CONTENTS 4.SIZING JOHN 6.LABAIK 7.TIPPING EMPIRE 8.JOCKEY FEATURES 9.FINANCIAL STRUGGLE 10. UN DE SEUAX 11. NOEL FEHILY 12.ROGER HAWKES 13. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS 14. ROBBIE POWER 15.GARY TOAL CONTACT DETAILS EDITOR: Darren Connolly EMAIL: 3FURLONGSOUT@GMAIL.COM
PHONE:07526336735
16. WILL KENNEDY 18.PRO SYNDICATES 18.BOTANICA LTD 19.BRUCE BETTING 20.GORDON ELLIOT 22.GER LYONS 23.TOALS 24.10 TO FOLLOW 26.BUENO BET 27.ONTOAWINNER 28.BRUCE BETTING
THE RISE OF SIZING JOHN
Sizing John’s rise started back on March 30th 2014 at Limerick, in a National Hunt Flat race on heavy going in a 2m Class 1 Listed event, with him finishing 6th to Aminabad by 14 lengths. His next visit to the race course was also as unproductive, when going to Punchestown on April 29th. Again in a 2m National Hunt Flat race on good to Yeilding, finished a few places better in 4th, but still some 17 & 1/4 lengths back to winner Forgotten Rules.
Given a break by trainer Henry De Bromhead, Sizing John returned to the track after 187 days on November 2nd 2014 at Naas, to run in a Novice hurdle over 2m, the going was good to yielding & Sizing John beat Phil’s Magic by 2 lengths when following him then taking the lead 2 out & keeping on to win well. Twenty days later (Nov 22nd) Sizing John lined up against Douvan for the 1st time, these two would meet several times in the next couple of years & with the outcome the same as today’s race, when Sizing John was beaten by Douvan, despite his best efforts by 12 lengths. The Leopardstown meeting after Christmas was a target for Sizing John, when he lined up on December 27th in a Grade 1 Class 1 hurdle over 2m, Douvan was not entered in the race….So sizing John seized his chance to get a win & did by beating Sub Lieutenant by 6 & 1/2 lengths despite running around on his way to the 4th last under Jockey Johnny Burke. Ridden more aggressively he ran out a convincing winner. Given a break of 73 days & entered for the 2015 Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10th, Douvan was again to be a nemesis with Sizing John back in 3rd some 7 lengths behind Douvan with Shaneshill running to place 2nd. Punchestown soon followed (April 28th) & yet another date with Douvan in the Champion Hurdle over 2m, despite a small mistake Sizing John led the field on the way to the straight but yet again. Douvan breezed pasted to win again by 7 lengths. How many times will this happen? Sizing John was sent on a break now until an October return at Punchestown to make his chase debut on good ground over 2m. Sizing John took the lead with 4 fences to go & ran out a convincing 7 & 1/2 length winner from Mr Diablo. He was soon back on the track in November, when taking part in a Grade 2 Class 1 Novice Chase at Punchestown, already a C/D winner, Sizing John took the lead with 7 fences left to go & kept up the good work to beat Lord Scoundrel by 8 lengths & another date with Douvan was on the horizon. Sizing John’s final outing of 2015 was at Leopardstown in a Grade 1 Class 1 Novice Chase over 2m .Sizing John led early before making a slight mistake & dropped to 3rd, soon pushed up to 2nd despite being hard ridden & couldn’t make no impression on the winner, going down by 18 lengths. Yep to Douvan , Sizing John had a break of 80 days before heading for Cheltenham in the spring of 2016..
THE RISE OF SIZING JOHN
Lining up in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham over 2m, Sizing John was beaten by 7 lengths in 2nd yet again by
Douvan He soon headed to Aintree for the Grand National meeting in April, when he lined up in a Grade 1 Class 1 Novice chase but could only finish 3rd to Arzal (No Douvan this time) by 16 lengths with L’ami Serge in 2nd. His final race of the season was back in Ireland at Punchestown in the Ryanair Novice Chase, again lining up against Douvan, Sizing John could only finish 3rd by 22 lengths with The Game Changer in 2nd. During the break, Sizing John’s owners decided to move several horse’s & change trainer’s, John was one of them that was moved to pastures new & off to Jessica Harrington he went, would the change help Sizing John? Will he beat Douvan? With a change of Trainer, came a change of Jockey. He would now be ridden by Robbie Power instead of Johnny Burke. Sizing John would return to the track on December 27th after a break of 243 days at Leopardstown, where he was entered in a Grade 1 Class 1 Chase, again he was up against Douvan, What chance Sizing John?? No chance, finishing an 8 length 2nd to Douvan,for the 6th time Sizing John had finished 2nd to Douvan. 2017 was soon upon them & Sizing John headed to Thurles on January 19th for a Grade 3 Class Chase over 2m 4f, this was an extra 4f further than Sizing John had been racing, but this time their was NO DOUVAN in the field of 6 runners. Sizing John pushed up into 2nd on the straight & eased passed leader Sub Lieutenant to win by 2 & 1/2 lengths
February 12th – Leopardstown – Irish Gold Cup ran over 3m 60y, again Sizing John was sent up in trip & again this time there was NO DOUVAN in the field Sizing John chased the leaders before making a small mistake at the 6th fence , Jockey Robbie Power managed to get him back into a nice rhythm & once again travelling smoothly, he pushed John along to lead at the last, Sizing John stayed on well despite pressure from Empire of Dirt to hold on & win by 3/4’s of a length. This was a Gold Cup winning horse now But would he make it up the Cheltenham hill??? March 17th 2017 – Cheltenham Gold Cup – Grade 1 Class 1 – 3m 2f 20y
A field of 13 runners were entered for the highlight of the final day of the festival, with No Douvan (who had ran in the Queen Mother Champion Chase & was found lame) Sizing John had another extra 2f to travel if he was to be a Duel Gold Cup winning horse & he was up against some seasoned performers like Cue Card who fell at the 4th, like he did in 2016. Robbie Power held Sizing John up in the rear for the 1st circuit of the race & he was soon travelling in a nice rhythm when asked for a bit more 4 from the finish, he was soon moving closer towards the 2 duelling leaders Native River & Djakadam, Power then asked for a final push as he came along side them. Sizing John seized the lead from the pair on the run in, up the hill he went, going further than he had in any other race, With Native River & Djakadam tiring Sizing John’s only challenger was Minella Rocco, who was closing but the line came before Minella & Sizing John won the race by 2 & 3/4 lengths with Minella Rocco in 2nd. This gave his Trainer Jessica Harrington her 1st Cheltenham Gold ARTICLE BY RICH WILLIAMS
TALENTED YOUTH: BOTH EQUINE AND HUMAN
From Laytown layabout to Cheltenham cheerleader, the
Labaik story is as quirky at the horse himself. But I'm sure if you asked his connections how they feel about the antics of their newly crowned Cheltenham Festival winner they'd tell you that extreme quirkiness is no bother. Especially when they're talented in equal measure.
‘The horse who doesn't want to start ,certainly wants to finish this afternoon’
As I arrived at Prestbury Park on that fateful March morning I was met by a dancing grey wearing his best blue rug, a rug that bore the initials of the man destined to become the leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival for the very first time, Gordon Elliott. The horse performing his finest quick step was, of course, Labaik, who has become well known for his extremely playful character and will now forever be remembered as the horse who refused to compete on the beach at Laytown, but stole the show on National Hunt Racing's biggest stage when sailing to success in the 2017 Supreme Novices' Hurdle. You really couldn't write it. In fact, it was perhaps Richard Hoiles who put it best in commentary, remarking superbly; "and the horse who doesn't want to start certainly wants to finish this afternoon!". I couldn't have put it better myself, so I won't even try! The former flat performer ran 8 times on the level before deciding he'd simply had enough and refused to race at Lingfield in May of last year. He did so again on his first start for the all conquering King of Cullentra stables when sent to Laytown for his sea-side mission 4 months later, and Elliott sensed it was time to try something different. Switched to timber, the excitable son of Montmartre appeared transformed, recording a facile maiden success before improving his record over obstacles to 2-2 at Navan in November. He even managed to slot in a victorious return to the flat in between, easily scoring in a Charity race at Leopardstown in the hands of none other than Sheikh Fahad Al Thani. What a horseman he must be! Just when the good ship Elliott appeared to have negotiated the most treacherous of sea's, Labaik decided to test the titanic training talent of Elliott by posting back to back refusals and giving the field a sizeable head start on what can only be described as a less than ideal prep run before boarding the boat and travelling across the Irish Sea to tackle the best 2 mile novices' both Britain and Ireland had to offer. Now, if you can name the last horse to win a Festival race off the back of a 100 length defeat then you're a better person than I, but that certainly didn't bother the strong traveling 6-year-old who loomed up menacingly before the last and simply ran away with the contest, crossing the line with a fair bit in hand and absolutely full of beans under teenage sensation Jack Kennedy. It can barely be considered a surprise that the super 17-year-old Jack Kennedy opened his Cheltenham Festival account last month, belying his tender years and relative Festival experience to notch the final leg of Grade 1 hat-trick this term, having already tasted Lexus Chase success on Outlander before landing the Lawlor's Hotel Novice Hurdle on Death Duty in January. The Kerry kid is already attracting the kind of attention normally confined to those in the upper echelons of the weighing room, and while he can rely on Gordon Elliott to provide him with the most potent ammunition National Hunt racing currently has to offer, it's fair to say we can expect to hear plenty more about the man who can not only get the lethargic Labaik to race, but possesses the tactical ability and sought after skills required to make it to the very peak of his profession. Indeed, the young man is already being heralded as a Champion in waiting. A new star of the weighing room has most certainly been born. What lies ahead for the talented young duo remains to be seen. But they both possess the ability to make a serious mark on a National Hunt game that loves, and indeed needs, it's Champions. Watch this space. ARTICLE BY STUART WILLIAMS
THE TIGER ROLLS ON Exclusive chat with Cheltenham winning jockey Lisa O’Neil
I knew for definite I was riding the Gigginstown stud owned Tiger Roll on the Monday morning of declarations for the Cheltenham festival and I thought he might have a chance if he was on song on the day as he had seemed to be in good order at home at Gordon Elliot's yard.
The atmosphere at Cheltenham racecourse is unbelievable and the roar that erupts when the first race goes off is totally unique and something very special that is very hard to explain but something I will treasure. The race got underway and in my opinion ,I think it's important to have your horse in a position that he is happy with and is comfortable and I was lucky as Tiger Roll travelled so well for the entire race I kind of felt I was going too well too early as he had been very keen with me early on in the race and I was afraid he had done too much too early and you always need something in reserve to get up the hill to the finish. I knew when we turned into the straight that I had a chance but he hadn't been foot perfect during the race so we had the last fences to contend with and then I was home and hosed though During the last few strides towards the line I was just hoping and praying nothing was going to set sail past me as Tiger Roll was getting tired coming to the line but he had enough left to see him win comfortably enough and seal a good days racing for trainer Gordon Elliott I'm still finding it hard for it all to sink in, I never thought I would have been lucky enough to be riding at the festival never mind riding into the winner enclosure. After the race I helped with the rest of the weeks runners taking them to stretch there legs and have a pick of grass and then later in the evening we found time for some celebrations. It's such an adrenaline rush and an amazing feeling when it happens once you can't help but want more. I will continue to ride as much as I can throughout the year and hopefully stay safe this year and see what happens in the future but I would like to win many more this is just the beginning .
KILLIAN HENNESSY EXCLUSIVE It has been a long winter but the flat is finally back and I for one could not be more excited.
Our horses at the Stacks are in great form as proven by Gino Severini winning at Naas on the opening day. I partnered Onenightidreamed in the Irish Lincoln and although we weren't in the first three, he still ran a great race and should be hard to be beat the next day out. ‘Gino’ was Fozzy's first official winner as a trainer and may it be the first of many. I've recently started riding work for Katy Brown, Katy is based in county Carlow, trains alongside her partner Danny Dunne. The pair are working hard to make their presence felt in Irish racing. I've no doubt it won't be long until you see them in the winners enclosure. Whether it's working horses on the Curragh or taking them for a canter on Curracloe Beach, they do what it takes to have them fit and ready to win. Definitely a trainer to keep an eye out for. Lastly I am delighted to announce that I will be sponsored by Bontanica Ireland for the year. You'll be seeing their name a lot this season printed across my breeches as I pass the finish line in front!
THE FINANCIAL STRUGGLE OF THE SMALL TRAINERS Training thoroughbred racehorses is a dream of many people,
although without some cash and a stream of winners it is getting harder to make a living out of training as the big money goys get richer the small trainers struggle to compete against mainly because money talks in this game. Just take for example Adrian Maguire, who after winning a beginners chase at Thurles, admitted that he was having to dip into his own pockets to keep his training career going. It is unfortunately the way it is nowadays with money being so tight after recent financial constraints in Ireland and I can only seem the situation worsening as there is no way we can help one without helping a hundred others, so it is very unfortunate and deeply saddening that it coming down to the wire for the small trainers but that’s where the game is it .
Small trainers are struggling to make ends meet, there is more owners nowadays but they tend to try and send their horses to a more publicised & bigger trainer, with the hope that they can get more improvement from there horse than a lesser known trainer an but that isn't always the case but it is the problem ,the small hardworking trainer is being totally overlooked. I can only hope that the problem of financial trouble for struggling lesser known horse racing trainers can be looked at more closely, surely the racing authorities could do something to help small trainers out? Let me know what you think they could do to support smaller trainers.
Some of the best stories in racing are when a small owner or trainer wins a big race; you can see how much it means to them with their euphoric celebrations in the parade ring. Many a man has been forced to quit his passion because of money problems, let us hope we don’t hear any more trainers packing it in because of this and the conclusion will be this sport will only be for the millionaires as the average joe can not compete and we are not to far away from that scenario at present.
THE PREFORMANCE OF THE FESTIVAL I'll never forget the day I was in the local bookmakers on a Thursday lunchtime and there was a horse making his chasing debut for Mullins at Thurles. Nothing out of the ordinary there but I remember seeing he was massively odds on at 1/8 and thinking that this must be a penalty kick. (Empire Of Dirt was 2nd fav for this race at 8/1) UDS was in the lead before the first fence and just got further and further away from the chasing pack. He was so far ahead in the back straight that the ATR cameras had to flick between showing him and showing the rest of the field as they couldn’t fit UDS and any other horse in one shot. Three fences out UDS make a mistake and fell. Walsh and UDS were thankfully up very quick but he was that good, that ATR were not able to show the moment he actually fell because they had just switched to show the chasing pack. There was no doubt that this performance was special. Looking back at it the only horse that came out of the race was Empire of Dirt who incidentally fell at the second fence in this race. I wrote out a docket there and then for UDS to win the Arkle in 2015 and was convinced that he was the second coming and seeing him dot in at the festival in 2015 at 4/6. I was already convinced as I backed him for the 2016 champion chase before he even ran in the Arkle in 2015. UDS had turned quickly into my favourite horse (well after Hurricane Fly) and I was sure he was to be the best 2miler ever, all he needed was a bit of cut in the ground and to stay on his feet and the world was his oyster. Champion Chase 2016 came round and the young pretender was favourite to beat the mighty Sprinter Sacre who was coming off an injury. I had taken decent odds the year before so I didn't need to steam in at odds on, all I had to do was sit back, watch the race unfold and collect my winnings. Well we all know what happened, Sprinter Sacre wrote his name amongst the legends of racing, rightfully sitting beside Kauto Star as a crowd favourite.
UN DE SCEAUX By Paul Docherty
‘I was sure he was to be the best two miler ever, all he needed was a bit of cut in the ground and to stay on his feet and the world was his oyster.’
Of all the great performances of his career I think he saved his best for the 2017 festival. The Ryanair was the race and he went off 7/4 fav but still pundits doubted him, and respected ones at that. UDS had always been unsettled at the start of a race in the build up, the parade ring and getting down to the start and has always likes to go out and lead from the start but this time Ruby Walsh took a bit of cover early on and sat midfield until a circuit to go then The story of the festival was written, the crowd within a matter of strides he took up the running and had cheered Sprinter Sacre on and there was not a dry them all in trouble. The first few jumps he was a bit hesitant eye in the house. Whilst it was fantastic to see but when he got his cruising speed up he jumped better Sacre cement his place in the history books, the than ever and that usual lump in your throat you get when media were very critical of UDS and that while he he’s coming over one had gone, he has never jumped as was billed as the young pretender leading up to the good. Approaching the last there was only one winner and race that’s all he was; a pretender. People saying he took the last jump like he never had a problem with UDS had no heart was just the usual people who fences. Sub Lieutenant closed up the hill but it was too late. weren’t racing fans and the same ones who are Ruby Walsh and Un De Sceaux had just produced the perquick to dismiss a horse as quick. I was convinced formance of the festival. Walsh had drawn a blank on the he was much better than that and like all racing fans first two days of the festival and there were mutterings of when you have a horse you follow everywhere its maybe Ruby was just getting old and not as good as he hard to let go. By the following season this worked used to be. How fickle are some people? How quickly peoout very well from a punting point of view and after ple forget how blessed we are to have the greatest jumps two runs in France, the new tougher UDS was seen jockey still performing at this level, just watch his ride on at the Tingle Creek at Sandown, led then headed Yorkhill about an hour and half before the Ryanair if you then fought back to win against Sire Du Grugy. really need to be convinced. Either way that performance will live long in the memory.
THE QUIET MAN OF THE WEIGHING ROOM NOEL FEHILY By Jamie Lindsey
With so much talent in the weighing room nowadays in the world of jumps racing, it is getting harder and harder to pick out an outstanding jockey
Richard Johnson is for sure one of them. Although at the recent Cheltenham Festival, one quietly spoken man captured the headlines and two of the sports biggest prizes. That man is indeed Noel Fehily. Noel’s attitude to jockeying is “I let the race happen rather than try to make it happen”. That was evident in the Champion Hurdle, where he had his horse Buveur D’Air in the perfect spot throughout, sitting in midfield and making his move around the home turnFehily’s mount shot away and kept up the gallop to win readily, It was a second win in the championship race for Noel. Just 24 hours later he was at it again. While many will remember the 2017 Champion Chase for the injury to hot favourite Douvan, let us not forget that Fehily was inch perfect as he judged the pace beautifully on front runner Special Tiara to register another big festival winner. In the last 5 or so years he has finally got the recognition he deserves for his top class riding ability. Just as I write this, today Noel has picked up another great spare ride, this time in the Grand National aboard leading fancy Blaklion. It would be no surprise if he were to add the National to his impressive CV.
‘There will be many more big days ahead for the softly spoken man of the weighing room’
ROGER HAWKES OUR SYSTEMS ANALYSER LOOKS FOR LOOPHOLES AND ANGLES TO FIND
Older sprinters hitting form
1. In races of 5&6 furlongs. 2. Consider any horse aged four years or more. 3. It finished in the first three last time out. 4. Its latest race took place within the last 30 days. 5. It finished out of the first three on at least three consecutive occasions before its most recent run (for example, form figures of 146892 would qualify). 6. Ignore any race in which there is more than one qualifier. Logic: Of all the different types of racehorse, perhaps the most prone to alternating sequences of good and bad performance are older sprinters. They can be out of form for a long time before suddenly producing one run which sparks a resurgence. This improved level of performance may continue for a short
Oldest 2 Year Old in the Race – Ideal for early season 2 Year Old Races In any race for 2YOs where the number of runners with experience is less than the number of places available, bet the oldest unraced horse each-way. For example, a race with eight runners, of which only two have run before, would qualify, as would a six-runner affair where only one had run. Ignore any race in which there is more than one qualifier. Logic: Unraced 2YOs can be a bit of a mystery, but the fact is that some are much more developed than others. Though they all share the same official birthday (1st August), some of them can be a bit older than others. This can prove a big advantage when unraced 2YOs compete against each other. The each-way element of the bet respects the fact that the runners to have seen a racecourse before, regardless of actual age, have a proven advantage in terms of experience.
HORSES RUNNING BACK INTO FORM
Bet any horse that won its last race, provided that: 1. The race came within the last 30 days. 2. It finished out of the first three in each of its three previous races. 3. It has run at least four times in total under the code of today's race (flat or jumps). 4. There are no other qualifiers in the race. Logic: There are many reasons for a horse suddenly hitting form following a period in the doldrums (new yard, low handicap mark, new trip, different tactics, headgear etc). When this happens, the confidence it restores in the horse is often enough to spark a resurgence, even though it may only be a brief one. If the horse is able to run again shortly afterwards, it may retain its new-found form and repeat the recent win particularly before the handicap mark rises again.
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EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH ROBERT CHOC THORNTON Who inspired you to become a Jockey? I’m not sure who inspired me, although I was captivated by a horse called desert orchid.
What horse would you like to have ridden? Masterminded when he beat Voy Poy in the Queen Mother What was your favourite of all your Cheltenham winners: My Ways in the Arkle. He was so easy to ride , Push button ride Apart from Cheltenham, what was your favourite Track & why? Newbury, it’s very fair track lots of space and time. Did you have a Routine or Superstition as a Jockey? Yes I was always very early then would sit in the sauna for half an hour or so with tea and a banana. Red seemed to be lucky. I was asked to wear it for sponsors when that finished if I took the gloves off I had dreadful luck. What advice would you give to young Jockey’s just starting out? Ride for along as you can because when you give up you have to work!
How do you relax away from work? Gym, snowboard and Skiing, spending time with my 2 boys.
EXCLUSIVE FROM JOCKEY SEAN DAVIES We recently caught up with a young flat jockey ‘Sean Davies’
Sean first got into in horse racing when his cousin who worked in a
point to point in Co. Meath and brought him to work with him regularly and he got hooked on it straight away ,adds to the conversation ‘I went to the racing academy in Kildare and got sent to work for Michael O'Callaghan ,who is now my boss and he signed me on as an apprentice. Which ‘ I am overwhelmed by way things are going and I am very confident of a big year’ When asked about his time so far as a jockey he responded ‘I've had a good journey so far riding my first winner for my boss in Leopardstown and riding my biggest winner on champions weekend in a premier handicap for Donal Kinsella after coming back from an injury which I really got a great buzz out of and I aim to keep improving my riding and learning from the best. We asked him wat is was like being an apprentice, Davies respond ’ thankfully we have some very good riders and jockeys in the yard and I'm learning plenty from them, which I feel is really helping me in all aspects of race riding and ‘The worst part about being an apprentice is it's hard work, but all aspects of the game are if I am going to push forward it will all be worth it in the end. Sean has left school straight after his junior certificate, as being involved in horse racing was his ambition and was inspired by a lot of the professionals to name a few Pat Smullen and Ryan Moore would be the two he really looks up to as role models but he respects There is a lot of very good apprentices and jockeys around at the minute but he is really focusing on being the best of the bunch and is hoping that this season he can have a good year and have a go at the apprentice title the following year, his ultimate aim is to be a professional jockey and stable jockey to a good trainer, which he feels is his my boss, as he really enjoys working there and the stable is really improving every year and the future looks bright for the yard and for this really promising jockey who is willing to put the hard graft in to get the results .
ROBBIE POWER THE JOCKEY WHO STRUCK GOLD Robbie Power the son of Irish show jumper Con
Power was always destined to have a career in some form of equestrian sport. While as a child and into his early teen it looked like Robbie would follow his father’s footsteps and become an equestrian rider, He won many awards during his equestrian career. He soon set his mind on becoming a jockey, and won his first race in 2001 at the Punchestown Festival in Ireland, on Younevertoldme. After this victory he became professional and won the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Bob What. Further big victories for the well liked jockey include the Galway Plate, Munster National & a superb ride to win the 2007 Grand National aboard Silver Birch. At the young age of 25 it was a huge boost for the Irishman to get the famous Aintree race ticked off his big races to win list. Robbie gained his first Cheltenham Festival winner in 2011 RSA Novices Chase riding Boston’s Angel for Jessica Harrington, the pair certainly make a very good combination as we have seen time and time again, the pair winning races across the country and beyond. A bad fall at last year’s Galway Festival injured Power’s right eye socket, leaving it permanently damaged. With the help of some specially made goggles, Power teamed up with Harrington again to ride three winners at the Cheltenham Festival. One of them included the holy grail of Jumps racing, the Gold Cup. Sizing John travelled very well into the race after tracking 3-1 favourite Ruby Walsh on Djakadam all the way; Robbie guided Sizing John up into second place and took the lead two jumps out. The run up the hill must have seemed extra long but Robbie had giving him a brilliant ride for a well deserved win for Sizing John. The pair will team up again at Punchestown in late April. So Look out fellow jockeys, because Robbie has indeed got the power.
ARTICLE By Jamie Lindsey
GET TO KNOW THE BOOKIE
Tell us about your self and Toals? Toals Bookmakers is a family run business which was established in 1932. The first branch was opened in Ballymena, Co. Antrim and since then the company has progressed rapidly in size and reputation; we currently have 50 recently modernised branches located throughout every county within Northern Ireland. We began our online site in January 2016 and our app launched last May. Aims for the future with Toals? Continue to offer a first class retail betting experience through outstanding customer service. We also want to continue to grow our tele betting and online channels. We will look to move into the Irish market very soon. Online Gambling views? It has really revolutionised the industry. It is great for the customer in that they can now place bets on the go, however the online gambling world is very competitive, customers can now browse and search online for the best prices and specials, therefore at Toals we need to ensure we are offering a premium service 24/7. Gambling laws what would you like to see improved? Sunday opening of course. Most Memorable horse racing moment? Watching Kauto Star win his fifth King George at Kempton, the atmosphere was electrify Favourite jockey of all time? Tony Mc Coy – even though he as cost me a fortune over the years. Interests outside work? I’m a keen golfer, so try get out onto the course whenever I can.
Advice for someone looking to venture into your field of work? Are you wise?
WILL KENNEDY INTERVIEW
Jockey Will Kennedy is enjoying his best season in the saddle for the first time in his career he brought up his 50th winner of the National Hunt year, on board Raise A Spark at Catterick last month. Since linking up with Northern based handler Donald McCain last year, Kennedy has finished in the top two on more than 25% of his rides, with his numbers continuing to improve over recent seasons. We catch up with Will and he takes some time out to talk
How did you get involved in horse racing? I grew up on The Curragh in Ireland - if you're not involved in horses there, you've got lost somewhere. My father rode on the flat & then trained. I used to take my pony up the gallops. I've never thought of doing anything else.
What do you consider as your most memorable winner so far? Riding my 50th winner this season. There was a time a few years ago I wondered whether I was wasting my time. To reach that milestone was a huge relief.
Do you have a biggest disappointment or regret in racing during your career so far? I should have got in to a bigger yard earlier. I was a dedicated young jockey that was getting good opportunities from Noel Chance early in my career but it took me too long to build on that.
What is your favourite racecourse to ride and why? Always great to ride round the big tracks but as a jockey you have a soft spot for the tracks you've enjoyed some luck so it's Market Rasen for me.
WILL KENNEDY INTERVIEW What is your favourite racecourse to ride and why? Always great to ride round the big tracks but as a jockey you have a soft spot for the tracks you've enjoyed some luck so it's Market Rasen for me. If you could give our readers one horse that you're involved with to follow over the next year or so, who would it be? Testify was 2nd to a good horse over an insufficient trip at Chepstow after winning his first start. He's won since & is definitely one to keep an eye on.
If you were told you could only have one winner from this day onwards, in what race would that winner be? The Gold Cup. It's the one everyone wants to win.
Do you have any advice for young, up and coming jockeys starting out? Take it seriously every day. You might not get loads of rides initially but when they come round your weight must be good, your fitness & strength must be good, your mental state must be good. Find an equicizer & give it hell daily. Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.
If you could have an ultimate dinner party and invite three guests, past or present, who would they be and why? My brother Viv died in a racing accident at 21. I was only 7. What I wouldn't do to enjoy a drink with him now. Alex Ferguson would be high up the list- I think he collects wine too so hopefully he'd bring a bit! Tommy Tiernan can bring the jokes!
What are your main interests and hobbies outside of racing? My girlfriend & I have a sociable house that's always full of people- we have guests over a lot. Otherwise, I'm looking forward to a few rounds of golf with the boys this Summer!
ARTCLE BY CHRIS PRICE
GORDON ELLIOTT FEATURE Father from Fermanagh, his mother from Fiji neither a hurling stronghold said Michael O Muircheartaigh while lamenting a famous win for Cork hurlers in the All Ireland Final. The rebel in question was Sean óg Ó hAilpín who had come a long way from Fiji to the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift Liam McCarthy. Passers-by of racing often comment that our great sport is one of elitism, land and money. A lazy observation, but one cannot argue that Gordon Elliot represents this view of Horse Racing. Gordon Elliot doesn’t come from a racing background, he is a proud Meath man but he has found himself within touching distance of becoming champion trainer in Ireland. Gordon’s father Pat was a mechanic and Gordon began his racing life as an amateur jockey. He wasn’t without success and he ended up with an excellent 46 winners on the track alone. Vitally, through his contact with the great Martin Pipe and Tony Martin his love for training was ignited, names he still checks as some of the greatest influences on him and in his career. In 2006 I was still in school and unfortunately big national hunt meetings clash with school. But luckily for me my love for racing was aided by my father allowing me to skip an afternoon or two to watch Aintree and Cheltenham. But it wasn’t on a school day that Gordon Elliot first came to prominence but on the biggest racing Saturday of the year. Silver Birch won the grand national for Gordon in 2006, a day that changed his life and certainly racing in Ireland. A rare couch pundit that Saturday knew the name but ten years on they would sing his name after Don Cossack had won the Gold Cup under Bryan Cooper in Cheltenham. He hadn’t trained a winner in Ireland but had won the most prestigious handicap in National Hunt. From that year Gordon would almost double his winners year on year shooting him to the upper echelons of training tables. Let’s take that into context, there are a numerous training operations in Ireland but not a lot if any make an incremental improvement on winners over ten years. In a year where we have seen some very high profile stables go out of business it surely is inspiring for any young aspiring trainer that it can be done. As Elliott’s success, has grown, so too has his operation, he now has around 150 horses in training and, between full and part-time staff, has about 60 people working for him at his base in Longwood, Co Meath. Gordon started by winning at tracks at home and in Britain that weren’t flashy. It is here that he began to increase his horses and owners. Chicago Grey was a brilliant winner for Gordon and with his first Cheltenham winner he was now entering the big leagues. Great trainers always mention the team within the stable and Gordon always namechecks his stable staff when talking about his wins. A stable can’t run on one person but it’s clear that the staff owners and racing fans enjoy Elliot’s honest straight talking nature. Some trainers shy away
‘Gordon Elliot doesn’t come from a racing background, he is a proud Meath man but he has found himself within touching distance of becoming champion trainer in Ireland’
GORDON ELLIOTT FEATURE
One would argue that last year’s Gold Cup victory couldn’t be beaten, his stock couldn’t rise any higher than it did on that rainy day last March. But Gordon has surpassed that this year. The Mullins yard generally takes until November to churn out winners but Gordon had started the season early. He won the Galway Plate with Lord Scoundrel and a couple weeks later Wrath of Titans gained victory in Listowel. Most bookies still had Mullins odds-on to win the trainer`s title and even after the news of the O Leary`s leaving Clossuton and that Gordon would be benefactor of some extra fire power, it’s a brave man who would think that by March, Gordon would have such a strong lead in the Championship. Willie Mullins has had an Alex Ferguson like grip on the Trainers title in recent times, this time last year Willie was eyeing the prize of possibly being British Champion Trainer until his assault came unstuck by the drying ground of Sandown. But Gordon is currently odds-on to break the Willie Mullins streak, and take his very first Champion trainers award. The Gigginstown split which certainly boosted Gordons chances for the season, but people still weren’t taking his chances seriously, until November that is. Troytown day, a day on the calendar for any Meath man, and Gordon struck a six-timer, at odds of 41,276-1. His knack of coupling Graded winners with handicap winners was sure now to prove a potent weapon in his quest to conquer Willie.
‘The Gigginstown split which certainly boosted Gordons chances for the season, but people still weren’t taking his chances seriously, until November that is’
Two great trainers, two great men, and two great stables. If Christmas came early to some, it came late to Willie Mullins as he again dominated the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, even adding winners in Limerick. But Gordon kept his nose in front with some well-placed horses in January. If there is a sign of the season, then just look at the Supreme Novice in Cheltenham. Willie Mullins Melon and Gordons Labaik. Two horse from different stables, different colours but both supremely talented. And yet it was Labaik who came out on top. There are several important fixtures ahead in Ireland in the next couple of weeks, Fairyhouse over Easter and Punchestown. Both trainers will be trying their best to win the trainers championship but one thinks that if Gordon manages to win the Irish National on Easter Monday, the Easter eggs won’t be the only things cracked open and good celebrations would be well deserved.
ARTICE BY CARTY BAN
GER LYONS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW How many do you have in training this year? Full yard of 90 stables, with dozen or so on the side-lines in Colin's. Last year you had a great season, where you happy with it?
I was but that next Grade one is proving a very hard nut to crack! What horses are you most looking forward to this season Psychedelic Funk seems to be recovering well & has grown a lot , I would hope he could develop into a Commonwealth type. I think I've a nice bunch of 3yr olds .(fingers crossed) Favourite racetrack?
I've a few I love but mainly Navan & Naas Colin Keane is an incredible jockey what first took your attention to him? In hindsight it looks obvious but I was taken with him from the moment I met him. I look forward to hanging onto his coat tails as he rises to the top! He epitomises everything I like in a jockey, dedication, patience & a phenomenal temperament What improvements in Irish racing would you like to see? I would like the program to return to the property of the industry & not the tracks. There are too many incidents of tracks not releasing races to other tracks that are preferable due to weather or such like. The Curragh's redevelopment is a case in point. Basically if a track can't fulfil its fixture on said date then the authorities should be able to run fixtures elsewhere immediately without apology
Give us a horse that has gone under the radar?
As he's only ran once I'm not sure under the radar is fair but I'm looking forward to running INSAYSHABLE. how do you relax away from racing? I used to bike a fair bit but not so much now. I love my dogs & enjoy walking with them & I love watching sport on tv and when I get into a box set I don't stop till Its finished
10 FLAT HORSES TO FOLLOW By MARK KEATING
The 2017 Flat Season has begun and I've put together my ten to follow for the season. Aidan O Brien looks to
have a very strong team again this term and should win plenty of Group 1's, while familiar names like Almanzor, Jack Hobbs and Minding are back for another year. The Derby has some good names in it if not a stand out favourite but the favourite is Churchill who has more obvious claims in the 2,000 Guineas. That horse could be very good but the horse I'm most looking forward to this year is Caravaggio who is freakishly fast. Zebedee is a stallion I'll continue to follow this year but while I'll get no points for originality, the stallion who I'm most looking forward to is Australia who's first crop of two year olds will see the track in 2017. The horse was a beautifully balanced and lovely moving horse. He was very correct and looks the heir apparent to Galileo. Almanzor For me, this son of Wotton Bassett was Europe's best horse of 2016. His win in the Irish Champion Stakes was magnificent as it was possibly the best race of the season in terms of quality. He ran well to the line beating subsequent Arc winner, Found, and though he won the Champion Stakes on British Champions Day I felt this horse looked like stepping up in trip would suit. The difference in races up to 1 mile 2 furlongs and beyond that are significant in that handicapped horses below that distance are rated 2 pounds per length with a pound per length above it. That is reflection on race speeds but Almanzor has a high enough cruising speed to suggest he will take to it before showing his pace. I noted that some bookies make him Arc favourite and I think he could be a massive player in that autumnal contest.
Best of Days Hugo Palmer took the 2,000 Guineas last season with Galileo Gold and I think he has another strong classic contender this year in the Azamour colt Best of Days. His Royal Lodge win may not have brought the house down but I believe that form could be worth a lot this season. The horse is a beautiful mover and covers plenty of ground. If the Royal Lodge showed us something it was that he needs a trip and the second he hit the line at Newmarket I put him down as the Derby horse. I think he'll love Epsom's undulations and he should see the trip out well. Worth a bet at the current odds of 20/1.
Caravaggio My main passion in flat racing is on Bloodstock and watching horses perform makes me consider their nicks and potential for breeding. However, now and again a horse arrives on the scene that grabs me into its fan club. Sea the Stars and St Nichols Abbey could have Caravaggio joining them in that regard. When I watched this horse win the Phoenix Stakes I was immediately thinking he's more of a sprinter and with pace up to 45 miles per hour you would have to think that's what he will be. Whether or not he takes in the Guineas remains to be seen but ultimately I think he'll be running over shorter trips. However, if he does go to Newmarket and wins then we could be looking at something very special.
Churchill I first thought Churchill might be a Derby horse but I'm now leaning to him being a top class miler. If his talent isn't mostly precocious, then he could well be the best horse around this season. He was rated highly as a juvenile and hopeful the Galileo can train on but to be fair they almost always do. He's the worthy favourite for the 2,000 Guineas and he will take plenty of stopping in that. Mehmas was a solid yardstick last season and Churchill ate him for breakfast in the National Stakes. He is a very exciting horse.
10 FLAT HORSES TO FOLLOW By MARK KEATING Cliffs of moher demolished his rivals in a three year old maiden on the opening day of the flat season and at the back end of last season he himself was hammered by Cliffs of Moher. He could be a dark horse in the Guineas but it might be that he waits for the Irish renewal as Aidan o Brien has a strong hand at Newmarket and this fella is only twice raced. Nonetheless, he's one to keep an eye on and as said the strength in Ballydoyle's mile department could see this fella as a lively dark horse. He has a lovely pedigree being a Galileo out of a granddaughter of Danehill, bloodlines which have mixed to huge success. The presence of Kingmambo on the second dam's page further influences the chances of Cliffs of Moher excelling as a miler. Jack Hobbs' win in the Dubai Sheena Classic not only told us that he was back after a pelvic injury but that he was better than ever. He beat a quality field proven internationally and looks set for a big season. The 2015 Irish Derby winner was subsequently cut for the Arc but being a Halling and with likely soft ground, I would be more cautious about his chances in such a contest. The Coronation Cup looks the first big race for him and he should take a lot of stopping even if a likely strong field shows up. He would be a lovely type for the Breeders Cup Turf at Del Mar and he now has the beating of reigning champion, Highland Reel, on his cv.
Order of St George It's fair to say that this horse didn't replicate his Ascot Gold Cup performance subsequently - although he was a fine third in the Arc - but the win at the Royal meeting blew me away. He travelled so powerful for two and a quarter miles before killing his opponents in two strides at the 2 furlong marker. All roads will lead back to Ascot in June and while it's more hopeful at the moment, a return to that form would see him beat what could be a decent field. He was highly rated last season as Ireland's best horse and here's hoping he can continue at that level.
Rhododendron The magnificent pedigree of Rhododendron is complimented with a fine juvenile season. She's by the legendary Galileo out of the Pivitol mare Halfway to Heaven, a Sunchariot winner. She should do well over the mile but her two year old form suggests she will appreciate a step up and based on that she'll be a nice Oaks mare. In the Fillies Mile she ran away from the very useful Hydrangea over a mile so a bigger, stronger mare should see affective over twelve furlongs.
Spain Burga fruitless trip to the Breeders Cup shouldn't sour the ability of the Sageburg filly. Her Rockfel Stakes win looks good form as it was a very good field and Frankel's talented daughter, Fair Eva, was 1 1/4 lengths in arrears. She looks a nice 1,000 Guineas chance and a mile should be her trip. Sageburg' stock are a good strength.
The Anvil This maiden is crying out for a trip in my view. He kept some good company as a juvenile but ultimately I see him as a Leger horse and the stamina test looks set to be the making of him. He's a big price for that race at the moment but if he can lose his maiden tag over a longer distance then he's been running, then all of a sudden his form behind Best of Days begins to make him a big player. It's a bit of a stab
CHANGING THE BETTING INDUSTRY There’s probably not a better time to write this article. As the bookies can’t count their Cheltenham winnings fast enough and punters reel in despair I sit here writing this with my own sense of rue. I haven’t lost any money, but some wonderful charities have. I recently set up buenobet.org, a website that ensures if you sign up for popular betting accounts through our links then you’ll ensure future losses benefit racing charities. It’s a beautifully simple little idea that was made possible by the often-abused affiliate programs that bookmakers offer. You see, anyone signed up for affiliate programs will earn a commission on the losses of those they’ve introduced to a bookmaker (via their links). Unfortunately this program is often exploited by ‘tipsters’ who have absolutely no interest their followers actually winning money. Furthermore these programs are sparsely regulated, leaving affiliates free to make all the claims of profit they want. Affiliates are easy to spot, essentially if you see a link to a bookmaker offer on a page that isn’t the bookmakers, it’s almost certain they’re an affiliate. I’m sure 3FurlongsOut won’t mind me pointing out they’re an affiliate, though it’s obvious from their dearth of spamming and bookmaker links that they don’t rely on this as a main source of income. Plus, they’re giving me a platform to promote an idea that has the potential to change the affiliate practice, and by way of doing so, the betting industry. In short, they’re not the bad guys. The bad guys are the clandestine clan who whilst blocking you for mentioning the word affiliate or asking for proof of their own bet slips, count their own winnings along with the bookies. They tell you they’re going to bash the bookies today but the only way they make money is if the reverse happens. They tell you their ‘tipster’ is confident of today’s picks when the tipster they’re referring to could be their flatmate, business partner or just as likely non-existent. However buenobet.org real aim isn’t to take down or shine a light on these schemes, we simply hope this will be a fortunate consequence of our organisation. Our aim is more positive. Buenobet.org offers people with the best way to bet, and providing you haven’t signed up for all eight bookmakers we offer, there really isn’t any excuse not to bet via us. Of course, no punter plans on losing any money, but ensuring that your money doesn’t go to waste if you do lose is a fantastically easy and benevolent thing to do. Whilst the affiliate practice offers schemers the opportunity to run their inverted Robin Hood practices, it can be much bigger than that, it can literally change the betting industry. Most affiliates receive commissions around 30%, but this relies on people signing up consistently. We’ve only had two sign-ups to date, with different bookmakers, and to maintain the best level of commission to benefit our charities, we need more, a lot more. And with it being such an easy thing to do, why wouldn’t you do it? Some of these affiliates can make hundreds of thousands of pounds a month (and with the way the festival’s going at the moment perhaps they’ll make more), and I can’t begin to express how better served this money could be in going to charities. So without further ado let’s move on to the charities. We’ve picked three to begin with, all helping those finding themselves on the wrong side of the sports we love to bet on. One day we hope we can add more, but for that to happen we need people to spread the word and start betting better. The Injured Jockeys Fund support injured Jockeys and their families with no financial or time limits. They help fund on course physios as well as a retraining program that helps ex jockeys find new employment after racing. They literally help save and rebuild lives. The Racehorse Rescue Center is are dedicated to the care and retraining of unwanted or vulnerable racehorses. They also work with people who suffer or have suffered PTSD, ADHD, Autism, FAS and bullying (and more) as we know horses work wonders and provide therapy themselves. Lastly The Retired Greyhound trust is a lovely charity rehoming approximately half of all retired greyhounds every year, but despite that there are so many more they can assist, and we’re going to help them. Ultimately this game-changing idea can not succeed without your help. It’s such a simple thing to do that can make such a positive difference. Whether you bet lots, or bet little, win more than you lose or lose more than you win, do it with buenobet.org. And if you really have exhausted all the betting account options available then share this article, tell your friends, get them to sign up. Above all else we need sign ups to ensure the charities benefit from the maximum amount of commission. And that’s the best way to bash the bookies, even when you’re losing
WWW.BUENOBET.ORG
EXCLUSIVE MONTHLY Cheltenham proved to be a fantastic spectacle that truly lived up to its hype. Willie Mullins had lost his touch by Wednesday evening and regained it in emphatic style by Thursday. There were so many highs and some lows but overall a superb meeting from start to finish. As the sun set on the 2017 Cheltenham Festival, thoughts immediately turn to the flat and our busiest time of the year at OnToAWinner. We have loads of really exciting prospects for the year ahead. Quiet Reflection will continue to be the flagship horse, we have plenty of older horses and 2 year olds ready to go. We have added 6 new trainers and an army of horses ahead of this season; needless to say we are chomping at the bit to get started. All of our owners are really looking forward to the season ahead, it really is an exciting time of year and great friendships are formed though racing and the enjoyment people get out of owning a share in a racehorse.
In the last couple of weeks, we have added Group 1 winning G Force to the string. He is a fantastic addition to the string and stays in Adrian Keatleys yard. He will be targeted at races like the Stewards Cup, the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Ayr Gold Cup. We look forward to many good days out with him. We have had great reports on our 2 year olds and look forward to them taking to the track. Our early season older horses are ready to go. London Protocol is one to keep an eye on. He runs in the Spring Mile and we would like to think he is capable of running a big race. Keep an eye on 3 Furlongs out to monitor our progress throughout the season. We still have shares available in a wide range of horses, it’s a great time to get involved and minimise the amount of trainings fees required prior to a run. Check out www.ontoawinner.net