind up, email your three to rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk
Points will be collected from March 1st so don't wait too long!

The Rock returns, Kemsing rolls and Rita foals!

It has been a busy week at the yard with loads happening on the gallops, at the racetrack and even in the breeding shed!
I'm sure you'll agree though that one of the best sights is seeing our stable star, Sabre Rock, back in action after a long time off through injury. He has been a revelation since we bought him as a five-year old who had never won a race back in October 2014 for just 8,000gns. He quickly found his feet and won his first five races for us, narrowly missing out on the all-weather horse of the year prize on count-back. After this 5th win, he tweaked a tendon and was given plenty of time off. A year on, he is now steadily building back up to full fitness and I pray that he can stay in one piece and continue his rapid rise through the ranks.

Sabre Rock (Mark)

Along with Sabre, plenty of the other old favourites are making their way back to race fitness ahead of the new turf season. The Ducking Stool, Silver Alliance and Harry Bosch always win a race every year and they seem as happy as ever to be doing a bit of faster work now.

The Ducking Stool (Nick) & Silver Alliance (Caitlin)

Harry Bosch (Tess)

Moment To Dream and Little Orchid have both had a few runs for experience but have needed time to strengthen up and they both seem to have done very well for the winter break. They too are coming back to fighting fitness and will be ready for the new season.

Moment To Dream (Chloe)

Little Orchid (Sam)

I was delighted and somewhat relieved that Kemsing could continue our flying start to the year and make it six wins for the yard in 2016 with another Southwell success. I never enjoy having a horse who is a short-priced favourite as there always seems to be extra pressure but Shelley gave him another perfect ride to put his nose in front where it mattered. Kemsing has been another winter success story for us after we bought him for just 8,000gns in October having shown very little form for his previous trainer. This was his third win in four runs for us but it may be a bit harder next time for him as there aren't many more opportunities for him at Southwell so he will have to prove his form elsewhere.

Kemsing and Shelley record their 3rd victory this winter

Kemsing will be given an entry for Lingfield on Friday but we will wait and see how the handicapper reacts as it may not be worth running him under a penalty if he doesn't rise much in the handicap ratings.

Before that, we have a busy day on Monday with three runners. Starting at Wolverhampton, Dissertation bids to finally show the ability we know she has got. She has shown a much calmer attitude at home when wearing a hood so she will run in one this time and we will try to keep her away from the rest of the field as I get the feeling she is a bit claustrophobic. Luckily she has been drawn wide so this should be quite manageable. Along with her will be Vastly. He won at the course last time but he is hardly a regular winner so I couldn't guarantee he'll do it again even though he seems in great form at home.
Completing the trio is Attain at Lingfield. This was a rescheduled meeting after the jumps action was called off so it has been a bit of a hasty arrangement but he has always been in full work and is more than ready to run at a course he loves.

The two-year olds haven't put a foot wrong since starting their racehorse lives and they stepped it up another notch this weekend with a faster piece of work.
Secret Ballerina is bred to be precocious and she certainly looks it after going about her work very easily and showing lots of speed. The two-year old races don't start until April but she is likely to be our first representative. The others aren't far behind her though and have all been showing great attitudes.

Our Cilla (Adam), My Name Is Jeff (Caitlin) & Sunset Bounty (Liam)

Secret Ballerina (Chloe)  & Mungo Madness (Ross)

Finally, I had some great news after a rather disappointing evening at Chelmsford on Thursday when Northmore Stud in the village rang me to say that our old mare Bavarica had had her foal. After two boys, I was delighted to hear she had a filly this time and we went to see them both the following day. One-day old foals all look nice to me but the stud hands said this one was a lot bigger than the previous two so hopefully she can run quicker!

Bavarica and her one day old Cityscape filly

Thank you for all your Three To Follow entries that are already pouring in. If you haven't entered yet, don't hang around as points start getting collected from March 1st so don't miss out.
Here is a reminder of how to enter:
Our Three To Follow competition is always very popular and provides plenty of banter throughout the year as well as a cash prize to the winner. This year's edition will be the longest yet with a start date of March 1st and running up until December 1st.
The rules are simple: pick three horses from the two pools and watch them collect points throughout the season - 10 points for a win, 5 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd and (new for this year) your horse will get one point every time it runs and isn't placed. So choose wisely and look for tough and consistent horses who will be prolific points scorers!

POOL A (Two and three-year olds) PICK ONE HORSE
Mungo Madness 2 year old (by Sir Percy)
Our Cilla 2yo (Sixties Icon)
My Name Is Jeff 2yo (Mount Nelson)
Kemsing 3yo (Footstepsinthesand)
Champagne Reef 2yo (Literato)
Secret Ballerina 2yo (Sakhee's Secret)
Sunset Bounty 2yo (Bahamian Bounty)
Serendib's Glory 3yo (Holy Roman Emperor)
Architech 3yo (Archipenko)
Little Orchid 3yo (Observatory)
Go On Gal 3yo (Approve)
Big Bang 3yo (Observatory)

POOL B (Older horses) PICK TWO HORSES
Silver Alliance
Dark Diamond
Vastly
Dissertation
Limerick Lord
Veeraya
Star Of The Stage
Sabre Rock
Candesta
Dakota City
Automotive
Attain
The Ducking Stool
Handheld
Harry Bosch
Moment To Dream
Duke Of Diamonds
Artbeat

Once you have made your mind up, email your three to rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk
Points will be collected from March 1st so don't wait too long!

Plenty of love for Dakota!

John managed to find enough romance in himself to buy me a dozen red roses today but the best Valentine's Day gift I could have asked for was another winner and thankfully that came on Saturday night.
We were all a bit disappointed with Dakota City's defeat at Lingfield last time and felt he could have done better so Adam made amends and gave him a super, patient ride to use the horse's lethal burst of speed at the right time. Dakota is so laid back but he is turning into a progressive and exciting horse on the all-weather. It's always great to get a winner but it's even better when all the owners are there to share in the victory and thankfully we had a big bunch of happy faces present!

Dakota City and Adam win at Wolverhampton

Happy owners receiving their trophy

The yard has made a great start to the year and it would be fantastic to get a load of winners under the belt before our usual quieter period in the spring.
Looking to notch his second win of 2016 this week is Kemsing. He has really flourished since we bought him and made it 2/3 at Southwell when winning there last time. He returns to the track again on Tuesday and faces some of the same horses but with adjusted weights this time. He will need to improve to defy the weight rise but I still think there is more left in the tank.

Kemsing (Ross) & Star Of The Stage (Adam)

The following day Candesta goes to Kempton and I think he will appreciate the drop in grade after having to race in some classier company following his win at the track late last year. He is in great form at home and seems very happy so I hope he can regain some form again if in the mood.

Candesta (Caitlin)

Then we finish the week of runners off on Thursday with a couple at Chelmsford.
Limerick Lord won at Southwell in December but has looked a bit sick of the place in two runs since then so I'm hoping the change of track will help perk him up. He enjoys following a strong pace so hopefully he will get that here.

Limerick Lord

Also at Chelmsford is Serendib's Glory. She will be having her third run and will qualify for handicaps next time. She is improving with every run and will be one to watch later on in the year.

Serendib''s Glory (Chloe)

Thank you for all your Three To Follow entries that are already pouring in. If you haven't entered yet, don't hang around as points start getting collected from March 1st so don't miss out.
Here is a reminder of how to enter:
Our Three To Follow competition is always very popular and provides plenty of banter throughout the year as well as a cash prize to the winner. This year's edition will be the longest yet with a start date of March 1st and running up until December 1st.
The rules are simple: pick three horses from the two pools and watch them collect points throughout the season - 10 points for a win, 5 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd and (new for this year) your horse will get one point every time it runs and isn't placed. So choose wisely and look for tough and consistent horses who will be prolific points scorers!

POOL A (Two and three-year olds) PICK ONE HORSE
Mungo Madness 2 year old (by Sir Percy)
Our Cilla 2yo (Sixties Icon)
My Name Is Jeff 2yo (Mount Nelson)
Kemsing 3yo (Footstepsinthesand)
Champagne Reef 2yo (Literato)
Secret Ballerina 2yo (Sakhee's Secret)
Sunset Bounty 2yo (Bahamian Bounty)
Serendib's Glory 3yo (Holy Roman Emperor)
Architech 3yo (Archipenko)
Little Orchid 3yo (Observatory)
Go On Gal 3yo (Approve)
Big Bang 3yo (Observatory)

POOL B (Older horses) PICK TWO HORSES
Silver Alliance
Dark Diamond
Vastly
Dissertation
Limerick Lord
Veeraya
Star Of The Stage
Sabre Rock
Candesta
Dakota City
Automotive
Attain
The Ducking Stool
Handheld
Harry Bosch
Moment To Dream
Duke Of Diamonds

Once you have made your mind up, email your three to rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk
Points will be collected from March 1st so don't wait too long!

The Three To Follow Returns!

Our Three To Follow competition is always very popular and provides plenty of banter throughout the year as well as a cash prize to the winner. This year's edition will be the longest yet with a start date of March 1st and running up until December 1st.
The rules are simple: pick three horses from the two pools and watch them collect points throughout the season - 10 points for a win, 5 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd and (new for this year) your horse will get one point every time it runs and isn't placed. So choose wisely and look for tough and consistent horses who will be prolific points scorers!

POOL A (Two and three-year olds) PICK ONE HORSE
Mungo Madness 2 year old (by Sir Percy)
Our Cilla 2yo (Sixties Icon)
My Name Is Jeff 2yo (Mount Nelson)
Kemsing 3yo (Footstepsinthesand)
Champagne Reef 2yo (Literato)
Secret Ballerina 2yo (Sakhee's Secret)
Sunset Bounty 2yo (Bahamian Bounty)
Serendib's Glory 3yo (Holy Roman Emperor)
Architech 3yo (Archipenko)
Little Orchid 3yo (Observatory)
Go On Gal 3yo (Approve)
Big Bang 3yo (Observatory)

POOL B (Older horses) PICK TWO HORSES
Silver Alliance
Dark Diamond
Vastly
Dissertation
Limerick Lord
Veeraya
Star Of The Stage
Sabre Rock
Candesta
Dakota City
Automotive
Attain
The Ducking Stool
Handheld
Harry Bosch
Moment To Dream
Duke Of Diamonds

Once you have made your mind up, email your three to rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk
Points will be collected from March 1st so don't wait too long!


It's not often that I head to the races thinking we have next to no chance as I always try and give my horses the best possible opportunity to win. However, travelling to Wolverhampton on Friday night I thought we had no chance of winning with Vastly and was only running him to keep him in peak fitness as there aren't many races about for him. The reason for my pessimism was because he was running in a claimer and had a lot to find at the weights against some highly rated horses. However, these old horses are in claimers for a reason and that became apparent when two furlongs from home Vastly had quickened away from the field and everyone else was struggling! Adam gave him a lovely ride to make all the running and the horse loved being out in front.. I'm chuffed for the owners as this horse has had quite a few setbacks so this win definitely rewards their patience.

Vastly and Adam on the gallops

Vastly's win made it four winners for 2016 already and it would be nice to get another one soon as we have some good chances.
On Tuesday at Southwell, Dark Diamond will try to bounce back after a poor run last time. He came back that day with a cut in behind so that may have been an excuse but he seems very well at home and should have a chance. Both Shelley and Adam aren't available to ride so we've got champion all-weather jockey Luke Morris booked and he will suit Diamond who can be a bit lazy.

Dissertation (Liam) & Dark Diamond (Mark)

We're back to Southwell the following day with a pair of runners and I hope Dissertation can finally start to show the ability I know she has got. All she does is stay so the two miles at the track will suit her ideally and her last two runs have been promising. I've been keen for the jockeys to not be too hard on her with the whip as she needs to learn to like racing and that has shown the last twice as she galloped all the way to the line. Hopefully she can put her new-found enthusiasm to good use.
Also on the fibresand will be Artbeat. She flopped after a good run at the track but those runs were only a week apart so I think it all came too soon. She has been freshened up again now and can hopefully go the right way again.

Artbeat (Adam) & Automotive (Ross)

We're set for a busy night on Saturday with three entered for Wolverhampton.
If he is ok, Vastly could take his chance again because he needs to run before the handicapper reassess him and puts him out of the 0-60 rated grade. He doesn't win very often so it remain to be seen whether he can string two good efforts together!
Another out again quickly will be Dakota City. Adam will tell you himself he probably didn't give him the best of rides last time so this is his chance to make amends, providing the horse acts on the track which he has never tried before.
Completing the trio is Automotive. He is a law unto himself and has been taking life a bit too easy recently so we'll put some cheekpieces on him just to wake him up a bit. He is well handicapped now and capable of winning if on a going day.

Candesta (Caitlin)

The two-year olds are coming along very nicely and have started doing a bit of work upsides now. They aren't galloping at full speed yet as it's too early to be testing them to the max but I'm very happy with how they're going.

The two-year olds sit upsides

Finally, I hope you will join me in wishing my sister Poppy and her fiance Trevor all the best on their wedding this Tuesday. It's just a low-key affair but they are making up for it with a spectacular honeymoon in Dubai and The Maldives. Trevor is part of the syndicate who owns Vastly so I told them his win was their wedding present!

The team keeps expanding

I can sleep very well at night now that I know just outside my bedroom window is a yard full of horses, all of which are capable of doing themselves proud this year - as some have done already. The yard is in a very healthy position numerically with a horse poking out of every stable door but all these horses need to be given the best care and attention so finding the right staff is always difficult, as many yards are currently experiencing with the nationwide staff shortage. Luckily things haven't been too bad here at Harraton Stud and we were fortunate enough to have a pair of great riders join us earlier in the year, both of whom you may have already met working away in the yard.
Liam is a lovely, quiet rider and has had masses of experience at some of the best yards in the country, as well as gaining experience in Dubai and New Zealand. He has now decided the time is right to race ride and I'm delighted to have him as my 7lb apprentice. He will be a valuable asset in the apprentice-only races and we're just waiting for the BHA to issue his licence before he can show the world what he has got!

Liam

Chloe has joined us fresh from the British Racing School in Newmarket and she is already far above the usual standard of their graduates. She goes about her job very professionally and has fitted into the team very well. Alongside Caitlin, Ross, Mark, Poppy, John and the rest of the staff, I feel I have a great mix of riders and personalities who should bring out the best in the horses. Now you've been introduced, don't be afraid to say hello!

Chloe

Unfortunately we couldn't make it a winning week again last week with Dark Diamond missing his race with an infection and Dakota City not having the race run to suit him at Lingfield on Saturday. Undeterred, we look ahead to this coming week with a handful of runners.
Starting on Thursday at Chelmsford, Serendib's Glory visits a racetrack again after her debut late last year. I haven't rushed her along as she has needed time to fill her chunky frame but her homework is improving nicely. She will need this experience again but she is one to bear in mind for handicaps later in the season.

Serendib's Glory (Adam) & Veeraya (Ross)

Also on Thursday, Limerick Lord goes back to Southwell. He raced too keenly last time and had little left at the finish so we will try to ride him a bit more patiently this time and save his energy for the end. He is still on a mark I think he can win off and we know he likes the track.
Incidentally, a 10% share has now become available in Limerick Lord. If you are looking for a good, fun horse who will give you plenty of days out and excitement over the course of the year then look no further. If you are interested and would like to find out more, please email on juliafeilden@aol.com

Limerick Lord

Anyone who says that claiming races are for bad horses has clearly been asleep for the past 10 years as nowadays they are extremely competitive and you need a talented horse to win one. It is not uncommon to see horse rated in the high 80s running in a claimer and because they are usually of a veteran age, connections can put them in for a low price safe in the knowledge no one will buy the horse yet it is weighted to win. I've had Vastly entered in a couple of these races but there is always a couple of highly-rated horses in there who, at the weights, you have no chance beating. He is entered at Wolverhampton on Friday and I might have to run him just because there are no other suitable races.

Vastly (Tess)

Rounding off the week will be Veeraya at Lingfield on Saturday. He usually runs his best when fresh so the recent break has done him no harm and he is actually galloping very well at home. He is hard to predict and doesn't win very often but it wouldn't surprise me if he was in the prize money.