Browse News
News Archive - February 2008
Other news can be filtered by narrowing your results by month, or by topic on the left. Alternatively, if you are looking for something specific, why not try searching for news using our search tool.
Desert Quest runs 2nd
26th February 2008
*CHIEF EXEC STORMS HOME TO WIN AT WOLVERHAMPTON. FULL STORY ON THURSDAY*
Both of our runners this week ran well and came home safely. Desert Quest ran a terrific race to come 2nd at Huntingdon in a red hot novice chase, beaten only by the first-class Modicum who is now bound for The Arkle at Cheltenham. The two finished 20 lengths ahead of the rest of the field, all of who have been rated upwards of 129 over hurdles. Desert Quest jumped superbly and we were delighted with his run. The horse returned home sound and well and was in good form on the gallops this morning. He may head to Kempton this Saturday to run in a novice handicap chase that will be live on Channel 4. The other runner last week was Derry City (pictured) who made his debut over hurdles under Richard Johnson at Plumpton yesterday. The horse jumped very well on ground that rode a lot softer than the official 'good' rating and finished 5th. He will come on both physically and mentally for the experience.
Desert Quest arrives
19th February 2008
We are delighted to welcome a very special new horse to the yard. Desert Quest (pictured below schooling with conditional jockey Luke Kilgarriff) moved into The Beeches last week - he is a top-class animal who has won convincingly on the flat, over hurdles and over fences. This quality 8 year old gelding has won his two chase starts and also counts the Vincent O'Brien handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as one of his 11 victories. Providing all goes well, he'll run his first race for us this week in a novice chase at Huntingdon on Thursday.
Makeover Week
12th February 2008
Our world-famous Seawalker has been given a bit of a makeover this week as Justin Chittendon, Managing Director of Equine Health Centre Walkers, has been at the Beeches installing a brand new filtering system. The new equipment (pictured) will allow us to keep the water in the walker extremely clean, which is no easy feat considering that up to 30 horses may use it in one morning. For more information on the Seawalker visit www.equinehealthcentre.co.uk.
One of the first horses to put the new filters to the test was new arrival Derry City. This five year old gelding came to us from Paul Nicholls' yard last week. He is by Old Vic, a renowned jumps sire and his dam is the half-sister to the Grand National horse, Nathen Lad. The horse ran third in his first bumper at Ludlow in December and then came fifth next time out at Taunton where he didn't look like he handled the ground. He is bred to stay and it will be interesting to see how he progresses, particularly when he goes over obstacles.
The gallops are finished
05th February 2008
Relief this week as the resurfacing work on our hill gallop (pictured) was finally completed and the first horses were able to use it on Saturday. Though being out of action for only a month it has felt like an eternity. We now have two first class tracks and I'm looking forward to being able to combine a lot of long steady canters on the flat with some hill and faster work in their exercise programs.