Winter 2014/15 Issue
What a noteworthy last three months that saw our biggest ever win over jumps,
when Itoldyou took the Sussex National and an historic 7th victory for
Kingscombe on the sand at Southwell! The whole team has worked so hard it’s
great when they are rewarded with successes like these, it boosts everyone’s self
esteem and has made the dark, cold winter mornings much easier to cope with.
The weather is always a factor in racing and we are now in that period where
plans have to be much more flexible as waterlogging and frozen ground cause
meetings to be abandoned. We even had a fruitless journey to the so called “All
Weather” at Southwell only to have it abandoned as the harrowed in snow had
frozen! Hopefully we will find plenty of opportunities in the next few months
for the horses to be seen at their best, giving owners and stable staff alike more
thrills and success. We would like to wish all of you a happy new year and will
do our utmost to make 2015 a memorable year for all the right reasons.
Linda and Karen
Winning Post
Itoldyou wins The At The Races Sussex National
Itoldyou gave Linda and his owners, Valence Racing Too, their biggest ever
National Hunt victory when he won the Sussex National at Plumpton on the 4 th
January. In a competitive field of 12 runners, including two for Venetia
Williams and last year’s winner Reblis, Tom Cannon set off positively on the
inside a couple of lengths behind the leaders to get Itoldyou into a rhythm and
jumping well in the heavy ground. He was then allowed to travel in midfield
until taking closer order going out on the final circuit of the gruelling 3 mile 5
furlong race.
Going down the back straight he closed up to within a length of the favourite
who had led from the start. Turning into the finishing straight it looked to be a
duel between the two of them and Itoldyou took the lead after the second last
fence. He then began to idle approaching the last but Tom kept him balanced
and had enough in hand to hold of the mass charge of the only other 4 horses to
complete, winning by 2 lengths, with just over half a length covering the rest.
This achievement will be permanently recorded on the honours board in the
racecourse entrance.
Photos 2, 3 & 4 courtesy of louisebrucephotography.co.uk
Winning Post
Back to the sands, back to winning ways, an
historic 7th victory for Kingscombe.
Kingscombe returned to Southwell, his favourite course, and made it seven wins
from eight starts for the popular grey on the fibresand at the Nottinghamshire
track (4/11/2014). Drawn widest of the six runners in a class 4 handicap over 2
miles, he raced on the outside in the early part of the race under jockey Robert
Havlin. He tucked in to 4th position, tracking the leaders, going out on the final
circuit. He was asked to move up when nearing the far turn and made smooth
progress on the outside of the favourite rounding the bend. The two then had a
battle royal up the straight with Kingscombe coming out on top at the line, as he
has made a habit of doing, to win by a neck, with another 14 lengths back to the
third placed horse. He always seems to do just enough to win in these
circumstances, as his 7 victories total just 7 and a half lengths in winning
margins.
In The Frame
Claude Greenwood
Claude Greenwood earned more prize money when he finished third in a 1 mile
2 furlong handicap on the all weather at Kempton 22/10/2014. In a field of
fourteen he was ridden prominently by Charles Bishop from the off and was in a
good position entering the home straight. He made an effort to press the leaders
at the 1 furlong pole but could not match their pace in the final 100 yards. At
odds of 20/1 this was another good effort from a horse that has been consistent in
his grade this season.
Itoldyou
Itoldyou had his first race after his summer break on 7th November at Fontwell, a
course where he had won on his two previous visits, and looked pleased to be
back. In a 2 mile 6 furlong handicap chase, ridden by Tom Cannon, he was held
up in the rear for the first circuit before moving up with a mile to go. He chased
the leader from the 5th last fence but he couldn't find enough to get upsides. He
began to stay on again after the final fence and held on to second place just under
2 lengths behind the winner. This was a pleasing return after his summer break.
In The Frame (continued)
Red Anchor (stable name Ginger) showed a return to form on 11th November
when finishing 3rd in a handicap chase at Lingfield. After his problems last
season it was great to see him racing with enthusiasm and attacking his jumps
again. Ridden by Jamie Moore, he set off third of the field of four runners in the
2 and a half mile event. He moved up into second going out on the final circuit
and held this position until entering the home straight where he was challenged
for the position. His lack of a recent run began to tell, but he continued gamely
to hold on to his third place, just 16 lengths behind the easy winner, and
demonstrate that he is back to his old self, putting a smile on the faces of all his
connections.
Ginger in 3rd passes the stands on the first circuit.
Ginger returns to the unsaddling enclosure
In a competitive race at Newbury on 27th November, Itoldyou started the 5/1 4th
favourite of the five runners in the 3 mile 2 furlong amateur riders handicap
chase. It was a step up in class both in terms of opposition and fences so in many
ways was a test of his abilities. Jockey Danny Burton dropped Itoldyou in at the
rear as the field set off on the soft ground. He jumped well on the first circuit but
he was hampered by an unseated rider at the first in the back straight on the
second circuit. It seemed to affect him as he made mistakes at the next two
fences. He stayed last of the four remaining runners until entering the home
straight where he was given a reminder by the jockey. He responded to this and
took the lead over the big open ditch three from home. He was a little untidy at
the last two fences but still held the lead. After the last the favourite got up and
passed him but he kept going to hold on to second place, one and a quarter
lengths behind the winner and a length and a half ahead of the third. He earned
over £1700 for his owners, Valence Racing Too, in this Class 3 race and gave
them a great day out.
In The Frame (continued)
Maccabees made it to the frame at Plumpton on 15th December. In the 2 mile
handicap hurdle, on chewed up heavy ground and ridden by Thomas Cheesman,
he tracked the leaders for the first circuit and a half. He was asked for an effort
three out but could not make ground on the two horses in front. He did however
keep going all the way to the line and was able to hold on to third place, building
on his 4th place on his previous visit to the course.
In The Money
Kayflin 6th Ascot 21/11/2014 £126
Maccabees 4th Plumpton 1/12/2014 £166
Kingscombe 4th Fontwell 9/12/2014 £143
Strategic Action 4th Kempton 16/12/2014 £168
Best Turned Out
Red Anchor won the best turned out award at a very rainy Towcester 23/11/14 , and
Frankie collected £25 for her efforts.
Ex-stable conditional, Craig Messenger, wins
Richard Davis Award.
Left to right: Craig Messenger, Dan Fortt and Richie Killoran
The JETS Richard Davis Awards take place annually and recognise and honour the career development of
current and former jockeys. These inspirational Awards were established in memory of the late Richard
Davis who had started planning for his future before his fatal race fall in 1996.
Chosen by a panel of independent judges, JETS trustees and IJF almoners (in the case of the IJF Progress
Award), the Awards are established as an important celebration to demonstrate the diverse careers which
jockeys go on to enjoy and the support provided by JETS to help them plan for their futures not only once
they have retired but importantly whilst they are still riding. The candidates are judged according to the
initiative, forethought, effort and determination put into their career development.
The 2014 winners were announced and presented with their Awards at Cheltenham on Sunday 16
November. For the first time since 2009 there were joint winners of the Achievement Award, now in its 19 th
year, after the panel decided that it was impossible to separate two of the contenders.
JETS Achievement Award (now in its 19th year and worth £3,000 to the winner, is the top award
designed for those jockeys who have significantly achieved in pursuing their new chosen careers)
2014 Joint Winner – Craig Messenger
Having suffered a career ending injury, Craig has said how JETS gave him the confidence and motivation to
pursue a second career with the police. He joined Kent Police as a Police Community Support Officer
(PCSO) earlier this year.
Commenting on his job, he said “I wanted a role where I could provide help and support to members of the
community and being a PCSO in Medway allows me to do just that. PCSOs play a vital role in keeping Kent
a safe place to live, work and visit. I work alongside regular police officers helping to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour and I act as a visible point of contact for residents. “To become a PCSO I had to complete a
series of written tests and practical exercises. I have been trained by experienced officers who have taught
me the skills I need to help identify criminals, deter anti-social behaviour and support community safety. No
day is ever the same. One day I could be meeting residents to help them security mark their property and
discuss any policing concerns they may have, and the next day I could be carrying out a foot patrol
following the concerns raised by residents. “Although I miss my life as a jockey, I really enjoy my role as a
PCSO as it gives me the opportunity to give something back to the community.’
Constructive Use Of Time.
There have been a couple of construction projects carried out at the yard over the
last three months, both for the benefit of the horses and the owners.
Firstly new schooling fences have been carefully put together and erected in the
all weather gallop field, across the road from the stable.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
The second piece of building work was the knocking down of the wall in the
house between the kitchen and the small outer lounge. This has created far more
space for the Saturday breakfast owners gathering and allows the stable staff to
join them and share in the banter.
Name: Mike J Burge
Age: 24
Why did you come into racing?
From a young age I've always ridden horses, from growing up on a family farm. My step mother would take
me to and from pony clubs and shows. It was my grandfather that had the passion for racing. He would
always use the Sun paper to look at the runners. He would only bet once a year in the Grand National, but
he would frequently pick winners in the paper. He used to put a little pencil mark at the end on the horse’s
name for me, only as my nan would say,” Come on Michael who's going to win?”, his little way off helping
me. Of course they would not always win. As I got older through school and college horses took a back
place as I pursued agriculture. But as people that work with horses know, once you get the bug of riding it
never goes. I moved to Kent almost six years ago and called up Linda to see if I could ride out now and then
and it got to a point where I missed it all too much, the ridding, the racing, the friendly family atmosphere,
so took the opportunity to get back in the saddle full time.
If you had to have a different career what would it be?
Well this is an easy question to answer, as all the girls at the yard would say, I'd be a farmer.
What has been your best moment in racing?
On Sunday 4th January 2014 when I had the honour to lead up one of our top horses, Itoldyou, or as he is
known at home, Romeo, when he won the Sussex National. A proud moment for all our team!
What is your ambition in racing?
I would like in ten years to become an assistant trainer. In the short term to be able to put the hard work in
to the horse on the gallops and race them on the track to learn more, so in time I can then be more able to
turn a horse out to a high stranded where I can be certain that when the jockey gets on the horse I've done
my job and that the horse is ready to do its job.
Do you have an ambition outside racing?
I am not a person that can sit still for very long, and working in racing is like working on a farm, not a job
a way of life, and in all things you do in life you put 100% into it. So even at home I'm still exercising or
doing something hands on. I ride for fun as well so on a day off I'll pop in the yard take a horse out it how I
relax an feel most comfortable.
What has been your most amusing moment in the job?
Hmm where to start, only there been a few and trouble is somehow there all involving Karen! But I have to
say I have learnt now in the most un-harmful way to let her just fall flat on her face then help her up off the
floor. Only trying to help in the middle of her fall just does not seem to work. I went to Lingfield racecourse
once with Karen and loading up one of the horses, well shall we say the horse was good as gold but any one
walking past the box must of been thinking what are those two nutters doing in that box! I am not going to
say any more or go into detail as Karen will kill me. Needless to say we do have a good laugh at the races.
Who do you most admire in racing?
The person I would have to say I most admire in racing is Karen Jewell. Why, that's easy because 7 days a
week, 365 day a year this lady has a smile on her face. Even when she is ill she is on the horses looking after
the staff. She helps me with my ridding shows me things that I want to learn and can have a laugh with us all
as well. But under all that Karen is always thinking of the horses, where to go what to do with them.
Favourite racecourse and why?
That would have to be Plumpton, as it is where I led Itoldyou up at our team’s big win of the Sussex
National.
Favourite meal? Roast dinner. Favourite music? 50s to 80s. Favourite non equine sport? Rugby.
Plenty of points have been earned already and it is shaping up into a close contest.
Standings as of 22/1/2015
Name
Fiona Meekins
Derek Maidment
Tomas Maidment
Laurel Stevens
Carol Watson
Rosemary Watson
Trevor Wyatt
Pauline Reynolds
Dick Churcher
William Maidment
Alison May
Neil Sawyer
Penelope Harrison
Jane Maltby
John Reynolds
Sally Stanier
Richard Young
Neil Maltby
TOTAL
25
23
23
23
23
23
23
21
16
16
16
16
7
7
7
5
2
0
Congratulations to Gillian & Martin, whose entry was first out of the
hat, having correctly answered last issue’s question. Plumpton hold theirs
in September, Fontwell and Brighton in August, and Lingfield hold two. WHAT?
Answer :- It was Ladies Day but as Plumpton moved theirs to
May Family Fun Day was also an acceptable answer.
This issue’s question:- What is the longest word you can
make out of the letters of
PRAISE N GLORY ?
Once again there is a bottle of wine for the winner.
Answers to – Southfield Competition c/o R Young 17 Redsells Close
Maidstone Kent ME15 8SN
Or e-mail to [email protected]
In the event of a tie, the correct answers will be put into a hat and the
winner drawn on April 11th 2015.