Paul Webber Racing Report – 3

New Agenda had a lovely easy time of it around Huntingdon winning by 19 lengths at odds of 1/4! This will have done his confidence a power of good and he is growing up all the time. He used to be too fierce and aggressive in his races, but now he’s settled enough so make the running, he is relaxing well. This now means that we may not be confined to going right-handed which may give us more options. The handicapper will have his say and that may mean that we run him with a penalty next.

 

– GOFFS UK DONCASTER MAY SALE –

Three very long days at Doncaster and I often get the feeling that it is even more difficult and stressful to sell horses than to buy them! I looked at 130 N.H. ‘stores’ on the Monday. That was a long day but very necessary to make sure that there was plenty of time for ‘second and third looks’ at the preferred ones on Tuesday, the day of the sale. It is so important to see all the many horses you want to see and not waste time looking at unsuitable ones. The market was very strong, mainly driven by the amazing sums of money the Irish Point-to-Point winners are now selling for. All the Irish Point-to-Point trainers are masters of their craft and deservedly have got more to spend on their next batch of raw material.

Last year’s £25,000 horse was making £40,000 this year and it was difficult to buy a horse ‘on spec’ without spending too much. I was definitely guilty of trying too hard and being underbidder above my limit, but you have to buy something you really love rather than buying a ‘make-weight’. I bought a 3.y.o. gelding by Winged Love (Lot 101) with an excellent pedigree that includes Clondaw Warrior for £28,000 and a 3.y.o. gelding by Irish Wells (Lot 83), with a half-brother who has won £180,000 in France for £8,000. They both need owners so please admire their photos and ring me!

As previously advised, The Bottom Bar had to go to the sales as Lot 692 on Thursday and exceeded our expectations by selling for £100,000. He was slightly unlucky to get beaten a neck at Market Rasen and he had caught the eye of the trainer of the winner, Alan King and others present that day. He looked magnificent at the sale with Jerry and Gail turning him out absolutely beautifully. Sadly we could not find an owner at that level and had to do our best for the syndicate that owned him. I’m sure “Moses” will develop into a serious horse for his future trainer which sadly may not be us, but possibly Messrs. King or Henderson.

 

– AN UNWELCOME VISIT FROM THE AIR AMBULANCE –

We had a most unwelcome visit from the Air Ambulance ten days ago when one of our absolute stalwarts, Neil Connolly had a nasty Accident during second lot. Neil was riding Turkey Creek who had been a little keen on his first canter, so he thought it best to jump off a little behind The Corrupter and then join him. Just as he was joining upsides, The Corrupter lashed out and caught Neil on his left leg just above his stirrup iron. He suffer a clean break of both bones of his lower leg, a terrible and freakish injury.

The ambulance was quickly here from Banbury and in fact that was the prescribed mode of transport to the John Radcliffe in Oxford. The Air Ambulance had come all the way from Hampshire and was needed back there very quickly. There he was operated on a few hours later and he ended up in the same bed by the window in Ward 3a as I was in! We think we will reserve that bed for any visitors from Cropredy Lawn and put a plaque up beside it! Neil was allowed home on Monday and is making a steady recovery.

A quieter week for runners since New Agenda’s win. I think that Red Cossack conclusively proved at Yarmouth that his first love is not racing! It may be that he has had a tough time without winning and certainly ‘hit the wall’ when trying 2 miles over hurdles, so it is always possible that two months in the field might rejuvenate him, but we will shortly make a final plan with his wonderfully loyal and patient owner Gwen Thomas.

Andrew Sansome’s lovely mare Listen For Me ran her best race to finish 2nd at Uttoxeter on Sunday. The race developed into a bit of a sprint and she was ‘tapped for toe’ before staying on really well to the line. This is such a genuine mare who will make a decent chaser and Andrew would love to find a co-owner so that he can keep he in training.

Thankfully Copperfacejack resumed his usual service and finished 2nd for the seventh time out of eight starts at Huntingdon! Fergus Gregory gave him a fine ride, but as usual “Jack” found one to defeat him despite running on very well again. It is of course frustrating but with a horse who jumps as well as this fellow, his day will come… I pray!

Triggitas ran a really good race to finish third at Huntingdon, staying on so well after the last hurdle. He is a fine, strong beast but sadly the ‘brief’ when he came here was that he would have to go to the sales, so at least we have ‘put a bit of value’ on him.

 

– OUR OWNERS’ DAY IS SUNDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER –

If you received an invitation last year then of course you are already on the mailing list. However if you have not been to see us or would like to come and visit again, please email me at paul@paulwebberracing.com so that you can join us on what is always a lovely gathering.

– SHARES FOR SALE –

There are still 4 x 1/10th shares available in Fingerscrossed who is going to be a really good fun novice chaser for the season ahead. He has been placed 2nd twice already over fences and is only going to improve. If the ground is suitable he will run at Market Rasen on 23rd June. Shares are priced at £1500 + VAT with no bills until the end of June 2017.

Lord Marmaduke is enjoying his Summer holiday at the moment before coming back in during July. 1/10th shares are available in this dual-purpose prospect at £4,500 + v.a.t. with no bills until he comes back into training. See the video right here!

LORD MARMADUKE

2013 chesnut gelding by Duke of Marmalade ex Maid to Treasure (Rainbow Quest)

Backward and immature on the flat but placed on his only start at 3 years, third in a 1m2f maiden at Ascot in September. Highly recommended by his trainer, Simon Crisford when bought at Tatts Horses in Training sale in October 2016.

To be syndicated into 10 shares
£4,500 + VAT per share with no bills until end of June 2017.