Blog Archives

What a day last Thursday was at Cheltenham.  The build up to Paisley Park running in the Sun Racing Stayers Hurdle had been massive, and the expectation could not have been higher, but as we all know Cheltenham is Cheltenham and it is never easy. We were lucky in that Paisley had the most brilliant preparation, but with eighteen runners going forward at no point could anything be taken for granted, and as ever with Paisley he likes to give you at least one heart stopping moment in his races!

I am not a particularly superstitious person but having watched Paisley run in the Cleeve hurdle back in January from the Owners and Trainers stand, I decided it would be the right place to watch him run again.  Barry would be the same as me in the superstitious department and having watched our previous Cheltenham winners from the owners and trainers marquee, he decided that would be his spot this year as well.  I imagine from now on all races at Cheltenham will be viewed separately and from those same areas!

The sheer relief, elation and pure joy of that moment when Paisley and Aidan crossed the line in front, is very hard to explain – but it was without doubt a moment we will never forget.  Paisley lapped up all the praise and walked ears pricked down the walk way receiving all the adulation with Aidan – what a great, great day.

My brother had flown all the way from Australia to be part of the action and as it was a chance meeting with him that had sent Andrew in our direction in the first place, it was extra special that he was there.  The support from both family and friends was unbelievable and so lovely that the day could be shared with so many – it was a day that racing should be proud of and one that we were so proud to be part of.  All Andrew could say to me was it was the best day of his life, and to be honest I think it was for us all.

Paisley has been an extraordinary horse, taking us on an emotional roller coaster and he’s run his little heart out for us all season – we are very honoured to have him.  He won’t run again this season, as at only seven, I hope he has plenty of time ahead of him and it would be magical to have him back to defend his crown next year and take the traditional stayer’s route to get to that point.  I expect he will be parading at various racecourses before the end of the season, together with those big ears pricked and our heads held high – what a horse.

There is no doubt that in all my training career we have never had such media attention, thanks to Paisley Park and his lovely owner Andrew Gemmell.  They have been the most fantastic way to showcase the yard and I am very sorry to any of you who are now bored of looking at our faces both in publications and on the television – it will all be over soon! It is of course very exciting, and Barry and I remind each other, as much as there is pressure, it’s pressure to be enjoyed, however both of us are now willing Thursday to arrive.

February has been an interesting month, starting with the snow, which put pay to a lot of racing and that was closely followed by ‘flu-gate’.   Throughout my time training, I had always given the horses their annual boost as and when they needed vaccinating, be that in August, November, January or whatever the date was and worked around it. This year I thought I would be really organised and get all the horses flu vaccinations done in the summer, so that there would be no interference in training during the season.  How typical that this was the year that flu was on the horizon and the new ruling was that we needed to get them vaccinated in a six month period and therefore not one of our horses was eligible to run! In fairness it certainly doesn’t seem to have done the horses any harm to have their vaccines and along with some great advice from our vets Simon Knapp and Clive Hamblin, not one of them seemed to show a reaction to it – anything that didn’t win I can’t blame that anyway!

When racing did resume one of our first runners was Viva Vittoria at Market Rasen (17 Feb, pictured) and what a great run it was.  Although she still has plenty to learn in the jumping department it was so lovely to see her finish with her head in front.  There should be lots more to come from her.  Junction Fourteen, who headed to Doncaster (20 Feb) to run in his first veteran’s chase also ran a stormer, he jumped superbly and was only collared on the run in, finishing an honourable second – it was a great run back for him.  It gave all of us confidence and it may well be that the National fences in the Topham Chase at Aintree beckons for his next outing.

Flemcara having run a super race to finish third in the £100,000 race at Sandown earlier in the month, then went to Exeter (22 Feb) in a Pertemps qualifier. He needed to run very well in this to gain a place in the final at The Cheltenham Festival, as off his then mark he wouldn’t have got in.   He could not have run better, winning with any amount in hand and still only going up four pounds.  I think he has a very good each-way chance tomorrow in the final.

Thunderstruck also ran a great race at Fontwell (24 Feb) finishing second again in his bumper.   He travelled so well, and just got nailed on the line – beaten a head.  He is a horse with any amount of ability and so deserves to win, but a summer out at grass will also benefit him and his best will not be seen until he jumps a hurdle.

Boreham Bill was another to head out, this time to Uttoxeter (25 Feb), he again did everything right with Paddy Cowley riding him for the first time.  He jumped beautifully until the last when he rose in front but came back down on top of the hurdle and taking it with him.   He kept galloping but it cost him the race and finished third. I have not doubt there are races to be won with him and it was a very good ride from Paddy, so hopefully it won’t be long before he also gets his head in front.

Talking of getting heads in front Old Rascals certainly did that in no uncertain terms at Wincanton (27 Feb).   He cantered through the race jumping spectacularly before sweeping past to win by an easy fourteen lengths.  He is such an honest horse and has a great way of going and really could be anything.  His team of enthusiastic owners have not had a huge amount to cheer about since the days of Andy Kelly, so it was a great result for them, and I hope the start of many more.

The first weekend in March was a big Saturday for us at Newbury (2 Mar) with both Fortunate George and Private Malone needing to un-blot their copy books.  Private Malone looked to be the one taking control turning for home, but he then weakened quickly, and I think there may be an issue with his wind.   Fortunate George on the other hand having travelled some what on and off the bridle finished off the race strongly coming in a good third and I have no doubt will build on that.  He is a horse with huge amounts of talent but is not always keen to share it – I think in human terms he would be a comedian!

Javert also ran in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury and probably found the ground just slower than ideal, but again he ran a great race to finish fourth beaten only six lengths. He has improved for that run and his next start is most likely to be at Ayr or Aintree.

With the ground riding on the quick-side, I pulled Gunfleet out at Doncaster (2 Mar) and he will have plenty of options going forward.  Boomarang went there and started off favourite and travelled and jumped as a favourite should, however coming up the home straight, for whatever reason, he completely forgot himself and started jumping violently to the left and accordingly was unable to sustain his challenge.  Considering what he did he was only beaten seven lengths, and this is a horse to take note of once we iron out these little issues – he is booked for an intensive course of schooling!

We have been lucky enough to run some extremely nice bumper horses of late, with Namib Dancer stepping up markedly on his first run, at Huntingdon (3 Mar) for a fast finishing third place.  The Domino Effect ran a beautiful race at Southwell (4 Mar) on his first attempt finishing fourth and Hawk’s Well was not quite strong enough yet to handle to soft ground at Wincanton (7 Mar), but nonetheless stayed on stoutly for third.  They are all horses to very much look forward to.  Pemberley just got beaten a neck into second, also at Wincanton and should be winning races in the future.

It would be too easy to think that all of them have put their best feet forward and Full Irish is definitely a head-scratcher.  He works so well at home and jumps beautifully, but he just doesn’t seem to want to put it in at the racecourse. At Sandown (8 Mar) he galloped around happily and finished with his ears pricked, the problem being plenty of others finished in front of him. A stern word will be needed with him!

It was also a very sad day at Hereford (9 Mar) where The Bunnyman struck through his tendon and had to be put to sleep.  He was a horse with huge potential and never got the chance to really show it.  It’s a loss that has hit us hard and I know it’s also hit his owners hard and is something that is always difficult to come to terms with.  Racing really is an emotional roller-coaster as having gone through that, Fonsanta ran in the last on the same day and never came off the bridle to win by eleven lengths, looking hugely impressive in the process.   It was a positive note to finish the week on and to give us confidence ahead of this Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival.

Touch-wood Paisley and Flemcara have had perfect preparations now all we need is some luck!

Wow what a January it has been! It’s been emotional, but for once in a really good way.

To see Closing Ceremony winning at Haydock (19^th January) was probably one of the most moving races of my training career so far.  He has had a catalogue of issues and is owned by the most patient owners, Paul and Alan Weston.  They have given him time, time and more time, and what made the win even more poignant is that Paul is going through treatment for aggressive lung cancer and so if ever there was a pick me up needed, this was the best that could happen.  Both he and Closing Ceremony are proper little fighters, and now that one has got to the winning post, I am sure the other one will too.  Closing Ceremony is a joy to watch – he is so honest, his jumping is exceptional and he corners round Haydock like a motorbike – what a horse!

Paisley Park has just been magical, and he has done nothing but improve and improve all season and has given us the most unbelievable thrills.  For his owner Andrew Gemmell, blind since birth, it has been amazing and the publicity has been fantastic, he is a great man and we are all loving the journey.  Barry has been brilliant preparing Paisley, riding him every day and producing him just right on each four occasions this season – now he has the big one – the Stayers hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival – so no pressure on him! Laura Scrivener who looks after him has not only been with him for each of his outings but has also been cleaning up with the best-turned outs – who says if you win the best turned out you don’t win the race?! He has come out of Saturday’s race at Cheltenham (26 January) unbelievably well and when Barry gave him his first canter back he said he didn’t feel like he had been to the races at all – and to be honest looking at those ears on the run in I am not sure Paisley thought he was at the races either!

Others in yard have been flying the flag as well.  Tierra Verde won at Taunton (9 January) and backed it up with another good run finishing third in a better-looking race at Kempton (28 January).  She is a lovely looking mare with a great attitude and will certainly jump a fence in time.

Fox Appeal has also been super.  He and Paddy Cowley have found a great bond, and if only he had jumped the way he did at Taunton (9 January) in all his other races previously we might have had many more wins in the bag.  It was a joy to watch the pair and he heads back to Taunton next week where I hope he will be able to get another win to his name.

Down The Highway also ran a blinder at Chepstow (18 January).  After disappointing at Sandown before Christmas, he came home and just wasn’t right and had a bit of a snuffley nose, however, he recovered well and then ran an absolute stormer.  He is a gorgeous horse with a big future and will definitely go chasing next season.  If this snow doesn’t get in the way, he will go to Newbury next weekend and run in the 3 mile handicap hurdle and if that goes to plan, next stop Cheltenham…

Viva Vittoria backed up her run at Plumpton when finishing second at Warwick (21 January) behind a descent mare and she is sure to win her races going forward.  Dollnamix (Taunton 19 January) and De Rasher Counter (Chepstow 18 January) were others who filled the runners-up spot but ran extremely well in doing so.  De Rasher Counter just keeps growing in confidence and is another with a big future.

It was also nice to get some of the youngsters out on the track.  Namib Dancer ran a race full of promise in his first bumper at Newbury (16 January), as did Shang Tang who finished third in a descent bumper at Exeter (20 January).

As I said it has been a great month and hopefully a stepping stone to even better things.

I cannot believe it has taken me until now to update our blog since the victory of Paisley Park, but I think I am only just coming back down to earth!  I cannot emphasise enough how significant a grade 1 win like that is for us as a team and how much everyone has put in to make it happen – not least Paisley himself who is such a laid-back character and has taken everything in his stride.

Barry rides him every day and has been key in his development – he was in fact the one that would not leave the Goffs Landrover sale if we didn’t have him, so Gerry Hogan and I were under no illusions as to what he thought of him even as a three-year old!  He is a charming horse and has become very relaxed through his races, only doing what is required of him when asked and then wondering what the fuss is all about after, which is a great way to be.  He and Aidan Coleman have built up a great relationship and it was as significant a day for Aidan as it was for us – a day that neither of us will forget!  It has been well documented that the plan for him now is the Stayers hurdle and at this stage our aim is to go to the Cleeve first if the ground is right and have a taste of Cheltenham.  When I suggested this to Andrew Gemmell (his owner) he informed me that he had already cancelled his flight to Australia for this year and also thought it was the logical race – our race planning ideas continue to align so hopefully so will Paisley’s successes!

It was a lovely end to the year to have De Rasher Counter win the last ITV televised race of 2018 at Newbury.  He had been a bit unlucky this season having run a lovely race in his first novice chase to finish third and then get nearly bought down by both the prostate jockey and then loose horse falling on his second start.  It really dented his confidence and Exeter was all about trying to get that confidence back.  Adam Wedge gave him a beautiful ride at Newbury giving him time to see his fences and he galloped home strongly to win in determined style and thus allow Richard Hoiles to use his ‘bringing home the bacon’ pun – hopefully he can work on some more before the next time he wins!

There were plenty of other magical moments from 2018 such as Javert coming back from two and half years off the track to win at Uttoxeter, and the winning performances of Blushing Red, Down The Highway, Misty Bloom, Buster Thomas and Majestic Moll amongst many others, all of whom helped make 2018 a year to remember.  It would be wrong not to mention the passing of two of our owners last year, Sarah Stevens and Clive Colquhoun, both who were great supporters and even better friends of the yard and they will be very sorely missed.

The weather has been somewhat unusual this winter, in that it has stayed so dry and I cannot believe even in January I am still praying for some rain.  We have a lovely team of horses still waiting to perform but are unable to on this ground, hence we have had a quiet start to 2019.  We have plenty of entries coming up though and there is much to look forward to, so fingers crossed that this year continues on the same upward trajectory as last.

Time is rolling on, and it is not long before the core jumps season gets started. We have enjoyed a successful summer with the horses that we have run – and what a summer it has been…. glorious weather and temperatures with no rain in sight, bar our Owners day on August Bank Holiday weekend! With the team having made the yard spotless and the horses immaculate, the heavens opened at 9am and did not stop until late on Sunday night – absolutely typical! Not to be deterred we had a super day with delicious food and plenty to drink, and although it was a shame we couldn’t parade the horses, it was great to see so many people braving the elements and enjoying the day anyway.  What was also good is that it gave everyone time to have a proper chat with each other as well as all the staff, who were for a change, not rushing around leading out the horses.  So, although I would not wish for it to happen in the same manner next year it was an extremely enjoyable day.

The Owner’s day followed on the back of Pawn Star’s victory at Stratford (23 Aug), who had been off the track for over a year with a leg injury. He jumped superbly, travelled beautifully and won with plenty in hand and it was a very exciting return.  In the initial days after his race Pawn Star seemed fine and was back in work, however very sadly a slight niggle has re-appeared putting pay to the rest of this season, but it will hopefully allow him to come back and make another successful foray to the track next year. Chelsea Flyer made his eagerly awaited debut over fences on the same day, and in the main he jumped very well, but when challenging for second, he slipped and lost his footing at the last and fell. In doing so he chipped a bone in his hock, so he too will be on the easy list for some time to come – The life of a trainer is an emotional roller coaster!

It has been a somewhat barren spell for The Bonita Racing Club, but I was absolutely delighted with Freedom Run earlier this month at Worcester (2 Sept) running a cracker to finish second in her bumper not beaten far, and in turn finishing eighteen lengths clear of the third.  I think she is a really nice mare and should give everyone plenty of fun.  We are introducing a new filly to the club in the shape of What A Hoot, who is from the family of Best Mate and by Presenting, and from what she has shown us at home I think could also provide a huge amount of fun.  There are some shares still available – so please do get in touch if you would like more information or visit the club’s web page here.

Talking of fillies, I was also delighted with Fortia who was just beaten in her mares’ maiden hurdle also at Worcester (11 Sept).   She improved dramatically from her first run and was given a smashing ride by Adam Wedge, she is a filly with plenty of ability and should hopefully lose her maiden tag next time.

The term ‘horses for courses’ is never more-true than it is with Majestic Moll, who has been the absolute model of consistency at every racecourse bar Uttoxeter, where she has raced twice, and on both occasions has run very disappointingly.  Therefore, I am not going to go with third time lucky – I am listening to you Moll and I won’t put you through it again! She will now go novice chasing and there is a race for her in early October at Worcester, which I think will be ideal as there is nothing she likes more than jumping.

I was absolutely delighted with Shiroccan Roll on his winning debut over hurdles at Newton Abbot (21 Sept).  He is a homebred of my brother – Jonathon and one of his oldest friends Mark Scott and has always been a gorgeous horse and an absolute bundle of energy. He knuckled down to the task and although showed some greenness he could not have travelled any better through the race and look more impressive.  There is some room for improvement in the jumping department, but he is one of those horses who thinks he knows it all and doesn’t always want to be told, but I imagine after this run he may have a little more respect for what we are putting in front of him.  He has come out of his race extremely well and I would imagine it won’t be too long before he is out again, and I think he could be smart going forward.

There is no doubt that all the horses are coming to hand as we would want them for the time of year and it has been good to get some winners on the board through the summer but perhaps the biggest achievement for the whole team here was the victory of Javert who had been off the track for two and a half years before winning a valuable handicap at Uttoxeter on Sunday.  I am extremely grateful to Axom and his team of owners who still believed in him even though he had been off the track for so long and to Laura Scrivener (pictured) and PC O’Neil who have been his regular work riders and the rest of the team here who have all in one way or another been involved in the preparation – it just goes to show that in racing persistence is a necessity and patience really is a virtue worth having!  Touch wood he has come out of the race well and my thoughts are at this stage that he will head to the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham’s November meeting.

Having been with us for over a year I am very sad to report that one of our team members Molly King is leaving us at the weekend to head ‘Down Under’ and experience the world of Australian racing.  She will be very much missed by us all here as not only is she a very good rider and a lovely person, her cake and biscuit making had become legendary and I am not sure who is going to take over her mantle!  We all wish her the best of luck and hope that she enjoys it but not too much that she doesn’t want to come back!

I hope it will not be long before the weather changes and we get some consistent rain as I can’t wait to get going properly – there seems much to look forward to.