- Monday, 30 September 2013 15:40
- Written by David Pipe
With a quiet week on the runners front I took the opportunity to spend a couple of days up in Scotland with owners Sean and Josie Tracey. We had an enjoyable time racing at Perth – I can’t remember the last time I was able to go along to a race meeting without having to rush around, saddle our runners, liaise with owners, discuss tactics with the jockeys and the like…it was certainly a nice change, but not something I would be looking to do on a regular basis! Whilst we were there the rain even relented long enough to get in a few holes of golf at the famous Gleneagles golf club.
- Monday, 23 September 2013 15:30
- Written by David Pipe
After another week with (next to) no jump racing, it was certainly good to be back with runners at a couple of meetings yesterday (Sunday). Although we didn’t hit the mark there were a couple of decent performances nonetheless from the likes of Purple ‘N Gold and Bathwick Man. Purple ‘N Gold has been in good form on the level - he appeared to be an unlucky loser at Sandown and it looked as though he may prevail yesterday on his handicap debut over hurdles at Plumpton.
- Monday, 16 September 2013 15:47
- Written by David Pipe
I was delighted by the success of Diamond’s Return at Uttoxeter last Wednesday. He has been a horse that has been quite difficult to place since notching up a quick hat-trick during the spring of 2012 but a recent third at Ffos Las over the longer distance of 2m4f suggested that he was well worth a try at three miles.
Given an ultra-confident ride by Conor O’Farrell, Diamond’s Return was held up right out the back of the field but made steady, relentless progress throughout the final mile, so much so that he was upsides at the last before quickening away to score by a cosy 2½ lengths. When things work out well these waiting rides are a joy to behold, when they do not however, they soon draw criticism and Conor went from hero to zero with some people in a matter of only 48 hours! Diamond’s Return was turned out again at Bangor two days later under a penalty and under similar tactics, failed to give his running and was pulled up. Some people fail to understand that horses are not machines and can sometimes have an off day and sadly on Friday he had one of those.
- Monday, 09 September 2013 14:26
- Written by David Pipe
Although only a quiet week on the racing front it was nevertheless an eventful one with visitors aplenty. Terry Neill joined us on Wednesday to see his ex-French charge Wetak and we took the opportunity to grab a few words with him for the website as we were also hosting renowned SIS broadcaster Mike Vince. Indeed, Mike was kept very busy on Wednesday, interviewing me and my father for our thoughts on the season ahead as well as chatting with a number of other members of staff around the stable with a view to getting their horses to follow.
- Monday, 02 September 2013 15:54
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Monday, 26 August 2013 11:46
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Monday, 19 August 2013 17:44
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Monday, 12 August 2013 15:41
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Monday, 05 August 2013 14:08
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Monday, 29 July 2013 07:15
- Written by David Pipe
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…
