HIGH END HIGH ABOVE LAMBOURN A VISIT TO OWEN BURROWS YARD

Nestled just a stone’s throw from the Membury services M4, and overlooking the Lambourn Valley lies Kingswood House Stables. 

Trainer Owen Burrows, one time National Hunt jockey to the likes of David Nicholson and Josh Gifford,more recently assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute, in his first season on his own has been entrusted to train for one of the prolific owners of the racing game Hamdan Al Maktoum.

With the sad loss of John Hills, not only to his family,but also the sport of Kings, has meant this young first season trainer has been pushed to the forefront with 70 horses in his care, all capable of winning somewhere in the country, some capable of picking up the top races.

 Aged 26, serving just under half his life with the master of Freemason Lodge a small, a select group including yours truly, were given the time and patience from this knowledgeable young gun.

Some fine two year olds on display as we watched the horses work a steady canter up the self-contained all weather, the trainer having all that he needs to take things forward. ‘we are self-sufficient here which is nice, you can hear the hum of the M4 but otherwise peaceful, and that’s how we like it.’

On a 16% strike rate for the season. 14 winners from 85 runners, the trainer is honest enough to know how lucky he has been, ‘Michael Hills and Sir Michael Stoute have to be greatly respected for bringing me to the attention of the owner.’ Or the ‘boss’ as he affectionately calls him.
‘They spoke to Angus Gold, and from that to Hamdan Al Maktoum and here we are, I wake up most mornings feeling incredibly lucky.’

All horse looked well, the youngsters on the gallops looked sharp but calm, the trainer mentioning that on Monday mornings he would be worried if some were not bucking and squealing. ‘It’s sad to hear Newmarket has some sort of virus hovering around, I would know straight away if mine were quiet, touch wood at present all is fine.’

Horses cantered, and described passionately by the trainer. Owen mentioned how lucky he was to have a good team behind him, ‘Some were here when I arrived, so I inherited quality which was half the battle.’ The staff worked quietly, but efficiently around the yard as the trainer walked us by each and every box in both his older horse and younger horses yards.

On the gallops with the two year olds

Each Sheikh Hamdan's owned horses have a purpose, each well selected to pick up races and classics, ‘the majority are sourced by the owner and Angus, I can choose a couple a year from my list, but again the boss and Angus have the final say.’

The occupants looked calm and content in the smart, modern surroundings, nothing is left unturned.

Owen Burrows explains about his horses

‘My new addition is the salt chamber,’ Salt being a natural ingredient is ground by a machine into a fine powder and like an air conditioner the power is gently put into the air, the horse ingests it and it settles on their coats. ‘It helps the horse get rid of any bad mucus in the lungs and also is good for the skin, three horses can stand in here at a time and they don’t seem to mind it.’
The brain child of Tom Taaffe, son of Arkle legend Pat, the ‘salt chamber’ seems to be a positive and growing trend, Sheikh Hamdan setting up a few throughout his racing empire.

How fortunate to be shown individually around such fine horses, could possibly we have been graced with a few of a classic winner  as we went from box to box?
 some horse shown were.

Markaz 4yo By Dark Angle Out of Folga, By Atraf 

Mezel 5yo By Tamayuz out of Mumayeza By Indian Ridge

Okool 2yo By Cape Cross out of Seschat By Sinndar

Owen Burrows seems to have a likeable and intelligent nature,you can see why the great and the good of the industry like him, he gives you time.
 And by this I should reckon this would transmit into his training. Patience is need with this game, too rushed and things will break, to slow and things will pass you by. Well you can say for this trainer at Kingswood House he certainly hasn’t let this opportunity pass, gabbed it firmly with both hand and steering it positively forward.

Is Owen Burrows the new kid on the block for the big time flat trainers crown, well with the experienced owners behind him who knows, a possibility I would say, the proof being shown in the pudding, that would put even Mary Berry to shame.

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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.

More images of the vistit, click on the link below

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And go to the HORSE RACING folder

EARLY AUTUMN AFTERNOON RACING AT ROYAL WINDSOR RACECOURSE 5-9-16

Seven races to start Windsor racecourses Autumn afternoon of racing campaign, and the last racing at the royal course before a few weeks’ break, giving the ground a much needed breather.

 3.8 mm of rain falling overnight at the Berkshire track, leaving the course at the start of racing as going good.

The racing started off with a bang for Pat Cosgrave riding an opening race double when Silver Penny at 20/1 took the six-furlong maiden race by a neck from the Jo Tuite trained Red Alert.

Silver Penny

The two-year-old by Hellvelyn on only her second run of her racing career, finishing last of a seven runner field at Lingfield on her maiden voyage, seemed to enjoy the ground that was giving a little on the top, the ground after the first being reverted to Good to soft. 

Trained by Jim Boyle, whose horses seem to run on from their second outings onwards mentioned, ‘she will come on from that run, her draw helped and Pat kept her on the outside to maintain that advantage in the draw.’

The jockey on the first winner of his double for the afternoon mentioned the filly gave him a nice feel throughout and seems to be an improving sort.

Cosgrave’s second winner of the afternoon came on one of William Haggas’s three year olds in the six furlong handicap. Sirajiah by Exceed and Excel going to post the 4/1/ fav seemed to keep going as she ran to the line, beating Equistar from the Jonathan Portman yard by half a length.

Sirajiah

The jockey mentioned about the filly on her first win from five starts,

'she has been second in most of her runs, and has been doing nothing wrong other than coming up against some nice horses, she is so nice to have in the yard so I’m pleased for her to actually get her nose in front.’

Both of the Cosgrave ‘girls’ seem nice types that have improved to the point of taking their races, now the trick for the trainers is where to place them next and progress. Two certainly for the note books and to follow throughout, now the winning bubble has been burst.

Silver Penny ‘she will come on from that run, her draw helped and Pat kept her on the outside to maintain that advantage in the draw.’

Sirajiah 'she has been second in most of her runs, and has been doing nothing wrong other than coming up against some nice horses, 

The third race of the afternoon a mile nursery event, Denmead trainer Michael Madwick sent his two-year-old colt Quothquan to post at 4/1. 

By group one race winner Myboycharlie out of an Invincible Spirit mare, the colt on now one win from five starts seemed to relish the give in the ground staying on well to beat Richard Hannon’s two-year-old Buskin River.

4/5 fav Mister Blue sky well beat back in fourth took the field over to the far side rail in front, in a tightly contested final furlong, the jockey on the winner 5lbs claimer George Wood mentioning,

’He is a nice horse, we have all taken the far rail following Jamie Spencer on Richard Hughes’s Jumping Jack, but he has done that well.’

’we have a small string and I’m happy with the improvement of the horse, I do not over run my horses. 

Quothquan

The trainer happy with the efforts of his colt mentioned,

’we have a small string and I’m happy with the improvement of the horse, I do not over run my horses. 

He was slightly unlucky at Sailsbury and George said he settled well into his race today, he can get a bit hot beforehand.’ 

The trainer who said that the 5 lbs claimer who has ridden the horse as a two year old did a fine job getting over to the other side of the track and commanding the race.

The fourth race, a mile three maiden saw six runners go to post. Roger Varien sending 5/4 fav 

West drive into the race with only one trip to the winners enclosure in seven running's.

West drive

Andrea Atzeni on board the good looking grey by Sea the stars looked every much the winner, the jockey explaining 

‘he seems to have come into himself since being gelded and then having blinkers on,he has matured also and has run in some nice handicaps so he was entitled to win another race really.’

The three year old looking like still having a bit of maturing to complete his education, looks the part, as a three year old it would be hoped with time would become a little more on the genuine side. 

A nice type well put together horse and one surly to watch.

‘he seems to have come into himself since being gelded and then having blinkers on,he has matured also and has run in some nice handicaps so he was entitled to win another race really.’

Fire Jet at 3/1 lit up the one mile three furlong handicap for three year olds and upwards. Trained in Church Broughton by John Mackie the three year old filly seemed to enjoy the softer ground, electing to stay on the stand side of the track. at 3/1 lit up the one mile three furlong handicap for three year olds and upwards.

 Trained in Church Broughton by John Mackie the three year old filly seemed to enjoy the softer ground, electing to stay on the stand far of the track.

Fire Jet

Ridden by Tom Queally who mentioned,
’she has won that quite comprehensibly really, not the easiest of races for her and she was off the bridle a lot sooner when winning at Newmarket, but it was good to get a win for the trainer.’

The trainer mentioning that the horse was still a little immature mentally but happy with her improvement. 

‘She didn't really have the greatest of journeys here really, along time in the box due to heavy traffic, so she has done well.’

The filly by Ask out of a Dutch Art mare seems to be the versatile sort winning on both firm and soft ground, the jockey also hinting she could get a little further.

’she has won that quite comprehensibly really, not the easiest of races for her and she was off the bridle a lot sooner when winning at Newmarket, but it was good to get a win for the trainer.’

Tom Queally like Pat Cosgrave onto a quickfire double when he partnered 20//1 shot Tom’s Rock to win the one mile two furlong handicap beating John Bridgers Betsalottie. 

‘He is a horse that is slowly getting the hang of things, but improving also, I have had to get after him today but in the end has taken the race well.

Tom’s Rock

Trained in Newmarket by John Butler the three year old by Rock of Gibraltar off top weight has come on well from a disappointing run at Linfield last time out.

‘We have come over to the stand side but to be honest I don’t think that it makes much difference really, it’s were the race wanted to go, and I’m delighted for the owner Tom Burredge who is unwell at the moment. But he is a brave horse that has dug deep today.’

'I’m delighted for the owner Tom Burredge who is unwell at the moment. But he is a brave horse that has dug deep today.

The final race of the afternoon came in the shape of a ten runner, five furlongs dash. The in form trainer Kevin Ryan coming down south to take the five furlong handicap.

Ridden by Kevin Stott, Fast Act the well bred four year old took the race well to beat Clive cox with Silken Skies who seems to run horses well at the Berkshire course.

Fast Act (left) Silken Skies (right)

‘Kevin's horse seem to be running well at the moment and he has sent this fella down here with a good chance.He was not a bad two year old really, just didn't fire as a three year old but seems to have come back to himself as he has matured.’

With two wins from fifteen starts the Fast Company gelding out of a Green Desert mare dose not look the striking type. But on the course seems to show his quality breeding.

’ He has a good lot of speed and battles well and I hope with a little cut coming into the ground we can get him out quick again.’

With two wins from fifteen starts the Fast Company gelding out of a Green Desert mare dose not look the striking type. But on the course seems to show his quality breeding.

One to put in the note books if entered and out quick enough to catch the ground just on the turn, I would expect more on northern tacks rather than trips too often down south.

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SUPER DUPER JOHNSON ON A TREBLE

Enjoying Ladies evening at Fontwell, Rebecca,Sally,Faye, Lisa

Ladies evening at Fontwell, a course that’s been rested for a few months and now ready to take on some terrific jump racing through the winter months.

And it started with a bang, Champion jockey Richard Johnson the bit between his teeth gathering three winners to maintain his nine winners lead over young contender Sam Twiston Davies.

Champion jockey Richard Johnson

Starting off with a good run in the first a conditioning handicap hurdle over two miles three furlongs, Johnson bought home Jim Best’s Red Orator the 6/4 fav by two and a half lengths from Gary Moore’s Shalanzi.

‘We knew if he could produce his Stratford form he would run well, he has battled down hard in the end to win the race nicely, Jim Best had confidence in him, he is a nice straight forward sort of horse.

The ex Mark Johnston horse seems to be on the improve, has had broken blood vessel problems in the past, but now seems to be on the up with his fourth win out of fifteen starts.

Another horse hailing out of a flat yard was Richards second winner of the evening Satellite formally out of the William Haggas yard,the seven year old  took the two mile one furlong novices hurdle in fine form beating Tarkeur out of the Simon Hodgson yard by a commanding thirteen lengths.

Satellite 

The pace was taken on at a strong rate Harry Cobden taking the Colin Tizzards Ivor’s Queen out I front stringing the four runner field out from early on. 

A certain disrespect of the hurdle out in the back straight caused the leader to fall leaving the eventual winner out on his own sooner than he would have liked. 

‘The pace was fine for my horse, but until the lead horse fell I wasn’t really very confident in my fella, he done well out in front, just a little earlier than I wold of liked.’ 

With only his third run over hurdles and has won also on soft ground. The going at the West Sussex course being good to firm,the five year old seems an improving and versatile sort.

Improvement possibly need for this nice looking gelding, the plan would possibly be a nice race at Kempton in the Autumn

The owners of the Danehill Dancer five-year-old Paul and Louise Bowtell mentioned 

‘the victory seemed a bit hollow really with the fall of the Tizzards horse, but I believe he is up know so I feel a little better. I wasn’t really confident in our fella at the start, he worked himself up a bit, but he has battled away nicely in the end.’ 

Improvement possibly need for this nice looking gelding, the plan would possibly be a nice race at Kempton in the Autumn, so well worth a sharpen of the note book pencil on this one.

The Champ did not have to wait that long for his third winner of the evening, the fourth race a two mile five furlong handicap Dickie Johnson bought home the top weight Pied Du Roi out of the Charlie Longsdon yard a length in front of Richie McLernon on Wyndcrest. 

‘This horse is a big sort that has needed time, to be fair to the owners they have given him that time and he has rewarded them this evening.’ 

The horse a good second to Definite Future at Worcester in a very competitive race a month back still seemed to make mistakes and had to be hard driven by the jockey to claim his prize. 

‘Fontwell wouldn’t really be the course he would prefer really, but he would be a horse with improvement that could be nice.’

Pied Du Roi,Wyndcrest

Not many options for the six-year-old this time of year, has caused the trainer to think hard on his entries for this one, but the right race and the right night has given the horse a chance. One to follow if the improvement continues.

‘Fontwell wouldn’t really be the course he would prefer really, but he would be a horse with improvement that could be nice.'

The two mile one furlong handicap chase saw seven go to post, 6/4 fav Spring steel trained by Alexandra Dunn in Taunton and ridden by Rhys Flint win the race by two and a half lengths from Vexillum out of the Neil Mulholland yard, with creditable ease. 

‘He has been a little lucky here today, made mistakes and struggled a little with his wind makes me feel he may need further, he may need a bit more of a galloping track really so he can get into his rhythm.'

Spring steel 

Jake Hodson on David Bridgewater’s The Yank seemed to fall on the flat just after jumping the second last after running a positive sort of race, on asking Rhys if he saw how the horse fell, that could have given him a race towards the end. 

‘Fences this time of year need jumping really, they are a little stiff, and it seems he has crumpled on landing.’ Jumping the name of the game, the yank would be one to watch.

The trainer from Taunton with twenty six horses in training who often graces the West Sussex course mentioned, ‘he is lovely horse to have, he has won three times for us and we are lucky to have him.’ Non-committal on the seven-year-olds future the trainer who describes her yard as a boutique yard, small and select with top class facilities is certainly one to note at her lucky track Fontwell.

Non-committal on the seven-year-olds future the trainer who describes her yard as a boutique yard, small and select with top class facilities is certainly one to note at her lucky track Fontwell.

With all equestrian fans one eye was surly on Rio for the Olympic games, already gold in the dressage,and Show jumping that was extremely successful in London 2012, one-man Nick Skelton who is on form for gold in Rio is eagerly being watched by his sons, on form themselves with a winner in the two mile one furlong handicap hurdle.

 Excellent team, aptly named in the circumstances led well at the last, driven out by Harry Skelton to take the win from Ben Pauling’s Itsnowcato.

The well suited four-year-old on his first win after a string of seconds seemed to relish the fast ground the jockey mentioning, ‘he has very good attitude and is as tough as old boots, he is now a type that could do well with a small penalty in handicaps, but he has given his owners some great fun which it’s all about.’

 Excellent team

Certainly this gelding could turn gold for the siblings, Dan and Harry Skelton.
 All eyes on Rio Friday that certainly would be leading to a positive start to the weekend for the family.

The well suited four-year-old on his first win after a string of seconds seemed to relish the fast ground.

The penultimate race, and last over obstacles for the well attended meeting at Fontwell came in the shape of the two mile five furlongs’ handicap hurdle for four year olds and upwards.

Again a family affair, Gary Moore saddling 5/2 shot Royal Battalion to take on a six runner field. Son Jamie Moore in the saddle,the five-year-old by sea the stars made mistakes three out but was ridden firmly by Moore to take the race by a length and a half from the favourite Breaking Bits trained by Jamie Snowden.

Breaking Bits,First Avenue,Royal Battalion 

The horse owned by the ever popular Heart of the South Racing has given the syndicate ownership some great fun winning two from eighteen starts. 

‘It was a moderate race won by a moderate horse,’, mentioned the jockey. ‘It’s great to give something back to the owners who have been good supporters of us in the past, and win a local track is as big of a winner as if at Cheltenham.’

 A brother to fame and glory and costing £450’000 as a yearling the horse may not have scored the heights as hoped, but a win early doors of the season should not be sniffed at and maybe one you would see at the track in the near future.

The final race of the evening, the two mile one furlong national hunt flat race, four runners went to post, taken along at a good pace by Phil York on Kabanga Bay, the race coming around the bend opened up to be very competitive, unusually so for races that are in most cases sown up from three furlongs out.

Deise Diamond ridden by Trevor Whelan and trained by Neil King stayed on well in the end to take the race by half a length from the Moore’s Jezzebelle.

Deise Diamond , Jezzebelle

‘This fella has had good standing with a nice placing at Galway, the pace was good for us but the lead horse fell away slightly before I would have liked really so I have been made to take it up before I could get him to gallop.’

The five-year-old gelding looked a little green at the finish and would surly come on for his run, the race one of the classiest bumpers you would find this season at Fontwell, and would not surprise if it threw up a few nice horse from the field as the season progresses. 

The winner though untried over a hurdles certainly looks the type with some time, the jockey mentioning that the horse would be crying out for a trip.

 'I have been made to take it up before I could get him to gallop.’

A tough type, and certainly one to add to the notebooks for later in the season, as with the rest  Jezzebelle, Kabanga Bay and Pull the Trigger.

Music on ladies evening to finish,

With Live music from Abba Revival, Waterloo to Mamma Mia at Fontwell Park the Winner takes it all.

As if you were not aware,at the time of publish, Nick Skelton won his individual gold in Rio o Big Star.

A massive congratulations to the Skelton family, who have given so much to the equestrian industry.