- Monday, 13 October 2025 13:02
- Written by David Pipe
First Lord Du Cuet on the Gallops
It is hard not to start this week’s offerings on the topic of the weather once again! The meeting at Chepstow, is often seen by many National Hunt fans as the proper start to the jumps season and we were all set for a great few days of action only for the weather to dampen some of the enthusiasm. While we still did have some good racing, there were plenty of non-runners, including my intended weekend runners at the track because of the ground. ARC put on some great prize money and Chepstow ground staff did their best, but for a proper winter horse in my opinion it just was not soft enough. The rain will come and we know when it does it will not stop!
I did however; enjoy a good day out at the races on Friday. I sponsored a race and enjoyed hosting 30 guests in a box for the afternoon. We had two runners in the race I sponsored and while Old Bridge ran his race, Activist proved a little disappointing, travelling into the race very strongly and looking the winner two out, only to stop relatively quickly. He seems fine after the race and I shall have his wind checked. Well done to the Nicky Martin team who trained Got A Dream to win the race and I presented the prize to her afterwards.
Bashful Boy ran well for a long way in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday. He travelled enthusiastically, close to the pace for the majority of the race but ultimately those that raced up there initially did get tired in the closing stages. He still had every chance two furlongs out but just faded inside the last 100 yards. He was not beaten very far at all, only twelve lengths, in eleventh place and it was another good run. He loves his racing and will be winning on the level very soon.
This Week
It is a quiet start to the week for the team with our earliest runners going to be on Thursday at Ffos Las. Order of the Dance could make his stable debut in the 2m4f handicap hurdle. Placed in Ireland when trained by the late Edward O’Grady, he has settled in well since arriving and it will be good to get him started if the ground is suitable. Pachacuti does have an entry in the staying chase on the card but will probably wait for another day.
On Friday, we have entries at Uttoxeter with Purple Owl entered in the novice’s hurdle, which would be his hurdling debut while First Lord Du Cuet has an entry in the staying handicap chase on the card. At the weekend, we have entries at Newton Abbot and Kempton so keep checking the Daily News on the website for latest news on the stable runners. My weatherman tells me that more significant rainfall is due by the end of the month so fingers crossed it comes!
Graham Lee – Life Beyond the Fall
On Sunday, I watched the Racing TV feature on Graham Lee highlighting his journey since a fall at Newcastle in the stalls nearly two years ago left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. They talked about his amazing riding career in which he rode over 1,000 winners over jumps including the Grand National on Amberleigh House, the Scottish National and he was leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival when associated with great horses such as Inglis Drever. He switched codes later in his career and rode nearly 1,000 winners on the flat, which included the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes and the Ascot Gold Cup. It was heart breaking to hear that he was considering retiring from the saddle not long before his accident, but just wanted to try and reach the milestone of 1,000 winners on the flat. I cannot think there are many jockeys, if any that have achieved the feat of 1,000 winners under each code, for then the accident to cruelly end his career and his life as he knew it. He has come a long way since that fateful day and spoke very well in the interview. He has great support from his wife Becky and two children and amazing group of close friends who have helped him reach where he is now. The role and the importance the Injured Jockey’s Fund have played in his journey to this point was well documented as well. Graham came to Pond House and school The Package before riding him in the 2010 Grand National. He actually rode a winner for dad; in May 2000 he partnered a horse called Cathedral Belle to victory at Newton Abbot. The racing Post analysis for the race reads: may not be the easiest of rides, but conditions suited her and she was ridden to perfection by Graham Lee. I recommend watching if you have not seen already (it can be viewed on the Racing TV website or their app).
Upcoming Sales
The end of October is a busy time in the sales ring with plenty of different sales coming up. Jack Pipe is very excited that his half term school break means he is available to go to Doncaster and Cheltenham Sales next week and Newmarket Horses in Training sales the following week! On Sunday, we spent the afternoon going through the Goffs Doncaster Sales, which is next Tuesday 21st October and includes the dispersal of many of the Roger Brookhouse owned horses. Following racing at Cheltenham on Friday 24th October there is as Tattersalls sale at the track, which is a dispersal sale of all of the David Maxwell, owned horses. There are seventeen lots going under the hammer and while I imagine many of the existing trainers who train his horses will be hoping to buy them back, if they like them, there are both young horses with exciting potential and older handicapper types who could be more value for money. Jack’s enthusiasm for racing is infectious but once he has been through the Newmarket Catalogue, which has over 1600 horses in it, we will see what he is like then! We are hoping to add to our team in the coming week from all of these sales so if anyone is interested in becoming an owner, or would like simply like more information about the sales coming up, please do get in touch, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
October Hill – Shares Available
Recent purchase October Hill has now arrived at Pond House and we are putting together a little syndicate to own her. She is a gorgeous 5yo daughter of Berkshire who has been placed in all of her started in Ireland over hurdles. Shares are available that will not break the bank so If you would like to get involved in owning her or for more information contact to office on 01884 840715.
