Summer Sales

It is that time of the year again when I look forward to my annual trip to France for the Arqana Summer Sales. It is one of those dates that I have pencilled in the calendar from an early stage every year and I always look forward to attending. Not only is the Arqana catalogue always packed full of promising young talent, we also make an enjoyable trip out of it as we spend a few days with friends and owners soaking up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Deauville on the north coast of France.

The Summer Sale has been a happy hunting ground for me as down the years I have managed to purchase the likes of Grands Crus, Dynaste (pictured above), Gevrey Chambertin, Vieux Lion Rouge and Dell’ Arca to name but a few. I have been busy researching the catalogue once again and there is a nice selection of youngsters on offer so if you are interested in joining the ownership ranks at Pond House, do get in touch and I would be pleased to discuss your requirements.

On the runners front we drew a blank last week although there were a number of creditable performances, not least from Ballynagour who was a gallant runner-up in the Summer Cup handicap chase at Uttoxeter on Sunday. Given a patient ride by conditional jockey David Noonan he jumped and travelled supremely well and looked like he may win two out. He kept on well from there, but was always finding Drop Out Joe a little too good. Even so, this was a very good effort trying to concede 8lbs to the winner and shows there are still some nice races in him.

Meanwhile there were decent efforts from newcomers, Knight Crusader, Stay Out Of Court and Awesome Tunes, all of whom finished in the frame and look as though they will progress with experience and stiffer tests. They showed more than enough to suggest that they will be winning before too long. Onto this week and there is no jumping this afternoon (Monday) and the next runners from Pond House will come at Chepstow tomorrow on the level when Willem competes in the two mile flat handicap where he will be ridden by champion apprentice Tom Marquand. A change of codes may well suit our enigmatic gelding who is blessed with a great deal of talent, although he has yet to consent to put his head in front where it matters.

We have plenty of entries at Worcester on Wednesday including new recruit Poisoned Berry and recent course winner Castlemorris King, while we are also well represented at Newton Abbot on Friday and Market Rasen could also be on the agenda this weekend. As usual running plans will be subject to the regular tests as well as suitability of the ground, news of which you will be able to find on Chester’s Daily Chat. Also this week I am looking forward to pursuing my burgeoning (!) cricket career as I represent the local pub, The Blue Ball XI versus the Culmstock XI on Wednesday evening. One or two of the staff from the yard will also be donning their whites – I just hope there is nobody of the calibre of Chris Gayle in opposition on this occasion!

We were thrilled to receive a beautiful card (below) from the Taunton Vale Pony Club last week following a recent visit to the stables.  It was an enjoyable day and judging by their technique on the equicisor we could have seen a budding champion jockey or two!

Finally, my mother and father have just returned from a cruise around the Greek islands. They had a wonderful time while aboard the ship, although getting there and back again proved somewhat more troublesome with British Airways cancelling their outbound flight AND two inbound flights without any explanation. Poor service from one of our supposed blue-chip companies indeed. Apparently they could claim compensation under EU law – they had better be quick then!

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