Royal Ascot 2021.
For most owners and trainers those winners are elusive. In ways, Nick Bradley Racing exemplify the story of successful racehorse ownership.
We've seen a host of two-year-olds make their appearance this year for horse trainers many and varied. Each syndicate as excited as the next. It's going to be a good year. By Lord, we all need it to be a good one.
The sound of galloping horses. A cheering crowd. Let me close my eyes for a moment and dream.
Take a deep breath...
Exhale as a nation if not a united world.
I'm sure as Nick Bradley travels to the races he listens to that 1984 classic hit by Sade - Smooth Operator.
The lyrics ''Diamond Life'' shine - emboldened - in my mind.
Royal Ascot has been a flying success for Nick and the team.
What a start to proceedings.
Two-year-old horse racing is our bag and it's overflowing with success. Racing silks for everyone topped with a star. What more do we need to say. Leading the way in racehorse ownership and investment.
The latter word isn't synonymous with many chancing their luck within this racing game.
Without question, there will be success.
Eldrickjones nearly hit the jackpot when runner up in the Coventry Stakes Group 2 at odds of 66/1, in the capable hands of trainer Roger Fell, ridden by Daniel Tudhope.
Don't you wish you had purchased a share in this son of Cotai Glory out of a winning mare? An inspired breeze-up purchase from Goffs for the paltry sum of £26,000. Some people wait a lifetime for a gifted horse, these lucky souls almost had a Coventry winner in under two months.
Source Racing Post: Full resultI'm sure the blood was pumping a little faster and the drink going down the hatch like lubrication of a well-oil machine.
The Queen Mary Stakes Group 2 beckoned. Mas Poder, who made her debut in no less than the Marygated Stakes (listed race) over 5f at York for trainer Kevin Ryan, ridden by Kevin Stott, was ready to show even more power. This daughter of Mehmas finished fourth, an ''eyecatcher'' losing by two-lengths at odds of 22/1.
A sweet bay filly, a £42,000 breeze-up purchase from Goffs purchased by Hillen & Ryan.
Potential blue bloods at bargain basement prices.
Mas Poder didn't have her day at Royal Ascot, finishing a disappointing last in the Queen Mary Stakes.
She will bounce back.
Soon.
Source Racing Post: Full Result
Wednesday 16th June. The sun was shining brightly in an Ascot sky. The pimms had extra sparkle.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing!
Nick Bradley must have been contemplating the Windsor Castle Stakes (listed race) with the zeal of my old gran, of Mexican descent, who loves to chew on a Chipotle pepper as she contemplates her next move when playing chess.
What's this Mr. Bradley in a pincer movement with one of my favourite trainers Karl Burke. They stopped the clock, reminiscing over the moves of Bobby Fischer's Ruy Lopez opening like it was 1971.
I can't, again, believe my eyes.
There's me waiting for Kaboo to turn up at Carlisle on some heady evening and here he is starting at Royal Ascot. No wonder he is sired by More Than Ready. Not only this but he's been backed as if defeat is out of the question.
You don't question King Midas about anything made of gold.
Kaboo ran like a demon. I'm sure he only drifted left towards the finish because he saw my old gran throw a Chipotle pepper on the course in an attempt to trigger his turbo-charge only to see it quickly gobbled up by some beast trained by Eve Johnson Houghton.
No wonder I love to write about the Brocklesby Stakes, waiting for the future to be unveiled.
Kaboo finished a brilliant sixth, beaten just over three lengths.
Not only that, Guilded, who ran a remarkable race when runner-up at Beverley's Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies' Stakes, was vying for the lead when tiring in the closing hundred yards for a creditable eighth place.
Source Racing Post: Full Result
Thursday 18th June.
Ladies' Day - The sky is expelling water, but Hellomydarlin.
What a day.
Oscula, trained by George Boughey and ridden by Mark Crehan, had been in fantastic form after bumping into a horse named Sandrine on debut at Kempton. Two wins later, this daughter of Galileo Gold, out of a once-raced mare, took her chance in the Albany Stakes Group 3. This 4000 guinea yearling purchase was fancied to go well at odds of 10/1 and so she did. Making her own way up the near side rail she ran on in sterling fashion to finish third behind old adversary Sandrine who won in some style.
Hellomydarlin, who had made a winning debut at Goodwood, was disappointing after losing her position in the early stages of the race.
Source Racing Post: Full Result
Even in these heavy conditions it would have been great to conclude Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes (Listed race) with another Nick Bradley Racing superstar.
However, something tells me one, two or three of these talented two-year-olds will be winning at Group class before the season ends.
Excellent work by all.
For more information about horse racing ownership visit Nick Bradley Racing
Author: Jason Coote
