Summer 2015 Issue As usual the early summer months have been quieter than the rest of the year with most of the National Hunt horses on holiday. Many of the staff have also found the time to take a well earned break. During this time the flat horses have been racing and there have been visits to the sales and other vendors, both here and in Ireland, to find new blood for both racing codes. We are also delighted to welcome some new owners to the yard and we hope that they have a very enjoyable and successful time with us. In a couple of weeks the jump horses will start coming back in to begin their preparations for the coming season. We are already planning their targets and campaigns so that they will be at their best at the appropriate times though, with the nature of horses and the vagaries of the weather, this can never be exact. We are also preparing for our Owners Day on 22 nd August and we hope that we will see many of you there. Meanwhile enjoy the rest of the summer and start dreaming! Linda and Karen
In The Frame Red Anchor Red Anchor ran another pleasing race at Fontwell (1/5/2015). With the ground drying out it may well have been his last race before a summer break. Ridden by Thomas Garner he started near the rear of the field but was moved up after four fences to a mid division position. He was in the leading pair on the second circuit and led going out for the final time. He went a couple of lengths clear going down the hill, but his forte is galloping not a sprint finish, and on the quicker ground he was not able to hold off all the challengers though he stayed on to the line. He eventually finished a creditable third which pleased his connections greatly. Maccabees after his race Maccabees won 369 for his owners when finishing 3 rd at Plumpton (10/5/2015). He was held up in the rear by his jockey, Tom Cheesman, in the early stages and was only moved into the sharp end of the race on the final circuit. He battled well over the final two hurdles to take the third spot and rewarded place punters on the tote with a return of over 6/1!
In The Frame (continued) Fleeting Indian (Sleepy) picked up some prize money (9/6/2015) when finishing 3rd in a Selling Stakes over 6 furlongs at Lingfield. From a poor draw, away from the favoured stands rail, he was dropped in behind by Daniel Cremin. He was still moving well 2 furlongs out and began to pass horses. He moved into third just before the line but could never get a blow in against the leading two runners. Sleepy has since been retired and will now be competing in ROR classes as well as enjoying other new experiences. Fleeting Indian just taking 3rd on the line. In The Money The introduction of the AVC payments has certainly been a boost over the past three months. Fleeting Indian 6 th Brighton 28/4/15 200 AVC Kingscombe 6 th Fontwell 1/5/15 250 AVC Red Anchor 6 th Plumpton 10/5/15 250 AVC Claude Greenwood 6 th Chelmsford City 12/5/15 200 AVC Claude Greedwood 6 th Brighton 2/6/15 200 AVC Fleeting Indian 5 th Lingfield 18/6/15 200 AVC Fleeting Indian 6 th Brighton 23/6/15 200 AVC Best Turned Out I'm Lucy won Frankie 25 at Plumpton 10/5/2015
Everyone needs a holiday and recent weeks have seen vacations for both humans and equines. Karen and Ben flew off to the sun. HOLIDAY TIME Linda, Paul and Barbara had a relaxing few days in Devon, staying with owner, Sally Stanier, and her husband Peter, in their cottage. And the National Hunt horses have chilled out and grazed peacefully in the holiday fields.
Domestic Update It appears there have been some changes to duties at Southfield. The men have been trained to do the catering while the horses have been trained to keep the yard clean! OWNERS DAY The annual Owners Day will take place on Saturday 22 nd August from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Have a relaxed look around the yard, talk to the staff and meet other owners while enjoying light refreshments. There will be a parade of horses accompanied by a commentary from Linda. The prizes for last season s Three To Follow will be awarded and this season s competition will be launched. Ownership Opportunities There are currently several ownership opportunities available. Two new syndicates have been formed and there are small percentages remaining in both. There is also a 25% share of Itoldyou available. For more information on any of these please contact Linda.
A Truly Regal Outing! Linda and five of her owners had a wonderful day out at Royal Ascot where they had tickets for the Royal Enclosure on the Friday of the meeting. They met at the stables at 8.30 a.m. ready for the arrival of their luxury taxi to the racecourse. Glasses of bucks fizz had already been consumed before the taxi had even arrived. Although the roads were busy good progress was made and they arrived at the course before midday. The picnic table was quickly set up and bottles of wine opened as they set about having their early lunch. After a bit of people watching, it was time to see the Royal Procession arrive. The stands were packed, the parade ring looked lovely, the turnout immaculate and the atmosphere was stunning.
The horses almost became incidental as the atmosphere was soaked up, but they did look magnificent on Ascot s green turf.
A Truly Regal Outing (continued). After the fourth race it was time to have a splendid tea in one of the restaurants. The ladies certainly held their own in the fashion stakes. After the last race it was off to the bandstand and the traditional singalong, while the traffic eased. Finally it was back into the taxi, with a few drinks to pass the time as they travelled, arriving back at the stables about twelve hours after they had left. It had been a brilliant day, blessed with beautiful weather, providing lifetime memories.
Name: Frankie Pullar Age: 16 Why did you come into racing? I ve ridden all my life and when I was about 9 I got really into racing. I loved the thoroughbreds and all I dreamed of was riding one. If you had to have a different career what would it be? There is no such thing as a different career for me! What has been your best moment in racing? Winning a flapping race in Ireland, although there are plenty of great moments. What is your ambition in racing? I want to be a professional jump jockey. Do you have an ambition outside racing? All of my ambitions are to do with racing. What has been your most amusing moment in the job? There are too many to pinpoint one. I always find journeys to the races with Karen funny! Who do you most admire in racing? There are lots of very ambitious, hard working staff/jockeys in racing but it has to be A. P., the most determined man alive! Favourite racecourse and why? Goodwood. The course rides beautifully and horses always seem to run on well at the end. Also it was the first ever under rules racecourse I rode on. Favourite meal? Dick s eggs on toast. Favourite music? I don t really have a preference. Favourite non equine sport? Rugby or cross country running. Interests other than horses? Shopping!!!
This year s Three To Follow competition saw a couple of ties at the top. Rosemary and Fiona had held shared top for some time and always looked secure but the battle for third place went right down to the final race of the competition. With his substitute coming into play, Richard jumped to a share of third with Tomas, but a top four finish in Fleeting Indian s last, run four days before the competition closing date, would have seen Tomas have third on his own. Sadly for him Fleeting Indian finished 6 th. We expect to run another Three To Follow starting in September. Final Standings and Prize Money: Name TOTAL Fiona Meekins 43 81.00 Rosemary Watson 43 81.00 Tomas Maidment 36 9.00 Richard Young 36 9.00 Trevor Wyatt 33 Laurel Stevens 32 Derek Maidment 31 Carol Watson 31 Pauline Reynolds 31 Alison May 24 Neil Maltby 24 John Reynolds 23 Dick Churcher 22 William Maidment 22 Neil Sawyer 22 Penelope Harrison 11 Jane Maltby 11 Sally Stanier 9 Congratulations to Colin Pell, whose entry was first out of the hat, having correctly answered last issue s question. How many winning lines are there at Sandown Park? Answer :- Three This issue s question:- Which is Britain s most northerly racecourse? Once again there is a bottle of wine for the winner. Answers to Southfield Competition c/o R Young 17 Redsells Close Maidstone Kent ME15 8SN Or e-mail to richardyoung_020@fsmail.net In the event of a tie, the correct answers will be put into a hat and the winner drawn on October 11th 2015.