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Dear
All,
After a fantastic team
effort in June with 18 winners on the board, we were always going to
struggle to match that figure in July, primarily due to a thinning out of
the racing calendar.
However, I was
delighted to put another ten winners onto the total (plus a winner on the
flat), putting us on 45 winners for the season. Therefore we continue to
numerically lead the National Trainers Championship, whilst earnings of over
£175,000 find us close up in second place in the prize money stakes.
I had hoped to be
slightly closer to a half century at this stage, but whilst the winners have
continued to flow, we have been on the wrong end of some very close calls
and even a very harsh disqualification in the case of Grand Art at Perth on
the first day of the month.
However, even with so
many near misses, it confirms that the horses are obviously fit and healthy
and been placed in races where they are being competitive. I would have to
hope that we can break the 50 winner mark sooner rather than later,
especially as we have a number of exciting new recruits who are ready to
make their debuts for the yard in the near future.
Although not everybody
has been pleased to see a break in the weather, many trainers have been
rejoicing at the sight of rain. I very much appreciated the frustrations of
owner’s who had horses in training, fit and ready to go, but unable to run
because of the prevailing fast ground. Obviously, firm suits certain horses,
but on the whole good ground is acceptable to most and maximises our
opportunities of winning races.
The softening ground
conditions has also helped with schooling at home, the grass has really
started to grow in the paddocks for the horses on breaks and ultimately it
makes it much easier to target horses for certain races in the knowledge
that you have a good chance of running on suitable going.
On the issue of
entries, my policy is simply to cover all realistic possibilities and
eventualities. Ultimately, a great deal of our success is down to running
horses in the right races against inferior opposition and this becomes far
easier when you have options. Furthermore, when we are going through
unsettled spells of weather, there is nothing more frustrating than having a
horse in good form and ready to run, only for a few wet days to turn the
ground against them, then finding out that with drying weather we don’t have
back up entries.
I am really pleased
that the team of un-raced youngstock we have recently purchased, are now
broken in and settling into their routine at the yard. For the first time in
my training career I have been able to assemble a string of nicely bred
horses who in reality could be anything. It is apparent that the differing
types of horses in the yard is becoming more balanced between potential and
proven form at all levels and is something I am keen to maintain.
There will always be
room for a well handicapped horse off a lowly mark if it can win races, but
in truth we all aspire to own and train a Cheltenham Festival winner. Maybe
we have one in the yard, but we don’t know it yet. Here’s hoping!!
Owners Day
Preparations are well
under way for Sunday 8th August. It is something all of us at
Pant Wilkin really look forward too and I hope that as many owners and their
guests will join us on the day. Whilst we have received many positive
indications as to attendance, we are still awaiting a number of responses
either way. We would be really grateful that even if you can’t make it, you
could contact us in the next few days. It will make a huge difference to
have an accurate assessment of numbers and ultimately add to the smooth
running of the day. The weather has been very kind to us for the past two
years and early indications look set for a nice day. Parking will once again
be in the paddocks adjoining the yard and we hope that proceedings will get
under way on time at 10.30am.
New
Horses
Following on from May
and June, July has once again seen many new heads above the stable doors.
I think everybody knows
my philosophy on rotating the string through the season, bringing in new
prospects and passing on horses who are struggling to be competitive. It is
particularly pleasing to welcome new owners and I am delighted that more and
more differing set of silks now adorn our colours room.
One such owner is Mike
Rowe who has sent us his recent Ascot purchase Baltic Ben, a 3 year old
gelding by Johannesburg with the intention of going juvenile hurdling. He
has schooled nicely and we have a race in mind for him at Newton Abbot later
this month.
I am also delighted
that David Fox has joined us as an owner in the yard. Dave’s colours have
been carried with great success over the past few years and he has kindly
sent us French breds Rappel D’Estruval and Saint Are. Saint Are is a
particularly exciting prospect having shown progressive winning form from
only a handful of runs in his homeland, with the size and scope to improve
with age. He literally could be anything and having inspected him in France,
I knew straight away I wanted him in the yard.
Obviously attracting
more owners is a boost for the yard, but it is equally gratifying when
existing owners purchase new stock. It is pleasing that the efforts of the
team are being recognised and that they are enjoying their ownership
experience.
David Pearn, who has
invested heavily in some lovely youngsters from the Irish pointing field in
recent times, has purchased Architrave, a 3 year old gelding by Hernando who
showed very fair form over staying trips for Sir Mark Prescott. He looks a
very good prospect for juvenile hurdles who on pedigree can only improve
with age. On looks and flat form, could be a horse for the better quality
contests throughout the season, although we will take things slowly with him
initially.
Josephine Malines has
been purchased by long standing patron Brian Jones and she should give him
plenty of fun under both codes in the coming months, whilst Terry
Northwood’s Notaloterry syndicate have taken on Tara Warrior with the
intention of running in novice hurdles in the near future.
His form in Ireland
marks him down as a winner waiting to happen and shares are still available
in him. If anybody has any interest, please give the office a call and we
can put you in touch with Terry.
Arguably the most high
profile horse to arrive this month is Beshabar, kindly sent to us from Paul
Nicholls by Mrs Margaret Findlay. A horse with a huge amount of ability, he
has the physique to go with it and on his hurdles form, he looks sure to
take top rank as a novice chaser. There is no doubting his potential and it
is fantastic to have an opportunity given to me like this. He is the type of
horse who quite simply should be playing for the big prizes on a “Saturday
Afternoon”.
The Treoes Racing Club
run by my very good friends Jonathan Phillips and James Mordecai have been
building up their shareholders in recent times and have taken Louis Ludwig
under their ownership. He looks to be an ideal type for the coming few
months and looks equally at home over hurdles and fences. The partnerships
they run seem to get real enjoyment from their involvement and are very
active both on the yard and at the races.
Michael Owen has
enjoyed a couple of good months courtesy of Holoko Heights, Lady Soughton
and Paddy Partridge, and he has added German bred gelding Khorun to his
string. Purchased privately from Ireland, he looks a horse with a real
future and should be winning sooner rather than later. Novice hurdles will
be his first port of call, but should have no problems jumping fences in
time.
Jeff and Rachel Frost
have both been very patient and loyal owners over the past few years and
whilst not enjoying the best of luck, have sent us an un-raced 4 year old
gelding by Deploy called Tee Shot. Recently broken in, he is a nicely bred
individual who is more of a long term project.
Another nicely bred
youngster is Sertao, owned by Munnelly Support Services Ltd. His
predominantly French pedigree is therefore a little more precocious than
many of the other youngsters and I would hope to have him on a racecourse
for his debut sometime in the autumn. A nice looking horse who has settled
well in to his work.
After the recent
success enjoyed by James Hughes with Maggie Aron, I am delighted that James
has sent us Sharlene’s Quest to run in “bumpers” over the coming months,
whilst “Maggie” takes a well deserved break. Whilst she will do well to
match her exploits in winning two NH Flat Races, she shows me enough at home
to suggest she will be competitive in the right grade.
Diamond Racing have
been particularly supportive over the past year and have transferred Ben
Chorley to the yard in preparation for a hurdles campaign. Lightly raced for
a 6 year old, “Ben” has a high level of flat form and is one of the better
performers from that sphere I have ever had through my hands to go jumping.
As a half brother to top class chaser Doctor David, he certainly has the
potential to be well above average. I am also pleased that Ogre has joined
us, again with a hurdling campaign in mind. Although not as good as Ben
Chorley on the level, she displayed a very solid level of form and could be
a nice prospect if taking to jumping.
It is also great to see
Contradiktive back in the yard after a spell on the flat. Murt and Mustapha
Khan, (M Khan x2) not unlike Diamond Racing are particularly realistic about
the placing and prospects of their horses and hence we have achieved a great
deal of success together.
Contradiktive always
worked like a horse who was far superior to his handicap rating, but
unfortunately his racecourse performances have so far failed to live up to
this expectation, despite a number of placed efforts. Maybe hurdling will
see him in a better light, because I am sure he is more than capable of
winning races somewhere along the line.
Furthermore they have
also taken ownership of Frameit, a good looking 3 year old gelding I claimed
off the flat as a potential juvenile hurdler. He must be a good jumper as I
schooled him myself over a couple of flights of hurdles last week!!
Through the Khan
brothers, I have developed a good relationship with Epsom based flat
trainer, Jim Boyle. Jim recently advised one of his owners, Brian MacAtavey
to send us Rossmill Lad who was placed in Irish points last season.
Be Ashored, like
Architrave, was a private purchase through Richard Venn Bloodstock. This
big, progressive and scopey 5 year old gelding will now race in the colours
of optimumracing.co.uk, but is unlikely to reach his full potential until he
goes chasing. However, he is sure to give his new connections lots of fun in
the meantime.
I acquired Sean Og at
Ascot Sales last month and he has been purchased by the partnership of
Prince, Reuter and Wadley who enjoyed great success with Doctor Robert. Sean
Og would appear reasonably handicapped on the balance of his form and should
re-appear in the very near future.
Horses For Sale
The first week of
August sees Doncaster holding a two day sale which I will be attending.
Having looked closely through the catalogue, a large number of potential
purchases have caught my eye and I will be disappointed to come home empty
handed. They will range in price and ability, but they must represent good
value for money and be capable of being placed to win races. Purchases will
be on show at the Owners Day.
3 year old Bay Gelding
by Westerner x Rubita - €15,000 + Costs
A
strong, free moving gelding from the first crop of the highly sought after
sire Westerner, whose progeny fetched record prices up to €325,000 at the
recent store sales.
This gelding possesses a real old fashioned National Hunt pedigree being out
of a Good Thyne mare and closely related to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner
Garrison Savannah. He has been broken in and is now being ridden away in
with the aim of running in a NH Flat race during the winter months, although
we won’t be rushed into getting him onto a racecourse.
Being by Westerner (Five times Group 1 winner including Ascot Gold Cup and
runner-up in the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe) he shouldn't take too long to
come to hand.
Horses Performances
As previously
mentioned, a slightly frustrating month primarily down to the lack of
suitable opportunities for many of the string.
However, I am delighted
with a total of 10 winners over jumps, plus the success of Orpenindeed on
the flat at Epsom who looks another inspired claim for owners, Diamond
Racing. From just 45 runners last month, we produced a winning strike rate
of just over 22%, slightly below our current seasonal average of 27%, but
when you consider that another 22 horses finished in the prizemoney, a
monthly place strike rate of approaching 72% puts things into perspective.
Walamo (Steve and
Matthew Clarke) showed us what he is capable of when granted suitable
conditions, with a fluent success when breaking his maiden over fences at
Market Rasen. He is a horse who on his day, is capable of showing a very
decent level of form, but arguably needs quicker ground to be at his best
and on this occasion on his preferred faster going, simply had far too much
class for his rivals.
Kopylova
(optimumracing.co.uk) looks to be another shrewd purchase for Andrew Lowrie
following on from Little Shilling, Carrick Oscar, City Affair etc. After
winning in selling grade on her first outing under rules for us, she
certainly appreciated the step up in trip when winning at Worcester as the
further she went the better she looked. She appears to be improving all the
time and trips in excess of 3 miles should certainly be within her compass.
The victory of The
Ferbane Man (Aidan and Ger Flynn) in the novice chase at Southwell is
testament of the need to sometimes put in a speculative entry when it looks
possible a race could produce a small and uncompetitive field. He had
actually been turned out to grass at the entry stage, but once it became
apparent that he would have a great opportunity in the race itself, he was
brought back into training. For a horse who has yet to encounter his ideal
conditions, namely soft ground and a staying trip, he has done connections
proud with 3 wins from just nine runs and never being out of the first three
since joining us.
Michael Owen enjoyed a
red letter day at Uttoxeter with home bred full brothers Paddy Partridge and
Holoko Heights winning successive races. Paddy Partridge made a particularly
pleasing hurdles debut and should on this performance have little trouble
defying a penalty in the right grade, whilst “Holoko” is a very capable
performer on his day especially in selling grade, as demonstrated when
following up in a similar contest at Southwell later in the month.
Thankfully on both occasions we retained him at the post race auction.
Dominic Wallis has been
a great supporter of the yard since I started training and it was great to
see Penyfan Dawn finally record a first success over hurdles after a string
of near misses in the handicap hurdle at Stratford. He has been quite
harshly re-assessed by the handicapper which will limit our options,
although he might find life easier back in novice hurdles carrying a
penalty.
Totoman carrying the
colours of Treoes Racing Club also broke his novice over hurdles with a
smooth success at Bangor. Many of his enthusiastic owners were present and
it is great to see a syndicate work so well together. Primarily comprising
owners based in the local area, we are always guaranteed a good turn out on
a Saturday morning and they certainly provide evidence that such
partnerships have a major role to play within any yard.
We rounded off the
month with an assault on the July Festival at Perth. Whilst we had a number
of near misses through Picaroon and Dead Or Alive, Lords Bridge (Brett
Lloyd/Miss J Murphy) and Gulf President (Diamond Racing) certainly made the
trip worthwhile.
Lords Bridge will
arguably be one of the easiest winners you will see all season, but his
future simply lies in the hands of the handicapper, whilst Gulf President
seemed to relish the step up in trip and on this performance can win again
granted suitable conditions.
The
Team
July has seen a few new
faces in the staff ranks with Siobhan Doolan and Steven Fox joining us from
Ireland. They both have race riding experience, Siobhan in point-to-points,
Steven in pony races and have slotted in easily with the routine of the
yard.
I am delighted how
easily Craig Messenger has settled into his new role as Head Lad. Rhys
Hughes and Craig seem to work well together in their more defined roles,
which obviously makes the whole yard run smoother and more effectively.
Craig’s long term partner Erin has now joined us and she has also fitted in
well with the rest of the team.
I look forward to
welcoming you all to Pant Wilkin Stables on our forthcoming Owner’s day or
in the near future.
Regards
Tim |
