- Monday, 15 September 2025 13:00
- Written by David Pipe
River Run Free
Last week, we sadly lost Hammer Dan at Uttoxeter races. He was in the process of running well in third place and travelling strongly when about to round the bend for home when Jack Tudor felt him go wrong and pulled him up quickly. He suffered a leg fracture and there was nothing that could be done for him but we would like to thank the vets and the racecourse for their swift actions in helping him. Our eight year old was the winner of two hurdle races and had been placed on all three of his previous starts this summer. Our thoughts are with his owners at this time and Sam who looked after him at home. Every horse plays their part in the community at the yard, he was a real character and we all will sadly miss him.
This Week
Things are quiet on the racing front at the beginning of the week but we have entries at Newton Abbot on Friday. Best Night could make her British and hurdling debut in the mares novices hurdle having arrived from France earlier in the summer. She has some good staying form in France on the flat and goes nicely at home showing a good attitude on the gallops. She will carry the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club and she is a four year old that will give our members some fun in the coming months.
Saccary is our other entry at Newton Abbot on Friday and he has an entry in the 2m1f handicap hurdle. He has some good flat form abroad but is still learning his trade over jumps. There is also a slight worry that the Newton Abbot meeting could be in doubt, depending on how much rain come this week. Between 27th August and 11th September they have had 140mm of rain and they could get another 20-50mm of rain in the coming days. The ground is currently soft and I am sure they are hoping not to get the larger quantity of predicted rain.
Bashful Boy has an entry on the flat at Newmarket on Saturday in the Cesarewitch Trial. He has run a couple of cracking races in competitive handicaps this summer but we were slightly disappointed that he did not win up at Musselburgh last time. He is off a competitive mark on the level at the moment and is capable of putting up another bold show at the weekend. All being well he will line up in the main Cesarewitch itself next month.
Owners Day Part 1
We made a change our usual owners day this year, breaking from tradition to host it is two parts and we enjoyed welcoming everyone for our first day on Saturday morning giving everyone the chance the look around the yard before swimming and loose schooling some horses. We then served champagne to watch some horse’s parade before heading to the local Culm Valley Inn for lunch. The day seemed well received and we look forward to entertaining the rest of our owners this coming weekend.
Stable Staff Golf Finals Day 2025
Last Monday, Gemma set sail for the Warwickshire Golf Course to pay in the NARS stable staff golf day having won the qualifying round at Wincanton previously. Jack Pipe was eligible to play also but he decided he better go to school, having just returned from the summer break! Gemma tells me she was a little nervous and nerves showed on the first hole but she soon settle in a played well. She scored 35 points, finishing sixth overall out of 40 players and she won the nearest the pin competition on two of the four par 3 holes. The winner was Matt Ennis, a flat amateur jockey while jumps jockey Shane Quinlan was runner up. There were many people playing from Newmarket and Lambourn and just the two ladies were involved. Gemma’s group contained the other lady who is head person at flat trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy’s stable who have exciting times ahead with Amo Racing. Another in the group was a work rider for Charlie Appleby who rides multiple Group 1 winner Rebel’s Romance and the fourth group member worked for William Haggas. There were some great racing stories shared on the way round.
David Pipe Horses in Training Brochure
We have produced a little booklet with all our horses in training for the coming season ahead with a few extra things as well. Copies are available to purchase for £5.00 plus £2.50 postage and packaging with all proceeds going to the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance. Please do get in touch on 01884 840715 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order your copy.
Pond House Team
Purple Owl (IRE)
The winner of an Irish point to point at Tinahely and the runner up that day has won since. We did not get a clear run of things with him at home and you can put a line through is bumper effort at Taunton. He had a nice long summer break, looks fantastic and goes nicely at home. We hope he can make his mark over hurdle this winter, probably will not want the ground too soft
Red Wine Supernova (IRE)
Another nice new addition to the yard, by a sire we like in Kingston Hill and she was bought privately this summer. She fell in her only start in an Irish point to point at the second last fence when holding every chance of winning. A big, strong filly, she has summered well, goes nicely, and shows a likeable attitude at home on the gallops. Likely to start in bumpers before going novice hurdling. One Share remaining!
River Run Free (IRE)
A lovely old-fashioned chasing type who duly won his first two starts over the larger obstacles last season showing a good attitude in the process. Was never quite right after this so can be forgiven his last two starts and having summered well we hope there is plenty more progress to come. His wins came over 2m4f but three miles will be no problem and would not want the ground any quicker than good.
Royal Mer (FR)
He was always going to find last season tough from a rating of 123 (30 pounds higher than his first winning mark!) but once the handicapper relented a little he ran some nice races to be placed. The ground cannot be soft enough for him and his final race at Fontwell was on good ground, which he never enjoyed. Will start this season on a workable mark and providing we have some rain he will add to his five chasing career wins this winter.
Saccary (GER)
He showed a good level of form on the flat in France and Germany, winning twice and joined our team after finishing second in a claimer at Compiegne. Had some time off through injury but had three runs over hurdle last season. Was due to run again but the ground got too quick so he went on his holidays. Ready for handicap hurdles this season and is likely to run on the flat at some point as well.
