Rod Millman has always been a trainer I have admired. Like many within the training ranks he worked hard to get where he is today. Looking back to those early days he was a jockey with Reg Akehurst, a man who knew his sprinters (many fond memories of Reg).
Rod worked with many and varied trainers, learning his craft, and took out his dual-purpose trainer's licence in November 1989. His first winner, Royal Dartmouth, who went in at odds of 20/1.
In 2001, Whitbarrow gave the team their first pattern win in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.
Many race fans will remember Hawridge Prince and the beloved Sergeant Cecil.
Personally, I have great memories of Master Carpenter who was an exceptional horse. After winning his debut at Leicester he proved to be a strong and durable colt who campaigned from 2013 - 2018, racing 53 times, achieving 7 wins and total earnings of £281,723. With a highest official rating of 110 it's no wonder he was purchased by Cheveley Park Stud and stands as a stallion March Hare Stud, Dorset.
I've followed Rod's two-year-olds back to 2006. Here are a few horses I remember over the years: Il Palio, Harvest Joy, El Bosque, Sauz D'Oulx, Brassini, Roi De Vitesse, Rosina Grey, Blackdown Fair, Maccabees, Yes Two, Blackdown Spirit, Dovil's Duel, Bonnie Grey, Marcano, Indaria, Handytalk, Airshow, Daddies Girl, Betty's Hope to name just a few.
Betty's Hope was a great filly for the Millman's. Who could forget her win in the Weatherby's Super Sprint Stakes (2019). A prize of £122,925, when collaring Show Me Show Me in the closing strides.
Last year's crop of two-year-olds saw Furlong Factor show plenty of class when winning once in seven starts and had a strong campaign. Furlong Factor ran two fine efforts at Listed class, especially her second in the Marygate Fillies' Stakes at York.
Crazy Luck caught the eye when winning well at Salisbury, a course the Millman's do exceptionally well.
Coul Kat won a couple of races by the skin of his teeth, showing a real battling quality.
Other winners included Toptime, Onaraggatip (a horse that will improve a lot this year), Four Adday (3yo) & Vitalline.
2yos for Flat Turf Season 2021
Bc Bungle Inthejungle – Grandmas Dream (16th Apr)
Half-brother to Windsor Castle 2nd Savannah’s Dream. Dam 5/6f winner and a half-brother to Group 3 6f 2yo winner Imperial Applause
A strong well-built colt that reminds us of our original Super Sprint winner Lord Kintyre. By a sire that produces tough speedy two-year-olds, one we are looking forward to in 2021.
Devon Envoy (Horniwinks Racing Syndicate)
Bg Peace Envoy – Favourite Girl (18th Apr)
Dam six-time 5/6f winner including at two and twice Listed runner-up at two, including in Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy
The combination of a tough Ballydoyle two-year-old as his sire and a dam that ran eleven times as a juvenile should ensure he makes up into a tough sort and he has done everything right so far.
Forever Dreaming (JPM Racing II)
Chf Dream Ahead – Melrose Abbey (28 Feb)
Dam a dual 1m2f/1m4f winner at three. Full sister to Ceilidh House 10f Listed winner who has produced Listed winner Kinross and half-sister to four winners
A huge filly that already weighs in at 480kg, she has shown some speed befitting of her sire but as her pedigree suggests will likely be seen later in the season before showing her best at three.
Miss Anaco (Anaco Racing Partnership)
Bf Adaay – Sonko (12th Feb)
Full sister to 5f winner Four Adaay. Dam a six-time 5f winner at two and three, half-sister to 6f Listed 2yo winner Terror and 3 other winners.
Her year older sister had shown tremendous speed at two and we knew she was much better than the bare form (easy winner on her return at three) so we had to buy her for just 6,500gns. A sharper, more compact version of her sister, she should be an early sort.
Soi Dao (Daddies Girl Partnership)
Bf Twilight Son – Home Cummins (17th Apr)
Dam tough four-time winner, twice at two and third in 1m Listed. Half-sister to 7f 2yo winner and Group 2/3 winner Forest Ranger. Grand-dam 1m Listed winner
Unfortunately she got kicked in the paddock which took time to heal, so she started the breaking process around three months later than the rest. A compact filly, she should catch up and is from a tough family.
Twilight Tone (Crown Connoisseurs)
Bg Twilight Son – Bikini (18th Mar)
Half-brother to multiple sprint winners Tight Fit, John Kirkup, Kommander Kirkup and Kolossus. Grand-dam placed in Listed Company.
A big gelding from a sire that was a late developer and his first season stock followed suit before having a good end to the season. Likely to be one for mid-season onwards and will make up into a strong three-year-old
Twistaline (Mainline Racing)
Bf Showcasing – Tongue Twista (31st Jan)
Dam 2yo winner and placed in Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge, half-sister to four winners including 13-time winner Moody Tunes. Grand-dam debut 5f 2yo winner.
Early foal by a leading stallion in Showcasing, she should be one of our first two-year-olds to hit the track and is doing everything asked so far.
Whispering Winds (Book 3 Partnership & B R Millman)
Chf Buratino – Guthanna Gaoithe (6th Feb)
Dam placed over 1m, half-sister to 1m 2yo Listed winner Avenue Gabriel.
Solidly built chestnut filly that looks good value at 2,000gns. The sire was a winner in March before winning the Coventry on his sixth start, hopefully she can be out early and prove as tough as him.
Unnamed
Bf Swiss Spirit – Apple Sauce (22nd Apr)
Half-brother to dual 7f 2yo winner Palawan, placed in Group 2/Listed Company and 13 time 5/6f winner Steelcut. Dam 5f winner and half sister to 5f Group 2 winner Sizzling Melody
A strong looking filly that has recently joined us and she is cantering away nicely. Has the size and pedigree to make up into a nice two-year-old
Unnamed (Canisbay Bloodstock)
bf Territories – Plover (12th Feb)
Dam 7f 2yo winner for Sir Michael Stoute and half-sister to five winners. Granddam dual 1m Listed winner.
From a Juddmonte family with Territories injecting a bit of speed into the pedigree. She is progressing in her work and looks the type to make a two-year-old.
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