- Monday, 06 April 2020 07:11
- Written by G Edwards
Ramses De Teille is Ok after running in the
Virtual Grand National on Saturday!
The big talking point of the weekend was of course the virtual Grand National. While I was skeptical to about the whole thing beforehand to say the least, I did watch it, I got drawn in by it and I did have a bet on it! The best thing about it was that 4.8 million of us tuned into watch it on ITV and it raised £2.6 million for NHS charities which is amazing. With everything going on at the moment it was a heart warming outcome and good reflection on the horse racing industry. I had a sentimental bet on Ramses De Teillee and some money on Any Second Now who came third. I am not sure what Tom Scu was doing that far back on Ramses throughout but I won't give him too much stick about it! He then unfortunately fell but it was fantastic that everyone in the racing world got so involved and took it in the good humour it was meant to be run in. We are pleased to report that Ramses is fine after his run! I saw many tweets from jockeys, trainers and owners who enjoyed the banter!
- Sunday, 05 April 2020 07:45
- Written by G Edwards
Lough Derg
Lough Derg is a year 2000 born French bred bay gelding by Apple Tree out of a Pistolet Bleu mare. ‘Douglas’ as he was affectionately known in the yard is high on the list for all-time favourites to have ever been at Pond House.
- Saturday, 04 April 2020 07:45
- Written by G Edwards
Un Temps Pour Tout
‘A time for everything’ is the French translation for Un Temps Pour Tout, a horse who has been fantastic for Pond House in recent years. Purchased by Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew from the Goffs Newbury sales in November 2013 he was a special horse. He had a big price tag but I think all of us involved him would agree he was worth every penny. A dual Cheltenham Festival winner and a French Champion hurdle winner along with many other wonderful days out, we appreciated every second we have been involved with him. Still only 11, he is currently enjoying retirement with Clare Poole and her team and you can follow his progress in his new career via her Twitter feed @CPooleShowTeam.
- Friday, 03 April 2020 07:45
- Written by G Edwards
Broadway Buffalo
Broadway Buffalo, ‘Buff’ for short is a 2008 chestnut gelding by Broadway Flyer out of a Le Bavard mare. David purchased him unraced from Cheltenham sales in December 2011 for £12,000. He was a horse that took your eye because of his big white face and four stockings but the main reason for buying him was that he was the half-brother to Christdalo, a good mare he had trained for David Johnson. He looked very much like her and while these looks can put some people off (luckily for us!) that is not something David worries too much about. Winners come in all shapes and sizes and we knew if he had the temperament of his sister and some of her ability he knew he couldn’t really go wrong at that price!
- Thursday, 02 April 2020 07:08
- Written by G Edwards
Ramses De Teille is in the
Virtual Grand National this Saturday!
I thought it was time for a quick catch up on the Racing News this morning before we head back to the series of looking back at some key horse, people and moments from the past tomorrow. Unfortunately there is not much positive news to give you. It was announced yesterday that the Irish Jumping season is officially over. There will be no Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this April, nor will there be the Punchestown Festival. It seems that when racing will return in Ireland it will be re-introduced in a similar way to what is likely to happen in Britain. It will be a staggered approach behind closed doors with only flat racing definitely for the first four weeks. They have not indicated when this might be as yet. Racing is currently cancelled over there until 19th April and it looks likely this will be increased to longer. The possible good news is that the Irish Grand National, Ireland's richest jumps race is likely to be re-scheduled for sometime in the Autumn. We had Vieux Lion Rouge entered in the race so we will just have to see what happens over the summer and whether we consider taking him over there.
- Wednesday, 01 April 2020 07:40
- Written by G Edwards
Comply Or Die - 2008 Grand National Winner
(Photo: Bill Selwyn)
With this week supposed to be about the big build up to perhaps the greatest race in the world, the people’s race, the Grand National I thought it would be appropriate to look back at one of the winners of the great race from Pond House – Comply or Die.
A 1999 born gelding, son of Old Vic and dam Madam Madcap, Comply came over from the Costello family in Ireland as an unraced, un-named three year old in May 2002. Champion owner David Johnson used to recruit a lot of his horses from Mr Costello and many of his very good horses over the years came from this source. He was in training the following season but never ran as he needed a bit more time to mature and we knew he was a special horse.
- Tuesday, 31 March 2020 07:45
- Written by G Edwards
Hopscotch
(Picture Courtesy of Bernard Parkin)
Hopscotch was a little before my time at Pond House so not one I remember personally but she is a horse I have heard a fair bit about in my time at the yard. We were contacted in recent days by Barry Males about her. Barry was a member of our former racing club and he was involved in owning her when she won 11 races in a season. Like all the members he had some fantastic times being involved with her and he has pictures hanging up in his house of him being presented the trophy at Cheltenham after one of her wins. Some cherished memories that will never be forgotten.
