Karl Burke: Do You Love Me (Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited)

Karl Burke will always be known for training the amazing John Dance filly Laurens but he can also train a nice 2-year-old. This season a few have done me a good turn especially when the money comes in. The first was the Dandy Man colt Lord Of The Lodge who won on debut for owner Mrs. Elaine Burke at 4/1 after opening up 9/2 and ridden by the brilliant Ben Curtis. His last race of the season was the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York and another brilliant performance seen him finish second to the class Richard Hannon colt Threat, only beaten just under two lengths. Lord Of The Lodge finished the season with an official rating of 109. Hopefully, Lord Of The Lodge will have another good campaign next season. 

Rayong was another success for Karl Burke and the King Power Racing team after winning on debut at Carlisle in May. The Mayson bay colt then went on to finish third in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown behind Liberty Beach. Rayong finished the season with an official rating of 97 and despite finishing out the places in some decent races Rayong should be winning again next season. 

The filly Living In The Past brought Karl Burke and Clipper Logistics Group success this year. The Bungle Inthejungle filly won the second timeout at Beverley before going on to finish third in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes at Ascot. Better was to come as Living In The Past was sent off 12/1 and given a positive ride by jockey Daniel Tudhope in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York. Living In The Past made all and went on to beat Liberty Beach by just under a length. Even though unplaced in the Breeders Cup Juvenile race that was a great season and should be in the winner's enclosure again next season. 

I was expecting to see another Karl Burke 2-year-old this season but I imagine she has had a few issues or just needs strengthening up before making her debut. The horse in question is DO YOU LOVE ME. The lovely bred Galileo filly was purchased for an incredible 3.2 million at the Goffs sales by owners Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited and has a big reputation at Spigot Lodge. I have been waiting for a good while for this bay filly to run after she was given a few significant entries this year but it's looking more likely she won't be seen till next year as the 2-year-old races wind down. 

Karl Burke gave an update on her back in July saying she was still a bit backward but she’s a lovely filly. Do You Love Me has been given early entries for the Irish 1000 Guineas and also the Irish Oaks which is interesting? 

After another busy year for Karl Burke and his team, it looks like he will be reducing the number of horses next year which sounds like a good move to me, and he can now concentrate on quality over quantity and hopefully, the 2-year-old horses will still be a money-spinner for me. 

Thanks for reading and look out for my next horse to follow coming soon.