Diamond's Delight!

I was delighted by the success of Diamond’s Return at Uttoxeter last Wednesday.  He has been a horse that has been quite difficult to place since notching up a quick hat-trick during the spring of 2012 but a recent third at Ffos Las over the longer distance of 2m4f suggested that he was well worth a try at three miles.

Given an ultra-confident ride by Conor O’Farrell, Diamond’s Return was held up right out the back of the field but made steady, relentless progress throughout the final mile, so much so that he was upsides at the last before quickening away to score by a cosy 2½ lengths.  When things work out well these waiting rides are a joy to behold, when they do not however, they soon draw criticism and Conor went from hero to zero with some people in a matter of only 48 hours!  Diamond’s Return was turned out again at Bangor two days later under a penalty and under similar tactics, failed to give his running and was pulled up.  Some people fail to understand that horses are not machines and can sometimes have an off day and sadly on Friday he had one of those.

I was delighted by the success of Diamond’s Return at Uttoxeter last Wednesday.  He has been a horse that has been quite difficult to place since notching up a quick hat-trick during the spring of 2012 but a recent third at Ffos Las over the longer distance of 2m4f suggested that he was well worth a try at three miles.

Given an ultra-confident ride by Conor O’Farrell, Diamond’s Return was held up right out the back of the field but made steady, relentless progress throughout the final mile, so much so that he was upsides at the last before quickening away to score by a cosy 2½ lengths.  When things work out well these waiting rides are a joy to behold, when they do not however, they soon draw criticism and Conor went from hero to zero with some people in a matter of only 48 hours!  Diamond’s Return was turned out again at Bangor two days later under a penalty and under similar tactics, failed to give his running and was pulled up.  Some people fail to understand that horses are not machines and can sometimes have an off day and sadly on Friday he had one of those.

Nevertheless, it has certainly been a good spell for owner Seamus O’Farrell, whose daughter Katie (Conor’s sister) won her first race in a handicap hurdle at Clonmel the previous week aboard Strain Of Fame, so well done to her.

I am going to need a few more winners before I am allowed to retire by the look of things…my partner Leanne is currently away enjoying a weekend in Spain with the children and some friends.  You can imagine my dismay therefore when I received an e-mail this morning with the simple message “Sophie wants one!”  It was a picture of my eighteen month old daughter sat beaming in the drivers seat of a bright red Porsche…the words high maintenance spring to mind!

Talking of modes of transport I was slightly surprised when the yard vet turned up here on Sunday morning.  Now I know that Ray (pictured right) is always keen to save a penny or two and his newest acquisition probably returns more miles to the gallon than his 4x4 but two ponies and a trap?  It has been tried before and I’m fairly sure it was replaced by the internal combustion engine!

Below is the next instalment in a series of video interviews that were conducted by friend of the yard, SIS and Independent Radio News commentator Mike Vince.  Mike was talking with conditional jockey Anthony Fox, who joined us last September.  Anthony had a handful of rides for us last season and tells Mike of his hopes for the forthcoming winter jumps season and divulges a horse that he considers ‘a certainty’ to pick up a novices’ hurdle…I hope he is right!  To find out who it is, you will need to watch his video.

Anthony Fox Horse To Follow 2013/14

Another conditional jockey, Tom Bellamy hopes to be back riding out at the yard tomorrow having been absent since taking a nasty fall aboard the Colin Tizzard trained Emerald Glade at Taunton in April.  Tom has dropped in the yard from time to time during his recovery but was most recently spotted ‘getting his leg over’ a donkey at the recent pig and donkey racing at the local farm.  It will certainly be good to see him back around the place.  Meanwhile it was good to see amateur jockey Michael Heard back at the yard after a spell working with his father over the summer.  Michael formed a good rapport with Qalinas last term, winning aboard our grey twice and I’m sure he will pick up a few more nice rides this term.

We have given the additional jumps fixture at Stratford tomorrow a miss, so with the otherwise blank week, there are no stable runners over the sticks until Sunday at the earliest where we have made entries for Sir Frank, Bathwick Man, Basil Fawlty, Standing Ovation Royal Peak and Purple ‘N Gold  at Uttoxeter and Plumpton.  Meanwhile, Togiak and Purple ‘N Gold hold a number of entries on the level this week.

Finally, I couldn’t finish this week without wishing my lovely mother a very happy birthday for tomorrow (Tuesday).  Mum is still very much involved in the day to day business in the office and probably speaks more sense than anyone else here.  I won’t divulge her age, but it is a round number and she is looking very well on it!

For all the other news from around the yard, don’t forget to check out Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.