Future looks brighter with new recruits
The yearling sales have gotten under way and we bought a couple of fillies this week – a Jeremy filly and a Shamardal filly.
The Jeremy filly is bred on the same lines as Princess Sinead, out of a Danzig mare. She’s a good looking horse.
The Shamardal has a nice pedigree, being out of stakes-winning mare Athlumney Lady. The dam has produced six winners from six runners and one of them is a stakes winner, so that’s promising.
Back to the present and most of the horses ran well. That was pleasing, as that hasn’t always been the case in recent weeks.
I also trained what I think was my first flat winner in England. I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure it’s the case. I’ve had plenty over hurdles and fences but I certainly don’t recall getting one up on the levels.
Heroic Endeavour did the honours at Hamilton on Sunday and it just goes to show how hard it is here because he could not win a race in Ireland. He stayed on well and I was so pleased.
It also confirms the wisdom of the decision for him to remain in England now as there will be similar opportunities, which just aren’t available to him here. He will be trained by David Barons and hopefully he will pick up a few more races over there.
The Ticket Man ran a cracker in the big sales’ race at Fairyhouse. We could have done without the rain but he did really well to be third.
He could be sold now but, if not, whatever he does this year is a bonus as he will really grow into himself next year and will be a better horse as a three-year-old.
I’m worried about the ground for all of them at Navan today – Celtic Cailin in the 2½ mile maiden hurdle, Beachdale Lad in the Albany Hurdle and Serein and Why But Why in the two-and-a-half-mile beginners’ chase. They would all like it better.
Beachdale Lad just has to have a run at this stage. He has had to pass up so many intended engagements since winning his maiden at Cork in May. You have Local Celebrity, Make A Track, Bat Masterson and Beachdale Lad to beat in what looks a decent race. He’ll be plenty fit enough but the ground will be far from ideal.
Celtic Cailin is doubly-engaged as she is declared for the novice hurdle in Clonmel tomorrow as well. We’ll make a decision on that today.
I do like Gimli’s Rock chances. It’s good to firm there at the moment and I’m excited about that. If it stays that way, he will love it. Glenstar has beaten him but he got the run of the race that day.
Sea Of Thunder won his point-to-point but has been a bit disappointing since. He would be a half-brother to Mac’s Joy. I suppose Catcherinscratcher will be the one to beat.
