On Monday at Newcastle aboard Sambucus, Paul Mulrennan rode his 100th winner of the calendar year.
Also in the early part of the week it was reported that Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing had submitted a bid to buy Sir Michael Stoute’s Freemason Lodge stables in Newmarket.
Down under, Vauban has been sold for around $2m AUD to a partnership which includes Gai Waterhouse and the plan appears to be another tilt at the Melbourne Cup. I am sure both ex owner Rich Ricci and ex trainer Willie Mullins will miss him terribly.
Big Evs has left Mick Appleby’s yard in the East Midlands for his new life at Tally-Ho Stud over in County Westmeath, Ireland. He joins established stallions Kodiac, Cotai Glory, Mehmas and “new boy” King Of Steel. The major wishes him well in his new career.
Wednesday saw two Listed races for Fillies and Mares on the sand at Lingfield, sponsored by BetMGM. Both races were taken comfortably by William Haggas trained horses, namely Sea Theme and Doom, ridden by Billy Loughnane and Rossa Ryan respectively.
The following day after appeal, Alphonse Le Grande was reinstated as the winner of the Cesarewitch.The judgement panel ruled that apprentice jockey Jamie Powell’s last effort to use his whip did not make any contact with his mount. Subsequently he did not reach the maximum threshold of strikes with his whip, and ruled the change of result on the day should never have happened in the first place! I need a lie down after explaining that…
Friday was a case of Deja Vu. The first day of Cheltenham’s November meeting saw Jonbon take the Shloer Chase as he did last year for JP McManus, Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. In similar fashion the seven year old Spirit Dancer won the Bahrain International Trophy again, for trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Oisin Orr. This legend of a horse is partly owned by Sir Alex Ferguson who also bred this son of Frankel. The Major sends “Many congratulations to all the connections”.
Saturday at Cheltenham had a couple of trial races with next years festival in mind, and two horses in particular made favourable impressions. East India Dock took the Juvenile Hurdle by 18 lengths for the same connections (the Gredley Family and James Owen) who took this race last year with Burdett Road. He received a 10/1 quote for the Triumph Hurdle and that seemed fair to the Major. On the Novice Chase side I think we saw a “proper horse” in L’eau Du Sud who jumped well and was still on the steele up the hill to the line.
The betting race of the day, The Paddy Power Gold Cup went to Il Ridoto for Paul Nicholls and young Freddie Gingell, his biggest success to date. They finished 4 lengths to the good over GA Law who won this contest in 2022. Well done Freddie! Nicholls also saddled the favourite Ginny’s Destiny who pulled up before the 2nd last.
Up at Newcastle Oisin Murphy made the trip north and took the two Listed races sponsored by BetUK from his only two rides. The Churchill Stakes went to owner King Power Racing and trainer Andrew Balding with The Foxes, while the Golden Rose Stakes went to Clipper Logistics and Karl Burke with a really lovely type in Night Raider.
As per last Saturday Gordon Elliot won the numbers game again with 5 winners on Navan’s 8 race card, including Found A Fifty who took the Grade 2 Fortria Chase under Jack Kennedy.
On Saturday evening it was announced on social media by David O’Meara that stable stalwart Summerghand has run his last race and goes off into retirement. He ran 106 times and amassed over 600k in prize money. His best winning efforts included the Group 3 Abernant Stakes, Ayr Gold Cup and Stewards Cup. Everyone has enjoyed watching you slug it out in all the big handicaps for a long time now. Enjoy the paddocks and the carrots!
Sunday’s feature from Navan was the Troytown Handicap Chase. That man Gordon Elliot struck again with 20/1 Stuzzikini ridden by Gavin Brouder, who provided Elliot with a 7th Troytown victory.
The Greatwood Hurdle went to Burdett Road who made all for the same connections as yesterday’s impressive winner East India Dock, with Harry Cobden in the plate.
Just a footnote here, and as a reminder of the perils of jump racing especially; the feature Handicap Chase saw two fatalities including the winner Abuffolosoldier, who along with Bangers and Cash, are both suspected of suffering heart attacks. They paid the ultimate price for this sport, and we must never forget that without these brave horses we have no sport. Our thoughts must be with all connected to both horses. Rest easy both.