- Monday, 29 June 2015 15:22
- Written by David Pipe
Although looking like a quiet week on the domestic runners front, there is still plenty to keep us busy over the coming weeks. One or two of the horses have already had their summer breaks and are now back in while others will be going out very shortly and while all this is going on, it is an ideal time for some yard husbandry, making sure that everything around the yard is good working order, tidy and above all clean.
Despite drawing a blank last week, there were several good performances with a number of our runners hitting the crossbar. Willem performed better than of late when finishing runner-up at Newton Abbot last Tuesday (with Purple ‘N Gold running yet another solid race in third) – they will not always bump into a Group 3 winning, 114 rated flat horse over the sticks in June! Indeed were this a flat handicap our runners would have received in the region of three stone, so on this evidence there are still races to be won with them both.
Street Entertainer made a satisfactory start to his chasing career when runner-up at Worcester on Wednesday. While it is always disappointing to be beaten at odds-on, the narrow winner Commitment was no slouch over hurdles and had the benefit of a previous start over fences. I thought that Street Entertainer’s jumping was sound and with this experience under his belt, it shouldn’t be long before he is winning something similar.
Kalifourchon narrowly failed to make it back to back Sunday successes at Uttoxeter yesterday under his welter burden of 12-5. Although beaten, I think this was probably an even better performance than when scoring the previous week and he remains an improving young horse. He had quite a hard race yesterday and as such he will not take up any of his remaining engagements this week and will be given an easy time for a week or two. There will be plenty of other days for him.
Speaking of Kalifourchon, his part owner Martin Cruddace has been in the news over the past seven days as he has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Arena Racing Company (ARC). Martin was a successful lawyer and was aboard at the very beginning of revolutionary betting exchange Betfair as director of their legal affairs. He is a forward thinking individual and a racing enthusiast – I cannot think of anyone better suited to the role at ARC. Sincerest congratulations to him on his appointment - let’s hope that he can help take them to another level.
We had another foray to France last week with Katkeau competing in the Listed 2m3½f Prix Dawn Run over hurdles at Auteuil and while he was a little disappointing in fifth, he nonetheless more than accrued the equivalent of winning the handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on Sunday. Still, it was an enjoyable trip and Katkeau seemed to have a good time (as you can see from the photograph, left). He had been on the go for some little time and is now deservedly on his holidays.
I return to France tomorrow (Tuesday) for our annual visit to the Arqana Summer Sales at Deauville with the hope of picking up some future talent. We have had some great success at this fixture down the years with the likes of Dynaste, Grands Crus, Gevrey Chambertin, Dell’ Arca, Vieux Lion Rouge and many other notable performers all coming from Arqana. I have been going through the catalogue meticulously and should you wish to join the ranks of owner at Pond House, do feel free to give us a no-obligation call to discuss your requirements. We have a proven track record of finding the right horse for the right sort of money so do get in touch!
From names of the future to a name of right now and Cheltenham Festival winner The Package. Following his run at Uttoxeter on Sunday in the John Smiths Summer Cup, I can confirm that our twelve year old Cheltenham Festival winner (pictured right) has run his last race and been retired. I have had him in the yard ever since I took out my licence and what an incredible servant he has been, winning five times including that incredible success in this year’s Kim Muir under leading amateur Jamie Codd. He also won a Listed event at Cheltenham, a Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton and was placed in the three mile handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival on three separate occasions, as well as finishing in the frame in the Hennessy Gold Cup behind subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth…not bad at all I am sure you would agree! His absence will leave a big hole to fill at Pond House, although he is fully deserving of a long and happy retirement and he signs off happy, healthy and sound.
Finally, it was good to see the members of the Texel Sheep Society at the stables on Saturday. The group of 50 or so enjoyed a tour of the yard and gallops and were greeted by a lovely day – below is a photogrpah of them on the gallops courtesy of ace photographer Chester Barnes.
With no runners today or tomorrow I will leave it to Chester to inform you of the runners from Pond House later in the week – don’t forget to keep in touch with his daily chat or by following us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing
