- Monday, 08 July 2013 08:35
- Written by David Pipe
We were greatly saddened to hear of the passing of David Johnson at the weekend after losing his valiant battle with cancer at the age of 67. Not only was David a great owner to have in the yard, he was also a loyal friend and confidant. A self-made, grounded man, David never forgot his roots and always had time for others and was never arrogant or conceited – there were no airs or graces with him and he could communicate with anyone (even Chester, who was a fellow ‘Hammers’ supporter). A great supporter of our sport of horse racing, the entire industry will be poorer for his loss.
- Tuesday, 02 July 2013 11:58
- Written by David Pipe
While the summer is traditionally our quiet time of the year, there is still plenty of work to be done behind the scenes. Although the majority of the horses are out on their holidays, we have just started to bring in a few of the horses you will be watching over the winter and the yard will start to fill up again from this point on. Nevertheless, the break has provided a good opportunity to conduct some house-keeping and maintenance work around the yard.
- Tuesday, 25 June 2013 09:22
- Written by David Pipe
What a week we enjoyed at Royal Ascot, there were so many memorable moments and fantastic races that I was just glad to be a part of it all on Tuesday. Investissement ran okay in the Ascot Stakes but appeared not to stay the 2m4f while in the Queen Alexandra stakes Ryan Moore said they went off so fast that Junior did not get to the front and was never really going. He has been on the go a long time and he will now go off on his summer holidays.
- Monday, 17 June 2013 15:43
- Written by David Pipe
Last week was a quiet one with only nine runners from the stable, but Basil Fawlty kept the scoreboard ticking over with success at Worcester on Tuesday in the 2m7f handicap chase. Our ninth winner of the new campaign was atoning for an unlucky fall at Exeter on his previous start when appearing to be travelling like a winner. He made no mistake on this occasion and jumping well he stayed on dourly to deny My Mate Vinnie in a driving finish. This was only his fourth start over fences so I am sure there is further improvement in him and while he may have his limitations, there is no reason to think that he cannot pick up something similar during the course of the summer.
- Monday, 10 June 2013 15:49
- Written by David Pipe
I was pleased to keep up our recent run of excellent weekend form with an across the card double at Perth and Nottingham on Sunday. Problema Tic made the 900+ mile round trip to the Scottish track worthwhile as he returned to form to run out the ready winner of the ultra competitive Perth Gold Cup under Tom Scudamore.
We had previously won the race in 2006 with Tamarinbleu who went on to enjoy Grade One success over fences; so hopefully this is a good omen for the future!
- Monday, 03 June 2013 15:46
- Written by David Pipe
It’s been an eventful few days with a weekend away in Majorca and while I had a great time, I cannot tell you how relieved I am to be back on British soil - I don’t think my liver could have taken much more! I flew out to the Spanish Isle in the early hours of Saturday morning with my partner Leanne for the wedding of Welsh rugby international Andy Powell (a part-owner in promising hurdler Broadway Buffalo) to his lovely bride Natasha and by Saturday night I was partying with some fairly big flankers in Magaluf – it was an eye opening experience I don’t mind telling you! I told them that I was not a Premiership player and I was clearly out of my league, hence I was tucked up in my bed long before they were! The wedding ceremony was a much calmer affair and I would like to wish the newly-weds every happiness for the future.
- Monday, 27 May 2013 12:11
- Written by David Pipe
Following a few near misses I was pleased to sign off the week with a couple of winners. Waterunder and Massannie provided some welcome success and took our tally for the new season onto five. The race that Waterunder won was something of a charade considering that for this two mile handicap hurdle the competitors had only to jump three hurdles due to the setting sun, indeed it was more like a bumper and Tom Scudamore produced an excellent ride to get our charge home in front. Don’t get me wrong… I am delighted to have won the race, but as far as I can remember the sun has always been where it is and I don’t recall horse or jockey going around the obstacles 20 years ago!
- Monday, 20 May 2013 15:59
- Written by David Pipe
Although we weren’t inundated with runners last week, it was a busy one nonetheless with representatives the length and breadth of the country at Towcester, Wincanton, Uttoxeter, Aintree and Stratford and a winner with Prideofthecastle at the last named on Sunday ended the week on a high. With the addition of a couple of nice youngsters from the Doncaster Sales on Thursday, it would have to be considered a productive time.
- Monday, 13 May 2013 12:46
- Written by David Pipe
Vieux Lion Rouge
It was great to get winner number two on the board yesterday at Plumpton courtesy of Franklin Roosevelt ridden by Tom Scu. Franklin was twice a winner last season and bounced back from a below par effort at Wetherby last time with a very determined display to get up close home. He should continue to give us lots of fun over the summer months. The ground had probably softened a little too much for him at Wetherby and he relished the quicker going at the Sussex track. E Street Boy was are only other runner of the day and unfortunately the race was not run to suit as he ended up making the running which was not ideal. He may well return to fences at some point over the summer. On Saturday Street Entertainer was in the process of running a nice race in the Swinton hurdle when stumbling badly at the second last and nearly getting rid of his jockey. Conor O'Farrell did well to maintain the partnership and if had not been for this significant mistake I think he would have been placed. Poole Master also ran a nice race in the competitive novice chase. He jumped well and galloped all the way to the line to finish fourth. He should be capable of winning his first chase very soon but he is now having a little holiday.
- Tuesday, 07 May 2013 07:31
- Written by David Pipe
High Vile
Conor O'Farrell's 100th Career Winner
It was good to get the first winner of the season last week at Exeter courtesy of High Ville. Conor O’Farrell gave him a good front running ride as he is not the easiest as he can be rather keen in his races. The application of the hood seems to have helped him in his last couple of races and combined with the quicker ground this contributed to his first success. This was particularly memorable as it was Conor’s 100th winner of his career so very well done to him. High Ville does hold a couple of entries this week and could run again and will be kept on the go throughout the summer as he prefers the better ground. Since then the horses have been running well but just hitting the woodwork! Smooth Classic ran well under a big weight to finish second at Uttoxeter on Saturday and he surely will get his head in front before too long. Garryleigh bounced back to form yesterday with a good second at Ffos Las while Third of the Third ran a nice race to finish third on his first start for me. All of the mentioned horses will be kept going while the ground remains on the quicker side.
