- Monday, 22 September 2025 10:42
- Written by David Pipe
Newton Abbot Winner - Best Night
At times this summer, it has felt a long time on the racecourse with a smaller team of horses to go to war with but we have had lots of placing from our select runners. However, it was great to get that elusive first winner of the season at Newton Abbot on Friday.
Best Night made a winning stable and hurdling debut at Newton Abbot under Jack Tudor in the mares novices hurdle. She carried the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club and returned at odd of 22/1 so lots of members had a few pounds on each way and were very happy! Our four year old had shown some good form on the flat in France being placed and we have always liked her at home, as she is so straightforward in everything you do with her, she eats, sleeps, works well and is generally a nice person! She has taken to jumping from the very start and that showed in her race, she travelled and jumped well and when Jack asked her for her effort approaching two out she duly responded with a great attitude. It was a lovely way to start her career in Britain and I am sure she is capable of winning another novice event carrying a penalty.
Saccary made a pleasing enough return to action on the same Newton Abbot card to be fourth and I am sure he can build on this going forwards. Bashful Boy ran another solid race in the Cesarewitch trial at Newmarket over the weekend. He travelled into the race strongly and looked to hold every chance over three furlongs out and eventually finished fifth. He almost travels a little too exuberantly in a visor early in the race, which may be why he is not as strong at the finish as we hope so we may look to change that next time. ‘Bash’ is quite a character, loves life and has come out of the race well, I would love to get another win beside his name for the owners.
This Week
Things look fairly quiet on the runners front once again this week with not much jumps action to speak of and the weather is turning colder and drier for much of it. The ground at Plumpton on Sunday was good to firm while at Warwick tomorrow it is a similar story. Lots of racecourses still need plenty more rain for it to get into the ground properly. Our first runners of the week will be at Worcester on Friday. We hope to run Old Bridge in the ARC novices handicap hurdle final. A great initiative by them with some nice prize money on offer. Horses that have been running in the qualifiers this summer are eligible to run and while it will be a competitive field I hope he may sneak into the bottom of the field and run a big race at an each way price. He has other entries on the day at Worcester in case he does not get in this race while Kintaro holds an entry over fences in the 2m4f novices handicap chase on the card. Keep checking the Daily New on the website for the latest news on the stable runners.
Owners Day Part 2
We welcomed another 70 owners to Pond House on Saturday to conclude our owner’s days for this year and once again, I think it was well received. The weather just about held well enough for everyone to look around the yard and watch a horse swim and loose school before having a glass of bubbles while watching a few horses parade. Lunch down at the Culm Valley Inn followed and several made the occasion stretch into the evening, with the racing on the TV and plenty of friendly banter! Sunday was not quite the quiet recovery day I had planned for though as Leanne and I were up bright and early to take Martha and pony Tandy to a local horse and pony show. Martha has been having lessons over the summer and it really showed yesterday as she competed in the show jumping for the first time on her own and won a second prize. Her confidence has really grown in recent months and it was lovely to see.
New Zealand Success
Ashley Dascombe is the newest member of the Pond House team and many congratulationsto him as he rode a winner in New Zealand over the weekend. He was in New Zealand earlier in the year before joining us and was invited back to ride at their final Festival of the year. We encouraged him to go back and while it was not the ‘big race’ of the meeting, it was brilliant for him to ride another winner over there. He has gained valuable race riding experience over there and it has been a great opportunity for him. He will be back to work later in the week and is looking forward to a good winter ahead in point to points and will have his Cat B amateur licence to ride under rules as well.
Pond House Team
Shot Boii (IRE)
A tough and consistent individual who did not manage to get his head in front last season but does have five wins over hurdles and fences to his name. Ran some good races without winning and the handicapper has given him some help so he will start this season off from a rating he can be competitive. He probably keeps a little bit up his sleeve for himself but a thoroughly likeable horse who has been here since he was an unraced three year old. We will be disappointed if he cannot return to winning ways this time around.
Sirekoff (IRE)
A winner on stable debut at Newton Abbot last year her struggled a bit in handicaps after this. A good second at Bangor in the spring he unfortunately picked up a little injury at Worcester after this. Now on a workable handicap mark we will be hoping to get him back of the track in the summer of 2026.
Skin Full (IRE)
He took a while to find his feet over hurdles last season but appreciated stepping up to three miles which bought about improvement to finish a close second at Doncaster. Won easily at Taunton on his next start but sadly picked up an injury in the race and will miss this season. A lovely individual with time on his side, we look forward to getting him back next year.
Thanksforthehelp (FR)
Not the easiest to train but has plenty of ability and gave the team a nice win at Punchestown in April. He stayed here the summer and had a short break so is plenty forward in his work and even off a mark of 127 I hope there is more scope for improvement as he is lightly raced for his age. Acts on any ground and might well go chasing at some point this season.
Turenne (FR)
A nice new recruit from France who won over hurdles at Compiegne in May. Finished a close fifth in a listed contest at Auteuil after that and then came over and went straight out to grass. Still early days and we are learning about him but he goes nicely at home and shows a good attitude. His French form is strong, he has a nice bit of size and scope, and he is one we are very excited about in juvenile hurdles this winter.
