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Olney Lad.
Lad has now been cantering for about the past
month and has just stepped up to about 3/4 speed.
He still looks really well, and on a recent
stable visit one of his owners could not believe how
much he has matured and strengthened up.He should be
somewhere near ready to run in about three weeks or
as soon as there is a bit of "juice" in the
ground.
No firm plans have been decided upon regarding a likely
race, but the general feeling is to start him off in
a little chase,somewhere not too grand,and just get
a clear round into him and let him really enjoy himself.
These photos were taken on Saturday 17/9/05
and show Olney lad with Coralbrook before, during and
after a schooling session.He was electric!!
Olney lad was fourth in a quality novice
chase on Saturday(8/10/05). Given a superb ride by Russ
Garrity he was beaten 19 lengths by the former Stayers
Hurdle winner Iris's Gift. This was a very good performance
as he jumped perfectly without making a hint of a mistake.This
has laid the foundation for his chasing career that
we can now build upon.I am also pleased to report that
he has come out of the race in fine form and we a currently
looking for another opportunity for him in the next
month.
Ran in a 2 mile 7 1/2 Furlong Beginners Chase
at Worcester - finishing 4th he was officially beaten
38 lengths but it was actually more like 25. even so
this represents a very dissapointing run as although
the winner is obviously a very talented animal we still
expected to build on our excellent first run and possibly
win here as we felt this was an ideal opportunity to
get off the mark over fences - to say the least he let
us all down!! In hind sight the configuration of the
course did not suit us but he has come out of the race
in grand old form and will be entered towards the end
of the month - probably with the head-gear back on.
6/1/2006 'Lad' has not been seen for some
time but I am pleased to report that all is well with
him and he will be back on the racecourse in the next
few weeks. The form of his Worcester run has been franked
in some style, with all of the three horses that finished
in front of him going on to win their next races!!Although
initially dissapointed with that run, there are definite
reasons for optimism as he resumes his season!
23/01/2006 Another win for Olney Lad!! It
seems there was good reason for optimism after his previous
run at Worcester as he wins his Beginners Chase at Wetherby
in some style! Making all and beating the highly regarded
Royal & Sun Alliance entry Tighten Your Belt from
the Vennetia Williams yard. The stand out feature of this
performance was his jumping - he jumped them ragged and
never made a mistake the whole way round. All concerned
with him are thrilled that he is obviously over the bug
that was affecting him in November and are looking forward
to seeing him out again soon.
24/01/2006
I am pleased to report that all appears well with Olney
Lad this morning. In fact he seems as fresh as paint
and shows no signs of having had a run just yesterday.
Hopefully this will be the way for the next couple of
days and nothing untoward will come to light and we
can start looking at the calender and make some decisions
about where to go next.
25/2/2006 Olney Lad ran at Newcastle today
and was in the process of running a fine race, upsides
in the lead when getting a bit close to the third last
and falling. I am pleased to report that both horse
and jockey are OK-Lad even jumped the last two without
Russ so he doesn't seem to have dented his confidence
in any way.It is impossible to say if he would have
won or not, but it was still a good performance up until
the point of departure.
27/2/2006 Olney Lad seems fine after his
unfortunate fall at Newcastle on Saturday.He is a little
tired as a result of all the travelling and the race
itself, but after a few days taking it easy he will
resume work and we'll look for another Novices Chase.
ONE FOR THE VISITORS!!!! Olney Lad
wins at the Punchestown Festival !!!
The only winner from the UK at the entire meeting
!!
7/4/2006
Olney Lad runs at the Grand National Meeting
at Aintree in one of the best Novices chases staged
this season with many of the top horses from both sides
of the Irish Sea taking part.
Not being able to get a run into him in a smaller event
at a smaller meeting due to unsuitable ground,(he was
declared to run at Warwick and Chepstow in the past
2 weeks)we were forced to pitch him in at this lofty
level, which was not exactly ideal, especially on the
back of a fall in Newcastle.
Regardless of these negative points Lad ran with credit,jumping
round and finishing sixth, regaining any confidence
that he may have lost last time.
Russ reported that Lad may just benefit from having
the blinkers back on just to get him to travel on the
slightly quicker ground.
Unfortunately only a few Partners were able to attend,
but those that did had a fantastic day, enjoying the
atmosphere that only a Festival Meeting such as this
can generate.
8/4/2006
Lad seems to have come out of his race in good
order, and now it's all eyes on the weather in Ireland
as he has an entry in the Grade A 100,000 Euro Novices
Handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival.
26/4/2006
Lads off to Ireland!!
We set off at 6.00am to get the ferry from Holyhead,
Lad travels fine and we even manage to get a pick of
grass for him in a paddock in the middle of Wales somewhere
as we have our own breakfast.(This horse really is spoilt)!!!
He takes the ferry crossing well, and we arrive at Punchestown
Racecourse at 5.00pm
27/4/2006
Lad looks better than we do this morning!!
He ate his tea from last night and had a good drink
so it seems he is nicely settled.
Lad has 2 good canters in the middle of the course,
and really did seem to move well on the quicker ground.Stuart
and I walked the course and found it to be genuinely
good ground, safe, but we could have used a bit of rain,
but that was not likely as the sun was beating down
and it was the most fantastic weather.
Nothing more to do today other than enjoy an afternoon
at the races and this famous Irish craic!!
28/4/2006
Lad ate all his tea again last night so at
least the petrol tank is full!
He had a walk and a trot out just to stretch his legs
before breakfast.
Stuart and I walked the course again and after overnight
watering the ground was still good, they really did
a wonderful job with the ground in the face of some
very drying conditions. Still perhaps a bit quick for
us though??
Nearly race time and Lad entered the pre-pararde ring
looking magnificent, actually a little bit on his toes
(not like him at all) he really was primed and ready
to go. I'd never seen him look better, Mrs Robeson had
him at his peak for sure.
Quite a few of the Partners managed to get over to the
meeting and after pulling themselves away from the complimentary
lunch (and alcohol)in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing
Lounge they finally made it to the paddock.
What a buzz the atmosphere was fantastic!!
The race itself went much to plan, Jimmy jumped out
in front and said catch me if you can. It was good to
have him back in the plate and very good of him to come
over at short notice, thanks Jimmy.
Approching 3 out there were a few struggling in behind
but it looked as if we were booked for second as Wolf
Creek loomed up on the outside approaching the second
last, but Lad and Jimmy had different ideas and battled
and fought from the back of the last for a brilliant
5 length success!!
An amazing feeling!! This is why we get involved in
race horse ownership!!! I've never seen a happier group
of owners!!I don't mind admitting that I shed a tear!!
To be the only UK winner at the Festival was an incredible
achievement and a great training performance by Mrs
Robeson and all the staff at Fences Farm.
Thanks also to eveyone at Punchestown who made our stay
so unforgetable. (Especially Jerry The Bus)
We will be back!!
29/4/2006
Unfortunately Lad was taken to a veterinary
hospital on the Curragh shortly after the race as he
became accutely lame on his near hind leg.
I will update with further news of his recovery as it
becomes available.
A bit of a low so soon after the highs of yesterday.
23/6/6. OLNEY LAD HAS ARRIVED BACK AT FENCES
FARM AND THE TYRINGHAM PARTNERSHIP WERE ABLE TO COME OVER
ON SUNDAY AND WELCOME HIM HOME. IT WAS A LOVELY OPPORTUNITY
FOR US ALL TO GET TOGETHER AGAIN AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL
TO MRS ROBESON FOR HOSTING US.THE LAD IS CURRENTLY STILL
IN A CAST AND WILL DEFINITELY MISS THE 2006/2007 SEASON
TO ALLOW THE DAMAGE HE HAS SUFFERED TO A LIGAMENT IN HIS
FOOT TIME TO RECOVER.WE ALL WISH HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY!
5/7/2006 It is with great sadness that I
have to report that Olney Lad was humanely destroyed this
morning on veterinary advice.Unfortunately over the weekend
he suffered irreparable complications to the injuries
he sustained in Punchestown and despite all the best efforts
of the vets and all at Fences Farm he was unable to be
saved.He really was the most fantastic horse to have owned
and trained and will be sadly missed by all the members
of The Tyringham Partnership, Mrs Robeson and all her
staff. He has gone but will certainly never be forgotten.
Thank you Lad for all you gave to us. Rest in peace. |
