News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 09/03/25 March 10, 2025 by Major Dickie David Pipes good winner at Ascot has suffered a setback and will miss the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. More festival news broke when Brighterdaysahead was confirmed to run in the Champion Hurdle. On the track it was as expected a low-key start to the week. At Newcastle Tiptoptim won the bumper by eleven […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 02/03/25 March 7, 2025 by Major Dickie Plumpton was abandoned as the course was waterlogged. At Ayr, two fair performances to mention. Firstly, Serious Challenge won the novice hurdle after making the long trip up from Fergal O’Brien’s base near Cheltenham. Johnny Burke did the steering and won by nine lengths from the big odds-on favourite from Ireland Bowensonfire. Blofeld on debut, […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 23/02/25 February 24, 2025 / February 24, 2025 by Major Dickie We learned on Monday Ken Cunningham Brown died aged 93. He trained for over forty years on the flat and over jumps. RIP Also we heard Pat Murphy had announced his retirement at the age of 67 from the training ranks. Carlisle staged an eight race card which attracted plenty of runners. The first two […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 16/02/25 February 17, 2025 / February 17, 2025 by Major Dickie The week started at Catterick where Phil Kirby had two winners, namely Asa and Achnamara. The concluding bumper won by the Donald McCain trained Count Of Vendome looked a smart type under Brian Hughes. The re-arranged Sussex National from January saw a great finish after three and a half miles. Last year’s victor, Dom Of […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 09/02/25 February 9, 2025 / February 9, 2025 by Major Dickie Monday’s biggest story was a statement from Gordon Elliot saying one of his stable stars Gerri Colombe has been ruled out for the season. He disappointed on his seasonal debut back in November at Down Royal behind Envoi Allen. Elliot said he hoped the horse would be back in the Autumn. Lets hope so! Newmarket […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 02/02/25 February 2, 2025 / February 9, 2025 by Major Dickie Hello again and it’s great to be back. Fully charged up and ready to enjoy this first week back after my break and of course the Dublin Racing Festival at the weekend. This week the weather has improved temperature wise but the rainfall has caused the problems. On Monday we lost Hereford and meetings at […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 19/01/25 January 25, 2025 by Major Dickie Monday saw the return of Billy Loughnane to the track in the UK after 2 months spent down under in Australia. At Lingfield, Stage Winner was his first ride back and the very short priced favourite obliged for owner Qatar Racing and trainer George Boughey. Regarding the trainer, it was announced he had purchased a […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 12/01/25 January 12, 2025 / January 12, 2025 by Major Dickie This weeks update is rather low on racing content as the week was decimated by the cold weather and 13 meetings in the UK and Ireland were lost. Monday saw Ayr and Wolverhampton take place. Ayr saw Nick Alexander and Lucinda Russell both train 2 winners each. The following day a 9 race card from […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 05/01/25 January 5, 2025 / January 5, 2025 by Major Dickie Taunton’s Monday card included a Listed Mares Novice Hurdle. Jubilee Alpha travelled strongly for Harry Cobden and won readily. The Paul Nicholls charge reversed form with Listentoyourheart from Newbury a month earlier in no uncertain terms. Over at Haydock on the soft ground Saint Xavier at the ripe old age of 12 took the staying […] Read more »
News The Major’s Weekly Roundup 29/12/2024 December 31, 2024 / December 31, 2024 by Major Dickie After 3 blank days, Boxing Day arrived and the racecourse action served up was top notch. Starting at Kempton the Grade I Kauto Star Novices Chase over 3 miles saw The Jukebox Man take the honours beating Hyland by two and a half lengths. A well deserved Grade I for owner Harry Rednapp, trainer […] Read more »