Stable Tour Time Again!

We were back among the winners last week when Standing Ovation scored a thrilling success under an excellent ride by Conor O’Farrell in the staying handicap chase at Exeter on Thursday.  It really was a triumph for perseverance as Standing Ovation looked to be the first one beaten after a slow jump going out onto the final circuit but Conor never gave up and getting some prodigious leaps out of his partner in the straight, he got up to score by a hard fought neck.   Basil Fawlty also ran well to finish fourth in the same race.  He was one of four in line at the last – a mistake there cost him dearly, although it showed that he can remain competitive in races of this nature granted a clear round.

Standing Ovation is a lovely looking gelding and is still relatively lightly raced so is hopefully capable of further improvement.  He has a number of entries over the coming few days, although where he goes is somewhat dependant on what the assessor decides to do with him.

We have no runners tomorrow, but later in the week we have entries at Wetherby on Wednesday (Standing Ovation and Decoy) as well as Wincanton (Standing Ovation, My Brother Sylvest and Bois des Aigles) and Uttoxeter (Standing Ovation) on Thursday.  While we do not have any entries for day one of the first meeting of the season from Cheltenham on Friday, I am excited by the prospect of being back there and will hopefully be having runners at the Prestbury Park track on Saturday, where among the entries are recent Fontwell scorer Kings Palace, exciting point-to-point winner Vazaro Delafayette and former French hurdle and chase winner Vif Argent.   Meanwhile Seattle Drive will receive an entry at Kelso on Saturday and My Brother Sylvest will be entered at Kempton on Sunday.

It has been a busy week around the yard with visitors from the staff at Warwick racecourse as well as former jockey turned starter Robbie Supple and Racing Post photographer Ed Whitaker.  The staff at Warwick wanted to see what goes on before the horses ever get to the racecourse and were shown around the yard and gallops, giving them an insight into the hard work that goes on to prepare a horse to race.

It has obviously been quite busy around the Supple household too.  Not only has Gerry had his lovely mother Phyllis over from Ireland to stay, but one of his older brothers, Robbie (pictured right) also paid him a visit.  Robbie, who was a very capable stable jockey to Len Lungo’s powerful Scottish string a few years ago, is now employed by the BHA as a racecourse starter.  I still remember him riding in the Grand National for us aboard a Martin Pipe Racing Club horse called Evangelica…it was the year the race was held on a Monday owing to a bomb scare at the course on the Saturday.

I am never less than amazed by the work that Ed Whitaker produces for the Racing Post and he was down here again on Thursday working his magic with the camera (the picture at the top of this page is one of his).  To watch him select and enhance his work is a real privilege and you will be able to see the fruits of his labour in the forthcoming stable tour interviews that will be out shortly.  Ben Newton will be once again conducting the tour and I am looking forward to seeing him to talk about our hopes for the coming season this afternoon.

Talking of stable tours, you will find below the next video interview that we recently shot with broadcaster Mike Vince.  Today it is the turn of renowned good judge, Oliver Defew who is an assistant at the yard and who has been here since 2001.  Meanwhile on Chester’s Daily Blog we have an interview with Zoe Martin.  Zoe joined us a couple of years ago now and during that time her riding has improved considerably and she has matured into a very good member of staff.

Hopefully Oliver’s selection will be one of a host of stars this coming season, speaking of which it is the big horses in training sales at Newmarket at the end of the month and I have been trawling through the catalogues for some time trying to pinpoint any potential stars of the future.  Should you have an interest in buying a racehorse (either from the sales or one that we currently have for sale on our website), do feel free to contact me for a no obligation chat about your requirements.

For all the latest news from the stable, including our runners don’t forget to visit Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.