Two New Fillies

Wimbledon is on at the minute so I suppose the weather was always going to be unpredictable last week and it went against us more than once.

Premier League is a Southwell specialist so any ease in the ground is better for him but when my husband John walked the course at Newbury on Tuesday, he was disappointed to see it had dried out considerably and was no where near the official description of 'good'.

I do feel that course clerks put 'good' in a going description to tempt trainers wanting soft ground into running and, although it gets a fair bit of stick, I think the GoingStick is a more reliable source for finding out how firm it is. As it gives a numerical value on the softness of the turf, there can be little argument with it.

Thankfully, the weather did turn in our favour by the end of the week in time for Acer Diamonds at Newmarket on Friday. He loves soft going and the deluge the night before helped his case but a troubled passage in running saw him struggle to show his best. We still believe he's got an engine and hopefully he'll be able to exhibit it next time out.

On the other hand, Emma's Gift didn't really like the soft ground but still ran admirably in fifth. She's so tough and deserves to win another after her Ascot success earlier in the year.

We've had a couple of new arrivals in the yard over the last few weeks, the first of which was a three year old filly by American stallion Green Tune. She has only just been broken in but is forward going and has strengthened up a fair bit already. The other new one is a full sister to Premier League, being out of Ellie Simmonds and by Firebreak. She has never been ridden and is only two years old. She looks like she needs a bit of time to grow so don't be expecting to see her on the racecourse any time soon!

Firebreak two year old

Green Tune three year old

There should be a fair few more coming into the yard over the next few weeks as the July Sales at Tattersalls are only around the corner. The pair that we bought at the auction last year (Sail Home and Entrance) have both won for us and we'll be looking to find a few more bargains.

Sail Home is entered this week and I'm hopeful of a good run after she worked well on Saturday morning. She's back at Yarmouth where she won two starts ago and although she didn't drop in the handicap for a defeat last time, she will run well.

We're trekking up to Pontefract tomorrow with Entrance and Generous Genella, both of which I think should land a place at least. Genella ran a much better race last time in a tongue strap even though she didn't stay the distance. I've dropped her back in trip now and it should suit her.

Entrance is looking for back to back wins after scoring at Nottingham last time and I can't see why she shouldn't. She went up four pounds for the win which was a fair rise and if she gets lucky, hopefully she can win again.

Ground dependant, Red Hearts and Pyjoma go to Warwick on Friday. Red Hearts won a maiden earlier in the season but is struggling a bit now but I hope the step up in trip will eek a bit more improvement out of her. Pyjoma is handicapping for the first time and has a decent weight but she does get a little bit wound up at times so it's hard to know what to expect.
The following day, Exopuntia will run if the ground is soft enough and she'll go close if taking her chance.



Three To Follow Update

No points scored this week so standings are as before.

That's That Done For Another Year

Royal Ascot came and went this week and although we had no luck with Emma's Gift in the Sandringham Stakes on Wednesday, it was a pleasure just to have a runner there. Getting dressed up really isn't my thing and to make matters worse, I had a bit of a nightmare with a spray tan experiment. Luckily it was only on my legs so could cover it up with some tights!

As it did at Ascot, it's been pouring it down here all week but not many people are complaining as we have needed it for weeks and it was a great to get on the grass gallops too. We worked a bunch of horses on Saturday morning and last year's Derby winner Workforce had been up there just before us so if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for us. Handily, a great photographer called Michael Smithson was there as well and he got some shots of the horses:

Verona Bay (Adam Beschizza)

Generous Genella (Dean Smith) leads Sand Repeal (Ross Birkett)

Canning Vale (Tetanya)

Acer Diamonds (left, Rob Summers) upsides King Columbo

Acer Diamonds put in a great bit of work, his debut run at Newbury has taken nothing out of him and I'm excited about running him at Newmarket on Saturday. It will probably be another decent maiden but so was his last race where he finished fifth, so I'm hopeful he can be placed. Also on that day, I may run Red Hearts in a listed race to see if we can get some black type on her pedigree. We are a bit stuck with her as she has won her maiden but as a result has to carry a weight penalty in novice races. Because the handicaps for two year olds do not start until August, we may as well run her up in grade.

Before that, on Tuesday, Premier League will be bidding to make it two wins in a row at Newbury. He won at Southwell so a slow turf surface shouldn't bother him and I can see no reason why he won't run well again. Elsewhere, Emmeline Pankhurst runs at Brighton. She's been frustrating but has run promisingly at the course before so, fingers crossed, she can show a bit of form.

Now the Newmarket Friday night meetings are back, King Columbo has his diary full for the next few months as there is always an ideal race for him there. He's in this week and should love the soft ground along with Exopuntia who I was delighted with as she came third last Friday at the track. She wasn't 100% fit that day so it looks like she will go even closer this time around.

Looking back at the week's runners, the one who ran with most promise despite finishing down the field was Khajaaly at Warwick on Thursday. The jockey admitted he got into a lot of trouble and as a result he could never get into top gear. The horse has come out of the race really well and will run better next time.

Three To Follow Update

Adam Beschizza was the only entrant to include Exopuntia in his list and the three points she gained on Friday see him move into joint third.

1st - Richard Salmon (38 points)

2nd - Peter Darlington (33 points)

3rd - Shelley Birkett, Adam Beschizza (31 points)

5th - Maureen Youngs (28 points)

Two other on 25 points, 4 on 23, 3 on 18, 11 on 15, 2 on 13, 1 on 10, 2 on 8, 2 on 5 and one person on three points.

Luck Moves in Mysterious Ways

Another week, another winner. It's becoming a bit of a habit now after having one winner a week for the last three and it's not one I'll ever wish to stop.
We fired plenty of bullets this week though and it was the most unlikely shot that hit the target - from five runners on Thursday, Entrance (the biggest priced at 40/1) won at Nottingham. It could have all been so different...
The truth is, that on Wednesday night, it looked like Entrance wouldn't even be able to run because there was no available transport to get her to the races and I was resigned to the fact that her first run after a 100-day break would have to wait a bit longer. Luckily, Gay Kelleway's horse didn't run at another meeting that same day so we used her box instead - and thank God we did!
Although she was a big price, it wasn't a massive shock that she won. It was her first start on turf for us and she had strengthened up a lot during her break. It was a great win for the Hoofbeats Racing Club and there are still shares available in her if she really caught your eye!

As already mentioned, we had a lot of runners last Thursday and probably the most promising performance was from the two-year old, Acer Diamonds. We've thought a lot of him but he's so big and babyish that he would need the run and he did - he ran green when asked to quicken but looked to get the hang of things. He didn't have a hard race and has come out of it happy so he should improve next time.

My heart was in my mouth the following day when I saw Sunny Spells slip on the bend at Market Rasen. I get worried enough when one of mine goes jumping but the last thing you expect is one of yours to fall when there's not even an obstacle in front of him. Thankfully, he got up fine and jumped round with the others and I hope the experience doesn't effect him as he's ready to win.

Another heart-stopping moment was seeing a horse clip heels and fall right in front of my daughter Shelley at York on Saturday. I'm even more of a wreck when the kids are riding and although Bavarica was a bit too keen for Shelley, I'm just glad both came back in one piece as the outcome could have been a hell of a lot worse.

On a brighter note, I'm all ready for Royal Ascot this week and I'll be there in my finery on Wednesday with Emma's Gift in the Sandringham Stakes. I know you can't get too confident at such a competitive meeting but I really do think the filly has got a great chance. She loves Ascot but not soft ground so I hope the rain stays away.Night Orbit is in the Queen Alexandra on Saturday and although he will love the extreme 2m6f distance, he will no doubt be outclassed.

Not all the action is in Berkshire this week as I hope to have winners elsewhere.Khajaaly goes to Warwick on Thursday and, although it's his first start on turf in a while, the track should suit and he's in great form.

It's great to see the Newmarket Nights back on the calendar this Friday and I've got three high hopes if the ground is ideal.King Columbo is starting to show a bit more promise now and the softer the conditions, the better.
The same probably applies for Exopuntia who hasn't run in a while but is fit enough to do herself justice.
Spirit of Sharjah wouldn't want the ground as soft as the other two but he is so well handicapped and it is the lowest class he has run in for a good while. If things go right, he will win.


Three To Follow Update
After trailing the competition for so long, Richard Salmon has spectacularly lept into life and now is a clear leader thanks to Entrance's victory. The win also saw Peter Darlington edge into second spot.
1st - Richard Salmon (38 points)
2nd - Peter Darlington (33 points)
3rd - Shelley Birkett (31 points)
4th - Adam Beschizza, Maureen Youngs (28 points)
Two other on 25 points, 4 on 23, 3 on 18, 11 on 15, 2 on 13, 1 on 10, 2 on 8, 2 on 5 and one person on three points.

Can't Complain About Another Winner

He tried to do everything he could to avoid winning but Premier League finally got his head in front where it mattered at Southwell on Thursday.
'Harry', as he is known, had been placed on numerous occasions yet he was starting to look like winning was not his top priority. Once again, he travelled strongly in behind the leaders and turning for home, it looked like there would only be one winner. However, this was a sight we had seen before.
Remarkably this time, Harry decided to quicken past tiring horses and hit the front where he proceeded to hang from one side of the track to another but still won by over four lengths. Royston Ffrench was on board and I'm always glad to give him a winner as I taught him how to ride at the British Racing School when he was a tiny 16 year old who had never sat on a horse in his life. It worries me to think how long ago that was now!

Amie Karlsson, who had been working for me for a couple of years, sadly left us this week to return to her native Sweden in order to finish her degree. Her riding had improved a hell of a lot during her time with us and she took special care of her horses, of which Beseech was her favourite. No doubt she will be back to visit soon.

One of the other horses Amie used to look after was Sancho Panza and he's entered at Nottingham on Thursday along with five others dotted around the country. Travelling with him will be the Hoofbeats Racing Club horse Entrance who has done incredibly well over her winter break and she has now grown into a much bigger and stronger horse. I've got her pretty fit so she shouldn't be lacking in that department but we still don't really know her optimum trip so that is my only concern.

At Yarmouth, Night Orbit is entered in the two mile race and although he ideally needs further, it's a bad enough race for him to win. He will be going to Royal Ascot for the 2m6f race afterwards and although he won't have the class to win, I hope his proven stamina can see him run respectably and give the owners a good day out. Also there is Generous Genella but I think she may get balloted out. If she does run, I'm hoping she can win now we've put a tongue strap on her. If it is the answer to her disappointing performances, she will run her best race to date.

Ground dependant, Acer Diamonds makes his long awaited debut at Newbury. He's only a two year old but has caught many people's eyes as he is such a physically imposing horse and he has been doing all his homework quite easily. The six furlongs may be a bit on the short side for him and he's still a big baby but it wouldn't surprise me if he ran a big race for his enthusiastic owners. Going with him to keep company is King Columbo in the amateur race. Now, I can confirm that this is the race we have won three of the last four years and not the race I mentioned a few weeks back. However, Columbo isn't in much form at the minute and I'll be surprised if we can land the race for a fourth time after Bavarica in 2007 & 2010 and Night Orbit in 2008.

Sunny Spells got what we thought was a very lenient mark from the handicapper after having three runs over hurdles. He's entered in two races at Market Rasen on Friday and whichever one he goes for, I'm hoping he can go close off a low weight. He jumps well and the step up in trip will certainly suit him.
On the same day is Emmeline Pankhurst at Goodwood. She's only running for the owner's business function and the distance will be a bit short for her I think.

It was a fantastic sight on Friday morning as we arrived at Epsom with Spirit of Sharjah. All the trade stands and amusements were set-up on the Downs and it was breath-taking to see just how big an event the Investec Derby Festival is. Spirit ran a blinder to finish fifth but the race distance of one mile and half a furlong just found him out as he is best at seven furlongs and just got tired in the last 200 yards. He's still well handicapped though and is sure to win a big race soon.


Three To Follow Update

Premier League's victory boosted the tally for two lucky entries but it wasn't enough to wrestle the lead from Shelley Birkett who still heads the table.

1st - Shelley Birkett (31 points)
2nd - Maureen Youngs, Richard Salmon and Adam Beschizza (28 points)
5th - Rita Aspland (25 points)
Five others on 23 points, 3 on 18, 11 on 15, 1 on 13, 1 on 10, 2 on 8, 3 on 5 and one person on three points.

Bavarica: A Mare in a Million

I have trained more talented, bigger and faster horses but I have never known one to be as tough, reliable and resilient as Bavarica.

She's a nine year old now but won the tenth race of her career at Newmarket on Friday (pictured right) in her 98th race. We bought her as an unraced three year old in the annual Juddmonte disposal sale and she came from Roger Charlton's yard with a reputation as an 'unrideable bolter'.

Indeed, when we first got her, she was a very moody mare and would love to take a bite out of you and she did take a few runs to to get her head in front but since then she has been an asset to the yard and one of my favourite horses.

She has also been a great schoolmaster for younger jockeys to get the hang of race riding on as she is a very balanced horse but still takes a bit of riding as she can be keen if getting no cover in a race. My son Ross (who has won on her 5 times now), my nephew Adam Beschizza and Slade O'Hara all rode their first winners on her and set them on their ways.

The key to her longevity has probably been down to the fact that we turn her out every day and not over-worked her as she keeps herself very fit. After her Newmarket win, Bavarica had amassed over £60,000 in prize money (not bad for a low-level horse) and been placed on 49 of her 98 runs.

As I own her, the money has come in handy over the years and every time she wins, we acquire a new piece of kit - last time it was a flat-screen TV and now I've got my eye on a proper Sony camera. Let's hope she can keep winning because my shopping list is a long one!

On the same day as Bavarica, we had Sail Home at Pontefract. I was really disappointed with her run as I thought she should win but it turned out that she hated the course and it makes sense as all her winning (Yarmouth and Southwell) has been achieved on galloping tracks, so we will stick to that formula.

Sunny Spells also had two quick runs over hurdles during the week. He now qualifies for handicaps and I think he'll do well when stepped up to 2m4f as his jumping is a real asset.

I'll be getting a posh frock out for Friday as Spirit of Sharjah runs at Epsom on Oaks day. He has won over course and distance before, is well handicapped and I think he'll run a big race if getting the splits. I shouldn't get too dolled up though as it's straight on to Goodwood that evening with King Columbo. He too is well handicapped and the trip is ideal. A bit of rain could help his cause but it wouldn't surprise me if he ran well.

Earlier on in the week, Premier League is looking to lose his maiden tag at Southwell. He has run well at the place before but he's had a bit of a break and as he's a big horse, it wouldn't surprise me if he needed the run.

Three To Follow Update

Bavarica was not a popular choice in the entries but Shelley Birkett was lucky enough to choose her and the decision paid off as she now heads the leader-board. The victory also saw Maureen Youngs move into a tied second place.

1st - Shelley Birkett (31 points)

2nd - Maureen Youngs, Adam Beschizza (28 points)

4th - Rita Aspland (25 points)

Five others on 23 points, 4 on 18, 10 on 15, 1 on 13, 1 on 10, 2 on 8, 4 on 5 and one person on three points.

Blown Away by BHA News

Last week's picture of an upside down caravan got plenty of laughs and I could have put it up again this week as the wind around here at the minute is strong enough to blow a house down never mind a caravan!
It may be windy but there's still no sign of rain which makes it at least three months since we had a good showering of the wet stuff. A report on the TV the other day said the Sahara desert has seen more precipitation than East Anglia and looking out on the barren, dusty landscape of the heath in the mornings, I can believe it!

I was expecting to be really busy with runners last week but for some reason or another, some didn't run but we still had good performances from the rest.
Khajaaly was an unlucky third at Wolverhampton on Monday and he might have won with a clearer passage. The key to him is keeping him fresh which means we can only run once a month but he's consistent anyway. That same day, Bavarica ran in the amateur race with my daughter Shelley aboard and she just needed the run to get the hang of riding the filly as she may be in the veteran stage of her career but she takes some knowing.

We didn't go racing then until Saturday when we had three horses running.
At York, Sancho Panza ran another fine race to finish third in what was his toughest assignment to date. The 1m4f trip was probably a bit short for him on the firm ground and he'll be better over further or with some give in the going.
Emmeline Pankhurst and Spirit of Sharjah were at Goodwood and they both put up good performances. Spirit was running over six furlongs, which is shorter than ideal, but he showed he's well handicapped to finish a close-up sixth. He will win a big race over seven furlongs soon.
On the other hand, Emmeline found the trip a bit too far and I'm confident that she has the ability to win a race somewhere.

Riding both those horses was Jimmy Quinn who only the day before had been revealed as one of the jockeys under investigation by the BHA for race fixing. It was a shock to me to hear the news as Jimmy has ridden me plenty of winners (indeed my first ever) and has never struck me as guilty. I can only say that a suspect is innocent until proven guilty and I will be more than happy to use his services in the future. Even more surprising was the news that Greg Fairley was suspected of the same offence. Greg regularly rides Night Orbit for me and he is so quiet and unassuming that I would never have thought him capable of such a crime.

We've got Sunny Spells back in the yard now as he is due to run over hurdles on Tuesday at Huntingdon. He is trained on the flat by Stuart Williams but comes to me for jumps runs as Stuart doesn't have a National Hunt licence. The horse hasn't run in a while and will probably need the race.

Later on in the week, Bavarica runs again at Newmarket. My son Ross has won on her four times and he's back aboard. He says she feels in great form at home and the handicapper has given her a chance so I hope she can go close.
Sail Home runs on Friday too at Pontefract. She won last time out but went up six pounds in the handicap so she needs to improve a bit but she is in top form and it wouldn't surprise me should she win again.



Three To Follow Update

Khajaaly scored his first few points of the competition with a third place whilst Sancho Panza's three points see Adam Beschizza back on the top spot alone.

1st - Adam Beschizza (28 points)
2nd - Rita Aspland (25 points)
3rd - Tetanya, Zac Fitzgerald, Poppy Feilden, Julia Feilden, Peter Darlington (23 points)
4 others on 18 points, 10 on 15 points, 2 on 13, 3 on 8, 4 on 5 and one on 3 points.

Double Delight At The Seaside

Carlsberg don't do days at the races but if they did, they'd probably be...like last Tuesday.
I really couldn't have thought of a better day than I had at Yarmouth; sipping champagne in the sun at the caravan of Sancho Panza's owner, Carol Bushnell (who was also celebrating her birthday), was a real delight - and that was before the racing had begun!
The day just got better and better as Sail Home lived up to her name and narrowly managed to last home and win by a nose. That was pretty good but to cap it all off, Sancho Panza followed up in the next race by hacking up with a seven-length victory and in the process landing the third double of my training career. We had a fair bit more champagne after that!
But seriously, both horses surprised me as I wasn't sure they would handle the fast ground but luckily both races were weak enough for them to win even with conditions against them.

Sancho Panza has a few entries this week at Haydock, York and Newbury. If he is put up more than six pounds by the handicapper on Tuesday, I'll probably run him at the first named course, otherwise it's the latter two, ground dependent. He's in flying form and should win again.

Later on last week we had a whole load of horses travelling to the big meeting at York. Both Emma's Gift and Red Hearts went in the hope of landing some black type form to boost their pedigrees and, although they narrowly missed doing this, they both ran blinders.
Spirit of Sharjah and Night Orbit ran great races too despite having their excuses but Blackmore failed to show us his best and at first we were mystified by the performance but afterwards he had a very sore back which is being treated now by the physiotherapist and the ground was probably a bit too quick for him. He's still a stayer going places.

I'm hoping the yard's good form can carry on this week as I've got some fancied runners.
Tomorrow, Khajaaly goes to Wolverhampton in the hope he can get back on a winning trend. We've found the key to him is keeping him fresh so he's had a short break but he's very fit and if he can get the breaks, he should be in the money. Bavarica is also at Dunstall Park that day but she's not very well in at the weights as the race is a claimer and I've put her in for the top price because I don't want another trainer buying my favourite horse. My daughter Shelley rides her for the first time and she's had plenty of orders from my son Ross who has won on her four times. She's reliable and tough so should have an each way chance.

Then we're quiet until the weekend with the already mentioned Sancho Panza and loads of runners on Saturday.
Alan Dee's two horses, Spirit of Sharjah and Emmeline Pankhurst, go to Goodwood because the owner is having a function there. Spirit is running over six furlongs which will not suit him but Emmeline ran better than the form suggests last time and the step up in trip will see her in a better light.
The same day, I'll have Bavarica, Sail Home and King Columbo entered in the amateur race at Newbury that I have won for the past three years running. I've never planned to win it so much but it just seems to be a lucky contest for us. I won't be running all three against each other but I hope whatever runs can win it for a fourth time.



Three To Follow Update

The Tuesday double shook things up considerably and now Rita Aspland and Adam Beschizza find themselves sharing the top spot. Considering Adam rode both winners, at least I know he was trying!

1st - Rita Aspland, Adam Beschizza (25 points)
3rd - Peter Darlington, Julia Feilden, Poppy Feilden, Tetanya (20 points)
7th - Maureen Youngs, Shelley Birkett (18 points)
13 others on 15 points, 3 on 10 points, 1 on 8 points, 6 on 5 points and 1 on zero.