- Monday, 22 July 2013 15:30
- Written by David Pipe
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.
Even 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
- Monday, 15 July 2013 12:28
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Monday, 08 July 2013 08:35
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Tuesday, 02 July 2013 11:58
- Written by David Pipe
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.
- Tuesday, 25 June 2013 09:22
- Written by David Pipe
What a week we enjoyed at Royal Ascot, there were so many memorable moments and fantastic races that I was just glad to be a part of it all on Tuesday. Investissement ran okay in the Ascot Stakes but appeared not to stay the 2m4f while in the Queen Alexandra stakes Ryan Moore said they went off so fast that Junior did not get to the front and was never really going. He has been on the go a long time and he will now go off on his summer holidays.
- Monday, 17 June 2013 15:43
- Written by David Pipe
Last week was a quiet one with only nine runners from the stable, but Basil Fawlty kept the scoreboard ticking over with success at Worcester on Tuesday in the 2m7f handicap chase. Our ninth winner of the new campaign was atoning for an unlucky fall at Exeter on his previous start when appearing to be travelling like a winner. He made no mistake on this occasion and jumping well he stayed on dourly to deny My Mate Vinnie in a driving finish. This was only his fourth start over fences so I am sure there is further improvement in him and while he may have his limitations, there is no reason to think that he cannot pick up something similar during the course of the summer.
- Monday, 10 June 2013 15:49
- Written by David Pipe
I was pleased to keep up our recent run of excellent weekend form with an across the card double at Perth and Nottingham on Sunday. Problema Tic made the 900+ mile round trip to the Scottish track worthwhile as he returned to form to run out the ready winner of the ultra competitive Perth Gold Cup under Tom Scudamore.
We had previously won the race in 2006 with Tamarinbleu who went on to enjoy Grade One success over fences; so hopefully this is a good omen for the future!
- Monday, 03 June 2013 15:46
- Written by David Pipe
It’s been an eventful few days with a weekend away in Majorca and while I had a great time, I cannot tell you how relieved I am to be back on British soil - I don’t think my liver could have taken much more! I flew out to the Spanish Isle in the early hours of Saturday morning with my partner Leanne for the wedding of Welsh rugby international Andy Powell (a part-owner in promising hurdler Broadway Buffalo) to his lovely bride Natasha and by Saturday night I was partying with some fairly big flankers in Magaluf – it was an eye opening experience I don’t mind telling you! I told them that I was not a Premiership player and I was clearly out of my league, hence I was tucked up in my bed long before they were! The wedding ceremony was a much calmer affair and I would like to wish the newly-weds every happiness for the future.
- Monday, 27 May 2013 12:11
- Written by David Pipe
Following a few near misses I was pleased to sign off the week with a couple of winners. Waterunder and Massannie provided some welcome success and took our tally for the new season onto five. The race that Waterunder won was something of a charade considering that for this two mile handicap hurdle the competitors had only to jump three hurdles due to the setting sun, indeed it was more like a bumper and Tom Scudamore produced an excellent ride to get our charge home in front. Don’t get me wrong… I am delighted to have won the race, but as far as I can remember the sun has always been where it is and I don’t recall horse or jockey going around the obstacles 20 years ago!
- Monday, 20 May 2013 15:59
- Written by David Pipe
Although we weren’t inundated with runners last week, it was a busy one nonetheless with representatives the length and breadth of the country at Towcester, Wincanton, Uttoxeter, Aintree and Stratford and a winner with Prideofthecastle at the last named on Sunday ended the week on a high. With the addition of a couple of nice youngsters from the Doncaster Sales on Thursday, it would have to be considered a productive time.
