- Monday, 19 August 2019 16:02
- Written by David Pipe
There was plenty to cheer about last week with jump racing returning from its enforced summer break with midweek meetings from Newton Abbot and Worcester last Wednesday whilst the action resumed in full force on Saturday afternoon. Even better, the stable was among the winners again with the success of Hot Ryan at Worcester on Wednesday evening taking our seasonal tally to 20, which puts us well ahead of last year’s schedule.
- Monday, 12 August 2019 15:56
- Written by David Pipe
It is amazing how much you miss something when it is not readily accessible! Some people have suggested that there is too much racing these days and that we have reached a saturation point. They point to uncompetitive field sizes and prize money compared to the model employed in Ireland where there are far fewer meetings. However, I have really missed the opportunity to compete over the jumps over the past week and look forward to getting back racing when local track Newton Abbot and Worcester host meetings on Wednesday.
- Monday, 05 August 2019 14:46
- Written by David Pipe
The mandatory summer holiday from jump racing commences today meaning that there is no National Hunt action to look forward to all this week, whilst next week sees only a couple of midweek fixtures on Wednesday before racing recommences properly a week on Saturday. The break does give the jockeys a chance to recharge the batteries for a day or two, although the horses still need to be exercised, fed, groomed and mucked out daily so they are ready to go when racing resumes. Thus, we need a full complement of staff at Pond House and day-to-day life in a busy racing yard continues very much as normal.
- Monday, 29 July 2019 14:02
- Written by David Pipe
The week just gone by was a quiet one with just a couple of runners. Both performed creditably however with Ballard Down and Malangen finishing second in their races and showing more than enough to suggest they should be winning under their respective codes. Of course, it would have been nice to have a winner but at least it shows that the horses remain in good form. Indeed, every horse to have run from the stable during the past fortnight has reached the frame with the exception of the one faller (who was going well at the time).
- Monday, 22 July 2019 15:57
- Written by David Pipe
After a quiet start to last week the stable hit back with a vengeance from midweek onwards. The admirable Teaser (pictured above) started the ball rolling at Ffos Las on Thursday evening. With feature race success at Cartmel on Saturday and a double at Newton Abbot on Sunday, it really was a cracking few days for the Pond House team taking our tally for the season to 17.
- Monday, 15 July 2019 14:15
- Written by David Pipe
Whilst the racing calendar has been a little quieter, I took the opportunity to grab a little rest and recuperation with Leanne and the children and head to the Algarve for a week. The kids love it there so we try to go once a year and we had a fantastic time as usual, although I am not sure it was any warmer than it was back home!
- Monday, 08 July 2019 14:54
- Written by David Pipe
There was a near miss for returning owners Pete and Kim Masters when their horse Noel’s Boy (pictured above) made his debut for them and the Pond House team at Newton Abbot on Friday afternoon. Pete and Kim had horses in training with my father many years ago, so I was delighted when they approached me earlier this year with a view to getting back into the ranks of racehorse ownership and Noel’s Boy seemed like the ideal opportunity. Only a four year old, he was placed on his sole start in an Irish point-to-point, displaying considerable potential. He had pleased me in his work at home and confirmed that promise with a solid debut effort for us at Newton Abbot on Friday, finishing second in the bumper.
