Lady Buttons arrives at Coolmore
By Andrew Atkinson
Lady Buttons who retired last year after a successful career has arrived at Coolmore stud in Ireland to stand with Walk In The Park.
"Lady Buttons arrived in Ireland on her way to Coolmore, Castlehyde, for a date...
TIGER ROLL TO MISS AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL?
Quote: 'We feel a responsibility to Tiger Roll, he owes us nothing. He's getting older - and may not run again - after Cheltenham'
By Andrew Atkinson
Gordon Elliott trained Aintree Grand National twice-winner Tiger Roll may swerve a historic...
WINTER WONDERLAND
Quote: 'Three inches of snow fell on a wintery day - and six inches at the top of the gallop. The gallops are in good working order and the horses appear fresh and well'.
By Andrew Atkinson
Nick Alexander's stables in...
RACING UNDER THE ‘COSH’ OF CORONAVIRUS
Andrew Atkinson looks at the cost to racing with trainer Nick Alexander after the cold spell and snow that lead to ice and ground frozen this month, leading to a plethora of meetings abandoned.
"Luckily the gallops have been in...
Cheltenham Festival dream looms for €670 purchase Skyace
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon's canny €670 purchase of former Willie Mullins trained six-year-old Skyace in June 2020 is one of the bargain buys of the NH Turf - with a Cheltenham Festival appearance looming.
Since being under the...
Suggestion retired in wake of eye removal tumour op
By Andrew Atkinson
Phil Kirby trained nine-year-old Suggestion, bred by Juddmonte Farms Ltd, has been retired after six years at Green Oaks Farm stables in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
"We have said goodbye to this gorgeous boy - the gentle grey Suggestion...
TIGER ROLL NEEDS SUN TO RECOUP FORM
Quote: 'I’m sure they will get him back in good shape. He will be a better horse - when he has some sun on his back' - jockey Davy Russell
By Andrew Atkinson
Jockey Davy Russell who fractured his vertebrae...
Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll enjoys day at the beach
By Andrew Atkinson
Fifteen horses from the stables of leading County Meath Ireland based trainer Gordon Elliott enjoyed a morning out at Mornington Beach, including Envoi Allen, twice Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll and Abacadabras.
Elliott reported the death of...
Trainer Nick over the moon with Eagle Ridge win
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Nick Alexander is looking ahead to February to saddle Eagle Ridge again - after winning at Musselburgh on New Year's day.
"New Year’s day at Musselburgh was very different this year - but I was still over...
Speredek to be retired
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Nigel Hawke has announced that 10-year-old Speredek will be retired after a fall at Sandown Park on January 2, that led to concerns for its life after covers were placed in situ.
"Speredek is home after giving...
Gordon waiting for better ground for Mellow Ben as stablemate Commanche Red falls out...
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Chris Gordon based at Morestead Stables in Winchester, Hampshire, is waiting for better ground after Mellow Ben finished fourth in the Ladbrokes 3 miles Handicap Chase at Kempton, with stablemate Commanche Red pulled-up.
"We had a couple...
Always Tipsy suffers fatal injury at Musselburgh in William Hill Handicap Hurdle
By Andrew Atkinson
suffered a fatal injury at Musselburgh on December 22 after falling in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.
"I am extremely sorry to report that we lost Always Tipsy when he broke his shoulder at the third last hurdle...
Altior returns in Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park
By Andrew Atkinson
Altior is set to return to action in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park on December 27.
"I have no worries about the ground. He will run, he has to. Soft ground at Sandown and...
Epatante test against Goshen, Sceau Royal and Silver Streak in Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
By Andrew Atkinson
Champion Hurdler Epatante - winner of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November - is set to run in the Ladbrokes Hurdle (Grade 1) on Boxing Day.
"She is all set to go - this was always...
Chepstow Coral Welsh Grand National expected to be heavy going
By Andrew Atkinson
Chepstow stage the Coral Welsh Grand National on Sunday (December 27) on what is expected to be heavy going - having been postponed four times in a decade, due to waterlogging and snowfall.
"I don't think there should...
Henderson trained Santini joins King George VI Boxing Day party!
By Andrew Atkinson
Nicky Henderson trained Santini has been supplemented at £5,000 to run in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day: We've joined the party!
"We're going to join the party. We're up for it...
Lostintranslation ‘Boxing clever’ ahead of King George V1
By Andrew Atkinson
Lostintranslation's drifting odds of 8-1 for the King George V1 Chase on Boxing Day could be a Christmas cracker of a price - if proven a blip in form was due to muddy going in the Betfair...
O’Leary sells Apple’s Jade for €530,000 to trainer Elliott on behalf of Noel and...
By Andrew Atkinson
Michael O'Leary has sold mare Apple's Jade for €530,000 to trainer Gordon Elliott on behalf of Noel and Valerie Moran's Bective Stud.
Grade 1 winner on 11 occasions Apple's Jade was sold by O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud at...
Master Tommytucker and Al Dancer Cheltenham Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase head-to-head
By Andrew Atkinson
Paul Nicholls trained Master Tommytucker and Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Al Dancer go to post in the 19 runners Grade 3 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup 2m 4 1/2f Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday, December 12, having swerved...
A WALK IN THE PARK!
By Andrew Atkinson
Bushypark completed a hat-trick of victories on December 9 when landing the Follow Hexham Racecourse on Facebook Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 4 furlongs under jockey Tommy Dowson.
Trained by Philip Kirby at Green Oaks Farm stables in...
Happy Kirby shines in purple-patch
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Phil Kirby has hit a purple-patch with Shine Baby Shine the latest saddled winner from the Green Oaks Farm, Richmond, North Yorkshire stables, when winning at Southwell on December 8.
"It was a well deserved success for...
Presenting Percy win will do him world of good
Gordon Elliott trained nine-year-old Presenting Percy returned to winning ways at Thurles this month, when beating Kemboy under jockey Jack Kennedy, having last won in January 2019.
Presenting Percy fell when seventh two out in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup...
Anthony Van Dyck was very tough, straightforward and genuine – he gave everything –...
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Aiden O'Brien has praised 2019 Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck who tragically died participating in the 2020 Melbourne Cup this month: He gave everything.
"I didn’t get any results of any post mortem or anything yet but...
Namib Dancer will be very sorely missed after Huntingdon fatality
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Emma Lavelle has made a statement following the loss of six-year-old Namib Dancer after falling at Huntingdon on November 10.
"It was a very sad day for everyone here at Bonita Racing Stables, as well as for...
Whoshotthesherrif Carlisle win
By Andrew Atkinson
Philip Kirby trained Whoshotthesherrif returned to winning form at Carlisle on November 9 with a victory in the Durdar Graduation Chase C2 over 1m 7f.
Six-year-old Whoshotthesherrif gained a 1 length win over Kiltealy Briggs, ridden by Sean...
