Shocking News
A hot week – a tough week. A few days in which the mercury rose, and our spirits fell – but as usual we kept ourselves busy – one trip to the track, and we managed to squeeze 3 yard visits and a lunch into one day as well!
Having assembled the weekly collection of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors and published it on here we hit the road – a trip up the M6 to see Dino Bellagio run in Haydock. Dino had been in great form since his win in Southwell – and we felt that there was a little bit ‘wriggle room’ left in his handicap mark. This meeting being part of the Sunday Series – there was once again very attractive prizemoney on offer, and it was well worth a crack at another big pot. After heavy rain at the start of the week – the track had dried up, and the official going was given as Good to Firm – which wouldn’t be ideal, but with that much money on offer – we would have a walk on the track and as longs as we felt that it was not too quick Dino would take his chance. We know he would prefer more cut in the ground – but with three non-runners and the field down to just 5 – the likelihood of a soft lead, and lots of money to run for,we had to have a crack as long as it was fit for Dino to do so. The advantage of being the last race on the card meant that we could see the first few races – assess the times, walk the track and make a decision. Times were just above standard, and the track walked well – so Dino would take his chance. Charlie Maggs, recently separated from his two front teeth in a schooling incident at home, would ride. Charlie rides Dino every day – and knows him very well – and with this step up in class, his 5lb claim would be handy. Once again Dino looked great in the paddock – he sports the red hood for the preliminaries to keep a lid on him – he doesn’t do anything silly – he just likes to get on with things. He went to post nicely and loaded easily. The race went pretty much as we expected, Dino broke well and eased himself to the front. Charlie set even fractions down the back, winding the pace up ever so slightly, and as planned quickened as they turned for home to try to break the race open as Paul Mulrennan had done in Southwell. That race had been run on a standard to slow surface, against lesser rivals – and the tactic had worked well – in Haydock, against a better class of horse, and on quick ground he couldn’t quite break the race open as he had the time before, and despite looking like he could stay on for the win at one stage, eventually his run levelled out and he was passed by the closers, eventually finishing fourth, This was actually a decent run, given the circumstances and it is clear that Dino remains in great order. On a more juicy surface I am sure we would have seen him to better effect, but it was worth a go – and the large team of syndicate members that made it to the track had a lovely afternoon/evening.
Monday morning – and after a really fun time in Haydock, we were back down to earth with a bang on Monday morning. Alan King called early to break the news that sadly Rockola had collapsed and died very suddenly after a very light exercise that morning. A shocking call to receive and a very difficult one for Alan to make first thing on a Monday morning. I would never break such bad news to owners by text message, so I picked up the phone and called each member of her syndicate directly – a long a difficult process, with some away and others busy, but by the end of the day I had passed the sad news on to them all.
Rockola had been ‘over the hill’ at Jamie Magee’s since her last run – enjoying a few easy days – exercising on the water treadmill, and spending plenty of time in the paddock. Last Wednesday Alan had sent a video through of her enjoying the sunshine in her paddock, and he had popped over to see her on Thursday. Delighted with how she looked and with the August jumps break coming to an end very soon – Alan instructed Jamie to start riding Rockola again on the Friday – to trot that day, the following day, have a day off on the Sunday – trot again on Monday and resume cantering Tuesday with a view to having her back to Barbury Castle at the end of the week. So, on Monday morning, Rockola had been on the water treadmill, and had simply trotted around the loop at Jamies – she had not even broken into a canter, so was by no means over exerted. She headed back to her stable, and as she entered, she gave a short little whinny and collapsed to the ground, dying instantly. Heartbreaking. Rockola was a cracking little mare – I had purchased her privately in Ireland from her breeder. She was by a fantastic stallion, who I was sure was going to be a huge success as a jumps sire in Jukebox Jury, and in a strange twist of fate we had bought the first four foals out of her Dam. The first three were lovely horses, and her full brother looked like he was going to be a very nice individual, so after fair bit of red wine on a Sunday afternoon, while watching Princess Zoe (another grey filly by Jukebox Jury) win the Group 1 Prix du Cadran in Paris – I picked up the phone and bought Rockola. She was a very attractive foal, and with her siblings all growing to a good size as 3 yr olds – I felt that we were on to a winner. As her siblings went on to add black type to her already impressive pedigree, you would have thought that we were sitting pretty, but little Rockola didn’t grow up like her brothers – she simply didn’t grow very much at all, and it was clear that she would not make her money at the sales as planned. So, we transferred her out of the pinhooking syndicate and onto the racing team. Her size would mean that she would not make it in the ring – but there was no reason that she couldn’t pay her way on the track! Having gone through our system we decided that she was the type of filly to thrive with Alan King, and we decided to send her to Barbury Castle – she would be our first horse with Alan. She proved to be a lovely, sweet filly in training, very settled and easy to do. She soon became a yard favourite. Her career exemplified her character – she was not over big – but had a huge heart! She always tried her best and relished a battle. Rockola was placed in her first two bumpers, and after three qualifying runs for a handicap mark over hurdles duly obliged on handicap debut in Southwell. She went on to add a further two wins to her CV and despite going up the ranks we always felt that there was still a little more to come from her – she never won by too far and always looked to be a small step ahead of the handicapper. I know speaking to the yard this week – that her loss hit the team hard, so soon after the sad loss of Trueshan. She was not Trueshan, but she was our Trueshan, and she will be missed!
RIP Rockola
Thankfully Dino had come out of his race fine. With Donald away, daughter Ella sent through a video of him jogging up sound on Monday morning. There is always a worry when you have exposed them to ground that is a shade to quick for them – but thankfully all was well with Dino – I’m not sure I could have coped with him being a ‘little off’ after the shock of Rockola!
After a difficult day on Monday – it was an early start on Tuesday – a trip down to see the team at Ravenswell.
Finbar now doing plenty of cantering, Intrepide Sud would be back under saddle after an injury scare and Greyval would be doing plenty up the hill. We had hoped to get down to see Finbar the week before – but with what we have had going on at home that had not been possible. This trip was a little last minute – but it would give me the chance to arrange a visit for Finbars owners next week. Fergal has been very happy with Finbar since he arrived at the yard a month ago – and I was keen to see him too. He had been cantering on the hill, but in a case of classic bad timing, he had got himself a small dose to ringworm on his face, and was to be on light duties – in fact, Fergal had scheduled a day on the walker for him on Tuesday – but when he saw my lip drop when he told me I wouldn’t see him out – he relented and we got to see him on the round gallop. He is a little horse with a huge character – and Harry who rides him every day has got to know him very well. He is one tough cookie and is always looking for a chance to catch you unawares. He is actually fine when he gets on the gallop and goes to work – but getting there can be a bit tricky! One thing is for sure, he is very athletic, and Harry says he gives him a lovely feel – we have always felt that given his pedigree, his ultra tough outlook and his athleticism that he would be ideally suited to the junior bumpers that start in October, and he will be aimed at them. There is still a share available in Finbar – who is yet to be named (Finbar is his stable name) but he will be named in the next few weeks – so if you would like a share in this little cracker – and get the chance to name him – have a look at him on the FOR SALE PAGE and get in touch. nickbrownracing@gmail.com or call/message me on 07909 518902.
Finbar
Sadly, we didn’t see too much of Intrepide Sud who went back to his box before cantering as he wasn’t moving great. The vet looked at him and could see no obvious sign of a problem – we decided to transfer IS to Ivy Lodge Farm for a few sessions of the water treadmill and a couple of weeks exercise in Jason’s outdoor school away from the deep sand. Fergal has been busy over the summer and is having an arena of his own built in the middle of the round gallop, but we felt it was better for IS to have some water treadmill sessions to help him get lose as well.
Suddy heading out
Greyval did three up the hill for the first time since her summer break and I can safely say I have never seen her move better! She is on track for a spin on the flat in mid to late September followed by a crack at a big pot over hurdles before switching to mares’ novice chases. Her homework suggests that she still has a bit in hand of the assessor now that we have found the key to her – so it should be another fun season with her!
From Ravenswell Farm I headed over to Ivy Lodge Farm to see the horses that we have there. Cloud Dancer has yet to be scanned as the vet went on holiday, and we would rather the same man scan him as before so that we get some continuity of thought. He looked very well in his box and continues on the walker – hopefully the scans are positive, and he can soon head out into a paddock and then the field. I was keen to see our 2 yr old Golden Horn gelding, who has been simply astonishing in the brief time he has been at Ivy Lodge Farm. He arrived on July 15th, having been well handled, but never having an ounce of education – and in exactly 3 weeks was cantering upsides on Tom Georges woodchip gallop. He has an unbelievable attitude, and it got us thinking of options for him – including sending him to Sir Mark Prescott for a flat campaign next summer. Looking at him on Tuesday, and chatting it over with Jason we have decided not to do that – as you can see from the photo – he still has a fair bit of growing to do – and although he has an outlook and attitude that would let you go down this route, we feel that he would be better suited to head into Junior Bumpers next year, and he will be kept for those. Although he has only been at Ivy Lodge a month, he has done more in that time than most youngsters would do in double that time – and as he is growing all the time we have decided to back off of him now and give him a couple of weeks off in the field and split his ‘breaking in’ into two parts. One thing is for sure he is a very exciting horse to have on the team – his siblings have all done very well – all three to have run have won – and with what we have seen from Nevada Samba up to this point – the pedigree is only going to get better and better. He could well be a valuable proposition next year and will either be sold or syndicated at that stage. It is safe to say that I was blown away with him both as a physical and with his temperament – he is a lovely horse to have!
‘George’ had cantered once with ‘Gatsby’ our three year old gelding by The Grey Gatsby who will soon have completed his secondary school and will move up to ‘big school’ with his transfer up to Olly Murphy’s. Gatsby is a fine, big stamp of a horse, who also has a bit of growing to do – we did measure him on Tuesday, and he is 16.1 ½ hh – and is likely to grow more in the next 12 months. He has a wonderfully athletic walk – and everything he has done as he has gone through our system he has found exceedingly easy! He is by the right sire (who had another decent winner in France on Friday) and has the size and scope to be a very decent NH horse. He will be aimed at a junior bumper in the autumn! We sold another share in him this week – which means that your chances of getting involved in this gorgeous horse are getting slimmer – again – take a look at him on the FOR SALE PAGE and email nickbrownracing@gmail.com or call/text 07909 518902.
I had met Paul and Jan at Ivy Lodge Farm and after we had seen the horses we headed up to The Stump for a bite of lunch. A refreshing pint – a pizza for Paul and I – linguini for Jan. Excellent food and service as always – well worth a visit – on the Fosse Way just north of Cirencester. We headed ther, as apart from the fact that it is excellent, it is just around the corner from our next port of call – Timmy Murphy’s Cilldara Stud, where our 3 yr old homebred by Falco is summering. Timmy in great form – and ‘Floyd’ looking really well – like everyone, Timmy has been short of grass this summer – but Floyd has been well fed with hay and hard food and looks well for it. I have always loved this horse – he has a great attitude and is the spitting image of his half brother Nevada Samba, which is enough to get anyone a little bit excited! ‘Floyd’ has grown well and now stands at around 16.2hh – he has a great way about him, with a very athletic walk. He breezed through ‘primary school’ last year – but was not 100% healthy when he started ‘secondary school’ this spring – so, because we have all the time in the world – and he is such a nice horse we decided to turn him away and let him grow and get healthy before starting work with him again in the autumn. As mentioned, I think the pedigree is about to get some very exciting updates – so we will be patient with him, and he will be syndicated next spring.
As you will have read last week – we are thrilled to have been asked to set up and manage the brand new Alan King Racing Club – and Alan was not slow in sending over updates this week – please give the club a follow - @KingysClub on X and Alan King Racing Club on Facebook.
The response to the launch of the Club on Monday was incredible, with nearly half of the 36 shares reserved within 48 hours! And why wouldn’t they be? Three very nice horses – I’d Go Maniac – a bumper winner who showed plenty on his first start on the flat last month – and who looks like he will make up into a nice staying handicapper on the flat (a bit like Dino). Ghost Dancing a stunning grey filly, who works particularly well – and who schools even better! She will start in a junior bumper this autumn before switching to hurdles – she looks well up to winning in both spheres. The third horse is Uhtred Ragnarson who was placed in a bumper that is working out well – and had two qualifying runs in 2m junior NH hurdles in the spring, before starting life in handicaps off of a rating of 102, but showed the signs of a hard season and didn’t show his true colours that day. Alan thinks he has him on a nice mark for handicaps, and he looks like a horse that will give Club members a lot of fun this winter! He had a good summer’s break and started back cantering on Tuesday. It will not take long to fill the remaining shares in the Club – so get in touch - £3000 all inclusive one off payment - or £275 per month (inclusive of all costs). You get a share in three lovely horses in the care of one of the very best trainers in the country for the next 12 months – plenty of race days – yard visits to see the wonderful surroundings of Barbury Castle which is simply one of the most gorgeous yards in the country and Club days and organised visits. This is great value – and I can guarantee – you will never be short of communication – with three horses in training you will receive so many videos, pictures and updates that you could be excused for thinking that you were actually living at the yard! The mix of horses in the Club means that there will be year round runners – action every month and members will never feel like they are paying for months of the year with no action! Get involved – you won’t regret it!
Wednesday was all about the Alan King Racing Club – new social media accounts – replying to emails and processing reservations. Those that have reserved shares will receive the Syndicate Agreement including the T&C’s by email on Monday – along with the account details for payment. Thanks for your support – I look forward to seeing you at Barbury Castle at the first of our stable visits next month.
Another timely update from Alan – I’d Go Maniac stepping up a gear in his work – and going very nicely. He will have another run on the flat in the next few weeks and is likely to be the first runner in Club colours.
Thursday – a busy day on the sales front and another share sold in Gatsby – we wish Dave the very best of luck with his new horse! There was also another share reserved in our syndicate with Sir Mark Prescott – which is proving popular as we knew it would. The chance to have a horse in training at Heath House with Sir Mark is very special and a must for any racing fan. Having decided not to send our 2 yr old Golden Horn gelding to Sir Mark – we will now look at purchasing a yearling – and are likely to head out to the sales in Germany at the start of September. We do like a good middle distance German pedigree and in past years there has been some outstanding value to be had at this sale. I spent much of Thursday with my head in the catalogue – and soon realised that my ‘long list’ was going to be very long indeed – plenty of pedigrees that are of interest and now that a few pictures and videos are being uploaded to the sales pages there are some physicals to match!
Friday – Intrepide Sud arrived at Ivy Lodge Farm – and will have a few weeks there getting back into work – he will start on the water treadmill for a few days and then be ridden in the school before cantering on the sand and heading back into training at Ravenswell.
With all that has been happening it has been a while since I got to see ‘Nancy’ our foal by Nirvana du Berlais – so huge thanks to Louise who sent through a few pictures of her on Friday. She really is doing well and the team at The Elms are thrilled with her. She is developing really nicely and did catch the eye of one of the men from one of the sales companies who happened to see her a couple of weeks ago. We will sit down in a couple of weeks and decide a plan for her – to sell this autumn or to retain to sell at 3 or run at 4 – decisions decisions!
Saturday, Donald McCain, back from a short break called to catch up. We both agreed that Dino’s Haydock run was a good one – and that on different ground there could well have been a slightly different result. Donald had watched Dino canter before he called and reported him to be in great order. There were also very positive updates on Old Blue Eyes who is full of himself and doing plenty of cantering, and Ridin Solo who is also cantering and is looking fantastic!
Alan King sent through another video of I’d Go Maniac – this time working – and putting in a very decent shift. IGM worked upsides a 93 rated 1m2f 3 yr old – with some decent form to his name – and as you can see (IGM far side) he worked very very well! He is in great form – and with another couple of runs under his belt and a step up in trip it should be a fun couple of months with him on the level!
Alan also reported that Nevada Samba is getting through his dose of ringworm – which oddly he has on his muzzle – a lot like Finbar and a few others around different yards – it seems to be prevalent at the moment. And She Was is still on her summers break but will soon be back in work ahead of a winter campaign in mares handicap hurdles.
Jason Maguire had Intrepide Sud on the water treadmill - he is well used to going in and he was soon working away well on it.
Next week – I will need to process the Alan King Racing Club applications early doors as we are heading up to York later in the week – always a fun week with friends! I really like the Ebor meeting and look forward to going up there every year!
First things first – a BBQ to go to this afternoon – I’d better get on! Don’t forget to grab your share in any of the horses we have available – or the Alan King Racing Club – there are now very limited numbers in all of the syndicates! Get in touch – don’t miss out!
