- Monday, 25 November 2019 16:25
- Written by David Pipe
The victory of Paricolor (pictured above) at Fakenham last week took our seasonal tally to 36 and was important, not least as it was amateur rider Fergus Gillard’s first winner for the stable. Under a cool ride from the talented young jockey, our three year old quickened smartly around his rivals on the home turn to come home nine lengths clear. Although Fergus has ridden plenty of winners in point-to-points and three winners under rules for his dad, I am sure he will be relieved to get his first winner for the stable under his belt. He is improving all of the time and I am sure you will be hearing plenty more of him over the coming years.
- Monday, 18 November 2019 17:08
- Written by David Pipe
The recent weather has certainly spelt bad news for the racing industry with Stratford and Cheltenham having to call off fixtures last week. Even Fairyhouse in Ireland had to abandon due to waterlogging and take it from me, that takes some doing! Sadly, Cheltenham lost the first day of their prestigious November meeting on Friday and whilst two races were rescheduled between Saturday and Sunday’s cards there were some valuable races lost; races in which I had high hopes for our intended runners. We wanted the rain, but not that much!
- Monday, 11 November 2019 16:54
- Written by David Pipe
There is a saying that ‘good things come to those who wait’ and that adage proved to be the case at Chepstow on Wednesday when Kepagge (pictured above) ran out a timely winner of the bumper for long-standing patron Sarah Ling.
Sarah, her brother and sister (John and Anne) and her parents before them have had horses at Pond House since the 1980’s and some of you may recall that the famous blue and white colours were carried to victory in many big races aboard the top class chaser Beau Ranger. They have been marvellous people to be associated with; loyal and patient…a trainer really couldn’t ask for more.
- Monday, 04 November 2019 15:44
- Written by David Pipe
October certainly proved to be somewhat damp with 145mm of rain falling at Pond House last month alone. Strangely, it produced an incredible variance in the going from racecourse to racecourse, with Newton Abbot having to abandon their final fixture of the season last Thursday due to waterlogging, whilst the ground at Taunton’s first meeting on Wednesday saw ground that was officially described as good (good/firm in places).
- Monday, 28 October 2019 16:39
- Written by David Pipe
Cheltenham was back with their first meeting of the new season at the weekend and it was great to get on the board with our first runner; Ramses de Teillee (pictured above). I am always pleased of a winner wherever it may, although there is still something extra special about having a winner at Prestury Park. It remains the benchmark for everyone to aspire to, so to be there competing and succeeding is extremely satisfying.
- Monday, 21 October 2019 15:43
- Written by David Pipe
The stable enjoyed a great weekend when recording a double at Ffos Las’s Welsh Champion Hurdle meeting on Saturday, marking a triumphant return to the saddle for stable jockey Tom Scudamore who had been on the sidelines since breaking his wrist and T7 vertabrae in a fall on 10th September. These successes were no less significant as they consolidated our place in the top five of the trainers’ championship and I remain very pleased with the form of the stable. As the jumps campaign continues to build momentum with the opening fixture of Cheltenham’s season getting underway this coming Friday, there are few better times to have the horses in tip-top order.
- Monday, 14 October 2019 15:37
- Written by David Pipe
The excitement is mounting as the core part of the jumps season is now upon us. For me, growing up, the season proper would always get underway with Chepstow’s October meeting being the first one covered by the Beeb. Whilst the BBC no longer covers the fixture, it is good to see ITV picking up the baton by covering some of the meeting. The meeting at the Welsh track is always a high quality one and marks the point where the horses you will be watching throughout the winter begin to come out and I was delighted to be amongst the winners at the fixture.
