NEWS AND UPDATES FOR OCTOBER 2007
31st October 2007
Clare Wills and Atacama Star at Nottingham
Photos Courtesy of Maureen Wills
Clare Wills a dedicated member of Brendan's staff, who rides out, leads up, mucks out, occassionally drives the horse box and helps looks after the office was very kindly given the opportunity by one of Brendan's loyal owners, Bob Gunn to ride Atacama Star at Nottingham in the Amateurs Ladies Race.
This is Clare's first ride for a while. I know Clare and her parents were grateful for this opportunity and Clare will have no doubt learnt alot from this experience so thanks again to Bob!
21st October 2007
BRENDAN CAME 2ND IN THE CHARITY RACE AT KEMPTON!
Brendan Jnr waiting patiently for his Dad to be jocked up on Warne's Way.
A great afternoon's racing for a great cause at Kempton today. Literally thousands of pounds were raised for Richard Dunwoody's trip to the South Pole and to support his charities.
It was great to see so many of Brendan's owners there. Warnes Way ran a cracker to finish 2nd and his daughter, Jenny said that her Dad should have pushed a little harder in the dying strides to grab first place from Simon Sherwood. Brendan does have a stinking cold, so we put it down to him feeling a tad under the weather today but a great race from both horse and jockey today.
Courtest of The Racing Post
Retired jump jockeys back for one last thrill at Kempton
by Rodney Masters
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FOR many of them, Saga brochures have by now replaced their fan mail. For possibly all of them, nothing can ever replace the daily pulsating thrill of raceriding. On Sunday, a pack of retired jump jockeys gathered to ride in a charityrace in the twilight at Kempton, the course where between them they had won the King George V1 Chase on ten occasions.
The ever brave Richard Dunwoody, who masterminded an event which raised a thumping £50,000 for good causes, would no doubt have preferred a novices' chase for the reunion. Although this was a straightforward mile and a half on the level, with all runners carrying 12 stone, there was however one not insignificant fear involved for the dozen participants who included Charlie Swan, Steve Smith-Eccles, Peter Scudamore and Hywel Davies.
That is because whenever charity races are mentioned, the story is repeated of John Francome's infamous goosing of senior amateur Robin Gray in one such event at Ascot many years ago. Who would he playfully grab here on the home turn?
Too dark to tell, but from out of the gloom Simon Sherwood delivered Nicky Henderson-trained Royaleety to cut down Brendan Powell and Warne's Way in the closing strides. Third was Norman Williamson on The Local.
Sherwood, pulling on racing colours for the first time since closing out his career with a winner at Haydock in 1989, may have lost most of his hair, but clearly none of his expert timing.
“I think it may have something to do with the fact I was on the best horse,” said a barely panting Sherwood, who must surely be contacting his solicitor this morning over the scandalous note on the race card which read- “His nine out of 10 on Desert Orchid has been overshadowed by his reputation for not buying a drink.”
Apart from the fund raising for charity, the seniors had come to Kempton in support of raising awareness of Dunwoody's imminent trek to the geographic South Pole. No matter if it the top or bottom of the world, Dunwoody gives the impression he has found nothing in life to plug the void left by his injury enforced exit from the profession where he was known as The Prince. He even attempted to make a comeback at the age of 41, only to be thwarted by the medics.
“I think most of us turned down Richard when he telephoned us initially to ride today,” said Francome, the senior member of the party. ”But he was persistent and kept ringing back until we agreed. Full marks to him.”
Should Dunwoody find himself a man down for the expedition to the snowy wastelands will the same approach lure one of his former colleagues to make up the numbers? He may get the engaged tone. Whatever awaits you down there Richard, good luck.
Who knows, in 20 years from now we may be regrouping at Kempton, as Tony McCoy puts together a similar occasion prior to climbing Everest.
Good Luck on Sunday, Brendan!
Brendan will be riding in a charity race at Kempton on Sunday 21st October at 5.35pm. Brendan and a few of the greatest National Hunt jockeys from years gone by (not that many years in Brendan's case I had better quickly add) will by riding in a mile and a half flat race. The race will help raise funds for SPARKS, Spinal Research and Racing Welfare, Richard will be taking to the saddle in public for the first time since retiring and and will ride in the CORTAFLEX N.H. LEGENDS CHARITY RACE at Kempton Park.
The line up of ex-champions is unprecedented and will include Richard Dunwoody, Peter Scudamore, John Francome, Steve Smith-Eccles, Charlie Swan, Brendan Powell, Hywel Davies, Simon Sherwood, Colin Brown and Norman Williamson... The race will be highly newsworthy, undoubtedly the most competitive race on the card and a 'celebrity-packed' day out, not to be missed.
Further details can be found by following this link
Friday 19th October 2007
CAPE GREKO 4TH AT CHELTENHAM
Photo courtesy of Ray Hughes
A mention for Cape Greko who ran at Cheltenham on Friday 19th October. Cape Greko came to Brendan this year from Andrew Balding's yard as he certainly wasn't taking to the flat racing as much as the owners would have hoped especially after a great start as a 2yo.
Literally, after a couple of schooling lessons by Brendan he was convinced that Cape Greko could be a serious jumping horse. He was an absolute natural. Brendan's initial thoughts have so far proven to be right. Cape Greko is a horse that on occasions found racing quite stressful, so he took a little time to settle in. Within a few weeks he took to his new routine and his love of jumping has given him a new lease of life. His results over the hurdles are already pretty impressive.
I was delighted to be invited to Cheltenham on Friday with Cape Greko's owners, Andrew Christou and his partner, Diane Gartlan. The owners are always very well looked after at Cheltenham, and with the added benefit of the autumn sunshine we all enjoyed a great afternoons racing.
Cape Greko came a very respectable 4th under Timmy Murphy and Brendan and Andrew will now look forward with interest to looking for a race to possibly lead them onto racing at The Cheltenham Festival next March.
Cape Greko is definitely a horse to keep an eye on, as he is very genuine a natural jumper and a horse that now has many supporters.
Tuesday 16th October 2007
Calusa Caldera wins at Huntingdon under Mick Fitzgerald @ 18/1
Courtesy of The Racing Post:
A heavy downpour before the race made it tough going for these novices, with two drawing right away from several very tired horses.
CALUSA CALDERA hadshown very little over hurdles, but had undergone a wind operation since his last race at Bangorin May and the benefit was obvious as he battled on under a strong ride to get the better of Prince De Bersy, causing something of a shock. His trainer views him as a future 3m chaser and it is likely there is more to come.
A great ride by Mick Fitzgerald who managed to beat the David Pipe horse, Price De Bersy by a head. Many congratulations to the owner, Peter Luff.
Thursday 11th October 2007
WELL DONE GAELIC GIFT AND SAM JONES
Gaelic Gift and Sam Jones winning at Lingfield. Photo courtesy of Steve Cargill
Sam Jones continuing his great run of recent form this time on Gaelic Gift this afternoon at Lingfield. It turned into a nail biting even when the result had to wait for a photograph with Gaelic Gift being confirmed the winner by a shoulder.
Many congratulations to the winning connections, Leith Hill Chasers.
Courtesy of The Racing Post
These mares' only handicaps are seldom competitive, and this was no exception. The going here may have been a bit tacky, but it was not as soft as officially described, and she forced the pace from the start before battling on gamely when strongly challenged by Jades Double. She will stick to this sort of company for now and will not mind a return to further. Later in the season she is likely to be running in mares' novice chases.
SIR BATHWICK AND SAM JONES at SEDGEFIELD. Some good news and some not so good news.....
2nd October 2007
After Sir Bathwick having endured so many health problems over the years it was great to see him jumping so well at Sedgefield to finish in 2nd place in quite a hot race. That was the good news, the bad news was that Sir Bathwick was disqualified on a technicality as effectively horse and jockey had taken the wrong course. This was disappointing after Sir Bathwick had jumped so fluently throughout. The good news is Sir Bathwick is absolutely fine, the owners were thrilled at his continued progress and they look forward to his next race. A brave, genuine horse that deserves to win soon.
Courtesy of The Racing Post:
Sir Bathwick crossed the line in second place, but he collided with the doll on the top bend before the final fence and consequently took the wrong course as he went the wrong side of the upright. He was inevitably disqualified, but he was second-best on the day.
7th October 2007
WELL DONE SUNLEY SHINES AND SAM JONES!
Great to see Sunley Shines and Sam Jones team up and win at Huntingdon today. Congratulations to the owner, John B Sunley.
Courtesy of The Racing Post:
Another strongly run race but a runaway winner in SUNLEY SHINES, who ran and jumped her rivals off their feet in the last mile to come home unchallenged from the end of the back straight, value for considerably more than the bare margin. This strong mare owes her connections nothing and could go to the early Cheltenham meeting under a 10lb penalty before some of the big guns are unveiled.
Sunley Shines ran out easiest winner of the day to continue the rehabilitation of his conditional rider Sam Jones, who missed the summer season with a broken leg but was completing a winner a day this weekend after success at Fontwell.
Winning trainer Brendan Powell said: "This mare is a darling - she has now won two bumpers, two hurdles and two chases for me. She'll make a lovely broodmare for someone and might goto Cheltenham for an early meeting before the big guns come out."
The first win for Brendan so far this month but with the weather so warm for this time of the year the ground is not ideal for many of the National Hunt horses.
Heart of the South Racing
Brendan is delighted to have he opportunity to train a horse for the Heart of the South Racing partnership.
The partnership was launched at Fontwell racecourse on Saturday 6th October.
Full details can be found at:
Heart of the South Racing
Moshahed - by a Derby winner out of a mare by a Derby winner
Moshahed a 4yo gelding by the Derby winner Nashwaan. Moshahed is a winner of an Irish point to point.
His trainer, Brendan Powell says "This beautifully bred, athletic horse has already proved he can jump fences. I intend to let him win a couple of novice hurdles before going over the larger obstacles."
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