Tuscany

I enjoyed a very nice week away in Tuscany with Leanne, the children, my parents and some close friends.  To say the location was ‘rural’ would be something of an understatement as our villa was located some five miles up a single dirt track and we certainly had a mixed bag with the weather – by day it was warm and sunny, by night we had some spectacular thunder and lightning storms.

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It was nice to be back among the winners last week with Royal Peak scoring again at Worcester on Monday in determined fashion from a potentially well-treated rival.  Having been headed after the last, he found extra to deny multiple point winner She Is A Cracker by a head in a driving finish.  He was turned out again at Newton Abbot two days later under a penalty in a bid to stay ahead of the handicapper but the race may well have come a bit soon for him as he looked a little flat in finishing fourth.  He will be due another rise from the official handicapper tomorrow (Tuesday), but he is only lightly raced and can continue to progress.

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As you can see from the photographs, it looks as though Tom Scudamore has some competition for his job as stable jockey at Pond House!  Ronaldo des Mottes is currently away enjoying his summer break but he had a visit from his owners Dan and Kenny Ives who couldn’t resist climbing aboard their eight year old gelding.  Now, Ronaldo isn’t exactly the smallest horse in the yard but the lads are very tall and dwarf him when they climb in the saddle – fortunately for Ronaldo, Timmy Murphy, Tom Scu et al aren’t quite as large as his owners!  Ronaldo has been with us since his four year old days and is a great favourite around the yard – he signed off last season with a creditable third in the Sussex Champion Hurdle and we are looking forward to seeing him back in the stable towards the end of the month when he will embark on his preparation for a novice chasing campaign.

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After a blank week it is nice to get back to the real business of having some runners on the track.  Although we don’t get going over the sticks again until tomorrow we nonetheless have a runner this evening (Monday) on the level at Windsor where Purple ‘N Gold runs in the 1m2f flat handicap under James Doyle - he has proven to be a shrewd purchase by owner Keith Webb having already scored on the level and over hurdles.

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It would appear that I picked the wrong week to take my holidays!  Having enjoyed a break in Portugal the week before last (when the weather here was at its finest), this week sees a blank in the National Hunt calendar and a weather forecast that suggests waterproofs are the order of the day rather than my Speedos!  Indeed, our only possible runner during the week ahead comes at Sandown on Thursday where Togiak is entered in a 1m2f handicap.

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Last week was a quiet one with only three runners and I took the opportunity to enjoy a few days rest & recuperation by flying off to Portugal for a few days with Leanne and the children.  We had a lovely time in the sunshine and the kids thoroughly enjoyed building sandcastles on the beach and paddling in the sea.  As is always the case though, the stable is never far from mind – it can’t be with year round racing…

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I couldn’t possibly begin this week without mentioning the fitting tribute to the life of David Johnson at last Friday’s memorial service at the Grosvenor Chapel in London.  The family held a private ceremony for David on Wednesday, but Friday presented an opportunity for those others who knew ‘DJ ‘to pay their respects and they certainly turned out in force.

It was an extremely touching service, with barely a dry eye in the house.  Many of the speakers (my father included) spoke fondly of their memories of DJ and the music, including the classic Eagles song ‘It’s Your World Now’ encapsulated the man perfectly.  His passing will clearly leave a sizeable void in the lives of all those who knew him.  DJ’s son Stephen has started a webpage to raise money for Cancer Research UK – a cause that I am sure you will all agree is most worthwhile.  If you would like to make a contribution in DJ’s memory you can do so by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/DavidJohnsonDJ/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=DavidJohnsonDJ&utm_campaign=pfp-tweet

Talking of poignant losses I was also extremely saddened to hear that Taunton racecourse Clerk of the Course had passed away suddenly last week.  I have known and respected Michael for many years and he was a very amiable man.  He did a wonderful job with the ground at Taunton racecourse and was part of the vision that sees the track flourishing as it is today.  The sport of horseracing will also be much the poorer for his loss.  Our thoughts go to his wife Clare and family at this very sad time.

We did enjoy a nice winner last week when Purple ‘N Gold made a successful hurdling debut under Tom Scudamore at Uttoxeter on Wednesday.  He tracked the leaders before being sent on at the last hurdle and holding on in a desperate finish to prevail by a short head taking our tally for the new season to 14.  He was originally claimed from the flat by Keith Webb and has done very little wrong, scoring on the level at Kempton as well as finishing placed on a number of occasions.  He has done plenty of schooling at home, showing good aptitude and enthusiasm for hurdles.  Personally I am of the opinion that he was idling in front here and can continue to progress with that experience under his belt.

It looks like being a quiet week ahead on the racing front and that may not be a bad thing with scorching temperatures of up to 33°c set to continue.  The stable will have two runners tomorrow (Tuesday) – Darcey Diva at Southwell and Vapiano who makes his debut for the yard in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Bangor – both will be ridden by Kieron Edgar.

Further ahead we have Standing Ovation, Royal Peak, and Investissement entered at Worcester on Wednesday as well as a handful of entries at Uttoxeter on Friday, while Saturday and Sunday sees a blank weekend for jump racing where the stable has no entries.

We do have a number of entries for the Galway Festival  at the end of July/beginning of August, although both War Singer and Street Entertainer, who were both disappointing at the weekend are most unlikely to make the journey across.  We also have Shoegazer in the Galway Plate and he is still a possible for the big race at this stage.

Horses_at_grass13_webEven allowing for the sparse summer jumps fixtures, there is still plenty of work to be done and the horses have just started coming back in following a good summer at grass.  They are looking a picture having had a good deal of sun on their backs and I always enjoy seeing many of the familiar faces back in the yard.  Now the preparation for the winter season begins with work commencing on their fitness and their seasonal objectives.

The highlight of the racing week has to be the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot and features a fascinating clash between St Nicholas Abbey and Cirrus des Aigles.  There has been precious little between the two in past meetings and this should be another great race, with many other top class horses in the line-up.  Sadly, since this blog was written St Nicholas Abbey has suffered a career ending injury, but hopefully connections will be able to save him for a long and frutiful career at stud...best wishes for a speedy recovery.

It has certainly been a good week for British sports.  What a performance from cyclist Chris Froome to land the Tour de France by more than four minutes and follow-up the success of 2012 winner Bradley Wiggins.  Congratulations to him and all at Team Sky.

The England cricket team were also very impressive as they disposed of the Australians with sessions to spare, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.  Although you can never take anything for granted, it would take a monumental collapse from the home team not to retain the Ashes.  Although it is early days in the series, wouldn’t it be marvellous if the English cricketers could whitewash the Aussies?!

Finally, I am sure that there were a few sore heads this morning following the surprise 60th birthday party of stable sponsor Wayne Clifford in Woods Restaurant in Bath yesterday!  Sarah did an excellent job of keeping the bash under her hat - there was a very good turnout and we had a lovely evening among great company.

Anyway, for the latest news from the stable, you can visit Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter: @DavidPipeRacing

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                    High Ville

In a fairly quiet time for runners last week it was great to have a winner from our only runner at Uttoxeter, High Ville on Tuesday.  Our six year old is not the easiest of rides as he is pretty keen but Conor O’Farrell gave him a great ride from the front.  Although tackling three miles for the first time he seemed to see out the new trip very well and in fact never saw a rival!  He is sure to go up a few pounds for this but the fact he stays opens up more opportunities for him and there could be more improvement to come, providing he doesn’t pull too hard in his races.  He is a lovely big sort who likes the quick ground and I am sure he will enjoy jumping the larger obstacle at some point although he does hold another entry back at Uttoxeter over hurdle this week and may run again.

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We were greatly saddened to hear of the passing of David Johnson at the weekend after losing his valiant battle with cancer at the age of 67.  Not only was David a great owner to have in the yard, he was also a loyal friend and confidant.  A self-made, grounded man, David never forgot his roots and always had time for others and was never arrogant or conceited – there were no airs or graces with him and he could communicate with anyone (even Chester, who was a fellow ‘Hammers’ supporter).  A great supporter of our sport of horse racing, the entire industry will be poorer for his loss.

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While the summer is traditionally our quiet time of the year, there is still plenty of work to be done behind the scenes.  Although the majority of the horses are out on their holidays, we have just started to bring in a few of the horses you will be watching over the winter and the yard will start to fill up again from this point on.  Nevertheless, the break has provided a good opportunity to conduct some house-keeping and maintenance work around the yard.

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