- Monday, 08 June 2015 15:07
- Written by David Pipe
What a week for racing with a great winner of the Derby, a Triple Crown winner in the States and from a personal point of view, a fantastic success for the stable in France! Although it was a quiet week on the domestic front with only a handful of runners, it was nonetheless an important one for the Pond House team with two live chances in the Grade One Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil in France on Sunday and while I was confident of a big run from both of our runners, to actually land the big race in such a facile manner with Un Temps Pour Tout (pictured above) was more than I could have ever hoped for.
As I say though, it was a quiet start to the week with the stable not having a racecourse runner until Thursday and by and large they all ran creditably with the likes of Lady Of Longstone and Border Breaker in particular going close in second at Ffos Las and Market Rasen respectively. Border Breaker in particular was unlucky as he looked all over the winner of the 2m7f handicap hurdle until being mugged on the line by an inspired ride from Richard Johnson. Hopefully compensation awaits before too long.
Although it sounds clichéd, the saying that ‘the sport of racing is a great leveller’ is very true and on Saturday we experienced one of those terrible lows that inevitably happens from time to time when running an operation of this size. I am of course referring to the loss of a great stable stalwart in Bathwick Man at Worcester on Saturday after taking the first fall of his fifty race career. No, he wasn’t the highest rated horse in the yard, he hadn’t won the most races or even prize money, but he was a real honest trier, a versatile and capable horse in the right grade who showed great durability. We had had ‘Barry’ (pictured right) since his three year old career and enjoyed many great days with him, including eight hurdle wins and countless other placings and after all that time he was very much a part of the family here at Pond House. The staff all loved him and he was the apple of owners’ Wayne and Sarah Clifford’s eyes, so to lose him was a real blow and his absence leaves a great hole in the yard.
You have to carry on in this sport however as fortunes can change in an instant. The following day we saddled our two runners to compete in the French Champion Hurdle and I was hopeful of a good run from both Ballynagour and Un Temps Pour Tout. Ballynagour was most impressive when winning the Prix la Barka three weeks previous and as such was the preferred mount of stable jockey Tom Scudamore, leaving Un Temps Pour Tout to be partnered by Auteuil specialist James Reveley.
Getting his favoured soft ground for the first time since an excellent third in last year’s Cleeve Hurdle we decided to make good use of his stamina by being very positive aboard him and James Reveley carried out his instructions to a tee. He jumped off smartly and never saw another horse as he drew further and further clear in the straight to land the spoils by ten lengths for owners Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew. I am thrilled for them as they have been great supporters of the stable so to land these high profile races for them is extremely important.
Ballynagour ran a good race in defeat too, looking the most likely danger to Un Temps Pour Tout turning in and jumping the final flight in second place only for him to weaken into fifth place close home. This was his fourth run in close succession (for him) and it could be that he didn’t produce his best, although he was anything but disgraced and will now go for a well-deserved holiday after an extremely productive few months.
I would like to extend my grateful thanks to local trainer Richard Chotard for his assistance while our horses were in France as he boarded them at his lovely facility near Lamorlaye. Meanwhile the staff were well looked after in a neighbouring apartment by the extremely helpful and hospitable landlords – I am sure we will be seeing them again before too long!
For those of you who didn't see the race or those of you who would like to re-live the excitement you can click on the following Youtube link of French Racing Channel Equidia's coverage (I have no ownership rights to this footage): Un Temps Pour Tout's French Champion Hurdle
The week ahead is looking a little busier with Race To Glory and Sir Frank Morgan competing at Fontwell tomorrow as well as entries later in the week at the likes of Worcester, Newton Abbot, Aintree and Uttoxeter. As usual you can find out more about our runners by keeping up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or following us on Twitter.
Finally, I cannot go this week without acknowledging three other amazing stories from the racing world. Congratulations to John Gosden, Frankie Dettori and the team at Clarehaven for the magnificent success of Golden Horn in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday. Frankie has always been a great draw for the sport and his success can do no harm for the profile of the sport. Golden Horn scored in the manner of an extremely good winner of the race and I wish connections continued success with him.
In the United States, the success of American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday night saw the three year old son of Pioneerof The Nile land the Triple Crown – the first horse to do so since Affirmed in 1978, an amazing achievement.
Meanwhile, most amazingly of all, Brian Toomey who suffered life threatening injuries from a fall in 2013 has been awarded his jockeys’ licence again. In the aftermath of his fall at Perth 23 months ago he was put into an induced coma and required brain surgery to remove a part of his skull. He has since made a remarkable recovery to the point that he is able to race ride again – an inspiring story and I wish him all the very best when he returns to the saddle in the near future.
