New arrivals in more ways than one!
- Emris Racing
- Aug 16
- 4 min read
Happy Sunday to all.
What a week — and not just the sort that keeps you on your toes, but the sort that keeps you well and truly out of your stirrups.
Silverhill Freya (Freya) finished up at jumping school with Marcus Foley. She jumped well and was a very willing pupil — the sort of student who would have been top of the class if there were gold stars for good manners. She only needed a little brush‑up as she has jumped fences in her PTPs.
She arrived at Tom Lacey’s Cottage Field Stables in Herefordshire on Monday and has settled in beautifully. Her members received a nearly four‑minute video from Cameron Iles detailing her first day’s work, where she impressed with her work ethic and how genuine she is.
We also had a catch‑up later in the week, and it was great to hear how well she’s settling in — the team at the yard are very happy with her. She’s now cantering away and her fitness will be built up over the next few weeks, when we can start thinking about potential race targets.
You can join her syndicate with lease shares from as little as £34/month. Capital shares are also available — full details HERE.
Just Passing Bye (Ellie) also finished up with Marcus Foley early in the week. She had one last spin around the school, and seeing her progress has been magnificent. When she started school, much like us humans, it was all a bit bewildering — but just over a week later the difference is chalk, cheese, and a clear round. She was very quick over the school jumps, as you can see in the video on the right.
There was a slight delay in her transport over to Fergal O’Brien’s, arriving a day later than planned, but she is now at Ravenswell Farm and has settled in nicely. Fergal sent over a lovely video of her first day for her members. She has a great mind and is so eager to please — the sort of filly who would volunteer to do extra laps if she could. We’re really looking forward to her getting fitter and getting on the track and will be targeting the GBB races as she is 100% registered meaning she can earn up to £100,000 in bonus's through her career. She had a fair bit of pre‑training work, so she’s already well on that path. Be part of her journey for as little as £35/month HERE.
After the busy start to the week — horses moving, my wife having to return to hospital following complications post‑surgery, and general life — I was ready for a little break. But by the time Wednesday rolled around, the Tattersalls August Sale in Ireland was calling, and both Jerry McGrath (Our bloodstock agent) and I had our eyes on it.
I had a longlist of 23, reduced to a final 8, then 2 were withdrawn, so we were down to 6. The first didn’t sell, but we had preferred options, so we waited before speaking to the vendor. Unfortunately someone else got in quicker and snapped her up — a real case of being caught flat‑footed at the start.
The others went for a cumulative €202,000! But we did get one, and she has an excellent pedigree. Full details coming soon. She’s not one for this season but for next. Jerry’s feedback was “she’s a star,” and everyone who has met her absolutely loves her. Walking around the sales ring she looked as if she owned the parade ring and was charging rent. She has now arrived in England and is settling in with D&K Racing in Lambourn. If you’d like more information or to reserve a share, get in touch — very limited lease shares will be available, and one is already reserved.
Over at Charlock Stud, the heat has been unrelenting — I think even the horses are getting fed up with it. They’re all doing very well despite it. Paul, our Logician colt, is getting ready (although he doesn’t know it yet) to be gelded. Physically he’s in a great place and Carla couldn’t be more pleased with him. A lot of his friends have been moved around as many head to the sales.
Likewise, the paddock our girls Emma and Pam are in has seen some changes, of which they were paying very keen interest — some might say they were being nosey, but I’d say they were simply keeping tabs on the competition even though they are a different discipline. I’m really pleased with all the horses at Charlock and we’re looking forward to supporting them with their upcoming open day for National Racehorse Week. All available places were snapped up very quickly, showing just how popular the stud is — and we’re delighted to be part of it.
Many of you will be familiar with Carla Bowers from the stud — I speak about her almost weekly. It’s now confirmed she’ll be running the London Marathon in support of Young Lives vs Cancer, a tremendous cause. She’s run the marathon before, a full 11 years ago, and now she has basically a metal ankle as well as those added years of age. She’s certainly not one to pull up when the going gets tough. I know Carla would really appreciate any donations and supportive messages, so do contact her on social media to find out how you can support.
Next week brings planned trips to Ravenswell, Charlock, Lambourn, and whatever else we can squeeze in — no doubt we’ll be galloping from one place to the next.
Until next time.
