Yorkshire Racing & Breeding News
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Date  
31/12/2004 Julie Camacho left it to the last day to claim her fifth flat winner of the year when Sir Nod won the maiden at Wolverhampton today. Meanwhile at Sedgefield there were winners for Sue Smith (Flake) and Brian Ellison (Hope Sound).
30/12/2004 A fairly quiet day for the Tyke trainers but there is a nice win for Sue Smith at Haydock with St Matthew, and at Lingfield for Alan Swinbank with What-A-Dancer.
29/12/2004 The big Yorkshire winners today was Ferdy Murphy's Ulusaba who won the £11,765 Stan James Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury. Meanwhile up at Musselburgh there were wins for Peter Beaumont (Moor Spirit), Tim Easterby (Doe Nal Rua) and his brother in law Richard Fahey (Ripntear).
28/12/2004 Today's big meeting is at Chepstow where Yorkshire horses are third in both the big races - Jedd O'Keeffee's Habitual Dancer in the Red Button Betting Finale Juvenile Hurdle G1 and Sue Smith's Chives in the Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase G1. The locals were in good form at Catterick with wins for Noel Wilson (Zanjeer), Richard Fahey (Ball O Malt), Fred Kirby (Forest Dante) and Sue Smith (Pottsy's Joy). On the all-weather flat card at Southwell there were wins for John Parkes (King Nicholas), Karl Burke (Little Biscuit) and David Barron (Quincannon).
27/12/2004 More frost sees Yorkshire interest restricted to the all-weather at Wolverhampton where there are winners for Richard Fahey (Pertemps Magnus) and Mick Easterby (Mount Hillaby).
26/12/2004 The Boxing Day fixture list is hit hard by the frost and snow but racing is on at Wetherby where Ferdy Murphy's Grand National hope gets back on the winning trail when taking the £29,000 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase. There are supporting victories at Wetherby for George Moore (Beamish Prince) and Sue Smith (Sharp Belline).
22/12/2004 A sole Yorkshire winner today with John Norton's Printsmith winning the opener at Wolverhampton. Meanwhile the old firm is reunited with the news that Kevin Darley will once again be senior jockey for Mark Johnston next season. Darley will share with long standing fixture Joe Fanning and this follows Keith Dalgleish's decision to retire (eventually re-emerging as a jumps jockey) earlier this season.
21/12/2004 More all-weather wins, this time at Southwell where Karl Burke's Radiant Bride wins the claimer and David Barker's Whinhill House wins one of the sprint race.
20/12/2004 Both today's Yorkshire winners come on the all-weather at Haydock with Chris Fairhurst gaining third third flat victory of the year when Truckle (recently bought from Mark Johnston's yard) takes the first division of the maiden and Andy Turnell's Blue Bajan taking the second division of the same race.
18/12/2004 Across the Pennines at Haydock the Yorkshire raiders took the first and last races with Malcolm Jefferson's Roman Ark and Sue Smith's Rebel Rhythm, in between times Kevin Ryan's Petrula was third in the £20,108 Sodexho Prestige Handicap Hurdle and Sue Smith's Tipsy Mouse second in the £20,319 Tim Molony Handicap Chase. Up at Newcastle Fred Kirby has one of the biggest wins of his career when Sound Of Cheers won the £12,238 Northumberland Handicap Chase and there were supporting victories from Tom Tate (The Duke's Speech) and Ferdy Murphy (Supreme Developer). Down at Warwick Andy Turnell's The Names Bond took the opener.
17/12/2004 A quiet day, with Malcolm Jefferson's Polar Gunner winning the opener at Uttoxeter the sole Yorkshire victory.
16/12/2004 Is it me or is this getting a little tedious?!? Next year I will keep the news down to genuinely interesting stuff, which will also make the page a lot quicker to load l! Anyway ...... David Barron's Forfeiter won his maiden at Southwell today whilst closer to home at Catterick there was a winner over jumps for Ferdy Murphy (Basilea Star) and a double for Sue Smith with Oso Magic and Stagecoach Diamond.
15/12/2004 The winners switch back to jumping today with wins at Bangor for Peter Beaumont (Flight Command) and Ferdy Murphy (Mac's Supreme) and at Hexham for Mick Easterby (Dance Party).
14/12/2004 Two Yorkshire winners at each of today's all-weather meetings. At Wolverhampton the winners come from Tim Easterby (Ryedane) and Linda Stubbs (Il Colosseo), whilst at Southwell Kevin Ryan scores a double with Tyrone Sam and Cloud Dancer.
13/12/2004 Yorkshire horses win the first and last races at Wolverhampton thanks to Karl Burke's Ashes and Jedd O'Keeffee's United Spirit. The evening sees the TBA Awards Ceremony with Elite Racing Club winning the 'Smaller Breeder' award thanks to Soviet Song who was bred at Star Cottage Stud, another 'Yorkshire' horses was also a winner as Floors Stud in Scotland won the Special Merit Award for Mark Johnston's Attraction.
12/12/2004 News from Sha Tin that Cape Of Good Hope, bred at Melbourne Hall Stud, has yet again put up a good run, this time second in the Hong Kong Sprint G1., again he was beaten by the incredible and virtually unbeatable Silent Witness. At a more parochial level there were wins at Musselburgh for Ferdy Murphy (Family Venture) and Mick Easterby (Blue Buster) and on the all-weather at Southwell for Kevin Ryan (Suffolk House).
11/12/2004 Having had his first Cheltenham winner yesterday, and following it with a win in the last race, Patrick Haslam continued his love affair with Cheltenham today when Yankeedoodledandy won the opening race, the £10,939 Mr Crumb Premium Stuffings Juvenille Novices' Hurdle! The next race saw Noel Wilson's Latalomne achieve a good second in the £13,781 Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase, whilst Ferdy Murphy also had to make do with placings - Joes Edge finishing second in the £12,702 bonusprint.com Novices' Chase, and Europa a strong third in the main race of the day, the £63,800 bonusprint.com Handicap Chase. It was also a case of placings in the big races at Lingfield with Murphy's Tribal Venture coming third in the £23,200 December Novices' Chase Gd2 and Brian Ellison's Carte Diamond a slightly dissapointing third in the £17,400 Summit Junior Hurdle Gd2. Having drawn a blank locally atDoncaster, the Tykes did at least manage a winner on the all-weather at Southwell where David Barron's Wahoo Sam took the penultimate race on the card.
10/12/2004 An excellent day for Patrick Haslam who had a double at Cheltenham with King Revo (in the £16,820 CFR Handicap Hurdle) and You're Special (in the £9,918 Conditional Jockeys Handicap Chase). Whilst a double at Cheltenham is always cause for celebration this was especially sweet for Haslam as it now means he has had a winner at every course in the country. Elsewhere David Chapman's Queen Of The Night won for the second time in four days, this time at Wolverhampton, whilst John Quinn's A Bit Of Fun took the selling hurdle at Doncaster.
09/12/2004 Again just the one Yorkshire winner with Geoff Harker's Cyborg de Sou taking the opener at Huntingdon.
08/12/2004 Just one winner today with John Norton's Ireland's Eye winning the last over the hurdles at Leicester.
07/12/2004 The Yorkshire runners are in good form at Southwell with David Chapman's Queen Of Night and David Barron's Old Bailey taking the first two races before Kevin Ryan's Blades Boy takes the Nursery.
06/12/2004 Another win for Ferdy Murphy when Hot Weld wins the Novices' hurdle at Newcastle, where earlier Jedd O'Keeffee's Habitual Dancer had won the second race.
05/12/2004 Ferdy Murphy's fine run of form continues with a double at Kelso courtesy of Basilea Star and Your A Gassman.
04/12/2004 Although no runners in the Tingle Creek it was still an excellent day for the Yorkshire trainers. Sue Smith led the way by winning both of the main races on Haydock's valuable card - the £34,800 Tommy Whittle Chase Gd2 with Chives, and the £32,500 Totesport Handicap Hurdle with Patriarch Express, who finished ahead of Kevin Ryan's Petrula. Down at Chepstow Ferdy Murphy kept up his recent good run with Carlys Quest taking the £15,109 ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle. The local meeting at Wetherby may not have been as valuable as others today, but the locals were dominant with a double for Mick Easterby (The Nomad and Middlethorpe) and winners for Brian Rothwell (Celtic Blaze) and that man again Ferdy Murphy (Fashions Monty).
03/12/2004 Two wins on the flat for the Yorkshire trainers today at Wolverhampton where Tim Easterby's Ryedane led a Yorkshire 1-2-3 in the nursery, and Lynda Ramsden's Greenwich Meantime won the stayer's handicap.
02/12/2004 Just the one Yorkshire winners today with Tim Easterby's Pay Attention taking the Novices' Hurdle at Market Rasen.
01/12/2004 A quiet day yesterday with no winners, today however John Wainwright's Joyce's Choice wins at Southwell and the locals win the last three at Catterick thanks to Ann Duffield (Prairie Sun), Andy Turnell (Six Pack) and Sue Smith (Izzykeen). At Tattersalls today all the lots with Yorkshire credentials are connected with Garrowby Stud, and the highest priced of these is Border Arrow's 1/2 sister Chanteloup who makes 45,000gns, sent up from James Fanshawe's yard.
30/11/2004 The top priced lot at the December Sales is the South African Champion Mare Ipi Tombe, who makes 850,000gns to the bid of Yorkshire based bloodstock agent James Delahooke.
29/11/2004 Two Yorkshire winners at Newcastle today with the spoils going to Ferdy Murphy (Macs' Supreme) and Geoff Harker (Oakapple Express). The biggest race of the day was on the all-weather at Wolverhampton where David Chapman's Quito was second in the £13,501 Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap. The December Sales re-commences at Tattersalls and Burton Agnes Stud sell Rambler, a winning 1/2 sister to Cassandra Go and Verglas, for 150,000gns, on behalf of George Strawbridge.
28/11/2004 Yet more winners for Ferdy Murphy with Ulusaba winning at Leicester and Garde Bien at Doncaster, where there were also winners for Tom Tate with The Duke's Speech and, in the main race on the card, Jim Turner with Rosie Redman, his undoubted stable star.
27/11/2004 Winners up at Newcastle for Ferdy Murphy (Your A Gassman) and Brian Ellison (Carte Diamond making a quick debut over hurdles for his new trainer) were the highlights of an otherwise poor day for the Yorkshire runners, with Ferdy Murphy's Europa finishing third in the £26,100 Ladbrokes.com Handicap Chase at Newbury the only other result worthy of mention. The Bolton Grange team were in action at Tattersalls again today, spending 60,000gns on a son of Montjeu, no Yorkshire studs were selling today.
26/11/2004 No winners today. Down at Newmarket the Theakston Stud is the only Yorkshire stud selling in the foal sale today and the two lots that sold (colts by Kalanisi and Fasliyev) each fetched 19,000gns. More breeding news is that the Cliff Stud near Helmsley has appointed a new manager, Mr.Guy Stephenson.
25/11/2004 Malcolm Jefferson supplied Yorkshire's only winner today with Roman Ark winning the opener at Carlisle. A very good day for clients of Lennie Peacock's Manor House Stud today, as they sold foals at Tattersalls for 95,000gns, 88,000gns and 42,000gns (amazingly all three to the renowned Irish 'pinhooker' Timmy Hyde), with the highest price being for a Royal Applause 1/2 brother to this seasons prolific two-year-old Mystical Land. Also having a good day was the Tibthorpe Stud who sold a son of Kyllachy for 41,000gns. Amongst the big spenders today was John Ellis and his son Andrew of Bolton Grange Stud who spent 200,000gns on a son of Johannesburg and 17,000gns on a son of Dr Fong. Another one of the big spenders was the Darley & Townsend partnership of Daleside Stud who spent 62,000gns on a son of Pivotal out of an own sister to Splice.
24/11/2004 Only two local winners at Wetherby today courtesy of Ferdy Murphy (Tribal Venture) and John Quinn (Aleron). After a day's lull the Tattersalls December Sales continued today with the foals section, and today's highest lot from a Yorkshire stud was the 9,000gns Evelyn Stud received for a son of Polish Precedent.
23/11/2004 Winners under both codes today. On the flat at Southwell there were wins for Karl Burke (Hows That), Ann Duffield (Constable Burton), David Barron (Penwell Hill) and Kevin Ryan (Roman Empire) whilst the jumps meeting at Sedgefield saw a double for Ferdy Murphy (Hot Weld and Garde Bien) and another double of sorts with Tim Easterby (County Classic) and uncle Mick Easterby (Dance Party) also getting winners.
22/11/2004 All the Yorkshire winenrs today came on the all-weather with John Wainwright's Eddies Jewel winning at Lingfield and Brian Ellison (Colemanstown), John Balding (Scary Night) and Micky Hammond (Boris The Spider) all having winners at Southwell. Only 4 Yorkshire lots catalogued in the Yearlings section of the December Sales at Tattersalls, and the probable highest price of those was withdrawn, so Garrowby Stud's son of Dr Fong and Slipper was left to take the highest Yorkshire price at 16,000gns.
21/11/2004 Just one winner today with Tim Fitzgerald's Vicentio winning the opener at Fakenham, although Ferdy Murphy's Joes Edge was a decent enough second in the £14,303 Amberleigh House Novices' Chase at Aintree.
20/11/2004 It was an unlucky day at Aintree today for Sue Smith with Town Crier second in his race and Smiths Landing third in his. This left Patrick Haslam clear to claim the biggest Tyke victory of the day with his Yankeedoodledandy winning the £16,835 totequadpot Introductory Juvenille Novices' Hurdle at Huntingdon. The only other winners came on the all-weather at Lingfield where Kevin Ryan's Spence Appeal took the opener and at Wolverhampton where Richard Fahey's Paparaazi took the nursery.
19/11/2004 Again no Yorkshire trained winners today, albeit with very few runners.
18/11/2004 Kris, the most recent Champion Sire based at a Yorkshire stud, died today in his paddock aged 28 at the de Walden family's Plantation Stud in Newmarket. Initially retired to Lord Howard de Walden's Thornton Stud in 1981 and stayed in Yorkshire until the property was sold to the Nicholson's in 1995. He was Champion British Based Stallion in 1986 and 1987, having been outright champion in 1985 when the brilliant Oh So Sharp was his biggest earner. He was also sire of such good horses as Rafha, Unite, Fitnah, Shamshir, Sudden Love, Balisada (all fillies) as well as Single Empire, Flash of Steel and de Walden's own Shavian. He is also broodmare sire of Rose Gypsy, Moonshell, Classic Park (bred at Garrowby), Invincible Spirit (bred at Cliff Stud), Okwango, Doyen, Epalo, Kissing Cousin, Rosefinch and the Yorkshire trained Group One duo of Continent and Lend A Hand. A disappointing day on the track as well with no winners, although Sue Smith's Patriarch Express was second in the £12,241 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Qualifier at Market Rasen.
17/11/2004 Winners galore for the Yorkshire trainers today. The in-form Ferdy Murphy won the main race jumps of the day the £9,053 Racing UK Landmark Handicap Chase at Kempton with Europa and doubled up with Fashions Monty at Hexham, where Patrick Haslam also had a winner with Soleil d'Hiver. On the flat all-weather there were winners at Wolverhampton for David Barron (Rancho Cucamonga) and Noel Wilson (Yenaled) but it was Kevin Ryan who took the most valuable race of the day, the £13,418 Bet Direct Handicap with Quiet Times.
16/11/2004 The flat season may have ended in Britain, but in France today the Prix Saraca L was won by Andronikos, bred by Lennie Peacock at the Manor House Stud in Middleham, to add to his earlier victory in the Doncaster Stakes L and his good second in the Gimcrack Stakes G2. There were very few Yorkshire trained runners today, and no winners.
15/11/2004 Wins at Leicester today for Geoff Harker (Farne Isle) and Ferdy Murphy (Ulusaba).
14/11/2004 No winners today but Sue Smith's Chives (off course for 323 days) put up a strong performance to be second in the £34,800 Edward Hanmer Memorial Handicap Chase Gd2 at Haydock, his first run for the Smith's. Meanwhile Patrick Haslam's You're Special was a good third at Cheltenham.
13/11/2004 Most of the local action today centred on Wetherby where local trainers won the first four races thanks to Lynn Siddall (Mr Christie), Malcolm Jefferson (Classic Capers), Micky Hammond (Manbow) and Kevin Ryan (Petrula). Karl Burke's Harry Potter won the Classified Stakes on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. All the way across at Churchill Downs River Belle, bred at Star Cottage Stud, won the Mrs Revere Stakes G2 by two noses under an inspired ride from a certain K.Fallon! This caps an excellent year for the Camacho's at Star Cottage as they also raised Attraction's nemesis Soviet Song on behalf on the Elite Racing Club.
12/11/2004 No winners yesterday, today Karl Burke's Atlantic Quest wins on the all-weather at Wolverhampton whilst Tim Easterby's Classic Event wins at Newcastle where Uncle Mick Easterby's King's Square is also victorius. No wins at Cheltenham, but Ferdy Murphy's Luzcadou is third in the Sporting Index Cross Country Chase.
10/11/2004 A double at Kelso for the in-form Ferdy Murphy with Ballinclay King and Basilea Star obliging. There was also a Yorkshire winner on the flat with Richard Whitaker's Vicious Warrior taking the second at Lingfield.
09/11/2004 Southwell again! Winner at the Lincolnshire track today for Karl Burke (Romil Star), Patrick Haslam (Zando), Kevin Ryan (Tyrone Sam) and Richard Fahey (Sharoura). Meanwhile over jumps there was a win for Ferdy Murphy (Fashions Monty) at Sedgefield and for Brian Ellison (King Eider) at Huntingdon.
08/11/2004 Again both Yorkshire winners today came at Southwell, but this time at the 'regional' all-weather flat meeting, they were Mick Easterby's Reversionary and Bryan Smart's Alice Blackthorn.
07/11/2004 Two winners over jumps at Southwell where the victorius trainers were Peter Beaumont (Moor Spirit) and Mick Easterby (One Five Eight).
06/11/2004 The final day of the flat season, and it was a good day for the locals at Doncaster where David Chapman's stable star Quito (who won last years Ayr Gold Cup) provided the veteran trainer with his first stakes winner since Soba's 1983 King George Stakes victory by taking the Wentworth Stakes L., this was a universally popular result for the well respected trainer. The next race was the £35,425 November Handicap and this also fell to the locals with Malton trainer Brian Ellison taking the prize with Carte Diamond, who was having his first run for his new trainer since being bought out of Mark Johnston's yard for 105,000gns, this is Ellison's second win in the November Handicap following on from Batswing in 2000 (who was in the same ownership), just after he moved back to Malton. The next was won by Richard Fahey's Breaking Shadow, Kevin Ryan's Soyuz having taken the opener. Over jumps there were wins at Ayr for Ferdy Murphy (Joes Edge and Hau de Gamme) and Alan Swinbank (Cha Cha Cha Dancer) and at Sandown for Patrick Haslam who's Yankeedoodledandy took the £9,071 Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at his first attempt over jumps, having registered four second places in his flat career. Back on the level Mick Easterby's Mount Hillaby won on Wolverhampton's all-weather course.
05/11/2004 Only one Yorkhire trained flat winner today with the in-form Mark Johnston's Quizzene taking the maiden at Yarmouth. Over jumps there are wins at Hexham for Ferdy Murphy (Fashions Monty) and Peter Beaumont (Cionn Mhalanna).
04/11/2004 Yorkshire trained winners at each of today's four domestic meetings. At Nottingham there are wins for Mark Johnston (Land Of Dreams' sister Starchy winning by 6 lengths on her debut) and Richard Fahey (Boppys Princess), with Fahey doubling up a few minutes later when Wrenlane wins at Wolverhampton where there is also a winner for Linda Stubbs (Zoom Zoom). Over jumps at Haydock the Yorkshire raiders are in fine form with wins for Tim Easterby (Bollin Annabel), Malcolm Jefferson (Red Nose Lady), Andy Turnell (Noble Pasao) and a double for Sue Smith (Black Frost and Rebel Rhythm). Finally there is another jumps winner with Ferdy Murphy's Union Deux taking the last at Towcester.
03/11/2004 The sole Yorkshire winner up at Musselburgh today comes from Richard Fahey's Harrison's Flyer, although the standout performance was perhaps from Mark Johnston's Winged d'Argent who, in only his fifth race, was a good second in the Totesport Willie Park Stakes L., albeit 5 lengths behind the winner! There are also Tyke wins at Wolverhampton thanks to Linda Stubbs (Il Colosseo - her tenth win of the year) and Lynda Ramsden (Greenwich Meantime).
02/11/2004 The locals were dominant at Catterick today with Mark Johnston and Joe Fanning leading the way with a treble courtesy of McEldowney, Lady Karr and Go Padero. Tim Easterby (Paris Bell) and David Nicholls (Trinculo) supplied the other Yorkshire winners at the track, the later named having his first run for his new handler, although he has won 3 races in the past and has numerous 'black type' performances both in Britain and Hong Kong.
01/11/2004 And so to the final week of the flat season, and there were two Yorkshire winners at Redcar thanks to Tim Easterby (Game Lad) and Patrick Haslam (The Pen).
31/10/2004 More of the same for Sue Smith today, this time the action is transplanted to Carlisle, but yet again she wins one of the supporting races (with Simply Supreme) only to see her challengers in the £27,300 Coors Brewers Cumberland Handicap Chase, Ardent Scout and Tipsy Mouse, beaten into second and third places respectively. Julie Camacho's Mind Alert wins the last at Lingfield.
30/10/2004 Breeders Cup day, and no Yorkshire representation, but at least it beats the usual rubbish on the TV! The day starts well for the Yorkshire trainers at Ayr's regional meeting with wins for Chris Fairhurst (Passion Fruit, Fairhurst's first win for 7 months), Tim Fitzgerald (Muqarrar) and Micky Hammond (Boris The Spider). Also on the flat at Newmarket David Barron registers a well-deserved big race success with Zero Tolerance winning the £17,400 Best Bet John Mile Handicap. Alfonso, owned and bred by Guy Reed at Copgrove Stud won the last. Over jumps at Wetherby it's a sweet and sour day for Sue Smith - in two of the big races her hopes are beaten into third - Royal Emperor in the Charlie Hall Chase Gd2 and St Matthew in the John Smith's 'West Yorkshire' Hurdle Gd2, but later on her Mister McGoldtick wins the £11,601 'Dine And View' Handicap Chase, and in the next she has a one-two with Patriarch Express and Noshinannikin. Earlier, appropriately as Charlie Hall was her Uncle, Kate Walton had won the opener with Galway Breeze.
29/10/2004 The locals dominated at Wetherby today, taking all 6 races thanks to Ferdy Murphy (Union Deux), Sue Smith (The Merry Mason and Town Crier), Mick Easterby (Middlethorpe), Kevin Ryan (Winchester) and John Quinn (Jake Black).
28/10/2004 Again, just the one winner with Bryan Smart's Bond City winning at Lingfield.
27/10/2004 Just the one Yorkshire winner today when Malcolm Jefferson's Calatagan wins the Conditional Jockeys race at Cheltenham.
26/10/2004 Nottingham and Catterick lost to the weather, and no joy at Cheltenham.
25/10/2004 Just one Yorkshire trained winner today when John Balding's Compton Micky won at Wolverhampton's 'Regional' meeting.
24/10/2004 The main news today is that, unfortunately, Godolphin have 'stolen' Shamardal from Mark Johnston's clutches and this exciting colt will be trained by Saeed bin Suroor next season. To add insult to injury they've also grabbed Lucky Story from the Kingsley House trainer. And no Yorkshire winners at Aintree, a bad day indeed although Bob Woodhouse's Donnybrook won the Handicap Chase at Towcester to ensure it wasn't a completely blank day for the Tykes.
23/10/2004 There was an early Yorkshire winner today when Tim Etherington's Regal Song took the sprint at Wolverhampton's 'Regional' meeting, to give the Malton handler his first win for four months. Events started well for the locals at Doncaster with Mark Johnston's Crosspeace taking the £14,443 opening Jock Murray Memorial Handicap, and there was another winner later on when John Balding's Matty Tun won the £12,101 Rectangle Group Handicap. Perhaps the most promising results however came in the Doncaster Stakes L which saw Tim Easterby's Harvest Warrior, Mark Johnston's Joseph Henry and Kevin Ryan's Gifted Gamble occupy second, third and fourth places respectively, with Andronikos, bred at Manor House Stud, the winner!. Down at Newbury Tim Easterby's Paris Bell won the Nursery, whilst Frank Sonata, bred at Bishop Wilton Stud, recovered his form to finish second in the St Simon Stakes G3, in which Collier Hill did run, but finished down the field.
22/10/2004 David Nicholls' Onlytime Will Tell wins the £12,550 Q Associates Handicap at Newbury, a result which will enable him to narrow the gap with Tim Easterby in the race to be the second highest Yorkshire trainer in the Flat Trainers Championship. The only local winner at Doncaster today comes from the man in third place overall in the Trainers Championship, Mark Johnston with Winged d'Argent. Over the road the final day of the Doncaster October Yearling Sales sees Mark Dwyer's Oaks Farm Stables achieve the best 'local' price when their son of Black Minnaloushe and Sunburst fetches 13,500gns.
21/10/2004 A double over the jumps at Haydock today for George Moore courtesy of Jungle Jinks and Beamish Prince. The middle day of the Doncaster October Yearling Sales and Carol Tinkler's Ivy Lea Farm have the best price for a Yorkshire stud when their daughter of Primo Valentino and Charming Lotte fetches 12,000gns to the bid of Tim Easterby.
20/10/2004 Newcastle is abandoned and only a smattering of Yorkshire runners at Nottingham sees no winners today. Day one of Doncaster's October Yearling Sales and the highest price from a Yorkshire nursery is achieved by Maurice and Sarah Camacho's Star Cottage Stud in Malton who's daughter of Bertolini and Dixie Favor (a half sister to 2 stakes winners) fetches 23,000gns.
19/10/2004 A quiet day's racing sees Yorkshire winners at Wolverhampton in the shape of Patrick Haslam's Two Of Clubs, Richard Fahey's Blythe Spirit, and John Parkes' King Nicholas.
18/10/2004 George Moore's Toldo wins the opener at Pontefract today where the other local winner was Richard Fahey's Wrenlane, who had earlier scored down at Wolverhampton with Harrison's Flyer. Due to a mix up over flights Collier Hill is not going to Canada, and may run at Newbury on Saturday.
17/10/2004 Contrary to my hopes yesterday it transpires that Mister Monet's injury yesterday was untreatable and he was sadly put down at the vet's surgery last night. The Mark Johnston bandwagon never stops however and of today's Italian raiders his Hearthstead Wings did best, coming a very creditable third in the Gran Criterium G1 at San Siro. Meanwhile at Musselburgh there was a Johnston/Joe Fanning treble thanks to Kindling, Go Padero (off the track for 349 days!) and Swift Sailor. Also amongst the winners at the Scottish track was John Quinn who's useful Bigalos Bandit won the £12,018 Weatherbys Bank Sprint Conditions Stakes. Under National Hunt rules there were wins at Market Rasen for Malcolm Jefferson (Moss Harvey) and Alan Swinbank (Golden Measure), the last named will be hoping for a good run from Collier Hill who will be running in the Canadian International in Canada next weekend.
16/10/2004 Well my hopes of a Mark Johnston double at Newmarket came true today, although not quite in the manner I may have initially envisaged! To quibble would be churlish however as today was an excellent day for Yorkshire racing, and for Kingsley House in particular. Johnston had a good start to proceedings when Joseph Henry was fourth (only a head away from third) in the opening Cornwallis Stakes G3. Better was to come when Johnston's Contact Dancer won the annual marathon that is the £75,400 Cesarewitch Handicap under a good ride from Royston Ffrench. Expectations came crashing down in the next with Johnston's Lucky Story running a shocker in the Champion Stakes G1 in which the stables other runner the well-fancied Mister Monet was pulled up by Kevin Darley with a suspected fractured near-hind pastern. Hopefully both these horses will have the opportunity to shine again next season. However the unofficial two-year-old championship race of Europe, the Dewhurst Stakes G1, was the next race and Johnston's Shamardal, despite having been off the track for 80 days, positively romped away from a high class field to win by two and half lengths easing up, in a time faster than the older horses had taken earlier in the day in the Challenge Stakes G2. This was a fantastic result for the Johnston team and Shamardal will no doubt provide Johnston with his second successive Two Year Old Champion, following Lucky Story last season. This was also Yorkshire's first victory in the Dewuhurst since Sam Hall's victory with King's Lane in 1963, and Yorkshire's ninth Group One win of the season. Mark Johnston is himself responsible for five of these wins, although with Bandari and Hearthstead Wings both running in group one races in Milan tomorrow the tally, incredibly, may increase still further! On a more mundane level there were local winners at Catterick from Noel Wilson (Yenaled), Mick Easterby (Ego Trip) and Kevin Ryan (Northern Games, winning for the second time this week). Up at Kelso there were jumping winners for Sue Smith (Town Crier) and Kate Walton (Wildfield Rufo).
15/10/2004 At Newmarket today David Chapman's stable star Quito runs well to finish a creditable third in the Bentick Stakes G3, the first piece of 'black type' in his fantastic career. Later on the same card Mark Johnston scores with Always Waining, with Joe Fanning back in the plate after a long injury. Johnston doubles up (hopefully he'll do the same in more exulted company tomorrow!) with Exit Smiling winning at Redcar where there were also winners for Tim Easterby (Most Definitely) and John Wainwright (Time To Regret). Richard Fahey has a winner all the way down at Brighton with Harrison's Flyer. The penultimate day of the October Sales at Tattersalls and the highest 'Yorkshire' lot is 1935 consigned by Trickledown Stud on behalf of Burns Farm Stud, a daughter of Diktat and Inspiring who fetched 10,000gns.
14/10/2004 Day one of Newmarket's 'Champion's meeting and although there are no Yorkshire trained winners a couple of 'our' horses run into good places. Firstly George Moore's La Sylphide took full advantage of the cut in the ground to gain some black-type by finishing third in the Severals Stakes L. The next race was the £100,000 Tattersalls Autumn Auction Stakes and this saw Kevin Ryan's Gifted Gamble pick up a useful £14,060 for finishing third. The winner of this race incidentally was Cape Columbine who's dam, Cape Merino, was bred at the Melbourne Hall Stud and trained at Beverly by the late Alf Smith. There was one Yorkshire victory today however as Patrick Haslam's Courant d'Air won the opener all the way down at Taunton. The fiscal bloodbath at Tattersalls continued (next year there will be a. a lot of horses in the 'Breeze Up' Sales and b. a lot of horses available on free/cheap leases!) and normal service was resumed in that the highest lot from a Yorkshire stud was the 15,000gns achieved by Oaks Farm Stables for Branston Stud's daughter of Efisio and Food of Love.
13/10/2004 No wins on the flat today, although hardly any runners, but there are two wins apiece at Wetherby and Uttoxeter for the Yorkshire trainers. At Wetherby (where there are now plans to build a flat course) Sue Smith's Noshinannikin won the £10,179 Bobby Renton Handicap Chase, and Micky Hammond's Manbow won the Novices' Chase. At Uttoxeter there were wins for James Hetherton (Diamond Joshua) and Malcolm Jefferson (Honest Endeavour). Of the 5 lots from Yorkshire studs at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales today 4 were either vendor buy-backs or withdrawn, leaving the way clear for Richard Whitaker's Hellwood Stud to stake the claim for best selling Yorkshire lot of the day when his son of Vettori and Be My Wish sold for 21,000gns with the winning bid, appropriately enough, coming from Yorkshire based bloodstock agent (and one of my racing heros) James Delahooke, who was, to a large extent, responsible for the foundations of the bloodstock success of both Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms and the late Gerald Leigh's Eydon Hall Farm.
12/10/2004 A good day for the Yorkshire raiders up at Ayr today with a double for Mark Johnston (King's Account and Winged d'Argent) and also winners for Alan Swinbank (Ouninpohja) and Kevin Ryan (Northern Games). At the other end of the country at Newmarket the yearling sales continue at Tattersalls, and to my eyes many of the prices look somewhat disappointing, but Bishop Wilton Stud had a good day with their Mujahid half brother to Frank Sonata and Peaceful Paradise selling for 31,000gns and, a few lots later, their Zilzal half brother to Red Lancer selling for 22,000gns. Bishop Wilton have had an excellent couple of years since going 'full time' - John Johnson having retired as Stud Groom at Garrowby Stud. Garrowby have actually had a relatively weak sale, although they will have some very nicely bred fillies going into training next season, which will more than compensate I'm sure.
11/10/2004 Middleham trainer Jedd O'Keeffe is the man in form today (after having no winners at all in September) with an across the card double - Habitual Dancer scoring in the opener at Ayr and Snow Bunting in the last at Leicester. Brian Ellison (Artistic Style) and Tim Easterby (Paris Bell) also had winners up at Ayr, whilst Nigel Tinkler had a first and two seconds at the Scottish track, with Westborough and Sir Loin filling first and second places respectively in the sprint handicap - luckily the stable jockey (aka Mrs.Kim Tinkler) was on Westborough, or it might have been a tough journey home for the well known joker Tinkler. Meanwhile the Tattersalls October Sales recommenced and for once the top Yorkshire lot was not from Oaks Farm, but from Trickledown Stud who sold Bolton Grange's daughter of Dansili and Pizzicato for 100,000gns to agent Amanda Skiffington.
10/10/2004 Just the one winner today with Karl Burke's Hows That winning the Selling Nursery up at Newcastle.
09/10/2004 Tim Easterby's Somnus consolidates his claim for European champion sprinter honours when he takes his second French Group One of the season (and the third Group One of his career) - the Prix de la Foret G1 at Longchamp. Somnus, bred by Scampston Hall Stud (where he will now go for his traditional winter holiday) and raised at Sledmere, came fast and late with his trademark electrifying turn of foot in the dying strides under Mick Kinane to just grab victory on the line. Bryan Smart's Monsieur Bond also ran a good race to be fourth. Somnus now jumps past Fruits Of Love in the all-time winnings list. In case you're losing count - that's EIGHT Yorkshire trained Group One winners this season (dare I say so far with Champions Day still to come?!?), an all-time record. No local winners at York but Mark Johnston's Nufoos is second in the Rockingham Stakes L, her second piece of 'black type'. This filly is entered in the Autumn Horses In Training Sale, but looks sure to be withdrawn following this run. Earlier John Wainwright had his first winner for eight weeks when Joyce's Choice won a Banded Stakes on Warwick. There was only one winner under National Hunt rules with James Hetherton's Qualitair Pleasure landing the bumper at Bangor.
08/10/2004 Winners at York today for Tim Easterby (Go Tech in the £11,047 Garbutt & Elliot Handicap) and Mark Johnston (Mafaheem), whilst across at Carlisle Malcolm Jefferson records a double with Stamparland Hill and Vital Spark, the later in the bumper on his racecourse debut. For the fourth day in a row Oaks Farm Stables provide the leading Yorkshire lot at the October Sales when they consign a Montjeu filly for 43,000gns on behalf of Georgestown Stud.
07/10/2004 On the track today there were wins at Wolverhampton for Bryan Smart with Bond City and for Richard Fahey with Blythe Spirit. Meanwhile at Tattersalls there was a tie for the honour of 'highest price from a Yorkshire stud' with Manor House Stud's filly by Halling out of Arctic Air and Oaks Farm Stables colt by Marju out of Sweetest Thing both eliciting bids of 100,000gns.
06/10/2004 The former leading Yorkshire jumps trainer, Jimmy Fitzgerald, sadly died in hospital today after a long illness at the age of 69. He was licenced for over 33 years and sent out over 1,200 winners (of which around 350 came on the flat) before handing over to his son Tim early last year. Irish born Fitzgerald won the Scottish Grand National as a jockey in 1965, only for a fall to curtail his riding career the following season. He started training in Malton in 1969 and soon Norton Grange soon became one of the most powerful jumps stables in the country with the likes of Forgive N'Forget (Cheltenham Gold Cup, Vincent O'Brien Irish Gold Cup Chase, Coral Hurdle Final), Galway Blaze (Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Handicap Chase), Androma (Scottish Grand National, twice, 2nd.Whitbread Gold Cup), Canny Danny (Royal & Sun Alliance Novices Chase), Danish Flight (Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase), Boutzdaroff (Martell Aintree Chase), Gold Options (Mitsubishi Shogun Newton Chase, Inter Punchestown Chase), Nijmegen (Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle), Sybillin (Glenlivet Anniversary Hurdle, Swinton Insurance Trophy Hurdle, Victor Chandler Chase, Tingle Creek Trophy Chase) and Uncle Ernie (Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup, P.M.L. Lightning Novices' Chase, Martell Aintree Chase). He was also a force to be reckoned with on the flat where his best horse was Sapience (Princess of Wales' Stakes G2, Ebor Handicap, 2nd.St Leger G1) as well as the Cesarewitch winners Kayudee and Trainglot (who was also fourth in the Ascot Gold Cup G1 and over jumps won the Coral Cup Hurdle), Treasure Hunter (Northumberland Plate) and Lincoln winner Evichstar. Amongst the jockeys who's careers he helped were long-time stable jockey Mark Dwyer (now owner of Oaks Farm Stables) and Kieren Fallon, who's first base in England was Norton Grange. Always a well respected figure he counted amongst his owners such well known figures as the Marquesa De Moratalla, Sir Peter O'Sullevan (who was racing manager to Moratalla) and Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber.
The highest price at the October Sales today from a Yorkshire stud was, yet again and rather appropriately, Oaks Farm Stables, this time the successful bid being 265,000gns for a daughter of Sadler's Wells and Brigid. Next highest was actually a 'buy back' with Dr.Anne Gillespie paying 75,000gns for her son of Grand Lodge and Oh So Well sent up from Lennie Peacock's Manor House Stud. Amongst the big buyers today was Sir Robert Ogden (of Sickling Hall Stud) who paid 200,000gns for a daughter of Gulch out of a stakes placed 1/2 sister to Russian Rhythm, having spent 65,000gns yesterday on an In The Wings filly from the family of Shake The Yoke and Kutub.
Only a couple of Yorkshire trained runners today, and no winners.
05/10/2004 Day one of the revamped October Sales (basically it has been 'merged' with the select Houghton/Highflyer sale) sees a good result for Oaks Farm Stables when they consign a daughter of Danehill and former Tim Easterby sprint star Pipalong for 300,000gns, sold to the Shadwell Estate Company (aka Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum). The next highest lot from a Yorkshire stud was the 90,000gns achieved by Bolton Grange for their daughter of Observatory and Musianica. The locals do better today at Catterick with winners for John Quinn (Harry's House), David Nicholls (Sessay), David Chapman (On The Trail) and Nigel Tinkler (Westborough). In addition Andy Turnell's Kew Jumper wins over those funny hedge things at Huntingdon.
04/10/2004 Back to the standard fayre and unusually there are no local winners at Pontefract this afternoon, although Mark Johnston's Hanseatic League scores at Windsor ..... it that 100 for the year? I don't know - I'm losing count !
03/10/2004 Not every day can be like yesterday - Fayr Jag flopped badly in his unfavoured soft ground in the Sprinters Stakes G1 in Japan, although the third placed horse was locally trained Cape Of Good Hope who was bred at the Melbourne Hall Stud. There was also no luck on the Arc card for any of the three Yorkshire runners (in the Cadran and Abbaye). Closer to home however there were Yorkshire trained winners at all three jumps meetings with Micky Hammond's Manbow and Kate Walton's Wildfield Rufo winning at Kelso, Sue Smith's The Merry Mason and Mick Easterby's Caulkleys Bank winning at Market Rasen and Sue Smith also winning the main race at Uttoxeter with Noshinannikin.
02/10/2004 The darling of Yorkshire did it again - Mark Johnston's Attraction put up perhaps the pluckiest performance of her career to take the Sun Chariot Stakes G1 at Newmarket today - her fourth Group One win of the year. Johnston walked the course for half an hour before racing and Kevin Darley headed straight for the 'sweet spot' against the far rail as soon as possible, from there she was never headed although she did change legs at least twice in the last couple of furlongs which perhaps made it look as if she was struggling more than she actually was. Richard 'Attraction's not that good - my filly has better form' Hughes was a distant third at the line, whilst Attraction took her lifetime earning to £781,848 which, as the table below shows, makes her the leading Yorkshire trained money winner of all time, roll on 2005!
Horse Trainer Amount Best Performances
Attraction Mark Johnston £781,848 1,000 Guineas G1, Irish 1,000 Guineas G1, Coronation Stakes G1, Sun Chariot Stakes G1
Teleprompter Bill Watts £758,536 Arlington Million G1, Queen Elizabeth II S G2, Prix Quincey G3, Desmond S G3
Yavana's Pace Mark Johnston £722,656 Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal G1, Prix du Conseil de Paris G2, Prix Gladiateur G3
Fruits Of Love Mark Johnston £607,115 Hardwicke S G2 (x2), Dubai Turf Classic, Princess of Wales's S G2, 2nd.Canadian Int'l G1
Somnus Tim Easterby £572,169 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1, Prix Maurice de Gheest G1, 2nd.Sprint Cup G1
Double Trigger Mark Johnston £559,100 Ascot Gold Cup G1, Goodwood Cup G3 (x3), Doncaster Cup G3 (x2), Henry II S G3 (x2)
Scott's View Mark Johnston £525,273 Magnolia S L, Serlby S L, 3rd.Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1, Dubai Sheema Classic G1
Bollin Eric Tim Easterby £506,196 St.Leger G1, Lonsdale S G3, 2nd.Hardwicke S G2, King Edward VII S G2, Dante S G2
Royal Rebel Mark Johnston £476,606 Ascot Gold Cup G1 (x2), Lonsdale S G3, Goodwood Cup G3, 3rd.Prix du Cadran G1
Zindabad Mark Johnston £434,983 Hardwicke S G2, Yorkshire Cup G2, John Porter S G3, 3rd.'King George' & QEII S. G1

Horses shown in bold are still in training, the observant amongst you will notice that the earnings of some long-retired horses have changed slightly - this is because I went back and doubled checked the lifetime earnings of all the horses in the top twenty. Incredible as it may seem Tim Easterby's Fayr Jag (currently in twentieth) could leap to the top of the above rankings if he wins in Japan tomorrow! The highest placed Yorkshire horse in today's Cambridgeshire was Mick Easterby's game Blue Spinnaker, who finished fourth. Mark Johnston nearly made it a memorable double when his Gateman was just denied victory when second in the Prix Dollar G2 over at Longchamp today - hopefully Darasim will go one better tomorrow! At Redcar there were winners for David Barron (Mistress Twister) and Tim Easterby (Go Tech) whilst Kevin Ryan's Dario Gee Gee was third in the betfair.com Two-Year-Old Trophy L, picking up £24,354 for his efforts. Evening racing at Wolverhampton sees a double for Richard Fahey with Riska King and Boppys Princess.

01/10/2004 Only a small number of runners on the flat, with the best result coming from Mark Johnston's Shanty Star who was a promising third in the Godolphin Stakes L after an absence of 123 days. The winning sequence recommenced however up at Hexham where the Yorkshire raiders were dominant with wins for Micky Hammond (Freedom Now), Ann Duffield (Allegedly Red), Mick Easterby (Gary's Pimpernel), Malcolm Jefferson (Honest Endeavour) and Alan Swinbank (Arctic Echo).
30/09/2004 All good things come to an end, today was the first day since the 18th July with no Yorkshire winners. It was still a reasonable day however with Mark Johnston getting the Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting off to a good start when his Carte Diamond was second in the opening race, the Noel Murless Stakes L, the colt looking the likely winner for much of the race only to be outstayed in the last furlong - not often you can say that about a Johnston horse! Later on the same card Richard Fahey's Golden Legacy was a game fourth in the Cheveley Park Stakes G1, open beaten two necks and a half length, a run which will fill the Malton handler with confidence for next season.
29/09/2004 A fine haul of four winners at Newcastle today for the Yorkshire trainers with the honours going to Bryan Smart (Davy Crockett), Alan Swinbank (Bronze Dancer), Mark Johnston (Crosspeace) and Tim Easterby (Princess Kioto). Again there is also one Yorkshire winner at Nottingham when Karl Burke's Rockburst takes the Fillies Auction. 73 consecutive days of Yorkshire trained winners.
28/09/2004 Just the one winner on the flat today - Lynda Ramsden's Ecologically Sound at Nottingham, but there are two winners over jumps at Sedgefield thanks to Geoff Harker's Fairy Skin Maker and John Quinn's Low Cloud (on his jumping debut).
27/09/2004 Tom Tate's Welsh Emperor provides the sole Yorkshire winner of the day when taking the £12,174 Sam Collingwood-Cameron Conditions Takes at Hamilton. Tate, who has had many major triumphs over jumps, was keen to stress in the post-race interview that he now wants to be regarded as a predominantely flat trainer, and the success he's had in the last couple of years certainly support that stance.
26/09/2004 Mark Johnston's Bandari is a faintly dissapointing third in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes G3 at Ascot today, but there is some compensation for the Middleham handler when his Fort gamely wins the £34,800 Ascot Final Fling Handicap. Between these two races Tim Easterby's Flighty Fellow was an eye-catching third in the £12,792 Nick Cheyne Farewell Handicap. Up in Scotland Kevin Ryan's Yenaled won the claimer at Musselburgh, whilst Geoff Harker's long trip to Huntingdon was rewarded with a win for Atticus Finch in the last.
25/09/2004 In the opening races at the Ascot festival there were minor placings for the Yorkshire raiders with Mark Johnston's Elliots World and David Barker's Celtic Mill both running respectable races to be fourth in their respective Group Two events. Whilst James Bethell's Mine was a good third in the Totejackpot On Sunday Handicap the performance of the day undoubtably came from Mark Johnston's Lucky Story who belied his odds to finish an excellent second in the feature races of the day, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes G1. Lucky Story put up by far the best performance of his curtailed season to go down to Rakti by only 1/2 a length and connections may now be tempted to take up Lucky Story's entry in the Champion Stakes in three weeks time but, on today's performance, it would seem better to keep him to a mile for now. Johnston's next-door neighbour George Moore also had a very good day with his La Sylphide taking the £19,828 EBF Reprocolor Fillies' Handicap, a race she won last year. The following race at Haydock was won by Tim Easterby's Tcherina. There was a double at Ripon for Richard Fahey (Blythe Spirit and Flying Bantam) where James Bethell also found himself in the winners enclosure for the second day running when Angelofthenorth took the Fillies' Maiden. No Yorkshire winners over jumps today although Malcolm Jefferson's Moss Harvey put up a good performance after 157 days off the track to be third in the £30,172 bet@bluesq.com Handicap Chase.
24/09/2004 Today sees Yorkshire winners in the first race at Haydock (Richard Fahey's Tagula Sunrise in the £10,868 BarryCase Handicap) and the last at Ascot (James Bethell's Granston).
23/09/2004 Plenty of local winners at Pontefract today courtesy of Mark Johnston (Wise Owl), James Hetherton (Blue Maeve), Tim Easterby (Go Tech in the £12,006 Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap) and David Nicholls (Lucayan Dancer).
22/09/2004 A very quiet day from a Yorkshire perspective, but the winning run was maintained with George Moore's Show No Fear taking the Novices Hurdle up at Perth.
21/09/2004 The local trainers successful at Beverley today were David Barron (Gifted Flame) and Mick Easterby (Emperor's Well), with the later being somewhat more local to Beverley than the first named!
20/09/2004 Not many Yorkshire runners today but Karl Burke's Platinum Pirate maintained the winning sequence (now 64 consecutive days of winners) when taking the Claimer at Leicester.
19/09/2004 Ever the bridesmaid Patrick Haslam's smart filly Kinnaird was second in group company for the third race in a row when filling the runner up berth in the Blandford Stakes G2 at the Curragh today. On the flat at Hamilton there were winners for Mark Johnston (Love Palace) and Julie Camacho (Lauro - her first winner since May). Over jumps meanwhile Sue Smith won the first two races on Uttoxeter's card with Izzykeen and St Matthew.
18/09/2004 It's almost difficult to see how today could have been any better, from a Yorkshire racing perspective anyway. The opener at Ayr was the Firth Of Clyde Stakes G3 which was won by Richard Fahey's Golden Legacy, with Mark Johnston's Nufoos promoted from third to second in the Steward's Room. This was Richard Fahey's well-deserved second group win, following on from Superior Premium in 2000, and caps an excellent year for the Malton trainer. The next was the £12,267 Ayrshire Handicap which was won by Young Mr Grace, trained by Fahey's brother-in-law Tim Easterby. Next up was the big race, Europe's richest sprint handicap the £70,000 Ayr Gold Cup. David Nicholls saddled five of the runners and was rewarded when Funfair Wane (winner of this race in 2002) led all the way to take the prize, followed by John Quinn's Fantasy Believer (who was also runner-up in the Stewards Cup) and then by Nicholls' Continent (winner of this race in 2001). This gives 'Dandy' a Gold Cup record of four wins in the last five years. Down at Newbury there were only two Yorkshire runners, both running in the John Smith's Heritage Handicap and both trained by Mick Easterby, unfortunately the duo didn't win, but Jabaar and Blue Spinnaker did pick up £33,000 between them for finishing second and third respectively. At Catterick there were winners for John Quinn (Leslingtaylor) and Mark Johnston (Secret Pact).
17/09/2004 Another good day at Ayr for the Yorkshire trainers, in the first two races Bryan Smart's Mary Read is a good second in the Harry Rosebery Stakes L, and John Quinn's CD Europe fills the same position in the Ayr Silver Cup. In the next Mark Johnston's Market Trend lands the maiden and then Richard Fahey's Hout Bay takes the sprint handicap to round off a very satisfactory day.
16/09/2004 Day one of the Ayr meeting and the Yorkshire trainers do better up in Scotland than they do at Pontefract (where there are no local winners) with winners for Karl Burke (Thunderwings), Tim Easterby (Eboracum), Noel Wilson (Locombe Hill) and Brian Ellison (Artistic Style).
15/09/2004 Richard Fahey's excellent run continues when his Bo McGinty takes the opener at Sandown whilst there are winners closer to home at Beverley for Mick Easterby (Emperor's Well), Tim Easterby (Wing Collar), Mark Johnston (King's Account) and Bill Tinning (Compton Plume).
14/09/2004 Winners locally at Thirsk today for John Quinn (Taras Treasure), Mark Johnston (Hadrian), Mick Easterby (Ego Trip) and David Barker (Fox Covert).
13/09/2004 No winners locally at Redcar today but Kevin Ryan (Blades Boy), Tim Easterby (Jeepstar in the £10,109 Musselburgh Gold Cup Handicap) and Richard Fahey (Mobane Flyer) fly the flag for Yorkshire by getting winners at Musselburgh.
12/09/2004 Yorkshire trainer Alan Swinbank had the most important victory of his short training career today when stable stalwart Collier Hill took the Stockholm Cup International G3 at Taby - the trainers first group win. Swinbank even managed to make it a double for the day when Arctic Echo, on his debut, took the bumper at Hexham, where earlier Micky Hammond's Freedom Now had won the Novices' Hurdle.
11/09/2004 With no Yorkshire runners in the St Leger today eyes turned across the Irish Sea to Leopardstown where Mark Johnston's Attraction ran in the Matron Stakes G1. The result brought mixed emotions as the filly ran well to put her previous poor outing at Deauville behind her, but she was yet again denied victory in the closing stages by the game Soviet Song, who was bred and raised at Maurice Camacho's Star Cottage Stud in Malton for the Elite Racing Club. This makes a good week for Star Cottage as Dancing Bay (also an Elite Racing horse bred in Malton) was third in the Doncaster Cup G2 earlier in the week. A race like the Prix de la Foret looks tailor made for Attraction's next outing, although she also holds entries in the Sun Chariot and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. It was a good day for Johnston at his beloved Goodwood however with Hearthstead Wins taking the Stardom Stakes L and Gold History making a long overdue return to the winners enclosure by winning the £13,878 Mirror Image Handicap by a head and a neck. Johnston also won with Just A Fluke at Musselburgh where the first race, the £15,103 totesport.com Handicap saw a Yorkshire 1-2-3 with David Barron's Flipando prevailing ahead of Tim Easterby's Mrs Moh and Johnston's Penrith. The lunchtime Regional meeting at Carlisle had earlier seen winners for Mark Johnston (Secret Pact), Bryan Smart (Megabond), Richard Fahey (Dancing Tilly) and David Barron (Penwell Hill).
10/09/2004 With the Mark Johnston's Elliots World dissapointing in the Champagne Stakes there was only one Yorkshire winner today, but that was Richard Fahey's Tagula Sunrise who took the opener at Doncaster, the £27,000 DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes, this was Fahey's 54th win of the year, showing he has recovered well from the infections in his Malton yard earlier in the season. Malton trainer Brian Ellison will be hoping for similar things after paying 50,000gns for Oaks Farm Stables son of Dayjur in the Doncaster sales ring.
09/09/2004 The local runners were just edged out of the placings in Doncaster's two group races today (Golden Nun fourth, Darasim a disappointing fifth), but David Barker's Celtic Mill put up an excellent performance to land a strongly run Scarbrough Stakes L in his preferred fast ground. Not only is Celtic Mill trained in Yorkshire, but he was bred (and is still owned) by former Yorkshire trainer Peter Asquith at Burns Farm Stud. Today's only other winner came at Chepstown where Kevin Ryan's Dune Raider landed the three-year-old maiden. In the Doncaster Sales ring there was only one lot from a Yorkshire stud, Oaks Farm Stables son of Dansili who fetched 28,000gns.
08/09/2004 Day one of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster belonged to Frankie Dettori and the Godolphin team who had four winners. However it was also a pretty good day for local trainer Kevin Ryan who's Halmahera made history when taking the £32,500 Portland Handicap for the third year in a row. However the Ryan prizemoney had been boosted even more in the previous race, the £200,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes when Distinctly Game finished second to pick up a more-than-useful £69,360! At lot fewer local lots at the sales today, two in fact both from Oaks Farm Stables who's son of Cape Cross fetched 24,000gns.
07/09/2004 Two local winners at Catterick with Mel Brittain (Melandre) and Anne Duffield (Jubilee Street) landing the spoils. Down at Lingfield Karl Burke's Platinum Pirate won the claimer. The start of Doncaster's St Leger yearling sales, and the highest price achieved by a Yorkshire stud was the 44,000gns Highflyer Bloodstock paid to Mr & Mrs. Dennis for their Royal Applause colt sent down from the historic Manor House Stud in Middleham.
06/09/2004 Just a couple of winners today, both up at Newcastle where Richard Fahey (Market Avenue) and Kevin Ryan (Roman Empire) were the winning trainers. Looking ahead it was announced that Soviet Star will be taking on Attraction (or possibly that should be the other way around?!?) on Saturday in the Matron Stakes G1, I'm not sure whether that is good news or bad, I'll let you know on Saturday !
05/09/2004 Lucky Story made the initial running but finished in the chasing pack in the Prix du Moulin today, albeit not far behind the winner. However there were two local winners at York thanks to Mick Easterby (Mount Hillaby) and John Quinn (Jake Black) whilst Sue Smith's Ross Comm won over fences at Worcester.
04/09/2004 The big race of the day was Haydock's Sprint Cup G1 which saw Tim Easterby's grand gelding Somnus (last years winner) finish second by the shortest of short heads to Tante Rose despite rallying in the final few yards, this was his best effort on non-soft ground for some time and his consistency (and the lack of consistency of some of the other contenders) gives him an outside chance of Champion Sprinter honours, although as Tante Rose is unbeaten this season she may, as in today's race, just prevail. Not only Yorkshire trained Somnus was bred by Lady Ledgard of Scampston Hall Stud and raised at Sledmere Stud. At Kempton Mark Johnston's Mystical Girl put up a good effort to take the £12,145 Pentax Handicap, but the same trainers Bandari was faintly dissapointing when only third in the September Stakes G3, albeit giving weight all round. Unfortunately there was only one local winner at Thirsk when Kevin Ryan's Poppys Footprint took the fillies' handicap. Next week sees the Leger meeting at Donnie, but first up is Lucky Story tomorrow at Longchamp.
03/09/2004 Not many Yorkshire runners today but luckily the winning streak is maintained when David Barron's Premier Fantasy takes the opener at Haydock.
02/09/2004 The winners continue (46 consecutive days and counting....) today with Bryan Smart (Caitlin), Lynda Ramsden (Trojan Flight), Brian Rothwell (Zan Lo) and Alan Swinbank all scoring just across the border at Redcar. Carlisle's meeting see's an across-the-card double for Bryan Smart courtesy of Mon Secret and the now to be expected Richard Fahey winner with Turn Of Phrase in the last. Wetherby trainer Robin Bastiman also got in on the action but his Maromito had to travel all the way to Salisbury to register his win in the last.
01/09/2004 The inevitable rubbish in the internet media (and tomorrow's papers) after the arrests of Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke, Yorkshire based jockey's Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams and the champion jockey Kieron Fallon, who was of course formerly based in Yorkshire. If I was a betting man (and personally I find betting the least interesting aspect of racing) I would firstly probably be slightly more concerned and secondly lay odds that no charges will ever be laid against these four people as a result of this morning's 'dawn raids'. Another quiet day on the track sees three local winners at York thanks to Tim Easterby (Eboracum), David Barron (Partners In Jazz in the £12,783 BASF Handicap) and Richard Fahey (Bramantino) who's horses can do no wrong at the moment. Tim Easterby's duo of Fayr Jag and Golden Nun are unplaced in Germany today.
31/08/2004 The Bank Holiday follow-on meeting at Ripon today sees a good win for James Bethell when Stretton takes the £9,396 City Of Ripon Handicap whilst there are also local winners for Bryan Smart (Familiar Affair) and Richard Fahey (Breaking Shadow). The day's only other meeting is over jumps at Sedgefield and this sees wins for Micky Hammond (Freedom Now) and Sue Smith (Undeniable).
30/08/2004 The usual Bank Holiday mass of meetings, and Yorkshire trained horses took their fair share of the glory. The locals were dominant at Ripon where the Tim Easterby trained Space Shuttle was a game winner of the main race on the card the Ripon Champion Two Year Old Trophy L. The winner was bred just up the road by Sally Hall at her Brecongill Stud, whilst Brian Ellison's Sentiero Rosso, who only broke his maiden 3 days ago, was a promising third. The other big race at Ripon was the historic Ripon Rowels Handicap and this was won by Tom Tate's Another Bottle, which represents another good flat win for the trainer who, until recently, was primarily known for his jumpers. The other local winners at Ripon were Nevile Bycroft (Apetite) who's having an excellent season and David Barron (Imperial Echo) who is chalking up the winners in his customary fashion, although he is lacking a 'big horse' this year, Racoon's early season form excepted. Down at Epsom it was predicatably David Nicholls who won the big sprint handicap of the day - the £23,200 Toteexacta Sprint Handicap - with Atlantic Viking. Up at Newcastle there were wins for Richard Whitaker (Just Waz), Linda Stubbs (Eastern Hope) and Jedd O'Keeffe (Tytheknot) whilst Mark Johnston had to go all the way to Chepstow for his winner (Torrens). Over jumps there were wins for Micky Hammond (Green 'N' Gold) and Kate Walton (Galway Breeze) at Cartmel.
29/08/2004 All the Yorkshire trained winners today came locally at Beverley with wins for Kevin Ryan (Kings Rock), Mark Johnston (Nufoos in the £10,758 Britannia Rescue Nursery), Richard Fahey (Bramantino) and Nevile Bycroft (Shotley Dancer).
28/08/2004 The winners continue to flow and it's always especially sweet to have winners at Newmarket, and today there were three thanks to Richard Fahey (Fonthill Road in the last) and a fansatic double for Kevin Ryan with Coleorton Dancer in the £14,040 Siemens Smart Home Technology Nursery and My Paris in the £14,170 Chris Blackwell Memorial Handicap, in addition Alan Swinbank's Red Romeo was a good third in the Be Hopeful Stakes L. Closer to home Yorkshire couldn't strike in the two big races at Beverley but there was a double for Richard Fahey (Hout Bay - again, and Riska King) and a winner for James Bethell (Snowed Under). Over jumps John Quinn's Basinet won the last at Cartmel. At Windsor's evening meeting Mark Johnston's Gateman ran his usual game race to be second in the Winter Hill Stakes G3 and Karl Burke's Munaawashat won the last. There were winners for Bryan Smart (Bond Playboy) and Patrick Haslam (Restart) at Redcar's evening meeting.
27/08/2004 Winners galore for the Yorkshire trainers today. Racing at Thirsk saw winners for local trainers Lynda Ramsden (Entailment), Alan Swinbank (Beaumont Girl), Mark Johnston (Secret History), James Bethell (Master Wells) and David Barker (Mecca's Mate). There was a winner down at Newmarket for Richard Fahey (Hout Bay), whilst the evening meeting at Newcastle saw a Brian Ellison double (Sentiero Rosso and Artistic Style) as well as wins for David Barron (Old Bailey) and Karl Burke (Thunderwing).
26/08/2004 The Yorkshire winners came in Wales and Scotland today with Kate Walton's Billie John and Sue Smith's TheMerry Mason winning at Bangor whilst up at Musselburgh there were winners in the last threee races for Kevin Ryan (Yenaled), John Balding (Justalord in the £10,277 Quality Racing On Racing UK Handicap) and Bryan Smart (Saros).
25/08/2004 An even quieter day, but the Yorkshire-trained winning sequence is extended to 38 days when Richard Fahey's Polly Whitefoot takes the last at Perth.
24/08/2004 The usual dull Tuesday fayre, but the winning sequence is narrowly maintained when David Nicholls' Lucayan Dancer takes the last at Brighton.
23/08/2004 A decent win at Hamilton for Richard Whitaker when Nevada Desert takes the £10,410 Alex Salmond Scottish Trophy Handicap, there was also a winner on the same card for Tim Easterby with Eboracum taking the next race. Evening action switches to the all-weather at Southwell where there are wins for Mick Easterby (Roko), Kevin Ryan (Paris Tapis), David Chapman (Headland) and Andy Turnell (Dubonai).
22/08/2004 Not many Yorkshire runners today but wins in the opening two races at Southwell for Robin Bastiman (Were Not Stopping) and George Moore (Iron Express) maintain the Yorkshire winning run.
21/08/2004 Mark Johnston fielded three highly fancied hopes in Group races today but unfortunately only one came good and that was Mister Monet who continued his good run to take the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano G2 at Deauville under Joe Fanning. This is his fourth win in a row and he will now probably go for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket. This was Johnston's 12th group win of the season to date, and Yorkshire's 18th. On the domestic front things went rather disappointingly, although the situation was rescued in the last two races at Chester which were won by Tom Tate's Dr Sharp and Richard Fahey's Kings College Boy; his trainers 16th winner of the month.
20/08/2004 The White Rose trainers continue their excellent run of form by winning ten races at four meeting today. Leading the way is Richard Fahey who has winners at Chester (Claret And Amber), Ayr (Boppys Princess) and Sandown (White Ledger). The other winner at Sandown was Mark Johnston's Brahminy Kite whilst James Bethell's King Harson won the main race at Chester, the £12,232 Chester Chronicle Rated Handicap. The other winners at Ayr were John Weymes (Fenrir) and Noel Wilson (Locombe Hill). On the all-weather there were winners at Southwell for David Chapman (Zarin), Brian Ellison (Master Mal) and Karl Burke (Khanjar).
19/08/2004 The locals grabbed a big one on the final day of the Ebor meeting when David Nicholls' proven mudlark Bahamian Pirate made the most of the prevailing conditions to take the historic Nunthorpe Stakes G1 by a neck and a length. The nine-year-old son of Housebuster was winning his first Group One, and indeed his first group race since 2001, although he was 2nd in the July Cup G1 of 2002, he thus became the oldest horse to win a British Group One race. Following the success of Tim Easterby's duo of Fayr Jag and Somnus this is Yorkshire's third Group One sprint of the season, and with Attraction's treble gives 'us' six wins at the highest level this year, the best total ever, and there's still plenty more time to add to the tally. Later on the same card. This was 'The Sprint Kings' second victory in the race following on from Ya Malak's titanic dead-heat with Coastal Bluff in the 1997 renewal. Tom Tate's Welsh Emperor was beaten a mere short head to be second in the City Of York Stakes L. There were wins at Chester for Karl Burke (High Voltage in the £13,975 bet@bluesq.com Handicap), Kevin Ryan (Coleorton Dancer, his third consecutive victory) and Mick Easterby (Hills Of Gold). An excellent day was rounded out nicely when Kevin Ryan achieved an across-the-card double when Trysting Grove won at Chepstow's evening meeting.
18/08/2004 Not that many Yorkshire horses with chances today at the Ebor meeting, and this was reflected in the results. Whilst Richard Fahey won the opening and closing races yesterday, today David Barron was second in the equivalent races with Zero Tolerance and Dispol Katie both picking up reasonable prize money for their efforts. Yorkshire training performance of the day came from John Quinn's Bigalos Bandit, who was a decent enough third in the Roses Stakes L, only denied second place by a head. The winning run was maintained however as Sue Smith's St Matthew took the Handicap Hurdle at Worcester, and Tim Easterby's Roman Mistress won at Nottingham's evening meeting.
17/08/2004 Ebor Meeting Day One, and it's hard to see how things could have gone any better for the locals. There was a Yorkshire one-two in the first race the £15,925 Knavesmire Handicap, with Richard Fahey's Sualda coming home a neck ahead of Brian Ellison's Court Of Appeal in a fantastically hard fought finish. Mark Johnston's King Of Dreams broke a pastern in the race (leading to Mick Easterby's Sporting Gesture unseating his rider) and unfortunately had to be put down. The next race was the Lonsdale Cup G2 and whilst the sole Yorkshire trained representative, Royal Rebel, didn't feature the second place horse was Dancing Bay (formerly with Julia Camacho) who is a product of the Elite Racing Club's breeding operation, which is centred upon Maurice Camacho's Star Cottage Stud. The feature race of the day, the Juddmonte International Stakes G1 didn't feature any local runners, but the second (in a tight finish with Sulamani) was Norse Dancer who only five days ago narrowly beat Mark Johnston's Lucky Story at Salisbury, so this result will give Kingsley House a massive boost. There was further good news for Mark Johnston when his Elliots World took the Acomb Stakes L, a race which his sire, King's Best, also took before achieving greater glory at Newmarket. The penultimate race of the day was the £11,798 Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Nursery Handicap, and this again saw a Yorkshire one-two with Tim Easterby's Space Shuttle coming home ahead of Kevin Ryan's Distinctly Game. This also represented another local breeding coup as the winner was bred by trainer Sally Hall at her Brecongill Stud. The last race was the £11,895 Partington Haven Leisure Park Handicap and this not only gave Richard Fahey a memorable day as his Fonthill Road was the winner, but also summed up the day nicely as Yorkshire horses filled the first four places with another Fahey horse, Watching, in second ahead of John Balding's Tom Tun and Kevin Ryan's Cloud Dancer. Hopefully tomorrow will go just as well for the locals! Up at Hamilton there was a double for Bryan Smart with Creskeld in the £10,160 Totepool Series Final Handicap and Bond Playboy in the sprint handicap, and Richard Whitaker's Lord Of Methley won the seller.
16/08/2004 The calm before the storm, there was no racing in Yorkshire today, the day prior to the Ebor Meeting at York. However this didn't stop the winners from flowing as Kevin Ryan (Coleorton Dancer), David Nicholls (Continent in the main race), Mick Easterby (Dance To My Tune) and Brian Ellison (Artistic Style) all had winners at Nottingham this afternoon. The evening meeting at Windsor saw another winner for David Nicholls (Onlytime Will Tell) and also for Karl Burke (Munaawashat).
15/08/2004 Yorkshire's star filly, Mark Johnston's Attraction, flopped in the Prix Jacques le Marois G1 at Deauville today. The ground was soft and it is to be hoped that this was the reason for her finishing last of the ten runners, the going does seem to be the most likely explanation as she has never encountered anything softer than 'Good' going before, and on the available evidence, soft going would not immediately seem to be ideal for her - especially given her action. On a more parochial level there were winners at Pontefract for John Quinn (Graze On), Tim Easterby (Jeepstar in the £9,373 Racecard Competition Handicap), Lynda Ramsden (Double Vodka) and David Chapman (On The Trail).
14/08/2004 Ripon's main race of the season, the £29,000 Great St Wilfrid Handicap, sees a typical David Nicholls assault, especially as this is one of the few big sprint handicaps that he has not won, but unfortunately he can 'only' manage 2nd, 3rd and 4th with Pieter Brughel, Hiccups and Machinist. Earlier Kevin Ryan's Dario Gee Gee had won the opener whilst John Quinn took an open maiden with Zomerlust. David Nicholls did manage a winner at Newbury however with Sawaah taking the opening £9,275 Stan James Rated Handicap.
13/08/2004 Yet more winners for the seriously in form Richard Fahey today with a double at Catterick courtesy of White Ledger and Pertemps Magnus, Karl Burke's Romil Star won the opener on the same card. The evening meeting at Newmarket sees a win for Nigel Tinkler with Bright Sun in the opener.
12/08/2004 Only one 'daytime' Yorkshire runner to day (with Beverley being abandoned) - but it's an extremely exciting one as Mark Johnston's Lucky Story (last season's leading English trained two-year-old and one-time 2,000 Guineas favourite) makes his much anticipated seasonal debut following a string of problems, primarily with his legs. Whilst not quite a fairytale result Lucky Story puts up a good performance after 335 days off the track to be second by a mere short head to the battle hardened Norse Dancer in the Sovereign Stakes G3 at Salisbury under Darryl Holland. Apparantely Lucky Story has only had one proper gallop prior to today, and whilst the jockey's assertion that he will win a Group One race next time out looks a trifle optimistic, he will certainly come on for the run and looks a promising candidate for the second half of the season. What odd's Lucky Story and Attraction (who may run on Sunday at Deauville subject to the going) BOTH in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in a month? This evening's meeting was at Haydock and there were winners for Patrick Haslam (Hopelessly Devoted), Mick Easterby (Trouble Mountain) and Richard Fahey (Boppys Princess).
11/08/2004 In sharp contrast to yesterday there are a multitude of Yorkshire trained runners and winners today. The local meet at Beverley sees wins for John Wainwright (Alpine Hideaway), Lynda Ramsden (Trojan Flight - who ran second two days ago at Thirsk) and Mark Johnston (Can Can Flyer). Down at Yarmouth there is a winner for Nigel Tinkler with Treason Trail, whilst evening racing up at Hamilton sees another win for Mark Johnston (Spy King) as well as a double for Richard Fahey (Danelor in the £12,168 Captain JC Stewart Handicap and Richtee in the last).
10/08/2004 Only two Yorkshire runners today endangers the 23 days of consecutive winners, but luckily David Nicholls' Atlantic Viking comes up trumps in the opener at Bath, the only other Yorkshire runner at the meeting is John Balding's Lady Protector, who is third in the last.
09/08/2004 Winners at Thirsk today for Neville Bycroft (Dara Mac), Karl Burke (Thunderwing), Kevin Ryan (Coleorton Dancer) and James Bethell (True Magic). At Southwell Sue Smith's Look The The Future won the selling hurdle, and the evening meeting at Windsor saw Karl Burke double up for the day when Tequila Sheila tokk the Nursery.
08/08/2004 The Tim Easterby trained Somnus put up his usual excellent soft going run today to take the Prix Maurice de Gheest G1 at Deauville, his second Group One victory following last season's victory in the Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1 at Haydock, and his trainers second Group One sprint of the season. The Yorkshire bred (Scampston Stud and then raised at Sledmere) gelding was being ridden for the first time by the American 'Film Star' (Seabiscuit) Gary Stevens, whilst trainer Tim Easterby was, typically, to be found in the slightly less exulted setting of Redcar! Always travelling well Somnus held on at the line by two necks and a head, and will now go to Haydock hoping for consecutive Group One wins. With career winnings of £522,669 Somnus now goes upto 7th in the list of winningmost Yorkshire horses behind Teleprompter, Yavana's Pace, Attraction, Fruits Of Love, Double Trigger and Scott's View.. Elsewhere Easterby's brother-in-law Richard Fahey saddled the only Yorkshire winner at Redcar when Claret And Amber took the £10,481 Nursery, whilst Nigel Tinkler's Shinko Femme took the Seller at Leicester where, later on, Kevin Ryan's Rising Shadow took the £12,414 Leicester City Handicap.
07/08/2004 The highlight of a busy Saturday's racing came at Haydock where the Mark Johnston trained former Guineas hopeful Mister Monet made the step up from Handicap to Group class when taking the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes G3 in facile fashion, although he seemed to lose interest when he has well ahead and the final margin was not a fair reflection of his dominance of the race. Tim Easterby's Young Mr Grace won the £10,180 Lester Piggott Handicap on the same card. It was Shergar Cup Day at Ascot, and there were no winners for the Yorkshire trained horses although good placing were achieved by David Barron (Lamh Eile 3rd), Richard Fahey (Wing Commander 3rd) and Mark Johnston (Double Obsession 2nd). The local meeting at Redcar saw winners for Patrick Haslam (The Pen, his first winner for over two months), Bill Tinning (Righty Ho) and James Bethell (Havetoavit), whilst Neville Bycroft's Efidium was a good second in the main race on the card, with Tim Easterby's Tedstale back in third. The wins continue at Ayr's evening meeting where Richard Fahey (Marshallspark), David Nicholls (Bailieborough) and Alan Swinbank (Rutters Rebel) are successful, whilst John Wainwright has a winner down at Lingfield with Cut Ridge. It was announced today that Mark Johnston's decent middle distance horse Scott's View will be out for the rest of the season with a tendon injury, although it is hoped that he will race again next season.
06/08/2004 Again a fairly subdued day but it still manages to be the nineteenth consecutive day of Yorkshire trained winners with Mick Easterby's Baymist and Linda Stubbs' Double Ransom winning at Haydock's evening meeting, and Lynda Ramsden's Polygonal winning the main race at Newmarket's evening meeting. Events earlier in the day saw a double over jumps for Micky Hammond thanks to Karo De Vindecy and Freedom Now at Sedgefield.
05/08/2004 Not many Yorkshire trained runners today but they still manage to chalk up three wins at Haydock where the victorious trainers are Kevin Ryan (Throw The Dice), Tim Easterby (Mrs Moh in the main race on the card) and Mel Brittain (Melodian).
04/08/2004 Plenty of Yorkshire winners today with David Barron (Silvehay), David Chapman (On The Trail) and Mark Johnston (Reqqa) all scoring at Pontefract, whilst at Newcastle there was a double for Jedd O'Keeffe (Lady Misha and Parisian Playboy) and winners for James Bethell (Little Bob), Mark Johnston (Spy King) and Tim Easterby (Pay Attention). Further afield John Balding's Arms Acrossthesea won the claimer at Yarmouth.
03/08/2004 Today's best result came in defeat and abroad when Patrick Haslam's Kinnaird was a reasonable second in the Prix de Psyche G3 at Deauville. Hopefully this likeable filly can chalk up a group win to go with last year's before the end of the season. A lot closer to home there were winners at Catterick for James Hetherton (Blue Maeve), Karl Burke (Platinum Charmer), Richard Fahey (Chevin) and Anne Duffield (Jubilee Street).
02/08/2004 Three Yorkshire trained winners locally at Ripon this afternoon courtesy of David Barron (Imperial Sound), Lynda Ramsden (Double Vodka) and James Bethell (Hearthstead Dream). David Barron had a double for the day when Gifted Flame obliged in the opener at Carlisle's evening meeting where there were also winners for Micky Hammond (Chubbes) and Mark Johnston (Baileys Dancer).
01/08/2004 August sees no Yorkshire meeting, and not many Yorkshire runners however Richard Fahey scores a double at Chester with Golden Legacy and Sualda, whilst brother-in-law Tim Easterby wins the maiden with Love And Laughter. The big news happens off the track however as it is announced that Keith Dalgliesh, who failed to turn up for his four rides at Hamilton last night, has retired from race riding. Only 21, the lanky Scot (he is over six foot), who is informally attached to Mark Johnston's Middleham yard has, not surprisingly, struggled with his weight for some time, but despite that has ridden 24 winners already this season. Dalgleish's biggest successes have come aboard Kingsley House inmates including Helm Bank at Royal Ascot, Attraction in two of her early races, Lucky Story at Goodwood last year, Gateman on most of his runs since joining Johnston and, most notably, Yavana's Pace's record breaking win in the Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal G1 in 2002, the oldest horse ever to win a Group One race. His most recent winner was Awake for David Nicholls on the 24th July, and he has also ridden regularly this season for Karl Burke, John Quinn, Tim Easterby and Micky Hammond. Overseas Mark Johnston's Scott's View was a respectable enough fourth in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen G1 at Munich.
31/07/2004 The Yorkshire horses had no victories at Goodwood today, although John Quinn's Fantasy Believer put up his usual gutsy performance to be a good second in the annual cavalry charge that is the Stewards Cup Handicap, for which he was rewarded with a useful £22,000. At Newmarket there were three Yorkshire trained runners-up of which the most significant was James Bethell's stable star Mine in the EBF George Stubbs Stakes L. There was only one Yorkshire trained winner at Doncaster but that was Richard Fahey's Opening Ceremony in the main race on the card, the £22,835 Weatherbys Bank Summer Handicap, in which Yorkshire trained horses filled the first four places. Yet again Yorkshire trained horses won five of the six races at Thirsk, this time the winning trainers were Lynda Ramsden (Turnaround), Richard Fahey (Wise Wager), an in-form Neville Bycroft (Efidium) and John Parkes (Best Port). In the evening not many Yorkshire trainers made the trip upto Hamilton, however there were still winners for Robin Bastiman (Borderlesscott), John Wainwright (Baron Rhodes) and David Barron (Wahoo Sam).
30/07/2004 A relatively quiet day at Goodwood for the Yorkshire horses, compared to the last couple of days, David Nicholls however did pick up his first winner of the meeting when Merlin's Dancer took the last, the £13,108 Stewards Sprint Handicap, in which Nicholls had eleven of the twenty six runners! Locally the winners came thick and fast at Thirsk where Yorkshire horses won five of the six races thanks to David Barron (Maureen's Lough), David Chapman (Headland), Tim Easterby (Triple Jump), Richard Fahey (Richtee) and Alan Swinbank (Hartshead).
29/07/2004 Yorkshire runners only managed to make any sort of showing in one of the main races at Goodwood today, but that was a totally dominant exhibition of staying power in the Goodwood Cup G2 by the Mark Johnston team with Darasim winning, Royal Rebel in second and Double Obsession back in fourth ...... almost a clean sweep in what was admittedly a relatively poor renewal. Johnston also had a winner (Toby's Dream) in the slightly less exhaulted setting of Carlisle, where there were also winners for Jedd O'Keeffe (Fizzy Lizzy) and Andy Turnell (Little Tobias). The evening meeting at Musselburgh saw yet another winner for the in-form Johnston (Jane Jubilee in the nursery) and other wins for David Nicholls (Bailieborough), Kevin Ryan (Coleorton Dancer) and John Wainwright (Catch The Cat).
28/07/2004 Things get better at Goodwood today with Yorkshire trained horses winning the first two races. The opening £23,200 Goodwood Stakes Handicap sees victory for the Richard Fahey trained Alrida who hangs on by a neck to give Fahey a well deserved big race win following the stables troubles with EHV1 earlier in the season. The next is the Vintage Stakes G2 and this sees a more convincing victory with Mark Johnston's bargain buy Shamardal winning by a very comfortable two and a half lengths, in the process catapulting himself to the head of the ante-post market for next years 2,000 Guineas. Let's hope he fares better than Johnston's winner of this race last year - the unlucky Lucky Story. David Nicholls' runs three in the last race, which has been renamed the Zuhair Handicap after the Thirsk trainers multiple winner of the race. The best of Nicholls' finishers today was Time To Remember who is a decent second. Very few Yorkshire runners at the other meetings today, and no winners.
27/07/2004 The first day of 'Glorious' Goodwood sees no Yorkshire trained winners but Bryan Smart's nice filly Mary Read is only denied victory in the Molecomb Stakes G3 by a neck, John Quinn's Bigalos Bandit is fourth in the same race. Locally however there is more success with winners at Beverley for Kevin Ryan (Northern Spirit), Tim Easterby (Distant Times), David Barron (Oscar Pepper) and a rare double for Neville Bycroft thanks to Splodger Mac who won the main race from his stablemate Tedstale Mac, and to Shotley Dancer who won the next. The penultimate race at Beverley was the 'Ken Magee Lifetime In Racing Maiden Fillies Stakes' and was named after the long serving stud groom at the historic Sledmere Stud.
26/07/2004 A host of Yorkshire trained winners up at Sedgefield thanks to Sue Smith (Miss Holly & Rival Bidder), Kate Milligan (Magic Box) and Micky Hammond (Karo de Vindecy). On the flat there is only one winner at Southwell - Bryan Smart's Caitlin, but evening racing sees a rare Yarmouth winner for Wetherby trainer Robin Bastiman when the well travelled Smiddy Hill takes the opener.
25/07/2004 Mark Johnston's King of Dreams wins the £12,203 NSPCC Family Rated Stakes at Newmarket, to give the Yorkshire trainers their only 'foreign' victory of the day. On home soil there are victories at Pontefract for Richard Fahey (Wing Commander in the £12,070 Pomfret Rated Handicap), David Barron (Undeterred) and David Nicholls (Ballybunion).
24/07/2004 Another good day at Ascot for Mark Johnston with one-time Guineas hope Mister Monet taking the £17,400 Solitare Diamond Rated Handicap, and another Ascot one-two, this time in the last race, the £10,776 South Africa Annivesary Diamond Rated Handicap with Always Waining and Fort. Inbetween these Johnston successess Kevin Ryan's Uhoomagoo was a creditable third in the Totesport International Handicap (picking up £16,500 for his efforts), and Johnston's Bandari finished midfield in the King George won by Doyen. There was a new meeting at York which saw wins for Tim Easterby (Mimi Mouse in the £10,433 Nursery), Richard Whitaker (Neon Blue in the £11,018 seven furlong handicap) and David Barker (Tancred Times in the claimer). Newcastle saw a sprint double for David Nicholls (Awake and True Night in the £12,208 Beeswing Handicap) as well as wins for John Wainwright (stable stalwart Fantasy Believer in the £11,945 Betfred Sprint Series Final Handicap) and Bryan Smart (Arabian Ana in the Maiden). Karl Burke's Harry Potter won the last at Nottingham. Yorkshire's only evening runner was Kevin Ryan's Gifted Gamble at Lingfield who duly obliged in the opener to cap a good day for the Tykes.
23/07/2004 Yorkshire winners at four meetings today. Ascot saw the Mark Johnston pair of Mana d'Argent (top weight) and Riyadh (bottom weight) finish one-two in the £9,532 Brown Jack Handicap with only a short head between them, this being 'Manas' sixth victory at Ascot (he's never won anywhere else!). At Thirsk there were winners for James Bethell (Strawberry Dale who may now go for the Shergar Cup race won last year by Kinnaird), Karl Burke (Zonnebeke) and John Wainwright (Le Meridien). Burke doubled up with a win at Southwell (Diction) where Bryan Smart also had a winner (Booked Matched). Newmarket's evening meeting saw a win for David Nicholls with Bahamian Pirate taking the conditions race.
22/07/2004 Just the two winners today and both came at Doncaster's evening meeting courtesy of David Nicholls (Lord Of The East) and Lynda Ramsden (Double Vodka).
21/07/2004 Plenty of winners today starting at Catterick where Richard Fahey (Golden Legacy), Anne Duffield (Uredale), John Balding (Justalord), Mark Johnston (Jane Jubilee) and Kevin Ryan (Northern Games) all had winners. The jumps meeting at Worcester saw a winner for Sue Smith with St Matthew whilst the evening meeting at Leicester brought winners for Kevin Ryan (Kings Rock), Karl Burke (Party Ploy) and James Bethell (True Magic).
20/07/2004 Only two meetings today, one for each code, and Yorkshire victories at both extended the winning sequence to, erm, two days! At Ayr Karl Burke's Harry Potter won the last, whilst at Uttoxeter Kate Walton's Billie John also won the final race.
19/07/2004 Normal service is resumed up at Ayr today with wins for Mick Easterby (Top Dirham) and David Nicholls (Machinist) whilst David Nicholls' Proud Boast is a good third in the Land O'Burns Fillies Stakes L, and Mark Johnston's Gateman puts up his usual tough performance to be second in the Scottish Derby G2, his best ever result over a distance of greater than nine furlongs, and all the better in the context of him being hampered early on. Evening racing at Bevereley sees another winner for Mick Easterby (Baymist) as well as wins for George Moore (Futoo), Noel Wilson (Zanjeer) and Tim Easterby (Princess Kiotto).
18/07/2004 Only jumps racing domestically today, and not many Yorkshire trained runners. Unfortunately there are no Yorkshire winners and thus today is the first day since the 6th June when a Yorkshire trained horse has not won somewhere or other!
17/07/2004 Another day packed with winners. At Newbury Brian Ellison's Everest won the £23,200 ladbrokes.com Handicap, and in the next race Bryan Smart's Bond City picked up £14,850 for finishing third in the Weatherbys Super Sprint. There were three Yorskhire winners at Market Rasen led by Richard Fahey's Alrdia who won the £23,200 Totesport Handicap Hurdle with Brian Ellison's Torrid Kentavr back in third, the other jumps winners were Brian Ellison's Transit and Sue Smith's Busihdo, whilst Fahey's Wuxi Venture was an excellent third in the £40,600 Totescoop6 Handicap Chase. Closer to home at Ripon there was another 'major' win for the ever-popular Chris Thornton when his Lets Roll won the £13,780 Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap from Karl Burke's Party Ploy. Other local winners at Ripon came from the in-form Micky Hammond (Premier Times) and from Kevin Ryan (My Paris). Not to be left out Mark Johnston's improving Bendarshaan won at Newmarket. Evening racing saw a win at Lingfield for Nigel Tinkler with Tre Colline. The evening meeting at Haydock saw two runners bred by Bishop Wilton Stud in the main race, the July Trophy L. Whilst Red Lancer was unplaced Frank Sonata further increased his reputation by gamely hanging on for victory by a neck and a short head, his first black-type success.
16/07/2004 Seven winners (oh no, a dip in form!) today with the daytime victories coming at Carlisle from Lynda Ramsden (Pro Tempore), David Nicholls (Izmail) and Tim Easterby (Flash Ram). The evening meeting at Hamilton sees only one Yorkshire trained winner, but it's a valuable one with David Nicholls' Blackheath winning the £18,479 Tennents Scottish Stewards Cup Handicap from John Balding's Tom Tun and Nicholls' own Pieter Brughel. There is a double in the opening two races at Pontefract's evening meeting for Micky Hammond with El Rey Royale and Charlotte Vale, whilst John Wainwright's Time To Regret takes the mile handicap.
15/07/2004 Eight Yorkshire trained winners today with proceedings starting well up at Hamilton for Alan Dickman (Propellor, his first flat winner of the season), David Barron (Thornaby Green), Mark Johnston (Mister Monet in the most valuable race on the card, who won by four and ten lengths) and Richard Fahey (Oldenway).There is a winner over fences at Cartmel for Noel Wilson (Double Blade) and a second on the level for Richard Fahey at Leicester with Marshallspark. Evening racing at Doncaster sees winners for James Bethell (Scotland The Brave in the main race) and Mick Easterby (Word Perfect).
14/07/2004 Another successful day at the local meeting with Catterick winners for David Barron (Lamh Eile) and David Barker (Tancred Times). The evening meeting at Kempton sees a winner for the Alan Swinbank thanks to Red Romeo.
13/07/2004 Local winners aplenty across at Beverley thanks to Lynda Ramsden (Fairlie), Tim Easterby (Big Hassle), John Wainwright (Fairgame Man), Malcolm Jefferson (Clarinch Claymore) and Richard Fahey (Boppys Princess).
12/07/2004 Not that many Yorkshire trained runners ventured upto Ayr today, but there were stills winners for Mark Johnston (Shamardal a 50,000gns son of Giant's Causeway on his debut), Karl Burke (Party Ploy) and John Weymes (Gold Card). Meanwhile Southwell saw more Tyke success thanks to Nigel Tinkler (Downland) and David Chapman (Queen Of Night).
11/07/2004 A double over jumps at Stratford for Patrick Haslam (Looking Down and Nocatee) adds to the flat successes of David Barron (Silverhay) and Brian Ellison (Jimmy Byrne) on the flat at Haydock.
10/07/2004 Lots of runners today, and another good day for the Yorkshire horses. The biggest win of the day came at Chester where David Nicholls' Fire Up The Band won the City Wall Stakes L, the previous race having been won by Richard Fahey's Opening Ceremony. Nicholls' seems to be the man in form as he provided the only local winner at York today when his Pieter Brughel won the £10,738 John Smith's Extra Cold Handicap. Later on the same card Alan Swinbank's Collier Hill was a good third in the John Smith's Rated Handicap L. Not to be kept out of things Mark Johnston's Gateman was his usual consistent self when finishing second in the Michael Page International Silver Trophy Stakes G3 at Ascot (where Tim Easterby's Thewhirlingdervish was a good third in the next) and Johnston had a winner in the opener at Nottingham with Generous Option. Evening racing at Hamilton saw winners for Karl Burke (Speed Dial Harry), David Barron (Wahoo Sam) and Tim Fitzgerald (Inchnadamph).
09/07/2004 The local runners dominated at York today with winners for Tim Easterby (Artie in the £10,602 Grampian Country Food Group Handicap), David Barron (Blonde Streak) and Mark Johnston (Carte Diamond in the £12,911 John West Tuna Rated Handicap and the well-bred Elliots World an impressive winner of the maiden on his debut). Down at Ascot David Nicholls had a good win thanks to True Night who took the £14,144 Woodcote Stud Handicap, to take his winnings whilst in Nicholls' care over the £100,000 mark. The performance of the day however actually came almost in the middle of the night when Patrick Haslam's Kinnaird put up a good performance to finish second (only beaten a neck) in the Golden Daffodil Stakes G3 at Chepstow's evening meeting.
08/07/2004 With Doncaster cancelled and no joy at Newmarket (although a couple of placings for Mark Johnston and a reasonable fifth for Tim Easterby's Somnus in the July Cup G1) Yorkshire's 31 days of consecutive winners was nearly ended today, but Mark Johnston's I'm So Lucky came good at Warwick to continue the bandwagon.
07/07/2004 Consolation of the best kind for Mark Johnston today when Bandari makes the most of a perfect run to land the Princess of Wales's Stakes G2 at Newmarket, by 1/2 length from hotpot Sulamani. Bandari was second in this race last year, and it remains to be seen whether his best distance is actually 10 or 12 furlongs as his form seems a little in and out over both distances. Johnston doubled up for the day with Yoshka winning at Catterick where Richard Fahey also had a winner thanks to Willjojo.
06/07/2004 All good things must come to an end, today Mark Johnston's star filly Attraction ended her unbeaten run of eight races when she was beaten into second place to Soviet Song in the Falmouth Stakes G1 at Newmarket's July meeting. Jockey Kevin Darley claimed after the race that the filly was 'below par', trainer Johnston was reluctant to make excuses however, although in my opinion she didn't look entirely comfortable coming down hill. The only possible consolation is that the winner spent time at Star Cottage Stud in Malton (every cloud .....!). It would also pay to remember the mid-seventies to mid-eighties when, the odd Bill Watts or Steve Norton runner excepted, it was rare for Yorkshire trained horses to be even running in any group races, nevermind actually winning Group Ones, the likes of Mrs.McArdy and Fearless Lad being the exceptions rather than the rule. The meeting had started well for Yorkshire with Brian Ellison's Everest winning the opening £14,014 H&K Commissions Bookmakers Handicap by three short heads, with David Nicholls' True Night back in third. Meanwhile closer to home at Pontefract there was a winner for James Bethell (Prospect Court in the nursery) and a consolation winner for Mark Johnston (Bendarshaan in the three year old maiden). The evening meeting ay Uttoxeter saw Red Nose Lady win the selling hurdle for Malcolm Jefferson.
05/07/2004 Three winners today to keep up the 'run'. Richard Whitaker led the way with a double at Ripon courtesy of Biscar Two and Alchemist Master. Meanwhile up at Musselburgh Brian Ellison claimed a win with Artistic Style. It was announced today that the historic Thornton Stud is back on market, for a mere £7.75million - if you've got some loose change lying around, more details here.
04/07/2004 The performance of the day today came from the Chris Thornton trained Lets Roll at Redcar. Thornton has been winnerless on the flat since the same horse won in October last year. This season he has put up some good placed performances but today was he showed how good he really is when taking the £14,365 Formica Handicap under Dean McKeown, not bad for a horse that cost a mere 1,400gns as a yearling ! Jedd O'Keeffe (Parisian Playboy) and Alan Swinbank (Lucky Judge) also had winners up on Teeside.
03/07/2004 Rather like the rest of the week today sees a string of winners, but no victories in the really big races, let's hope next week's July meeting brings some big results! Beverley sees wins for Tim Easterby (Charnock Bates One), David Chapman (Paddywack in the £13,884 Mondi Hypac Handicap) and Noel Wilson (Santiburi Lad). David Chapman caps a good day when Quito wins the valuable conditions race at Haydock where David Barron's Flipando also wins the £10,270 sprint handicap, Barron doubles up when his Rancho Cucamonga wins at Nottingham's evening meeting. The evening action at Carlisle sees wins for Mick Easterby (Reversionary), James Bethell (Strawberry Dale on his debut), Alan Swinbank (Hartshead) and Tim Easterby (Young Mr Grace), giving the Habton trainer five wins in two days.
02/07/2004 A week full of winners and not a lot else continues today with Mark Johnston's Melrose Avenue eventually winning on his second trip down to Sandown. Evening racing at Haydock see wins for Brian Ellison (Jimmy Byrne) and Tim Easterby (Harvest Warrior), whilst the meeting at Beverley produces winners for John Quinn (Melachrist), Tim Easterby (Wonderful Mind and Miss Eloise to give him three today), Nigel Tinkler (Cryfield), David Chapman (Redoubtable) and Richard Fahey (Sualda). 26 consecutive days of Yorkshire trained winners.
01/07/2004 Yorkshire trained winners at four tracks today. On the wrong side of the Pennines Tom Tate's Dr Sharp lands the last at Haydock, whilst Mick Easterby's Golden Chance wins the last at Yarmouth. The evening action switches to Epsom and Newbury. At the later Tom Tate chalks up a double for the day with Another Bottle, whilst John Quinn's game Fantasy Believer wins the main race. At Epsom it is David Nicholls who takes the main race with Loyal Tycoon, whilst Mark Johnston wins the last with Woody Valentine.
30/06/2004 A sole Yorkshire winner on the flat today when Richard Whitaker's Alchemist Master wins at Catterick, but there are two jumps winners up at Perth thanks to Kate Walton (Fantastico) and Peter Beaumont (Monty's Quest).
29/06/2004 Today's racing action is centered on Hamilton where Mark Johnston (Dunlea Dancer), Richard Fahey (Fonthill Road) and David Barron (Wahoo Sam) all have winners.
28/06/2004 The local meeting today is at Pontefract where there are three Tyke winners with Tim Easterby's Mimi Mouse winning the opener, Richard Fahey's Sharoura winning the main race, the £10,452 Gerrard Wealth Management Fillies Handicap, and Mark Johnston's Leo's Lucky Star maintaining his unbeaten record when taking the Spindrifter Conditions Stakes. Racing on the all-weather at Southwell sees winners for David Chapman (Queen Of Night) and Nigel Tinkler (Downland). The evening action is at Windsor, where Alan Swinbank's Red Romeo is a winner, and at Musselburgh where Nigel Tinkler doubles up with Shinko Femme, and there are also winners for David Nicholls (Bailieborough) and Micky Hammond (Archirondel).
27/06/2004 Result of the day comes in defeat when Richard Fahey's Exstot is a plucky second in the £43,500 English Summer National at Uttoxeter, where Sue Smith's Undeniable won the previous race. At Windsor there was a win for Karl Burke's Scottish Exile, followed by victory for the Bryan Smart trained Mary Read in the snappily named Royal Marbella Group Quality Homes Abroad EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes, which was worth a nice £12,087.
26/06/2004 Northumberland Plate day at Newcastle, but the best Yorkshire could do in the 'Pitmen's Derby' was fourth for Alan Swinbank's Collier Hill (an appropriate name if it had won!). The opener at Newcastle was the Chipchase Stakes G3 and Tim Easterby nearly made it double sprint honours on consecutive weekends when Fayr Jag's stablemate Somnus (giving weight all around) narrowly failed to land the spoils, but this race should put him spot on for the July Cup, where hopefully he will get the soft ground he revels in. The next was the £19,036 Northern Sprint Handicap and this fell to David Barker's Sierra Vista (his first win since August 2002), to give Barker one of the most important victories of his short career. Yorkshire also won the last two races on the card thanks to John Forbes (trained by Brian Ellison) and Soaked (David Chapman). At Windsor the Mark Johnston trained Gateman put up his usual tough performance to land the Midsummer Stakes L, having twice been headed in the last furlong this gallant horse managed to force his way to the front on the line. There was a solitary Yorkshire winner at Chester where Tim Easterby's Mrs.Moh landed the last, a £9,464 Handicap.
25/06/2004 Another good day with a winner at Market Rasen for Sue Smith (Little Big Horse) and for Karl Burke (Diction) and Bryan Smart (Commander Bond) at Southwell. Even better was to come however at Newcastle's evening meeting where the opening amateur race was won by Tim Fitzgerald's Kingsdon (his fourth win in a row). The next was the £17,400 Gosforth Park Cup this fell to John Quinn's Caribbean Coral, his second big win of the month. Quinn made it a double for the night when Icenaslice won the closing race.
24/06/2004 A fairly dull week after the excitement of Royal Ascot, but events pick up slightly today with a host ofYorkshire winners. At Newcastle there are wins for the prolific Kevin Ryan (Monsieur Mirasol in the opener) as well as for Richard Fahey (Shamrock Tea) and Alan Swinbank (Lucky Judge in the £10,316 TSG IBM Handicap). Down at Leicester Fahey doubles up for the day when Willjojo wins the seller, and there are five local winners at Thirsk thanks to Neville Bycroft (Dara Mac), Bryan Smart (Sir Anthony), David Chapman (Paddywack), Micky Hammond (Charlotte Vale) and Mark Johnston (Snap in the closer). Further winners come at Hamilton's evening meeting where there are two for Malton thanks to Tim Fitzgerald (Inchnadamph) and Tim Etherington (the admirable Karminskey Park) and one for Middleham from Karl Burke (Tequilla Sheila).
23/06/2004 Carlisle's biggest day of the year, but the best that the Yorkshire trained horses can do in the two main races is third (Tedstale in the Carlisle Bell) and fourth (Sporting Gesture in the Cumberland Plate). The occassion has started well however for the Yorkshire raiders with Bryan Smart's Bond City winning the opener, and Mark Johnston's King Of Love (from the family of former stable star Fruits Of Love) an impressive winner of the second on his racecourse debut. Pearl Of Love is in the same ownership as both King Of Love and Fruits Of Love and it was announced today that Johnston's juvenille star of last season may be out of action for the rest of 2004 due to a reccurence of his forefoot problems. It does however seem likely that the son of Peinture Celebre will return to the racetrack at some point, even if not until next season.
22/06/2004 Not many Yorkshire trained runners today but there are local wins at Beverley for Bill Tinning (Life Is Beautiful) and Tim Easterby (Swainsworld).
21/06/2004 Today's Yorkshire winners came up ay Musselburgh where the victorious trainers are John Wainwright (a double with Our Louise and Little Task) and Robin Bastiman (Sennen Cove).
20/06/2004 A return to non-royal racing sees winners at Pontefract for Kevin Ryan (Missperon), Tim Easterby (Thewhirlingdervish) and Alan Swinbank (Red Romeo) whilst Hexham sees a winner for Kariana Key (Mister Moussac) and a double for Sue Smith (Supreme Breeze and Celioso).
19/06/2004 The best two consecutive days in modern Yorkshire racing history? Quite possibly. Things didn't start off well today at Royal Ascot with the Mark Johnston pair of Hearthstead Wings (4th) and Systematic (5th) not quite running upto scratch in the opening two races. But proceedings got a whole lot better in the third race, which saw Tim Easterby gain his third Group One sprint of recent years when Fayr Jag took the Golden Jubilee Stakes G1 by a distance of two heads. For Easterby this follows on from the Group One sprint successes of Pipalong (2000) and Somnus (2003) in recent years, not to mention the classic winning Bollin Eric (2002). More immediately however it will provide some comfort after the sad news that Easterby's star chaser, the enigmatic and ever popular Barton, was put down earlier in the week. As Somnus is still in residence at Habton Grange, Easterby would appear to have a strong hand in the major sprints for the rest of the season. Not only is Somnus trained in Yorkshire but he was bred by part owner Lady Ledgard at her Scampston Hall Stud and was reared at Sledmere, yet again Cape Of Good Hope (bred at Melbourne Hall Stud see 15th June below) also flew the flag for Yorkshire breeding - finishing third. However that wasn't the end of the good news from Royal Ascot as the next race was the Wokingham Handicap (won last year in a deadheat by a certain Fayr Jag!), which was won in good style by the gambled on Lafi for 'King of the Sprinters' David Nicholls, his first ever Royal Ascot winner. So the score for Yorkshire over the week is wins in two of the Group One races and both the big betting handicaps, as well as another major handicap, and a good third in yet another of the Group Ones! Tim Easterby, as is so often the case, was well out of the Berkshire limelight and 'hiding' up at Redcar where there were wins for Alan Swinbank (Hartshead) and Brian Ellison (CD Flyer in the £13,943 Tetley Smooth Handicap), and there was a double at Ayr for David Barron with Trance and Lamh Eilie, with the later named winning by a massive seven lengths on her racecourse debut. Finally Tim Fitzgerald's Kingsdon made it four for the year (for both trainer and horse!) when taking the last at Lingfield's evening meeting.
18/06/2004 Cough? Bend? Watering of track? Infield like an extension of the M4? Pah, Attraction laughs in the face of such so called challenges! The Queen of Middleham (and Ascot) stormed home in a peerless performance to win the Coronation (more like a procession!) Stakes G1 by an easy two and a half lengths to record her third group one win in a row, and her eighth win from as many lifetime starts. The lifetime earnings of Mark Johnston's star performer now stand at more than £574,000 (and thus the fourth highest Yorkshire trained earner of all time), and this is the first horse Johnston has trained to win more than two group one races, never mind three in a row and still undefeated! The sky now appears to be the limit, although Attraction will avoid the colts in the Sussex Stakes, and her next start appears likely to be the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, where she will take on older fillies for the first time, although on current form only Russian Rhythm (who's course record Attraction narrowly failed to beat today, following overnight watering) could get near her. All being well the next start would probably be either in France or the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes before a possible attempt on the Breeders Cup in Dallas ...... of such things dreams are made! Perhaps the best comment came from Mick Channon, trainer of the runner-up Majestic Desert, who said of Attraction "You probably won’t see another horse like her in your lifetime." Patrick Haslams's fellow Middleham raider Kinnaird was a respectable fifth to Attraction, although ultimately she will need to be dropped in class to improve her C.V. On the same card David Nicholls' True Night was third in the Buckingham Palace Handicap, and Johnston's Gold History was a disappointing fifth (aka last) in the King Edward VII Stakes (probably needs a shorter distance) and stable companion Nufoos had terrible traffic problems in the Albany Stakes. At Redcar there were winners for Yorkshire trainers Richard Whitaker (African Breeze), Vicky Haigh (Salut Saint Cloud), Mark Johnston (Carte Diamond) and Noel Wilson (Zanjeer). A red letter day.
17/06/2004 Only eight Yorkshire trained runners today, Royal Ascot Day Three, and all from the stable of Mark Johnston. Although these runners yielded no wins there were nevertheless some good placings firstly from Darasim and Royal Rebel who were third and fourth respectively in the Ascot Gold Cup G1, and then from Saturday's winner Etmaam, who was third in the King George V Handicap. On the breeding front, and somewhat incredibly, the winner of today's Brittania Handicap, Mandobi, is a half brother to Tuesday's winner Chateau Istana, thus giving the small 'Yorkshire' (the horses are actually currently based in Ireland) stud High Bramley Grange a truly memorable Royal Ascot double! Another Yorkshire connection today is that the second in the opening race, the Norfolk Stakes G3, was Mystical Land who was bred by the Weymes' families long-standing owner Trevor Scothern and raised at Manor House Stud in Middleham. Elsewhere there was a double (Spirit Of France and Yoshka) for a resurgent Mark Johnston at Ripon as well as winners for David Chapman (Torrent) and John Quinn (Smart Minister). Nigel Tinkler gained a win at Southwell with Tre Colline, whilst the evening action saw a winner in the opener at Beverley for Mick Easterby's Westcourt Dream as well as winners for near neighbours David Barron (Imperial Sound) and David Nicholls (Low Cloud). Tomorrow is D-day with the Coronation Stakes (Attraction - how will she handle the bend?) and King Edward VII Stakes (Gold History) as well as Yorkshire trained runners in many of the supporting races including some potentially nice fillies in the Albany Stakes.
16/06/2004 Ascot, day two, and another Yorkshire winner this time James Bethell's stable star Mine wins the £58,000 cavalry charge that is the Royal Hunt Cup by distances of a head, short head, head and short head, surely the finish of the meeting ! This is Bethell's biggest win financially since he returned to his native Yorkshire. Only 10 Yorkshire runners at the meeting today (most of them in the Hunt Cup) and Mark Johnston's Scott's View acquited himself reasonably well when finishing 5th in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes G1, although the same team's Bandari was very disappointing in the same race, beating only one home. Tomorrow sees Darasim and Royal Rebel in the Gold Cup for Johnston, as well as a host of other Yorkshire runners in the supporting races. Mark Johnston had another confidence boosting winner at Hamilton Park today with Munaawashat, and there was also a winner on the Scottish card for David Nicholls (Sir Don). On the all-weather at Southwell the Yorkshire winners came courtesy of John Weymes (Simply St Lucia on her debut), David Barron (Dispol Veta) and Karl Burke (Countykat). Evening action switches to Ripon where there are winners for David Nicholls (Weet Watchers), Kevin Ryan (Bridgewater Boys), Richard Fahey (Doitnow) and another for Mark Johnston (Act Of The Pace).
15/06/2004 Day One of Royal Ascot, and Mark Johnston's fears of having no winners this year (having been leading trainer for the last two years) were quickly dispelled when Double Obsession, carrying the colours made famous by Double Trigger, won the £23,200 Ascot Handicap, having drifted out to 25-1 in the market. Granted this was the least important race of the day, and with 13 runners today no other Yorkshire trained horses troubled the judge (including Johnston's Pearl Of Love who was second to last in the St.James's Palace Stakes), but at least it's not complete doom and despondency! Second place in the King's Stand Stakes G2 was filled by the Hong Kong trained Cape Of Good Hope, but he is Yorkshire bred by Diana Ellis at the Melbourne Hall Stud east of York. There was more breeding success of a kind for Yorkshire as the winner of the Windsor Castle Stakes L was Chateau Istana who, although raised in Ireland, was technically bred by High Bramley Grange Stud near Ripon, who only have a couple of mares. Closer to home there were local winners at Thirsk thanks to Karl Burke (Party Ploy) and David Nicholls (Lord Of The East).
14/06/2004 Two Yorkshire trained winners up at Carlisle today with Richard Fahey's Little Jimbob taking the maiden, and Robin Bastiman's Pepper Road winning the seven furlong handicap. Despite the two recent winners Mark Johnston expresses serious reservations about his strings well-being in the run up to Ascot, with a worrying number of his horses coming down with a cough.
13/06/2004 A dangerous outbreak of the potentially fatal and much dreaded seconditis at Doncaster today with Yorkshire trained winners filling the runner-up berth in four consecutive races. Prior to this however there was some more encouragement for the out-of-form Mark Johnston team with Fiefdom narrowly winning the opening maiden race by a short-head, to give the team two wins in as many days.
12/06/2004 Today's York score was also two with Mark Johnston's Etmaam winning the £12,342 Daniel Prenn Rated Handicap and Kevin Ryan's Cloud Dancer taking one of the sprint handicaps after 110 days away from the track. Etmaam was the normally prolific Johnston's first winner for 11 days and will provide the Kingsley House trainer with a small filip prior to Royal Ascot next week. John Wainwright's hot favourite Mis Chicaf made no impression on the big race at York, the William Hill Trophy, by there was some compensation for the Malton handler as, by then, his Baron Rhodes had won nicely at Sandown. Up at Hexham there were three Yorkshire trained winners under National Hunt rules - Reno (Chris Thornton), Shays Lane (Ferdy Murphy) and Joy Boy (Tim Easterby). Chris Thornton's Let's Roll had earlier finished an eye-catching second in one of Sandown's valuable handicaps. Result of the day however came late and from overseas when Tim Easterby's Golden Nun put up a career best performance to finally land a group race - the Ballyogan Stakes G3 - which she won nicely by one and a half lengths.
11/06/2004 On what is traditionally a good day for the local runners there are only two Yorkshire trained winners at York this afternoon - David Nicholls' Eton and Kevin Ryan's Distinctly Game. Down at Southwell there is a double for Karl Burke thanks to the efforts in consecutive races of Blue Power and Romil Star.
10/06/2004 Not many Yorkshire runners today but they dominate at Southwell where Mick Easterby (Snookered Again), Kevin Ryan (Only One Legend), Nigel Tinkler (Tre Colline) and James Hetherton (Dash Of Magic) provide the winners. It's a very good day for James Hetherton as his Phase Eight Girl also takes the last at Uttoxeter's evening meeting.
09/06/2004 Today there were flat winners at Beverley for Richard Fahey (Oldenway) and Tim Etherington (Lydia's Look). Fahey had an across-the-codes double with Alrida winning over hurdles at Market Rasen, and Wensely trainer Geoff Harker scored with Jay Be Junior winning his second NH Flat race from two attempts all the way down at Hereford.
08/06/2004 Two Yorkshire trained winners today at Redcar courtesy of David Barron (Maureen's Lough), Micky Hammond (Dark Day Blues) and Richard Fahey (Richtee), whilst slightly further afield at Chester's evening meeting there are winners for David Barker (Dorn Dancer) and David Nicholls (Awake). A day for the David's amongst the Yorkshire training fraternity.
07/06/2004 The only Yorkshire runners today are at Pontefract Park's evening meeting where it looked like being a whitewash for the locally trained horses until Tommy Smith (John Wainwright) and Albashoosh (David Nicholls) come good in the last two races on the card.
06/06/2004 Disappointingly Pearl Of Love looked like he needed the race in the Prix Jean Prat and only managed to beat one home.
05/06/2004 Derby Day, and despite the seemingly strong hand held by Mark Johnston at the end of last year there are no Yorkshire runners, but be warned Pearl Of Love reappears in France tomorrow, albeit with Bago to beat and over a distance probably a little on the short side. Unfortunately the victory of the Sir Michael Stoute trained North Light will make it much harder for Johnston to take his first trainers championship, as Stoute will now jump past Johnston at the head of the rankings (personally I was routing for the French trained American Post - for this very reason!). It was however another good day at Epsom for the Yorkshire trained horses. In the first, the £43,500 Vodafone Live! Handicap Mark Johnston's Mystical Girl was a decent enough third, and this was followed in the next, the Woodcote Stakes L, by stablemate Royal Island coming home in an impressive second place. The next was the Diomed Stakes G3 and Johnston's Gateman ran his usual gutsy race to be a game third. Settrington trainer John Quinn had by far the biggest victory of his career to date when Caribbean Coral won the £43,500 Vodafone 'Dash' Handicap from David Nicholls' Plateau and Nicholls went one better in the last race when Native Title won the £23,200 Vodafone Handicap. At Haydock the Bishop Wilton Stud bred Frank Sonata won yet again when taking the £12,388 Smart Minds Betfair Rated Handicap. Later on the same card Tim Easterby's Golden Nun put up another good performance to be third in the Cecil Frail Stakes L and George Moore's Futoo won the last. At Doncaster there were winners for David Barron (Trance) and Tim Easterby (Space Shuttle) whilst Sue Smith's Smiths Landing won at Worcester.
04/06/2004 Oaks day at Epsom and no Yorkshire representatives in the big race but a good day for Yorkshire non the less with Lynda Ramsden's game ten year old Bishops Court coming a decent third in the Temple Stakes G2, and Kevin Ryan gaining his first major victory of a season packed full of winners when Uhoomagoo won the £23,200 Vodafone Mile Handicap piloted by Neil Callan, with Richard Fahey's Definite Guest back in third. This will be no consolation for Fahey however after the loss of his stable star Vintage Premium on the gallops this morning. Vintage Premium won over £245,000 in his career and was listed placed in his last start two weeks ago, his best victory was in the 2002 John Smith's Cup, but he also put up a number of good performances in listed company and won a number of other valuable handicaps. Unfortunately the Mark Johnston duo of Scott's View and Systematic were unplaced in the Coronation Cup, although both ran pretty much upto their ratings and odds, although you'd probably have to say that, based on their recent performances, the distance was slightly too far for Scott's View, and not far enough for Systematic! On a more parochial level there were wins at Thirsk for David Barron (El Palmar) and John Quinn (Icenaslice) and at Wolverhampton for Karl Burke (Romil Star) and yet again for David Barron (Mallia and Old Bailey).
03/06/2004 A double for Karl Burke up at Hamilton today courtesy of Party Ploy in the opener and Rockburst in the maiden race. Anothe trainer chalking up plenty of winners this season is Kevin Ryan who's Cardinal Venture won the last at Haydock, whilst Brian Ellison's Hope Sound won the maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter.
02/06/2004 Just the one 'daytime' winner today when David Chapman's Soaked won the claimer at Newcastle. The evening action moved to Beverley where Yorkshire trained horses dominated the day's principal race - the Hilary Needler Trophy L - the first four home were Missy Meggy (Tim Easterby), Tagula Sunrise (Richard Fahey), Mary Read (Bryan Smart) and African Breeze (Richard Whitaker). The winner overcame the dreaded Number One draw, and certainly faired better than her stablemate the favourite Mizz Tee who stumbled badly at the start, it was however a muddling race and if it was run again there could well have been a completely different result. Later on Richard Fahey's Bolton Hall, making his raceourse debut, won the £11,670 Brian Yeardley Continental Two Year Old Trophy.
01/06/2004 Into June and the day started well for the Yorkshire runners, and then got even better! There were winners locally at Redcar with Micky Hammond (Archirondel) and Patrick Haslam (Nocatee) providing the horses.. Meanwhile down at Leicester Tim Easterby's Times Review won the last. Fantastically however things got even better when the evening action switched to Sandown as there was a Mark Johnston treble headlined by Bandari's narrow victory in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes G3, Kingsley House's six group winner of the season so far. The other Johnston winners were Mystical Girl and Golden Quest, and the other trainer in-form, Mick Easterby, also got in on the act with Acomb winning nicely at Sandown as well.
31/05/2004 Actually a relatively quiet day for Yorkshire trained horses, considering it was a Bank Holiday. Star performance of the day came from Mick Easterby's Blue Spinnaker who, having got into traffic problems, came with a late surge to take the £32,500 Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar. Earlier on the same card Karl Burke's Bold Marc who the Novice Stakes, and John Parkes won the last with Best Port. The days only other winner was Mark Johnston's (who else?!) Always Waining who won the opener at Chepstow.
30/05/2004 Hardly any Yorkshire runners at today's three meetings, and just the one winner - Alan Swinbank's Talama Lady at Uttoxeter. Meanwhile over in Germany at Baden-Baden Mark Johnston's Scott's View was a disappointing third in the Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis G2, albeit only beaten 3/4 of a length and a head.
29/05/2004 A busy day reflected in the fact that there were Yorkshire trained winners at five different courses today. Pride of place goes to the David Barron trained Raccoon who won his second big race in seven days when taking the £29,000 Scottish Sprint Cup up at Musselburgh. The following race was won by David Nicholls' Theatre Of Dreams and John Wainwright's Catch The Cat took the £10,082 Victor Chandler Handicap. Closer to home at Doncaster there were winners for Lynda Ramsden (Hiccups), Kevin Ryan (Uhoomagoo in the £9,958 Sky Vegas Handicap) and Anne Duffield (Jubilee Street in the closing race). Over jumps there were winners at Cartmel for John Weymes (Littleton Valar) and Peter Beaumont (Hutch), and at Hexham for Alan Swinbank (Vitelli), Kate Milligan (Middleway) and David Easterby (Scottish Roots in the Hunter Chase). Finally the evening meeting at Lingfield saw John Balding's Lady Protector win the fillies handicap.
28/05/2004 Emotional scenes at York today when the David Nicholls trained Pax won the Sarah Lunn Memorial Handicap, Sarah Lunn was David Nicholls' secretary at the time of her tragic death in a car accident last October, she was also a part-owner of Pax. Yorkshire horses also won the first three races on the card thanks to the in-form John Wainwright (Mis Chicaf) as well as Robin Bastiman (Smiddy Hill) and Nevile Bycroft (Efidium). The last race at Wolverhampton was won by John Balding's Armsacrossthesea, and the evening meeting at Pontefract saw winners for David Nicholls (Bailieborough), Tim Easterby (Grey Clouds) and Mark Johnston (Penrith).
27/05/2004 Two Yorkshire trained winners up in Scotland today with Tom Tate's Another Bottle winning the opening maiden race at Ayr, and Mark Johnston's Leo's Lucky Star breaking his maiden at the first time of asking, later on the same card. The jumping game saw winners at Wetherby for Sue Smith (Bushido) and for George Moore (Agnese) who chalked up an double with Karajan winning down at Huntingdon.
26/05/2004 Two local winners at Ripon today with David Nicholls' Merlin's Dancer winning the opener, and Jedd O'Keeffe's Tiyoun winning the staying handicap. Ferdy Murphy's Your A Gassman won the closing race at Cartmel.
25/05/2004 Two Yorkshire winners apiece at three separate meetings today with Tim Easterby (Mizz Tee) and Richard Whitaker (Steel Blue) scoring closest to home at Ripon. The 'Regional' meeting at Nottingham sees winners for John Weymes (Danakim) and John Wainwright (Little Task) whilst the evening meeting at Sedgefield sees a double for Brian Ellison who took the first with Shayadi, and the last with Medallist.
24/05/2004 Back down to earth, but a little bit of history is also made today when young trainer David Barker has his first ever stakes win when stable star Celtic Mill (bred at Burns Farm Stud) takes the £17,400 Telectronics Systems Leisure Stakes L at Windsor's evening meeting. In third place was the Lambourn trained La Cucaracha, who was homebred by Guy Reed at his Copgrove Stud. This was La Cucaracha's second piece of black-type as in her her run of the season she was second in the Lansdown Stakes L at Bath. Earlier there had been winners at Carlisle for Mark Johnston (Carte Royale) and Tim Etherington (Feu Duty), whilst the local winners at Beverley were Sennen Cove, trained by Robin Bastiman, Life Is Beautiful trained by Bill Tinning and Roman The Park trained by Tim Easterby. Mark Johnston chalked up a second winner of the day when Nufoos won at Leicester, and the evening meeting at Thirsk also saw a second win of the day for Tim Easterby (Bourgeois) as well as winners for Geoff Harker (Atlantic Quest - his first flat winner of the year) and Mick Easterby (Acomb).
23/05/2004 History is made today when Mark Johnston's Attraction - "the best horse I've ever trained" - wins the Irish 1,000 Guineas G1 by two lengths and thus becomes the first horse ever to win both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas. The 2-1 favourite again made all the running and stormed up the centre of the track under Kevin Darley to retain her unbeaten record. Incredibly Patrick Haslam's Kinnaird, having her first run for 255 days was fourth in the same race, so there is certain to be a big party in Middleham tonight ! This is Johnston's eleventh Group One win and the first time a horse of his has won consecutive Group One races, presumably the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot will be the next target for both Attraction and Kinnaird. This victory also puts Attraction into the top ten list of winnings by Yorkshire trained horses, which is shown below (all figures approx). Incredibly three of these horses (Scott's View, Attraction and Somnus) are still in training. Oh, and Kate Walton's Gay Oscar won the bumper at Southwell !
Horse Trainer Amount Best Performances
Teleprompter Bill Watts £774,571 Arlington Million G1, Queen Elizabeth II S G2, Prix Quincey G3, Desmond S G3
Yavana's Pace Mark Johnston £722,378 Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal G1, Prix du Conseil de Paris G2, Prix Gladiateur G3
Fruits Of Love Mark Johnston £607,401 Hardwicke S G2 (x2), Dubai Turf Classic, Princess of Wales's S G2, 2nd.Canadian Int'l G1
Double Trigger Mark Johnston £555,416 Ascot Gold Cup G1, Goodwood Cup G3 (x3), Doncaster Cup G3 (x2), Henry II S G3 (x2)
Bollin Eric Tim Easterby £506,196 St.Leger G1, Lonsdale S G3, 2nd.Hardwicke S G2, King Edward VII S G2, Dante S G2
Scott's View Mark Johnston £494,723 Magnolia S L, Serlby S L, 3rd.Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1, Dubai Sheema Classic G1
Royal Rebel Mark Johnston £441,046 Ascot Gold Cup G1 (x2), Lonsdale S G3, Goodwood Cup G3, 3rd.Prix du Cadran G1
Zindabad Mark Johnston £434,983 Hardwicke S G2, Yorkshire Cup G2, John Porter S G3, 3rd.'King George' & QEII S. G1
Attraction Mark Johnston £434,585 1,000 Guineas G1, Irish 1,000 Guineas G1, Cherry Hinton S G2, Queen Mary S G3
Somnus Tim Easterby £424,940 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1, Hackwood S L, betabet Trophy, St Leger Yearling Sales S.
22/05/2004 Another excellent day for the Tykes. We have to go all the way to Germany to find the group winner of the day - Mark Johnston's Darasim putting up a great effort to take the Betty Barclay-Rennen G3 at Baden-Baden under Joe Fanning, a good omen for Attraction tomorrow. Down at Ascot James Bethell's stable star Mine followed up his two good placings of the season so far by posting a win in the £34,800 Victoria Cup Handicap. It was also a good day at Haydock where David Barron's Racoon won the £14,092 Options Hygiene Handicap and black type was picked up by Karl Burke's High Voltage (3rd in the Sandy Lane Stakes L) and also by Lynda Ramden's Chantress (3rd in the EBF Joan Westbrook Pinnacle Stakes L), who is owned by her daughter Emma.
21/05/2004 Back down to earth with a bang and just the two Yorkshire trained winners today (albeit from not that many runners) with Nigel Tinkler's Downland scoring at Ayr, and Kevin Ryan's Bridgewater Boys putting up a strong winning performance at Haydock.
20/05/2004 A Thursday in May and ten Yorkshire trained winners, what is the world coming to?!? Events started off well at Newcastle where there were winners for Mark Johnston (Royal Island and What's Up Doc), John Norton (Ronnies Lad), Mick Easterby (Ego Trip) and John Balding (Lady Protector). Down the A1 at Wetherby there was a winner for Kate Walton with Wildfield Ruffo. Come the evening focus shifted further down the Great North Road to Doncaster where the winning trainers were Patrick Haslam (Indibraun), Richard Whitaker (Neon Blue), Kevin Ryan (Mystic Man) and, with his first winner of the year, John Wainwright (Mis Chicaf).
19/05/2004 A grand total of seven winners today. Richard Fahey's Wuxi Venture is the sole winner at Kelso, but the race is the £12,041 HSBC Handicap Chase. Karl Burke has a double at Southwell where both Romil Star and Ballyrush oblige in Banded races. Middleham trainers really come to the fore at Sedgefield's evening meeting however with winners for Kate Walton (Astral Prince), George Moore (Prize Ring), Andy Crook (Pornic) and Ferdy Murphy (Just For Fun).
18/05/2004 Winners aplenty for the Yorkshire stables today. At Redcar David Nicholls (Sawwaah) has the sole local winner, but there are two local winners at Beverley thanks to Tim Easterby (Flighty Fellow) and Anne Duffield (Praire Sun). All the way down at Towcester (which is now technically for sale - although you'd have to fork out for the whole of Lord Hesketh's estate!) there are winners for Ferdy Murphy (Garde Bien) and Malcolm Jefferson (The Merry Mason).
17/05/2004 Mark Johnston's team make the journey all the way down to Bath and are rewarded when their sole runner Etmaam takes the classified stakes. Meanwhile David Chapman has a double at Wolvermpton's 'Regional' meeting with Levelled and Marabar, whilst John Norton also has a winner with Sam The Sorcerer. The evening meet at Musselburgh sees a double for David Nicholls with Rajam and American Cousin.
16/05/2004 Just the one Yorkshire trained winner this Sunday with Mark Johnston's Hearthstead Wings taking the two-year-old maiden at Ripon.
15/05/2004 No luck for either of the Yorkshire raiders in the Lockinge at Newbury, but at Nottingham Golden Nun won the £23,200 Totesport Fillies' Stakes L ( I said she seemed to be getting more consistent in her old age!) for Tim Easterby, her third black-type performance in a row. Closer to home at Thirsk there were wins for Tim Easterby (Miss Meggy), David Barker (the main race with Celtic Mill, bred at Burns Farm Stud) and Mark Johnston (Mystical Girl). The evening trip to Southwell saw winners for Kevin Ryan (Roman Empire and Yenaled) and Karl Burke (Speed Dial Harry), whilst David Easterby won the Maiden Hunter Chase at Uttoxeter.
14/05/2004 Mark Johnston's Twofan lost his maiden tag when winning the maiden race down at Nottingham under Stanley Chin. Most of today's action however was up at Hamilton in the evening where Richard Fahey continued his 'come back' with Bo McGinty taking the second race. The next was the £20,300 Saffie Joseph & Sons Braveheart Handicap L and this saw a Yorkshire 1-2-3 with Alan Swinbank's Collier Hill coming home in front of Fahey's Vintage Premium (a quick return to the track after his victory at York yesterday) and Tim Easterby's Bourgeois. Mark Johnston's Never Will was another Kingsley House resident to lose his maiden tag today when taking the next at Hamilton.
13/05/2004 Final day of the Dante meeting at York, and local horses win the first two races with David Chapman's Quito taking the £12,818 Langley's Solicitors Handicap and Richard Fahey's Vintage Premium the £13,247 Sharp Minds Betfair Handicap, this being Fahey's first winner on the turf this season, and also the first since his yard was declared free of the Equine Herpes virus. The third race was the Yorkshire Cup G2 in which Andy Turnell's Jelani put up his best performace of the season so far when finishing a good third. Kevin Ryan had a rare winner all the way down at Salisbury when Bridgewater Boys took the sprint handicap and there were winners on the all-weather at Lingfield for Tim Fitzgerald (Kingsdon) and Andy Turnell (Buying A Dream), and at Perth for Brian Ellison (Transit).
12/05/2004 No winners at York today, although Dandy Nicholls' Watching was second in the opener, and James Bethell's Mine picked up some black type when third in the Hambleton Handicap L. All the winners today where in the evening including a Mick Easterby double (Selkirk Storm and Dance To My Tune) and wins for Julie Camacho (Royal Melbourne) and John Quinn (Aleron) at Newcastle, and, over jumps, for Ferdy Murphy (Your A Gassman) and Brian Ellison (Torrid Kentavr) at Perth.
11/05/2004 The first day of York's prestigous Dante meeting, and events get off to a flyer as the opening race, the £12,841 Newton Rated Handicap, was won by Frank Sonata, bred just up the road at the Bishop Wilton Stud, who had such an excellent result at Chester a mere five days ago with Red Lancer. For such a small stud (4 or 5 mares at any one time) to have two good winners in such a short space of time is incredible. A couple of races later and things got even better when Bryan Smart's stable star Monsieur Bond won the £58,000 Duke of York Stakes G2, his second group win in a row following his earlier victory in Ireland. He now looks well placed to take major sprint honours over six/seven furlongs this summer, with the Prix Maurice de Gheest G1 looking tailor made for him. Tom Tate's Welsh Emperor was a decent fourth in the same race, only a head behind the third. Somnus suffered under his Group One penalty, and was having his first race of the season, and his stablemate Fayr Jag didn't have the best of runs. There were also winners today at Huntingdon (Ferdy Murphy's Carlys Quest) and Wolverhampton (John Quinn's A Bit Of Fun).
10/05/2004 Two local winners at Redcar today with Tim Easterby's Extremely Rare taking the maiden fillies race, and John Quinn's Rocinante winning the mile handicap. Down at Wolverhampton there were winners for Kevin Ryan (Rightprice Premier in the fillies maiden) and Karl Burke (Daring Affair in the fillies handicap).
09/05/2004 Three jumps meetings today, but only two Yorkshire trained winner, both at Market Rasen. Sue Smith's Miss Holly wins the opening maiden hurdle nicely, and the last race, a bumper, was won by Wensley trainer Geoff Harker with Jay Be Junior, who was having his debut run. Jay Be Junior was bred by his owner Geoffrey Bonson at his Sycamore Farm Stud near Ripon, and is the first horse to run by resident stallion JB Quick.
08/05/2004 Down at Lingfield the Tim Easterby trained Golden Nun (who seems to be getting a little more consistent with age) is a good third in the Chartwell Fillies Stakes G3, following on from her good run at the Curragh two weeks ago. At Beverley three Yorkshire sprint old hands are first, second and third in the opening race, namely Bahamian Pirate (aged 9, David Nicholls), Bishops Court (aged 10, Lynda Ramsden) and Vita Spericolata (aged 7, John Wainwright) who finished in that order, with Kevin Ryan's Halmahera (aged 9) in fourth place. I doubt David Chapman watched that race as he had seven runners in the next, the Leisure Furnishings Sprint, but the race fell to Tim Easterby's Artie, from John Wainwright's Catch The Cat, Chapman's highest finisher was Maraber who finished third. Tom Tate's Dr Sharp tooking the staying handicap, John Quinn's Melalchrist won the first division of the two-year-old maiden, and Mark Johnston's Royal Island the second, both were having their first runs. Kevin Ryan took the last race, a Lady Amateurs Handicap, with Yenaled. Up at Hexham the Yorkshire winners were Linda Sidall's Benefit and Kate Milligan's Tender Touch. The evening action switches to Thirsk where there are winners for Patrick Haslam (Nova Tor), Alan Swinbank (Lucky Judge) and Mark Johnston (Snap).
07/05/2004 An excellent week for Mark Johnston (apart from his broken arm gained when falling off his bicycle!) is capped when Systematic confirms the promise of his Newmarket run last time by taking the £43,500 Ormonde Stakes G3 in good style. This is his first win since taking the Cumberland Lodge S G3 in September 2002 and, like Bandari, it finally sees him back to something like his best form. There are two more Yorkshire winners later on the card when David Nicholls' Chappel Cresent takes the £10,379 Warwick International Rated Handicap, and Brian Ellison's Court Of Appeal takes the last race of the meeting, the £9,165 Cheshire Regiment Handicap. There are also Yorkshire winners at Hamilton where Bryan Smart's Midnight Tycoon wins at the first time of asking, and John Balding's Short Chorus takes the last. Finally John Parkes, who trains out of one of Mel Brittain's yards, has his second turf winner of the season (from only five runners) when King Nicholas wins the opener at Nottingham. Meanwhile Mark Johnston has announced that, subject to the going, Attraction will be aimed at the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
06/05/2004 An excellent day for Yorkshire at Chester today. In the principal race of the day, the Chester Vase G3, the Bishop Wilton Stud bred Red Lancer (Deploy - Miss Bussell) won easily by five lengths to give the small Yorkshire nursery it's first ever group winner, although as owner John Johnson was formerly Stud Groom at Garrowby Stud he's certainly no stranger to being connected with big race winners! The bad news is that Bishop Wilton sold the dam for what now looks like a bargain price of 3,000gns at this year's Doncaster January Sales. The next race was the Huxley Stakes L and this fell to Mark Johnston's resurgent Bandari, who came with a swooping wide run in the last furlong under Richard Hills, to take his career winnings over the £300,000 mark. After this performance and his win on Saturday Johnston's charge now seems to be back to something like his best form of 2002 and could be a force to contend with in this summer's big races. At the evening meeting at Wetherby there are winners for George Moore (Prize Ring) and Sue Smith (Francis Bay).
05/05/2004 First day of the Chester meeting, but unfortunately Yorkshire success today is limited to winners over jumps for Ferdy Murphy (Carlys Quest at Chepstow) and Peter Beaumont (Jodante at Kelso).
04/05/2004 A much better effort from the Yorkshire trained runners today, there was a win at Warwick for the Mark Johnston trained Premier Dream, and wins at the evening meeting at Musselburgh for Karl Burke (Platinum Charmer) and another for Johnston (Man Of Letters finally breaking his maiden).
03/05/2004 The usual mediocre Bank Holiday cards, which was typified by the victory of David Nicholls' Pays d'Amour in the claimer at Doncaster. Earlier the Tim Easterby trained Birthday Suit (homebred at Garrowby) was a dissapointing third in the mile Condtions race, she looks as if her optimal distance is going to between six and seven furlongs. Incredibly for a Bank Holiday that was about it, although the Yorkshire trainers were damaged by the cancellation of water-logged Newcastle.
02/05/2004 The big day comes at last, and we are not disappointed, as Mark Johnston's star filly Attraction makes all the running to take the 1,000 Guineas G1 in excellent style, repelling the late challenge of Sundrop in the final stages. Sent off at 11-2 second favourite she was never really headed throughout the race as Kevin Darly rode a well judged race to give Kingsley House it's first classic win since Mister Bailey's 2,000 Guineas G1 ten years ago, in fact ten was the magic number as this was Attraction's first run for that many months, a remarkable training feat. The filly has to have the worst gait at a walk of any horse in training, but she certainly knows how to run, and remains unbeaten. This victory must also improve Johnston's chances of landing a first trainers title as non of the other major challengers won the 2,000 Guineas yesterday. This was Yorkshire's first victory in the 1,000 Guineas since 1977 when another 'reject' - Mick Easterby's Mrs.McArdy - took the race. The next race on the card today was the Jockey Club Stakes G2 and there was nearly an historic double for the Johnston/Darley combo as Systematic was only just beaten into second place. Johnston eventually managed to double up when Master Marvel took the last race on the card, the £13,962 Portland Lodge Handicap. On a more parochial level Linda Stubbs won the second race of the day at Hamilton with Double Ransom.
01/05/2004 Day one of the Guineas meeting at Newmarket, and non of the Mark Johnston team have made it to the big race, so all hopes rest of Attraction tomorrow. There is a positive sign for the Kingsley House team however when Bandari makes some sort of return to form by winning the £12,267 Ruinart Conditions Stakes. Earlier on the same card David Barron's Polar Kingdom was third in the £29,000 Ladbrokes Handicap. Closer to home at Thirsk local horses dominate the big race on the card, the £12,818 Thirsk Hunt Cup, with Mick Easterby's Blue Spinnaker defying top weight to come home ahead of Richard Whitaker's Vicious Warrior and Easterby's Cat's Whiskers. Earlier on that card Tim Easterby's Raphael won the £9,783 Totepool Handicap, and David Barker's Mr Wolf won the last race, his second victory in five days. Micky Hammond's Tee-Jay won at Hexham, but the best jumps result of the day was the third place for Torrid Kentavr in the £40,600 Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock. Michael Dickinson's Tapit made no real show in the Kentucky 'Durby' but the handler still plans on running his star horse in the remaining Triple Crown races.
30/04/2004 A double up at Musselburgh for the new (this season) combination of Bryan Smart and Fergal Lynch with Mary Head and Redwood Rocks. There are also winners up in Scotland for Mark Johnston (Love Is Seattle) and the in-form Karl Burke (He's A Rocket). Johnston double up when Joseph Henry maintains his unbeaten record down at Nottingham.
29/04/2004 Two Yorkshire trained winners down at Southwell today, courtesy of Ann Duffield (Unlimited) and David Chapman (On The Trial). The evening action switched up to Ayr where there were winners for Chapman (Redoubtable), Bill Tinning (Righty Ho) and Tim Fitzgerald (Kingsdon) - his first Turf flat winner since taking over from his father last spring.
28/04/2004 A bumper day at Pontefract for the locally trained horses with winners for Tim Easterby (King's Gait), John Quinn (Rocinante and Jake Black), Mark Johnston (Woody Valentine) and James Bethell (Master Wells). A sad day down at Ascot where Persian Punch collapses and dies at the end of the Sagaro Stakes, which also saw Mark Johnston's Royal Rebel finish a reasonable fifth on his first run since winning the Ascot Gold Cup G1 two years ago.
27/04/2004 Today's Yorkshire trained winners all came on the all-weather. John Weymes' Grand View won at Lingfield, whilst at Southwell there were winners for Robin Bastiman (Sunnyside Royale and Maromito) and Bryan Smart (Saros).
26/04/2004 Patrick Haslam won the most valuable race of the day when King Revo took the £10,387 Tote Trifecta Handicap at Hamilton. There were three Yorkshire winners at Newcastle from David Barker (Mr Wolf), Kevin Ryan (Raymond's Pride) and Brian Ellison (Jimmy Byrne). John Quinn had a winner at Wolverhampton with Mizhar. The evening meeting at Windsor sees a winner for David Nicholls with Lincoln Dancer.
25/04/2004 Again encountering traffic problems Mark Johnston's Scott's View was a creditable third in the £575,540 Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1 at Sha Tin this afternoon, taking his earnings for the season to over £300,000. Only beaten 3/4 length and a head he was closing fast at the end after getting stuck in running and would have been second with a couple more strides, and may have even been able to win with a clear run. Connections are pleased and he will now be aimed at other races in the World Series, possibly including the Singapore Airlines International Cup in three weeks. The Scot's dominate at Wetherby today, with Len Lungo chalking up three wins, local pride is restored however with Hamish Alexander's Comfortable Call winning the Selling Hurdle. Meanwhile over the Irish Sea Tim Easterby has his best result of the season to date when Golden Nun is a good second in the EBF Athasi Stakes G3.
24/04/2004 The main event today from a Yorkshire perspective was the between races gallop of Mark Johnston's 1,000 Guineas hope Attraction at Ripon. Although possibly a little late in her coat the daughter of Efisio looked fit and well and put in a good workout under big-race pilot Kevin Darley. Result of the day was Johnston's Gateman who was just edged out by outsider Hurricane Alan to lose by a neck in the befred.com Mile G2 at Sandown, having lead until the dying stages. There are winners at Ripon for Karl Burke (High Voltage, who's trainer believes he could be listed class), George Moore (Fortunes Wheel) and Mick Easterby (Hills Of Gold). Market Rasen sees a double for Sue Smith with Shady Man and Little Big Horse, and a win for Andy Crook with Pornic. At the Wolverhampton evening meeting there is yet another winner for Karl Burke with Daring Affair in the Fillies Handicap, and at Haydock's evening meeting Linda Stubbs has a winner with Zoom Zoom.
23/04/2004 Mark Johnston's Gold History ran a reasonable third in the Betfred Classic Trial Stakes G3 at Sandown today, his first run over this distance, and in going this soft, not a fantastic performance he laboured somewhat in the final furlong, but time may show that the conditions were perhaps not optimal for him. More Scottish success at Perth, this time for Wensley trainer George Harker (Cyborg de Sou) and Mick Easterby (Hermes III in the Hunter Chase). Warwick's evening meeting saw a winner for Patrick Haslam with Courant d'Air.
22/04/2004. Yorkshire trainers won the first two races at Perth this afternoon thanks to Merryvale Man (Kariana Key - her second ever win) and Sir Storm (George Moore). Closer to home at Beverley there were winners for John Quinn (Why Harry) and the in-form Karl Burke (Imperialistic in the £9,487 Jaguar Centre Handicap). The race at Wolverhampton's evening meeting fell to John Norton's Secret Bloom.
21/04/2004 Not many Yorkshire runners today, but we still managed to chalk up four wins. Pride of place is shared by Lynda Ramsden's Cape Royal who won the £9,118 Blue Square Handicap at Epsom, and Malcolm Jefferson's Moss Harvey who took the £12,342 ladbrokes.com Handicap Chase up at Perth. The other two winners both came down at Lingfield's evening meeting thanks to Andy Turnell's Buying A Dream and Robin Basiman's Maromito. Mark Johnston's guineas hope Attraction is to work at Ripon on Saturday. Johnston is worred about her preparation has she has been in receipt of the same sort of regime (concentrating on teaching her to setttle) as Russian Valour, who disappointed at the weekend, and her trainer is worried she may not be 'geed up' enough. On the 2,000 Guineas front Johnston's Lucky Story is definately out through injury, Pearl Of Love is suffering from cracked hooves but is in full work and may make the race, Russian Valour is left in and Mister Monet is looking unlikely.
20/04/2004 Three Yorkshire trained winners up at Newcastle, where Brian Ellison had yet another winner with Mister Mal. Tim Easterby's Elsie Hart won on her debut, and Kevin Ryan's Raymond's Pride won the main race on the card.
19/04/2004 Four local winners at Pontefract today, with Brian Ellison scoring a double thanks to Torrid Kentavr and Great As Gold. The other successful trainers were Patrick Haslam (Ceasar, his first turf winner of the season) and Mel Brittain (the durable Melodian)
18/04/2004 Follow-up from the 'recap' article yesterday - it appears that some of Richard Fahey's string have been infected with Equine Herpes (EHV1) and as a result the stable will not be having any runners in the near future, having had non at all in the last ten days. Plenty of jumps meetings today, but no Yorkshire winners from only a handful of runners.
17/04/2004 A faintly disappointing Saturday from the Yorkshire perspective, with favourite Simply Supreme failing in the Scottish Grand National, and no placings at the main Newbury meeting. There were however three local winners at Thirsk thanks to Karl Burke (Little Biscuit winning again), David Nicholls (Captain Clipper) and Tom Tate (Welsh Emperor back in winning form). At Ayr there was some small consolation for Simply Supreme's trainer Sue Smith with Mister McGoldrick (who won yesterday!) coming home third in the Future Champions Novices' Chase Gd2. In the Scottish National the best Yorkshire performer was Smith's Tipsy Mouse, who finished fourth, and Tim Easterby's Silver Knight was a reasonable third in the valuable Novices' Handicap Chase. The evening meeting at Wolverhampton saw a winner for Kevin Ryan with Lady Mo in the seller. Time for an early (flat turf) season recap; upto last night; of the major Yorkshire trainers Mark Johnston is obviously leading the way with 10 turf winners, including 3 stakes wins, and a 100% record with his juvenilles - one runner, one winner. Karl Burke has had an excellent start to the season with 5 wins from only 21 runs. David Nicholls, John Quinn and Kevin Ryan have four wins apiece. David Barron has two wins as have Richard Whitaker, Micky Hammond, Lynda Ramsden, Brian Ellison, Mick Easterby and Bryan Smart (remarkably both his wins have come in stakes races!!). Of the remaining 'major' trainers Tim Easterby, David Chapman, Nigel Tinkler and James Bethell each have a winner apiece. Patrick Haslam and Richard Fahey have both failed to get a winner yet on the turf, although as they have both had plenty of winners on the all-weather it is surely only a matter of time.
16/04/2004 A number of nice winners today with Lynda Ramsden's ten-year-old Bishops Court leading the way when winning the £12,095 Dubai Duty Free Rated Handicap at Newbury under Frankie Dettori, who obliged with his trademark flying dismount. At Ayr Sue Smith's good form continued when her Mister McGoldrick won the £9,025 Ashleybank Investments Novices Chase. Incredibly there was only one local winner at Thirsk where Karl Burke's Harry Potter saved the locals from a complete whitewash. There were two Yorkshire trained winners at the 'Regional' meeting at Southwell - Patrick Haslam's Red Flyer and Tim Easterby's Roman The Park.
15/04/2004 Mark Johnston seems to be on his usual early season roll, and this view was reinforced today when his Gold History took the Fielden Stakes L at Newmarket in good style to put himself into (albeit remote) contention for the Derby. To keep track; that's three stakes winners for Johnston is four days! At the same time Johnston issued a very upbeat report on 1,000 Guineas joint-favourite Attraction. There was more good news for the Yorkshire trainers at Yorkshire's 'Garden Course'' - Ripon; where Bryan Smart's nice filly Bonne de Fleur took the Ripon Silver Bowl Fillies Stakes L, with Tim Easterby's Birthday Suit (bred at Garrowby Stud) a decent third on her first run for 282 days. Other local winners at Ripon included James Bethell's Granston in the £8,542 Cock O'The North Handicap, Mick Easterby's Word Perfect in the Maiden and Richard Whitaker's Mynd in the closing Apprentice Handicap. The evening meeting at Southwell saw a win for Anne Duffield with Constable Burton, her first on the flat for 11 months, and also for Tom Tate (getting more and more flat winners these days) with Mission Affirmed in the last.
14/04/2004 Not much action yesterday, with two decent second places at Newmarket for the Yorkshire boys, from only a handful of runners. A much better day at 'Headquarters' today however starting off with Mark Johnston's Parkview Love coming home a decent third (only a neck behind the second) in the European Free Handicap L, albeit off bottom weight. Stable companion Russian Valour (who no longer towers over the opposition like he did last year), at the opposite end of the weight range, fared less well his lack of stamina showed and he finished second to last, it probably also didn't help that he raced in the less favoured pack but he looks certain to start over a shorter distance next time. There was even better news for Kingsley House in the next when Johnston's Gateman put up a spirited effort to win the Earl Of Sefton Stakes G3 (by a length from the highly regarded Kalaman), Yorkshire's first group victory of the season. With Scott's View and Gateman, Kingsley House certainly seems to be experiencing the 'Godolphin' effect of wintering a group of horses in Dubai. Somewhat closer to home at Beverley (where early season track preparation has been hampered by the mysterious galloping of unknown horses in the early hours!) there were three local winners with Brian Ellison (Open Handed), David Nicholls (Proud Boast in the £9,432 Classified Sprint) and Malcolm Jefferson (Calatagan) being the victorius trainers.
12/04/2004 The usual domestic bank holiday fayre (although a reduced number of meetings to normal), and what a good day it was for the Yorkshire trainers. However the best result of the day came over the Irish Sea at Fairyhouse where the Ferdy Murphy trained Granit d'Estruval belied his 33-1 odds to take the £79,450 Irish Grand National in excellent style, in the lead over the last and hanging on bravely in the straight despite the best efforts of local horse Marcus du Berlais. This is a fantastic result for Murphy who, by his own high standards, has had a slightly disappointing season. On the flat it was another good day for Mark Johnston who registered his first stakes win of the season when the in-form Scott's View won the £17,400 Magnolia Stakes L at Kempton under Stanley Chin. It now looks increasingly likely that Scott's View will go to Hong Kong for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, where he will again be ridden by Chin, a former champion apprentice in Hong Kong. Closer to home there were winners at Redcar for Kevin Ryan (Up Tempo), John Quinn (Bigalos Bandit), Karl Burke (Platinum Pirate) and Nigel Tinkler (Perfect Balance). Guy Reed's homebred (at his Copgrove Stud) Pablo ran a good race to win the £10,115 West Midlands Conditions Stakes at Warwick for Lambourn trainer Barry Hills, hopefully a stakes race can be found for the winner of last years Lincoln before the going becomes too firm. Hamish Alexander sending Golden Thunderbolt all the way to Fakenham should have been taken as a positive sign by backers, and the horse happily obliged by winning the opener. Finally there were more winners over jumps up at Sedgefield with Jedd O'Keeffe (Sir Night), Ferdy Murphy (Looking Forward) and Grant Tuer (Son Of Anshan) chalking up the victories.
11/04/2004 A good day at Musselburgh today for Mark Johnston with Joseph Henry and Gran Dana providing him with a double, the first being Johnston's first juvenille winner of the season.
10/04/2004 A disappointing day on the flat, with the sole winner coming from David Barron's Zero Tolerance in the opener at Haydock. Things were slightly better over fences with Mick Easterby's Moonlit Harbour and Sue Smith's Tomenoso both winning at Carlisle. However stretching the definition of 'Yorkshire trained' somewhat Michael Dickinson's Tapit showed he will be a force to contend with in the Kentucky Derby by winning the $750,000 Wood Memorial G1 at Aqueduct today.
09/04/2004 Good Friday, as usual, means no racing and Middleham Open Day. Approximately 7,500 paying adults visited Middleham this year, raising approximately £20,000 for local charities, and amongst the star attractions were, erm, Attraction, Pearl Of Love, Lucky Story, Bandari, Scott's View, Kinnaird, Mine and jumping stars Ryaulx and Deep Water.
08/04/2004 Two winners at Musselburgh for Middleham trainers with Karl Burke winning the two-year-old maiden with Bold Marc, and Mark Johnston taking the older horses maiden with Master Marvel. John Quinn took Time To Relax all the way down to Bath, but was rewarded with a win for his efforts. Oaks Farm Stables has had some good results at the Doncaster 'Breeze-Up' Sales with horses selling for 43,000gns, 34,000gns, 30,000gns and 24,000gns.
07/04/2004 Not many Yorkshire runners today, but Tim Easterby provides 'us' with a winner when Distant Times runs a nice race to take the Classified race at Warwick.
06/04/2004 A good day on the flat at local favourite Pontefract with winners for David Chapman (Marabar), Mark Johnston (Winged d'Argent making a winning debut, and Akash winning the £9,210 High Rise Classified Stakes), Micky Hammond (Green N'Gold) and Karl Burke (Capetown Girl). In addition Malton trainer Linda Stubbs had a winner at Lingfield with Somerset West. Mark Johnston double will perhaps be little consolation after the news that his leading classic hope Lucky Story has a leg problem and will miss the early part of the season, including the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby.
05/04/2004 One on the flat and one over jumps today with Fred Kirby's Sound Of Cheers winning yet again all the way up at Kelso, and Jedd O'Keeffe's Habitual Dancer winning on the all-weather down at Southwell.
04/04/2004 Big result of the day was Bryan Smart's Monsieur Bond in the £32,091 Gladness Stakes G3 at the Curragh, where he put his rivals in the shade by the mere matter of 7 lengths, one for each furlong in fact! On this form he should be closely followed in the even bigger races later in the season. Domestically there were winners galore for the Yorkshire runners at Hexham today where the winning trainers were Brian Ellison (Mister Arjay), JR Turner (Rosie Redman), Mick Easterby (The Nomad), Sue Smith (Smiths Landing) and Malcolm Jefferson (Dewasentah).
03/04/2004 With two of the Yorkshire runners in the Grand National falling at the first, and the other making no real show, it was a disappointing race for the raiders from over the Pennines. Sue Smith however demonstrated the strength in depth of her young chasers when Mister McGoldrick was third in the Maghull Novices' Chase Gd1, a nice bonus after Simply Supreme's victory yesterday. The only other two notable Yorkshire performances of the day came up at Newcastle where John Quinn's Archie Babe won the opener, and Micky Hammond's Tidy won the following race, the £13,728 Betfred Sprint Series Handicap.
02/04/2004 Another good day at Aintree for Yorkshire when Sue Smith's Simply Supreme puts up the race of his young life to win the £43,500 Martell Cognac Mildmay Novices Chase by a staggering 12 lengths, to quote the Racing Post "he ran them ragged". Another young horse with winning ways is Patrick Haslam's two-year-old filly by Trans Island; Nova Tor who won on her debut at Southwell, later at the same meeting there was a win for David Chapman's old hand On The Trail.
01/04/2004 First day of the Aintree meeting and it's a good start for the Yorkshire trainers with Brian Ellison's Zibeline winning the £23,200 Beefeater Restaurant Handicap Hurdle, and David Easterby's Sikander A Azam putting up another brave performance under Tom Greenall to be second in the Fox Hunters Chase.
31/03/2004 One day away from Aintree and there are winners aplenty on the flat for the Yorkshire trainers. At Nottingham the successful Yorkshire trainers are Lynda Ramsden (Johnny Parkes), David Nicholls (Bahamian Pirate), Kevin Ryan (Lawood) and David Barron (Dispol Veta) - an excellent day for the Thirsk area trainers in fact! David Barron doubled up with a winner just up the A1 from his Maunby stables when Nathan Brittles won at Catterick, an earlier local winner at that meeting coming from Brian Ellison's Court Of Appeal.
30/03/2004 A welcome boost for Sue Smith, with the Aintree festival almost upon us, when she has two winners at Sedgefield with Free To Run and Cardinal Mark.
29/03/2004 An all flat day, and there are four Yorkshire victories up at Newcastle with John Quinn (Tara Tara), David Nicholls (American Cousin), Mark Johnston (the promising Etmaam) and Kevin Ryan (Up Tempo) providing the winners.
28/03/2004 Plenty of Yorkshire trained winners at today's three jumps meeting, but it is left to the lady trainers to grab the plaudits. Result of the day comes up at Kelso where Sue Smith's Tipsy Mouse takes the £25,114 Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase in good style under Dominic Elsworth, who had partnered the same trainer's Presumptuous to take the previous race. Meanwhile at Market Rasen it is left to permit holder Maxine Stirk (wife of the well-known equestrian vet) to fly the flag for Yorkshire when her Atticus Finch takes the Handicap Chase.
27/03/2004 It may well be the start of the domestic flat season, but result of the day comes all the way from Dubai where Mark Johnston's Scott's View runs the race of his life to be an excellent third in the Dubai Sheema Classic G1, picking up a cool £111,731 for his efforts in this valuable race. With Scott's View two earlier wins in Dubai, plus bits and pieces on the all-weather and the nascent flat season this takes Johnston's winnings for the year so far to almost £250,000!! More valuable place money is picked up closer to home at Doncaster when David Chapman's game gelding Quito is second in the Lincoln Handicap, picking up a very useful £20,000 for his efforts. The only local winner on Town Moor this afternoon comes from Kevin Ryan who's Dario Gee Gee wins the two-year-old maiden. There is a further winner later on in the day when Karl Burke's sprint bred filly Little Biscuit makes a winning debut to take the seller at Wolverhampton.
26/03/2004 Another good day at Doncaster for the local horses with Chris Fairhurst's Rahwaan winning the second race, the £9,755 Lakeside Handicap, a victory that will make the winning trainer very relieved as he didn't have a single flat winner last season. In the last race Mark Johnston's King Of Dreams, who holds a Derby entry, wins the maiden. Down at Lingfield there is a winner for David Chapman when Supreme Salutation wins the claimer.
25/03/2004 The opening day of the flat season at Doncaster today, and it's a good day for the local trainers. Mick Easterby wins the opening race of the season with Middlethorpe. Another first when Linda Stubbs wins the first (turf) two-year-old race on the season, the £7,398 Brocklesby Stakes with Next Time Around. Richard Whitaker also gets off to a good start when Steel Blue wins the £9,946 Lesley Garrett Handicap. Mark Johnston manages to notch up his first black-type performance of the season when Gateman, back from Dubai, is second in the Doncaster Mile L under Keith Dalgleish.
24/03/2004 Just the one winner today, when Mark Johnston's Golden Quest wins at Lingfield. Real racing commences tomorrow.
23/03/2004 Two Yorkshire trained winners today, both coming on the all-weather at Southwell where Richard Fahey (Cumwhitton) and John Norton (Printsmith) provided the winners.
22/03/2004 Five Yorkshire trained winners today, starting at Lingfield where David Chapman won the opener with Torrent, John Quinn also had a winner later on the same card with Jake Black. Closer to home over jumps at Wetherby there were winners for Mick Easterby (Nowell House), George Moore (Sir Storm) and Sue Smith (Rebel Rhythm).
20/03/2004 From the Yorkshire perspective today was the day for the smaller trainer. At Ascot David Easterby, son of Mick, won the Hunter Chase with Sikander A Azam, who was having his first run in nearly a year, and was ridden by Tom Greenall, and owned by his father Lord Daresbury. At Newcastle Permit Holder's Fred Kirby (Sound of Cheers) and Kariana Key (Merryvale Man, her first ever winner) both had winners, whilst proving that the 'big boy's hadn't completely lost their way Tom Tate (himself a former permit holder) had a winner with The Butterwick Kid. However the most valuable victory of the day was on the flat at Lingfield where Alan Swinbank's What-A-Dancer won the £15,080 New Site @ betdirect.co.uk Handicap.
19/03/2004 After the excitement of Cheltenham a mundane day's racing sees a sole Yorkshire victory clinched by Brian Ellison when Mister Arjay wins the last a Fakenham.
18/03/2004 The final day of Cheltenham, and no Yorkshire placings, however the indomitable Mick Easterby earns his place in history by virtue of being seated next to Henrietta Knight throughout Best Mate's incredible third Gold Cup, and providing the nerve wracked winning trainer with a running commentary, which unfortunately has not been recorded on tape for prosperity ! On a more mundane level there are victories at Hexham for the aforementioned Mr.Easterby (The Nomad) and for George Moore (Iron Express). David Chapman provides the sole flat winner of the day when Supreme Salutation comes home ahead at Southwell.
17/03/2004 Cheltenham, day two, and Yorkshire at least manage a podium finish today when Sue Smith's Royal Emperor is an excellent second in the Grade 1 Royal & Sun Alliance Novices Chase.
16/03/2004 Day one at Cheltenham, and no real Yorkshire interest. However there are three 'Tyke' winners at Sedgefield thanks to Ferdy Murphy (Red Society and Looking Forward) and Grant Tuer (Sad Mad Bad).
15/03/2004 Just the one Yorkshire trained winner today, with Malcolm Jefferson's Calatagan coming home 5 lengths clear at Stratford.
14/03/2004 Two winners at Southwell today where John Parkes' King Nicholas won the penultimate race, with the last being won by James Hetherton's Dash Of Magic.
13/03/2004 Winners galore for the Yorkshire trainers today, with Mick Easterby's Marsh Run leading the way by winning the £14,500 Mares NH Flat Race L at Sandown, with Richard Fahey's Sabreflight back in third, Easterby's Super Nomand was also a decent second in the last race on that card. At Ayr there were Yorkshire winners in the opening and closing races thanks to Sue Smith's Sun Cat and James Hetherton's Qualitair Pleasure. Closer to home at Newcastle there were four Yorkshire trained winners with the successful trainers being Tim Easterby (Edmo Heights), Mick Easterby (Belisario), Edwin Tuer (Sir Homo) and Tom Tate (Big Bone). Meanwhile on the all-weather at Wolverhampton Kevin Ryan's Quiet Times won the opening £10,282 Bet Direct Handicap and, later on the same card, Bryan Smart's Creskeld put up a reasonable performance to be third in the £20,300 Lincoln Trial Handicap. Tomorrow's Countryfile on BBC1 at 11am will be from Middleham, and will include a debate on whether Horse Racing is cruel, and a report from Ferdy Murphy's yard on Truckers Tavern's Gold Cup preparation.
12/03/2004 Just the one Yorkshire winner today when Malcolm Jefferson's Kids Inheritance wins the last at Ayr.
11/03/2004 A good result from Dubai where Mark Johnston's Scott's View comes home ahead of former stable companion Simeon to win the £54,469 Visit Victoria - The Place To Be Handicap, the best result so far of Johnston's trip to Dubai.
10/03/2004 No Yorkshire winners yesterday, but four today close to home at Catterick with the winning trainers being Tim Easterby (Doe Nal Rua), Chris Fairhurst (Rahwaan), Micky Hammond (Shogoon) and Grant Tuer (Golden Chimes).
09/03/2004 Sad news today as it is announced that Lady Westbrook has died. Although a resident of Cheshire she was closely linked with Yorkshire racing through her association with the Easterby family, which spread over 40 years and encompassed first Walter Easterby, then his nephew Peter, and then Peter's son Tim as her trainers. In recent years her horses (owned in partnership with her husband Sir Neil Westbrook) have been homebred in Yorkshire and include the St.Leger winner Bollin Eric, and the group winning sprinter Bollin Joanne.
08/03/2004 Just a single Yorkshire trained winner today, and that came on the all-weather at Wolverhampton where David Chapman's On The Trial won the second race.
07/03/2004 Four winners at Market Rasen's Sunday meeting today for the cross-border raiders from Yorkshire with the winning trainers being Sue Smith (Little Big Horse & Undeniable), Brian Ellison (Transit) and James Hetherton (Valeureux).
06/03/2004 Only the one winner today with Sue Smith's After Me Boys winning the £13,889 Wilsic Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster. However there was another good result down at Newbury where Tim Easterby's Turgeonev was second to his old rival Isio in the £61,202 Vodafone Handicap Chase.
05/03/2004 No Yorkshire trained winners yesterday, but back with avengance today with Golden Quest (Mark Johnston) and Mr Mischief (Patrick Haslam) winning at Wolverhampton, and Minivet (Tim Easterby) and The Kew Tour (Sue Smith) coming home in front at Doncaster.
03/03/2004 An excellent four winners on the all-weather at Southwell today for Yorkshire trainers the winners being Thunderclap (John Quinn), Scary Night (John Balding), Mission Affirmed (Tom Tate) and Yankeedoodledandy (Patrick Haslam).
02/03/2004 Two winners at Lingfield today, namely Redoubtable (David Chapman) and Radiant Bride (Karl Burke) and one at Leicester where Peter Beaumont's Sharpastrizam won the last. The funeral took place today of the popular Yorkshire owner-breeder Tom Umpleby, who lived at Romanby, near Northallerton. Tom was 83, and had bred over 100 winners in the space of 40 years, a remarkable achievement given that he never had more than 2 mares at any one time.
01/03/2004 Two winners at Wolverhampton today namely Jake Black (John Quinn) and Two Of Clubs (Patrick Haslam).
29/02/2004 One winner at each of the meetings today for Yorkshire trainers - Double Ransom (Linda Stubbs) at Lingfield, Silver Coin (Tim Easterby) at Musselburgh and Henry Tun (John Balding) at Southwell.
28/02/2004 Just the one winner today when Sue Smith's Black Frost wins at Haydock. Earlier on the same card Smith's Arctic Jack put up a reasonable performance under top weight to be third in the days big race, the £69,600 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup.
27/02/2004 Yet again all the Yorkshire winners today came on the all-weather, this time at Wolverhampton, with Karl Burke (Playtime Blue) and Bryan Smart (Book Matched) winning races.
26/02/2004 No winners yesterday, but three today, all coming at Southwell where the victorious Yorkshire trainers were Kevin Ryan (Up Tempo and Uhoomagoo) and Richard Fahey (Bramantino).
24/02/2004 Just the one Yorkshire trained winner on the flat today with Don Enrico Incisa's East Cape winning the last at Southwell. Yorkshire trainers chalked up three wins at Sedgefield as well courtesy of Ferdy Murphy (Fashions Monty), Richard Fahey (Mr.Lear) and Mick Easterby (Moonlit Harbour).
23/02/2004 Well I looked everywhere I can but there were no Yorkshire trained winners anywhere yesterday. However normal service was resumed today when Mark Johnston's debutante Jomacomi won his maiden at Wolverhampton, and Karl Burke's Free Style won at the Lingfield 'Regional' meeting. There were also Yorkshire winners under NH rules at Carlisle with Mick Easterby's Nowell House winning the Handicap Hurdle, and Sue Smith's Stagecoachsapphire the NH Flat race.
21/02/2004 Well it had to end, no Yorkshire trained winners in Britain today, with the best results being a second place for Ferdy Murphy's Man On The Hill at Newcastle, and a third for Sue Smith's Noshinannikin at Ascot. But hang on, what's this ....... the last race at Nad Al Sheba, the Sahm Stud Handicap, a £36,312 handicap won by ........ Scott's View (taking his lifetime earnings over £200,000), trained by a certain M.Johnston of Middleham ! Nine days and running, but with no runners at Fontwell or Towcester tomorrow the run must have come to an end.
20/02/2004 And still more winners (will it ever end!) with Nigel Tinkler winning the opener at Wolverhampton with Mount Royale, where Andy Turnell won the last with Doctor John. Meanwhile all the way down at Fakenham Peter Beaumont's Upham Lord won the Hunters Chase.
19/02/2004 Just the one Yorkshire trained winner today when Kevin Ryan's Lady Mo wins the seller at Southwell.
18/02/2004 No Yorkshire runners on the flat at Lingfield today, but two winners under NH rules up at Musselburgh where Kate Walton's Only One Matty wins the opening hurdle race, and Alan Swinbank's Arctic Moss wins the closing NH Flat race.
17/02/2004 Yorkshire trained winners for the fifth day in a row (no mean feat in the middle of February!) with Mick Easterby's Wilson Bluebottle winning at the last at the regional meeting at Wolverhampton, and Patrick Haslam's Turks And Caicos, and David Barron's Dispol Veleta winning in slightly more exulted company at Southwell !
16/02/2004 One winner at each of Lingfield and Wolverhampton today.First off the mark was Karl Burke at Wolverhampton where his Playtime Blue won the second division of the five furlong handicap. More significant however was the victory of Kingsdon in the last at Lingfield Park, as this was the first winner on the flat (after nearly forty runners) for Malton trainer Tim Fitzgerald, who took over the licence from his father Jimmy.
15/02/2004 Middleham 'High Moor' trainers win the first two at the Regional Meeting at Lingfield today when John Weymes' Gracious Air takes the opener, and Karl Burke's Daring Affair the second.
14/02/2004 Two winners at Ayr with Sue Smith (Mister McGoldrick) and Malcolm Jefferson (Classic Capers) being the winning trainers. There was also a Yorkshire trained winner over at Haydock thanks to Patrick Haslam (King Revo), where George Moore (Jungle Jinks) and Sue Smith (Tonoco) were respectively second and third in one of the main races on the Lancashire card.
13/02/2004 Friday 13th, but a lucky day for David Chapman who's Quito wins the £10,140 Bet Direct Handicap at Southwell, where earlier Tim Easterby's Could She Be Magic won the opener.
12/02/2004 No winners from limited runners yesterday, but wins for David Barron (Polar Kingdom in the main race) and Patrick Haslam (Ceasar in the last) at Southwell today.
10/02/2004 A jumps winner for Robin Bastiman today when his Sunnyside Royale wins the opener at Sedgefield. Meanwhile down at Southwell David Barron has his third winner in two days when Blakeset wins the claimer.
09/02/2004 Yet more winners today, four in fact, all coming on the all-weather. At Southwell there were winners for Nigel Tinkler (Mount Royale), David Barron (Caroubier) and Kevin Ryan (Legalis), whilst David Barron also had a winner at Wolverhampton with Grand Lass.
08/02/2004 Five winners today, two at Southwell thanks to Karl Burke (Radiant Bride) and John Weymes (Danakim) and three "over sticks" (although two were actually NH Flat races!) at Musselburgh thanks to Richard Fahey (Friedhelmo in the Showcase Hurdle and Somewin, who deadheated with Word Gets Around in division one of the Flat races) and Kevin Ryan (who's Young Scotton won the second of the flat races).
07/02/2004 A good day for the local trainers at Wetherby today with four winners, including two of the main races. Tim Easterby's Turgeoniev kicked off proceedings by winning the £12,063 Tote Exacta Handicap Chase. It was Sue Smith's turn next when her Royal Emperor won the £20,300 Towton Novices' Chase, with Easterby's Silver Knight back in third. The next race was won by Alan Swinbank's Through The Rye, and events were rounded off nicely when Bingley permit holder Joss Saville won the Hunters' Chase with Star Of Raven.
06/02/2004 Four Yorkshire winners today - two apiece for each code. Over jumps at Catterick there are victories for Micky Hammond (Deep Water in the Showcase Chase) and Tim Easterby (Kentucky Blue). Meanwhile further afield at Wolverhampton there is a double for Patrick Haslam with Blue Empire and Call Me Sunshine winning consecutive races.
05/02/2004 No Yorkshire winners at Newcastle yesterday, so the first jumps wins of the week come at Kelso today courtesy of Tom Tate (Dr Sharp) and Richard Fahey (Mr Lear). David Barron maintains his place at the head of the all-weather training championship when Polar Kingdom wins the opener at Southwell.
03/02/2004 A total of four Yorkshire trained winners today, the first three were at Southwell where Patrick Haslam (BustlingRio), Don Enrico Incisa (Simply The Guest) and David Barron (Massey in the main race) were the winning trainers. The other winner also came on the all-weather, this time at Lingfield, where the David Chapman trained Redoubtable took the last.
02/02/2004 Another week of big race action to look forward to. Not. Roll on The Lincoln. Three Yorkshire trained winners at the Regional Meeting at Wolverhampton today for Richard Fahey (Foolish Thought), Linda Stubbs (Prince Prospect) and David Chapman (Torrent).
31/01/2004 A 'big race' win on the all-weather today when Karl Burke's Blue Sky Thinking won the £14,993 Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap on the sand at Lingfield. Meanwhile Yorkshire had it's first National Hunt winner of the week, appropriately enough at Doncaster, when Tim Easterby's Edmo Yewkay won the second race on the card. Later on the same card there were good third places for Tom Tate's Europa in the £13,639 Mansion House Handicap, and for Sue Smith's Gottabe in the £29,000 Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase. Up at Ayr Ferdy Murphy's Luzcadou won the £12,239 Betting Exchange Handicap Chase, to give the Murphy team a much needed fillip.
30/01/2004 Two winners on the all-weather for Yorkshire at Wolverhampton, with Richard Whitaker's Mynd winning the five furlong handicap (his second victory this month), and Kevin Ryan's Bridgewater Boy's the seven furlong race. A whole working week with no Yorkshire jumps winners, although the snow, frost and rain haven't helped!
29/01/2004 Almost no Yorkshire winners today, but luckily Patrick Haslam's Yankeedoodledany won the lasy at Southwell !
27/01/2004 Only one Yorkshire trained winner today, and that came at Southwell where David Barron's Blakeset won the claimer.
26/01/2004 Two Yorkshire winners at Wolverhampton today where Lynda Ramsden's Mount Vettore lost his maiden tag, and David Barker's Celtic Mill won the main race of the day, the Betdirect Handicap.
24/01/2004 Unfortunately Truckers Tavern somehow conspired to unseat Tony Dobbin in the big race at Cheltenham today, but all was not lost for Yorkshire as the next race was the £23,200 Ladbroke Trophy Chase and this was won by Peter Beaumont's Hunters Tweed. Closer to home at Haydock Sue Smith won one of the main races on the card when Tipsy Mouse continued his excellent form to take the Annual Badgeholders Handicap Chase. Catterick's big race of the year, the North Yorkshire Grand National Handicap Chase was won by the Scottish trained Harlov, but Sue Smith's Celioso was second, and Fredy Murphy's Granit d'Estruval third. Incredibly permit holder Fred Kirby, who trains just up the road from Catterick at Danby Wiske, and who only has around eight horses, managed a double at his local course with Magic Bengie winning the opener, and Sound of Cheers taking the penultimate race on the card.
23/01/2004 Three Yorkshire trained jumps winners at Musselburgh with the victorious trainers being Kate Walton (Only One Matty), Lynn Siddall (Silent Snipe) and Bryan Smart (My Last Bean). Meanwhile on the flat there was a solitary winner (Countrywide Flyer) at Wolverhampton for David Barron who, as usual, is going great guns on the all-weather, currently leading the trainers championship.
22/01/2004 A rare all-weather victory for Middleham trainer Don Enrico Incisa today at Southwell, thanks to Simply The Guest, Tim Easterby had a winner on the same card with Up Tempo.
21/01/2004 Only the one Yorkshire trained winner today when Richard Fahey's Pendle Forest wins first time out in the NH Flat race at Newcastle.
20/01/2004 A regional meeting at Southwell sees winners for Julie Camacho (Lampos) and Kevin Ryan (Platinum Charmer).
19/01/2004 The new week sees wins for Sue Smith (Gottabe) at Doncaster and Mark Johnston (Always Flying) at Wolverhampton, where Johnston's former stable jockey and later assistant Bobby Elliot has his first winner as a trainer with Vampire Queen, having taken over a yard in Lancashire late last year.
17/01/2004 In contrast to earlier in the week at Catterick, there was only one local winner at Wetherby when Kevin Ryan's Young Scotton saved the day by winning on his debut in the closing NH Flat Race. Earlier on the card Sue Smith's After Me Boys and George Moore's Jungle Jinks each managed to finish third in the two main races on the card.
16/01/2004 Just the one winner today when David Barron's Hiawatha beats Kevin Ryan's Noul at Wolverhampton, in only his second run for his new trainer. It was announced today that York's Ebor meeting's main stayers race, the Lonsdale Stakes, will now be known as the Lonsdale Cup, and it has also been upgraded to group two status.
15/01/2004 No winners from a handful of runners yesterday for the Yorkshire horses, but they certainly made up for it today! Yorkshire trained horses won ever race at the local meeting at Catterick (where the last two races were run in a blizzard), with the winning trainers being Tim Easterby (Bourgeois), Richard Fahey (Wuxi Venture and Classical Ben), Kate Milligan (Karyon, who kicked her trainer in the leg before the race!)), Micky Hammond (Mexican), Sue Smith (Bushido), permit holder Maxine Stirk (Atticus Finch). Meanwhile there was a winner for Karl Burke (Mr Spliffy) at Lingfield, and winners for Richard Fahey (Hout Bay, winner number three of the day!) and David Barron (Game Guru).
13/01/2004 There was at least one Yorkshire trained winner at the three UK meetings held today. Down at Leicester Mick Easterby's former flat campaigner Parknasilla won at the first time of asking over hurdles. There were also three jumps winners closer by at Sedgefield where Bonnie Parker (Ferdy Murphy), Sylviesbuck (George Moore) and Native Eire (Noel Wilson) were the victorious horses. On the flat at Southwell it was the Thirsk area trainers in top form with winners for David Barron (Sir Jasper) and Kevin Ryan (Quiet Times).
12/01/2004 A reasonable start to the week with two Yorkshire winners at Wolverhampton thanks to Mount Hillaby (Mick Easterby) and Mr Pertemps (Richard Fahey) and a further two at the regional meeting at Southwell where the winning horses were Lady Protector (John Balding) and Eternal Bloom (Mel Brittain). The International Ratings were announced today, and there was a unique double for Mark Johnston as his Attraction was rated the Top Two-Year-Old filly in Europe (119) and Lucky Story was rated the joint best Two-Year-Old Colt trained in Britain (118). Johnston's Pearl Of Love also made the Top Twenty list with a rating of 114. This is the first time a Yorkshire trainer has held the top two British rankings, and also the first time a Yorkshire trainer has had a European Champion Two-Year-Old. All three horses, along with Russian Valour will go straight to their respective Guineas without a trial, whilst Johnston is also aiming Sandown maiden winner Mister Monet at Newmarket, although he probably will have a prep race.
10/01/2004 Pride of place today goes to the Sue Smith trained Arctic Jack who won the Grade 2 £34,800 Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock from the leading Gold Cup fancy Kingscliff. His odds for the Grand National have now halved to 20-1, although he also holds a Gold Cup entry, and his final destination may well depend on the weather as much as anything else. No Yorkshire winners at Warwick, although Tim Easterby's Silver Knight put up a reasonable performance to be third in the Roscoe Harvey Memorial Novices' Chase. Down at Uttoxeter Tom Tate's Temple Dog continued his good run to win the Novices' Chase.
09/01/2004 Two Yorkshire trained winners at Wolverhampton today, both from the Thirsk area, and they won the two main races on the card. First up David Nicholls' Hail The Chief won the Conditions Stakes and in the next race David Barron's Massey won the £10,152 Handicap.
08/01/2004 An excellent five winners for Yorkshire today. There are two winner at Southwell where Patrick Haslam's Rosti and Mel Brittain's Sandorra each win one of the Banded races. The other three wins all came at Southwell where the victorious trainers were Richard Whitaker (Mynd), John Balding (Soba Jones) and Patrick Haslam (Yankeedoodledandy).
07/01/2004 Again two Yorkshire trained winners, this time both over jumps at Musselburgh where Ferdy Murphy's Outside Investor won the Novices Hurdle, and Kate Milligan's Middleway the 3 mile Handicap Hurdle.
06/01/2004 Two winners today - one for each of the codes. Over jumps at Wetherby Sue Smith's Shardante won the 3 mile chase, and on the all-weather at Southwell John Balding's Cark won the seller.
05/01/2004 Lots off Yorkshire placings today at both Wolverhampton and Southwell, but the only winner is David Barron's Penwell Hill at Southwell.
04/01/2004 Today sees the first victories for Yorkshire trained horses in the new 'banded' races run at the 'Regional Racing' meeting at Southwell. There were 3 Yorkshire trained winners at these new low-value meetings, the successful horses being Rosti (Patrick Haslam), Dash Of Magic (James Hetherton) and Printsmith (John Norton).
02/01/2004 After a few quiet days the honour of the first Yorkshire trained winner of the new year falls to David Barron who's Blakeset wins the seven furlong handicap on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.
01/01/2004 Trainer Noel Wilson, previously based at Garrowby, has now moved to Malton, where he will be renting the lower yard at Norton Grange from the Fitzgeralds. Now in his fourth season as a trainer Wilson has had 3 winners so far this jumps season, most notably Pharbeitfrome won hacked around to finish third in last weeks Castleford Chase Gd2 at Wetherby, having won at Southwell in July. Wilson also had 4 wins on the flat last season, with the useful Stallone winning three of those. Probably his best horse to date however is the useful Grangewick Flight.

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