- Monday, 11 May 2026 12:58
- Written by David Pipe
Affection - For Sale
All the winter horses are now turned out to grass for some much deserved R & R and a lot of staff are now on their summer holidays as well. We have a team of about 20 to race over the summer and as soon as we have a little rain we have some ready to run but it is a little quiet in the coming days. Steam cleaning, tidying and painting are the main jobs going on at the moment so Pond House is still a hive of activity.
- Monday, 04 May 2026 10:58
- Written by G Edwards
Jack & Little Chiefy Winning at Flete (Photo:APX)
The last week has absolutely flown by as it has been a busy time. The new season is underway and we very nearly made it a winning start to the new campaign in the opening race at Uttoxeter on Saturday with Saccary finishing a neck second under Jack Tudor. Our seven-year-old is yet to win over hurdles and has now finished second on his last three starts but I don’t think he has done anything wrong in defeat and he should be winning races over the summer. Grand Claremont made his British and stable debut and found the ground a little too lively. These French horses can take a race or two to acclimatize to the British style of racing and our eight-time winner will improve for this initial experience.
- Monday, 27 April 2026 12:55
- Written by David Pipe
Thanksforthehelp runs at Punchestown
The 2025-26 season came to its conclusion on Saturday and we get a few days break from jumps racing on this side of the Irish Sea before it all starts again on Saturday with meetings at Hexham and Uttoxeter. I do always think there should be a longer gap before we start again but I am not sure anything will be changing anytime soon!
- Monday, 20 April 2026 11:04
- Written by David Pipe
Way of Stars Intended Runner at Sandown
We are now entering the final week of the 2025-26 National Hunt season with the finale once again coming at Sandown on Saturday. Fear not, with a little break in jumps racing after the weekend, we do have Punchestown to look forward to next week! We already know the Champions elect, so no closely fought battles to come this week like last year but there is plenty of racing in the coming days before the curtain comes down. More reflections on the season next week.
- Monday, 13 April 2026 10:39
- Written by David Pipe
Parchment - Weekend Entry
It has been a fairly quiet week all-round here at Pond House though Jack and myself had a good trip to Aintree, met lots of people and bought a horse! Jack and I were up there on Thursday and Friday and there was some good racing and a great atmosphere. We are also delighted to have bought Max Potential from the sales that followed racing on Thursday evening. He is a nice four-year-old by Maxios who would have won his only start in an Irish point to point had he not fallen at the final fence last month and he has settled in well since arriving. We will do a bit or work with him now to learn about him before turning him away for the summer. He is a lovely big horse who still has a bit of growing to do and he will be one to look forward to in bumpers in the autumn.
- Monday, 06 April 2026 08:55
- Written by David Pipe
Easter Bonnet Competition Winners
In general, the horses continue to run well and it is a little frustrating not to have had a winner in recent days but with the continuing dry weather, several horses are now out of training. I always get worried at this time of year, courses do a great job of watering but it is just not the same as natural help from above and as the ground begins to tighten up I do not want to risk unnecessary problems.
- Monday, 30 March 2026 15:08
- Written by David Pipe
Chemical Warfare
Three second places came from our very few runners in the past seven days, two under rules and one in the pointing field. Best Night backed up her win at Huntingdon on her penultimate start with a solid second at Hereford. In making the running she was a little keener throughout than we would have liked but equally she looked like she bumped into one making its handicap debut. She is a tough and genuine little mare that likes better ground and so will enjoy it even more as the ground continues to dry in the coming weeks.
- Monday, 23 March 2026 15:27
- Written by David Pipe
Indulto Rouge & James Shaw on the Gallops
It was relatively quiet for the stable on the runners front last week and October Hill was best of those who ran, finishing second in the mares maiden hurdle at Ludlow has Thursday. We dropped her back in trip after not appearing to stay three miles on her penultimate run and it nearly worked as she fended off all her rivals bar one! In truth, she probably wants 2m4f round a track like Ludlow but it was still a good effort. She is a tough and consistent mare and I am sure we can find her a winning opportunity next time. She prefers better ground and so will be out again soon while the weather stays dry. There are still shares available in her and if you want to get involved in a small friendly syndicate that doesn’t break the bank please do get in touch! She has been placed on four of her five starts for us picking up over £6,000 in prize money along the way and so is likely to continue to pay her way and she will jump a fence one day as well.
- Monday, 16 March 2026 15:59
- Written by G Edwards
Vieux Lion Rouge has Sadly Passed Away
I am not sure quite where the last seven days have gone but the Cheltenham Festival has been and gone in the blink of an eye! Our runners, Kingston Queen and Gericault Roque ran with credit but the ground was not soft enough for the mare, it was not far enough on that ground. Both have returned home safe and well which is the main thing and will run again when the ground is more to their liking. We have made an entry for Kingston Queen in Ireland, at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting in a valuable mare’s novice’s hurdle over 2m4f so we will be keeping an eye on the weather and might head there should things be in our favour closer to the time.
- Monday, 09 March 2026 16:35
- Written by David Pipe
Royal Mer Recent Winner Wincanton
I am of course writing on the eve of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and we have an exciting week of racing ahead. I shall be at Cheltenham every day and we are looking forward to welcoming lots of guests to our hospitality marquee each day. Matt Chapman will be running through the cards with me with the tips each day and we will try to find as many winners as we can!
