Final Week

      Gearoid Harney (right)
   Out of Action Following Fall

We are now entering the final week of the 2022/23 National Hunt season. It looks set to be a busy few days for the stable with several runners this week and it would be great to get another winner or two before the curtain comes down at Sandown on Saturday. We kick off with a flat runner at Windsor today and a runner over hurdles at Kempton this evening.

This Week

Talap runs on the flat at Windsor and we are hoping for a bit more luck in running than last week at Lingfield where he was badly hampered at a crucial stage. Today’s race looks a little easier and hopefully he will not be far away providing the ground does not get too soft. American Sniper runs in the novice hurdle at Kempton and he looks to have a good chance. He is twice a winner over hurdles this season but he does have to bounce back from a rare below par effort last time at Exeter. He has had a little break since then, we have freshened him up, and he will like the track and conditions.
On Tuesday, we have five runners at Ffos Las and Jack Tudor, fresh from winning the Scottish National on Saturday aboard Kitty’s Light rides all five. The quintet is made up of King Turgeon, Bumpy Johnson, Last Quarter, Moodofthemoment and Abaya Du Mathan. There are no runners for the stable on Wednesday but we could be heading to Perth on Thursday with recent Wincanton winner Duc De Beauchene. We also have entries at Taunton and Warwick and then on Friday at Chepstow Perth and Southwell. We then could have a couple of runners at Sandown’s season finale meeting on Saturday.  Keep checking the daily blog for more up-to-date news on the stables runners. 

Last Week

We did not have many runners last week, but the there was some drama connected to a few of the races. On the flat at Lingfield, as already mentioned Talap did not have much luck in running in his race. Jockey, Cieren Fallon thought he may have won without the interference but he would have gone close anyway and has to be classed as a little unlucky.
Gwencily Berbas ran creditably in his marathon chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday. He travelled and jumped well before being a little outpaced as they turned on the taps for home. He stayed on strongly up the hill to finish seventh, not beaten that far in the end. Our 12-year-old is nearing retirement, but is still enjoying his racing and is a great credit to his owner Aidan Ryan. His swansong race could be at Fakenham next month in the Norfolk National. He has come out of Cheltenham very well and our plan is to have one final run before he can enjoy a long, happy and active retirement. 

Gearoid Harney

Texard got no further than the second fence at Exeter on Friday evening. He seemed to jump the fence okay but then stumbled and fell, giving jockey Gearoid Harney a horrible looking fall. Unfortunately, Gearoid was knocked out and he has suffered two fractures to his vertebrae. He was taken to Exeter hospital where he remains. Thankfully the fractures are stable and do not require surgery. He is very battered and bruised but can move fingers and toes and with a period of rest, he will make a full recovery. His parents came over from Ireland and have been with him along with his girlfriend and he remains in good spirits. Fergus Gillard was at Exeter on Friday night and was able to keep us updated on what was happening and has since been to visit him in hospital. I am not sure how long he has to stay in hospital just yet, but I am sure you would all like to join me in wishing him well for a speedy recovery. Gearoid joined our team in January this year and is a well-liked member of our team at home. He had previously had five rides for the yard, which has yielded a winner and four placings. Sadly, this run was ended in not a great way on Friday but it could have been worse and we are thankful he will be back riding when fully recovered.

Myristica made her stable debut on the flat at Newbury on Saturday. She ran a very promising race on ground that was softer than ideal to finish fourth. Jockey, Oisin Murphy was very happy with her but the softer ground was not to her really to her liking. It was a great start to her Pond House career and we aim to run her next over hurdles. She has schooled well at home and she will give us and owner Professor Caroline Tisdall a lot of fun under both codes this summer. 

Well Done Jack

I would like to take this opportunity to say a special well done to Jack Tudor on winning the Scottish National aboard Kitty’s Light at Ayr on Saturday. It was a great training performance by Christian Williams and particularly nice for him and his family who are going through a tough time with their daughter being unwell at present. I am sure this will have given them a much-needed boost. I am delighted for Jack, he is a young jockey with some big race wins to his name already at the age of 20 and I hope there are many more to come from our new partnership going forwards. 

Punchestown 

Punchestown gets underway on Tuesday and we can look forward to a great week of Irish action. Unfortunately, we do not have any runners over there this year, but I may be heading over to Ireland on Thursday for the sales that take place after racing. There are some nice types on offer and if you would like to find out any more information please do get in touch. 

Retired Horses

We take pride here at Pond House in finding good homes for all of our horses when their racing careers are over. It is very important to try to link the right horse with the right person so that horse and rider are always happy. We all are always delighted to hear how they are getting on in their new lives and what they are up to. Highlander Madrik lives locally to the yard and is enjoying hacking and re-schooling at the moment. Former Cheltenham Festival winner Siruh Du Lac and Umbrigado are another two we have recently found homes for and we hear they are getting on great in the new homes. Do Ya Feel Lucky went to Ireland for breeding after her racing career was cut short by injury and we are delighted to hear she has just been scanned in foal to Workforce. 

      
   Do Ya Feel Lucky - In foal to Workforce                                Siruh Du Lac