IN THE SHADOW OF THE OLD LEWES RACECOURSE-SUZY SMITH

In the picturesque village of Lewes in the hills of East Sussex, lies an ancient gem of British Racing.

Lewes racecourse closed it's doors to the public in the early 60's. The road that still bears the entrance name to the age old horseshoe shaped course, now has a new life. Still involved in the sport of kings the grounds that once saw the likes of  Jockeys Jeff Lewis and Bobby Elliot, Royalty in the then prince of wales,later King George IV, who seldom missed a Lewes meeting,and horses who were in preparation for the classics, now sees the new wave of racehorse go about their paces with three sets of training establishments within it's grounds.

A view from County Stables over the old Lewes racecourse

One of those trainers, Suzy Smith, born within the sounds of  Epsom racecourse has twenty horses in her charge. A qualified riding instructor, and holding a diploma from the National Stud, Suzy took over the reins of County Stables when she was twenty five. Assisted by her partner Sergio Gordon-Watson, the stables, part of them within the old Tote building from the old course.

The old Tote building

has a light and airy feel to them. The boxes are big and comfortable, and the chalk based gallops and endless Sussex downs riding is an ideal place to train young tearaways, and to put the racehorses minds on their games.

Horses such as.

Jenniefer Eccles

Jennifer Eccles last win at Fontwell

A winner last time out at Fontwell, this 5 yo mare by Midnight Legend, is held in great steed by her trainer. Yet to race over obstacles this mare is one to put in the note books as an improving sort.

Laughton Park

The ten year old by Karinga Bay holds an entry at Fontwell on Wednesday. Looking for cut in the ground Suzy was very complimentary about this chestnut gelding, and having sixteen starts on the racecourse, three of them with trips to the winners enclosure, this horse could be one to watch in the near future.

Red Devil Star

A five year old ex point to pointer with only five runs under his belt under rules. A good looking chasing sort that needs to be watched and also holds an entry at Fontwell on Wednesday. Only time will tell with this one.

General Bux

A four year old Luciano gelding, without a run and learning his trade, and no better place than this peaceful but well equipped stable.

Trainer Suzy Smith looks at a picture of the old course with members of the West Berkshire racing club

With facilities and experience Suzy Smith is certainly a trainer to take note of. The stables are set for getting the horse to have a healthy heart, as well as a healthy mind, the trainer mentioned she dose not want the vast amounts of horse of those in the top tier of the national hunt game, and is happy with what she has.

                                And what she has.... Is a lot and one to look for in seasons to come.

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MONDAY AUTUMN RACING AT ROYAL WINDSOR

Late autumn sun,eight races with good fields. The penultimate Monday racing for 2015, a meeting that was well worth it for those who watch and notes the younger, more inexperienced horses that try for a last gasp bid for the winners enclosure.

Fourteen runners for the first, a six furlong sprint for maiden two year olds. Dean Ivory sent to post 2/1 favourite Fighting Temeraire. Robert Winston on board this son of Invincible Spirit out of a Selkirk mare. He sent the colt for home to take his race a furlong out despite getting a bump for his troubles, he continued to hold on beating a Jeremy Noseda colt Cee Jay by three lengths.

Fighting Temeraire

This nice looking colt, already placed in a same distance contest at Newbury a month back, looks the type that will improve as a three year old, and with his experience earned as a maiden, maybe should be noted for the future.





Another two year old contest for the second race, this time a five furlong dash nursery, and gave veteran trainer John Bridger a winner with his grey filly Stormflower. Already a winner at Lingfield in August, and unable to show that sort form on her last three trips to a racetrack, this daughter Of Arcano  showed that with cut in the ground, the official going good to soft, she could produce the form again, much to the delight of the owners in the winners enclosure.

John Bridger

The filly held on well, and beat Addicted to Luck by a neck, giving the Liphook trainer another winner to an already successful season, and a good number of trips to the winners enclosure at the Royal Berkshire course.

Stormflower

Nineteen runners in total split the two divisions of The MPM Flooring LTD maiden stakes for three year olds over the Windsor mile. Clive Cox saddling the winner of division one of the contest with 2/1 favourite Weetles, the filly by High Chaparral out of an invincible Spirit mare last time out at Goodwood made the frame by finishing fourth. This time, beating comfortably China Girl by six lengths and off the mark of  9st was impressive on her first victory.

Weetles

Division two of the same race and distance, saw this time the boys hit the front. Luca Cumani's trained Optima Petamus or translated 'Let us see the best' hit the front beating the favourite Brutus into third. Jockey Jamie Spencer was pleased with his mount, stating that, though having to be encouraged this colt by Mastercraftsman out of a Desert prince mare took his race well and would maybe, be one to watch later on.

Optima Petamus

Mick Channon sent to post Deeds Not Words to post an 8/1 shot for the six furlongs Handicap stakes. the four year old off  9st, by Royal Applause was already a winner at Chepstow in August on good to firm ground, showing how versatile he his by beating Be Bold trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by the possible soon to crowned top apprentice Tom Marquand by a length.
Ridden by Charles Bishop the gelding despite hanging left as taking up his race, kept on gamely to take his spoils.

Deeds Not Words

Tom Marquand, with a good book of rides for the day was legged up in the next, on the 11/2 shot Crystal Malt. Trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by the apprentice in his final week of challenging for the top spot in the apprentice championship. Again beaten into second,he failed to pull away from his main rival Jack Garrity. 

Maquand on 52 winners his rival on 50 in the dying stages of the season.

Tom Marquand

It was another apprentice Rob Hornby who took the honours with 5/1 favourite Ghinia trained by Pam Sly, and another winner for the sire Masetrcraftsman. The four year old was ridden out in the final furlong and stayed on well, helped by the 5lbs claim from Hornby off a weight of 9st 6lbs.

 The filly already a winner in July at Leicester and second last time out at Haydock showed that she was back to her best form, and possible would need to be watched if produced for a quick turn around to claim a sharp double.

Ghinia

Roger Charlton and Jim Crowley took the penultimate race of the afternoon, a 1m 2 f  race for three year olds. Devonshire Place a three year old filly by Rip Van Winkle, went to post a 7/1 shot and stayed on well to beat Michael Bell's Berland who was giving the winner 10lbs but was beaten only half a length

Devonshire Place

The final race of the afternoon,saw trainer Pam Sly,owner David Bayliss and Jockey Rob Hornby notch a quick double.

All My Love

All My Love, yet to improve on her only win last season at Leicester beat 2/1 favourite Candella by a nose in a tight driving finish, despite being 1lbs in weight difference between them the daughter of Lord Shanakill, made her mark in the soft autumn ground to close out the days events.

Next week a double days racing at the Royal Berkshire course with the final Mondays racing and  a Tuesday card.

All covered and blogged by

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WET AND WEARY AT WINDSOR

There could not be two more contrasting few days racing.The barmy warmth and sunshine at Fontwell. To the wet and dreary Monday flat racing at Royal Windsor racecourse.
Yet, they came, horses and punters a like to see the last few meetings of the 2015 season at the Berkshire course. Eight races on offer, the going changing as the first few races set about. Soft was the final conclusion as the majority of runners choose to adopt the far side rail as usual occurrence on the course as the going becomes softer.

The first race an amateur riders sprint over five furlongs saw fourteen runners go to post. Dreams Of Glory, trained by Ron Hodges, a seven year old by Respondent Glory, came to the Berkshire course to see if the changes of bend at the figure of eight track could rekindle his love of winning.With 56 runs under his belt, 9 of them resulting in a trip to the winners enclosure the chestnut gelding has had a quite 2015 season.

Dreams of Glory

The last few runs for the experienced, versatile runner saw up and coming star Edward Greatrex in the plate, this time brother Tom was to get the leg up by the experienced Hodges. The soft going and the change in rider gave this schoolmaster a taste of the high life and duly gave Mr T Greatrex his first ever winner, leading in the final furlong the amateur kept the old timer up to his task beating Time Medicean and Miss S Coll by a neck.

The professionals got to start the afternoon of with two divisions of a mile maiden Stakes. Twenty four runner in total split this mile event, both winners carrying 9st 5lbs and coming home at a good price.

Gawdawpalin

Gawdawpalin, ridden by 3lbs claimer Tom Marquand and trained in Lambourn by Sylvester Kirk won the first division at 11/4. Staying on well to beat Jazzy by two lengths in the turning ground. The two year old improving well to take this late in the season maiden, dependant how the colt takes the recovery, will depend if we will see this son of Holy Roman Emperor again as a two year old, the ground suited the horse who previously has had run on good ground, and time will tell how this one will map out for the future.

Division two.

Top Beak

Again a Berkshire trainer takes the spoils. Hughie Morrison trained Top Beak to go off on the rails at 25/1. Ridden by Robert Havlin, the two year old by Lawman out of a Grand Lodge mare, rallied gamely when headed by 11/4 favourite Mountain Bell and in the last stride regained the lead to claim the horses maiden venture out on a race track. The colt broke well and was always travelling and is indeed one to put in the note books for future outings.

Another beaten favourite in the next. This time the well fancied Ed De Giles trained Bazooka, well tipped before the race by the hacks, was turned over by half a length by Rod millman's trained Dovil's Duel, ridden by Frederik Tylicki. Giving only 2lbs to the second the four year old by Clodovil out of a Diesis mare was pushed along by the German to take the horses third win of his career.

Frederik Tylicki.

Dovil's Duel

The versatile Sweet P trained by Marcus Tegoning and ridden by 3lbs claimer Louis Steward, took home the 1m 3f handicap stakes for three year old, the main race of the day. Easily in the rain softened ground. The daughter of Sir Percy was unchallenged at the final half furlong to win well after a duo of victories first here at Windsor in July, and then a few weeks later travelling up north to Newcastle.

Sweet P

This four year old filly is obviously a horse that enjoys quick successes and then a lay off, as her previous wins were on the back of a nine month absence, so be sure to look out for this one for a quick repeat before going on her winter holidays.

Heavy showers continued throughout the meeting,and was getting well into the ground causing it to cut up a little. This showed, as winners who love the give were coming home without to much of a challenge.

Swiss Affair

And this showed at Swiss Affair by Pivotal a sire whose offspring seem to love the cut in the ground came home comfortably by two lengths from Dream Bounty. Trained by L'arc De Triomphe hero John Gosden and was meant to be ridden by man of the moment Frankie Dettori. Both Absent from the days toils in Berkshire, and obviously still soaking up the glory from the previous days Golden Horn triumph. A Chance then for Robert Havlin to get a double on board, and he bough home the 8/13 favourite for her first win from three starts all of them have been in the frame. Havlin mentioned the three year old filly idled a little in front, but kept to her task well, but i shouldn't reckon the Italian would be that worried of missing out in the rain on a Monday Autumn afternoon.

No flat race meeting would be complete without a win from the Godolphin team. and Start Time a Invincible Spirt two year old gelding ridden by 3lbs claimer Kevin Stott made it a double of wins for horse and jockey on soft ground. This improving sort, who loves the cut in the ground is surly one to watch when the ground has some give, and backed up his 2/1 favourite price to win comfortably over the Windsor mile.

Start Time

Revolutionist

With Light fading on a miserable autumn afternoon, 14 runners went to post for another mile handicap. Mark Johnston sent Revolutionist to post 15/8 favorite, and again Pivotal the sire. This three year old colt came home in front of Double heaven by three lenghths to take the prize. 

This big stamp of a horse took the soft ground in his stride and was a good win for popular jockey Joe Fanning, and backed up his win on the Lingfield all weather surface in March.

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BLOGS

SATURDAY RACING AT FONTWELL PARK

Day two, and Seven more races at the Sussex racecourse. Billed as the racecourses 'Ocoberfest,' the racing with a quality display of early season jumpers ahead of the new season.
Some trainers and jockeys well on their way into double, and some with treble figures of winners already for the new season, the jumping game seems to be in full swing.

Mercers Court

Trainer Neil king sent out the first winner of the afternoon in Mercers Court, the seven year old gelding with his sixteenth run of his career backing up his only other trip to the winners enclosure  at Warwick in April,ridden both times by Trevor Whelan.
The 7/4 shot came over the last ahead, up the Fontwell inclined finish he hung sharply right to the stand side, but held on well to a late challenge from the rider of the winner of the last race the previous day Noel Fehily on Le Legro, in the end winning by a comfortable six lengths.

Vikekhal Joshua Moore

 Again families took a large part of the double header meeting.
Father and son duo Gary and Joshua Moore took the 2m3f Novices handicap chase with the six year old Vikekhal.
Jockey Moore, who rode his first winner back after a long spell on the sidelines from falling on stable star Sire De Grugey at Aintree in April, was thrilled to be back in the winners enclosure, and with his older brothers Jamie and Ryan both back in the plate, the dynasty of Moore is now back in full swing.
Incidentally this could be good omens for the star De Grugey, as Chepstow in a weeks time, rain willing, and going better than ever will be back to kick start his 2015-16 campaign.

Vikekhal

Five pound claimer Lizzie Kelly took the main race of the day, The Clancy Docwra supporting rockinghorse children's charities handicap hurdle over 2m3f. Trainer Nick Williams took the 5 lbs off the back of five year old to back up his last run and win at Wincanton in April.
Kelly produced the horse well, and though wandering up the finish, kept the gelding to his work.

After Eight Sivola

                 

After Eight Sivola Lizzie Kelly

Grand National trainer Dr Richard Newland sent out 15/8 favourite Top Cat Henry for the 2m 5f Handicap chase. The Dr Massini gelding taking twenty six attempts to get into the winners slot and guided home by Will Kennedy beat Midnight Lira by by three lengths.

Top Cat Henry

Another contender for the National in April,possibly not. But as his jumping is good, possibly the Topham wouldn't be out of the question. Only time will tell.

Tokyo Javilex

Nigel Hawke trained the winner of the next. A stayers handicap hurdle over 3m 1f. Amateur jockey Mr L Drowne bringing home Tokyo Javilex by a couple of lengths from Lady of Geneva.

Sean Bowen

Sean Bowen who has had a memorable week, loosing his claim mid week at Cheptstow. And riding a winner already on the previous days racing at Fontwell brings home another winner this time on a John O'Shea's nine year old Tribal Dance. The gelding on his 41st outing has taken his strike rate to 15% with a 6th win of his racing career.

Tribal Dance

The final race of this two day meeting, was for some horses at the start of their racing career. The national Hunt's games equivalent to a maiden. A national hunt flat race over 2m 1f.

Local trainer Sue Smith sent to post Jennifer Eccles for only her third run of her career, compared to the winner of the last race. Tom O'Brien steered home the five year old, taking the lead two furlongs out. And held on well to beat Charlie Longsdon's Vivas by half a length.

Jennifer Eccles

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DAY ONE OF AT DUEL AT FONTWELL PARK

The first day of a double card at the East Sussex course. Bumper crowds and good weather mixed with small but interesting fields,set for a six race meet.
A dry Autumn is seeing the big stars of the jump game stay within their boxes,waiting for the rain to soften the good to firm ground on offer at Fontwell. But horses who like the speed within the turf come out and take their chances.
Trainer Alan King did so that, Oceane, ridden by Wayne Hutchinson, took the 2m 1 f maiden well. Never looked like being beaten, and gave favourite backers every chance.

Oceane

The trainer said he was nervous for this juvenile as he went off,most of his quality string still working and schooling on his all weather surfaces, as he to, is waiting for the rain to soften the turf.
Most of his good horses still at the pre stage of their preparation at present, and it is hoped by the end of the month some maybe ready to begin there claim to fame. This three year old by Kentucky Dynamite may go to Kempton next time out, depending how he comes out of this battle, though not too many questions were asked on the day.


Fontwell being a family friendly course, saw this carry over to the competition.Father and son duo Peter and Sean Bowen, sent Danimix down to the start of the 3 m 1 f handicap chase for conditional jockeys. Sean who recently lost his claim mid week at Cheptsow, still has till Sunday to use his weight allowance, and his first ride as a fully fledged professional jockey saw him steer this ten year old favourite home well. Always looking the winner went clear three fences out to eventual second Sahntou Tiger.

Danimix

The next race, a 2 m 1 f handicap hurdle, saw another favourite take from the bookies purses. Richard Johnson, who is a leading contender for champion jockey this season, had the mount on Charlie Longsdon's Shear Rock. The five year old with a trio of back to back wins, starting from the early spring, drew well clear of Chris Gordon's Disputed.

Shear Rock

Johnson on his 89th winner of the new campaign said 'I though i may of lost it at the second last. It was all down to how well Tom Cannons horse picked up, but my fella battled well up the hill'

The horse, will get the two and half miles as time goes on, but at the moment, the distance was long enough, and is sure one to put in the note books if the ground stays on the firm side of good.




Brothers Harry and Dan Skelton made a quick double for the day.Workbench, mapped out by his trainer to take this £11,710, 2 m 1 f chase feature race of the day, led well before the last and duly made good his price of 3/1, beating David Pipes Purple and Gold by eight lengths.
' Once the rain comes' said the jockey 'these races will be much more competitive, so we must take our chances'

Workbench

Trainer Dan Skelton's double

Sir Mangan

Another 3/1 shot, same jockey and trainer. This time a 3 m 1 f  Handicap hurdle Sir Mangan led easily over the last and stayed on well to beat Cannon Fodder by three lengths. This Severn year old by Darsi,versatile winning on soft on good ground making it a good day for team Skelton.

The last race of the day a 2m 5f novice chase for conditionals, saw two runners go to post.

mesute

Henryville

 Mesute (above) unseating his rider Jack Quinlan at the second while taking a keen hold, left Noel Fehily and Henryville, to battle the rest of the course alone.



The 1/9on favourite had obstacles all the way, fences, loose horses and an enthusiastic crowd. But kept to the task well and landed the £5,198 prize.

Henryville, Noel Fehily

The six year old, by Generous gelding, not having a run since the National meeting, giving Harry Fry his 100th winner as a trainer. And is sure not to have an easier outing again this season.

Images from this meeting, as well as the second day at Fontwell can be seen at

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CLIVE COX ON A CREST OF A WAVE,A VISIT TO BEECHDOWN FARM STABLES

Not the mad hustle and bustle of a work day, or the anticipation of a major race day. But Clive cox's Beechdown farm stables is a shop that never stops working.
Nestled on the top of Sheepdrove lane in Lambourn, you'll find cox's self contained industry working away to prepare his charges for the last part of the Flat turf season.

A good attendance from the West Berkshire racing club, some members being syndicate owners, watch one string glide a steady Severn furlong canter up gallops that have seen both the great and the good ply their trade up the hallowed turf.

Beechdown Farm stables

Alls well, so off the string go.

While the group pondered in the indoor school, the master of Beechdown Farm, talked passionatly about his horses. The relaxed,friendly atmosphere was plain to witness as he disscussed and joked with visitors and staff alike while he gave orders for what work he wanted his horses to do.
A quick look in the mirror  and it was off to the gallops. The guvnor choosing to walk with his guests the short way to the top of the all weather gallop.



Nothing showed their paces this morning, but all completed a steady canter to the top of the severn furlong all weather gallop.
Fruity a three year old filly by Camacho out of a Blues Traveller mare led the string as she tends to take a strong hold. The three year old third in her latest outing at Kempton, seems a progressive sort, and would hope soon double her tally from her win at Leicester in July.

Fruity

The rest of the horses followed on.....................................

Next a tour of the stables.

Little Palaver

Stable star Kodi Bear was well locked away in one of Clive's three americam style barns. The three year old dual group winner, by Kodiac is not adversed to taking chunks out of those who get in his space, so the superstar was viewed only behind the bars of his stall. Others on show though.
Little Palaver by showcasing out of a Emperors fountain mare, who was second at Chepstow at the end of August with stable apprentice Megan Nicholls on board

And Lucky Henry, a six year old by Lucky story out of a Selkirk mare.
Five runs under his belt this season, but not being able to capaltilize on his victory back in 2013 at Windsor

Lucky Henry winning at Windsor 2013

Magic Strike
Know, back to earlier, when writing that the membership secretary of the West berkshire racing club told me she was part of a small syndication of two horses in the yard.Barbra Allen, waxed liberally about how the yard, staff and trainer were so welcoming to groups and sydicates, and showed how proud she was of both her steeds.

Outback Ruler, by Aussie rules out of a Wolfhound mare, is a three year old colt who has had five runs this summer. Winning his contests from 7 furlongs to a mile at Chepstow and Haydock.

Outback Ruler

Magic strike, a two year old colt,by Zebedee out of a Smart Stike mare, has had three runs in it's career, the last one a fourth at Bath at the end of July.

Barbra was right. Beechdown Farm stable has a perfect enviroment for training racehorses. Friendly staff, beautiful surrounding and above all, a trainer, whose progression up the ranks shows onlt there is more to come from him. Clive cox, one to watch and take note.

Images of the visit to Clive's yard can be seen in the horse racing folder of

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