Quantum Leap Racing: Two-Year-olds to Follow 2021

We believe that horses should be durable and progressive, so racing our horses as juveniles is not a significant consideration for us. We try to buy and breed horses that will improve with age and our trainers handle them considerately. Many of our horses run as two years olds, but this is part of the learning process. Those that are able to achieve forward showings can be expected to do better still the following year. At this stage we hope that they can make their debuts from September onwards, but even minor hiccups can prevent that when one prioritises a long term future. Under normal circumstances we like our horses to have a proper winter break before a three years old campaign, as their workload would increase throughout that season. At this stage therefore it is difficult to give you a two year old to follow, but if you keep your eye out for those below, no doubt a couple will come to the fore. They always have in the past! 

Ham and Jam (Champs Elysees x Artistica) 

The dam is a half sister to Montmartre, who won the Grand Prix de Paris by seven lengths. The cross of Danehill (grandsire) on dam's grandsire (Rainbow Quest) was phenomenally successful, with Derby winner North Light and Frankel's dam among several black type products. He is a May foal and will be a horse for the Autumn. He is in training with Ralph Beckett, who has won with all 7 horses he has trained for Quantum Leap Racing, three of which rated 100+ and three 80+ with the hope they will further improve their ratings this season. 

Speycaster (Highland Reel x Examinee) 

Speycaster is from the first crop of a globetrotter who won Group Ones in England, The United States and Hong Kong during an arduous career. He relished fast ground and was very consistent on that surface. The unraced dam is a full sister to the last German trained Royal Ascot winner. This cross was responsible for Waldgeist: winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Also in training with Ralph Beckett, he has taken enthusiastically to his work and it would not be surprising if he emulated his sire with a midsummer debut. 5% share still available. 

Ribaldry (Ribchester x Greek Goddess) 

Ribaldry is from the first crop of the tough as teak Ribchester. He was very consistent on all ground conditions, having made his debut in early July as a two years old. The dam has bred two winners from three runners including her current two years old filly by Kingman, a winner on her third, most recent start. She also made her debut in July and this filly appears forward enough to emulate her. She is in training with David O'Meara and will be built up gradually with a late 2yo / 3yo campaign in mind. 

The Wellerman (Mastercraftsman x Sworn Sold) 

The Wellerman is by a stallion that polarises opinion, which is strange, given that he has sired fourteen Group One winners. The dam won two listed races in Germany and hails from a family that has been consistently successful there. He is in training with David Simcock who has been very happy with his progress to date. 

The Writer (Ulysses x Arwaah) 

The Writer is from the first crop of his sire, who was a Group One winner at ten furlongs and had the unusual distinction of being by a Derby winner out of an Oaks winner. We are very impressed with his stock and they made up to 320,000 Guineas. He looks uncannily like his sire and has grown appreciably since his sale. He is in training with James Ferguson, who reports him to be strengthening up. He has a good mind and takes everything in his stride, which is half the battle. 5% share available. 

Best of luck with the blog. Kind regards, Niall O'Connor. 

We would like to thank Niall for taking the time to forward these exciting two-year-old horses and wish the team, owners, trainers and jockeys a successful year. 

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Race Entries

David O'Meara Makes a Blistering Start to 2019 Flat Season (Plus Previews and Reviews)

Even though it’s only May the trainer who’s really impressed me with his 2-year-old horses compared to recent seasons is David O Meara, yes I can talk about Archie Watson or Richard Fahey banging in the winners but looking at past seasons David’s statistics didn’t read to well, in 2017 he had only one winner out of eleven runs and 2018 was even worse with one win out of fifteen runs.2019 has seen a dramatic improvement with six wins out of fourteen runs giving him a 42.9 percent strike rate and whopping 394.6 percent win return at starting price.

Full Authority (pictured) looks a serious Kingman colt who was well-fancied on his debut at Chester and powered away to win by six-lengths, am also looking forward to seeing Great Dame, Infinite Grace and Ruby Wonder run again in the future. The future looks bright for David O’Meara and good luck to him for the rest of the season. 

After a couple of winners on my trackers last week it was back down to earth with a bang this week but I still take a few positives from a couple and will keep an eye out for the next time out. 

Birkenhead wasn’t a bet for me but ran his usual honest race and was placed again. 

Ocasio Cortez was also a no bet after drifting to 10/1 and even though it looked a decent race she looks no world beater. 

I did have a small win bet on Richard Hannon’s first time out Endowed, I took 6/1 early on and this son of Dark Angel was well-backed into 11/4 second-favourite, which was a positive move but weakened inside the final furlong. At first glance, it may seem disappointing but the fact that he was entered to run in a Class 2 also the fact he was well-supported gives me some encouragement and I will be keen to see if he’s supported again on his next run. 

Ohio State was steady at 11/8 for most of the day, so was no bet for me and his run was too bad to be true and dropped away tamely, I will be interested to see the market next run. 

Harpocrates drifted from 2/1 to 7/2 on the off which did worry me that he wasn't fully wound up, he did manage to finish second but was slowly away and ran green.I would imagine this son of Invincible Star will improve a lot and go onto better things down the line. 

No luck with the Saturday Trixie again this week and not even a winner between us but I did manage a second with my selection Harpocrates.We need to have a good week this Saturday as it’s eating into my betting bank. 

Timeform Early Declaration Alert 

13 May 5.50 Windsor: Making History was a horse I marked down as S Bin Suroor’s first runner of the season even though he kept missing his engagements, made a favourite for his debut he wasn’t involved, no bet for me. 

13 May 5.50 Windsor: Kemble had an early entry for a Class 2 race but never ran, fancied on debut and ran green, another no bet for me in what looks a difficult race. 

14 May 3.00 Chepstow: Audio also had a Class 2 entry but never ran, looks disappointing after two starts and I will be watching to see if any improvement after an 81-day break. 

14 May 1.50 Beverley: Richard R H B ran in the Brocklesby which normally shows the horse has some ability, I was worried when I didn’t back this tracker second-time out, and he put in a much-improved effort to finish third at 40/1, this looks a harder race and I will check the betting before I decide to bet or not. 

14 May 2.20 Beverley: Exclusive from the all-conquering Archie Watson stable was entered in a Class 2 race at Chester last week but didn’t run, keen to see the market for this Kodiac filly before I decide to bet and as always it’s a gamble betting on debut runners but Archie seems to have them fit and ready from the start. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Exciting time for Middleham Park Racing (Doncaster Blog)

If you follow me on Twitter, you will know I have been waffling on about the Flat racing for a while now. Also, I have mentioned my love of 2-year-old racing. Hopefully, this year, working with my friend Jason Coote (jason@grouphorse.co.uk), we'll be giving the bookies a run for their money. 

As it's still early season, and it takes a while to get going with the information we need, I will be writing about subjects that take my interest. 

The Week Ahead: 

The early declarations are out for the first Flat turf meeting of the 2019 season: the Unibet Lincoln Race Day taking place at Doncaster. 

The Unibet Lincoln is the highlight of the day (but not for me as I will be taking a keen interest in the Brocklesby) but more on that later.

Looking back at the past running of the Doncaster Mile Stakes shows Roger Varian likes to target this race with some nice types, including 2018 winner Zabeel Prince and 2016 winner Belardo. This year Sharja Bridge has been given an early entry, so depending on price, could be a possible bet for me, especially as he likes the soft going which he proved by winning his last race at Ascot. 

The Unibet Lincoln is a race that D O’Meara has done well. In the past two seasons, Lord Glitters finish second in 2018, and Bravery outrunning his odds to win the 2017 renewal at 20/1. 

Humbert, who has changed stables from the Hugo Palmer yard, has seen some early support backed from 25/1 to 10/1. Waarif, who is owned by Middleham Park Racing who also run Ventura Knight, have a chance of winning the £62,250 prize. 

Next race on the card (I have been waiting for what seems an age) is the Unibet Brocklesby Conditions Stakes for 2-year-olds. With no form guide, it’s a bit of a minefield.  As with all unraced 2-year-old horses, it’s worth keeping an eye out on market movers. Even if they get beat this time, that bit of information could be gold dust worth noting when the horse makes its next start. 

I have already written an article about past winners (detailing a few stats), but now the early declarations are in I see the same old trainers are ready to unleash a ''superstar''. I will mention a few horses entered for the Brocklesby Stakes. 

Mick Channon won this race last year with Izzer, who was backed into 4/1. He fields Birkenhead and Sir Gordon. 

Bill Turner normally runs his best two-year-old here. However, the last two years have proven disappointing. Both horses started at odds of 10/1. I will be checking the betting to see if Hell of a Joker is fancied or not. 

Lexington Quest is another interesting runner for the Middleham Park Racing Syndicate, trained by R Hannon. If he runs, I imagine he will be fit and ready to go as most Hannon 2-year-olds are primed, especially if strong in the market.

Conclusion: This looks a decent Brocklesby with a few top trainers looking to win the £7,116 prize. I have only mentioned a select few. It’s always good to keep an eye on the market, especially as the winner of this race has been 4/1 and under the past four years. 

Good luck with whoever you back, I might just watch and enjoy this one.