- Monday, 25 August 2025 08:01
- Written by David Pipe
VLR Aintree Parade October 2023
I am currently away enjoying a few days break with my family in Spain but before I left I was at Worcester to see Old Bridge and Kintaro be placed. Old Bridge backed up his good run at Uttoxeter previously with a better second in the novices hurdle. He made the running on this occasion, Jack Tudor asked him for more approaching three out, and he really battled all the way to the line. He deserves to win a race now and surely his turn cannot be far away. Kintaro returned to form after some lesser efforts to be third in the 2m4f handicap hurdle. He is yet to win any race but does have ability and is just a bit of a character and has his own ideas about things. He gave our racing club members a good evening out and picked up some prize money in the process. He is definitely capable and there is no reason he cannot win a similar sort of contest.
Vieux Lion Rouge New Home
Vieux Lion Rouge went off to his new home last week with Toby and Callie Coles. They came and visited the yard recently and did some filming for Great British Racing and it was from here that the idea developed. While he will always have a home at Pond House we thought he would enjoy being a little more active while he could and this was the ideal opportunity. Julie Bellamy who has looked after him for many years and owner Professor Caroline Tisdall went down to see him settle in his new home and he seems very happy already. We have always seen several social media posts about how he is getting on and it will be great to follow is journey going forwards. He will still be carrying out his engagements and parading at Aintree in October and on Grand National day but I am sure he will have a lot of fun before then!
Racing Industry Training
Last week we sent four of our staff members on an industry-training course provided by the Jockey Club for free and it was a valuable learning experience for them and I would like to that the Jockey Club and Cheltenham racecourse for putting it on.
The course was titled ‘Race Ready – Injury Prevention Through Pre-Race Management’. The aim of the course was to educate stable staff on evidence-based, practical strategies to reduce the risk of race-day injuries through smart preparation, optimal care routines and proactive horse management in the days and hours before race. There were seven modules covered with the first half being a classroom session and the second half being a practical session in the stable yard.
Our travelling and assistant staff who when thought it was very well run and they had an enjoyable learning experience.
Pond House Team
Lock Out (IRE)
Made a successful seasonal reappearance last term winning a race I sponsored at Chepstow in emphatic style. Ran well to be placed a few times without winning after this and is very consistent in his grade and will give our racing club members some nice days out this season. Does prefer better ground and now just one pound higher than when winning at Chepstow, we may start him off in the sane racing again this time around.
Mancero (FR)
He was the impressive winner of a claiming hurdle at Fontainebleau, his only start in France after which he joined us. Disappointing in finishing second on his British debut at Hexham but you can put a line through that as we found him to be not right after the race. He has had a little break since and works nicely at home so there is definitely better to come from him in juvenile hurdles this winter. Owned by Teddington Racing
Master McGarry (IRE)
A gorgeous big individual who is the winner of his only start in an Irish point to point in April at Quakerstown. We bought him at the Punchestown sales and he has summered well at Pond House. He goes nicely at home and is likely to start in a bumper before going novice hurdling this season.
Missy Mole (IRE)
She finished second in an Irish point to point and ran with promise on occasions last season over hurdles. She shows a likeable attitude and it will be disappointing if she cannot be winning from her current mark this season. Prefers better ground.
Morradi (FR)
A new recruit from France who we claimed after finishing second at Deauville on his latest start over 1m1f. He has two wins in Sweden to his name and also ran in Norway! He has shown a decent level of form in France over varying distances and is by a sire that does well over jumps. Settled in nicely since arriving and has taken to jumping like a duck to water, we have also gelded him. A lovely dual-purpose prospect who seems to act on all ground but he might not want it too soft.
