It’s been a very busy past few months in the yard with all the horses returning to work for their NH season, but maybe a little quiet with runners. We have a high number of unraced youngsters this year, both bought from sales and also our crop of homebreds ready for their first season. There has been lots of prep going on behind the scenes and we have just started running the first few of them over the past weeks. Exciting to see who we may have amongst them yet to show their true potential. We have had to wait for the rain to come for some of our well seasoned runners, such as the lovely Bushypark, due out on Wednesday at Ayr. Another well known face would be Busby who made a firm come back for his owners last season after retirement was mentioned, with 3 2nds and a win through January and February. We have welcomed quite a few new equine faces to the team, not least The Green Man who has enjoyed a nice double at Newcastle since joining us, owned by the Dalby family & Julia Brooke. Others who have joined us include East Tyrone, Wasthatok and Fordham Flyer, to name a few.
WINNER!!!!
We had a great weekend with a win at Sedgefield and a promising 4th at Aintree. Devon Skies (above) has come on in bucket loads from her first run of this season to go 13 lengths clear to win at Sedgefield ridden by Joe Williamson for Philip & Nicola Tyler of Topspec – our much appreciated sponsors who we are very proud to have had with us pretty much from day one. Devon can sometimes not be the most straight forward horse, but she was clearly enjoying herself enough to show her true ability on Saturday and we hope she is hungry for more. Following this we had 3yr old Fridaysman at Aintree in the bumper for long time owner in the yard Joyce Porter. He came a very respectable 4th with Brian Hughes and we think he has a promising future ahead of him. Congrats to all involved, and we hope we are warming up for a successful winter campaign.
Fridaysman – 4th in the bumper at Aintree on only his 2nd start. Led up by Indy Kirby who does a fine job turning our runners out to the highest standards whenever she gets the chance to go racing.
Another win at Horse Of The Year Show
Racing isn’t Indy’s only passion, she has recently won at HOYS with the family pony Monivea Black Magic, aka Merlin. He is the reigning CHAPS UK under 148cm Native/cob/traditional coloured pony. This is the 3rd time Merlin has won this title at this most prestigious show, first with mum Pippa, then big sister Izzy before Indy finally got her turn. What a fabulous achievement for them all to have been able to experience such a thing – all with the same superstar Merlin! Big thanks goes to Lucy Glover and her showteam for producing him so well. He now retires to stud and will no doubt be sire of many HOYS participants (hopefully winners) to come. Please do enquire either via us or Pippa if interested in Merlin’s service!
Pics of some new and familiar faces….
Starting with the humans… We had Jay Kozaczek (above) re joining us a few months ago after a very successful year in New Zealand with plenty of winners out there. He has also recently welcomed a beautiful baby boy with girlfriend Lily, congrats to you both. We also have Nick Barrett-Atkins returning after he ventured over to Australia for 3 years as a work rider. Nick joined us originally back when he was still a school boy, getting lifts in with our then jockey Tommy Dowson. Nick on the right below.
Recobella – won at Nottingham after coming back with us from our France trip earlier this year
Green Oaks Top Cat aka Molly, looking very much in foal to Chilli Zing
Bushypark – due to appear at Ayr on Wednesday for his seasons debut
Fancy Nancy Pants
The Green Man – 2x winner since joining us at the end of August
Fordham Flyer – I cant look at him without remembering Little Bruce!
Himself – 3rd last time out at Newcastle
Micks Jet – been absent with injury but set to make a comeback this season