- Monday, 03 April 2023 14:59
- Written by David Pipe
A very young David, Craig & AP!!
Last week we said a fond farewell to travelling head lad Craig Wylie who has worked at Pond House for nearly 28 years. In the autumn he told us of his plans to move back to his roots in Scotland with partner Lynn and you knew the day was coming but all of a sudden it creeps up on you! Craig started work at Pond House in November 1995 and has been travelling our horses to the races ever since. Born and raised in Hawick, he left school and took employment with Jaeger as a power knitter! Although he played rugby in his younger days, horses were always his main interest. He started riding at an early age and he rode out for local trainers Ken Oliver and John Leadbetter growing up. He then worked for Mary Reveley for three years before a spell in New Zealand with Mike Moroney and then he started working for my dad when he returned to the UK.
- Monday, 27 March 2023 11:38
- Written by G Edwards
With the dust having settled on Cheltenham for another year the jumps racing action has continued thick and fast. It has been a little frustrating from our end with our runners yielding five seconds in the last week but just not being able to get their head in front!! New Age Dawning ran as well as he ever done to be second at Taunton behind a progressive rival. The track did not really play to his strengths and he was flat out all the way but stayed galloping through the line so you cannot ask for more.
- Monday, 20 March 2023 16:00
- Written by David Pipe
King Turgeon - Happy With His Win!
In the blink of an eye the 2023 Cheltenham Festival has been and gone. All of us involved in our sport dream of having Festival winners but with the domination of the Irish at the moment it is proving very difficult for everyone but we will all re-group, re-build and try again next year!! Thanksforthehelp was carrying the weight of our Pond House expectations but sadly it was not meant to be. He did not get the clearest of passages from the very beginning of the race after the standing start and I never really felt totally happy at any stage. He had a few traffic problems and even though he came through to have a chance before the last, he could not sustain his challenge. Ultimately he was only beaten eight lengths which covered the first 12 horses home, perhaps testament to the fact the early gallop was not that strong which also would not have suited.
- Monday, 13 March 2023 16:44
- Written by David Pipe
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Thanksforthehelp runs in the Pertemps
Twas the night before Christmas…I mean Cheltenham!! I’m sure that’s how it feels for us involved in our sport and many racing fans and that is the way it should be!! There is quite a long build up and then all of a sudden it’s here before you know it!! We now know the full fields for the first two days of action and there in plenty to look forward to.
- Monday, 06 March 2023 13:02
- Written by David Pipe
A Great Win for Kepagge!
Another three winners have flowed in the last week taking our season winners total to 68 and I am delighted to horses continue in good form. Our first runner of last week was Koi Dodville and he put in a lovely performance to win for the first time over fences. There may have only been three runners but we were the outsider of the field and it was a good effort. He has returned from a mini winter break in good form and hopefully there is a bit more to come.
- Monday, 27 February 2023 14:02
- Written by David Pipe
Gwencily Berbas Winner at Exeter
Last week was a fairly typical on the runner’s front with plenty of ups and downs but another three winners is brilliant for everyone. Our first winner of the week came courtesy of Gwencily Berbas winning the Devon National at Exeter with Philip Armson on board. Our veteran chaser was a course and distance winner at the track last season on very different ground. He had been struggling a little for form this season but he continues to have all his enthusiasm and desire to race and it gave me a lot of pleasure to see him win. The handicapper had given him a chance and he really appreciated the stamina test that this race provided. Held up early he moved through to challenge from three out and kept galloping on strongly to the line. There are plenty of long distance staying races between now and the end of the season and these will be his targets.
- Monday, 20 February 2023 16:07
- Written by David Pipe
A lot has happened in the last week!! The biggest and most shocking news was of course Tom Scu announcing his retirement from riding with immediate effect. On Thursday morning we were delighted to have him back riding for the first time in nearly two weeks and by the evening I was digesting the news that he had called time on his jockey career!
