New Season Winner

  Duc De Beauchene (leading) Winner Again

It was great get off the mark for the new season with Duc De Beauchene winning the Norfolk National at Fakenham last week.  He raced very enthusiastically behind the leaders under Fergus Gillard throughout and stated on strongly at the end of the race to see out the trip really well on his first try over the marathon distance.  He has been in rude health of late, winning at Wincanton, finishing second to a progressive rival at Kempton and then winning again off top weight the other day.  He seems to have appreciated the better ground of late and will be kept on the go for now with some more long distance chases the main objective.  While the handicapper will have his say tomorrow, while he remains in good heart there is more to come.

Our recent runners have also yielded two seconds and Myristica was perhaps a little unlucky at Worcester last week.  She was badly hampered by the eventual winner at the second last hurdle and was only beaten a head.  In the current climate while we might have got the race in the steward’s room, equally I was not surprised we did not.  Several people suggested that we should appeal but my gut feeling is that we had long enough from the point of interference to win the race outright and we didn’t quite do it.  However, it was a very pleasing hurdling debut from our mare, she jumped and travelled really well and she should have no problem winning a similar contest going forwards.  Abaya Du Mathan also filled the runner up spot, this time at Fakenham.  The course did not really play to his strengths as he is a big horse and the bends are tight but it was another good run.  He has not finished out of the places on his last five starts, winning once and finishing third once and second three times and he remains in good form.  There is a race for him at Ffos Las at the end of the month which will suit him better.

Thanksforthehelp was disappointing at Haydock on Saturday which I think we can put down to the ground.  While we thought it was safe enough for him to run on jockey Jack Tudor said he really did not enjoy the quicker surface and he was not ‘letting himself down’ on it.  Jack did the sensible thing and pulled him up and he seems fine since the race which is the main thing.  He will now go in his summer holidays and we can probably look forward to him going chasing in the autumn as I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. 

This Week

It is going to be fairly quiet week on the runner’s front for the stable but our next runners come at Worcester on Wednesday.  Last Quarter runs in the three mile handicap chase and Call Her Clever makes her racecourse debut in the bumper.  Micronormous holds an entry at Fontwell on Thursday but also has further possibilities over the weekend.  On Friday we could have runners on the flat with both Lady Reset and Talap entered at Newbury.  We do have entries over the weekend as well so keep checking the Daily news for more updates on the stable runners. 

New Syndicate Opportunity

We are in the process of setting up a new syndicate to own two horses here at Pond House.  While we are just working out the exact costings we imagine it to be a buy in cost of approx. £4000 per share and then £200 a month for training fees.  We already have a few shares taken but we are looking for a few more people to take it up to 10-12 members and this will then determine final costs.  Both horses are winners already and are capable of winning more races and will give us a lot of fun going forwards.  If you would like any further information or would like to register an interest in getting involved please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give the office a ring on 01884 840715. 

Upcoming Sales

On Friday this week there are sales at Cheltenham with 40 horses catalogued starting at 1pm.  It is then Doncaster Sales next week, with the store horses starting on Monday and over 450 horses entered in the Horses in Training section which starts on Wednesday 24^th May.  I am busy going through the catalogues for both sales and there are horses available at all budgets so if you are interested in finding out more, please do get in touch.

Gearoid Harney Update

I spoke with our amateur jockey Gearoid Harney over the weekend and I am pleased to report he is improving slowly in his recovery.  He sustained two stable fractures to his vertebrae and was knocked out and suffered a bleed to the brain when taking a heavy fall at Exeter on 21^st April.  He spent about 10 days in hospital but then came home to continue his recovery and was actually in Ireland with his family when I spoke with him.  Thankfully he did not require surgery on his back but the bleed on his brain has caused trouble with his vision in his left eye.  He was at the hospital for a check-up last week and they are confident his vision will improve as things begin to settle.  He will go for rehab at Oaksey House when the time is right and hopes to be back in work by the end of the summer. 

Jury Service

I have taken my turn and completed my jury service in the last two weeks.  The first case we had was relatively short and we were then given a second one which was actually dismissed due to a technicality!  It was an interesting experience but glad to be back to the day job now!

John Doble Funeral

On Friday I attended the funeral of John Doble a former at our local Burlescombe church.  John passed away in April and his funeral was very well attended by people from far and wide.  Brough Scott spoke for one of the eulogies and it was one of the most powerful, moving tribute I have ever heard.  John had an incredible life and it was a lovely send off