Jaunty Jac!

We were pleased to be among the winners courtesy of Jacbequick’s first hurdles success at Fakenham last Wednesday, whilst we picked up some exciting new prospects at the Newmarket Horses In Training Sales so all in all it has been a good week. With rain (apparently) on the way, we will begin to have more runners.

Jaunty Jac!

I was thrilled by that performance of Jacbequick who has developed something of a following since we purchased him from a Beverley claimer on the flat in August. He has remained in grand form on the flat since then and was making his handicap debut over timber at Fakenham last Wednesday. Given a positive ride by Tom Scudamore and always in a prominent position on the inside, he jumped really well and kept responding when challenged to score by a cosy 3½ lengths from the favourite. He is sure to go up in the weights for this success but remains unexposed over hurdles and has a choice of engagements at Newbury on Thursday or Warwick on Friday. A thorough pro, he won’t mind what the weather does in the interim having won on good/firm and heavy and everything in between.

Dream Free ran creditably the same afternoon when returned to the flat for the 1m2f amateur riders’ race at Nottingham. Ridden by sixteen year old Fergus Gillard, he stayed on well in the closing stages to finish a close third, suggesting that something similar should be within his compass. Fergus gave him an accomplished ride seeing as this was only his third mount under rules and you can see the improvement in him from one mount to the next. I am sure that he will continue to progress with experience and build a promising career for himself.

Our only other runner of the week came at Carlisle on Sunday when Dauphine Ereine disappointed in the staying chase. She had previously shown a decent level of form over fences and is clearly better than this effort.

New Recruits

Away from the racecourse I was busy at the Tattersalls Newmarket Horses In Training Sales last week and was pleased to come away with three nice horses who I hope you will be hearing plenty more about over hurdles this winter. They are quality German flat performer Yaa Salaam who is going to be syndicated, a five year old flat stayer; Airton who marks a welcome return to the yard for an owner from the past (watch this space) and Legal History - a nice juvenile hurdle prospect (and half-brother to dual Group One winner Pakistan Star) who is looking for a 25% shareholder. Middleham Park are the other shareholders and I am delighted to have them back involved at the stable. Legal History is a good looking gelding who has already jumped around our loose school and will be going hurdling shortly. Do get in touch for more details.

The Week Ahead

Looking to the week ahead and it is a quiet start with no runners this afternoon (Monday), while Kalifourchon will be our only runner at Exeter on Tuesday when he contests the staying handicap hurdle. I had hoped to run King’s Socks in the Haldon Gold Cup on the card but the ground just isn’t right for him so the plan is to head straight for the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham later in the month.

Many of our horses hold multiple entries at this time as we keep an eye on the weather and look for the best possible ground for them, as such plans are very fluid at this time. Moon Racer has an entry in the Pertemps qualifier over three miles at Newbury on Thursday and the intention is to run him. He will be trying three miles for the first time, although he saw the 2m5½f trip at Ayr out very well on Scottish National day on his first try beyond the minimum trip.

It could be a busy weekend if the heavens open with Remastered, Know The Score, Vieux Lion Rouge, Un Temps Pour Tout and Ramses de Teillee are all entered at Aintree on Sunday, while we also have entries at Ffos Las and Sandown on the same afternoon. Rathlin Rose, already a winner of a veteran’s qualifier could contest another of these valuable races for the older generation at his beloved Sandown…weather permitting! As usual, for all the latest news on runners from the yard and any other gossip, keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing

Stable Tours

I am excited to announce news of a new initiative at Pond House. Very shortly we will be conducting private visits to Pond House which will include breakfast at a local eatery, as well as a trip to the gallops to see the horses in action during exercise and a tour of the yard. The tours are limited to just seven people per visit and further details can be found here…  At present there are two dates available prior to Christmas, both coinciding with a jumps meeting from Exeter in the afternoon and they would make an ideal present for the racing enthusiast.

Fantastic Frankie

I enjoyed watching the Breeders’ Cup action from Churchill Downs over the weekend and was delighted to see considerable European success, not least for Frankie Dettori and that extraordinary filly Enable who landed the Turf just four weeks after recording her second win in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Well done to everybody concerned on an amazing feat.

Fireworks!

Finally, we were treated to a Halloween/fireworks party at my parents’ house on Sunday and were joined by a number of the workforce. We had a great time and loads of people made the effort to dress up. Chester recorded the event for posterity and you can see pictures of myself and secretary Gemma – Chester always thought the office was run by witches…he won’t want to be showing his face in the office any time soon!

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