Successful sales trip, but a week of seconds
We were happy with the way the Horses in Training Sales went in Newmarket. Moment of Weakness sold well and is gone to America. It’s great when things work out right and we got a good price.
We brought over two unraced horses as well though, a filly and a gelding, and neither sold so that was disappointing; especially as they both had a good pedigree.
It was a difficult enough sale to gauge as a lot of the horses going through were rejects. One of them made 110,000 guineas which was very good of course. It’s the same old story. Even though there is a recession, if you have the goods, you’ll be able to sell them. If you don’t, you won’t.
While we had one winner on Friday, it really was a week of seconds, with the two Big Bad Bobs beaten a head and a short head.
Cloneylass won in Bellewstown on Friday and from Saturday to Thursday I had nine runners. Six of those finished second and the other three were third, fourth and fifth.
While it can be frustrating to keep hitting the post like that, you’ve just got to take it on the chin. I’ve said it here before that second is better than last and you’d have to be pleased that the horses are running well and in good form.
I was delighted with Cloneylass and she runs next in a Listed race in Tipperary tomorrow. It’s a tough race and she’s taking on some good horses, including one from England. I’m hoping that she runs well and if she’s in the first three I’d be thrilled.
Bullock Harbour, At Present, Takeyourcapoff and Ardnavalley were all second before Blaze Brightly hit the front inside the final furlong in Naas on Wednesday but conceding 18 pounds, just had to give way in the final strides by a head. The following night, Bob Le Beau was beaten a short head in Leopardstown. As I said, when the horses are in good form you can’t complain.
Fantoche is entered over jumps and the flat during the week but I haven’t decided what the assignment will be yet. It will depend on the ground.
Alpine Eagle, Maybe Grace and another two-year-old Laughing Lashes are all likely to see action during the week as well.
Galway isn’t far away now of course and I’ve entered five for the Galway Hurdle – No One Tells Me, Gimli’s Rock, Alpine Eagle and Dreamy Gent. The handicapper has been a bit severe on Dreamy Gent who only lost his maiden tag the other week at eight but is still gone from a rating of 69 to 83.
That’s a bit steep but we can’t do anything about it.
You always look forward to Galway for the racing, the weather and the social aspect and I’d love to do well there. Bob Le Beau will probably go also along with a few others. You just have to keep an eye on the ground.
I was delighted to hear that the JP McManus Pro-Am down in Limerick went so well. It looks like it was a roaring success. Johnny made the trip on Monday and he said it was beautifully organised and couldn’t have been done better.
He was very happy anyway and had a great day.
The most important thing of course was that a lot of money was raised for charity. It tells you a lot about what sort of man JP is that he can attract the likes of Tiger Woods, Samuel L Jackson and Michael Douglas to take part and support an event like this. Their attendance is vital to attract the public.
Today I’m in Burbury Castle, just outside Marlborough in England, for the International Horse Trials event. Kate has two horses in the four and five-year-old classes, True Love II and Chief Junior.
I’m told it has started raining at home but we had spectacular sunshine in Burbury yesterday.
It really is breathtaking around here and you’re looking at the gallops and yard of top English trainer Alan King from here. They really are beautiful gallops and it’s no surprise that Alan turns out so many winners, especially of the big national hunt races.
