Blog Seventy-One
Good Monday Morning
Another great morning to start to the week; “Make sure everyone in your boat is rowing and not drilling holes when you’re not looking. Know your circle!”
This game tames Lions
This week certainty didn’t go to plan but, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ We started off with high hopes to put it mildly & that view was cemented when watching Silver Sword do his final piece of strong work on the All Bahathri Tuesday morning. Alarm bells had started to ring when we had a few of the older horses cough in the yard so I had Silver Sword & Faro de San Juan blood tested . Both were clear so it was still all systems go .
Wednesday morning after a routine canter up Warren Hill Faro coughed so I had him scoped along with Silver. The results were not what I was wanting & Faro had to be withdrawn from his intended run at Epsom & Silver had to miss his intended start in the Heritage Handicap here at Newmarket. It could have been worse if they’d run whilst incubating a virus. They were given a course of antibiotics and will have a quiet week or so. I’d like to think I can get Silver back for a race at a Glorious Goodwood and then on to York’s Ebor Meeting.
We were busy all week at Tatts July Sale & made one purchase for 20,000 Gns namely Clipsham Gold a 4yo chestnut filly She’s off 71 and knows how to win. Luiz @pedigree_to_win sees her staying up to a mile and a half. We bought her on spec and within 24 hours found owners for her. She’s a good addition to our team and will win races for us. Battleofbaltimore ran at Lingfield on Wednesday afternoon. He ran to about the same mark as on debut to finish 2nd and reverse placings on more favourable terms with his Brighton conqueror Professor Tickle but found one too good on the day and finished 5 lengths behind The Good Biscuit. Our lad is a slow learner but he is going the right way and will win races. We may give him a try over 5 next time.
On Thursday after the morning routine work on Warren Hill we were back to Park Paddocks viewing our choice lots. Shortly after the sales we put Havana Smoke & Military Micki through their stalls test at Newmarket. They both passed with flying colours and enjoyed their day out. Military Micki has an entry at Nottingham over 6f on Friday. Havana Smoke may well start off his career at Newmarket towards the end of the month. The blow of Silver Sword missing his intended target on Friday was softened somewhat by the ground at Newmarket going to the soft side of good. We would still have taken our chance but the conditions would not have been ideal.
On Saturday we ran Makuri in the 7f fillies maiden. The Quest owned filly ran to a similar level on the rain softened turf as she did on faster ground a few weeks back showing her versatility ground wise. She’ll be given a mark on Tuesday and we’ll make plans after that. We had several Quest shareholders present at Newmarket and we all enjoyed tremendous racing the highlight of which was City Of Troy’s impressive victory in the Superlative. I was delighted for Pat Owens who trains the Ulysses colt Oddyssey who finished 3rd in the Group 2 event following his placed effort in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
This week we’ll hopefully have 2 runners. Yard favourite Mr Fayez runs at Wolverhampton on Wednesday & will run his usual solid race. Military Micki makes his racecourse debut on Friday at Nottingham in the 6f Maiden. I don’t rush my 2yo’s as we play the long game ; it’s a steep learning curve for 2yo’s and though ours are well schooled at home there is no substitute for racecourse experience. We’ve a decent bunch of 2yo’s all of which will be winning races next season if not this. If I had to pick one I’d go for the Bated Breath colt out of the Nathaniel mare Chamber Maid who will run in Jack Thomas’s colours. He’s just been named ‘Goggins’ and won’t be seen out until the Autumn. He’ll probably just have one run this season and will come into his own in 2024. I’m very keen to start our 2yo’s careers at Newmarket whenever possible. The lack of travelling is a big plus for the babies and they just seem to enjoy the experience of Newmarket. Saying that if there is nothing suitable at HQ then I am willing to travel some of our youngsters to the likes of Nottingham and Yarmouth for example. It’s very much case by case and with Micki I feel he’ll travel OK.
Our next challenge as a yard will be to grow into our own premises. We are almost at threat crossroad now and are actively looking for a bigger more permanent base for our stable. Along with this growth, is a fantastic sponsorship opportunity to partner with our gelding brand into the future. Get in touch.
The Wimbledon Tennis Final was something to behold. It was a dogged battle from beginning to end and Alcaraz was entertaining, precise and brilliant. Well done to him. What a spectacular afternoon of tennis it was to watch.
It seems fitting to phase out this weeks blog with a David Goggins quote - ‘to grow you must suffer.’ It certainly applies to our yard as we’ve suffered and we’ve also grown !
Talking of growth, Catch Us If You Can Racing have the final few shares remaining in Wannabeawallaby who is a lovely gelding by Australia out of Yeah Baby by Danehill Dancer. I really like him and the last few shares are £605 per 2.5% and £75pm all in. Contact Andrew.
Catch Us If You Can Racing also has 2 Greyhounds and Millbank Catchus duly bolted up on Friday winning easily for the syndicate. She’s been great fun and looks a star. Catch My Tail also ran on Sunday and he finished a game 2nd. Both dogs provide loads of fun for the syndicate and always run well, paying for themselves.
To close todays blog, a thought to leave you with; “Don’t downgrade your dream to fit your present reality. Upgrade your attitude, discipline and skills to match your destiny.”
Stay updated and in touch daily by following our social media and check back next Monday for another blog.