DEAD HEATS, DEADLINES AND DOUBLES ALL AT WINDSOR RACECOURSE FINALE

DEAD HEAT IN THE SKYBET CASH OUT HANDICAP

The last Royal Windsor racecourse meeting of 2017 gave those racegoers who came out after the Champions day meeting at Ascot and extended treat. Eight races on the card all  well subscribed as all the past few meetings have been at the Royal county racecourse.
Hats have to be taken off to Windsor, the last three meetings being the climax of the flat season have been well booked with class, entries and races. This led to today's meeting being a humdinger. Dead heats and popular trainers with doubles gave those punters something to cheer about as the evenings and days start to get shorter.
The going classed as good to soft saw the first race start off with pace over the five furlongs for the two year olds. Trainer John Quinn sending Zeebedee youngster Lord Riddiford to post the 7/4 favorite could only manage fourth spot as the race went to a good run for the horse placed runner up on his last two outings Iconic Knight out of the Ed Walker yard and ridden by  Liam Keniry.

Iconic Knight on the rail with the impressive Big Brave Bob upsides in the closing stages

The jockey mentioned that the son of Sir Prancealot had always showed promise at home. 'He went through the ground well and it was good finally to get his head in front, it will certainly do his confidence some good and we can work on from here.'
The colt clinging to the rail at the final stages certainly showed willing and in the paddock looks a nice sort and has beaten a nice looking horse from the Richard Hughes yard Big Brave Bob that would i feel need attention as he continues his racing career, the colt by Big Bad Bob out of a Swain mare looked very impressive in the paddock. On his maiden run the colt only beaten two lengths by a horse more experienced, looks the type that would need to be watched.
A good two year old race, nothing explosive by both first and second placed colts need to be remembered.

Iconic Knight

Trainer George Scott and jockey Hayley Turner took the next a three year olds and above Handicap over the one mile two furlongs.

Road to Dubai made an effortless run to the front two furlongs out and ran well onto the line for Hayley to beat Bazooka from the yard of David Flood by a length.
'He's a horse that dos'nt really want bullying too much in the final stages and i have been mindful of that today, but as he goes on he has become more confident and less stressed by his racing and enjoying it.'
The three year old by Aqlaam out of a Singspeil mare won the race easing down and was reported to be a horse to watch for next season.

With the favorite in the race Luna Jet from the John Mackie yard well down the field, the winner may be one to note. The jockey now this season with winners in this country after her decision to come out of retirement and in her new found home France certainly also is on good form at present, Hollie Doyle on runner up Bazooka, who didn't really want to come out of the parade ring at the start. Is on thirty one winners for the season also riding well.

Road to Dubai

Favorite backers in the next race a six furlongs claiming stakes, got their just rewards as the 11/10 shot Ballesteros from the northern yard of Richard Fahey came home the two length winner from  12/1 shot The big Lad from the Richard Hughes yard.
With only seven runners in the field the money at post was going on the champion apprentice recently crowned David Egan's mount Gilmer coming in from 13/2 to 4/1. But ex champion jockey Paul Hanagan getting home his eight year old Gelding owned by Dr Koukash in fine style.
The horse claimed for £7000 by Roger Ingram has had his confidence done no harm by his consistent runs and may be a valued purchase for his new owners with nine wins from seventy six starts.

Ballesteros from the northern yard of Richard Fahey came home the two length winner from  12/1 shot The big Lad from the Richard Hughes yard.

The mile handicap was again a race to back against the favorite, 8/1 shot Ghalib trained by Amy Murphy and ridden by Richard Kingscote was ridden clear from the three pole winning easily from Richard Fahey's horse Dark Devil who was looking for a quick double for the trainer.

'It was just a shame last time out he met a horse one better when running the race of his life.

The five year old on his fourth trip to the winners enclosure improving on his second place over course and distance back at the beginning of September ran well from the front and looked well with a softer surface to run on the jockey who dropped his whip in the final stages of the race mentioning,'he is coming back to some sort of form at the moment, i had no worries about letting him stay up with the pace as i knew he would stay.'
The market not showing the same confidence as the rider allowed the Lope De Vega gelding to drift in price. Trainer Amy Murphy mentioned,'he has got a little wiser in his old age but has always been a horse that has tried for you it was just a shame last time out he met a horse one better when running the race of his life. Before this run we had got him into the horses in training sales but we may have to look at that now and keep him going while he is back to his best.'

Ghalib trained by Amy Murphy and ridden by Richard Kingscote

The five furlong dash for the older hoses saw thirteen to post, the winner Flowing Clarets coming from the popular trainer at Windsor John Bridger's yard and ridden by Mitch Godwin claiming 3 lbs off the four year olds back. Wandering slightly across to second placed horse 7/4 favorite  Awesome Allan the  jockey had to work for his keep in keeping the Pastoral Pursuits filly to her task eventually taking the race by  couple of lengths.
'It's taking me a few rides to get used to her, but i think we have it know, she has got the ground she likes today and i was please we went over to the far side rail really, she always hangs left and i had the rail to help me today. We should of won at Goodwood really, but when ridden right she is a tough sort.

Flowing Clarets 

The trainer not stooping at that with winners for the day saddled two horses in the one  mile three furlong amateur riders handicap. One horse being the sixteen year old Megalala, the other the winner Betsolottie ridden by Ben James. The jockey a replacement for the original choice Russ Birkett rode the horse well encouraging the grey four year old to pull out the stops and beat Seventii from the the Robert Eddery yard and ironically ridden by Birkett by a short head.
'It was great i could show my appreciation to Mr Bridger for putting me up with his second winner of the day,' mentioned the assistant trainer to Micheal Bell.'The ground was not really to his suiting but this horse is all heart and it is know six winners for me from thirty five rides, but i really enjoy going out there, especially riding horses like this one.'

Betsolottie and Seventii battle out the finish

The trainer who had the whole family at the Berkshire course to cheer on his charges mentioned, ' This horse really battles it out so i have had a good day today, we nearly got stuck for a jockey but Russ Birkett my original choice of rider put James forward.' and what about his other runner the sixteen year old Megalala? 'He is okay no worries, but we will probably retire him now and find him a nice home to go to.'
Family fun for all on the last meeting at Windsor. Not only for the family but trainer too.

Flowing Clarets (left) battles out the finish in the five furlong handicap with Mercers (right) who finished fourth 

Betsolottie (grey horse centre)  is pushed out by Ben James to take the one mile three furlong amateur riders race

The past few afternoon meetings at Windsor one race per card has attracted enough entries late on in the season to split division a race.The same again a one mile handicap for three year olds and up attracted twenty three runners over the two divisions, the first of which was taken by the 11/10 favorite from the John Flint yard at Cherry tree Stables Love and be loved .  Ridden by William Cox the three year old by Lawman out of a High Chaparral mare was ridden out three out, edged slightly right in the closing stages,but still ran out his race to a two length win over Edgar Allan Poe.

Love and be loved ridden by William Cox

'She has always jumped out well from the stalls and that has managed to allow me to get a breather into her turning into home, but we are very happy with her,' mentioned the jockey on his sixteenth winner. The filly now on four wins from fourteen starts maybe one to just watch at present where she will go with three wins from the last three runs, with only five coming from the yard of John Flints he has certainly found the key to this filly., the trainer mentioning, she is a fantastic gutsy little filly, the trip and ground suited her fine, we were hoping for ground like this anyway and we think she could improve slightly from this, but we are delighted with today.'

Divison two saw the most exiting race of the day. Three horses battling to the line, who got over first?
Hard to split by the judges so they awarded a dead heat between 9/1 shot International Law from the Brian Meehan yard, and  13/2 shot East Coast Lady from the William Stone yard. Both horses ridden by champion apprentices, Tom Marquand riding for Brian Meehan and recently crowned champion apprentice David Egan  riding East Coast Lady.

International Law from the Brian Meehan yard, fancied in the betting coming in from 10-1 to 15/2

Wondering what jockey to talk to first, i plumbed for the recently crowned champion apprenticed David Egan who mentioned,' two champion apprentices in the end battling it out for the race, i though i was second to be fair so feel the luckier of the two, i said to Tom over the line that i thought he had got me, but my filly just keeps battling she is a game sort, she did the same sort of thing at Leicester on her last run and win she kept going to the line.'
The jockey who was crowned champion apprentice at the weekend at the Champions meeting at Ascot, all he had to say to that was 'long may it continue.
Tom Marquand mentioned about his winner International Law, 'he has had a few tendency's in the past, but he is a lovely big horse and today  has been a little more game in his running.'
Both horses with seven wins between them, this race may have been their finest hour but certainly gave the crowd something to cheer about as the evening drew in.

11/10 favorite from the John Flint  Stables, Love and be loved takes Div I of the one mile handicap

 International Law, East Coast Lady and third placed Caledonia Duchess

Well that wraps up this seasons Blogs from Mjayphotography &media at Royal Windsor 

you can see all blogs from the season as well as Fontwell Park, stable visits and point to points by clicking the link below.

Fontwell next for racing in a few weeks time, and only 5 weeks to go before the new point to point season awakens where blogs and Podcasts weather permitting will be weekly.

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MONSIEUR MENUISIER UNE JOURNEE DE GEAND

The gallops at Coomblands Stables

The only French trainer on the UK circuit David Menuisier trains within the perfect setting of Pulborough West Sussex.

With just over 30 horses in training at Coombelands Racing Stables who the trainer shares with the group one race winning trainer Amanda Perrett.

The shared facility with Amanda Perrett

The trainer who has been assistant to a few of the top class trainers around the world in Christiane Head Maarek in France , Richard Mandella in the States,  and our own legend that is John Dunlop OBE here in the UK has a wealth of experience to take on top flight.

Born in the North east of France the trainer has had aspirations of becoming a trainer since the age of seven, with a passion to set up shop in the UK, and after retirement of his ex Governor John Dunlop, David has set up in the last three years at the impressive clean cut Coombelands  Stables.

With three barns full the trainer started off the new season with all good intentions, but at the early York meeting good horses seemed to be running indifferently, this spread and further investigations showed the yard was in the midst of a low grade virus which  swept the yard.
The horse now fit are fresh and starting to come out may need some time but certainly looked happy and well as i looked freely around the barn at some of David's more cheeky occupants.

With a 10% strike rate, it shows how much of a quite season the trainer has had. Only 83 runners this year with 8 of those in the winner enclosure, David will be hungry to chase down lost time to gather and beat his 15 winners from 2016.

When cursed with the virus some may have tried to continue, with the education from the greats of the game around the world this would not hold for Monsieur Menusisier so he shut up shop as we say in the game to fight another day.
'All the horse had was gentle exercise on the roads for some time,' mentioned the ex racing manager Davids old boss John Dunlop who has become as he mentions something of a bit of a shoulder to cry on for the new trainer, as well as our guide for the morning.

The trainer not being able to be in the UK due to the continued looking and examination of new blood for the team in his home country, was very happy for me to watch his third lot canter up the wide open perfect gallops situated a stones throw from the stable entrance.

David Menuisier's horse at steady exercise for a Thursday third lot

The horses well cared for by a small but friendly team, as all teams are as i go around the yards.  Go about their daily chores with a quite, determined professionalism.

Horse to watch for over the coming months with the trainer already eyes firmly on the 2018 season with two early doors entries in the 2018 Derby, Cacphonous by Cacique and a possible early indication run at Newbury this weekend. And Battle of Issus by Declaration of War.
Also Strawberry Lace, by Sea the Stars out of a Holy Roman Emperor mare who the stable feel may be their secret weapon, this filly running early in the week at Yarmouth.

All in all i felt a well balance yard, with a fresh and calm approach, still early doors at the moment for the trainer but i feel a positive future, and certainly one to watch.

You can see more images and read more blogs of several stable visits throughout the year at

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WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WINDSOR SEEING RED FOR AN AFTERNOON

A weird presence over the Royal Berkshire racecourse Windsor for their penultimate race meeting of 2017.
Red skies and a somber mood greeted all that gathered by the Thames to watch eight races before the weekend were just down the road at Ascot the best of the best take battle in the most glorious of settings. All racing waits with baited breath for  cheer in a week that one of our own within the industry has been taken from us, the pain still showing on all that like the late Ken Dooley, love this industry of the sport of kings.
What remained of storm Ophelia showing it's hand from the start, and throughout the meeting sure had the racegoers talking, were the afternoon kicked off with a ten runner two year old nursery over the dash five furlongs.
Adulate from the Hugo Palmer yard showed promise on the boards halving it's price slashed from 10/1 to 5/1 as they went to post.
But it was Ed Dunlop who sent 3/1 favorite Global Exceed for his ninth run winning  a month back at Lingfield to claim his second victory, the Exceed and Excel colt beating Mick Channon's Aquadabra by half a length.

Global Exceed (left) fbeating Mick Channon's Aquadabra (right) .

Ridden by Adam Kirby who loves to ride at this Berkshire figure of eight track mentioned.'He's a bit quirky this one, and would probably suit six furlongs better, he is talented and was good for him to get the win today.'
The jockey who rides Harry Angle at the weekend for Windsor favorite trainer Clive Cox in the Champions Sprint mentioned the horse was in great form and ready to take on the mighty Aiden O'Brien and Commonwealth stakes winner Cararvaggio.

Global Exceed

This two year old in the mean time,Ed Dunlop the trainer was quoted he love to keep in the yard would be one to watch.

The pride of Biffa Handicap over one mile two furlongs for three year olds, would of been a poignant race if one horse could of got in the winner enclosure.
The horse from the Amanda Perrett yard Intermodel could only manage to beat one and was a horse that was cared for by Ken Dooley who sadly lost his life at Kempton Park on Friday evening.

Intermodel

I didn't know Ken personally but I as many around the world were saddened to hear about his death  and the people who did know him mentioned he was a man who loved his industry, as we all do. It's at these times that racing shows it's true colours. If one person hurts we all do, and show great strength is sticking together and working things through. I would like to add as many around the world my condolences to the family,friends and work colleagues that are hurting at this time.

The race result went to Jus Pires, trained in Newmarket by Jeremy Noseda and ridden by Sean Levey who pushed out the Scat Daddy three year old to get his nose in front of second placed Lime and Lemon from Lambourn trained Clive Cox.

Angry skies as Jus Pires wins the Biffa Handicap over the Windsor one mile two furlongs

The horse at post at 8/1 seemed to hang slightly left for Levey who mentioned,'it was very close on the  line but he has just made the effort at the line to stick his nose out, that was my first ride for the trainer which i was delighted to to take this morning. There wasn't too much pace in the race so was happy just to sit off with this one and he had probably taken it up sooner rather than he wanted, but he gallops all the way to the line and stuck it out.'

Jus Pires, third placed Sparte Quercus and runner up Lime and Lemon

The colt now two wins from four starts has all the ingredients to go forward that is for sure and has surely made progress thus far. He would be one to watch as lightly raced as a two and three year old, and still possibly has a lot more to come.

The six furlongs two year olds novices stakes went to 11/10 favorite from the Richard Hannon yard All Out.
The fillies who have been on blistering form this season against the colts, showed again the strength  as the Acclamation filly out of a mare by Mark of Esteem seemed to be all but closed out at the two pole but as shaken up by Tom Marquand the filly backed up her maiden win at Nottingham fourteen days back got up on the line to beat the fancied Global Tango from the Charles Hill yard.
'This filly is still very green really,' mentioned Marquand.'She has backed up her win from Nottingham where she was also green and you would not have thought she could win. But she has improved that's the main thing but still has a lot more education to come.'
The form this filly has showed so far this two year old may have a black type of a future ahead. Well bred out of a mare who was a granddaughter to the great  Time Charter who herself was not inclined in giving her male counterparts a bit of a pasting .
This filly must be one to highlight in the form books for next season to pick up a decent prize for owner Robert Barnett.

All Out, (right) comes upsides Global Tango (left)  to take the six furlongs year olds novices stakes

Half way through the eight race card, and we come to a one mile three furlong fillies only handicap. Nine runners to post, Eve Johnson-Houghton sending her charge down to the start the 15/8 favorite.
Again a close fought contest the bookies relishing the 16/1 winner beating the favorite into third by a length and a neck. the David Probert ridden hidden steps in the famous black with gold cross colours of  Paul Melon now with Kingclere Racing stayed on gamely to beat off the favorite and runner up Clef from the Richard Fahey yard.
The three year old by Footstepsinthesand out of a Haaffid mare could only manage a fifth in the Cheshire oaks behind Enable last time out in May and only having one other run in an one hundred and fifty nine day break from a racecourse at Haydock in her maiden handicap running a disappointing fifth of five seemed to have come on for her runs this time getting her nose in front.

hidden steps, Clef and Killay

'Her step back to a mile today has  has helped this filly out, and was a nice surprise for the win today, she has run a little green looking around her, I've allowed her to run along and she has galloped nicely up to the line.'
The trainer who is looking forward to the weekend where Beat the Bank goes in the Queen Elizabeth stakes mentioned she has deserved to win her race today. Of his fancied Ascot runner?  well he certainly going in the right direction. 'It will depend on what rain we have up to the weekend really, but he always looked a nice sort since we have had him at home, but we have a high benchmark to beat in Ribchester but each time we put him up a class he comes up trumps.'
This filly though also has not not been afraid of taking on a big race and maybe one to note for next season. A filly that's looks like she runs better when fresh could be one to watch for next season.

hidden steps keeps at bay Clef  in the one mile three furlong fillies handicap

The three year old one mile three handicap with ten runners to post this time pleased favorite backers of the Roger Varien trained Zeelander with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle. Bought to take an interest in the race two furlongs out the three year old by Dubawi out of a Barathea mare at post the 11/10 favorite stayed on well towards the end despite hanging slightly left as he was asked to take it up, the jockey mentioning, 'The track has suited this one, he has run a little green but still has a lot more to come really, he hasn't had a great deal of experience but today once organized he was happy to go forward and take his race.' Only the colts fourth run this one could be one to improve for a Winters rest. Well bred, his mother being a granddaughter to French Oaks winner Dunette this horse could have a promising four year old future and should be one to note.

Zeelander leads second and third placed horses Orin Swift (2nd) on the left and Hawridge Glory (middle) in 3rd

Zeelander

The Ben Woolacott memorial handicap had a good sized fourteen to post for the six furlong trip. The bookies if smarting from paying out on the last race certainly had their revenge in this, the last sprint of the day.
A drifter in the market Paddy Power trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by previous champion jockey on the flat Paul Hanagan went off from the stalls at 8/1 opening in the morning at 9/2.
Mid division for much of the way the four year old Pivotal gelding though hanging away from the stands a little held on well in the final strides beating Buccaneers Vault by a length.

'This horse suits a strong gallop and that's what he got here , he loved it here today. The trainer is having a great season and as always it has been great being a part of his team.'
The horse now on four wins from twenty six starts with his second win on the bounce the last being at a more local track to the trainer  Pontefract could well be seen on turf with a quick turn before the end of the season, but certainly made his mark down south at Windsor , the first three home in fact not below the 7/1 mark showed how wide open this contest was.

The Ben Woolacott memorial handicap won by Paddy Power

The final two races a two division one mile maiden  for three year old and upwards. Nineteen runners split between the two divisions, the first of which had nine to post the favorite being  Paradise Lake from the Newmarket base of Sir Micheal Stout.
The favorite just missing out though by a neck to the victorious Spanish History  trained by Seamus Durack an ridden by Shane Kelly.

Spanish History (nearside) across the line with on the far side runner up Paradise Lake

A large contingent of owners being the Andrew Wyke & ownaracehorse must of picked up and carried their Street Cry gelding out of a Cape Cross mare over the line with enthusiasm and is sure for something to look forward to in the future.
'He's a big weak raw type of horse at the moment that certainly needs a trip,' mentioned Kelly. 'He'd make a better hurdler for sure.'
The trainer confirming that he would probably give the gelding a chance now and put him away to strengthen for next year, note should be taken with the information given if seeing this one return under rules. Could we see this one in a bumper or novices hurdle at Fontwell next spring? one to keep tabs on i feel.
Division two of this mile maiden, ten runners went to post. Whereas in the previous division there were no market movers, this division  rolled out the Kevin Ryan trained Jamie Spencer ridden Sacred way from 13/2 into 7/2 but could only manage a seven length third spot to the eventual winner of the final race of the afternoon Crimson Rosette from the Charlie Fellows yard ridden by Stevie Donohoe.

 Crimson Rosette

Owned by Anthony Oppenheimer starting off his week well, hopefully ending the week with a more stylish  win in the Champion stakes at Ascot with Cracksman. 'It Has not really been a great season for us this year,' mentioned the trainer, 'This filly has been a example that the dice just have not rolled our way, after this fillies maiden at Newmarket were she was beaten by two horses rated over 100 was very promising. She ran at York, slipped coming out of the stalls and i feel she picked up a little injury so it was nice to get her here for the end of the season and get a win into her.If there is a little listed race somewhere we may just have a crack in that because i think she is a nice filly, and for a small trainer like myself to have a horse let alone a winner for Mr Oppenheimer is great.'
The breeding suggests this filly may just need  time to grow into herself the jockey mentioning that he has always liked her,the win doing her a power of good, he also felt the daughter of Teofilo would get further in time.
This filly is certainly one to watch, as mentioned at the beginning of the blog the sport of kings is an industry with it's up's and downs, the trainer not having a good season this year, well next year with this filly we have been warned. Underline her, keep her warm through the winter and watch what grows next summer.

'He's a big weak raw type of horse at the moment that certainly need a trip,' mentioned Kelly. 'He'd make a better hurdler for sure.'

The jockey mentioning that he has always liked her,the win doing her a power of good, he also felt the daughter of Teofilo would get further in time. 

Only one more meeting to go for 2007 at Royal Windsor before she is put to bed for the winter. The season starting off at the Berkshire course bumpy, but certainly the last few meetings have involved some good steady racing, this meeting being no exception. The last meeting all being well being blogged for WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK.