Horses First Racing

An encouraging debut

12th August 2008

We have said in previous weeks how excited we are about our current crop of two year olds and last Thursday saw the first one making her racecourse debut. Yanza (Bahamian Bounty x Locharia) lined up over five and a half furlongs at Bath and despite being slow to break and very badly hampered, ran on bravely to finish 4th. Before the race we heard that both Via Mia (3rd) and Wake Me Now (2nd) were highly thought of by their trainers and Rioliina (1st) looked like a very nice animal from her previous run, so for us to get 4th after having such bad luck in running was very encouraging. The filly showed a lot of early speed and was going as well as anything bar the winner when she got squeezed right back into last place. At that point a lot of fillies on their debut would have called it a day but Yanza came again and showed good heart. There was a Stewards Enquiry into the interference but the placings were unchanged as it was considered to be accidental. Her jockey thought he'd have been second without the interference and we very much look forward to her next run, possibly back at Bath on the 22nd, as she has come out of the race in very good order (she is pictured galloping this morning).

We are planning on sending three horses out this week. The first will be Hopeful Purchase (pictured working) who runs over a mile one at Sandown on Thursday. It is the horse's first race back after a short break but he has had a couple of racecourse gallops and is in good order at home. Eleanor Eloise is scheduled to head to Nottingham on Friday where she will tackle 5 furlongs for the first time. 'Ellie' is lightly raced and came an encouraging 2nd at Lingfield back in January over 6 furlongs. It will be interesting to see how she handles the trip and we hope for a good run from her. Saturday night will probably see us back at Lingfield with Danetime Lord, running over 6 furlongs on turf. The horse's best form is on the all weather and so he also holds an entry for Monday, also at Lingfield but this time on the all weather, to give us some options, although Saturday would be the better race for him.

Around four years ago we found some human remains on top of our hill overlooking the farm. It turned out that they were from an elder from the Bronze Age (approx 4,000 years ago) who had been buried in what is known as a crouch position. He was considered of sufficient scientific interest to be claimed by Salisbury museum (it was from them we found out that he was unusually tall and had been nursed back from a significant injury). I have always wanted to erect a fitting memorial around where the remains were found but had not been able to find something appropriate until now. On a recent holiday to Cornwall I came across a huge 14 foot, 5 ton rock and immediately knew it was what we had been looking for. It is a remarkable piece of rock and is absolutely awe inspiring to be near. We had it transported to the farm this week and it is now erected near where the remains were found, standing by the hill gallops overlooking the valley (see picture below). It is humbling to know it will be there long after we are all gone.

On a more mundane level I have an absolute NAP football selection this week that I love. We have £3,000 winnings in the kitty and I'm recommending £1,100 at 8/11 on Portsmouth to finish above Newcastle in the Premiership. Portsmouth are a quality side, I like the new signing of Peter Crouch and can see them in the top 6. Newcastle United, however, look a side in jeopardy. Boardroom unrest, Keegan (pictured below) as volatile as ever, the disgraced Joey Barton, a leaky defense and uninspiring mid-field. It all spells trouble and I've even had a small bet on them being relegated (22-1) that's how poor I think they are. Even though they will probably survive they will not finish above Portsmouth - take the 8/11 and you'll be enjoying the weekend results during the coming season.

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