Winning Heights

    Ocean Heights - Winner at Doncaster

It was lovely to get off the mark on the flat for 2025 with Ocean Heights winning at Doncaster on Saturday.  This was actually our eight year olds first win on the turf on the flat, his other career wins being on the all-weather and a bumper at the start of his career.  The handicapper had given him some help in recent starts and it was great to be able to capitalise on this at the weekend.  Young apprentice jockey Jack Dace gave him a lovely ride and he quickened up well against the rail two furlongs from home.  He has an entry at Haydock on Friday over a slightly short trip, which will not be a problem, and he does not get a penalty from his win so it looks a good opportunity for him to run again quickly.  Jack Dace will ride again and can claim seven pounds this time instead of the five he did the other day.

Old Bridge made an encouraging stable debut to be second at Bangor over hurdles.  He led before slightly losing his position after three out but then staying on strongly for Jack Tudor’s urging from approaching the last.  He has room for improvement with his jumping which we can work on and he will appreciate stepping up in distance at some point and is capable of winning a similar contest next time.

This Week

Our first runners this week come at Southwell on Tuesday.  It will be a girl’s day out with Nini Star and Micronormous our representatives and Jack Tudor will be on board both of them.  Nini Star took a big step forward from her hurdling debut at Worcester last time and if she can progress again she should run well in the mares maiden hurdle.  Micronormous returns to hurdling over three miles having run well to be second at Exeter las time over the larger obstacles.  She has had a wind operation since then and can run from a slightly lower handicap mark in this.  She is in good form at home.

On Friday, we have entries at three different meetings, two meetings on the flat at Haydock and Goodwood and a few at Worcester over jumps.  Bashful Boy is likely to run in the staying handicap at Goodwood and Josephine Gordon is booked to ride.  He ran well in the Chester Cup last time, staying on strongly from an impossible position and he should improve for that first run back since a winter break.  This looks competitive again but does represent a slight drop in grade.  Our jockey rode him to run well in the Cesarewitch in October and the handicapper has given him some help so I hope he has a good each way chance.

At Worcester Jaipaletemps, Chemical Warfare and Micronormous are our entries before a quiet weekend.  Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on the stables runners.

Doncaster Sales

This week it is the sales up at Doncaster with store horses being sold on Monday and Tuesday before the Horses in Training and Point to Pointers come later in the week.  I am heading up there tomorrow having been through the catalogue with a fine tooth combe we will be looking to purchase a horse or two!  There are horses to suit all budgets and do all jobs, flat and jump so if you would like to know more information or get involved please do get in touch with the office on 01884 840715 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Point-to-Point Update

We did not have any point-to-point runners over the weekend with the ground being too firm at Bratton Down.  Rian Corcoran continued his successful campaign with another winner and looks set to be crowned National champion novice rider at the end of the season, which is fantastic for him.

Racing returns to Bratton Down on Sunday this coming weekend and Upcott Cross on Bank Holiday Monday.  We have made entries for the latter with Sidi Ismael and Royal Defender possibilities if we get rain later in the week.

Holiday Time

The majority of ‘winter’ horses are now on their holidays at grass and the summer jobs of steam cleaning, tidying and painting are well under way.  They have been out to grass for a couple of weeks and the weather has been lovely for them.  Some are in pairs in different paddocks while we have some in larger groups as well.  They will have their first weigh in this week so we can monitor how much weight they are putting on and some with white noses will need a bit more sun cream on!  Believe it or not, we do put sun cream on some of the horses, those with fair skin and pale noses can burn just like humans do!