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!