Introduction
Sadly no winners this week from the select few runners we managed to send out, despite the abandonment of numerous fixtures. However, we are really excited to announce 8 new additions to the yard from last week’s sales, with some of those now holding their first entries.
Round Up of runners
Only 4 runners this week, mainly due to the abandonment of so many fixtures, but still it was good to get out again.
We sent 3 runners to Taunton on Monday, with Broke Away and Westerner Ocean completing in 2 hot novice hurdles and Winged Express returning to the track with almost 2 years off. Winged Express went very well for the first 2/3 of the race but quickly dropped off approaching the end of the second third. He has come back sound and with the extra sticky ground have put the drop off down to that, his next run will tell us a lot.
Tsundoku was a tad disappointing at Kempton, but came home safe enough. She is still above her last winning mark and so this is probably the reason why.
Newmarket Sales Report
Tom and I went to the Newmarket sales last week intent on expanding the yard and bringing some fresh produce in. We were really happy with the horses we were able to get hold of and look forward to putting the first of the entries in this weekend, as nearly all are racing fit. Below is a list of the 8 purchases, their breeding and former connections:
Waqt (IRE) B.G. by Acclamation (GB) x Needles And Pins (IRE)
M. Tregoning
Hollander (GB) Ch.G. by Dutch Art (GB) x Thrill (GB)
W. Muir
Claudine (IRE) B.F. by Zoffany (IRE) x Hamalka (IRE)
H. Candy
Gendarme (IRE) B.G. by Lawman (FR) x Gravitation (GB)
R. Hannon
The British Lion (IRE) B.G. by Power (GB) x Mala Mala (IRE)
Kingsley Park
Rogue (GB) B.G. by Epaulette (AUS) x Miskin Diamond (IRE)
R. Hannon
Mr Minerals (GB) Ch.G. by Poet's Voice (GB) x River Song (USA)
R. Hughes
The Eagle's Nest (IRE) Ch.G. by Lope de Vega (IRE) x Follow My Lead (GB)
Rae Guest Racing Ltd.
News in Racing
As many of you will soon be coming to be made aware of, all of Thursday’s racing fixtures have been abandoned, including Tulsa Jack’s at Ffos Las. This is because of an outbreak of Equine Influenza in a racing yard in Britain.
The yard in which we believe the outbreak to have occurred in, have had no contact with our horses over the last 2 weeks. Of the horses we brought last week, none are believed to have come from infected yards and are together in their own wing which we are of course monitoring as a precaution.
The flu is not fatal and media speculation on the festival being cancelled is only being churned up to sell newspapers, so read with a pinch of salt!
What we do know is this:
- There have been confirmed 2 infected horses from the same yard running at Ludlow and Ayr on Wednesday
- All Thursday’s fixtures as a precautionary measure have been abandoned
- Wolverhampton have cancelled their fixture Saturday for their own reasons
- The BHA have said the flu is not fatal but affects the sporting performance of the horse if they run when unwell and vaccinated (humans are unaffected but can be carriers)
On the 25th January we were notified by the BHA of their being an influenza in horses in general. In response to this we have been stepping up the use of virkon and disinfecting as much as we can, whilst being extra vigilant of our biosecurity.
Our horses have been running well, exceptionally so on the flat and so we believe our procedures are working. The BHA is currently investigating the source of the flu and when this has been confirmed racing as I am led to believe by the BHA should return to normal. In the meantime there is likely to be disruption of the next few days and I would advise you not to read into any sources such as the Daily Mail, but rather the official BHA website.
Statistical Summary
Jumps 18/19
Earnings - £74,524
Wins - 7
Top 4 finishes – 39/115 (33.91%)
Flat 19
Earnings - £31,068
Wins – 5
Top 4 finishes – 11/22 (50%)
Total 2019
Earnings - £33,244
Wins - 5
Top 4 finishes – 13/35 (37.14%)