The Journey Continues: Growth, Patience and Promise
Hello and welcome to our weekly blog. If this is your first time reading, welcome aboard. To our loyal readers, it is a pleasure to have you following our journey.
After a somewhat hectic week previously, with our syndicate morning and plenty happening across the yards, it has been nice to enjoy a slightly quieter week.
Over at Charlock Stud, all three yearlings have been doing magnificently.
Emma, our Tirwanako filly, continues to surpass all expectations. I feel like a broken record talking about her, but honestly, her progress has been nothing short of outstanding. She is developing into a strong filly with lovely conformation and natural athleticism. Just as importantly, she has the sweetest nature while still possessing that competitive edge that I am always keen to see.
Pam our Order Of St George filly is somehow still growing! She is a big, tall filly with conformation to die for. She was an impressive specimen at the sales and has only improved since arriving at the stud. She has a fantastic temperament and is an absolute dream to deal with. To say she is athletic would be an understatement. A perfect example came just a week after arriving, when she managed to jump a five-foot wall into David and Caroline's garden! Despite that achievement, she is not naughty at all. In fact, she has a very nurturing personality, and I believe she will make a wonderful broodmare once her racing career comes to an end.
Paul the Logician Colt is another youngster showing us plenty of positives. Like Emma, he has a bit of an edge to him, but underneath it all he is one of the most affectionate horses you could wish to meet. He is currently enjoying a significant growth spurt and is already well above average in size. In racing circles, people often say a horse is "growing like a weed", which to the uninitiated may sound negative. In reality, it simply refers to the speed at which they are growing. Paul tends to grow upwards before filling out, meaning he can occasionally look a little gangly, which is perfectly normal for young horses. He has also been enjoying a little more stable time recently, spending his days in the field and his evenings indoors. We absolutely love him and believe he could have a very bright future ahead.
Cottage Field Stables - Silverhill Freya (Freya)
After the excitement of our stable visit a couple of weeks ago, Freya has been ticking over very nicely. Tom reported midweek that she is "A1" and very close to being ready to run. The recent rain has certainly improved her chances of making an appearance, although we could probably do with a little more. The forecast next week is mixed, so hopefully that brings the extra rainfall needed.
While her last point-to-point run was officially on good ground, it looked to be on the softer side of good. We will be skipping the NH Flat route and instead starting her career over hurdles, likely over two miles, with the potential to step up in trip later in the season.
I regularly receive messages commenting on how beautiful she is, and people are absolutely right. She really is a stunning mare. Being grey certainly helps, but she is genuinely a head-turner. I will be very surprised if she does not pick up a few Best Turned Out awards during her career.
There are now only two shares remaining at the current offer price, where you can save £300 on the capital cost of a 5% share. Be sure to secure yours before she runs so that you can enjoy any prize-money success she may achieve.
Ravenswell Farm - Just Passing Bye (Ellie)
Ellie has thoroughly enjoyed being back in ridden work, even if it is currently limited to walking and trotting in the ménage. Fergal is very happy with her progress and has confirmed that she will resume cantering next week.
We are taking our time and allowing her to dictate the pace of her return. She is still only a three-year-old and is not the biggest horse, standing at around 15.3hh. Her pre-trainers commented that she has plenty of natural pace and should be competitive in a bumper. Her introduction to jumping was also excellent, and she took very naturally to her beginner jumps at Lew House Stables.
At this stage, it remains unlikely that she will jump hurdles on the racecourse this season, but given how well her education is progressing, we are keeping that option open. The priority is ensuring she is physically strong and fit enough for her debut. Whilst we had hoped to see her on the track around this time, all being well she should make her debut later in the season.
Kingwood House Stables - Maisie
Maisie does not yet have her racing name, but members of her syndicate have certainly been busy putting forward suggestions. We already have a shortlist of 13 potential names, and there is still time to have your say. Secure your share now and get your suggestion added to the list.
She is currently enjoying a short break following the breaking-in process, during which she impressed everyone involved. She will return to work at the beginning of next month, when the team at D & K Racing will gradually build her fitness in preparation for full training.
She will also spend some time at Marcus Foley's renowned Lew House Stables for her introduction to jumping before making the move to Seven Barrows to join Nicky Henderson's exciting team. The aim is to have her ready for one or two runs towards the back end of the season.
Elsewhere, we are proud to be a founding operator of the brand-new racehorse ownership listings platform, Staibles, as well as sponsors of Jumps Club, another exciting new listings website. Both provide excellent resources for anyone interested in racehorse ownership and syndicate opportunities, and perhaps most importantly, both are operated by genuinely good people.
Looking ahead to next week, we have several visits planned, along with a day at Huntingdon Racecourse.
Until next time!
