GREY DANVERS AT JONATHAN PORTMANS YARD

Set at the edge of the Lambourn Gallops, Upper Lambourn based Jonathan Portman resides at the modern, but yet keeping in with the surroundings Whitcoombe House Stables

About 65 at stable at present, the mild mannered master took a group around his stables and proudly showed his stable star two-year-old Mrs Danvers off, in the stables as well as on the Lambourn gallops.

Mrs Danvers

The versatile grey filly who has won her last four trips over the five furlongs, the last outing being Bathwick Tyres St Hugh's Fillies' Stakes at Newbury, went through a gentle paced piece of work, and looking at this rising speed merchentess, it was plain to see why her wins have been on ground from good to soft to good to firm over the past few months.

To look at from a distance this flint grey filly looks as pretty as spring itself, butter would not melt in her mouth. Up close you can see just what an athlete she is. The engine looks like it’s all there, and up close she looks like a horse, none of this slender, petite two-year-old with this daughter of Hellveyn. She’s the real McCoy to be sure.

Mrs Danvers wins a class II 5 furlong sprint at Windsor in June

Jonathan Portman

The master of Whitcoombe House speaks passionately and knowledgeably about his charges. Having only a small string out at a time, gives the trainer chance to cast his eye over the details. This showed for sure as he described each of his four horses as they went about their work.

The feeling you got as you listened to him was that he genuinely cared not only for his workplace, horses and business. But his staff who went about their work with professionalism and courtesy. All I felt were up to the task of making you feel welcome and part of the experience, a part of the business that is so important in today's market.

Back at the stable three separate barns gave room and space for each of the occupants to freely see their surrounds, no shouting, yelling or cooped up horses at this stable. I tend to judge a stable by putting myself in the horse stand point. What do they see? Smell? Do? And it was evident that the peace and serine environment made for a fine place to be in training.

The yard is peppered with horses that are no slouches. Horses such as Russian Radiance, Pasaka Boy and Ikymasho. Everyone taking their place under the watchful eye of the onetime Amateur Jockey.

Free to Rock 'N' Roll

The conclusion, well the lack of words speaks for themselves, not much to say, more to see really. This is a true horseman’s yard, what you see is what you get. The sign on the trainers horse box Leicester bound with three runners, Intimately winning the last. Clearly states ‘Own a racehorse, it’s easier and cheaper than you think’ well, some may argue in the financial terms, but easy, well yes it would be with Jonathan in charge, simple and quality. Or should I rephrase.

Simply quality.

Simply quality.

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