Marching On To The Flat Season 2022: With Orange And Light Blue Silks

Jamie Brownlow, an owner with Middleham Park Racing, has been kind enough to forward 6 horses he fancies to show up well in those orange and light blue silks. He's added a few two-year-olds to the mix which is ideal for our blog - it's niche. 

1) *Unnamed - KINGMAN ex PRICELESS JEWEL 2yr Old Colt, Trained by Hugo Palmer

A very professional colt who likes his training. I went and saw him on the galloping up Warren Hill at Newmarket. He has a lovely stride and has speed as well. I would say he will start five furlong maiden and then see where it takes him in his career. Staying in the sprint races or further. A very likable colt. 

Trainer Hugo Palmer likes what he sees in this young colt. A quote from the trainer saying: ” There’s something about him. He goes about his business. He’s showing a fair amount of speed for such a big horse”.

2) Unnamed -  HAVANA GREY ex LADY ESTELLA 2yr Old Colt, Trained by Richard Hannon

Everyone loves a grey. He looked very nice and professional walking around the make shift parade ring. Also he was very calm in front of potential owners. On the gallops watching him, he just wanted to beat another horse beside him on the gallops, which was a good sign. I think he’s one to watch of the flat season. He’s entered early in the Wetherby Super Sprint as well. 

Trainer Richard Hannon likes the way he does it with ease on his exercise.

3) Inspired Knowhow - EXCEED AND EXCEL ex SIMMY’S TEMPLE 2yr Old Colt,Trained by Marco Botti

The dam (Simmy’s Temple) was owned by Middelham Park Racing. She was second in the Brocklesby stakes at Doncaster. So this colt will have plenty of speed in his pedigree, even his sire is all speed as well. So I would say he will start 5 furlong and then will progress from there. I can see him running in top races in high handicap races  as a 2yr old and better as a 3yr old. 

Trainer Marc Botti quoted to say: ” That he has a very good temperament and has taken everything in his stride”.

4) Unnamed - FOOTSTEPINTHESAND ex ZIGGY’S SECRET 2yr Old Filly, Trained by Keith Dalgleish. 

Keith Dalgleish had success with Middleham Park Racing with the likes of Clem Fandango, Howzer Black and the up and coming 3yr old gelding Beltane. Looks like Keith Dalgleish has got another one in his hands, with this filly. She’s is strong and looks pretty quick. Trainer has started to up the exercises on his horses and reports that she is progressing, very well on the gallops. 

Keith Dalgleish is quoted saying:” There’s something about this filly that I really like”.

5) Unnamed - Dandy Man ex Satain Ribbon 2yr Old Filly, Trained by Karl Burke.

Dandy Man filly looks very well and hoping, that Karl Burke will have another nice filly in his hand for this flat season. By all account that the filly has wintered, well and now is at Karl Burke yard. I don’t think she will be an earlier type filly. But I’m sure will see her mid-term start. But I’m not sure. She might start at six furlongs races as the sire of Dandy Man I think ground conditions is important with this filly.

6) Lexington Knight - 4yo gelding, trained by Richard Hannon. 

Lexington Knight looked fantastic parading when I was at the stable visit at Richard Hannon. He’s definitely grown into his frame and strengthen up to a very nice horse. I’m sure he will improve his, 3yr old form last year. In which his form stands as 23322105352. He will be running between 1 mile 2 furlong to 1 mile 4 furlong races or further. At the moment there is no firm targets plans for him. So it will be Intresting how he does, in his 3yr old flat campaign.

Richard Hannon likes him and he says:” He’s going to be a very very nice horse this year”.

Many thanks for Jamie for detailing this post. Wishing him and the Middleham Park Racing syndicates all the best for the season ahead. 

Follow: Twitter accounts @Brownlowj74 @Mprupdates 

Jamie Brownlow MPR syndicate owner.

Source: Photos kindly forwarded by Middleham Park Racing and Jamie Brownlow 

(Permission to use photos from Jamie Brownlow.) 

A Brilliant Display from Ventura Diamond at Goodwood

A pretty quiet weekend with nothing much I fancied so Instead of just writing about anything I thought I would have a break and do some research. 

Quick update on a few of my past eye-catchers that ran last week. The Marcus Tregoning trained ALKUMAIT went into the notebook after a promising debut at Newbury when finishing strong a few weeks back. The Showcasing colt made no mistake next start when winning the Class 2 event at Goodwood last Tuesday with ease.

VENTURA DIAMOND was another who went into the notebook after a promising debut at Sandown a couple of weekends ago. The 100,000 gns purchase for the Middleham Park Owners looks a serious filly after winning without getting too serious at Goodwood on Friday. 

To learn more about Middleham Park Racing visit their website here. 

One eye-catcher that disappointed was TITIAN for William Haggas who did not improve on the promise he showed on debut and finished down the field at Goodwood yesterday.

A brilliant display from VENTURA DIAMOND on only her second start for @RichardFahey! 💎 #TeamMPR pic.twitter.com/kkSixQc56W

— Middleham Park Racing (@MprUpdates) July 31, 2020

It was nice to see the Eve Johnson Houghton trained BHUBEZI who was a horse to follow in her post back in May win the second time of asking at Chepstow on Saturday after a nice performance. What a season Eve is having with her 2-year-olds with six different winners this season and three the past week, a trainer in a rich vein of form and well-deserved.

A lovely double on the night so far for jockey @KShoemark who won our fifth race - The Read Around The Paddock At https://t.co/aN5rNFlRnM Maiden Stakes for @johnsonhoughton pic.twitter.com/kRfzq4QKct

— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) August 1, 2020

14:45 Haydock 03 Aug 2020 

A nice little race at Haydock and I have two trackers in this. Royal Musketeer is trained by Charlie Hills and owned by Mr. Ziad A Galadari who also owns Royal Commando who has run at a decent level for Charlie Hills and finished Fourth in the Commonwealth Cup Group 1 Stakes at Ascot this season. Interested to see the betting for the Acclamation colt and definitely one to look out for this season. One who has proven form but a short price is SOLENT GATEWAY for the Tom Dascombe yard. A decent debut when second to Et Tut Brute at Chepstow the Awtaad colt looked a certainty next timeout here but bumped into one of Richard Fahey's nice colts in the name of Rhythm Master, the fourth that day Cairn Island won in good style at Ayr last Tuesday. The £62,000 purchase looks to have a great chance to get his first win on the board here. 

15:30 Yarmouth 03 Aug 2020

Perfect Times won well on debut for Mark Johnston and looks a nice filly but with the extra weight to carry could have a tough job here to repeat that performance. Another short price tracker for me here is called JACINTH for William Haggas. A 120,000 gns purchase at the 2020 Craven Breeze up Sales for owners M M Stables. The Chestnut filly ran a promising debut at Newbury when slightly hampered and caught for pace before staying on to grab third on the line, didn't look the strongest race but Jacinth should come on plenty and know more this time out. Neptune’s Wonder is another tracker who has a nice pedigree but will need to be noted in the betting. 

16:40 Windsor 03 Aug 2020

OLYMPIC THEATRE is a Michael Bell Mayson gelding I had noted down on my shortlist after a fast-finishing third at Newmarket just over a week ago. The 30,000 euro bay gelding was a huge 40/1 on debut and slowly away before keeping on well the final furlong to finish third in what wasn't a bad race. He won’t have it all his own way especially with the form Eve Johnson Houghton is in who runs Uncle Dick here after a promising debut at Bath 20 days ago. 

19:15 Windsor 03 Aug 2020 

I do like owners Waverley Racing and always keep an eye out for the Beckett and Waverley combination. JACINTA DE VEGA is bred by Nick Bradley Bloodstock and costs 100,000 gns as a yearling. A few with experience here including the early favourite Rose Grey for Simon and Ed Crisford so another who a market check is needed on debut. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

Two-Year-Old (2yo) Eye-Catchers

Imperial Yellow was a £40,000 purchase at the 2019 Premier Yearling Sales for Roger Varian. His dam Soteria never set the world alight for Roger Varian and owners China Horse Club International when only racing three times in 2015. The New Bay colt started his career in what looks like a pretty decent maiden at Newmarket at the beginning of June. The winner Modern News finished fifth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last week and looks a nice type for Charlie Appleby this season. Another Appleby runner Noble Dynasty who finished second in that Newmarket Maiden also looks a nice type and could even be the best horse to come out of that maiden, looks one to keep an eye out for in future. Imperial Yellow opened up at 22s and was supported to 16s at the off, the bay colt dwelt at the start and was then steadied towards the rear by jockey Andrea Atzeni before making steady progress all the way to the line. Imperial Yellow wasn’t beaten far in the end and when stepped up in distance will hopefully pick up a win for the Varian yard. 

Nurse Florence was a 33,000 euro purchase for Jamie Osborne at the 2019 Orby Sale. Owners The 10 For 10 Partnership also owns Overpriced Mixer who rattled up a couple of wins at the back end of last season. Hopefully, Nurse Florence can do the same after a promising start to her career at Yarmouth this month. Even though it was only a four runner affair and Nurse Florence wasn’t fancied in the market at 10s, I’m pretty sure Jamie Osborne would have been pleased with the performance of the Gutifan grey filly put in. Nicola Currie kept Nurse Florence in a decent enough position from the start even though slightly slow away from the stalls before making steady progress and finishing a close up third with plenty more left in the tank. The winner that day Yazaman has since run a great race to finish second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. I can’t see much of a price for Nurse Florence next time but hopefully, she can get a win on the board for trainer Jamie Osborne. 

Ventura Tormenta who was having the first race of his career at Royal Ascot last week in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) and ran an absolute blinder for the Richard Hannon and the Middleham Park Team. The Acclamation bay colt was purchased at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sales for £95.000 and could be a name to look out for this season after an impressive debut. Considering Ventura was setting foot on the racecourse for his first time he looked professional and knew his job from the start against more experienced rivals. Waited within midfield by jockey Pat Dobbs Ventura Tormenta could never really get involved in the finish and I can see Ventura Tormenta being more tuned up and ready next timeout but take nothing away from him this was an eye-catching performance first timeout. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

The one I have put in my trackers is the Roger Teal's Dark Angel colt Gussy Mac who was purchased for £52,000 at the Goffs Premier Yearling August Sale. This April foal was slowly away (which can be forgiven for his first run) and was then settled in at the back of the field by jockey Jason Watson before making headway a few furlongs out to finish a never nearer sixth. I hope Gussy Mac can settle down next start and hopefully pick up a race for Roger Teal.

Magnificent Middleham Park Racing

Middleham Park Racing was launched 25 years ago. 

While other racing syndicates come and go - they are as strong as ever. Their undoubted success is a testament to understanding horse racing on many levels from owners to trainers and much more. 

Global pattern race successes and astonishing prize money detail the superb job Tim Palin who is Partner & Director of Racing and his team has done to bring enjoyment to owners and a respected part of the racing industry.

You have to go back to July 1995 to remember their first horse China Castle, trained by Patrick Haslem. Finishing tenth on his debut at Beverley didn't look the most aspiring of starts but by the end of his career, he had notched up 26 wins with prize money totaling £125,000. 

Since then, the winners have kept on coming and coming for Middleham Park Racing. 

Richard Hannon Snr and now Richard Hannon Jnr have always been worth looking out for when training horses for Middleham Park Racing. These successful partnerships are testimony to how Palin and the team have their operation running like a well-oiled machine.

The list of winners the partnership has enjoyed is always worth remembering. 

Older readers may remember Esentepe causing a bit of shock when winning the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes for Richard Hannon Snr back in 2012 at odds of 28/1 and a nice pot of £31.190.50 to go with it. Esentepe was bought by Peter Doyle Bloodstock for 22,000 Guineas and sold for 220,000 Guineas two years later, not a bad bit of business to be honest. 

Toormore has to be Middleham Park Racing's biggest success to date. 

What a horse! 

An inspired purchase for £36,000 at the Premier Yearling Sales in 2012. 

This son of Arakan won on debut at Leicester and remained unbeaten in his next two races as a 2-year-old winning the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood then winning the Group 1 National Stakes with ease. 

It was Richard Hannon Snr’s last season holding a licence, and he couldn’t have gone out on a higher note after Toormore was crowned European Champion 2-year-old colt. Over the years more group success followed Toormore before being sold to Godolphin. It was a tragedy when Toormore suffered a heartbreaking leg injury and had to be put down in 2018. A highest official rating of 122 and prize money of £475,551 means Toormore will always be remembered as an amazing horse and a great success story for Middleham Park Racing. 

Chief Barker was another nice winner for Richard Hannon Snr and Middleham Park Racing. The Azamour colt won first timeout at Sandown before going on to win a Listed race at Haydock in 2013 and then went on to race in America for new trainer Larry Rivelli as a 3-year-old. 

Kool Kompany was a top-class 2-year-old for the Middleham Park Racing team back in 2014 when winning his first three races on the racecourse including a Listed race at Naas and going on to win the Group 2 Railway Stakes, Group 2 Robert Papin and finished runner-up in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at Curragh. Kool Kompany then went on to win the Craven Stakes at Newmarket as a 3-year-old in what was a brilliant racing career. 

Currently standing stud at Dehesa De Milagro, Spain. 

Lexington Times did well to win the Spring Cup as a three-year-old in March 2015 and then contest some nice races without winning. 

Ventura Storm was an expensive purchase for the Middleham Park Racing team at the Craven Breeze Up Sale back in 2015 when bought for 110,000 Guineas but it was definitely money well-spent on the Zoffany colt.

A 20/1 shot on debut at Newmarket, Ventura Storm ran a decent race to finish third but made no mistake next timeout at the same venue. Pitched in at the deep end for his last race of the season in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp, Ventura Storm was never involved after being short of room and finished near the back. 

It was a different story when he made his reappearance as a 3-year-old and went on to win two Listed races, the 2016 Group 1 Gran Premio del Jockey Club, Milan and the 2016 Group 3 Prix De Reux, Deauville before moving to Australia. 

A highest official rating of 113 and Prize Money worth £327,648 made Ventura Storm a brilliant purchase for all involved. 

Great Page is another who won on debut this time at Windsor. The Roderic O'Connor filly went on to win a listed race at Naas and a Group 3 at Deauville in 2015 and finished her career in America. 

The same year Viren’s Army finished his career off in style for Richard Hannon Jnr and the Middleham Park team when winning the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester before moving to the Charlie Appleby yard and enjoying success in Meydan for his new trainer. 

Raymond Tusk wasn't seen as a 2-year-old but soon made up for lost time when winning his maiden at Newbury on debut as a 3-year-old. The 11/1 shot put the race to bed at the furlong pole and better was to come when taking a Listed race at Hamilton and a Group 2 in Milan.

Boitron has also won a Listed race this time as a 2-year-old at Newbury and this after winning his first two races of the season. 

A great look down memory lane with plenty of fantastic horses for the Hannon's and the Middleham Park Racing team. I really hope we see another Ventura Storm or maybe another legend like Toolmoore this year out of this bunch.

CITYZEN SERG (Pedigree RAVEN'S PASS (USA) SUMMER DREAM (IRE) OASIS DREAM) is a 3-year-old bay colt who had a few niggles as a 2-year-old, the 75,000 euro purchase will be hopefully making up for the lost time when he makes his debut this season.
  
VENTURA TORMENTA (Pedigree ACCLAMATION (GB) MIDNIGHT OASIS (IRE) OASIS DREAM) is a 2-year-old bay colt who cost £95.000 at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sales and one I will be looking out for this season. 

ROGUE NATION (Pedigree ACCLAMATION (GB) XEMA (GB) DANEHILL) is a 2-year-old with a great pedigree who Richard has a share himself and describes him as a great mover and a real athlete. 

LEXINGTON LIBERTY (Pedigree DANDY MAN (IRE) WARM WELCOME (GB) MOTIVATOR) is a 2-year-old who cost 50,000 euros at the Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sales and a full sister to black-type performer Danielsflyer. Another with a great pedigree and could be an early type to look out for. 

LEXINGTON FURY (Pedigree FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND (GB) MAJRAA (FRA) INVINCIBLE SPIRIT) is a 90,000 euro purchase for the Middleham Park team and looks a nice type who could be out midseason over 6 or 7 furlongs. 

FOUR CLUBS (Pedigree MAXIOS (GB) TRIMURTI (USA) HARLAN’S HOLIDAY) is a 2-year-old who has been described as a physically imposing sort. 

KEEP RIGHT ON (Pedigree ACCLAMATION (GB) KHALICE (GB) BAHAMIAN BOUNTY) A £26,000 purchase at the Goffs Yearling Sales and could be out in April.

MYBOYMAX (Pedigree MYBOYCHARLIE (IRE) PLEBEYA (IRE) DUBAWI) is a 2-year-old purchased at the Osarus Yearling Sales in France. 

VENTURA WIZARD (Pedigree PEARL SECRET (GB) CONCENTRATION (IRE) MIND GAMES) is a 2-year-old that was purchased at the Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale just like Ventura Rebel was last year so hopes are high for this £30,000 colt. Described as looking very strong and looks like a real athlete by the team. 

Thanks for reading and look out for my next 2-year-olds to follow.

Photo: Toormore (A True Champion) 

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

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.