Written by Tony Millett.
PCSO Bordiss at the Countrywide storeSaddles are expensive and treasured and essential. To help deter theft and to make it easier to return a saddle to its rightful owner if it is simply lost or has been stolen, Wiltshire Horsewatch are holding a Tack Marking session on Saturday, 13 December from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at the Countrywide store in Marlborough.
Only last month two stolen saddles - albeit western style collectors' pieces - were located by police during a raid in the south of the county (see below.}
PCSO John Bordiss of the local Rural Crime Team will be on hand with his stamping gear. Each saddle gets its own registered number so it can easily traced when it turns up in the wrong place.
Bridles and associated tack cannot be registered as they are too narrow for the stamp.
There will be mince pies too. And PCSO Bordiss can give advice on everyday security issues.
Wiltshire Horsewatch was set up in 2009 by the Wiltshire Police Rural Crime Team and is the equine version of Neighbourhood Watch. It aims to connect with horse owners and riders to improve equine and stable security by sharing information, providing real time news via texts or e-mail alerts, and give crime prevention advice and services.
It enables horse owners to work in partnership with the police to help prevent and reduce equine/rural crime. And through the National Horsewatch Alliance information of criminal/suspicious activity can be shared with other police forces and Horsewatch schemes.
Marlborough's Countrywide store is at Unit 2A in George Lane - just on your right as drive into Marlborough's main car park from George Lane.
Come along, bring a saddle or two or more - and do some Christmas shopping in the store.
Print
Email
Written by Harriet Rochester.
Oliver Sherwood and 'Clouds'Harriet Rochester visits the home of Hennessy Gold Cup victors Oliver Sherwood and Many Clouds
Last Saturday afternoon (November 29) the parade ring at Newbury Racecourse rang with jubilant cheers from the stable team and a throng of supporters of Lambourn trainer Oliver Sherwood, who had just saddled Many Clouds to win The Hennessy Gold Cup. Ridden by stable jockey Leighton Aspell, Many Clouds put in a very brave performance to land the historic trophy and win a pot worth just under £100,000.
“Horses plans are often derailed, it’s the nature of the game. But this season Many Clouds literally has not missed a day’s work, his preparation for the Hennessy was foot perfect. He put in a mighty effort on Saturday and I am thrilled for the horse, his owner Trevor Hemmings and all of his connections. He has come out of the race very well, on Sunday he was kicking and bucking in his field”, Oliver explains as Many Clouds snaffles a well-deserved Polo or two from him over the stable door.
This win was a personal favourite for me - as for many other people. For several years Oliver has welcomed me to his Rhonehurst stables to ride out, generously assigning me on many a wintery ‘morn’ a gentlemanly or ladylike ‘lot’. So it comes straight from the horse’s mouth, no pun intended, that the attention to detail and knowledge that the horses in Oliver’s care receive is second to none.
Such care, combined with a dedicated, hard-working and brilliant team, makes Saturday’s big win so very deserving.
Rewind 24 years and Arctic Call ridden by Jamie Osborne won Oliver his first Hennessy and in the late 80’s the trainer had one of the strongest teams of national hunt horses in Britain. But more recently times have been lean.
“Over the past 10 years there have been some very tough times and I considered packing up training. I hoped Many Clouds might be a Hennessy horse this time last year, but you never think it is going to happen – winning the Hennessy Gold Cup.”
Over recent jump racing seasons Oliver has been knocking back on the national hunt door and his fortune's appeared to be changing, but often fate would then wade in. The exuberant Eric’s Charm springs to mind as a memorable Sherwood flag bearer - winning some significant races. He was renowned on the yard as a real character and it was cruel blow to all involved with him when he sustained a bad injury while racing and very sadly had to be put down.
Saturday’s race has been described by many as a ‘vintage’ Hennessy, “It was a tough race on all the runners”, Oliver says and recounts the final moments before Many Clouds well and truly returned him to the top of the training ranks.
“It was a really interesting race as there were no fallers, but it was a war of attrition with quite a few pulling up down the final straight. During the later stages I said to my racing secretary Emma Chugg and her husband Richard ‘he is not going as well as I hoped’, which has become a bit of a joke now, and I thought he may run into a place."
Leighton Aspell with fans & Cup (photo courtesy Newbury Racecourse)With Many Clouds flanked by Chris Jerden, who looks after him and travelling head girl Lisa Kozak, Oliver reflects on the rapturous applause as the horse entered Newbury’s winner’s enclosure: “Saturday was memorable in more ways than one, nearly all of the team was there and I didn’t expect the reception we got. I feel it’s good to get some romance and grass roots celebration back into the sport, we are a smallish yard and so this is very rewarding to star in a big Saturday show. I was very humbled by the whole experience.”
In addition to ‘Clouds’, there are several horse’s emerging as bright young things for the Sherwood Stable. Puffin Billy and Deputy Dan are both exciting and progressive chasers and should hold strong claims at the Cheltenham Festival in March. It’s A Sting is another Oliver gives the nod as one to watch from the stable following a very promising second at Ascot earlier this month.
(Photo courtesy Newbury Racecourse)Returning to his Hennessy hero, Oliver forecast’s his campaign: “Clouds holds an entry for the Lexus Chase in Ireland over Christmas, but I feel the race could come a too soon for him. So either the Argento Chase at Cheltenham in January or the Denman Chase back at Newbury in February are earmarked as his next likely outing."
"He still has a bit to improve on and forgetting the RSA Chase at the Festival when he was brought down, he has improved with every run, so I feel we have nothing to lose targeting the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March”.
The Sherwood resurgence is in full cry - here’s to the continued good fortunes of Oliver and that they remain on cloud nine.
Print
Email
Written by Tony Millett.
If you are stuck for a Christmas present for the man who has most things, why not buy him a Racing Post Christmas sweater being sold to support the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) in its fiftieth birthday fundraising drive. They are not exactly like racing silks, but they are certainly bright. And they might suit mum as well.
Only last week when he 'returned to work' after a longish injury layoff, AP McCoy tweeted: "Big thanks to the staff at [IJF's] Oaksey House for getting me fit and healthy."
If the sweaters do not appeal, you can go to the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders meeting on Sunday, December 7 at Barbury Castle and not only enjoy six races, but in celebration of the IJF anniversary you can watch a special charity race that will kick off the day’s action.
Eleven jockeys of varying vintage will be dusting down their breeches to ride over a mile at Barbury racecourse up on the Marlborough Downs. Since it was established in 1964 the IJF has evolved into one of the most recognised charities within horseracing, helping over 1,000 jockeys and their families and paying out more than £18 million in charitable assistance.
Former lady point-to-point champion Polly Walker (née Gundry) will be riding Unconventional, trained by her husband Ed Walker. With a six year absence from racing, Clare Hazel, from Wantage has been getting fit by riding out for Nicky Henderson. She will ride Fourovakind - a gelding bred by her family and hand reared as a foal by her husband, the trainer Matt Hazel.
The sponsor-less versionTik Saunders, daughter-in-law of Grand National winning rider Dick Saunders, has also been in training for the charity race. She told Marlborough News Online: “If ever there was a bullet proof reason to get some silks back on and ride in a race after a gap of 17 years - this is it! I am immensely proud to support The Injured Jockeys Fund, which was the amazing brainchild of the late John Oaksey”.
Awarding the prizes for the charity race will be para dressage rider Ed Chanin and Wayne Burton, both who have benefited from the IJF's Oaksey House facility following serious riding accidents.
Sweaters aside, there will also be a silent auction at the Barbury Racecourse. Feature lots will include hospitality in a private box for ten people at Wincanton Races, a visit to the historic Jockey Club rooms at Newmarket and a morning on the gallops with Barbury’s resident jumps trainer Alan King.
Click to enlargeThe point-to-point is open to everyone. Tickets cost £10 per person on the gate. Charity race at 11.00am.
There is more information on the Point-to-point Owners and Riders website.
Runners and riders for the IJF Charity Race at Barbury Racecourse Sunday, 7 December
1. OFFSHORE ACCOUNT ridden by Pandora Bailey, Hungerford Trainer: Tracey Bailey
Bay gelding 14 years
Colours: Royal Blue, Pink Stars, Royal Blue Sleeves, Pink Diablo, White Cap.
Offshore Account is now team chasing for Team Ride Away, 3rd in the Foxhunters at Aintree
2. STATE DEPARTMENT ridden by Tim Mitchell, Dorchester Trainer: Paul Swaffield
Bay gelding 7 years
Colours: Blue & White Quarters with a Red Sash, Blue Sleeves and Cap.
Tim rode Fantus to win the 1997 Foxhunters & rode Bond Jnr to win the 1995 Lady Dudley Cup. Retired in 2000 through injury and has since been working as a race reader for the Racing Post.
3. ORANGUTAN (Monkey) ridden by Maise Rollason, Kineton Trainer: Bronwen Hurley
Bay Gelding 12 years
Colours: Yellow, Pink X Belts, Quartered Cap.
Maisie Rollason is 16 years old and has competed in Pony Racing. Maisie is hoping to have a first ride Point-to-Pointing this season.
4. ROYAL ETIQUETTE ridden by Tik Saunders, Teeton Trainer: Lawney Hill
Bay gelding 7 years
Colours: to be confirmed.
Tik’s first winner Pointing was in 1982 and her first winner under National Hunt under rules was in 1983
Tik was the leading lady rider in the Midlands. She rode 36 Point-to-Point winners,
19 winners under National Hunt rules and 33 Arab Winners
5. SHALAMIYR ridden by Chris King, Watersperry Trainer: Craig Pilgrim
Grey gelding 9 years
Colours: Dark Blue, Grey Hooped Sleeves, White Cap.
Chris has actively been involved with racing since 1965 when he rode at Twesledown. Chris rode for 20 years and his last ride was in in 1985 winning the South Oxfordshire Mares race, which he had previously won some 20 years before. Chris rode over 100 winners, 19 under rules, and was lucky to ride some lovely horses including Eyecatcher and Indemelia. Chris is now a starter, steward and judge. He is an owner and trainer of Point-to-Pointers.
6. CHAPEL HOUSE ‘BENNY’ trainer / rider: Richard Harper
Bay gelding 11 years
Colours: Yellow Hoop and Armlets Check Cap.
"An old sort and they don’t come much older."
7. FOUROVAKIND ridden by Clare Hazel, Wantage Trainer: Harry Whittington
Bay gelding 9 years
Colours: Emerald Green, Dark Blue Hooped Sleeves, Star on Cap
Clare spent 12 years working at the Professional Jockeys Association then joined the Point-to-Point Authority in April 2014. Clare has been getting fit riding out for Nicky Henderson and today rides her family homebred.
8. UNCONVENTIONAL ridden by Polly Walker Trainer: Edward Walker
Bay mare 5 years
Colours: Light Blue with Brown Spots, Brown Cap with Light Blue Spots.
Polly Gundry got married in July this year to Edward Walker and have produced their first child Daisy. Polly rode Pointers from 1992 until 2011 and had 303 Point-to-Point winners and 50 under National Hunt rules. She was Ladies point-to-point champion 8 times.
9. YAIR HILL ridden by Sally Duckett, Newbury Trainer: Geoffrey Deacon
Bay gelding 6 years
Colours: Red, Grey Sleeves, Emerald Cap
10. CHANDLERS CROSS Trainer / Rider: Lou-Anne O’Hara, Leighton Buzzard
Chestnut gelding 12 years
Colours: White Body Red Sleeves White Stars, Red Cap White Stars.
11. OCEAN LAD ridden by B. Houghton Trainer: Jane Price
Bay gelding 6 years
Colours White, Red Stars, Red Cap White Star.
Print
Email
Written by Tony Millett.
The 2014 bet365 Hennessy Festival at Newbury Racecourse saw Barbury trainer Alan King succeed with four winners. But his two entries for the Hennessy Gold Cup did not bring him his first winner of the Festival's most prestigious race.
King started the Festival a bit on the back foot with both his yard's mainstay jockeys - Choc Thornton and Wayne Hutchinson - sidelined with injuries. But the first day of the Festival, King had three winners - making him the most successful trainer of the day.
AP McCoy - back from his lengthy lay-off after a bad fall - rode JP McManus' Yanworth to victory in the card's National Hunt flat race. Denis O'Regan brought Ned Stark home to win the bet365 Novices' Limited Handicap Steeple Chase. And Noel Fehily rode Carraig Mor to the other two runners in another Novices' Steeple Chase.
The second day of the festival was not so bright for King - with just the second placed Karezak in the Juvenile Hurdle.
On the Saturday card, King had another second placed horse - Avispa in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Then Richard Johnson brought the relative outsider Medinas home to win the Long Distance Hurdle. The win gave Johnson his treble - adding to his recent spell of successes.
Claudia King with Medinas' trophyWhile Alan King was getting his two entries ready for the three-and-a-quarter mile Gold Cup, his daughter Claudia came forward to collect Medinas' trophy for him - on the dais with the winner's owners Mrs and Mrs Bell.
This was a great achievement for Medinas - beating More of That ridden by AP McCoy. More of That won last season's Ladbroke's World Hurdle and was clear favourite for this hurdle race. But after three days and all the rain earlier in the week, the ground was getting stickier or as McCoy put it: "It's heavy and very hard work."
Smad Place Next up was the Hennessy Gold Cup: Alan King trained Smad Place had been a good hurdler (coming third in the 2012 and 2013 World Hurdles) and had gone on to won two steeple chases in muddy conditions last season before coming second in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. He had been much favoured for this Gold Cup - with odds just short of the favourite Djakadam.
But Denis O'Regan could only manage to bring Smad Place home in fifth place. Barbury stalbemate Midnight Prayer (with Tom Bellamy up) was ninth of the 19 horses that went to post.
Many Clouds & Leighton AspellThe Gold Cup went to Many Clouds trained by Oliver Sherwood at Lambourn and ridden by Leighton Aspell. Even before Aspell brought a very tired and very hot Many Clouds into the winner's enclosure, there were scenes of wild joy in the parade ring.
This was a comeback occasion: Aspell, aged 38, had retired as a jockey in 2007 and re-started his career by winning the Grand National in April. Oliver Sherwood has had some lean patches in his long training career - and last won the Gold Cup in 1990.
The seven year-old Many Clouds stayed on well to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths - despite carrying a fairly big weight. However, many clouds do not have silver linings: after the race Aspell learned the stewards had given him a seven day ban and a £1,800 fine for a whip offence.
Former champion trainer Paul Nicholls was in the parade ring at Newbury watching the big screen transmission of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. He had the enormous pleasure to see Irving win the race - giving Nicholls is hundredth grade one victory.
One thing concerning many punters at the Festival was the number of races with a fairly small number of entries. Where have all the horses gone? Is austerity biting?
 Channel Four's Clare Balding & Mick Fitzgerald watch the Gold Cup on a TV monitor |  Alan King receives congratulations |
Print
Email
