Oceanline Winner at Worcester Again

We had our fifteenth winner of the season at Worcester last week courtesy of Oceanline winning again under a good ride from Jack Tudor.  He had won at the track over 2m7f on his previous start and had been put up six pounds for that success but that was not enough to stop him and the drop back in distance to 2m4f did not inconvenience him either.  Jack gave him a positive ride, he jumped well and kept galloping.  Things were getting a little tense in the final half a furlong as he was being closed down but he just did enough and we were on the right side of a photo finish.  

We will see what the handicapper does to his rating again on Tuesday morning but on latent flat ability, I hope there is still more to come when he is re-assessed.  We have tweaked his training routine at home and he seems in a great place both physically and mentally at the moment.  There is another race back at Worcester for him later this month or we may look to go back on the flat and run in the same race that he won at Ascot last year.

With our other runners, there was a great comeback run at Worcester from Micronormous who had been off the track since May 2023.  She travelled through the race a little to exuberantly and after getting to the front at the last she probably just paid the price and got a little tired on the run in and finished a close third.  She has a very likeable attitude and I am sure she will improve a little bit for the run.  She has come out of that race well which is the main thing and I am sure she can be getting her first win over hurdles very soon. 

Final Entry ran well under a penalty to be third in the juvenile hurdle at Newton Abbot.  His jumping was much better than when he won at the track on his first attempt and he galloped all the way to the line.  Like his brother, Mr Tambourine Man, stamina is his forte, he is likely to appreciate further in time, and a more galloping track may suit.  He is still a colt but he now going to be gelded which I think will help him concentrate a bit more in his races to!  He loves soft ground and so will have a little break now and be back on the track as a gelding when the rain has fallen as well.  Saucats ran in the same race at Newton Abbot and travelled into contention strongly before weakening from two out.  This is what he has done in France in his races so we will see if we can help him with his wind and then he may be a different proposition.

This Week

Jumps racing continues to be limited at the moment but we start the week with three runners at Worcester on Monday afternoon.  Nila, African Broadway and Mr Tambourine are all fairly big prices but do have each way chances.

Our next runners then will not be until Newton Abbot on Friday when we have entries in a few of the races.  The weekend also looks quiet but keep checking the Daily News section on the website for the latest information.

Busy Weekend

It was a very busy weekend just gone at Pond House as we hosted 110 members of the David Pipe Racing Club on Saturday morning for their annual stable visit and then over 150 visitors as part of National Racehorse week on Sunday.  We have had some great feedback from people who came which is always lovely to hear.  The weather was kind, which also helps, and guests got to see the horses in their stables, see our equine physio Jenni treating a horse and farrier Kevin in action.  Esther was in our lab to explain about blood tests and then everyone watched a horse swimming and loose schooling.  We galloped a few horses on the Wexford Sand Gallop and then paraded a few horses before refreshments were served.  The parade both days included our retired stable star Vieux Lion Rouge who loves days like these and being centre of attention!  On Sunday, we also had the pleasure of former Pond House inmate Flou Artsistique back to demonstrate his dressage skills.  He has been excelling in his new career with mounted police office Amy and he looked amazing in showing off his new skills.  We held a raffle on both days and raised £500 for the air ambulance and so it is lovely to be able to give something to a very worthwhile charity. 

I must take this opportunity to say thank you to the staff and all those who helped in making the day happen and run so smoothly.  The staff were in an hour early on the Saturday to make sure the usual jobs were done and the yard was clean and tidy in time for the doors opening.  I had asked for volunteers leading up to the day to work Sunday morning and it is humbling to see virtually everyone had put their names down to help.  The staff work one in four weekends anyways as part of their job but they were all in 8.30am to muck out, and tidy everything once again before making our guests feel welcome and ensure the morning ran smoothly.  A breakfast roll before our visitors arrived and a drink to finish once everyone had gone home went down well!

David Noonan Wedding

In between our yard visitors, Leanne and I managed to enjoy celebrating the evening reception of David Noonan’s wedding.  He married Harriet, down near where they live near Tavistock and the bride looked beautiful.  A few members of staff past and present as well as many of his colleagues from the weighing room were in attendance and a good night was had by all.  My voice was a bit croaky on Sunday morning and I was glad for rest on Sunday afternoon!

Horses For Sale/Shares Available

We have a couple of horses currently for sale as a whole or in shares of various sizes.  Please see details below and get in touch with the office Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone: 01884 840715 for more details.

SHOT BOII (IRE)

 

5 WINS FROM 22 CAREER STARTS & PLACED 9 TIMES

4 WINS OVER HURDLES & 1 WIN OVER FENCES

PRIZE MONEY WON £36,811

CHASE RATING: 107   HURDLE RATING: 105

David bought Shot Boii as an unbroken three year old.  After gaining experience in novice hurdles, he won on handicap debut at Ffos Las in February 2022.  Following a summer holiday, he returned to action to win three races in a row in the autumn of 2022.  He had his first season chasing last year and won at Hereford.  He was a little unlucky not to have won more than one chase.

Shot Boii’s previous owner has decided to take a break from racing and sold all of his horses. David wanted to keep him in the yard so bought him & we are looking to find his new owner(s)!

Shot Boii is a quite a character, is admirably consistent and can run over both hurdles and fences.  He handles most types of ground and is a very sound horse and extremely tough.  He takes his racing well and can run regularly.   He is good value for money & hopefully can win some nice prize money throughout the season.  He is only seven years of age, in his prime with plenty of racing ahead of him.

For sale for £20,000 + VAT*
Various size shares also available, please ask for more information.

SEYMOURJOHN

 

He is a handsome 5yo bay gelding by Scorpion out of a mare called Squeeze Me who was a bumper and hurdle winner.  He is an athletic horse and measures 16.3hh so has plenty of size and scope.

Irish point-to-point trainer John Paul Brennan offered us to have him to try and if we did not like him, we could send him back!  You cannot say fairer than that so we did and we have decided to keep him.  He probably prefers better ground and he is fit and ready to run.  While ultimately he is a staying chaser, it is likely to start in a bumper or novice hurdle.

He had three runs in Irish point to points, which did not exactly go to plan!  There is a story behind these runs but he then brought him over to Wales and won a maiden point to point over 2m4f.  He has ability and a good attitude, which is all you can ask and is ready for instant action.

He is for sale for £15,000 + VAT*

Various size shares also available, please ask for more information.

Please note, the VAT on these purchases is reclaimable through our yard sponsorship scheme which is generously supported by W & S.