Lady's Game Success

Despite the enforced summer break, the routine carries on very much as normal at Pond House.  With the vast majority of our winter team now back in from their summer holidays, we are busier than we have been at any other time during the summer.  Of course, this begs the question, why does the break not come sooner when the horses are still out to grass?  As far as I can tell, this only benefits the jockeys, whilst an earlier break would allow most of the team at home to enjoy some down time as well.

Lady’s Game Success

We go into the break in the best possible form thanks to the success of ultra-game filly Lady Reset (pictured above), who was scoring a first success over hurdles at Stratford on Thursday.  She has been running really well despite a busy campaign on the flat of late, winning twice and finishing in the frame on a further couple of occasions, but until Thursday, she was yet to get her head in front over timber.

She had gone close over course and distance last season so had obvious claims here from a 1lb lower mark.  Tracking the leaders, Tom Scudamore moved her into contention at the end of the back straight and took on the favourite in a thrilling duel from there.  The pair were locked together for the entire length of the home straight with both fillies answering every call.  Lady Reset never buckled and forced her head in front in the final strides to record a dramatic victory.

She is not the biggest, but she has a big heart and a tremendous attitude and you can’t ask for more than that.  The good ground is key to her – the faster, the better she likes it.  She will continue to switch between hurdles and the flat and can add to her tally.

Oneonechop finished third on the same card in the juvenile maiden hurdle.  A multiple winner on the flat at up to a mile, he has reached the frame on all three starts to date.  He will be due a handicap mark tomorrow (Tuesday) and that should open up plenty more opportunities for him.

The Week Ahead

With a dearth of jump racing, we only have a couple of entries on the level this coming week.  Koi Dodville, a winner on the flat in France and twice over hurdles this summer is entered at Lingfield on Saturday evening in the 1m5f handicap and could take part there, whilst Lady Reset is in the 1m2f handicap at Haydock on Sunday.  We will see how she has come out of her latest race over the next few days before deciding on her participation.  She wouldn’t be wanting much rain between now and then.

Situations Vacant

With the tempo gradually increasing, we are now looking for full-time stable staff to join our successful and friendly team to ride work in the mornings and carry out general yard and stable duties throughout the day.  There will also be the opportunity to go racing with the horses when we have runners.  Previous experience within the racing industry is not required, although the successful applicant will have demonstrated a good level of experience in an alternative equine discipline.

Budding Champion Required!

It’s not just in the yard where there are exciting opportunities available, we are also looking for a 7lbs conditional jockey for the season ahead.  Pond House has produced several champion conditional jockeys through the years, whilst others have enjoyed big race success at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.

With Fergus Gillard progressing through the ranks at a rate of knots, his claim is already down to 3lbs, meaning that there is an opening for another budding champion to join the team.

The turnover of staff at Pond House is very low and therefore such opportunities are few and far between.  If you would be interested in either of these vacancies, do get in touch by sending your CV or details of your experience to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

National Racehorse Week

Last call for people wanting to join us for our forthcoming open day!  As I mentioned last week, our open day, which is part of the National Racehorse Week initiative next month quickly filled up with some people left disappointed.  We released further places to accommodate those and we are down to the last few spaces.  If you would like to see what goes on behind the scenes at the famous Pond House racing stables, you will need to be quick and register here: https://nationalracehorseweek.uk/yard/david-pipe/

Gold Run

Finally, I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to the Great British eventing team on their gold medal this morning, the first for Britain since 1972.  Oliver Townend, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen recorded a comfortable success in the team event and have medal prospects in the individual event – a truly amazing performance.