- Monday, 13 May 2024 14:06
- Written by David Pipe
Ramses De Teillee off to his New Home
It was great to have some nice warm sunshine over the last few days and it was lovely to see the horses out in the field enjoying their summer holidays. We had a handful of runners last week in the new season and Neon Moon fared best with a solid run off a mark of 130 to finish third in a competitive race at Kempton. After a good campaign last term, which started and finished with a win, he is now on holiday and we can look forward to have him back racing in the autumn. Chemical Warfare also made a pleasing enough stable debut to be fourth and we learnt more about him for next time.
This Week
We start the week with Behind the Curtain running at Hereford on Monday and then have five runners at Ffos Las on Wednesday. Manuelito makes his handicap debut over two miles having won his last start in a novice event at Wincanton. He is a lovely four year old who has progressed with each of his three starts over obstacles and there is definitely scope for improvement off his current mark of 113. Activist is back in action after a mini-break and hopefully he can resume his upward progression. He won at Plumpton and Taunton but could not bring up the hat trick at Exeter. His third run probably came a little too soon after his previous and we have given him time and he seems in good form at home at present. Heure De Gloire and Behind the Curtain run in division one of the three-mile handicap hurdle. Jockey Jack Tudor thought our mare, Heure De Gloire, was worth a try at the trip and she loves the course. We will see how Behind the Curtain gets on at Hereford before making any plans with him. Paricolor and Mr Tambourine Man run in division two of the race and both have a little bit to prove at present but are capable of better and the handicapper is giving them a chance.
On Thursday Ocean Heights could make his flat debut for us. He had a great winter on the all-weather at Kempton winning twice and being place three times from six starts. Now rated 83, life will be a little tougher but I think he will enjoy going on the grass and he steps up in trip to 1m6f which should also suit. He won a bumper at Stratford before we bought him so he definitely stays and providing the ground is safe he may well take his chance.
We do not have any entries on Friday but do on Saturday at Bangor and Uttoxeter so keep checking the Daily News for the latest information on the stable runners.
Wincanton Stable Staff Golf Day
Thank you very much to Wincanton racecourse for re-introducing the stable staff golf day which took place last week in glorious sunshine. We were represented by Gemma Edwards, Gerry Supple, Martin McIntyre and Nick Taylor and the team played well to be third. The Anthony Honeyball yard had the winning team. It is something Wincanton have put on for many years but it stopped during Covid and this was the first time they have held it since. There were refreshments available throughout the afternoon and players returned to a wonderful BBQ at the end of play. A big thank you to new Wincanton General Manager Blaithin Murphy for putting the day back on and my staff are already looking forward to next year!
Ramses De Teillee off to his New Home
It was the end of an era and a sad but happy day on Sunday as I waved goodbye to Ramses De Teillee who is off to his new forever home to enjoy his retirement. We took our time to find the right home for him where he will have an active life of leisure not too far from the yard. He has been like part of the furniture here at Pond House and a personal favourite of mine over the years. He is quite a character and I always looked forward to feeding him his breakfast every day! I shall miss him but will be keeping in touch and I am pleased he has a nice home.
ITV BAFTA
I must just say many congratulations to the ITV Racing Team on winning a BAFTA for their Cheltenham coverage of Day One of the Festival for best sports broadcast of 2023. It beat other high profile events like the BBC’s coverage of the FIFA Womens World Cup Final in which England lost to Spain and the Men’s Singles Final at Wimbledon.
It was an incredibly emotional day for all involved at Cheltenham that year with Honeysuckle winning the Champion hurdle for Rachel Blackmore and the De Bromhead family who had not long lost their son Jack and they told the story so well.
I think ITV do a great job of broadcasting our sport and it was a well-deserved success to the huge team that work both in front and behind the cameras.
