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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2009

SUITS ME continues to do us proud with another excellent run in the Listed Churchill Stakes at Lingfield in November. Ridden by Darryll Holland for the first time, he was only beaten a little over three lengths by Tranquil Sea and the top-class Luca Cumani trained Presvis. Darryll was on board again when he went back there the following month and finished runner-up in the Listed Quebec Stakes for the second successive year. Once again, it was Tranquil Sea who proved his nemesis as Henry Cecil’s five year old headed us on the line to win by a short head. He is such a consistent horse.

GOLDEN TIGER made an encouraging start to his career when runner-up at Southwell in December. A colt by Kyllachy, he was beaten three lengths by Mark Johnston’s debutant Secretive. He certainly looks capable of winning races in due course.

I have been delighted with the way KUDU COUNTRY has taken to jumping winning both his starts in juvenile hurdles. A five lengths winner on his debut at Haydock in heavy ground, he defied his penalty to beat the Howard Johnson trained Stormy Weather, who is rated 98 on the Flat, at Catterick next time. The handicapper has given him a mark of 125 and his next race will be in the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow on the 28th December.

In other news, BALCARVE NOV is currently being prepared to be our first runner in Dubai during the first week of February. He was a winner at Haydock in August on only his second start for us having come from Dubai and, prior to that, Argentina.

OCTOBER 2009

We have had our best ever Flat season with 19 winners, one more than last year, and our prize-money has reached £248,506 which is a personal best too.

WELSH EMPEROR ran in the Prix de La Foret for the fourth consecutive year at Longchamp and then went to Doncaster for a seven furlongs conditions stakes. He was pulled up after nearly two furlongs after a another horse clipped his heels but thankfully he returned unscathed.

I have always liked DISTANT MEMORIES and given soft ground is a smart horse. Having started the campaign on an official rating of 79, he won twice at Ripon before stepping up in class last time at Leopardstown in the Listed Jockey Club of Turkey Trigo Stakes. He ran a very good race chasing home Raise Your Heart in second and is now on a mark of 103. I hope there is even more to come next season as a four year old.

FASTNET STORM, who won twice at Ripon and Pontefract during the summer, gained his third success of the year in gutsy fashion at Nottingham when beating Gala Casino Star by a neck. Raised six pounds to a mark of 92, he acquitted himself well over a mile at Newmarket on his final run finishing third to Godolphin’s Secrecy. He started his three year old career off rating of 79 and will start next season on 91. I have been delighted with him but it will be tougher next year.

CALDERCRUIX is well bred being a half-brother to the likes of Albert Hall and Flighty Fellow, who won seven races for Tim Easterby, and he complete his education as a juvenile with an encouraging run at Doncaster in third behind an impressive winner trained by Barry Hills. I hope he will develop into a nice three year old.

MOLON LABE is in a similar bracket having had three runs this year including when second to what appeared a very smart horse of Godolphin’s at Nottingham. A colt by Footstepsinthesand, he had shown signs of ability previously at Newcastle and clearly improved on that last time. He is a nice type.

LEVIATHAN ended his juvenile career in the same way he started it by winning a seven furlongs nursery under Micky Fenton. Leading over a furlong out, he stayed on stoutly and is clearly at his best with some cut in the ground. The handicapper has put him up six pounds to his current mark of 88 which means he needs to improve again but he has the size and scope to do so.

We gave SADLER’S MARK a couple of runs at Nottingham and I thought he showed promise on both occasions, especially his second start when fifth over a mile. He has been put away for next year and will be eligible for handicaps after one more run. He is bred to improve when tackling middle distances being a son of Sadler’s Wells.

WALVIS BAY is another to look forward to next year having won his maiden at York over six furlongs in good fashion. He had run well at the same track on his debut over five furlongs but had no trouble staying further. Sixth in a nursery on his final run at Doncaster, I think he will make a decent sprint handicapper in time.

SUITS ME, who had such a productive spell on the all-weather during the winter, ran a tremendous race in France when finishing a little over six lengths behind Pipedreamer in the Group 2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp over ten furlongs.

SEPTEMBER 2009

DISTANT MEMORIES recorded his second course and distance victory at Ripon at the beginning of the month. Revelling in the soft ground, he beat Bolodenka by a long looking seven lengths under Micky Fenton. Unfortunately, as a result his handicap mark rose from 90 to 103, which will obviously mean life is going to be tougher from now onwards. However, he is a lightly raced horse who hopefully has much more to offer.

BALCARCE NOV, who won at 66/1 at Haydock during August, ran another fine race at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting when a close second to Spring Mile winner Manassas. He was unable to get involved in the big seven furlongs handicap at Ascot next time but I have been pleased with him as he hasn’t been with us long having arrived from Dubai during the summer.

BUCKED OFF is another new recruit from Dubai where he was trained by Herman Brown. Well behind on his first run for us at York in August, he ran much better on his next couple of starts finishing fourth at Ayr and Ascot over ten and eight furlongs. We are still learning about him but he clearly has plenty of ability as his rating of 88 suggests.

SUITS ME returned to action after a lengthy lay off and troublesome hoof crack. His Newbury run was encouraging and when he gets some cut in the ground he will hopefully take up from where he left off at the start of this year.

THINK ITS ALL OVER provided us with our third juvenile winner of the season at Hamilton. A colt by Tiznow, he ran a promising race on his debut in a novice event at Newcastle and confirmed the view last time. The step up to a mile appeared to suit him well and he stayed on strongly to win with something in hand. The handicapper has given him a mark of 77 and I am hoping he will develop into a nice three year old next season.

Another of our juveniles who improved from his debut was QUITE SPARKY. Sixth on his racecourse bow at Thirsk, he returned to the same track and was only beaten a neck by a filly of Richard Fahey’s called Cracking Lass. The soft ground appeared to suit him and I hope we can find a race for him shortly.

MUCH ACCLAIMED was another to come off second best on his debut at Redcar in a seven furlongs maiden. A gelding by Sulamani, he is a half-brother to the once useful handicapper Dabbers Ridge and I was delighted with his first run. Half a length behind a more experienced rival, he kept to well at the finish and showed more than enough to suggest he can win races. He looks a nice prospect for next year.

Those comments also apply to WALVIS BAY, who finished a good second on his debut at York behind Cool Minx. A colt by Footstepsinthesand, we may have run him a bit too soon when only fifth next time at Ayr’s Western meeting. However, he wasn’t beaten far and I am sure there is a lot more to come. He is a horse with plenty of speed which is not surprising being a half-brother to Pipalong.

JULY / AUGUST 2009

I have been delighted with the progress BALCARCE NOV has made since joining us from Dubai. Previously trained in Argentina, he ran some good races in defeat for Herman Brown at Nad Al Sheba during the winter. A 66/1 winner of a valuable one mile handicap at Haydock in August on only his second run for us, he was only beaten around two lengths in the Listed City of York Stakes at the Ebor meeting next time. He is officially rated 104 and will hopefully continue to give a good account of himself in decent races.

The four year old is owned by Mr & Mrs Hay and so is MULL OF DUBAI, who ran another solid race at Doncaster at the start of August. Successful in the Queen’s Mother Cup at York over a mile and a half, he was dropping back two furlongs and wasn’t beaten far in fourth. He will need a career best to win off his current rating of 94 but he is a very consistent horse.

Another of the Hay’s horses, KINGS GAMBIT, was a dual Group 1 winner in South Africa. Like Balcarce Nov, he was trained in Dubai during the winter by Herman Brown racing on four occasions including in the Sheema Classic in March. The five year old ran an excellent race on his first start for us in the Group 2 York Stakes over ten furlongs in July. Beaten a length and three quarters in third behind Kirklees, he had the subsequent Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Monitor Closely behind him in fifth. We stepped him up to a mile and five next time in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes but he could only finish seventh behind leading St Leger contender Kite Wood. His York run proved he is a very talented horse.

WELSH EMPEROR won his thirteenth race of his glittering career when scoring in the seven furlongs conditions race at Haydock for the second successive year. Ten years old now, he displayed all his usual battling qualities to fend off Prime Spirit to win by a head. There is every chance he will go back to Longchamp for the Group 1 Prix de la Foret for a fourth time. He has a remarkable record in the race having finished second twice and a close fifth last year. It would be great if he could finally win it having run so well each time but it is obviously going to be extremely tough at his age. I am sure he won’t let us down though.

INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU was narrowly denied at Chester earlier in the season but gained a much deserved victory at Catterick in August. Ridden by Katie Cooper, he was never far away before showing a good attitude to lead again close home.

LATERLY hasn’t managed to get his head in front this year but ran his best race of the season when a good third in a heritage handicap at Haydock in August. Seventh next time at York’s Ebor meeting, he is five pounds lower than the start of the season. Ten furlongs appears to be his optimum trip.

FASTNET STORM, who won twice during June at Ripon and Pontefract, continues to run consistently. The Rock of Gibraltar gelding was narrowly denied a third win of the season at Chester when beaten two short heads having raced prominently throughout. The handicapper has raised him another pound so now finds himself off a mark of 87 but while he is in such good form there should be more to come.

I have always thought a lot of DISTANT MEMORIES and, following a very good run in a competitive three year old handicap at Haydock during the spring, it was great to see him win in decisively at Ripon during July. Soft ground brings out the best in him as he proved at Ayr last season and he will hopefully have a productive Autumn campaign. A gelding by Falbrav, he has only had five races in his life and is most effective over ten furlongs. He is a very nice young horse.

DROP THE HAMMER has improved since we stepped her up in trip winning over a mile and six at Haydock in July. She wasn’t suited by the fibresand at Southwell next time but returned to form at Nottingham on her first start over two miles finishing third. Only three pounds higher than when losing her maiden tag, she clearly stays well.

LEVIATHAN was our second juvenile winner of the season when making a successful racecourse debut at Hamilton in June. Unsuited by the fast ground next time at Newcastle, he was much more at home on an easier surface at Newmarket last time when a creditable third. He is a well related horse being a half-brother to the useful Illustrious Blue and Ralph Beckett’s recent Listed winner Mullein and he will hopefully add to his tally soon.

KARAMOJO BELL is another well bred two year old, being a half-brother to Michael Jarvis’ Italian Oaks winner Fashion Statement. A colt by Selkirk, he showed plenty of promise on his first start over a mile at Newmarket during August. He finished fifth and will improve as he gains in experience.

THINKS ITS ALL OVER is a colt by Tiznow I bought in France as a yearling. He made his debut in a novice event at Newcastle over seven furlongs and stayed on nicely at the finish. Beaten around six lengths in fourth, he has improved for the run and will make a lovely three year old next season.

I bought TING TING at Keeneland last September and she is a very nice filly by Empire Maker. She made her debut over an extended mile at Beverley at the end of August and she ran a pleasing race in third. Never far away, she kept on well behind two more experienced rivals.

JUNE 2009

FASTNET STORM, who won twice last season, has developed into a progressive three year old winning at Ripon and Pontefract under positive rides from Micky Fenton on both occasions. His latest win came off a mark of 84 and, with a four pounds rise, he now finds himself on a career high. However, I am hopeful there is even more to come.

FRENCH APPLAUSE finished second on his debut at Ripon and filled the same position in a better maiden next time at York. Beaten a length and a quarter by an equally lightly raced horse of William Haggas’, he pulled three lengths clear of Seaway who was placed in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last year. He will hopefully win his maiden before making an impact in handicaps.

MULL OF DUBAI provided us with one of the highlights of the year so far at York when capturing the Queen Mother’s Cup. Given an excellent ride by Katie Cooper, who works for us, he ran on strongly to lead close home. I was delighted for his owners Mr & Mrs Hay who have been great supporters of the yard. It is the second successive year he has won a good handicap since joining us.

I thought PATRICIAN’S GLORY, who is also owned by the Hay’s, ran a super race in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. He stayed on well in the closing stages and was beaten just over five lengths in sixth position behind Barry Hills’ Ouqba, who had already won the Free Handicap at Newmarket earlier in the season. Officially rated 103, he has only had five races in his career and hopefully there is plenty more to come.

THE KYLLACHY KID proved he is effective on slow ground last year when winning at Ayr during the Autumn. It was the soft side at Ripon last time when he stayed on strongly to finish a close second in a six furlongs handicap. The handicapper has raised him a couple of pounds to a mark of 87 but I am optimistic he will continue to give a good account of himself.

As discussed at the start of the season, we have a lovely group of two year olds. LEVIATHAN made a winning start to his career at Hamilton when beating some well regarded rivals. A colt by Dubawi, we stepped him up in class at Newcastle in a novice event but could only finish fifth. However, I think he is better than he showed there as he was carried wide by one of his opponents when starting his challenge. I also feel he will be most effective with some cut in the ground.

LOCAL HERO is a good long-term prospect who is bred to stay well being a full-brother to a German trained Group 2 winner over a mile and six. I was pleased with his first racecourse appearance at Thirsk when he ran on nicely close home to finish fifth behind some more experienced rivals.

MUSIC OF THE MOOR has run two solid races so far and is one I am hoping will make his mark in nurseries later in the year. A well bred colt by Rock of Gibraltar, he has finished fourth on both his runs at Pontefract and Redcar. A half-brother to a Group winner in Italy, he is bred to stay at least a mile and he stayed on over seven last time at the latter venue. Ideally, I think he wants some ease underfoot.

SPRING 2009

RUSSIAN GEORGE provided us with our first victory of the season as far as the turf is concerned when showing plenty of determination to win on his three year old debut at Thirsk. Stepping back up to a mile, he stayed on strongly under Micky Fenton to hold Monetary Fund at bay. The handicapper has raised him to a mark of 79 and he will go back down that route.

I was delighted to see KYLLADDIE win on only his second outing and give us our first juvenile winner of the year. A promising fourth on his racecourse bow at Haydock behind the Royal Ascot bound and more experienced Kingdom of Light, he learned plenty from that and scored in good style at Ripon. He is a nice horse for the future.

Stable star WELSH EMPEROR showed plenty of enthusiasm on his seasonal pipeopener at Haydock in a Listed event but possibly found the ground a touch lively enough. We will look for some softer ground next time.

TOTO SKYLLACHY is a horse I have always liked but he was plagued with problems last year. However, he was back to form at Ripon in May on his favoured soft ground. He was narrowly beaten by William Haggas’ Tanto Faz but his turn shouldn’t be too far away.

SNOQUALMIE BOY had his first start for us at Ripon in May and, considering he had been off the track since July, I thought he acquitted himself well to finish fourth in a competitive ten furlongs handicap. The handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds and I am hopeful he will make his mark off his current rating.

Like Snoqualmie Boy, PATRICIAN’S GLORY is owned by Mrs Fitri Hay and he is a new arrival to the yard this year. I was delighted with his first run for us at Newmarket in May chasing home the highly regarded Four Winds in a mile conditions event. A colt by Proud Citizen, he was placed in the Solario Stakes at Sandown before contesting the Royal Lodge Stakes when trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam. He has only run four times in his life and is a lovely prospect.

As far as the other three year olds are concerned, REGAL LYRIC, who won on his first start last Autumn at Ripon, returned to form with a good run at Newcastle. We decided to step him back up to seven furlongs and he kept on well in the closing stages. He may stay a mile in time.

KUDU COUNTRY was a good fourth at York’s Dante meeting on his first run of the year. A fine big gelding by Captain Rio, he handles soft ground and should make an impact in middle distance three year old handicaps.

THE KYLLACHY KID also won as a juvenile and I thought he made an encouraging return to action at Chester’s May meeting. It was the second time he has been placed at the track and he handled the fast ground well. A very consistent horse, I am hoping he will continue to pay his way.

FRENCH APPLAUSE made a pleasing start to his career finishing a close second in  a mile maiden at Ripon in May. Having travelled smoothly for Micky Fenton, he got outstayed close home but he looks a nice prospect.

Mrs Fitri Hay has kindly sent me two new horses who look exciting additions to the team. BALCARCE NOV was a dual winner in Argentina before being trained in Dubai by Herman Brown. He had three runs at the Carnival during the winter including when runner-up in a six and a half furlongs conditions event in February. He is a four year old colt by Romanov. KINGS GAMBIT is a five year old South African gelding by Silvano who was also trained in Dubai by Herman Brown. Fifth in a Group 2 at Nad Al Sheba in February, he was only a length and a half behind the Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon. His last run came in the Group 1 Sheema Classic on World Cup night at the same track. 

THE TEAM FOR 2009

CAPTAIN IMPERIAL (IRE) 3 b g Captain Rio – Imperialist (IRE)

A nice young horse who won his maiden at Thirsk last year and rounded off his season with a solid run at Southwell. I think he will be a stayer this season and he will be campaigned in middle distance three year old handicaps. Potentially, I see him as a nice dual purpose horse. Micky Fenton likes him a lot and he will be ideally suited by the big galloping tracks.

CELTIC SULTAN (IRE) 5 b g Celtic Swing – Farjah (IRE)

Having won at Chester on his reappearance last year, he struggled thereafter largely due to the fact he never got his ground. We have gelded him which will hopefully settle him down as he does like to get on with things during his races. He is likely to prove best over trips short of a mile.

DISTANT MEMORIES (IRE) 3 b g Falbrav (IRE) – Amathia (IRE)

A lovely young horse who has a touch of class about him. He ran a promising race at Redcar before appearing to relish the soft ground at Ayr winning easily. I see no reason why he won’t stay a mile and a half and I am hoping he will make his mark in three year old handicaps. I would like to think he is fairly treated off his rating of 79.

DROP THE HAMMER 3 b f Lucky Story (USA) – Paperweight

She ran very well first time out at Newcastle finishing second but was over the top by the time she went to Nottingham. I have been pleased with her during the winter and she looks capable of winning races. I am hoping she will stay further than a mile this year.

FASTNET STORM (IRE) 3 br g Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) – Dreams

A tough horse, who won twice last season at Beverley and Pontefract. He surprised us slightly with the speed he showed at Pontefract as we have always viewed him as a staying horse. He has wintered well and he will start off in a mile handicap and then it will be a case of seeing how far he stays.

GREEK ENVOY 5 br g Diktat – South Shore

Having disappointed on the Flat last year, we toyed with the idea of sending him jumping during the winter but decided against it. Back in work, he needs soft ground with a mile and a half appearing to be his optimum trip. We tried him over a mile and six at York during the summer but he didn’t stay. He has slipped down the ratings but needs to improve on last season’s performances.

INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU (IRE) 4 gr g Daylami (IRE) – Claustra (FR)

A winner as a two year old, he started last season with a couple of promising runs at Thirsk and York. However, he disappointed thereafter and we don’t really know why. Good ground suits him and I would say a mile and a quarter is his trip.

JASMINES HERO (USA) 4 ch c War Chant (USA) – Ryn (USA)

Owned by Mrs Hay, he is a recent arrival having shown form for Stan Moore as a two year old before running in Dubai during the winter last year. He is a big strong horse who has settled in well.

KNOW BY NOW 3 b c Piccolo – Addicted To Love

A nice colt who didn’t make his debut until January finishing third at Kempton. Runner-up at the same track the following month, I think he will improve when stepped up to a mile and a quarter. I like him and I will be disappointed if he can’t win races.

KUDU COUNTRY (IRE) 3 gr g Captain Rio – Nirvavita (FR)

A half-brother to the Royal Ascot winner Full House, he is a big strong horse whose future ultimately lies over hurdles. He dead-heated for first place in a maiden at Beverley last season and he will start off in a ten furlongs three year old handicap this year. He will only have three or four runs on the Flat before going juvenile hurdling.

LATERLY (IRE) 4 b g Tiger Hill (IRE) – La Candela (GER)

I have always thought he was a very good horse and he proved it last season winning twice at Thirsk and Ripon. We tried him over hurdles during the winter and, while he ran well on both occasions, he simply doesn’t stay two miles. A tough honest horse, he is rated 95 and I am hoping he may be able to bridge the gap to Listed class. Effective over ten and twelve furlongs, I hope he will improve from three to four.

MULL OF DUBAI 6 b g Mull of Kintyre (USA) – Enlisted (IRE)

A very enthusiastic horse who won a good handicap at Chester last season. However, he needs things to go right and to be dropped out during his races. John Egan rides him particularly well. He is four pounds higher now than when he won at Chester and equally suited by ten or twelve furlongs.

MUSASHI (IRE) 4 ch g Hawk Wing (USA) – Soubrette (USA)

Previously trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, he is still a maiden but was placed a couple of times at Great Leighs during the winter. He hasn’t been here too long but looks a nice big strong horse.

REGAL LYRIC (IRE) 3 b g Royal Applause – Alignment

He showed a lot of speed to win on his debut at Redcar over seven furlongs hence we dropped him back to six on his next couple of runs. However, he found the ground too soft at Newbury and Doncaster. I have been pleased with him during the winter as he has really strengthened up and looks well at the moment. He is rated 72 and will be aimed at six and seven furlongs three year old handicaps.

RUSSIAN GEORGE (IRE) 3 ch g Sendawar (IRE) – Mannsara (IRE)

A half-brother to David Nicholls’ useful sprinter Manzila, he ran some good consistent races last year. I think seven furlongs or a mile will bring out the best in him this year and he will go down the handicap route off his mark of 75.

SNOQUALMIE BOY 6 b g Montjeu (IRE) – Seattle Ribbon (USA)

Another new arrival, he is a very nice horse who won at Royal Ascot when trained by David Elsworth before he joined Jane Chapple-Hyam. I am very much looking forward to training him. A mile and a quarter on fast ground suits him ideally and he has slipped to a decent looking mark of 90.

SUITS ME 6 ch g Bertolini (USA) – Fancier Bit

He has really found his niche on the all-weather during the last four or five months winning on four occasions plus a victory at Ayr towards the backend of the turf season last year. We let him take his chance in the Winter Derby at Lingfield in March but it proved somewhat frustrating as he could never get a run. I am sure, had he done so, he would have been in the shake-up because he has been in such good form. We will give him a mid Summer break and then aim him at conditions races as he is now rated 109. He is a pretty flexible horse and it is a case of transferring his all-weather form to the turf. A mile and a quarter suits him well and I am sure he will continue to do us proud.

THE KYLLACHY KID 3 b g Kyllachy – All Business

An easy winner on soft ground at Ayr during the Autumn, he is by a very good sire. He is a real tough horse who clearly enjoys some cut in the ground. High enough in the ratings off 85, he will have to be aimed at the better six furlong handicaps.

TOP TRIBUTE 4 b g Acclamation – Mary Hinge

He gave trouble in the stalls hence he didn’t run until August last year. Runner-up on a couple of occasions, he is a big horse who is rated in the 60s and hopefully he can pick up a race or two.

TOTO SKYLLACHY 4 b g Kyllachy – Little Tramp

He is a horse who I have always liked. Runner-up on his reappearance at Beverley last year, he must have been very uncomfortable for the rest of the season as we discovered he had two stones the size of oranges in his bladder. No wonder he didn’t perform to his best. He seems fine now and he will be running early on as he does handle soft ground well. Seven furlongs suits him.

WELSH EMPEROR (IRE) 10 b g Emperor Jones (USA) – Simply Times (USA)

He is now in the evening of his career having been a fantastic horse for us winning twelve races including a conditions event at Haydock last summer. Fifth in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October, he is unlikely to be competing in Group races this season and we will keep him to conditions races. Seven furlongs with some cut in the ground are what he enjoys. He has been a wonderful horse for us.

WEST WITH THE WIND 4 b g Fasliyev (USA) – Midnight Angel (GER)

His owner is very keen on jumping and, having won his first two starts over hurdles and finished third in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial at Musselburgh, he was mortified when he was unable to run in the Fred Winter Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival due to the fact he started coughing a few days beforehand. He has taken well to hurdling and we are going to step him up in trip and may go to Aintree for the two and a half miles novice hurdle. He certainly has the physique for jumping and I could see him over fences one day. Gelded since his last run at Musselburgh in February, he is in fine form now.

TWO YEAR OLDS

We have a nice bunch of two year olds for this year. Of those who look forward at this stage, I like COUNT BERTONI, a colt by Bertolini, KYLLADDIE, a son of Kyllachy, LEVIATHAN, a nice colt by Dubawi, THE CAPE CRUSADER, a colt by Cape Cross, and WALVIS BAY, a son of Footstepsinthesand who comes from the family of Pipalong.

End of Flat season round up

Suits Me has ended the year in tremendous form by winning on three occasions in less than a month. Placed on five occasions earlier in the year including when runner-up at both Haydock and Nottingham, he has rattled off victories at Ayr, Wolverhampton and Kempton with Micky (Fenton) on board each time. Raised eight pounds for his latest win, he now finds himself on a career high mark of 105 on the all-weather which is going to make life more difficult.

I have always thought West With The Wind was a very good horse but unfortunately it has taken him until November to lose his maiden tag. The wet summer certainly hasn’t helped though as he is a much better horse on a sound surface. Thankfully, he got off the mark at Southwell at the end of November with an easy seven lengths success. Having schooled him over hurdles at home, there is every chance we will send him jumping at some stage. He certainly has the physique to make a nice jumper.

Distant Memories is a very nice prospect for next year and I was delighted to see him win on only his second start at Ayr in testing ground at the start of November. A lovely looking individual, I am hoping he will develop into a nice handicapper during 2009. He had run well on his debut at Redcar and coped with the drop back to seven furlongs last time.

We have sent out 17 winners during the 2008 Flat campaign which is the same as last season. It has been frustrating on occasions as 29 seconds suggests. However, we have some lovely young horses to look forward to for next term. The 19th July was a very special day as we were responsible for three winners as Welsh Emperor provided Tony Culhane with his first winner since his return to riding, Laterly won the historic Bell Ringer Handicap at Ripon and Daylami Dreams provided the third leg of an across the card treble at Newmarket. Mull of Dubai’s win in a valuable handicap at Chester’s May meeting was also very satisfying.

We have some nice horses to going jumping during the winter including  the aforementioned Laterly who finished second on his hurdling debut at Fakenham. Although comfortably beaten, I suspect he bumped into a smart juvenile hurdler in Starluck who had won on his previous start, too. I am sure Laterly will improve for the experience and we will find a winning opportunity soon.

Honest John, who won the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, made his debut over timber at the same track in November. Racing on soft ground for the first time, he ran well until getting tired after the second last. It was his first run since April and will improve and will be seen to better effective on a sounder surface. We know from his bumper runs, he is a talented horse.

September & October

Welsh Emperor has continued to give a good account of himself running another solid race in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp during Arc weekend. Runner-up in the previous two renewals of the race, he finished fifth, under this season’s leading French rider Iorizt Mendizabal, behind Paco Boy but was only beaten two short heads for third with two Group 1 winners behind us. What a nine year old! Having won at Haydock earlier in the season, he ran well in both the Supreme Stakes at Goodwood and the Park Stakes at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting during September. He has been a fantastic horse for us winning 12 races and prize-money of over £385,000.

Laterly, who has won twice this year, didn’t stay a mile and three quarters at Doncaster so we dropped him back to ten furlongs at Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting. Fourth behind Swinging Sixties off a mark of 96, he is possibly at his best over a mile and a half. We will be making a decision shortly as to whether he goes hurdling this season or next.

Suits Me, who had such a productive season last year, is without a victory during 2008 but he has run some very good races recently. A close third at Ripon behind the progressive Rose Street, he was narrowly beaten by another Michael Jarvis trained runner Kal Barg at Haydock at the end of September. He coped with the fast ground well but has been raised three pounds by the handicapper as a result.

The juveniles have been running well and The Kyllachy Kid provided us with our fifth two year old winner of the season at Ayr. A consistent gelding, he had been placed on his three previous starts so deserved to get his head in front. The heavy ground held no terrors for him as he won by three and a quarter lengths. I hope he will make a nice handicapper next season.

I was delighted with Regal Lyric’s victory on his racecourse debut at Redcar. Tony Culhane rode the son of Royal Applause and he won by a short head with one or two well touted opponents in behind. He has been given a mark of 82 and will be tackling a nursery shortly.

Kudu Country got his head in front too, albeit sharing the spoils with Hunterview, at Beverley at the end of September. He is a fine big horse who still shows signs of inexperience. I think he is a lovely staying prospect for next season.

I have been pleased with the way the horses have been running but we haven’t had a great deal of luck at time with 23 seconds. Both Fastnet Storm and Russian George ran excellent races in nurseries at Newmarket on the same day last month with the pair being beaten a neck and half a length respectively. I hope the pair will develop into decent three year olds.

Switching to the jumpers, Charlie Crab is a horse I have high hopes for over fences this winter. Unfortunately, he unseated his rider on his chasing debut at Hexham at the start of October. From the family of By The Way, he has schooled nicely at home and he will hopefully make amends soon. He has won three of his seven career starts and should into his own in staying chases.

August 2008

Captain Imperial provided us with our second juvenile winner of the season when scoring at the third attempt at Thirsk. Making virtually all under Micky Fenton, he won by a narrow margin before disappointing on his handicap debut at Chester at the end of the month. A wide draw didn’t help his cause though.

Dr Sharp may be eight years old but he retains plenty of enthusiasm as he demonstrated at Chester when runner-up in a two miles handicap last time. We have given him an entry in the Cesarewitch, in which he finished third a couple of years ago.

Mull of Dubai won at Chester’s May meeting and he ran well on his return to the Roodeye at the end of the month finishing fourth in a Listed handicap. Beaten less than five lengths by Red Gala, he may have been even closer had he not been hampered before the home turn. He has run some very good races this season and I am pleased with him.

Suits Me may be without a win so far this term, having had such a successful season last year, but he ran an excellent race at Ripon finishing third to Michael Jarvis’ lightly raced filly Rose Street. Effective on soft ground, he will hopefully pick up a race during the Autumn.

The Kyllachy Kid will hopefully break his duck shortly having run at Beverley and Chester on his last two starts. Third on both occasions, he probably met an above average winner, namely Richard Hannon’s Full Toss, on the latter occasion. We have the option of staying in maiden company or going down the nursery route.

I was delighted with Top Tribute’s racecourse debut at Ripon. A three year old gelding by Acclamation, he finished second behind an odds on favourite of John Dunlop’s in a mile maiden having raced prominently throughout. He looks capable of winning races.

July 2008

I was delighted to see Welsh Emperor record his first win of the season at Haydock. The underfoot conditions were ideal and, given a positive ride by Tony Culhane, who was having his first winner since his enforced absence, he won nicely. All being well, he will be aimed at the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury next month, a race he won in 2006 and was beaten a short head in last year. Then, it would be nice to go back to France for the Prix de La Foret at Longchamp which he has finished runner-up in for the last two years. He has been a fantastic horse for us winning twelve races and over £350,000 in prize-money.

Saturday 19th July proved to be a very special day with three winners. Laterly continues to improve winning his second race of the year at Ripon in the Bell-Ringer Handicap over a mile and a half. Runner-up at Haydock previously, he is such a tough horse and held off the challenge of Detonator to win by three parts of a length. There is a possibility he will go to Goodwood for a valuable handicap there and we have given him an entry in the Ebor next month. A decision will be made shortly as to whether he goes jumping during the winter.

Daylami Dreams was the third leg of the hat-trick and he produced a good performance to win at Newmarket in a mile and seven handicap. He had finished a close second over course and distance on his previous run but we decided to leave the blinkers off and he stayed on well to lead inside the final furlong. He will get further than this and appreciates decent ground.

Elk Trail stepped back up to a mile and a quarter at Ripon and he produced arguably his best performance to date with a very creditable third behind Nine Stories. He had found a mile on the short side at Thirsk the time before.

Greek Envoy didn’t appear to stay a mile and six in a Listed handicap at York this month but still ran well to finish fifth. Soft ground brings out the best in him and he found conditions a shade too lively in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock previously.

Chester winner Mull of Dubai is another who produced a career best, at York last time, when less than three lengths second to Ella off a career high mark of 92. The handicapper has raised him another couple of pounds but hopefully he can overcome it. It was heavy ground at York which proves his versatility having won on good to firm in May.

The two year olds have run thus far and I was pleased with Russian George’s debut at Wolverhampton. He stayed on nicely at the finish and will have learned from that. He looks a promising sort.

Switching to the jumpers, Charlie Crab won his second race over hurdles from only four attempts with a good performance at Perth. I thought he was unlucky not to win at Aintree but made amends in the three miles handicap hurdle. Bred to jump fences being from the family of By The Way, he will be going chasing in the Autumn and is a horse to look forward to.

June 2008

Elk Trail has run two solid races this season and he stayed on well in third at Leicester last time. We tried him over seven furlongs but left the impression he would benefit from stepping back up to a mile in due course.

Inspector Clouseau ran a blinder in the Daniel Prenn Royal Yorkshire Stakes at York finishing a close second to Military Power. It was his first run over a mile and a quarter and he saw out the trip well. He will appreciate a faster surface than he has encountered on both his starts this year.

Laterly had run two good races at Redcar and York and gained a deserved victory at Thirsk in a mile and a half handicap. A grand type of horse, I think he has a bright future both on the Flat and over hurdles. We have already schooled him over obstacles at home.

West With The Wind stepped up to a mile and a half for the first time at Musselburgh in the Tradesman’s Derby. Only beaten a length and a half in fifth, he is a big horse and didn’t really handle the track. He remains a very promising colt who will hopefully break his duck shortly.

My two year olds are starting to run now and I was pleased with both Kudu Country and The Kyllachy Kid who ran encouraging races at Thirsk and Carlisle respectively. Both geldings stayed on nicely inside the closing stages and will have learned from the experience.

May 2008

The May meeting at Chester proved to be a most satisfying one for me with Celtic Sultan and Mull of Dubai capturing valuable handicaps. The former was making his seasonal reappearance and he made virtually all to win the Warwick International Handicap over an extended seven furlongs. Despite edging right inside the closing stages the four year old had enough in hand to withstand the late challenge of Thirsk Hunt Cup winner Extraterrestrial. Racing off a mark of 100, we are likely to set our sights on Listed races later in the campaign. Good fast ground is considered important to Celtic Sultan.

Mull of Dubai was sent to me during the winter and he looks a fine recruit to Castle Farm Stables. Following runs at Pontefract and Nottingham, he was spot on for the ten furlongs Bank of Ireland Handicap at the Roodeye. Given an excellent ride by John Egan, he really appreciated the strongly early pace before quickening well inside the final furlong. A length victor from John Gosden’s well regarded Escape Route, he looks capable of winning another decent prize this summer.

Elk Trail was only just denied making a winning reappearance at Redcar in a nine furlongs handicap. Despite being a son of Captain Rio, he clearly relishes fast ground and looks the sort to go one better soon. Trips around a mile look his optimum at present.

Greek Envoy made his seasonal reappearance at Ripon at the end of last month in a five runner conditions event over twelve furlongs. Racing off a career high mark of 103, the Diktat gelding can be considered an unlucky loser as he endured a nightmare passage along the far rail. Forced to switch to the outside, he failed by less than two lengths to catch the well supported odds-on favourite Raincoat. Having only raced eight times during his career, Greek Envoy remains open to plenty of improvement and looks one to follow.

Laterly looks a horse who will really come into his own when stepping up to a mile and a half and encountering livelier ground following his close third at Redcar at the start of the month. Only beaten three lengths in a ten furlongs handicap, the Tiger Hill gelding cut out most of the running until finding the race fit pair Tajweed and Full Speed too good close home. His trainer feels faster ground will bring out the best in this stoutly bred individual.

Toto Skyllachy also made a pleasing return to action at Beverley. Having his first start since splitting a hind pastern last summer, he finished an encouraging two lengths second to the Richard Fahey trained Albaqaa in an extended seven furlongs handicap. Despite a two pounds rise in the weights, the Kyllachy colt looks more than capable of paying his way this term.

West With The Wind is considered by Timeform's experts to be a very promising horse, featuring in the Fifty To Follow publication for 2008. Here is his entry:

3 b.c WEST WITH THE WIND             Timeform Rating 84p
Fasliyev (USA) - Midnight Angel (GER) (Acatenango (GER)) [2007 races: 7g 8.2g2 Nov 7]

Visitors to Tom Tate’s website are immediately greeted with the trainer’s objective to ‘find and develop class horses’. He certainly looks to have found a most promising one in the shape of West With The Wind, a lightly-raced son of the Group 1-winning sprinter Fasliyev. Very much in the need of the experience on his debut, in a maiden at Doncaster, West With The Wind was soon behind after missing the break and did well to finish eighth in a race full of well-bred newcomers from bigger stables. Next time, in a similar event at Nottingham, he  once again put in his best work at the finish and came second of twelve, beaten only a length by the potentially useful debutant Wintercast. West With The Wind clearly  takes more after his dam, a useful middle-distance performer closely related to the smart Moonlady, who became the first ever German-trained horse to win in the U.S when successful in the Grade 2 Long Island Handicap over eleven furlongs at Aqueduct in 2000. A big, angular, good-topped colt with a long stride, West With The Wind is obviously open to improvement, particularly when upped in trip to a mile and a quarter and beyond. Although needing one more run to qualify for handicaps, he should not be overlooked on his reappearance, his trainer knowing all too well how to get one ready first time up.

April 2008

Honest John provided Tom Tate with further big race success when winning the Grade 2 John Smith’s Champion Standard National Hunt Flat race at Aintree on Grand National day earlier this month. The Alzao gelding had shown distinct promise on his racecourse debut at Doncaster the previous month finishing second. Ridden by Keith Mercer, he claimed some notable scalps at Aintree as he came with a well timed run inside the final furlong to collar the well regarded pair Touch of Irish and Cape Tribulation. Still only a four year old, Honest John has a bright future.

Flat runners from Castle Farm Stables have been few and far between during 2008 but Piccolo Pete made an encouraging start to his new campaign. Having his first start for Tom Tate having previously been under the guidance of John Quinn, he produced a career best at Southwell this month when a strong finishing second in a six furlongs handicap. Given a smoother passage, he would almost certainly have prevailed only being denied by half a length from Berrymead.

March 2008

Tom Tate approaches the 2008 turf season with a blend of experienced and talented older horses and some highly promising three year olds.

WELSH EMPEROR had another excellent season last year finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret for the second consecutive season and he filled the same position behind Red Evie in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. Despite being a nine year old, he will continue to be a force in Pattern races.

GREEK ENVOY is a progressive horse who won twice last season including at Newmarket in the Autumn. Lightly raced, he appreciates soft ground and hopefully he can win a big prize during 2008.

CELTIC SULTAN is another improving horse who likes to front run. He adopted those tactics when winning at Newmarket in October before running well against some smart horses at Doncaster on his final start.

RAUCOUS has always been highly regarded and he proved why when beating Halla San at Ripon in the spring last year. Injured sidelined him after his run at Royal Ascot, but he remains unexposed and could be a force in the good staying handicaps this year.

Stable stalwart DR SHARP may not have won last season, but he ran some solid races in defeat and is likely to continue to pay his way when the emphasis is on stamina.

SUITS ME had a terrific season in 2007 winning on four occasions and hopefully he can defy his rise in the weights this year. His ability to handle all types of ground will continue to hold him in good stead.

The older horse division at Castle Farm Stables has been strengthened still further by the arrival of DAYLAMI DREAMS, MACEDON and MULL OF DUBAI. All three were trained by Stan Moore last season and look interesting additions to the yard.

There are a number of interesting three year old prospects with the likes of INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU, LATERLY and TOTO SKYLLACHY all winning as juveniles last year. All three look the sort to develop into nice handicappers and should make their mark.

SHANAFARAHAN and WEST WITH THE WIND ran encouraging races without winning last season. The former ran particularly well on his final start at Doncaster finishing nicely while the latter is bred to stay middle distances and is held in high regard by his trainer.

Comments by MARK HOWARD, Racing UK and author of Ahead On The Flat and One Jump Ahead

Castle Farm Stables, Hazlewood, Tadcaster, N.Yorks, LS24 9NJ