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Inchpast, Balladiene and Azure Mist all run today

Thursday 15th May

"Three runners today," said Mark. "Inchpast runs at York - he will like the ground and I think he will stay the trip well, but has nearly 10 stone so that might be a bit of a burden. Saying that, he is on good form and always performs with credit.

"And at Newmarket this evening we have the two-year-old Balladiene running for the first time; like all mine she will benefit greatly from the experience. Azure Mist hated the soft ground at Beverley last time out, will like the ground at Newmarket and I am hoping for a much better show today."

We have more pictures from Dullingham Park Stud yesterday afternoon, below.

Doll's House and her foal, Highbrook (her foal is out of picture, playing with Mega's), Trew Class with her foal and Mega

Astrocharm and her foal

Tenpence and her foal

Back at base, the horses have been cantering up Long Hill at first lot and second lot did two canters up the short (Warren Hill) including Bella Medici, Lough Diver and Indian Skipper. By 11 o'clock the thunder and rain started, and the drizzle continued for some 30 minutes - just enough to dampen the ground in the end.

Apologies there have been technical problems with the video, which we will try to rectify for tomorrow's News.

 

Wednesday 14th May

Optimistic, based at Dullingham Park Stud

"Yesterday was one of those 'nearly' days," said Mark. "Everything ran well and there is the future to look forward to!" said Mark. Astrolibra and Rajayoga (both out of Optimistic, pictured above) were second, Olaudah Equiano dead-heated for third and Blue Admiral, Astroangel and Fortunes Maid were all fourth.

Some of first lot picking grass after exercise (above) before walking in (below)

Mystery Star

"Only the one runner today - Mystery Star in the 4.55 at York. Allied Powers will be the red hot favourite after his win at Chester and deserves to be so. But I have been very happy with Mystery Star since his run at Newmarket at the Craven meeting, which has turned out to be a very good race. I feel this could be another competitive race also, but the ground is in our favour. Saying that, we have the worst of the draws in 14 and Paul Mulrennan will have to be at his best to get the horse in a good position early on. York is a course for those ridden handy and from a bad draw it is nearly always impossible."

 

Tuesday 13th May

Blimey O'Riley with Benedict Spirit (nearest) at first lot

Another warm morning and the horses were out working on the Al Bahathri at first lot.

Left to right: Soggy Dollar and Sleeping after exercise, Inchpast in action, and Mikao after exercise

"Today we have two runners at Brighton, starting with Astroangel in the 3.40pm mile handicap," said Mark. "She is always very consistent and I think in this type of race she will be again today. Neil Callan has been lucky for Mystic Meg over the years – he won a Group 3 on Astrocharm at Goodwood for her too. Astrolibra runs in the 4.40pm – the trip may just be a bit on the short side, but she handled this track last year, is fit and should not be far away today. This is a hands and heels race which means that the boys cannot use their whips at all and have to push and kick all the way. I would make all apprentice races similar to this – and even the open ones, only let them use their whip in the final furlong and no more than three times. It would make them use their brains and get fitter."

From left to right: Astroangel, Astrolibra and Olaudah Equiano

Blue Admiral

"At Yarmouth we have four runners starting with Olaudah Equiano in the first. He has been working nicely with the others this spring, but will benefit greatly from this first run. Saying that, I hope he will be in the shake-up! Fortunes Maid runs in the 4pm in the seller – she was very disappointing last time out so I have fitted the blinkers today, she worked in them the other day and showed a bit more so let's hope they work the oracle today. Blue Admiral runs in the 4.30pm – he has had a couple of runs and shows a bit of promise. I would hope that he can build on that and certainly get in the frame today. And last, but by no means least, Rajayoga runs in the 5pm. He had a good blow after his first run of the season at Great Leighs, will be much fitter today and with a bit of luck can get in the frame."

Meanwhile, Lord and Lady Lockey have been researching another pub/restaurant near Newmarket: "One reason to be back is that I found a new eating place; I wish I had found it a couple of years ago. It was quite outstanding, one if not of the best in the area. The main reason that I hadn't been before is that it is about 6 or 7 miles away and, because I have this peculiarity of wanting a drink, I have to get a taxi!"

THE WHITE PHEASANT, FORDHAM (village 3 or 4 miles outside Newmarket)

"A building originating in the 1600's, little changed over the years. Inside wooden floors, pine furniture, and pastel shades creating an attractive stylish ambience. There is no question that the Inn is food driven. 'Traditional British food with a fusion', local suppliers, great fish. I doubt if they know what a microwave is.

"An amazing wine list, we had a New Zealand Nobilo, Sauvignon Blanc, in fact we had more than one bottle, quite outstanding. A la Carte menu, with a 'specials', the latter you can have as a starter or main, e.g. Asparagus with parmesan and black pepper butter - fresh not Waitrose - £5.95; caramelised lamb sweetbreads, king scallops, sea trout, Gresingham duck and many more. Main courses, local wild rabbit, wild saffron venison, spring chicken, which I was told was fabulous, Aubergine charlotte — baby aubergine caviar, roasted vine tomatoes and basil pesto. I could go on - go for yourself and read the whole fabulous menu. They even mark the course V-denotes gluten free; N denotes nuts are present, etc. Nice touch: 'if you wish for cheese selection order early so that we may bring it up to room temperature'; even in France or the West End not many places care like that.

"I had salt baked sea bass, fabulous, others had a rump steak. Really I could go on but the food was perfect, the staff pleasant and happy. Am told the ladies' loos had deodorants and all the beauty bits you ladies like, exceptional.

"Long time since I had such a great meal, trouble is if anyone reads this and takes notice it might be difficult for us to get in!"

 

Monday 12th May

Two-year-olds (from left to right): Cornish Rose, Premier Superstar, Unnamed Sosumi, Balladiene and Astrobrava

Dazinski (left and centre) with Top Tinker (pictured centre and right)

Orthology (left and right) and Moon Lightning (centre)

"We put twenty two-year-olds through the stalls on Friday and it never ceases to amaze me how good they usually are," said Mark. "Some want a bit of pushing for a start, but once they get the idea most of them walk straight in. I am sure it is from being well-handled from a foal, and most of them are also well-travelled. I usually give the first-timers two or three jumps out of the stalls and they progressively get better each time. We will then give them a refresher just before they have their first run.

No Rules, Creative and Locum all run today

"This evening we have three runners at Windsor. In the 6.25 pm we have Locum - he ran a nice race first time, I have stepped him up in trip tonight, I think the track will suit him and, if he gets settled early on, he will run a nice race. In the 7.25pm we run No Rules, who has always pleased me. We have stepped him right up in trip tonight and a good show is expected. In the last we run Creative, who was very unlucky on several occasions not to have won last year. He is off a fair mark plus Ashley's 7lbs and is another I expect to show prominently."

Walking in at first lot

The warm weather continues, but we are still hoping to have runners all week.

More from the Guv'nor tomorrow.

 

From last week...

Weekend 10th & 11th May

Alan Devonshire runs in the Lingfield Derby Trial today

"Plenty of runners today," said Mark with a cup of tea as he returned to the office from first lot.

"Let's start with Alan Devonshire at Lingfield - I have been waiting for the better ground this spring and it has always been the aim to run him in one of the trials to see if he stayed and if he was good enough to take his chance in the Derby. We will find out today as the second favourite for the Derby, Curtain Call, runs in the race as well as a very nice Godolphin horse and the Aidan O'Brien horse Alessandro Volta." Since typing this, Curtain Call has been withdrawn due to the ground, so it is now a five-runner race.

"Force Tradition (pictured below) ran a nice race first time out. He runs today in the 4.20pm and will come on a lot more for this second run. I cannot see him quite being competitive enough today as he has been a backward horse but he is developing steadily.

Force Tradition

"At Ascot, Steenberg was taken out of the 2.20pm due to the ground but Gee Dee Nen (pictured below) still runs in the 3.20pm. Last year he finished up on a real high and consequently has gone up the handicap but he is in great form, he is fit and if the track suits him he will give a good account.

Gee Dee Nen

"Four Miracles and Bowder Stone both run at Nottingham. Four Miracles has never run a bad race - other than on very soft ground. I think the step-up in trip will suit and I am sure the track will, so I am hopeful of a good run. Bowder Stone just met one better than him at Beverley last time, has been handicapped 75 which means he has top weight in this race and he will like the track so I am sure he will be on the premises again today."

 

Friday 9th May

Astrobrava (two-year-old out of Nutmeg)

No runners today, but it has therefore been a busy morning back at base. Several older horses worked on the peat moss gallop, including Trew Style, Toparudi and then three that are featured on the video: Astroangel, Soggy Dollar and Sleeping. A group of two-year-olds went through the stalls several times (more on these next week).

We also have video from Dullingham Park Stud of some of the mares and foals. Some of the two-year-olds bred out of mares based at Dullingham Park Stud are pictured above and below.

Astroleo (two-year-old out of Astrolove)

Daredevil Dan (two-year-old out of Tiempo)

Drum Dragon (two-year-old out of Qilin)

And, Great Leighs was the port of call yesterday evening. Half-close your eyes and squint to see an exciting new racecourse. Open your eyes to step over the temporary paving and look further afield to the vista of diggers. Not a place for high heels, but ideal for hard hats.

Having said that, with a proper stand and better viewing, it has all the makings of a great day's racing. In the meantime they have a big screen, a successful track surface and enthusiastic staff - more than can be said of some existing racecourses perhaps. "Everybody's trying hard and I hope it succeeds - they deserve to!" added Mark.

View from the Owners and Trainers area to the stand

View of the Weighing Room and beyond

View from the stand to the parade ring

View from the walkway under the course used by the horses and other traffic

View to the winning post from the stand

More tomorrow.

 

 

Thursday 8th May

Alan Devonshire, pictured at first lot, is set to run on Saturday

"Alan Devonshire has been in the papers today as I've got a good track record of winning the Lingfield Derby Trial - two wins out of two runners with Bob's Return who went on to win the St Leger after being sixth in the Derby and winning the Great Voltigeur and with Franklins Gardens who went on to run in the Derby and later won the Yorkshire Cup, Group 2," said Mark as he came in from first lot.

"All I can say is that I'm very pleased with Alan Devonshire - he's on good form and we are looking forward to Saturday!"

Alan Devonshire after his bath yesterday

"Today we have Sergeant Sharpe running at Great Leighs. He's happy in himself and ready to run, but whether we will beat the William Haggas horse is open to debate. I would expect him to be first or second!"

Two-year-old Dulcie at third lot

Two-year-old Dazinski at third lot

Four Miracles and Steenberg (both set to run this weekend) with Sleeping

Tomorrow we will have Mark's 'Issue of the Week' and more pictures of the two-year-olds before the mass of runners on Saturday (at Ascot, Lingfield and Nottingham).

 

Wednesday 7th May

Mystery Star picking grass

The horses were having a quieter morning having done faster work yesterday.

Lough Diver

Mark and the racing chaplain walking back from watching the horses

Astrolibra picking grass

The older horses had a pick of grass after exercise (pictured above). And, the two-year-olds picked grass for the first time at second lot. "They all did well - it's important for the horses to relax, especially now the weather's good and the spring grass is coming through," said Mark. "I always love the horses to get 10 to 15 minutes of grass in them two or three times a week as it is good for the digestion, is great for their brains and they quickly get in to the routine of it."

Meanwhile back at the yard, Trawlerman, Peggle and Brathay had been swimming. Click here to see Brathay in action (video now removed). Mark added: "The pool is invaluable to us from April to October as there are plenty of horses that thrive from swimming - we mix combinations of exercise to include trotting, cantering, galloping, swimming and spending time on the walker, so every horse gets out and does several forms of exercise each day and most of them are out of their boxes two or three times a day."

 

Tuesday 6th May

Mark with Trew Style during the jockey change

"What a lovely morning!" said Mark with great enthusiasm. "There is no better place to be than out here with the horses - especially when they've worked as well as ours did. There were some sparkling pieces of work!"

The Guv'nor studying his list and talking to the riders

Bowder Stone, Smokey Oakey and Creative

Horses in action included Bowder Stone, Smokey Oakey, Creative, Sonny Sam, Kuriyama and Trew Style (all pictured) as well as Alan Devonshire, Yossi, Toparudi, Four Miracles, Gee Dee Nen and Inchpast.

Trew Style in action on the Al Bahathri

Sonny Sam and Kuriyama

No runners today, but this week we will have pictures from Dullingham Park Stud and video of horses swimming.

 

Monday 5th May

First lot walking in after exercise this morning

A warm, sunny bank holiday here in Newmarket.

"Marvo runs today at Windsor," said Mark. "He got very tired at Yarmouth on his first run back for a long time. He also pulled a plate off which didn't help. Today's race is very similar to last time, but I hope that there will be some early pace on which will help. He has improved for last time and, if the race goes to plan, he should be in the shake-up."

Astrodonna and Steenberg picking grass on Saturday morning

And on Saturday, first lot relaxed and picked grass while two-year-olds at second lot did some faster work on Railway Land. These included: Dazinski, Call It On, Balladiene, Mt Kintyre, Orthology, Outland, Top Tinker, Astrobrava, Cornish Rose and Royal Acclaim.

Doing some faster work with the two-year-olds on Saturday

"I was delighted with the youngsters on Saturday," said Mark. "They came in groups and it was a great education for them. Jimmy Quinn gave us all a fright at one point when he emerged on foot through the bushes like a gnome - he offered to join in and ride one, which he did."

And, there has been a grand review of the results from the Guineas Festival to see who fared best: Sunday was a dead-heat, but Saturday's results had the Guv'nor in front by a short head. "We did well - we gave everyone some winners!... And, Proponent - that was a good price!" could be heard by 'the two Marks' as they reviewed the results with some pleasure.

 

If you are interested in joining a winning team as an owner, or part owner, give us a call. The number is 01638 661434.