- Monday, 14 February 2011 17:30
- Written by David Pipe
I cannot write this week without first making reference to the terrible events at Newbury on Saturday that led to the death of two horses in the parade ring before the first race. An investigation is currently underway to discover what caused the horses to collapse and die, although at present electrocution is looking by far the most likely cause. I was present first hand to witness it, and I have to say that I have never seen anything like it before – I actually helped to subdue one of the stricken horses and it was an extremely distressing experience. My thoughts and condolences go to Jonjo O’Neill, Andy Turnell and the connections of both animals.
- Monday, 07 February 2011 17:30
- Written by David Pipe
Well, I did say that we might have a surprise or two in store for you following the Grand National entries, and I can reveal that rather than the original five entries, we now have six of the best for the world’s most spectacular horserace. I am very grateful to the new Swiss owners of Or Noir de Somoza for sending him to me to prepare for Aintree’s great race. The nine year old gelding is a winner of sixteen of his thirty six races (including three Grade One’s) and well over £1 million in win and place prize money. We have had Or Noir de Somoza in the yard before and he finished fourth in
- Monday, 31 January 2011 18:05
- Written by David Pipe
Grands Crus returns to the winner's enclosure at Cheltenham on Saturday
Just one word to sum up the weekend - Wow!
I have been waxing lyrical about the potential of Grands Crus for sometime now and while he bolted up in two valuable and competitive handicaps at
- Monday, 24 January 2011 16:50
- Written by David Pipe
It’s been another busy week and I am pleased to say that the horses are still running well and we are still among the winners.
On Monday, Mamlook our Chester Cup winner made a smooth transition to fences when scoring on his chase debut at Fakenham under champion jockey A P McCoy. It was only a three runner race, but I was delighted by the way that he jumped and he quickened up well in the straight to win the race. Despite the ground probably being softer than ideal, the experience will have done him good and he looks sure to go on to better things over fences.
- Monday, 17 January 2011 17:12
- Written by David Pipe
Well, what an exciting week, culminating in a fantastic card at Kempton on Saturday which featured the rescheduled Christmas Hurdle and King George VI Chase. We kicked off the meeting with a winner when Kazzene made a successful hurdling debut for the yard in the opening juvenile hurdle. Beforehand the race had looked quite a decent contest on paper with the ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle in the line-up, and despite the analysts casting doubt over the form, I have no doubt that Kazzene is a nice prospect.
I see that many bookmakers have already installed him prominently for the Triumph Hurdle ante-post markets and he will certainly be out again before that race in order to gain further experience. The hustle and bustle and likely fast pace of the race should suit him, although he will also likely be given an entry in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
- Monday, 10 January 2011 16:46
- Written by David Pipe
Following a fall from the Charlie Longsdon trained Far More Serious at Sandown on Saturday, sadly stable jockey Tom Scudamore is facing a short spell on the sidelines. Tom took a good kicking from his mount, including to the kidneys and he is now likely to be out of action for around two weeks, which rules him out of the ride aboard Madison du Berlais in the rescheduled King George VI Chase at Kempton on Saturday. Riding arrangements for last year’s runner-up are yet to be finalised and will not be decided until one of the owner’s returns from holiday later in the week.
- Tuesday, 04 January 2011 12:26
- Written by David Pipe
Well I would just like to start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year and I do hope you have all enjoyed the Festive season. What a week it has been. Thankfully all the snow had disappeared at Pond House by 28th December and we saw some jumping action make a welcome return to Newbury on the 29th December. Well I say we ‘saw’ some racing at Newbury, in fact we didn’t see very much as the course was shrouded in thick fog! I have to say well done to the commentators for the part they played as they did very well considering we couldn’t see anything and they even made the races sound quite exciting! What was particularly pleasing about the day was the return to form of a Pond House favourite, Lough Derg. He had been struggling to find is form of late and to be honest as we glimpsed the runners leaving the back straight and Tom Scu was already cajoling Douglas along I did fear the worst. What was brilliant to see was all the grit and determination he is so well known for return and he stuck with the fantastic Big Bucks all the way up the straight. Although the favourite won comfortably in the end I was delighted in our old boy finishing second, although for that effort the handicapper has raised him eight pounds, back to a mark of 148 which will once again make things a little more difficult for him in the future.
- Wednesday, 29 December 2010 14:37
- Written by David Pipe
I would like to start off by offering my heartfelt congratulations to Mary Bromiley for being awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List for services to equine sport. Mary pioneered the transference of human physiotherapy methods to horses many years ago and set up the country's only specialist horse and human rehabilitation centre at Down's House, as well as founding the "Flying Physios" who tend to injured jockey's at the race. Mary has tended to the horses at Pond House for many years and I have been privileged to see the amazing work that she has done first hand - not only does she care for the equine inmates, but such is her kind and caring nature, she has also helped numerous employees. I am sure that everyone in racing will join me in congratulating Mary on this award, it is a thoroughly deserved recognition of her talents.
- Monday, 20 December 2010 13:43
- Written by David Pipe
I cannot begin to tell you how delighted I was to see A P McCoy named as BBC Sports Personality of the Year last night (Sunday). As well as being the most amazing jockey, AP is also a gentleman - modest and unassuming, and he would almost certainly be embarrassed by all of the attention this accolade will have bought him. Having not even been nominated for the final ten last year, I had my concerns about whether or not racing was a popular enough sport for the champ to be successful. Afterall, anyone that knows anything about racing knows he should have won the award countless times already!
- Tuesday, 14 December 2010 07:57
- Written by David Pipe
Despite the weather doing it’s best to interrupt; it has been a busy week nonetheless. Both myself and Gerry Supple had a great time at the Derby Awards and thanks go to our host Mike Vince for being brave enough to invite us back again.
I was surprised and pleased in equal measure to see Matt Chapman named as Broadcaster of the Year – Matt has often been accused of being loud and opinionated (not least by Chester – now there’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black if ever I have heard it!). Anyway, Matt has been a supporter of Pond House for many years and I was pleased to see his enthusiasm recognised.
