- Monday, 09 June 2025 15:03
- Written by David Pipe
Martha & Tandy
Things remain relatively quiet on the runner’s front and we just had the three runners last week. Jaipaletemps ran his best race so far since arriving from France to finish third at Ffos Las. It was his first run since a wind operation, it was a step in the right direction and I am sure he can build on this going forwards.
Micronormous failed to give her running at Worcester for no obvious reason and Mancero finished second in the first juvenile hurdle race of the season up at Hexham. He had been working well at home so I was a little disappointed with the result but it is a different style of racing from what he was used to in France and that was only the second run of his life. We know he is better than this and there is plenty more to come next time.
This Week
Ocean Heights will be our first runner of the week at Windsor on Monday evening. He is chasing a hat trick of wins following successes at Doncaster and Haydock and Jack Dace is in the saddle once again. They have probably had a little more rain at the track than we would have liked but he should handle it fine and I hope he will not be too far away. He carries top weight but with Jack claiming seven he is still well handicapped on old form and is in good form with himself at home. He does have a further entry at Chester on Saturday but we will see how he gets on this evening first!
Later in the week, we have Old Bridge entered at Worcester on Thursday while he also has an entry at Uttoxeter at the weekend. Hammer Dan has been off the track since last summer but has entries on Friday and Saturday and could make his seasonal reappearance. He won his last two starts before his enforced break, winning at Newton Abbot and Stratford and it will be nice to get him back in action. With some rain due this week, we will keep our options open and try to pick the best opportunity for him. Keep checking the Daily News section on the website for all the latest information on the stable runners and news.
Gearoid Harney
Many of you may have heard the news last week but unfortunately, it was confirmed that conditional jockey Gearoid Harney has been forced to retire from the saddle on medical advice. He has been out of action since having a nasty fall at Fakenham in January in which he suffered a head injury. He has been working hard on his recovery, was closely monitored by the Injured Jockeys Fund throughout and had hoped for better news but following further scans and tests he was told that he would not be able to get his license back. He is also not allowed to ride out for a licensed trainer, so he is currently coming to terms with all this news and taking his time to assess all his options for the future. Gearoid is just 23 years of age and has a great knowledge of point to pointing and form and we will continue to work with him and help him find his new pathway. He has been at Pond House just over two years and ridden ten winners for me. His biggest success was aboard Kingston Queen in the listed mare’s bumper at Market Rasen earlier this year and he also had a valuable success aboard Lady Balko as well. He is very tall but managed to do some very lightweights. He is a very good horseman and work rider on the gallops and has a great sense of humour so will be greatly missed at the yard and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.
Work Experience
Rian Corcoran is heading off to France this week to do a valuable month’s work experience working for Louisa Carberry. He, and fellow amateur jockey Ed Vaughn (son of trainer Tim), are heading over the Channel to ride out and further their experience. Rian spent last summer at Ballydoyle and this will be a great stepping-stone on his journey to becoming a professional jockey.
Martha in Winning Form
My youngest daughter Martha took part in her first show on the year on Sunday and came back with two first places and the biggest winning smile! She has taken a few knocks to her confidence with her riding in recent months so it was all about enjoyment at the Tiverton Pony Club organised event. She has been having several lessons of late, which has really helped both her, and pony Tandy. She took part in two lead rein showing jumping classes and won them both! This was largely due to good fast running from brother Jack so she did share her prizes with him! She would have stayed there all day and done more classes but we decided to quit while we were ahead on this occasion but I can look forward to more Sunday’s out driving the lorry over the summer months!
