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3: Jack Kennedy Interview
18: Sizing John Feature
4: Mark Walsh Feature
19:PRO Racing Syndicate
5:Ontoawinner
20:Life Changing Ante post
6:Online Abuse
21: In Depth Thistlecrack
7:Denis Coakley
22: Dundalk Stadium
8:Toals Feature
23: Dundalk Stadium overview
9:Thistlecrack
24: JP Festival
10: All Systems Go
25: Toals Bookmakers
11:Liam Hall
26: Bruce Betting
12:Bruce Betting
27: Karis Teetan
13:Don Cossack
29: Sally Ann Grassick
14:Tipster Empire
30: The Final Word
15:Calfornia Chorme 16:Toals Feature 17: Jezki Contact Us Editor : Darren Connolly Phone: 07526336735 Email: 3furlongsout@gmail.com
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The rise of young sensational jockey Jack Kennedy has been something of a revelation , he has always came with a hefty reputation from his younger days in pony racing but at present there is no jockey higher in demand in Ireland and the future very promising .We recently caught up with him and asked him a few questions Q1: How did you get involved in horse racing? Jack : My brothers Michael and Paddy have always been involved, so from a young age I was highly Involved. Q2: Most memorable day so far in horse racing? Jack: Defiantly winning the Lexus chase at Christmas on Outlander was the most memorable to date Q3: Plans for the future Jack: I have no plans really for the future just to keep the head down and keep riding winners mainly Q4: Horse to watch out for this year. Jack: Brelade looks a serious horse for this season and could take some stopping. Q5: Death Duty horse what is your views and thoughts is it a banker at Cheltenham Jack: Yes I think he goes there with a great chance as all he does is stay and the race last time there was no pace and it didn't suit him and even if Augusta Kate stayed on her feet I feel he would have had her measure as he really picked up going to the line.
Q6: Social Media backlash ,what's your views? Jack: It doesn't really bother me , when people are giving out you must be doing something right ,I think you have to take it all on the chin and not look into the abuse but no it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Q7: Do you find a difference race riding in England than to Ireland? Jack: Yes I do find it different they seem to get the race going earlier in England and you seem to have more room as in Ireland they ride very tight together,
Q8: Advice for a young jockey starting out Jack: Surround your self with good people and listen to others advice Q9: How do you relax away from horse racing Jack : I generally be very busy but if I do get time I head back home to Dingle for a bit of time out which I enjoy
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‘RIDING WITH SOME SERIOUS CONFIDENCE’ One of the first questions Mark Walsh must get asked is, are you related to Ruby Walsh. He isn’t actually but you wouldn’t notice as Mark is one of the best jockeys riding in Ireland at the moment. Mark currently sits in third place in the Irish Jumps jockey table, with 52 winners, just two behind Jack Kennedy in 2nd. One of the big owners in Jumps Racing JP McManus is a big supporter of Mark and is the millionaire’s number two jockey after his retained jockey Barry Geraghty .
Over the past couple of season’s Mark’s riding has really gone from strength to strength, he was on course to be Champion Jockey in 2014, sadly injury ruined any hopes of that. Although for sure someday in the near future I can see Mark becoming Champion Jockey, he has all the attributes needed to do that. Mark had the best day of his career so far in 2016, when he gave Carlingford Lough a superb ride to win the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. It was a huge victory for Walsh, as I feel he doesn’t get the recognition he deserved. Another Grade 1 winner followed in December, Mark won the Drinmore Novices Chase on the smart stayer Coney Island. With Cheltenham closing in quickly Mark will be keen to break his JP McManus will have plenty of ammunition and who knows, the first string doesn’t always win. He also may pick up some nice spare rides during the four days, particularly with the Gordon Elliott team who use Mark whenever he is available. While all eyes were on Cheltenham last Saturday, Mark was busy doing what he does best, riding winners. A great hat trick at Naas was all the evidence you need to see that Mark is riding with some confidence at the moment.
ARTICLE BY JAMIE LINDSEY
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FROM GRADE ONE WINNING HORSE RACING SYNDICATE We have had a very busy January at Ontoawinner. We have had stable visits to Adrian Keatley’s, Ollie Pears, John Quinn’s, Tim Easterby’s, Ben Haslam’s and Karl Burke’s. Since we established the Ontoawinner syndicate in 2011, we have grown to having 51 horses currently in training and we arrange stable visits periodically so owners can view their horses. Our stable visits are always very well attended. They are one of the most enjoyable parts of being a racehorse owner. They offer a superb insight into racing and our owners often learn a lot about the sport they love. It’s terrific to see the older horses and to see the progress that the yearlings and last year’s 2 year olds have made.
We have been lucky enough to have group winners in each of our last 3 seasons but our current string, headed by Quiet Reflection is no doubt the strongest we have had since we formed. The team is spread across 12 trainers in England, Ireland and France. We have added 18 yearlings to the team this year due to fantastic demand from our owners. We have colts and fillies by some very exciting sires including Showcasing, Elzaam, Helmet, Mayson and a fantastic looking Declaration of War filly that is trained by Fabrice Chappet in Chantilly. The Declaration of War filly is to be named French Reflection and she will be racing for some fantastic premiums in France. Along with adding yearlings, we have added Monks Stand to our ranks who is trained by Tim Easterby with whom we purchased him with at the recent horse in training sales. He was purchased out of Jeremy Noseda’s yard and was a multiple juvenile winner at 2. He has a current rating of 86 and adds quality to our string for the season ahead. He won 2 and placed in 3 of his 8 starts as a 2 year old, an impressive season. He will be a Saturday horse that will take us on all of the big tracks and adds quality to our string for the season ahead. We will be having more stable visits in February to Archie Watson’s, Michael Bell’s, George Scott’s and Dan Kubler’s. All are welcome, if you would like to attend, email ronan@ontoawinner.net for details. All of our available shares can be found on www.ontoawinner.net/ available-shares.
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Sportsmen and women live in the ever glaring public spotlight, and, when their talents are displayed at the very top of their chosen discipline, in our ever popular age of social media, it is custom that their performance, whether good or bad, is discussed and analysed by supporters and media alike. However, there is an distasteful and often faceless element who move from justified criticism to personal and unacceptable abuse. Social media is a wonderful tool, it connects people who have similar interests and provides a platform for conversation and debate. Right now, you and I are connected and the likelihood is that we have never met, and, it is probable that we never will, and, that you stay some considerable distance from me – but, through the medium of Twitter, the internet, we can communicate our thoughts about racing. Not just that, but these days we have a direct communication link with our sportsmen and just about anybody on Tv which until fairly recently was unheard of. We have expert analysis, or comments, direct from the source, from those at the thick of the action and delivered at a time only moments after the sporting performance. Wow - what a remarkable instrument of correspondence and connection we have at our fingertips. Fabulous, isn't it? Sadly, however, it is misused by the gremlin's of society; their fingertips type negativity and hate, they use the platform not to converse and create community, but, instead, to lambaste, abuse and threaten. Recently Tom Scudamore spoke out regarding some of the abuse he received on Twitter after a ride. Now, I've never met Tom Scudamore but when I hear him on RUK, or ITV / ATR, he comes across as a chap who is very easy to talk to regarding his performance, or upcoming rides, so much so I heard it remarked on yesterday's RUK that he makes the presenter's job easier. Here we have a top rider who is playing the media game and taking the time to tell fans the inside scoop of his performance and rides, yet, we have some misappropriating the direct social media connection to Tom by abusing him for a ride which didn't go their way. Why? What is to be gained from such ill behaviour? Nothing
Other than the weekly seemingly misogynist rants at Victoria Pendleton, a jockey who has performed magnificently in her efforts in the Foxhunter's Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, the number one target for online abuse these days appears to be Ruby Walsh. By Jove, if he has a fall at the last fence then the hordes of the uninformed are out in force, calling him all sorts, questioning his integrity and wishing him less than favourable days ahead. Ruby Walsh, like Tom Scudamore, like Davy Russell, like Ronaldo, Messi, you and I, have bad days, we make mistakes, and for the sport stars it can impact the desired result. All of the aforementioned, I'm sure, would be the first to say, “I know, I got that wrong”, and yep, there is nothing wrong with justified criticism of a performance, what is wrong and unacceptable is abuse. The fact is that Ruby Walsh falls more at the last fence than the second from the off is because he is in a winning position, often being challenged, or challenging for a win, and he attacks fences, and, by attacking the fence he wants the horse to carry that momentum forward, gain an advantage on the run in and thus to victory. With momentum on his side Ruby is an adversary who is second to none on the run in, it is this momentum that wins him many races. Yet, unfortunately, sometimes the horse doesn't quite do it, not Ruby, the horse, for those who persist in the “Ruby's at it again, jumping off!” camp I give to you: Exhibit A - Killultagh Vic. Ruby and Tom are old heads in the game, I dare say that they can take the flack and realise that the abuse delivered is from the faraway faceless trolls of society, what worries me is the young fellas in our game
ARTICLE BY TOMMY BARNES
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DENIS COAKLEY ‘ MONTHLY WORDS OF WISDOM ’ With the Racing industry enjoying a welcome revival following the slump that was endured over the last number of years I hope the Powers-to-Be remember the mistakes of the good times and make a better effort to support the smaller owners. What happened post-recession was that the big got bigger while all of the pain was felt in the middle to lower end. This has resulted in the dominance of a number of bigger players, particularly in NH but it has to be recognised that the investment of these big-players avoided a total melt-down within the industry. The way to bring balance back is not to damage these big owners and trainers, but to ensure those at the lower end of the game get support - by that I mean that the Racing programme provides sufficient Races to ensure ample opportunities for the horses who through no fault of their owners are possessed of lesser ability. The situation that pertained during the boom-times where horses were repeatedly Balloted Out of Races must never be allowed to return as there is no doubt that resulted in many owners being alienated from continued ownership, the very owners who were needed a number of years later as numbers dwindled.
“Irish Racing so unique. For the purpose of this article I will deal with the Flat. One of the features of this winter’s programme in Dundalk has being Everybody wants to own a the return of large scale Balloting. For the Fixture of Friday Champion but for many this is January 19th, 42 horses were balloted out of the two 45-65 the reality backed up by a Handicaps on the Card, even with a divide in one race. That dream that one of their geese meant there were many disappointed owners, particularly as may become a swan’ a number of these horses might be owned by Syndicates or Partnerships. This is just a repeat of what has happened over the last few months with the numbers being balloted being higher on other nights. Horses in these categories are more likely to be owned by smaller owners and trained in the smaller yards and these are the grass-roots of racing. While some may turn their nose up at these low quality horses, it is this diversity of ownership that makes Irish Racing so unique. Everybody wants to own a Champion but for many this is the reality backed up by a dream that one of their geese may become a swan. Regarding figures, one thing that I am puzzled at is the process where the Turf Club reassess all Flat Horses at the end of the year and essentially lower the Ratings of all but the very elite horses. While it may look to be god news at first that your horse has being dropped by 4-6lbs in reality it means little as all the horses you are racing against have been dropped by a similar amount. That is unless it pushes your horse below the rating of 45 which equates to the lowest handicap mark a horse can run off. In that case you are seriously disadvantaged as you now have to run carrying a weight higher than the Handicapper thinks the horse’s ability equates to relative to the other horses in the race. (Punters take note of this!!). In Ireland currently, out of the published Turf Club Ratings of 2200 Horses, 16% of all horses, and almost 18% of 4 year old and upwards are rated below 45. The lowest Class of Race currently in Ireland is the 45-65 Category and nearly 55% of all horses Handicapped are eligible for this category, 58% of 4 year old and upwards. What the end of year reassessment does is push more horses into this category and if there is not an increase in these Races programmed for this year then the Balloting problem is only likely to get worse. To be fair HRI are very proactive when it comes to dividing races, but this is only a solution when the races are programmed in the first place and they can only divide at most one race a day, with preference being given to Maiden Races. In last year’s Programme there was one 5F Race in the 45-65 Category in January another in April and it was July before another the third took place. While many welcomed the increase in prize money announced by HRI this year, I think it may have been a better idea to use the money to fund extra meetings – prize money is not much use if you cannot get a run
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THISTLECRACK FEATURE shooting star is a rare and beautiful thing, so when you see one you have to treasure that moment and embrace every spine tingling second like it's your last. We were lucky enough to encounter such an experience at Kempton Park over Christmas, when the remarkable Thistlecrack's star shone oh so brightly, lighting up the track and every true National Hunt Racing fans heart when slamming his contemporaries in breath taking fashion.
I recently read that Colin Tizzard believes Ruby Walsh played a big part in making the imposing son of Kayf Tara the monster he is today, by teaching the 9-year-old how to race at Ascot in February of 2015. And the new Superstar of the National Hunt game simply hasn't looked back since. Ten subsequent starts have yielded 9 sparkling victories, and he was arguably unlucky when finishing second at Punchestown in 2015. The word imperious best describes Colin Tizzard's charge last season, boasting an unbeaten record culminating in World Hurdle glory and grand plans for the current campaign. Plans that may have looked bold at the time, but now look truly inspired.
Three novice chase success' were merely a formality, and told us very little about John and Heather Snooks' pride and joy. We learnt that Thistlecrack could jump fences, but very little more. Apart from perhaps the tendency he has to be brave at open ditches, which are already becoming a trademark of the horse who appears to have the Gold Cup at his feet. Ironically his biggest challenge could well come from the horse who resides in the box next door, as Hennessy Gold Cup and Welsh National hero Native River looks to be the solid pretender in opposition at this stage. Unsurprisingly Tizzard is already trading at a lowly 2/5 to lift the glistening Gold Cup in March.
Visually Thistlecrack's performance at Kempton was spectacular, and a rating of 171 confirms this, with that figure falling just 1lb short of the rating Coneygree earned for winning National Hunt's Blue Ribband event in 2015. His powerful galloping and electric jumping make Thistlecrack a titanically tough opponent to take on, and the way he simply races through the gears like a boy racer in a formula one car means that barring a mistake, nothing and nobody can live with him.
Already odds on to land the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing, the 9-year-old now carries the baton of brilliance passed on from champions such as Sprinter Scare and Kauto Star, who both possessed a license to thrill and new exactly how to make the most of it. Now don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying he's in the same echelons as the those iconic hero's just yet. But the horse everyone is now talking about certainly possess' to the ability to bang on the door of the steeplechasing greats of yesteryear.
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ALL SYSTEMS GO! ROGER HAWKES OUR SYSTEMS ANALYSER
LOOKS FOR LOOPHOLES AND ANGLES TO FIND THE WINNERS!
OGER HAWKES OUR SYSTEMS ANALYSER Favourites in big fields Rules: Each day, select the non-handicap race with the most runners. The selection is to back the forecast favourite to win.
Reasoning: There is an old saying: "the bigger the field the better the favourite" and, as in all old proverbs, there is an element of substance to it
Races with more runners tend to be truly-run affairs as opposed to those with small fields, which often provide no early pace and no cover for the runners that need it. Races with big fields are also much less competitive, on many occasions, than they first appear. They often contain many runners that have no realistic chance of winning. That applies much more so to nonhandicap events, on which the system is based. First-time blinkers on handicap debut Rules: Bet any horse that is wearing blinkers for the first time on its handicap debut. For the purpose of this method, handicap debut is taken to mean the horse's first run in a handicap of the type in which it is entered today (either flat or jumps). System does not apply to any other form of headgear. Ignore races in which there is more than one qualifier. Reasoning: It is common practice for some trainers to run horses under less than optimum conditions in races which qualify them for a handicap mark. Having achieved a competitive rating for the horse the trainer is then faced with the task of taking advantage of it. He will attempt to do that by selecting the ideal conditions for his runner, in terms of track type, distance and ground. It is a fact that blinkers, more often than not, work better on subsequent applications than they do the first time. However, on the occasions that they do enhance a performance on their first application the results can be spectacular. A generous rating for a handicap debut and an ideal set of conditions can further enhance the effect of first-time blinkers on the occasions that they do provide this spectacular improvement. Fully focused rides Rules:
1. Taking each of the day’s meetings in turn, consult the ‘Top Jockeys’ list 2. Check each of the top five jockeys on the list, to see whether any of them are visiting the track for just one ride that day. If so, make a note of the horse. 3. Repeat the process for each of the day’s meetings. 4. If there is more than one qualifier in the race, ignore the race.
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Pupil Assistant Trainer for Chris Grant Racing/ Amateur Jockey/Stable Lad Your a Pupil Assistant Trainer to Chris Grant, what does your Job entail? Its the same as everyone else, ill ride the same amount of horses and look after the same amount. The difference is with me being a pupil assistant I'm learning the added jobs of being a trainer so I've learnt how to make entries, check fixtures etc.
OGER HAWKES OUR SYSTEMS ANALYSER
How Long have you done this Job & how did it come about? I've been pupil assistant about a year now and after working for Chris for at the time for over 6 years and having reached the first dream of riding as an amateur jockey for a couple of seasons the next dream was to one day train myself and I felt this would be a good stepping stone so I just asked Chris and he very kindly accepted What Qualifications do you have? I have a NVQ level 1, 2 and 3 in racehorse care. How did you get in Horse Racing? I always wanted to be a jockey however i never wanted to mess about with ponies or show jumping so i just went to normal college and after struggling there i took the plunge to go to the northern racing college for 12 weeks in which was the first time id sat on a horse! I then went to work for Colin Teague for 5 weeks and then Micky Hammond for 11 months before eventually working for Chris Grant and from the NRC to all 3 trainers they were geniuses in improving me quickly to the point i managed to have my first race ride just 5 years into riding horses! What was your 1st Memory of Racing? I've always been brought up watching horse racing because my dad and his dad were huge racing fans. My first memory that comes to mind is being at the 1996 grand national when Mick Fitz won on rough quest Can you Describe the difference between a Normal day at the Yard & a Racing Day? It'll all be very similar - racing tack will be made up and packed the night before and then it all depends on where we are going as to what time we need to be on the road for and therefore how many lots we can ride out. Once where ridden out we get the wagon loaded and horses loaded and its on the road You Own & Train Quadriga, can you tell about how that came about & your ambitions for the season? Well i was desperate to own a racehorse and i finally got one privately before it went to Ascot sales - he was called Hoist The Colours. On his first run for me at Ripon he was sadly fatally injured... After a little while i decided to go again and buy another. Phil Kirby very kindly offered me Quadriga privately before he went to the Newmarket sales on a 4 week trial which is one very offer, i bought him and after a couple of runs which he probably needed after a bit of time off he managed to finish 4th at Southwell but his most recent run he was disappointing but with it raining all day the surface rode a lot faster which he doesn't handle so ill let him off. Plan is to step him up in trip/ ride him differently and see if that finds the key to him. If you could own any horse, who would it be & why? Flat -- Found because she's just so consistent and classy! Jumps - Douvan, he's a horse that does everything - settles, travels, quickens, jumps.. i honestly think he would win a champion hurdle, stayers hurdle, Queen mother or a Gold Cup. In 4 years time.
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OGER HAWKES OUR SYSTEMS ANALYSER
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“The Don” exits the stage he can be content with his achievements.
He has nothing left to prove to his public and they in turn can be content their superstar is safe and sound in his paddock’ The underlying fragility of a racehorse is no doubt part of what makes their achievements so special and often, as with so many things in life, the racing public do not realise what they have until it is gone.
Cheltenham Gold Cup is the pinnacle of National Hunt racing, it is the ultimate test of a horse’s ability to stay and to jump around a course much tougher than most and as such winning it is exceptionally hard to achieve. The fact that this year’s renewal will take place without either of the last two winners is testament to this difficulty rating. The news on Sunday that the 2015 winner, Coneygree, would not line up at HQ on 17 th March due to an injury set-back was perhaps not altogether unexpected but this was followed on Tuesday by reports that last year’s winner, Don Cossack, would not be appearing on a racecourse again and was to be retired immediately. The Don” had not been seen in public since his victory parade around his home town of Summerhill, Co. Meath following his Gold Cup success and suffered a tendon injury just a few weeks later. Ultimately, this was to prove career ending and once again the fragility of these magnificent beasts was thrown back into focus. Described as “a horse of a lifetime” by his trainer Gordon Elliot, no chances with his wellbeing were to be take,
“he owes us nothing. I said all season that if he had a setback at all we would not abuse him and retire him straight away” said Elliot in the immediate aftermath of the news breaking’ Owner Michael O’Leary commented, “At the age of ten we are in full agreement that the best thing for “The Don” is a well-earned and very well pampered retirement in Gigginstown Stud’
This respect for the sanctity of the 10 year old animal is to be admired and something less scrupulous owners and trainers would do well to learn from. Having won six Grade One races and over £900k in prize money including victories at Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown, Fairyhouse and Down Royal “The Don” will be well remembered on both sides of the Irish Sea but it will be his last performance in winning Gold Cup which will no doubt linger longest in the memory.
ARTICLE BY DAN MELLET
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ARTICLE BY DAN MELLET
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"From sire to sire It's born in the blood The fire of a mare And the strength of a stud" It's born in the blood The fire of a mare ‘ I spent many years as a DJ spinning records on radio stations. At the beginning of my career, I would occasionally play Dan Fogelbergs' "Run For The Roses". Like so many songs I have played over the years, I have learned the words, but never really listened. It's an amazing song that now has new meaning after all that California Chrome has accomplished. I am one of those people who has been ridiculed, lauded, appreciated and scorned. I am a Chromie. We've been called fanatics, lunatics, groupies, you name it. I would dare to suggest that if you own a race horse, you would be fortunate to have even a small fraction of this group supporting your effort. We are all in on this horse and we have spent huge amounts of money following him around, buying his gear and going for broke at the track. As an added bonus, the Chromies are without a doubt, the most genuine bunch of people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I have seen Chrome race in person 4 times. I saw his Breeders Cup loss by a neck in 2014. It didn't matter. I was so thrilled to be at Santa Anita that it rolled off my back even as Bayern tried to topple half the field and never got DQ'd. A chance meeting with the owner, Steve Coburn, and his wife Carolyn at the airport the next day turned into a friendship. Steve invited me to come and visit California Chrome on layup at Taylor Made Stallions in Kentucky when he came back from that England debacle. I eagerly accepted and will never forget the first time I saw "Junior" up close. He was magnificent. I was allowed to feed him his favourite cookies and may have overdone it while Steve was explaining to Duncan Taylor what Mrs. Pasture's cookies were. On August 20, 2016, I witnessed one of the greatest performances ever by Chrome when he destroyed the field at the Pacific Classic in Del Mar. I traveled again to Santa Anita in November to see California Chrome finally win the Breeders Cup. The race started exactly like the acific Classic with Chrome out front and me saying to my family that "there's no way he's going to let anyone pass him". When I saw Arrogate closing in, I knew it was over. I didn't look as they passed the finish line. I didn't want to see it. I finally had to ask my sister-in-law who won the race. It was obvious though....the record crowd at Santa Anita was eerily and deafeningly silent. THAT is the moment I will never forget from that race. A universal disappointment from 70,000 people felt like a heavy cloud had fallen around us and embraced us. Afterwards, I did the only thing a good Chromie can do. I dove head first into a huge piece of lemon cake. I gained 8 pounds between the Breeders Cup and the Pegasus. I want to say thank you to Steve Coburn and Perry Martin for bringing this colt to life. Their partnership, "Dumb Ass Partners", soured due to philosophies that worked at cross purposes. Steve Coburn was the lovable, beer-drinking, cowboy-hat-wearing PR guy who told us over and over that California Chrome was "The People's Horse". We believed him then and we still believe him now.
Thank you to Taylor Made Stallions for embracing the Chromies and for keeping a watchful eye on Chrome while continuing to campaign him for this final year. Without Taylor Made, barring retirement, the management of this horse may well have ended in tragedy. That possibility was the very reason that Steve Coburn sold his share to Taylor Made. To protect him. Whatever else has been said or written differently as to the reason for the sale is simply Article By Leah Brandon
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The former Champion Hurdle legend Jezki made a mockery of a 632-day absence when bolting up at Navan, in which capable trainer Jessica Harrington was not ruling out another crack at the hurdling crown at Cheltenham in March. And why would she after that great performance . The Stayers' Hurdle had been rumoured as Jezki's likely target , The offspring of Milan looked like he really got his zest and the love of the game back ,travelling ominously well throughout, getting to the front on the bridle between the final two jumps and then picking up again when challenged after a really good leap at the final flight. It is clear from this that he can still do a job over the minimum trip, as he went away for a length and three-quarters victory over Renneti with the long-absent Tombstone another length away in third. Though the form does not look overly strong the horse could only beat what was put in front of him but really gave the impression he was capable of a lot more and could still have the talent to win big races. The trainer Jessica Harrington stated : "Barry [Geraghty] said he took a blow going down the back, blew up again after the second-last and then just filled up and went away. That was great and you couldn't ask for any more,"
"We had him ready to run at Christmas and he got a little bit of a setback. Every time you go you worry about whether you have done too much or not done enough and whether he has his old spark." She added: "He was very settled there and was really good. I'll have to talk to JP [McManus] and Frank Berry and see where we go, but it might well be the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran [over 2m]." Pressed about whether this might put a crack at the Champion Hurdle back on the agenda, Harrington said: "We'll see. We know he gets three miles so we have options which is great. The Red Mills will be another stepping stone and he gets into it without a penalty. There isn't really another alternative race." Can this former champion fight his way back o the top table of jumps racing?? Only time can tell but the signs are very positive that the horse still retains the same abilty and
possible more ,Fingers crossed
Article By Darren Connolly
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‘I am keen on the Potts owned horse ‘SIZING JOHN‘ Winning at the Chelteham Festival’ Kinloch Brae at Thurles racecourse a few weeks ago Sizing John took on fellow entries Black Hercules, Sub Lieutenant and Smashing in the race Don Cossack used as a stepping-stone to the Gold Cup last year but this year he looks destined and tailormade for the Ryanair chase at the festival. Sizing John had chased home a ridiculously smart horse named Douvan seven times in his career to date so it was definitely time for a change and the fact he was entered in all three championship chases already indicated new trainer Jessica Harrington was thinking the same way and plotting her way to get this ultra consistent horse a big day in the sun. Stepping up in trip was something I really hoped for this horse last term but it didn't happen and there was no harm in finishing second to the freak that Douvan but there was always a suspicion sizing looks like he needs a trip to be seen in to full effect. Admittedly, he had been below his best over that trip at Aintree last April but one attempt wasn't enough evidence and he's bred to stay further than two miles. In truth he needed almost every inch of this Thursday's well-run Grade Two to get the better of Sub Lieutenant. You're always going to get a frantic pace when Smashing is involved and he set off in his usual head
staggering manner but Sub Lieutenant moved menacing up to press him on the run towards the third last. Sizing John had to be encouraged gently to stay on their heels and shaken up on the landing side but turning into the straight it looked as though Robbie Power felt in with a shout and looked the likely winner without a doubt. Sub Lieutenant by no means give him the race he had to fight, however, and it was only as they bypassed the final fence that Sizing John started to get on top. He's now 6/1 pretty much everywhere for the Ryanair and that's understandable for a horse proven at Cheltenham, on a sounder surface and that will be suited by a slightly stiffer test of stamina, he really deserve a big race on his portfolio at the festival I have a suspicion this year could be his year . Article By Darren Connolly
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ODDS ARE ALL FROM ODDSCHECKER ON 12/1/2017 MIN Between MIN & ALTIOR and the latter still might go champion hurdle. If either of Riccis don’t make it there’s a fair good chance ALTIOR could switch. I think Min wins this anyway. Remember last year in the Supreme, MIN cracked a fence, was injured and still finished 2nd, word even came out after he was 100% going into that race. I know the media love a star and ALTIOR is on his way to being one but don’t forget about MIN. I really think he will reverse the form over fences. FINIANS OSCAR From point to point in October to winning the Tolworth last week. Just turned 5 and eith only 2 races under rules completely unexposed. I’ve no doubt there is still a lot to come from him. Tizzard thinks hes one of the yards best and when you look at his big guns that must mean a hell of a lot. The one issue I have is that maybe this years Cheltenham festival might be too soon for him and theres a chance that he prefers a slight ease in the ground. Looks every inch a chaser for next season.
MIN
3/1: ARKLE
FINIANS OSCAR
5/1: NEPTUNE
MIGHT BITE
12/1: RSA
GETABIRD
11/2: Bumper
BAPAUME
10/1 :Triumph
ASO
14/1: Grand Annual
£1 LUCKY 63 (outlay £63) PAYS £700,000 without any win bon uses 50p LUCKY 63 (outlay £31.5) PAYS £350,000 without any win bonuses 10p LUCKY 63 (outlay £6.30 pays
MIGHT BITE Anyone who backed in at Kempton on Boxing day in the Kauto Star Chase will still have nightmares about him 15 lengths clear at the last when Daryl Jacob looked round and went for the Hollywood jump and then fell. As long as the confidence hasn’t gone for future jumping of fences this horse looks like it has the engine to go to the top. You really sit up and take notice of this form when you see that if he had stayed up he would won in 2-3 seconds quicker than Thistlecrack did at the King George over Course & Distance an hour later. GETABIRD Never a race to get overly involved in at the festival as this race will inevitably throw up future winners of races at Cheltenham, most notably Cue Card and Champagne Fever and more recently with Moon Racer who's currently 5/1 fav for this years Supreme. Wearing the now famous colours of the Ricci family (think Faugheen & Douvan etc) this horse looked very impressively winning on debut at Fairyhouse winning very cosily. Now the issue with bumper form you just don’t know what he beat but you can only beat what you race against and when it came down to the last 2 furlongs he quickened readily away. Ive no doubt something else might catch the eye between now and then but as for now GETABIRD will do for a bet. BAPAUME Wont be as easy or as straight forward as picking out IVANOVICH GORBATOV last year as this is much more competitive. There's a case for quite a few here but after reversing the form with LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY at Leopardstown on Boxing day in good style I will take a chance on BAPAUME. Wearing the Ricci colours again I thought he won quite well when winning and looked like he needed that run at Fairyhouse so it was no shock he reversed that result. You always have to watch the JP ones. Joseph Obrien trained last years winner in all but name so knows only too well what is needed to win this so take notice of any of his and if HOUSESOFPARLIAMENT turns up here id pay attention to the market. 2nd on hurdles debut after running well on the flat last season. If he improves from that first run over hurdles which he is entitled to do then he could be one at a very decent price. Article Paul Docherty
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Thistlecrack – Bay Gelding Foaled March 29th 2008. Sire – Kayf Tara – Grandsire – Sadler’s Wells Dam – Ardstown – Damsire – Andross Breeder – R F & S D Knipe
Owners – John & Heather Snook Trainer – Colin Tizzard Colin Tizzard – Thislecrack’s Trainer Sire – Kayf Tara, who himself won 2 Irish St Ledgers, 2 Ascot Gold Cup’s & was named 3 times Cartier Champion Stayer of the year.
Damsire – Ardstown – A decent race mare, who won 3 times on the Point to Point Circuit & 4 times under rules in National Hunt racing. Thistlecrack is related to many Grade 1 National Hunt Winners Including – Blaklion, Special Tiara, Planet of Sound, Tea for Two & Carruthers. Thistlecrack was 1st purchased at Tattersalls sales in Ireland for €32,000 in 2008 as a Foal, just 3 years later he was back after being Gelded, this time selling to John Snook for €43,000 & was sent to train with Colin Tizzard,This is where the story begin. His 1st race under NH Rules came as a 5 year old in a NH Flat race, Class 6 at Wincanton in 2013, ridden by Joe Tizzard. Thistlecrack finished 3rd, 11 lengths behind Foggy’s Wall. He returned to the same course the following year to race again in a Class 6 NH Flat race over 2 miles, which he duly won beating Neck or Nothing by 3 Lengths this time his partner was Mr M Legg. Thistlecrack then had a break of 250 days before returning to the race track at Ascot in December 2014 in a Listed Class 1 NH Flat race, again with Mr M Legg in the saddle Thistlecrack finished a distant 16 & 1/2 Length 5th of the 13 runner’s that day. I Think it is safe to say this is an exiting horse who is still a major player for the Cheltenham Gold Cup
ARTICLE BY RICHARD WILLIAMS
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Located on the east coast of Ireland around half way between Belfast and Dublin, Dundalk is now the home of the only all weather horseracing circuit in the whole of Ireland. Dundalk Stadium is situated on a 159 acre site, and falls between the Dundalk inner relief road to the west, and the Blackwater estuary and Dundalk Bay to the east. Incorporating a modern greyhound track, the stadium also acts as home to a ten furlong state of the art polytrack, ideally suited to staging flat racing throughout the calendar year. Dundalk racecourse first opened in 1889, and for over a century the track staged both flat and national hunt racing on a turf surface. In 1930, an accompanying greyhound track was also opened. However, by the end of the nineteen nineties, the stadium facilities were in need of an urgent upgrade and complete modernism but on their own the funds were insufficient. So to achieve their objectives, the horse racing and greyhound companies joined forces to form Dundalk Racing 1999 ltd. The new company then raised the necessary finances and employed the services of the best architects and project managers required to ensure a successful re-development plan. As a first step towards facilitating the building programme, all racing ceased in September 2001. But with some swift negotiations and a lot of hard work , the new greyhound track was completed within 2 years and opened in 2003. This initial stage of the re-development plan was followed by the refurbishment and extension of the facilities in the grandstand, construction of a new parade ring and betting ring, and the building of a new access road to the stadium. Finally, the construction and testing of the new floodlit all weather polytrack circuit was completed, and the first all weather horse race meeting was able to take place on the twenty ninth of August 2007 Since 2007, Dundalk’s programme of race meetings has grown year on year, and an improving list of decent races is now attracting horses from the top stables in Ireland and Britain. The all-weather track at Dundalk is renowned as one of the finest in Europe and numerous subsequent Group 1 winners have raced and won on it in recent years. Dundalk races all year round with a total of 38 meetings taking place every year, the emphasis being on the winter season from November through to March. The feature race of the year is the Group 3 Diamond Stakes which takes places in October and has been won by the likes of Panama Hat, Cat O’Mountain , ParishHall ,Mastercraftsman ,Declaration Of War and most recent by Long Island Sound. ARTICLE BY CHARLIE MCGREEVY
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Characteristics and Course Layout
The polytrack course, which opened in August, 2007, is a left-handed, oval course, about 10 furlongs in length, with a run-in of about 2½ furlongs. A 5f chute joins the main course on the home bend just over 3½ furlongs from the finish, while the 1m start is in a short chute at the start of the back straight. Dundalk Betting Guide Before placing a bet at Dundalk it pays to know what trainers and jocks to pay attention to First Trainer to look for is M Halford his horse’s do well with a 16% win rate and Shane Foley has the joint 2nd best jock record at Dundalk with a 14% win rate.Next trainer to look for is A P O’Brien with a 20% win rate the next jock to look at is Pat Smullen with a 16% win rate.The next trainer to look at is Ger Lyons he has an 18% win rate and the last jock to look at is Colin Keane who along with Shane Foley are joint 2nd with a 14% win rate. Price Guide For Dundalk Horse Racing Adults – €15pp Senior Citizens/ Students: €10pp Children – Under 14’s are free Race Card – €2.50
Group discounts for parties of 10 or more are available once pre-booked. Please contact the bookings office to arrange the discount. Tel: +353 (42) 9334438 Ext.1 Price Guide For Greyhound Racing
Adults – €10pp Senior Citizens/ Students: €5pp Children – €2 (under 14′ s) Race Card – complimentary Group discounts for parties of 10 or more are available once pre-booked. Please contact the bookings office to arrange the discount.
ARTICLE BY RICHARD CHARLIE MCGREEVY
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HONG KONG HORSE RACING SENSATION I was born and raised in Mauritius, I have 3 brothers and I am the eldest. I started riding at a very young age of 7 years old on the beach in Mauritius, then I ended up riding at the Mauritius turf club when I was about 12 years old. At the age of 13 years old I moved to the South Africa Jockey Academy in Durban. I did my 5 years apprenticeship there before becoming a professional jockey. After finishing my apprenticeship I moved to Cape Town where I became stable jockey to some really good trainers including Glen Kotzen, Joey Ramadan and Brett Crawford. I am now riding in Hong Kong since 2013 for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. I was Durban's champion apprentice in 2008 and also champion Jockey in Port Elizabeth in 2011. Over my South African career I won 5 Group 1 races, a few Group and a few Group 3 races.Since moving to Hong Kong I have won 1 Group 1 race, 3 Group 2 and 3 Group 3 races. I finished number 3 in the last season's jockey ranking. I was lucky to travel abroad and win the international sprint in Korea this year (Group 1) and more recently a Group 2 in Singapore.
My best racing memory was when I had my first winner in South Africa, my first ever ride and winner in Hong Kong and also when riding my first Group 1 winner there. My racing Idol is Frankie Dettori. As for now, I am very happy and well looked after in Hong Kong where I have made my new home, but riding Royal Ascot has always been a dream and I would love to be given the opportunity to fulfil it. The love of horses got me into racing, from a very young age I wanted to ride and be around horses, after wanting to become a jockey, my dad took me to the Mauritius Turf Club and enrolled me into the racing school where I got noticed and sent to South Africa.
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TV HORSE RACING PRESENTER
Q1: Where does the 2016 racing year rank in your memory?
A: Every year is so different in racing that is what I love about this sport. 2016 brought us new stars on the track, both on the flat and over jumps, and potential future top stallions too. Q2: Do you have a favourite moment / race from 2016? A: There were so many great moments but I would have to say Almanzor winning the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. It was such a brilliant performance against an amazing field of top class horses. I am the French representative for Irish Champions Weekend so I was part of the team responsible for bringing the horse over for the race and, having just returned from living in France for nine years, it was pretty special to be there to interview his connections for RTE Racing afterwards. Q3: Flat or Jumps racing, do you have a preference? A: I was brought up in a flat racing family but fell in love with jumping when I started working behind the scenes for Channel 4 at Cheltenham. I love both disciplines equally now for their differences and similarities that make racing so exciting. Q4: Do you have a favourite racecourse and why? A: I have quite a few of them having been lucky to travel around the world during my 7 years covering international racing for Equidia (French racing channel). I rode my first winner as an amateur for Andre Fabre and Sheikh Mohammed on Prix de Diane day in Chantilly, and at the time I was living in an apartment overlooking the track, so for obvious reasons it will always be a special place for me. I always encourage people visiting France to go racing at Clairefontaine as it is such a pretty track in the summer. Del Mar in California is one of my favourite tracks in the world and I'm looking forward to the Breeders Cup there this year. In England it would have to be Cheltenham for the atmosphere it creates during the Festival and in Ireland I will always love the now closed Phoenix Park Racecourse in Dublin for the memories I have from when my grandfather trained there. Q5: Any advice you could give young & budding racing journalists A: Ask other journalists/presenters for advice, don't be afraid of working for very little or even free when starting out and try to find your niche. I can never thank Channel 4 racing and all the team enough for the experience and advice they gave me when I was starting out but I was riding out for a trainer every morning and working part time on the checkouts in a supermarket in Newmarket to pay for a tv presenting course just so I could keep tagging along on their broadcasts every weekend to get more experience. I pretty much harassed every presenter at the time and was lucky to do lots of work experience for Channel 4 and BBC but moving to France was the best and scariest decision I ever made and the way I finally got in front of camera. Q6: Your working a lot for RTE Racing now, how does it compare with your job working for Chaine Equidia in France? A: The main difference between racing in France and Ireland is the prize money but the mentality, especially in jump racing, is very different too. Q7: Do you have a favourite Horse or Jockey? A: Thousand Stars and Al Kazeem are two horses that I have loved in recent years. Olivier Peslier and Julie Krone were my childhood heroes. I am not going to mention any other current jockeys or I will only get myself in trouble with the ones I have left out! Q8: Can you give us any under the radar horses for 2017? A: No many that are still under the radar but I did like the way Soleil Marin won by seven lengths for Andre Fabre last November.
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Sean is currently based as principle jockey at the Noel Meade stable and is riding with great confidence and no stranger to winners enclosures around Ireland ,he is destined for the top. Q1: How did you get into horse racing? I got into racing by a friend in which I worked for who was a farmer and had a horse in training with Liz doyle and I went down and to the yard and started riding that’s how I got started. Q2: Most memorable moment in racing so far? I got a big kick out of winning the theyestes chase and riding in the Aintree Grand national it really was a great thrill Q3: Plans for the future? Ride as many winners as possibly and hopefully someday be champion jockey is always the aim in this game, Q4: Riding a fancied horse is there a lot of pressure involved to win? Yes there always is pressure even when your winning ,never mind when your losing ,its how you deal with the pressure is the key as your not always going to do things right its just learning from mistakes and trying your best. Q5: Out of Noel Meade’s horse which are you most looking forward to riding this season? There is a few but Joey Sasa seems to be the one who is really improving and every race he is getting better each race and he is in better form than he has ever been in and capable of a big season head if keeping sound. Q6: What is your advice for a young jockey just starting out? Get into a yard and keep your head down and work hard , no matter where you are at work hard and things will come together for you .
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