We all await our daffodils to bloom in the spring and Miniature Daffodil having gained his handicap mark in January 2018 did just that.  Having moved to his new trainer on February 16th and stepping up to run over 1m2f he recorded his first victory on March 10th followed by a close up third on March 19th and was again in the winners enclosure on April 6th.  He is a half brother to the outstanding race filly Illuminate and he is the last foal of Queen of Stars.

Having only raced twice as a 2YO he has got our new year off to a good start and has rewarded his owners, Walters Plant Hire & Spiers & Hartwell for their patience.

July - November

Kimblewick

14th November 2018

Kimblewick (Iffraaj X Kiyra Wells) made a winning debut at Kempton in the EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes.  She was purchased for Stg. £350,000 at the Book One Newmarket Sales in 2017 and with her reputation preceding her she went to post as the clear favourite.  She was slow from the stalls but quickly made up lost ground placing in 5th and 6th place throughout.  She was ridden to lead at the 1f mark but ran very green after hitting the front.  Once straightened up she went on to win comfortably with a lot in hand.

Kimblewick has a Showcasing foal and is booked to go back to Iffraaj for cover in 2019.
Barbill

13th Novemer 2018

There are few 2YO’s as tough as Barbill who was making his twelfth appearance on a racetrack, having won on his debut on May 7th.  Purchased for €30,000 he has now won over €230,000 in prize money.  Nine of his runs had been in stakes races where prior to yesterday he had been placed three times.  This win in the Prix Yacowlef was well deserved and long overdue.

Though the ground was soft at Chantilly he made headway to lead at the 2f mark and continued to extend this lead to the line.

With twelve runs in six months he must deserve a long winters rest and both owner, trainer and connections can look forward to 2019. We would like to congratulate Mick Channon and his whole team for a wonderful training performance.
Solid Stone

7th November 2018

Solid Stone (Shamardal X Landmark) was placed on both his runs at Newbury and Doncaster and went to Newcastle for the Ladbroke Novice Stakes (Class 4) as the 2/7 favourite. Though strongly pressed by the runner up he did not disappoint his followers winning with some to spare.  He tracked the leader, who kicked on 2f out but his jockey did not panic and held up his challenge until the final 100 yds.  He stayed on strongly towards the finish, suggested stepping up in distance as a 3YO will suit well.

Solid Stone is out of the mare Landmark, who has already produced 3 black type performers. She has a colt foal by Kodiac and is in foal to Frankel.  Her Oasis Dream yearling was sold in Book One for Stg. £320,000.
Cnoc an Oir

12th October 2018

Cnoc an Oir (Born to Sea X Witch of Fife) was making his racecourse debut amongst an experienced field and went to post at 6/1. Held up in 5th spot for most of the race she moved up to lead at the 1f mark and went clear to win comfortably.

Cnoc an Oir is a half sister to the dam of Magna Grecia the recent winner of the Verten Futurity Trophy Stakes (GR1) and who is one of the favourites for the 2019 Newmarket Guineas. Cnoc and Oir was the last filly foal out of the outstanding broodmare Witch of Fife and was retained to race in the colours of Mrs Joan Brosnan.

We are all looking forward to her reappearance in the spring time.
Barbill

16th September 2018

Barbill had been placed three times in pattern races, most recently beaten a short neck at Deauville. With John Egan again in the saddle he was not going to be denied on this occasion, taking the lead at the 1F mark and staying on well.  This Tattersalls Ireland Sale Stakes is confined to horses sold at the Tattersalls Ireland sales carrying a prize fund of €300,000 with €147,000 going to the winner.  Barbill has now won over €180,000 in prize money.

He was bought by Jack Channon and Jill Richardson for €30,000 at the Fairyhouse Book One sale in September last year.

Barbill is the second foal out of the unraced Montjeu mare Fiuise. The first produce named Three Saints Bay has chalked up four wins and five places from fourteen starts and has an official rating of 95.  Barbill has an official rating of 102 so we can expect him to continue racing in pattern company
Rostropovich

15th September 2018

Rostropovich finished 2nd in the King Edward VII Stakes (GR2) at Royal Ascot and followed this up when beaten half a length in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Darby.  Already a winner of the Futurity Stakes (GR2) as a 2YO he went to post in this GR3 race as an even money favourite.  He did not disappoint his followers, winning with a bit in hand.  He has now brought his total earnings to over €600,000 and must be well deserving of a GR1 victory.

Rostroprovich sister by Gallileo has her first yearling filly by Fastnet Rock selling at Newmarket Book One on October 9th.
Fayez

15th September 2018

Fayez has been running in good handicaps and this was his fifth win. He has also been placed eight times and has achieved earnings in excess of €50,000.  Carrying top weight in this valuable handicap he was held up in last place, made his effort 1F out and stayed on to lead in the final strides.  It was a spare ride for jockey Scott McCullagh.

Fayez came into the race with an official rating of 86 and this result should move him into the 90’s where winning will become more difficult.
Red Bunting

21st August, 2018

Red Bunting (Rip Van Winkle X Red Avis) made his racing debut on August 21st and was heavily backed down to joint favourite.  He did not leave his followers down winning the John Kemp Fillies’ Novice Stakes getting up close home to lead near the finish.  He steadied after leaving the stalls but was held up at the rear of the field, picking up the other runners from the 2f mark.  Being by Rip Van Winkle he needed every yard in this 1 mile race and we can expect more wins later this year or as a 3YO, when stepped up in distance.

Red Bunting was the third foal out of the Exceed and Excel mare, Red Avis.  All three are winners.  Her Dark Angel yearling filly sells at Doncaster on August 28th and she has a Camelot filly foal.

 

 
Hot Off The Press

16th August, 2018

Hot Off The Press (Camelot X Jewel in the Sand) ran a close 2nd over 1m3f at Windsor in June and stepping up to 1m6f on this occasion and the longer trip to suit.  Patiently ridden in midfield she made her effort at the 2f mark and was ridden to lead through the final furling.  Being by Camelot, staying races obviously suit and she should win further nice handicaps at this distance.

Jewel in the Sand has a Lope de Vega filly in the Goffs Orby Sale on October 3rd.
Broome

4th August 2018

Broome got an easy introduction to racing on July 15th, finishing 5th to his stable mate in Killarney.  Starting as a money on favourite the result was never in doubt, leading from start to finish.  He is the first winner by the sire Australia, in Ireland.

Broome is the fourth winner out of his dam Sweepstake, herself a pattern winner.  Sweepstake has an Invincible Spirit filly at the Tattersalls October Sale Book 2 and has a Frankel filly foal on the ground.

Trainer Aiden O’Brien says that he will be shortly looking at a black type race and that we will see the best of Broome over middle distances next year.
Three Saints Bay

31st July 2018

Raised 6 lbs and with his new official rating of 89 Three Saints Bay made light of the task with his eight lengths win last week.  Again he led from the start and drove clear at the furlong mark to win by two lengths eased down.  As he continues to improve you may expect the handicapper to take another close look at this victory.

His dam Fiuise has a Fast Company foal on the ground and is in foal to Holy Roman Emperor.

We would like to congratulate owner Barry Douglas the trainer David O’Meara and we are sure they are looking forward to more victories.
Three Saints Bay

23rd July 2018

Three Saints Bay (Kodiac X Fiuise) got his third career win in the Hudson Class Four Handicap at Beverley.  Running well in all his races this brings his record to three wins and three places from nine starts.  Leading from the stalls he quickened clear with a furlong to go and won by eight lengths unchallenged.  His official rating of 83 will now be history and if the ground stays firm you could expect black type in the months ahead.

Three Saints Bay is the first foal of the mare Fiuise.  2YO Barbill is her second foal who, having won his maiden, has finished fourth in each of two listed races in July.  The black type wins for him also is on the cards, once he is stepped up in trip.
Chai Chai

14th July 2018

Chai Chai (Zoffany X Flamenco Red) won a valuable nursery at this Chester track in September and having run close in his three starts this season returned to this, his favourite track and won again by four lengths. Held up towards the rear, he still had plenty to do turning in though scooted clear and eased towards the finish.  We can be sure that the handicapper noticed in his official rating of 74 will be a thing of the past.

We would like to congratulate his owner, King Power Racing and trainer Andrew Balding. They can expect further wins over his favourite 1m trip and on a good to firm surface.

April - June

Daafr

28th June 2018

Daafr (Invincible Spirit X Kitty Love) had a gentle introduction to racing on June 14th at Newbury but did not waste any time in reappearing at Newcastle.  Daafr was Kitty Love’s first live foal as his full brother met with an accident as a yearling, in May 2015, and had to be put down.  Kitty Love was a multiple winner in the USA and is a half sister to the European Champion Order of St. George.

Daafr was sent off as 2-1 favourite and stayed up with the pace and never looked in danger, drawing clear in the final furlong. We can expect him to shortly move up to pattern company.

Kitty Love has an Exceed and Excel yearling which is being offered at Goffs Orby sale in October. She also has a Kingman colt foal.
Escobar

14th June 2018

Escobar (Famous Name X Saying Grace) a listed winner as a 2YO, seemed to have lost his way as a 3YO and was moved to his new trainer David O’Meara this year. On June 1st at Doncaster, it was obvious he was returning to his best when finishing 3rd out of fifteen runners in a three way photo.

At Haydock he was stepped up to a mile, travelled well on a fast ground and quickened up in good style to win cosily. He may now carry the penalty and turn out again at Ascot in the Royal Hunt Cup.  If not we can expect to see him run in pattern company on his favourite firm ground
Cosmic Law

1st June 2018

Having won his maiden on the 21st of May Cosmic Law did not waste any time in going to post in the Investec Woodcote EBF Stakes at Epsom.  Stepping up to six furlongs he pulled right away from the field in the final furlong winning by an extending six lengths.  His winnings now total Stg. £44,000, just half of his purchase price.  His trainer states that the Coventry at Royal Ascot will be his next target.

His dam has a Power yearling colt who is entered for the same yearling sale – the Doncaster Premier Sale in August.
Caradoc

26th May 2018

Caradoc (Camelot X Applause) had one run as a 2YO when finishing in an eye catching 4th at Kempton in December.  Appearing on a racecourse for the second time at Chester he was backed down to favourite and did not disappoint winning by a comfortable five lengths.  He travelled strongly throughout the race and when the gap came in the straight he quickened up well to win comfortably.  He proved hard to pull up and his rider left him go on and complete another circuit.  He looks a bright prospect particularly when stepped up to run over middle distances.  Caradoc was purchased by Alastair Donald at the Tattersalls Book 1 Sale in 2016 for Stg. £270,000.  We would like to congratulate Alastair, owner P K Siu and trainer Ed Walker.
Cosmic Law

21st May 2018

Cosmic Law (No Nay Never X Dhamma) caught the eye when running well at Doncaster sixteen days earlier and was predictably well backed over the stiffer test.   He tracked the leaders for much of the race and stayed on well in the final furlong to lead towards the finish.  His rider suggested that he would even be better over six furlongs so we can expect to see him in a conditions race or listed race shortly.  Cosmic Law was sold at the Doncaster premier sale in August 2017 and we would like to congratulate his owner John Dance and trainer Richard Fahey.  They look to have a real prospect on their hands.
Rostropovich (Frankel X Tyranny)

10th May 2018

Rostropovich had won the Futurity Stakes GR 2 and was third in the National Stakes GR 1 as a 2YO. We all awaited his step up to a longer distance and the more favourable good ground.  He lived up to expectations in the Dee Stakes Derby Trial at Chester, drawing clear inside the final furlong to win by a comfortable four lengths.  He is now among the leading Aidan O’Brien horses for the Derby and it is a case of whether it will be the Epson Derby or the Prix du Jockey Club in Paris.  Rostropovich was purchased by Coolmore, from Croom House at the Yearlling Sales  in Newmarket.  Coolmore also purchased Maybe at the Deauville Yearlng Sales from Croom House – Maybe is the dam of the Derby favourite Saxon Warrior.
Barbill

7th May 2018

Barbill (Zebedee X Fiuise) could hardly have made a more talking debut sweeping past more experienced rivals in the final furlong and winning by an ever increasing four lengths.  His trainer stated that he will now be aimed at Royal Ascot probably in one of the 6f group races, his dam being a Montjeu unraced mare.  He is the second produce of Fiuise.  Her first foal, Three Saints Bay by Kodiac, is already a winner at two and at three years with an official rating of 89.

Croom House has had some outstanding Royal Ascot 2YO winners including Damson, Mehmas and Maybe, who is now the dam of Saxon Warrior the 2000 Guineas winner on Saturday.  We look forward to Barbill joining this elite group.

We would like to congratulate Gill Richardson and Jack Channon who beat off all bidders to buy the colt at Fairyhouse in September, also his owner Susan Bunney and trainer Mick Channon.
Derrymore

2nd May 2018

Derrymore (Dark Angel X Slieve Mish) was a €280,000 yearling.  She did not run as a 2YO and we all awaited this racecourse debut.  She did not leave her owner, HRH Princess Haya Of Jordan, trainer John Gosden or Croom House down.  Shaken up over 1f out she went on to lead and win comfortably, beating both other winners and horses with experience.  Her jockey James Doyle stated that he had the other fillies well covered and there was plenty in the tank when he asked her to go on.  She is likely to be stepped up to a black type race in her next run.  Derrymore is the daughter of the well bred multiple winner Slieve Mish who had an official rating of 105 before being injured and retired to stud.  Slieve Mish has a Lethal Force yearling for the Autumn Sales.
Chivers

30th April & 5th May 2018

Chivers (Duke Of Marmalade X Thara) had tried his luck over hurdles in 2017.  Returning to his favourite 1m 6f he recorded two quick wins during the past week at Salisbury and Goodwood.  These victories added a further Stg. £10,000 to his all time winnings.  At Goodwood on Saturday he tracked the leaders until 2f out and then took over, winning by a comfortable two and a half lengths.  He may get his hat trick if he can stay ahead of the handicapper in the weeks ahead.
Conversant

28th April 2018

Conversant (Zebedee X Tea Cup) at last delivered what was expected of him in his disappointing 2YO season last year.  Having his first outing in 2018 at Doncaster and over a shorter six furlongs quickened up smartly at the furlong pole and was soon clear to win by three and a half lengths with a further four and a half lengths back to the third.  With an official rating of 64 we can expect many more visits to the winners enclosure, before the handicapper catches up.

Conversant realised Stg. £100,000 at the Craven Breeze Up and is closely related to the 2000 Guineas Winner Night of Thunder.  His dam is by Danehill Dancer so sprinting on an easier surface should bring many more victories
Three Saints Bay

23rd April 2018

Three Saints Bay (Kodiac X Fiuise) is a winning 3YO over seven furlongs with an official rating of 89 in 2017.  Reappearing at Pontefract on April 23rd he made light work in winning the Mark Hackett Memorial Novice Stake over six furlongs.  Having tracked the leader he went on to lead at the 1f mark and kept on well for an easy victory.

Fiuse has a Zebedee 2YO in training with Mick Channon and has a Fast Company foal on the ground.
Miniature Daffodil

6th April 2018

David Evans did not waste any time after his win on March 10th, reappearing again on March 19th.  The race probably came a bit too soon but he finished a close up third.  With almost 3 weeks of a break he reappeared again on April 6th going to post as a well backed 6/4 favourite.  Carrying second top weight he was settled in last place and made his move at the 2f mark.  When not getting a clear run and bumped he was eventually switched right 1f out to collar the front runners and lead close home.

The handicapper has not yet caught up with him and we expect to see him in the winners enclosure again shortly.  Congratulations to his trainer and owner who are now being rewarded for their patience.
Brawler

21st March 2018

Brawler (Teofilo X Red Avis) was given a gentle introduction to racing on November 2017 finishing a credible 4th.  He made no mistake on his reappearance in March winning by three and a half lengths and picking up a nice purse of €8,000.  He was bought by Godolphin at the October Tattersalls Yearling Sale in 2016 and was put into the capable hands of trainer Andre Fabre.  In this 12f race, he was settled just off the pace and took over and asserted from 2f out and winning easily.  His owner, trainer and jockey have lots to look forward to, particularly when the ground conditions improve.
Miniature Daffodil

10th March 2018

Miniature Daffodil (The Way You Are X Queen of Stars) gave Epona Bloodstock Limited its first flat runner and winner of 2018 in winning in his Handicap debut at Chelmsford. Having gone to his new trainer David Evans on February 16th, David did not waste any time in stepping him up to 1m2f for the first time on March 10th.  Having stayed in the mid division for most of the race he moved up smoothly to go 3rd two furlongs out, took over on the 1f marker and kept on well for a comfortable win.

Miniature Daffodil is the last foal out of the mare Queen of Stars herself the dam of the outstanding filly Illuminate.

Winners 2018

We all await our daffodils to bloom in the spring and Miniature Daffodil having gained his handicap mark in January 2018 did just that.  Having moved to his new trainer on February 16th and stepping up to run over 1m2f he recorded his first victory on March 10th followed by a close up third on March 19th and was again in the winners enclosure on April 6th.  He is a half brother to the outstanding race filly Illuminate and he is the last foal of Queen of Stars.

Having only raced twice as a 2YO he has got our new year off to a good start and has rewarded his owners, Walters Plant Hire & Spiers & Hartwell for their patience.