- Monday, 24 October 2022 14:42
- Written by David Pipe
Thomas Mor wins at Worcester on rules debut
Image courtesy of Nigel Kirby Photography
As a trainer, the hardest thing you ever have to deal with is the loss of one of the horses in your care. It is something that you never get used to and it never gets any easier – no expectant head over the stable door, eagerly awaiting breakfast, lunch or dinner. If The Cap Fits suffered a fatal fall at Aintree on Saturday, our second devastating loss following the passing of Adagio a couple of weeks ago. Racing can provide some of the most amazing highs, but also some of the most awful lows and this was a cruel blow indeed.
I would like to extend my grateful thanks to the veterinary staff at Aintree for tending to him so quickly and professionally to ensure that he did not suffer. The team at Pond House are incredibly upset and our thoughts are with Bex, who doted after him every day and his owners Judith and Fergus Wilson.
Fire Service Visit
The week had started on an altogether more positive note when we were joined by members of the Devon & Somerset Fire Service, Wellington Station 70 last Monday evening. Station Commander Jason Vernon and several of his team joined us as part of their community awareness programme, highlighting potential risks and advising of best practice. We made an evening of it and the guys enjoyed a tour of the yard, whilst a few of them who tried our riding simulator would not have been out of place on the gallops. It was tremendous to be able to show them a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes in a racing yard, whilst also learning more about what they do. We are extremely grateful to them for the work they undertake and risks required in order to keep the public safe.
Fergus’ Horse To Follow
I am pleased to bring you the latest instalment of our popular horses to follow video feature. As you will know by now, each year we ask the team for a horse to follow for the season ahead. Broadcaster Mike Vince very kindly gave of his time to once again oversee the interviews and today it is the conditional jockey, Fergus Gillard. To find out more about who he nominated, click on the image below.
Couple Of Winners
The stable enjoyed a couple of winners last week, courtesy of Red Happy and Thomas Mor (top of page). Red Happy (pictured right) made a successful return to fences when a brave winner of the 3m Best Mate handicap chase at Exeter’s first meeting of the season on Tuesday. Jumping well, he saw out the trip better than his principal rival, Vision des Flos and was pulling away again in the closing stages. He relishes a sound surface and is a progressive five year old, who has done really well for us since joining the team from France. His owner has high hopes for him and I hope he’s right.
Thomas Mor made a winning debut for the stable when readily successful in the 2m7f maiden hurdle at Worcester on Wednesday. We purchased him from the sales after he won his final start in an Irish point-to-point, (form that has subsequently been franked by the runner-up) and he is already looking to be a good buy. Prominent throughout under Tom Scudamore, he had matters well in hand in the straight and is a nice prospect for owners Wayne Clifford and Ian Gosden. He jumps and stays well and should make a very nice staying chaser in time.
Of our other runners during the week, Koi Dodville ran respectably in the 2m3½f handicap chase, staying on in the closing stages, whilst Panic Attack ran better than her finishing position would suggest in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier at Cheltenham on Saturday. She travelled very well for much of the way before not finding as much as anticipated up the hill. She jumps very well and will go chasing next and is an exciting prospect for fences.
Rouge Returns
Vieux Lion Rouge accompanied our runners to Aintree on Sunday as the veteran’s handicap chase was named in his honour, to celebrate his phenomenal achievements at the track. Twice a winner of the Becher Chase (and runner-up in another), he jumped a record 253 of the unique fences. Now 13 years old, he was looking terrific and very spritely as Julie Bellamy paraded him before the race, appearing very excited to be back at his old stomping ground.
The Week Ahead
We are casting our net far and wide this week and we kick off with Sizing Pottsie in the 2m novices’ hurdle at Ayr this afternoon (Monday). A Grade 2 winning chaser in Ireland, we purchased him earlier in the year and he is another exciting member of the team. He has been ready to go for a little while; we have just been waiting for some rain for him. This looks like a good starting point and I am looking forward to seeing him make his debut.
Eden du Houx travels in the opposite direction to France as he competes in the 2m2f hurdle at Auteuil on Tuesday afternoon. He left early on Sunday and will have time to settle in before running. His last three starts have all been in France and he has run creditably. Conditions should suit and I hope he can run a big race.
Further ahead, we have plenty of entries at Worcester and Stratford on Thursday. Master Blaze is a likely runner at Wocester, where Sidi Ismael and Kingofthewest also feature among the entries, whilst at Stratford, Dindin and Koi Dodville are possible runners.
Point to point and bumper winner Tango Arumba holds a choice of engagements at Uttoxeter on Friday and Borntobealeader rounds off our entries in the juvenile hurdle at Huntingdon on Sunday. Do keep up to date with our daily news page for all the latest on running plans.
HIT Sale
The Newmarket Horses In Training Sale get underway today and as usual, I have spent plenty of time going through the catalogue as we try to source the next potential jumps star. It is a massive catalogue to go through and there are some nice types on offer. I am able to buy to order, so if you are interested in joining the Pond House owners’ roster, do get in touch and I would be pleased to discuss your requirements.
Passing of Gerald Cottrell
I was saddened to learn of the passing of local training legend Gerald Cottrell this morning at the age of 97. Gerald trained just down the road from Pond House, in Cullompton and my father knew him very well. He gained his licence in 1971 and trained lots of winners, most notably Acclaimation, who won the Diamed Stakes at Ascot and went on to be an influential stallion
My father said, “Gerald was a brilliant trainer, especially of sprinters. All of his horses were extremely fit and knew what they were doing. My head lad, Dennis came from Gerald’s yard and we always kept in touch. Our condolences and best wishes to Peggy and all of Gerald’s family.”
