- Monday, 15 June 2015 16:02
- Written by David Pipe
Following on from our spectacular success in France the previous weekend, it was down to earth somewhat with a handful of runners on the domestic front. We seemed to have a touch of thirditis (which I guess is even worse than that terrible plague, seconditis!) whereby five of our eight runners filled the third spot in the winners’ enclosure. Nonetheless a good victory from grand old campaigner Street Entertainer at Worcester punctuated this somewhat frustrating run and kept us at the top of the trainers’ standings for another week, albeit at this early stage.
- Monday, 08 June 2015 15:07
- Written by David Pipe
What a week for racing with a great winner of the Derby, a Triple Crown winner in the States and from a personal point of view, a fantastic success for the stable in France! Although it was a quiet week on the domestic front with only a handful of runners, it was nonetheless an important one for the Pond House team with two live chances in the Grade One Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil in France on Sunday and while I was confident of a big run from both of our runners, to actually land the big race in such a facile manner with Un Temps Pour Tout (pictured above) was more than I could have ever hoped for.
- Tuesday, 02 June 2015 07:37
- Written by David Pipe
I have just returned from a very enjoyable trip away in France with my partner Leanne and the kids along with my parents, Chester, Jane, Simon, Susie, George and Angie. We spent our time in Ile de Re, a small island off the west coast of France near La Rochelle – it really was idyllic. With a trip to Auteuil only a fortnight ago (for the Prix la Barka) and another on the cards this coming weekend for the French Champion Hurdle, not to mention the Arqana sales at the beginning of July, I will have spent almost as much time in France as I have done at home!
- Monday, 25 May 2015 11:33
- Written by David Pipe
With four winners from ten runners on the domestic front as well as three other places including an excellent effort in France from Katkeau, it is apparent that the stable continues in good form. Indeed, during these early weeks of the season our tally stands at eight winners and we currently head the trainers’ table…long may it continue!!!
- Monday, 18 May 2015 14:15
- Written by David Pipe
They say that a week is a long time in politics; well it would appear that the same is true of horse racing! The process of running horses in France was proving quite an exasperating experience during the middle of the week, yet the glorious success of Ballynagour in Saturday’s French Champion Hurdle Trial at Auteuil, the Grade 2 Prix de la Barka more than made up for the earlier tribulations, while a success on the domestic front meant that it was a week to savour.
- Monday, 11 May 2015 15:13
- Written by David Pipe
It was good to get off the mark for the new campaign with three winners in as many days last week while there were several other praiseworthy performances with no less than ten of our remaining fifteen runners reaching the frame. The results point to the horses remaining in rude health (which is more than can be said for many of my staff!) and with another exciting week ahead, including a trip across the Channel, long may it continue.
- Monday, 04 May 2015 11:53
- Written by David Pipe
It was a great week at Punchestown and I thought that on the whole the runners from the stable all emerged with great credit. As you would expect, the racing was of the highest standard and the welcome from the locals was as usual first class. I have always found the Irish to be most accommodating and this visit was no exception. With a winner and a handful of places it was a well worthwhile (and enjoyable!) trip, although I must say that I was pleased to get home to my own bed!
- Monday, 27 April 2015 14:50
- Written by David Pipe
Although the stable enjoyed a couple of winners to take our final total for the 2014/15 season to a very satisfying 116 (my second best total since taking out my trainers’ licence), there was only one man making the headlines last week and rightly so. On Saturday racing fans from all over the country descended upon Sandown to bid one final fond farewell to retiring legend A P McCoy; champion of the last twenty years and holder of just about every jumping record imaginable.
- Monday, 20 April 2015 09:57
- Written by David Pipe
Despite only having a few runners last week it was satisfying nonetheless to see the horses holding their form. With a squad of around 100 horses in training at any one time it is extremely difficult to keep every inmate healthy at all times, although I think the whole team have done an excellent job of managing this and with only a week of the current campaign remaining, it goes a long way to explaining our fantastic total of 114 winners.
- Monday, 13 April 2015 13:23
- Written by David Pipe
Soll leaving Aintree admiring Oliver Sherwood's lorry!
As always Aintree provides a great carnival type atmosphere for their three day Grand National meeting and it remains a fitting late season celebration of British racing. While every trainer prepares their charges with Cheltenham as their primary objective, to score at Aintree is a memorable achievement and to land a Grand National is what dreams are made of and with that in mind I would like to pass on my sincerest congratulations to Oliver Sherwood, Leighton Aspell and the connections of Grand National winner Many Clouds.
