Yorkshire Racing & Breeding News
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Date  
28/12/2009 Andy Crook's Bocamix puts up a good run at Chepstow today to be third in the Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle Gd1, with Tom Tate's Kudu Country the next to finish, albeit a further eleven lengths behind. Geoff Oldroyd and Mark Johnston have winners at Wolverhampton.
26/12/2009 Wetherby on Sunday is cancelled. No great surprise, it keeps on snowing up here, there was a little more last night. A Boxing Day winner for Ferdy Murphy at Huntingdon. Malcolm Jefferson's Cape Tribulation can only manage fourth at Kempton where Kauto Star puts up the performance of his career.
24/12/2009 Wetherby on Boxing Day is cancelled. And don't plan on attending on Sunday instead.
19/12/2009 Deep frozen Haydock was called off at the last minute to join Ascot and Newcastle on the sick list, leaving the all-weather to live up to it's name. No Yorkshire winners at Lingfield although Tom Tate's Suits Me was second by the shortest of short heads in the main race on the card, the Totesport.com Quebec Stakes L. Wins at Wolverhampton for Bryan Smart, John Weymes and Geoff Oldroyd.
13/12/2009 No luck in Honkers for Borderlescott this morning and no domestic winners this afternoon.
12/12/2009 Result of the day today came from Malcolm Jefferson's Cape Tribulation who was second, albeit beaten six lengths, in the Relkeel Hurdle Gd2 at Cheltenham. Ferdy Murphy's Watch My Back won the £13,010 Betdaq Handicap Chase at Doncester and there were all-weather winners at Southwell for Kevin Ryan and Paul Midgley. Evening racing sees a winner for Bryan Smart at Wolverhampton.
05/12/2009 A fairly dull day but at least the locals were on form at Wetherby with winners for Philip Kirby, Sue Smith (a double), George Moore, Alan Swinbank and Ferdy Murphy. Winners at Southwell for Mark Johnston and Mick Easterby. Even racing at Wolverhampton sees a winner for Declan Carroll.
29/11/2009 Kevin Ryan's Les Fazzani puts up a good effort to land the Wild Flower Stakes L at Kempton today, with Nigel Tinkler providing the other Yorkshire winner on the card. Ferdy Murphy has a winner at Leicester.
28/11/2009 No luck in the Hennessy today and not much to celebrate from a Yorkshire perspective at all although Sue Smith's Coe was a good second in the Rehearsal Handicap Chase L at Newcastle where Harry Hogarth trained the winner of the opener. Mark Johnston had a winner at Lingfield. Evening racing sees winners at Wolverhampton for Kevin Ryan and Geoff Oldroyd.
22/11/2009 A good win at Aintree today for Brian Ellison when his John Forbes lands the £18,786 Best Odds Guaranteed at Totesport.com Handicap Hurdle by a neck. Meanwhile there are winners up at Musselburgh for Kate Walton, Richard Fahey and Ollie Pears.
21/11/2009 A good winner at Lingfield today for David Barron when Jaconet landed the Golden Rose Stakes L and this was followed by Tom Tate's Suits Me finishing third, only a neck behind the second, in the Churchill Stakes L, earlier on the same card there was a winner for John Quinn. Brian Ellison had a winner at Huntingdon although arguably the best jumps runs by Tyke horses today were the third placings of Sue Smith's old-timer Mister McGoldrick on the same card and of Kate Walton's Morgan Be at Haydock. A good day on the all-weather for Mick Easterby with a winner at Kempton and two on Wolverhampton's evening card where Mark Johnston also has a winner.
14/11/2009 The early-season highlight of the jumping season at Cheltenham started yesterday when we were out of luck but today Ferdy Murphy's Galant Nuit underlined his favourtism to land the Servo Trophy Handicap Chase Gd3 by half a length. Further good news at Wetherby where there were local winners for Ferdy Murphy, John Quinn, Tim Easterby (Zitenka in the feature race) and Alan Swinbank.
07/11/2009 Tim Etherington's stable-star Fullandby won again today, this time in listed company, when taking the Wentworth Stakes L by a head at Doncaster's traditional season end fixture. Guy Reed's homebred Ella was the best of the local runners when third in the November Heritage Handicap for Alan Swinbank whilst Tim Easterby won the last race of the season, the £25,904 Totesport 0800 221 221 Handicap, with Collateral Damage ; his sixth win in his last seven runs. Over jumps there were winners at Kelso for Malcolm Jefferson, Alan Swinbank and Kate Walton.
03/11/2009 It's almost all over but the embers of the flat season keep bursting back into flames as was the case today when Kevin Ryan's Our Jonathan, starting a favourite (or hot favourite to keep the analogy going!) landed the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte G2 at, surprise suprise, Maisons-Laffitte. At the more mundane level there are domestic winners at Catterick for Tim Easterby and David Nicholls and at Kempton for Tim Etherington, with Fullandby finally getting back on the winning trail.
31/10/2009 Micky Hammond wins the opener at Wetherby but then the local challenge fizzles out. At Newmarket George Moore's Take It To The Max wins the Zetland Stakes, formerly a listed race, and Richard Fahey's Benandonner is second in the following race. Up at Ayr Tim Easterby's Collateral Damage wins the main race on the card and there are also winners for Edwin Tuer and David Nicholls.
30/10/2009 No joy at Newmarket today but at Wetherby John Quinn's Evelith Echo was third in the bet365.com Handicap Chase L and Richard Fahey's Trumpstoo second in the Wensleydale Juvenile Novices' Hurdle L whilst there are winners for Harry Hogarth and Micky Hammond.
26/10/2009 Tom Tate's Distant Memories puts up a good effort at Leopardstown today when second in the Trigo Stakes L., his first attempt in 'black type' company. John Balding provides Yorkshire's only winner with Cherry Cat at Lingfield.
25/10/2009 Only one Yorkshire winner today, with John Quinn's Spring Breeze scoring at Aintree. There was a major result over in Italy however with Kevin Ryan's Les Fazzani an excellent third in the Premio Lydia Tesio G1, only two heads behind the winner.
24/10/2009 The locals got off to a good start at Doncaster this afternoon with Tom Tate and Richard Whitaker landing the opening two races. The third was the £31,155 Coral.co.uk Handicap and this saw a win for Richard Fahey's Quest For Success with Ruth Carr's Excusez Moi half a length back in second. The fourth was the Doncaster Stakes L and this resulted in yet another Yorkshire 1-2 with David Nicholls' Layla's Hero coming home a head in front of Robin Bastiman's Singeur. Unfortunately it went somewhat downhill from there with Mark Johnston's Shakespearean a dissapointing sixth in the Futurity Stakes G1 (although his sixth place earnings to push him over the £1 million mark for lifetime earnings!), behind a very impressive St Nicholas Abbey.
23/10/2009 Over at Dundalk today Kevin Ryan's Arganil lands the Mercury Stakes L. At Doncaster there are winners for Tim Easterby and Mel Brittain whilst Mark Johnston notches up his 200th winner of the year at Ayr, an incredible feat.
20/10/2009 No Yorkshire winners today, but over at Deauville Mark Johnston's Marie de Medici, who only lost her maiden tag on her third start, deadheats for second place in the Prix des Reservoirs G3.
17/10/2009 No joy at either of the big meetings at Newmarket and Cheltenham today, but there was a rare double for James Hetherton at Catterick as well as winners for Tim Easterby and Mick Easterby and David Nicholls. Hetherton was retired for all of 18 months, renting his old Malton yard out, before taking over at the former Nawton yard of Brian Rothwell (who has moved to assist at Ballydoyle) for haulier Roger Fell, this is expected to be a short term appointment before Fell himself takes over the training duties. Evening racing at Wolverhampton sees wins for Mark Johnston, John Weymes and Richard Whitaker. Later on over the Atlantic Mark Johnston's Jukebox Jury puts up a good performance to be second in the Canadian International G1, whilst stablemate Eastern Aria was a surprising fourth in the EP Taylor Stakes G1 on the same card. Jukebox Jury's placing moves him into seventh place in the all time winning-most list with £633,587.
16/10/2009 Bryan Smart's Vitoria was narrowly piped by a head to finish second in the EBF National Stud Boadicea Fillies Stakes L at Newmarket today, Mark Johnston's Becausewecan landed the closing £11,215 British Bloodstock Marketing Handicap. At Redcar there were winners for John Quinn, Nigel Tinkler, Richard Fahey, Kevin Ryan and Tim Easterby with Ryan doubling-up with a winner on Wolverhampton's evening card.
10/10/2009 After a typically quiet seasons-end week there was a good start at Ascot today with Kevin Ryan's Our Jonathan landing the Cornwallis Stakes G3, his second 'black type' victory. It was pretty much downhill from there as far as the Berkshire results went however. The local's did better at York's final meeting of the season though with a 1-2 in the Rockingham Stakes L when David Nicholls' Layla's Hero (in the same ownership as Our Jonathan) came home strongly in front of Richard Fahey's Coolminx in second. The next was the £25,904 Coral Sprint Trophy Heritage Handicap and here Richard Fahey's Kaldoun Kingdom added another good win to his CV, with David Barron's Hitchens back in third. Mark Johnston won the valuable maiden whilst the final two races from the Knavesmire went to Richard Fahey runners to make it a treble for the Musley Bank (Malton) trainer. Mick Easterby and Malcolm Jefferson both had wins at Bangor, Sue Smith won the last at Hexham and Richard Whitaker won the last on Wolverhampton's evening card to round off a good day for the Yorkshire trainers.
04/10/2009 No joy in the Prix de l'Abbaye G1 at Longschamp today, with Kevin Ryan's Benbaun the best placed of the Yorkshire raiders in fourth. Julie Camacho had a winner at Kelso.
03/10/2009 Although there was no winner it was another valuable pay day for Mark Johnston at Newmarket today with Waveband third in the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies' 800 (£78,880), Take Ten third (£98,600) and Lowdown fourth (£49,200) in the Tattersalls Timeform Million and Tartan Gigha a tantilisingly close second in the Cambridgeshire Handicap (£29,856), Alan Swinbank won the last. At Redcar it was a Yorkshire 1-2-3 in the £18,693 Redcar Straight Mile Championship Final Handicap with Tim Easterby's Collateral Damage coming home in front of Brian Ellison's Daaweitza and Easterby's Charlie Tipple. Bryan Smart's Able Master was a good second in the Guisborough Stakes L whilst there were Teeside winners for Ollie Pears and John Quinn. Richard Fahey had a winner at Epsom, whilst evening racing at Wolverhampton saw a double for John Quinn and wins for Declan Carroll and Richard Fahey.
02/10/2009 Another big day for Mark Johnston when Awzaan claims the Middle Park Stakes G1 at Newmarket by three-quarters of a length, despite hanging badly in the closing stages. It's just a pity that he and Shakespearean will no doubt be racing for Godolphin next season, although Johnston seems to view this as an equitable division of labour, and it certainly seems to be paying dividends at the moment. Shortly afterwards Johnston's hard-working Drill Sergeant, having his second run in five days, was only beaten by a short head when second in the Godolphin Stakes L. Kevin Ryan had a winner on Wolverhampton's evening card.
01/10/2009 Winners galore today with Bryan Smart's Spin Cycle leading the way when taking his first black type win by landing the Rous Stakes L at Newmarket by a neck. Elsewhere there were winners at Ayr for David Barron, Nigel Tinkler, Tim Easterby, Mark Johnston and John Balding and at Wolverhampton for Alan Swinbank, Brian Ellison and Declan Carroll.
27/09/2009 Cripes seems the most appropriate word. Mark Johnston's Shakespearean lands the £956,310 Goffs Million Mile at the Curragh today by a short head for a fantastic all-the-way win. Incredibly (and somewhat ridiculously really!) this takes his career earnings to just shy of £1m and propels him to second place in the all time Yorkshire winning-most list, which is shown below. Earlier on the card Johnston's Bikini Babe was second in the C.L.Weld Park Stakes G3 whilst Layali Al Andalus was also second in the Beresford Stakes G2 (to the new Epsom Derby favourite St Nicholas Abbey) to make it an excellent Irish adventure for the Kingsley House team. But wait, what's happening in Germany? That's right, Mark Johnston's Jukebox Jury puts up a lifetime best perfomance to hold on gamely to land the Preis von Europa G1 by about a nose, at almost exactly the same time as the Shakespearean victory, leading the Scot to proclaim it as "the best five minutes of my life" ! Domestically it was the same story with Johnston landing the opener at Ascot with Record Breaker and the main race at Musselburgh with Feeling Fab, other Yorkshire winners up in Scotland came courtesy of Tim Easterby and Paul Kirby whilst Brian Ellison had a winner at Market Rasen.
Horse Trainer Amount Best Performances
Collier Hill Alan Swinbank £2,317,161 Irish St Leger G1, Hong Kong Vase G1, Candian International G1, Gerling-Preis G2, Stockholm Cup International G3 (twice), Elnadim H, Old Newton Cup H., 2nd.Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Deutschlandpreis Preis G1, 3rd.Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Rheinland-Pokal der Sparkasse KolnBonn G1 etc.
Shakespearean Mark Johnston £998,541 Goffs Million Mile, Solario Stakes G3, 3rd.Superlative Stakes G3
Attraction Mark Johnston £899,597 1,000 Guineas G1, Irish 1,000 Guineas G1, Coronation S G1, Sun Chariot S G1, Matron S G1, Cherry Hinton S G2, Queen Mary S G3, 2nd.Matron Stakes G1, Falmouth S G1 etc.
Teleprompter Bill Watts £760,881 Arlington Million G1, Queen Elizabeth II S G2, Prix Quincey G3, Desmond S G3, Pacemaker International S. G3 (x2), 2nd.Queen Elizabeth II S. G2 (x2), Lockinge S G2, THF Mile G2, 3rd.Eclipse S. G1, Queen Anne Stakes G2 etc.
Somnus Tim Easterby £743,966 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1, Prix Maurice de Gheest G1, Prix de la Foret G1, betabet Two Year Old Trophy, £200,000 St Leger Yearling Sales Stakes, 2nd.Sprint Cup G1, Park Stakes G2, Chipchase Stakes G3, 3rd.Duke Of York Stakes G2
Yavana's Pace Mark Johnston £722,656 (plus more when trained in Ireland) Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal G1, Prix du Conseil de Paris G2, Prix Gladiateur G3, 2nd.WGZ Bank-Deutschlandpreis G1, Preis von Europa G1, Irish St Leger G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, Hardwicke Stakes G2, 3rd.Canadian International G1, Deutsche Post Euro Express-Pries von Europa G1, WGZ Bank-Deutschland Preis G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, Gerling-Preis G2 etc.
Borderlescott Robin Bastiman £622,016 Nunthorpe Stakes G1(x2), City Wall Stakes L, Mercury Stakes L, Steward's Cup Handicap, 2nd.Temple Stakes G2(x2), Bentinck Stakes G3, Ayr Gold Cup, 3rd.Prix de l'Abbaye G1, Palace House Stakes G3 etc.
Fruits Of Love Mark Johnston £607,117 Hardwicke S G2 (x2), Dubai Turf Classic, Princess of Wales's S G2, 2nd.Canadian Int'l G1, Futurity Stakes G3, 3rd.King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II S. G1, Grosser Preis von Baden G1, Meld Stakes G3
Double Trigger Mark Johnston £559,102 Ascot Gold Cup G1, Goodwood Cup G3 (x3), Doncaster Cup G3 (x2), Henry II S G3 (x2), Sagaro S G3 (x2), St.Leger Italiano G3, 2nd.Ascot Gold Cup G1 (x2), 3rd.St Leger G1
Bandari Mark Johnston £547,045 Hardwicke Stakes G2, Princess of Wales's S G2, Great Voltigeur S G2, Gordon S G3, Brigadier Gerard S G3, Lingfield Derby Trial G3, 2nd.Rheinland-Pokal G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, 3rd.St Leger G1, Jockey Club Stakes G2(twice), Cumberland Lodge Stakes G3, September Stakes G3
26/09/2009 A big day's racing at Ascot, but there weren't even any Yorkshire runners in the Group races. We did field some runners in some of the supporting handicaps however with Kevin Ryan's 33-1 shot prevailing by a neck in the £93,465 totesport.com Challenge Cup Heritage Handicap, with David Nicholls' Something back in third and Mark Johnston's Proclaim in fourth. Johnston himself took the last with Kimberley Downs landing the Gordon Cater Handicap by four and a half lengths. There was more good news for Kevin Ryan at Haydock with Green Manilishi taking the £16,190 Lester Piggott 'Start To Finish' Handicap, earlier Alan Swinbank's Lochiel took the opening Gordon Plant Memorial Trophy Handicap and David Barron's Hitchens the £12,952 Manchester Evening News Handicap. Just the one winner at Chester with David Nicholls' Falasteen landing the Nursery, although Richard Fahey's Goliaths Boy was a good second in the £28,195 sportingbet.com Heritage Handicap.
24/09/2009 A break from the mid-week tedium when Mark Johnston's Eastern Aria makes a successful sortie to Saint-Cloud to land the Prix Joubert L nicely by two lengths. Domestically there is a winner at Pontefract for David Brown and at Perth for Richard Fahey and Ferdy Murphy.
19/09/2009 An excellent day for the Yorkshire trainers today, with Mark Johnston's Awzaan leading the way down at Newbury when landing the Mill Reef Stakes G2 in convincing style, he's now shortened significantly for the 2,000 Guineas. Up at Ayr Richard Fahey (and Barry McHugh) added the Ayr Silver Cup to his collection with Kaldoun Kingdom taking the £31,155 race, with Kevin Ryan's Green Manalishi back in third. There was an even better display in the next, the Firth of Clyde Stakes G3, which saw a Yorkshire 1-2 with Bryan Smart's Distinctive coming home in front of Tim Easterby's Midnight Martini. In the big 'cap (as the American's would say) itself, the Ayr Gold Cup, Yorkshire's run came to a temporary halt with that man Fahey's top weight Knot In Wood doing the best of the Yorkshire runners in third just in front of Dandy Nicholls' Evens And Odds in fourth. However Fahey was back on form later in the day with three winners in the last four races, most notably Extraterrestrial in the £24,924 Ayrshire Handicap. At Newmarket Alan Swinbank's Honimiere landed the £12,952 Phumelela Gold Enterprises Handicap and Mark Johnston's Alanbrooke was second in the Cesarewitch Trial Heritage Handicap. Closer to home at Catterick there were winners for Mark Johnston, James Hetherton, Paul Midgley, John Quinn and Brian Ellison.
18/09/2009 A quiet week thus far but it stepped up a gear today with Dandy Nicholls' ultra-consistent Mister Manannan leading the way by landing the Harry Rosebery Stakes L up at Ayr. The next was the £18,693 Ayr Bronze Cup (the consolation race for the consolation race!) and this saw a Yorkshire 1-2-3 with Richard Fahey's Baldemar coming home a neck in front of David Barron's Ingleby Lady and the Nicholls' trained bottom-weight the same distance back in third. Earlier winners on the Ayr card came from Kevin Ryan, Bryan Smart and Brian Ellison. Meanwhile at Newmarket Mark Johnston's Take Ten picked up a more than useful £55,400 for finishing second in the Tattersalls Millions Sprint.
12/09/2009 The last day of the St Leger Festival and still no joy for the locals, although they did manage a 2-3-4-5 finish in the £46,732 Portland Handicap with Kevin Ryan's Everymanforhimself coming home in second ahead of Tim Easterby's Captain Dunne, Kevin Ryan's Green Manalishi and Alan Dickman's Ishetoo. Elsewhere there is a winner at Goodwood for Mark Johnston, at Chester for Noel Wilson and at Ffos Las for Mark Johnston, John Balding and Brian Ellison. Eveing racing at Wolverhampton yields winners for Bryan Smart, Ollie Pears and Alan Swinbank.
11/09/2009 Today is day three of Doncaster's St Leger 'Festival', but it's soooo dull. There should be a rule about a minimum level that has to be achieved before you can call a meeting a 'Festival', perhaps at least one group race, at least two stakes races and at least one handicap worth more than £25,000 every day. Or something. Either way it's been a poor meeting for the local trainers with only Bryan Smart's Spin Cycle finishing second in the Scarborough Stakes L on the opening day raising any sort of interest prior to today. Things were hardly any better today for the Tykes (although at least the overall quality was finally up to 'Festival' standards), with no winners, but there were some reasonable placings with David Nicholls' Mister Manannan third in the Flying Childers Stakes G2, with Richard Fahey's Rose Blossom back in fourth. The next was the £32,380 Mallard Handicap and is was another third/fourth finish for the locals with Richard Fahey's Cosmic Sun coming home in front of Mark Johnston's Record Breaker, who's Drill Sergeant was fourth in the Doncaster Cup G2. Malcolm Jefferson had a winner at Bangor and Kevin Ryan had an evening winner at Wolverhampton.
05/09/2009 Tragedy and triumph today on the Yorkshire racing scene with the death of two apprentice jockeys, Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson, in a fire in Norton, Malton starting the day off on a sombre note. However at Haydock it was a day to remember for the right reasons with Mark Johnston's Yes Mr President setting the ball rolling when hacking up by six lengths in the £48,570 Old Borough Cup Heritage Handicap, with stablemate Alanbrooke back in third. The next was the Betfred Sprint Cup G1 and here David Nicholls' Regal Parade made the most of the sticky conditions to come home strongly in front to land Yorkshire's third group one win of the season. David Nicholls' quickly doubled up when taking the next race, the £15,578 betfredcasino.com Nursery Handicap, with Layla's Hero. No runners in the group races at Leopardstown this afternoon, but Kevin Ryan's Les Fazzani puts up an excellent performance to land the £56,833 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Autumn Fillies Hcap. Locally at Thirsk there were winners for Patrick Haslam, Richard Fahey (a double), Bryan Smart, Ruth Carr and Ronnie Barr, whilst evening racing at Wolverhampton saw winners for Ian McInnes, Mark Johnston and Tim Easterby.
30/08/2009 Todays' day trip to Deauville didn't start well for Mark Johnston with Laa Rayb finishing plum last in the Prix Quincey, but in the following race his Jukebox Jury put up an extremely game effort to land the Grand Prix de Deauville G2 by the shortest of noses. Three group wins in eight days for Kingsley House. Locally there were winners at Beverley for David Nicholls, Mark Johnston, John Quinn and Paul Midgley.
29/08/2009 A good Saturday for the Yorkshire trainers after a very quiet post-York pre-Donnie week. At Beverley David Nicholls' Exceptional Art (having his first run for the Thirsk trainer) won the Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes L with Kevin Ryan's Roker Park back in third. Earlier Mark Johnston's Eastern Aria had landed the £25,904 totesportcasino.com Heritage Handicap with Alan Swinbank's Honimiere back in second. Other winners at Beverely came from Mark Johnston, John Quinn and Edwin Tuer. Over at Dundalk on the all-weather Kevin Ryan's Our Jonathan put up a good display to land the Tipperary Stakes L on only his third run. David Brown had a winner at Newmarket and Brian Ellison at Cartmel but there was no joy for the Tykes at Goodwood. Evening racing at Redcar saw wins for Brian Ellison and Bryan Smart.
23/08/2009 Group winners on consecutive days for Mark Johnston when Lady Jane Digby lands the Walther J Jacobs-Stutenpreis G3 at Bremen today by a neck. On the domestic front the Yorkshire raiders win six of the seven races at Musselburgh with wins for Julie Camacho, Micky Hammond, Alan Swinbank, David Barron, Tim Easterby and Brian Ellison.
22/08/2009 Another Yorkshire group winner today when Mark Johnston's Shakespearean (by former Kingsley House resident Shamardal) doggedly stays in front at Sandown to land the Solario Stakes G3 in pleasing fashion. Johnston runners are third in both the main races at Chester with Sabotage having an impeeded run to fill that place in the Chester Handicap L and Opus Maximus running well to be third in the Totescoop6 Heritage Handicap. Closer to home at Ripon there is no luck for the locals in the DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes but they fill the first three places in the £11,216 Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap with Richard Fahey's Johannes coming home in front of Ruth Carr's Red Cape and Mick Easterby's Atlantic Story. There are other winners at Ripon for Richard Fahey, David Nicholls, Tim Easterby (with Brook Holliday's homebred Off Chance) and Mark Johnston. Brian Ellison and John Quinn have winners on Market Rasen's evening card.
21/08/2009 A much better day for the locals on the final day of York's Ebor Festival with Robin Bastiman's Borderlescott spearheading the attack by taking the Nunthorpe Stakes G1 for the second consecutive year, finishing a neck in front of Kevin Ryan's Benbaun back in second with David Nicholls' Tax Free in fourth. This win propels Borderlescott up to a fantastic sixth place in the all-time 'Winningmost' list, shown below, pushing Bollin Eric out of the top ten, with Tax Free handily poised in 12th. Earlier on the Knavesmire Mark Johnston's Alanbrooke was a good second in the Melrose Heritage Handicap, whilst Richard Fahey's Dream Lodge ran a sound race to be second in the Strensall Stakes G3. After the Nunthorpe Mark Johnston's Businessman (bred by Providence Stud) made an excellent racecourse debut to land the valuable maiden whilst Alan Swinbank's Saga de Tercey was second in the last. Elsewhere John Quinn had a winner at Sandown whilst Mark Johnston, Kate Walton and Kevin Ryan had winners at Chester.
Horse Trainer Amount Best Performances
Collier Hill Alan Swinbank £2,317,161 Irish St Leger G1, Hong Kong Vase G1, Candian International G1, Gerling-Preis G2, Stockholm Cup International G3 (twice), Elnadim H, Old Newton Cup H., 2nd.Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Deutschlandpreis Preis G1, 3rd.Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Rheinland-Pokal der Sparkasse KolnBonn G1 etc.
Attraction Mark Johnston £899,597 1,000 Guineas G1, Irish 1,000 Guineas G1, Coronation S G1, Sun Chariot S G1, Matron S G1, Cherry Hinton S G2, Queen Mary S G3, 2nd.Matron Stakes G1, Falmouth S G1 etc.
Teleprompter Bill Watts £760,881 Arlington Million G1, Queen Elizabeth II S G2, Prix Quincey G3, Desmond S G3, Pacemaker International S. G3 (x2), 2nd.Queen Elizabeth II S. G2 (x2), Lockinge S G2, THF Mile G2, 3rd.Eclipse S. G1, Queen Anne Stakes G2 etc.
Somnus Tim Easterby £743,966 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1, Prix Maurice de Gheest G1, Prix de la Foret G1, betabet Two Year Old Trophy, £200,000 St Leger Yearling Sales Stakes, 2nd.Sprint Cup G1, Park Stakes G2, Chipchase Stakes G3, 3rd.Duke Of York Stakes G2
Yavana's Pace Mark Johnston £722,656 (plus more when trained in Ireland) Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal G1, Prix du Conseil de Paris G2, Prix Gladiateur G3, 2nd.WGZ Bank-Deutschlandpreis G1, Preis von Europa G1, Irish St Leger G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, Hardwicke Stakes G2, 3rd.Canadian International G1, Deutsche Post Euro Express-Pries von Europa G1, WGZ Bank-Deutschland Preis G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, Gerling-Preis G2 etc.
Borderlescott Robin Bastiman £622,016 Nunthorpe Stakes G1(x2), City Wall Stakes L, Mercury Stakes L, Steward's Cup Handicap, 2nd.Temple Stakes G2(x2), Bentinck Stakes G3, Ayr Gold Cup, 3rd.Prix de l'Abbaye G1, Palace House Stakes G3 etc.
Fruits Of Love Mark Johnston £607,117 Hardwicke S G2 (x2), Dubai Turf Classic, Princess of Wales's S G2, 2nd.Canadian Int'l G1, Futurity Stakes G3, 3rd.King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II S. G1, Grosser Preis von Baden G1, Meld Stakes G3
Double Trigger Mark Johnston £559,102 Ascot Gold Cup G1, Goodwood Cup G3 (x3), Doncaster Cup G3 (x2), Henry II S G3 (x2), Sagaro S G3 (x2), St.Leger Italiano G3, 2nd.Ascot Gold Cup G1 (x2), 3rd.St Leger G1
Bandari Mark Johnston £547,045 Hardwicke Stakes G2, Princess of Wales's S G2, Great Voltigeur S G2, Gordon S G3, Brigadier Gerard S G3, Lingfield Derby Trial G3, 2nd.Rheinland-Pokal G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, 3rd.St Leger G1, Jockey Club Stakes G2(twice), Cumberland Lodge Stakes G3, September Stakes G3
Scott's View Mark Johnston £525,276 Magnolia S L, Serlby S L, 3rd.Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1, Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis G2 etc.
20/08/2009 Just the one notable result for the locals today at the Ebor Festival, but it was certainly a valuable one with the Tim Easterby trained Midnight Martini landing the spoils to the tune of £147,720 in the DBS £300,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes. The only other top three local placing on the Knavesmire came in the last courtesy of Kevin Ryan's Jargelle. Elsewhere John Quinn had an across the card double with winners at Chepstow and Epsom.
19/08/2009 Better today from the Yorkshire trainers at the Ebor Festival. Although they didn't manage to win one of the main races there was at least a victory in the opener with Mark Johnston's Whispering Gallery landing the £19,428 RSA And Motability Handicap, with stable companion Yes Mr President back in third. The next was the Lonsdale Cup and this was another good result for Johnston with Drill Sergeant finishing second. In the feature Ebor Handicap Declan Carroll's Hits Only Vic ran yet another good race to be third, picking up £19,593 for his efforts, whilst Dandy Nicholls' Mister Manannan was only beaten into second by a neck in the Roses Stakes L and David Brown's Paquerettza second in the last race. At a less exulated level there winners today at Hamilton for Kevin Ryan, Alan Dickman, Richard Whitaker, Richard Fahey (a double) and Tim Easterby whilst Carlisle saw victories for Alan Dickman, David Nicholls and Richard Whtiaker.
18/08/2009 A quiet opening day to the Ebor meeting for the local trainers, who seem to have mixed fortunes here over the years. There was quite a bright start with Tim Easterby's Hamish McGonagall second and David Nicholls' Fol Hollow third in the opening Symphony Group Heritage Handicap, but it was downhill thereafter with Jukebox Jury only managing fourth in the Great Voltigeur whilst Geoff Oldroyd's Bond Fastrac was second in the Nursery and Ruth Carr's Moheebb was third in the closing race. Still, at least the International's reputation as the 'Graveyard of Champions' took a bashing thanks to Sea The Stars, perhaps that means it will attract more of the same in future seasons?
15/08/2009 A pretty poor day for the Yorkshire trainers in the run up to the Ebor meeting. The highlight came down at Newbury where David Nicholls' Regal Parade was a good second in the Hungerford Stakes G2. At Ripon there were only two local winners thanks to Kevin Ryan in the opener and Mel Brittain in the last. In the main race at Ripon, the £37,386 Great St Wilfred Handicap (often a Yorkshire trainer benefit race) the best of the home challengers was Kevin Ryan's Advanced who finished third, albeit only beaten a neck and a nose. No Yorkshire winners at Newmarket, where the best performance came from Bryan Smart's Able Master, third in the £24,924 Skybet.com For All Your Football Betting Heritage Handicap.
08/08/2009 Mark Johnston gains 'only' his second group win of the season when Jukebox Jury lands the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes G3 at Haydock this afternoon, tidily beating former stablemate Campanologist. Earlier Tom Tate's Balcarce Nov had landed the £14,571 Turftv.co.uk Handicap whilst the last three races in Lancashire were won by Tim Easterby, Kevin Ryan and Alan Swinbank. Haydock also saw a welcome return to the course for Joe Fanning who managed two places in two rides for the guv'nor Johnston. Yorkshire supplied more than a fair share of the runners for the Shergar Cup at Ascot but were not rewarded with a winner although there were good shows for David Nicholls' Buachaill Dona (second in the Dash), Mark Johnston's Sabotage (third in the Classic), David Nicholls' Bencoolen (third in the Mile) and Mark Johnston's Yes Mr President (second in the Stayers). There was a winner at Newmarket for Mark Johnston and local winners at Redcar for Geoff Oldroyd, David Nicholls and Tom Walford. Evening racing at Ayr sees a double for David Barron and winners for David Nicholls and Geoff Harker.
05/08/2009 A rare trip to sunny Brighton yields results for Mark Johnston with a winner in the opener and My Gacho landing the feature £16,099 Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy Handicap. Closer to home there are winners at Pontefract for Richard Fahey, Nigel Tinkler and Paul Midgley and at Newcastle for Mick Easterby, Anne Duffield, Ronnie Barr, Paul Midgley and John Quinn.
02/08/2009 Another good result for Maltby trainer David Brown with his stable star Doncaster Rover when he runs out the winner of the Queensferry Stakes L at Chester today where there is also a winner for Ruth Carr. Alan Swinbank has the sole Yorkshire winner at Market Rasen.
01/08/2009 A reasonable final day at misty Goodwood for the Yorkshire raiders which certainly started well with Mark Johnston's Eastern Aria landing the opening £12,462 Bluesquarepoker.com Handicap and thus sealing Leading Trainer at Goodwood bragging rights for the Kingsley House team. The next was the Thoroughbred Stakes L and here James Bethell's progressive Harley was only denied by a head, a second good placing at the meeting for a product of Manor House Stud. In the Stewards' Cup it was a case of close, but not close enough, with David Nicholls' Evens And Odds second and Richard Fahey's top weighted Knot In Wood in third. David Nicholls landed the last two races of the meeting with Bluie coming home ahead of stablemate Layla's Hero in the £12,952 Bluesquare.com Nursery Handicap and top weight Bencoolen taking the £12,952 Bluesquarecasino.com Apprentice Handicap. Differing fortunes at the local meeting with no winners at Doncaster but six at Thirsk courtesy of Linda Stubbs, Tim Easterby, Mel Brittain, Ruth Carr, Bryan Smart and Alan Swinbank. Evening racing at Hamilton sees winners for Mark Johnston and Kevin Ryan.
31/07/2009 The best day yet at Goodwood, hopefully a positive sign for the Stewards' Cup tomorrow. The second race today is the Stewards' Cup 'Consolation' race ; the £18,693 Stewards' Sprint Handicap which falls to Richard Fahey's Johannes with David Nicholls' Northern Dare back in second. In the next Mark Johnston's Laa Rayb puts up his best performance of the season to land the £93,465 totesport Mile Heritage Handicap by over two lengths. Then finally it was our first group win of the week when Bryan Smart's Summer Fete took the Oak Tree Stakes G3 in impressive style with the Manor House Stud bred Please Sing also running well in third. Meanwhile there are local wins at Thirsk for Patrick Haslam, David Nicholls and Mick Easterby. Evening racing sees Tim Easterby win the opener at Haydock.
30/07/2009 Mark Johnston lands the opener at Goodwood again, this time it's Roman Republic in the £37,386 Summer Vase Heritage Handicap. In the next David Nicholls' Inxile is third in the Audi Stakes G3, with Robin Bastiman's Borderlescott back in fourth. It's then downhill all the way. Evening racing at Musselburgh sees winners for Richard Fahey, Julie Camacho and Noel Wilson.
29/07/2009 No joy at Goodwood today with the best performance coming from Mark Johnston's Becausewecan who was third in the £37,386 Racing UK Handicap, Johnston had almost a third of the field with five runners. Lord Shanakill's trainer was fairly academic as he could only manage fifth. Locally at Redcar there were winners for Geoff Oldroyd, Paul Midgley, Richard Fahey, Ruth Carr and Ronnie Barr.
28/07/2009 Glorious Goodwood Day One. Yes, despite the evidence to the contrary, it is still summer ! Mark Johnston got his favourite meeting off to a good start when landing the opening £31,155 Paul Goes The Extra Mile Heritage Handicap (some race names should be vetoed .....) with Drumfire, the Master of Kingsley House also landed the closing maiden with Lowdown. In between the two Johnston triumph's there were no further Yorkshire winners, but there was a string of good placings in the main races with Richard Fahey's Firebet second in the Gordon Stakes G3 just a neck in front of Johnston's Urban Poet, Dandy Nicholls' Regal Parade was third in the feature Lennox Stakes G2 (sorry, I mean Betfair Cup) whilst his stablemate Mister Manannan was second in the Molecomb Stakes G3. Closer to home at Beverley there were winners for Ann Duffield, Mark Johnston, Mel Brittain, John Quinn, Alan Swinbank and Ronnie Barr. Karl Burke's attempt to have his ban put on hold pending the appeal has been thwarted and thus all horses have to be removed from Spigot Lodge by midnight on August 4th. This means that Lord Shanakill will contest the Sussex Stakes under the banner of Burke's father-in-law ; Twyford trainer Alan Jarvis, who has had eight winners so far this season. Evening racing saw Micky Hammond land the opener at Perth.
26/07/2009 No winners at Ascot today, although Tim Easterby's Hamish McGonagall and Alan Dickman's Ishetoo fill second and third places in the £31,155 Hong Kong Sprint Heritage Handicap after Mark Johnston's Sabotage is third in the preceeding Casino At The Empire Heritage Handicap. At Pontefract the locals win all the races apart, unfortunately, from the listed race with winners for Anne Duffield, Mick Easterby, Alan Swinbank, Richard Fahey, Mark Johnston and Noel Wilson. Up at Carlisle there are Yorkshire winners for Karl Burke and Brian Ellison.
25/07/2009 A typical high summer Saturday with the King George meeting at Ascot and a top class card at York. On the Knavesmire the highlight is Richard Fahey's Knot In Wood landing the £31,155 Sky Bet Dash Heritage Handicap with Ruth Carr's Excusez Moi back in third. Earlier Tom Tate's Kings Gambit was a solid third in the Sky Bet York Stakes G2 after a 119 day lay off whilst there were winners in the supporting races for Robin Bastiman, Karl Burke and John Quinn. It was top and tail at Ascot for the Yorkshire trainers with Richard Fahey landing the opener and Alan Swinbank taking the last. Yorkshire trainers went through the card at Newcastle with wins for Richard Fahey (a three in a row treble), Tim Easterby (a double), John Quinn (a double) and Julie Camacho. Evening racing at Salisbury sees a winner for Karl Burke.
20/07/2009 Karl Burke, one of Yorkshire's leading trainers thus far this year, was today disqualified from training for a year from the 28th of this month, pending any appeal in the next week. This follows Burke's admission that he had supplied inside information to Miles Rodgers and also that he had continued to be in contact with Rodgers after he became 'warned off'. Assuming that any appeal fails there will presumably be a temporary trainer installed at Spigot Lodge. UPDATE: Burke's solicitors have confirmed that an appeal will be made. In further news it was disclosed today that Richard Fahey's stable star Utmost Respect died last night after contracting peritonitis. The son of Danetime had won over £240,000 including his only two starts this season ; both in group races. Better news today at Ayr where Noel Wilson's Pavershooz picked up yet another valuable handicap when landing the £25,904 Giles Insurance Heritage Handicap. Other winners up at Ayr came from Anne Duffield, Alan Swinbank and John Quinn whilst Wilson made it a day to remember by landing the race after Pavershooz's win. Philip Kirby had a winner at Yarmouth whilst evening racing at Beverley saw winners for Alan Swinbank, Tim Easterby, David Nicholls, Brian Ellison and Ruth Carr.
18/07/2009 A fairly poor day today with lots of withdrawals following the deluge yesterday. Although there are winners at Ripon for Paul Midgley, Tom Tate, David Nicholls and Ruth Carr arguably the best Yorkshire performance of the day came down at Newbury where David Brown's Doncaster Rover was a good third in the Shadwell Stakes G3 (aka The Hackwood Stakes). Evening racing sees a winner for Kevin Ryan at Lingfield and for Richard Fahey and Tom Tate at Haydock.
16/07/2009 It was announced today that the former Bryan Smart trained group winner Monsieur Bond will stand at the Norton Grove Stud from next season. The son of Danehill Dancer has been standing at Whitsbury Manor and has already sired 15 winners including the useful Sneak Preview. Winners at Hamilton today for David Nicholls (a double), Mark Johnston and Bryan Smart with Johnston also having a winner at Leicester. Philip Kirby and Anne Duffield had winners over fences at Cartmel whilst Paul Midgley, Richard Fahey and Ruth Carr had winners at Doncaster's evening meeting.
11/07/2009 A fantastic day for the Yorkshire runners today winning virtually ever major race in which they had runners. Pride of place must go to David Barron's Sirvino (purchased for a mere 3,000gns) who made it five in a row when landing the £97,140 John Smith's Cup Heritage Handicap in grand style, with Richard Fahey's Albaqaa back in third. Earlier James Bethell and Geoff Harker had landed the opening two races on the Knavesmire card whilst Declan Carroll had the biggest win of his Sledmere based career when Hits Only Vic won the John Smith's Extra Smooth Silver Cup Handicap L. The next two races went 'abroad' but honour was maintained in the last with Dandy Nicholls' Striking Spirit coming home ahead in a Yorkshire 1-2-3 finish. It was a similar story at Chester with Dandy Nicholls' Regal Parade winning the opening Toteplacepot City Plate L with James Bethell's Hartley (bred at Manor House Stud) back in third. The other Chester listed race, the Toteswinger City Wall Stakes L saw a Yorkshire 1-2 with old favourite Borderlescott trained by Robin Bastiman coming home in front of Bryan Smart's Captain Gerrard, finally running into some sort of form after a poor start to the season. David Brown and Mark Johnston followed up with further winners at Chester. The only major race not going to Yorkshire today was the Group Two at Ascot where we had no runners and we had no winners at all down in Berkshire until Dandy Nicholls' landed a double by taking the last two races on the card. There were also winners at Nottingham for Kevin Ryan and Ollie Pears. Evening racing sees winners at Hamilton for Ann Duffield, Richard Fahey, Mark Johnston and Ollie Pears.
Borderlescott's win now places him 11th in the all-time winningmost list of Yorkshire trained horses, with £482,009, the Top Ten is currently as shown below, Lord Shanakill incidentally is in 18th place ; but also seems likely to rise higher.
Horse Trainer Amount Best Performances
Collier Hill Alan Swinbank £2,317,161 Irish St Leger G1, Hong Kong Vase G1, Candian International G1, Gerling-Preis G2, Stockholm Cup International G3 (twice), Elnadim H, Old Newton Cup H., 2nd.Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Deutschlandpreis Preis G1, 3rd.Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Rheinland-Pokal der Sparkasse KolnBonn G1 etc.
Attraction Mark Johnston £899,597 1,000 Guineas G1, Irish 1,000 Guineas G1, Coronation S G1, Sun Chariot S G1, Matron S G1, Cherry Hinton S G2, Queen Mary S G3, 2nd.Matron Stakes G1, Falmouth S G1 etc.
Teleprompter Bill Watts £760,881 Arlington Million G1, Queen Elizabeth II S G2, Prix Quincey G3, Desmond S G3, Pacemaker International S. G3 (x2), 2nd.Queen Elizabeth II S. G2 (x2), Lockinge S G2, THF Mile G2, 3rd.Eclipse S. G1, Queen Anne Stakes G2 etc.
Somnus Tim Easterby £743,966 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1, Prix Maurice de Gheest G1, Prix de la Foret G1, betabet Two Year Old Trophy, £200,000 St Leger Yearling Sales Stakes, 2nd.Sprint Cup G1, Park Stakes G2, Chipchase Stakes G3, 3rd.Duke Of York Stakes G2
Yavana's Pace Mark Johnston £722,656 (plus more when trained in Ireland) Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal G1, Prix du Conseil de Paris G2, Prix Gladiateur G3, 2nd.WGZ Bank-Deutschlandpreis G1, Preis von Europa G1, Irish St Leger G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, Hardwicke Stakes G2, 3rd.Canadian International G1, Deutsche Post Euro Express-Pries von Europa G1, WGZ Bank-Deutschland Preis G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, Gerling-Preis G2 etc.
Fruits Of Love Mark Johnston £607,117 Hardwicke S G2 (x2), Dubai Turf Classic, Princess of Wales's S G2, 2nd.Canadian Int'l G1, Futurity Stakes G3, 3rd.King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II S. G1, Grosser Preis von Baden G1, Meld Stakes G3
Double Trigger Mark Johnston £559,102 Ascot Gold Cup G1, Goodwood Cup G3 (x3), Doncaster Cup G3 (x2), Henry II S G3 (x2), Sagaro S G3 (x2), St.Leger Italiano G3, 2nd.Ascot Gold Cup G1 (x2), 3rd.St Leger G1
Bandari Mark Johnston £547,045 Hardwicke Stakes G2, Princess of Wales's S G2, Great Voltigeur S G2, Gordon S G3, Brigadier Gerard S G3, Lingfield Derby Trial G3, 2nd.Rheinland-Pokal G1, Princess of Wales's Stakes G2, 3rd.St Leger G1, Jockey Club Stakes G2(twice), Cumberland Lodge Stakes G3, September Stakes G3
Scott's View Mark Johnston £525,276 Magnolia S L, Serlby S L, 3rd.Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1, Dubai Sheema Classic G1, Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis G2 etc.
Bollin Eric Tim Easterby £506,294 St.Leger G1, Lonsdale Stakes G3, 2nd.Hardwicke Stakes G2, King Edward VII Stakes G2, Dante Stakes G2, 3rd.Yorkshire Cup G2, Great Voltigeur Stakes G2, 4th.King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Stakes G1
10/07/2009 No winners on the final day at Newmarket, but Mark Johnston's Shakespearean is third in the Superlative Stakes G2, stablemate Crackdown having finished second in the previous race, the £24,924 Premier Travel Handicap. It was a better story at Ascot for Johnston where he had a treble, all ridden by Joe Fanning. At York Karl Burke's Lesson In Humility was second in the Summer Stakes G3 and there was a double for Paul Midgley and a winner for Richard Fahey. Evening racing saw another winner for Johnston this time down at Chepstow.
09/07/2009 Day Two at Newmarket and a better performance from the Northern raiders with Richard Fahey's Firebet landing the £49,848 Blue Square Heritage Handicap from Mark Johnston's Roman Republic back in second. Two races later Johnston's Awzaan put up an impressive performance to land the £12,952 EBF Conditions Stakes by five lengths whilst Richard Whitaker's Taberet was second in the last. Winners on the Doncaster evening card for Richard Whitaker and Kevin Ryan.
08/07/2009 Day One of the July meeting and only minor placings for the Yorkshire runners with Richard Fahey's Mo Mhuirnin second in the opener, Bryan Smart's Enderby Spirit third in the £62,310 totesport.com Heritage Handicap ahead of James Bethell's Rowayton back in fourth and Mark Johnston's Capercaillie again just failing to live upto expectations when fourth in the Cherry Hinton Staes G2. I think I said this about three seasons ago but with yet another Group One going overseas and the top of the trainers table being closely bunched there is a vague possibility that with a couple of big wins in major handicaps or Group One's Mark Johnston has an outside chance of finally becoming Champion Trainer. Closer to home there are winners at Catterick for Paul Midgley, Bryan Smart and Allan Dickman.
05/07/2009 Finally Yorkshire's first Group One win of the season when Karl Burke's Lord Shanakill held on by a head to land the Prix Jean Prat G1 over at Longchamp. This was Burke's first winner at the highest level and an ambitious program is now being laid out for the Spigot Lodge resident. Earlier stablemate Corporal Maddox put up a good display to be third in the Prix du Bois G3. Domestically Robin Bastiman and Noel Wilson had winners up at Ayr whilst Alan Swinbank had yet another double - this time over fences at Market Rasen where John Wainwright also had a winner.
04/07/2009 A quiet week in the run in to Newmarket next week, although there have been plenty of Yorkshire winners. Mark Johnston's Quai D'Orsay got the day off to a good start at Haydock to prevail by a nose in the £19,428 Bet365 Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap, a gutsy performance. Later on the Lancastrian card there is a winner for Bryan Smart. No winners at Sandown, but a clutch of good placings with David Nicholls' Masta Plasta starting off proceedings when finishing third in the Coral Charge G3.The next is the Coral Challenge Heritage Handicap in which Mark Johnston's Crackdown is narrowly denied but still picks up £18,660 for second, stablemate Jukebox Jury looks out of his depth in the Coral Eclipse Stakes G1 but still garners £6,750 for connections by finishing sixth! Bryan Smart's Wells Lyrical who ran so well in the Northumberland Plate a week ago is a solid third in the Coral Marathon L. At Beverley there are 'local' winners for Alan Swinbank, Mark Johnston, Ronnie Barr, Simon West, Mick Easterby and David Nicholls. Evening racing at Carlisle sees a double for Alan Swinbank as well as winners for Jedd O'Keeffe and Bryan Smart.
28/06/2009 No domestic winners today from limited opportunities but Kevin Ryan has a winner on Derby day at the Curragh when Benbaun lands the Sapphire Stakes G3 with Dandy Nicholls' Inxile back in third.
27/06/2009 Yorkshire's annexetion of the Chipchase Stakes G3 at Newcastle continued today with Richard Fahey landing the race for the second year in a row, this time with old favourite Knot In Wood. The next was the £16,201 totescoop6 Handicap which went to Kevin Ryan's Roker Park whilst Bryan Smart's Wells Lyrical picked up £33,408 for finishing second in the Northumberland Plate Heritage Handicap. Kevin Ryan made it a Tyneside double later on the card and there was also a winner for Brian Ellison. At Windsor Kevin Ryan's Tamagin took the £28,040 Totequadpot Heritage Handicap whilst Mark Johnston's Laa Rayb showed a slight return to form to be third in the Midsummer Stakes L. Karl Burke's Jeanie Johnston was only denied by a neck to finish second in the Empress Stakes L at Newmarket where John Quinn won the last and Alan Swinbank had the sole Yorkshire winner at Chester. Evening racing sees a Mark Johnston double at Doncaster where there are also winners for John Quinn and Richard Fahey.
25/06/2009 Another good day for Yorkshire with Mark Johnston's Lady Jane Digby taking the EBF Hoppings Stakes L at Newcastle with Tim Easterby's Medici Pearl also running a good race in third. There were further winners at Newcastle courtesy of Karl Burke, Brian Ellison and Richard Fahey. Karl Burke had a winner at Kempton whilst evening racing at Leicester saw winners for David Nicholls and Mark Johnston and at Hamilton for Patrick Haslam, Anne Duffield, Mark Johnston (three for the day) and Bryan Smart.
24/06/2009 Carlisle's biggest meeting of the year sees Yorkshire trainers go through the card with Alan Swinbank's Stevie Gee landing the £19,428 Carlisle Bell Handicap and Brian Ellison's Overrule taking the £19,428 Cumberland Plate from Mark Johnston's top-weight Yes Mr President back in second. The other Yorkshire winners up in Cumbria came from Karl Burke, Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey, other winner for Alan Swinbank and Julie Camacho took the last. Kevin Ryan had a winner on Kempton's evening card.
21/06/2009 A Middleham 1-2 in the main race at Pontefract today with Karl Burke's Furmigadelagiusta coming home in front in the Pontefract Castle Stakes L from Mark Johnston's Drumfire in second. There were further winners at Pontefract for Mark Johnston, Paul Midgley and Tom Tate. Just the one Yorkshire winner at Hexham with Alan Swinbank landing the opener.
20/06/2009 A good closing day for Middleham at Royal Ascot with Karl Burke's Lesson In Humility providing his second Group One placing of the meeting when running into third place in the Golden Jubilee Stakes G1 at generous odds of 33-1. In the penultimate race Mark Johnston continued his good run of form with a 1-2 in the £31,155 Duke of Edinburgh Heritage Handicap courtesy of Drill Sergeant and Record Breaker. So not a classic Royal Ascot from the Yorkshire perspective, but at least honour was preserved ; roll on Newmarket and Goodwood. David Barron has a winner at Newmarket, Richard Fahey a double at Ayr where Kevin Ryan also has a winner whilst there are winners at Redcar for John Quinn, David Barron and Ian McInnes. Evening racing sees a winner for John Quinn at Haydock. Following his decision to quit training due to ill health David Barker's 339 acre farm and racing stables (2 houses, 46 stables, grass and all-weather gallops) has been placed on the market for £2.5m.
19/06/2009 Another Yorkshire Royal Ascot winner today when Mark Johnston lands the Queen's Vase G3 for the fifth time in his career, on this occassion with Holberg who came home in front by four lengths. Earlier Richard Fahey's She's A Character had finished fourth in the Albany Stakes G3 whilst over at Chantilly David Nicholls' Masta Plasta was second in the Prix Hampton L. Up at Musselburgh there were winners for Paul Midgley, Mark Johnston, John Quinn and Alan Swinbank whilst 'home soil' winners at Redcar came from the stables of Mark Johnston, Mick Easterby, Richard Fahey, David Nicholls and Nevile Bycroft. Evening racing saw winners at Ayr for Mark Johnston and Alan Brown and winner number five for the day at Goodwood for Mark Johnston - which I make winner number 101 for the (calendar) year.
18/06/2009 Better from the Yorkshire raiders at Ascot today with Karl Burke's Reignier (second behind Capercaillie last time out) finishing a good second in the opening Norfolk Stakes G2, and Richard Fahey's Cosmic Sun (bottom weight and 66-1) providing 'our' first winner of the festival when landing the closing £31,155 King George V Heritage Handicap. Congratulations to Yeats' connections on a fourth Ascot Gold Cup and to all involved in Ffos Las - although no Yorkshire runners at the new Welsh course today. Closer to home at Ripon there were local winners for David Nicholls, Geoff Harker, Paul Midgley, Richard Fahey and Kevin Ryan, whilst evening racing at Musselburgh saw Middleham grab the last three races courtesy of Mark Johnston (his 96th winner of the year by my stats!), Karl Burke and Jedd O'Keeffe.
17/06/2009 Not much joy for the Tykes at Royal Ascot today, with the sole placing coming from Bryan Smart's Ceedwell a good third in the Queen Mary Stakes G3, a mere nose in front of Mark Johnston's Capercaillie (who appeared to hang slightly) back in fourth. At Hamilton Mark Johnson has a double (both maidens making their debuts - three year old Whispering Gallery winning his race by 10 lengths!) whilst there are also winners for John Quinn, Jedd O'Keeffe and Julie Camacho. Evening racing at Ripon sees winners for Stuart Parr and Kevin Ryan.
16/06/2009 Royal Ascot Day One sees no Yorkshire victories but there are some excellent placed performances. In the King's Stand Stakes G1 Tim Easterby's Anglezarke is an excellent third, ahead of Bryan Smart's Captain Gerrard in fourth and Robin Bastiman's Borderlescott in fifth. There must be a group race in Anglezarke and the Nunthorpe would be the obvious mid-season target for her. The next is the St.James's Palace Stakes G1 and this sees Karl Burke's stablestar Lord Shanakill finish a fine third, a welcome return to form after his poor showing in the Guineas, there's plenty of top-class mile races for him to be aimed at, although the slightly longer Prix Jean Prat has been mentioned. On home soil Mark Johnston has a double at Thirsk where there are also winners for Geoff Harker, Richard Fahey and Ruth Carr.
13/06/2009 No joy in the main race at York today with David Nicholls' Parisian Pyramid picking up £19,270 for finishing second in the Reg Griffin Memorial Trophy Heritage Handicap, ahead of Tim Easterby's Favourite Girl in third with James Bethell's Rowayton in fourth. There were winners on the Knavesmire for Tom Tate (Mull of Dubai in the £12,492 Queen Mother's Cup Lady Amateur Riders Handicap) and Richard Fahey (Changing The Guard in the £14,247 Daniel Prenn Royal Yorkshire Handicap) and Kevin Ryan. Richard Fahey also had a winner at Sandown where Kevin Ryan's new recruit Jargelle was a good second in the Scurry Stakes L. Winners at Hexham for John Quinn and Micky Hammond.
10/06/2009 A good day up at Hamilton for the Yorkshire handlers with Mark Johnston landing the historic £21,808 Lanark Silver Bell with Record Breaker and further winners for Tom Tate, Richard Fahey and David Nicholls. At Beverley there were local winners for Ian McInnes, Alan Lockwood and Ollie Pears whilst Karl Burke and Alan Swinbank have winners at Haydock with the later also grabbing a rare victory at Brighton.
06/06/2009 No Yorkshire representatives in the Derby (or the other Group race on the card for that matter), but that aside the Yorkshire trainers do well on Derby day with Karl Burke's Tepmokea a close second in the opening £31,155 Investec Sir Clement Freud Memorial Heritage Handicap. Burke went one better in the next when his Corporal Maddox (incientally bred by Theobald Stud - aka George Michael's father) took the Woodcote Stakes L by a neck. It's a Yorkshire 1-2-3 in the race before the Derby when David Nicholls' bottom-weight Indian Trail lands the £46,732 Investec 'Dash' Heritage Handicap by a short head from Tim Easterby's Captain Dunne with Nicholls' Strike Up The Band back in third. Mark Johnston's Drill Sergeant is second in the race after the Derby whilst Karl Burke caps a good day and week by taking the last with Baldemar, despite David Nicholls having 6 of the 16 runners! Up at Musselburgh Mark Johnston's Capercaillie lands the opening £15,578 Edinburgh Castle Conditions Stakes whilst stable mate Quai d'Orsay takes the second, the £24,924 Tradesman's Derby Handicap. The Yorkshire run continues in the third with Noel Wilson having one of the biggest wins of his career when Pavershooz takes the £24,924 Scottish Sprint Cup Heritage Handicap. David Nicholls and Anne Duffield take the fourth and fifth before the Musselburgh winning streak is broken in the sixth, but Alan Swinbank manages to win the last to make it 6 out of 7. The Mark Johnston bandwagon was also rolling on home ground at Doncaster with Roman Republic winning the £16,190 32red.com Handicap whilst Richard Fahey wins the penultimate race. Evening racing at Newcastle saw wins for Tim Easterby, Julie Camacho, Mark Johnston, Alan Swinbank and Paul Midgley.
05/06/2009 No Yorkshire trained runners in the Oaks or Coronation Cup at Epsom today, but it's the next best result in the Oaks with 'almost bred in Yorkshire' Sariska winning the fillies classic, her dam Maycocks Bay being bred by the Bishop Wilton Stud (by the former Beechwood Grange sire Muhtarram) who incredibly had another good result at Epsom with maiden Ermine And Velvet second in the Surrey Stakes L. There was a Yorkshire trained winner at Epsom however with Mark Johnston's Tartan Gigha landing the £18,693 Investec Mile Handicap. Evening racing at Bath saw a double for Johnston whilst earlier he'd had a winner at Catterick where Ruth Carr had a double (to add to her winner at Wolverhampton) and Bryan Smart and Geoff Harker also had winners. Evening racing at Doncaster resulted in winners for Patrick Haslam and Tim Easterby.
04/06/2009 The Yorkshire trainers are starting to get into their stride and this was further evidenced over at Leopardstown this afternoon when Karl Burke's Lesson In Humility puts up a convincing display to land the Ballyogan Stakes G3. The winner now heads for Royal Ascot, although whether it's the Wokingham or the Golden Jubilee remains to be seen. Up at Hamilton the Yorkshire raiders take all bar two of the races with wins for Patrick Haslam, David Nicholls, Alan Swinbank (a double) and Bryan Smart.
01/06/2009 Yet another major sprint win for David Nicholls when his Inxile wins the Naas Sprint Stakes L at Naas this afternoon. Closer to home Ollie Pears, Tim Easterby and Micky Hammond all had winners at Carlisle, whilst Mark Johnston chalked up a winner at Leicester. On a sadder note the great Vincent O'Brien died today, unfortunately I can make no claims of Yorkshire heritage for him, but it is nevertheless a great loss of probably the great racehorse trainer of all time.
31/05/2009 Yet another top-class sprint falls to Yorkshire when the David Nicholls trained Tax Free lands the Prix du Gros-Chene G2 at Chantilly this afternoon, Kevin Ryan's Benbaun is third, only a neck behind the second. Let's hope this run of sprint form extends as far as Royal Ascot ! There was a winner at Perth for Malcolm Jefferson.
30/05/2009 Sandhutton trainer Allan Dickman had the biggest win of his short career at York today with Ishetoo landing the £24,924 sportingbet.com Sprint Heritage Handicap from Kevin Ryan's Peak District. Other local winners at York came from David Nicholls, Richard Fahey and Paul Midgley whilst Richard Fahey's Halla San was third in the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup L. At Haydock the only Yorkshire trained winner came from Declan Carroll in the last but earlier on the card Tim Easterby's Anglezarke was a neck second in the Achilles Stakes L and Kevin Ryan's Les Fazzani filled the same position in the EBF Joan Westbrook Pinnacle Stakes L. Meanwhile at Doncaster the local winners were provided by Mark Johnston (Proclaim in the £12,952 Classified Stakes) and Mel Brittain.
28/05/2009 A valuable Yorkshire winner this evening when Dandy Nicholls' Hindu Kush takes the Saval Beg Stakes L at Leopardstown, a rare longer distance win at the higher levels for 'The Sprint King' ! Earlier Mark Johnston won the opener at Lingfield whilst there were Yorkshire winners for David Nicholls, Richard Fahey, David Barron, Kevin Ryan and Paul Midgley. Evening racing at Newcastle sees a winner for Brian Ellison and at Wetherby for John Quinn.
27/05/2009 A string of Yorkshire trained winners so far this week (all the winners at Redcar yesterday for example), but there was a hint a quality added to the mix at Beverley this evening when Mark Johnston's The Hermitage was a good second in the Hilary Needler Trophy L. Richard Fahey had a double at the meeting and Alan Swinbank was also amongst the winners.
23/05/2009 At the Curragh Richard Fahey's Utmost Respect is on the mark again with a convincing win in the Greenlands Stakes G3 and Karl Burke's Philario lands the £26,861 Boylepoker.com Premier Handicap. Domestically the Yorkshire raiders fill all the minor places in the Temple Stakes G2 at Haydock with Robin Bastiman's Borderlescott coming home second ahead of Kevin Ryan's duo of Wi Dud and Arganil, Ruth Carr also has a winner at Haydock. At Beverley Ruth Carr's Excusez Moi lands the £11,216 Brantingham Conditions Stakes and there are also winners for Declan Carroll, Ann Duffield and Richard Fahey. At Newmarket Mark Johnston's hotpot Step In Time just lands the odds whilst Bryan Smart's Courageous is third in the King Charles II Stakes L. Catterick sees winners for Alan Dickman, Tom Tate, Richard Fahey and Kevin Ryan. Evening racing at Cartmel sees a winner for George Moore.
19/05/2009 Over in Sweden today the Theakston Stud bred Prince Fasliyev lands the Pramms Memorial L at Jagersro. Domestically there are winners for Karl Burke, David Nicholls, David Barron and Richard Fahey whilst Kevin Ryan has a winner at Leicester.
16/05/2009 A fairly quiet day for the Yorkshire trainers, relative to the last few days. Mark Johnston's Record Breaker is touched off in the Heritage Handicap at Newmarket whilst there are local winners at Thirsk for Paul Midgley (the Westwood Farm bred Tillys Tale), Ann Duffield, David Nicholls and Kevin Ryan. Evening racing saw winners for Richard Fahey and David Barker at Doncaster.
15/05/2009 A good day at York for the locals with Karl Burke's Furmigadelagiusta (a race readers nightmare!) landing the £24,924 Jorvik Heritage Handicap and further winners for Richard Fahey (a double) and David Nicholls and Tim Easterby's maiden Little Scotland finishing third in the Marygate Stakes L. Evening racing saw a Mark Johnston 1-3 in the Glasgow Stakes L at Hamilton with progressive winner Parthenon coming home ahead of O'Brien hotpot Stately Home and stablemate Holberg. Karl Burke also had a winner up at Hamilton and there were also Yorkshire winners at Newcastle courtesy of Alan Swinbank and Tim Easterby whilst John Quinn and James Bethell both had winners at Aintree.
14/05/2009 No victories in the feature races at York today but Stuart Parr's Internationaldebut won the opener and Tim Easterby's Anglezarke the sprint conditions race whilst Karl Burke's Philario was a good second in the Hambleton Stakes Handicap L. Mark Johnston won the opener at Newmarket.
13/05/2009 Only one local winner on day one of York's Dante meeting today, but it was the important one with Richard Fahey's Utmost Respect putting up an excellent display to take the Duke Of York Stakes G2, with David Nicholls' Tax Free back in third to further cement Yorkshire good prospects in the sprint division this season. No Yorkshire runners in the other group race, the Musidora but it was almost a Yorkshire bred winner as Sariska came home in front and her dam is Maycocks Bay, bred by Bishop Wilton Stud. Mick Easterby won the opener at Perth.
10/05/2009 The first flat group victory of the season (sort of!) when David Nicholls' Inxile comes home in front the Prix de Saint-Georges G3 at Longchamp on French Guineas day, Kevin Ryan's Benbaun is a good third in the same race. However in typical French style the placings were messed around with due to interference from Benbaun, and officially Benbaun is second and Inxile is third. Go figure as they say. Domestically Alan Swinbank wins the last at Southwell and Sue Smith has a winner at Uttoxeter.
09/05/2009 A very good day over jumps at Haydock with Ferdy Murphy's Elzahann taking the opening £15,655 Toteplacepot Long Distance Handicap Hurdle and Richard Fahey's Joe Jo Star putting up an excellent performance to land the Toteswinger Swinton Handicap Hurdle Gd3. The flat element of the card sees winners for Linda Stubbs and David Barron. At Nottingham Karl Burke's Lesson In Humility wins the feature Kilvington Fillies Stakes L and there is also a winner for Mark Johnston. No joy in the main races at Ascot, although David Nicholls trains the winner of the last. No winners at Lingfield, although the Manor House Stud bred Please Sing is third in the Chartwell Fillies' Stakes G3. Over jumps there are winners at Hexham for Ferdy Murphy, Tim Easterby and Jedd O'Keeffe whilst evening racing at Thirsk sees local wins for James Bethell, David Barron, Tom Tate and Ronnie Barr and at Warwick for Mark Johnston.
08/05/2009 A good day (finally!) at Chester for Team Yorkshire with Richard Fahey's Mister Hardy landing the opening £25,232 Surrenda-Link Earl Grosvenor Handicap from Mark Johnston's Opus Maximus and the Burton Agnes Stud bred Buccellati winning the Ormonde Stakes G3. Elsewhere Nigel Tinkler has a winner at Nottingham whilst evening racing sees wins for Ferdy Murphy at Aintree, Yorkshire trainers win all the races at Hamilton Park thanks to Kevin Ryan (a double), Paul Midgley, John Quinn, Mark Johnston and Richard Fahey, all all bar on the races ar Ripon thanks to Patrick Haslam, Richard Whitaker, Ruth Carr, James Bethell and Chris Thornton.
04/05/2009 A Bank Holiday clean sweep at Beverley for the local trainers with wins for Richard Fahey (a double), James Bethell, Mark Johnston, Bryan Smart, Ann Duffield and David Barron, with the later also having a double at Newcastle.
03/05/2009 No Yorkshire runners in the 1,000 Guineas but there were Tyke wins at HQ with David Nicholls' Evens And Odds landing the £31,155 Best Odds Guaranteed At Stan James Heritage Handicap from Mark Johnston's Thebes and the later's Takaatuf winning the last race on the card. At Hamilton there were wins for Richard Fahey, Alan Swinbank and David Nicholls.
02/05/2009 No luck for Lord Shanakill in the 2,000 Guineas today although Mark Johnston's Drill Sergeant was third (of three!) in the Jockey Club Stakes G2 and Robin Bastiman's standard-bearer Borderlescott was a good third, beaten out of second by a nose, in the Palace House Stakes G3. The (very) local trainers did well at Thirsk with a treble for Kevin Ryan (including Flawed Genius in the Thirsk Hunt Cup) and a double for David Nicholls as well as a winner for Nevile Bycroft. Mark Johnston had a juvenille winner at Doncaster's evening meeting where there were also winners for John Quinn and David Nicholls and John Quinn and Maxine Stirk both had winners at Hexham's evening fixture.
29/04/2009 Yorkshire got on the podium at this years Punchestown festival today when Ferdy Murphy's De Boitron was third in the Ulster Bank Handicap Chase. At home Mark Johnston's Laa Rayb was third in the Paradise Stakes L at Ascot and Bryan Smart's Enderby Spirit and Kevin Ryan's Jobe took second and third respectively in the Pavilion Stakes L whilst Karl Burke's Trafalgar Bay won the last. There were winners at Kelso for Ferdy Murphy, George Moore and Malcolm Jefferson, at Pontefract for David Nicholls, Ian McInness and Tom Walford, at Southwell for Sue Smith and at Kempton for David Nicholls.
25/04/2009 The day when the baton (unofficially) passes from Jumps to Flat with the mixed meeting at Sandown where Yorkshire hopes rested on Ferdy Murphy's Kalahari King, but unfortunately it seemed like a case of a race too far when he was well beaten into second in the Celebration Chase Gd2. At Leicester David Nicholls' Regal Parade was a good second in the Leicestershire Stakes L and Mark Johnston's Holberg was an eye catching winner of the main supporting race. At Ripon there were local winners for Mark Johnston, Ronnie Barr, Ian McInnes and Tim Easterby (the Brook Holliday home bred Off Chance) whilst Ruth Carr and Ferdy Murphy both struck at Market Rasen.
18/04/2009 David Nicholls put down another marker for sprint honours today when Inxile was a nice winner of the Woodlands Stakes L over at Naas. At Newbury Richard Fahey landed the £24,924 Spring Cup Heritage Handicap with Extraterrestrial (with Tim Easterby's Medici Pearl back in third) and then took the penultimate race with Mighty Moon. Up at Ayr Sue Smith's Auroras Encore was a winner in the £12,685 Dawn Group Novices' Handicap Chase, earlier Richard Fahey and Ferdy Murphy had provided runners-up in two of the other supporting races on the Scottish National card. Closer to base at Thirsk there were winners for Richard Fahey and David Barron whilst the locals were on target at Doncaster with winners for Paul Midgley, Linda Stubbs and a double for Mark Johnston. Ruth Carr and Tim Walford had winners at Nottingham and David Nicholls' Joseph Henry landed a £14,220 handicap over at Naas.
17/04/2009 Ferdy Murphy's consistent Elzahann landed the £18,786 Poppyscotland Mares' Handicap Hurdle up at Ayr today, only 12 days since winning at Hexham. Elsewhere there were winners at Thirsk for Mark Johnston, Alan Brown, Tim Walford and Richard Fahey who won both the last two on the card and then won an early evening race at Sedgefield.
16/04/2009 A good day down at Newmarket for the Yorkshire sprinters with David Nicholls' Tax Free (off the course for 291 days!) landing the Abernant Stakes L impressively with Richard Fahey's Knot In Wood back in third, the winners looks set fair for the Duke of York Stakes. Mark Johnston won the last at HQ, Cherry Coward had a winner at Cheltenham and there were local winners at Ripon for Kevin Ryan (a double), Richard Fahey, Mark Johnston and David Barron whilst Mark Johnston made it an across-the-meetings treble with a winner at Wolverhampton's evening meeting.
13/04/2009 Stand Easter Bank Holiday sub-standard fayre sees a double at Redcar for David Barker, with Stuart Parr also scoring on the same card. Tim Pitt has a winner at Fakenham, John Quinn at Warwick and Richard Fahey at Yarmouth. Slightly more exotically Fahey's Deep Winter puts up a good run in Hanover to be third in the Grosser Preis von Hannover 96 L.
04/04/2009 There was no luck for the Malton trained Brooklyn Brownie in the Grand National but it was a good day for Middleham's Ferdy Murphy with his Kalahari King landing the Maghull Novices' Chase Gd1 on the supporting card, Yorkshire's first Grade One win of the year, the Queen Mother Champion Chase at next years Cheltenham Festival now beckons. In the Conditions and Amateurs race Malcolm Jefferson's Issaquah was second ahead of Richard Fahey's Joe Jo Star. There was more good news to come for Middleham however when Kate Walton's Sitting Tenant caused a shock when landing the John Smith's Champion Standed Open NH Flat Race Gd2 at 66-1, the biggest success of her career to date. Up at Newcastle there was a double for Richard Fahey (including a win for Mister Hardy in the feature race) as well as wins for David Barker and Mark Johnston.
02/04/2009 No joy on Day One of Aintree for the Yorkshire trainers with the best performances coming in the last where Ferdy Murphy's Bedlam Boy is third in the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle L. On the flat Bryan Smart has a winner at Leicester.
28/03/2009 A fairly poor start to the Flat season at Doncaster for the locals with no winners although there were some decent placings with Richard Fahey's Extraterrestrial coming home second in the Spring Mile ahead of Kevin Ryan's Majuro back in third, Richard Fahey's Knot In Wood was third in the Cammidge Trophy L and David Barron's Flipando filled the same position in the Lincoln Handicap. Things were scarely better on the all-weather at Kempton although Mark Johnston's Saint Arch maintained his unbeaten record when landing the opener.
21/03/2009 The all-weather climax at Lingfield today heralds the coming of the flat season and sees a good win for Kevin Ryan's Arganil in the Hever Sprint Stakes L, earlier David Nicholls had landed the opener. Over fences there is a double at Haydock for Ferdy Murphy and winners for Harry Hogarth and Sue Smith who also has a winner at Bangor.
18/03/2009 Four Yorkshire runners in the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton, but no joy, the following race is the Dragonfly Stakes L and this sees Karl Burke's Big Robert finish third whilst Mark Johnston wins the last.
14/03/2009 The calm after the storm, with no Yorkshire runners in the Midlands Grand National it's a quiet day with local winners at Wetherby for Malcolm Jefferson and George Moore and a winner at Newcastle for Alan Swinbank and at Lingfield for Mark Johnston.
13/03/2009 No luck for the Yorkshire runners at Cheltenham today, although Richard Fahey won the main race at Fakenham whilst Mark Johnston landed the opener at Lingfield Park whilst Richard Fahey had a winner on Wolverhampton's evening card.
12/03/2009 Finally a Yorkshire trained Cheltenham winner when John Quinn's Character Building lands the £36,012 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup under Jamie Codd. Quinn also had a winner at Hexham whilst on the flat there were winners for Kevin Ryan, Mick Easterby and Mark Johnston at Southwell with the later also scoring at Kempton's evening meeting.
11/03/2009 Again no joy at Cheltenham although yet again it is Ferdy Murphy who comes closest when his Nine de Sivola is third, beaten out of second by a neck, in the opening National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup. Elsewhere Alan Swinbank wins the last at Huntingdon.
10/03/2009 Close but no cigar on day one of the Cheltenham Festival when Ferdy Murphy's Kalahari King is second in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Gd1, beaten only a short head on ground not to his favour. On a more mundane level Sue Smith lands a treble at Sedgefield where there are also winners for Fred Kirby and Malcolm Jefferson whilst Mick Easterby has a winner on the all-weather at Southwell.
07/03/2009 Almost Cheltenham time but from a Yorkshire perspective today the highlights all come at Wolverhampton where David Barron's Flipando lands the £31,155 Wm Hill Lincoln Trial Heritage Handicap in good style and there were also winners for Richard Fahey and Mark Johnston (Thebes in the £11,216 Betlive & In Running At williamhill.com Handicap).
28/02/2009 A fairly poor day today with Alan Swinbank's Alfie Flits only managing third in the Totepool Premier Kelso Novices' Hurdle Gd2 at Kelso where Sue Smith's Camden George had earlier won the £12,685 Novices' Chase and the Bingley trainer also won the last. A poor show by the locals at Doncaster with honour only maintained when John Quinn's Leslingtaylor landed the closing £13,010 Handicap Chase.
21/02/2009 Tom Tate's Suits Me ran yet another good race but was just touched off by a neck when second in the Winter Derby Trial Stakes L at Lingfield, where Mark Johnston landed the opener. At Newcastle there was a double for Sue Smith whilst Kate Walton also had a winner and her Morgan Be was a good second in the £30,980 totesport.com Eider Handicap Chase.
14/02/2009 Sue Smith's Coe runs a good race to be second in the Blue Square Gold Cup Handicap Chase Gd3, which is a proven Grand National trial .... well, we can always dream. Meanwhile at Uttoxeter Ferdy Murphy's Tidal Fury lands the £15,842 Lord Gyllene Handicap Chase. Brian Ellison lands the opener at Wolverhampton's evening meeting.
10/02/2009 A highly tactical three runner race at Lingfield for the Mill Wood Winter Open Stakes L sees Tom Tate's Suits Me reverse the form over Dansant by coming home in front. Closer to home Paul Midgley and Kevin Ryan had winners at Southwell.
03/02/2009 Well there might not be much racing at the moment, but the Tykes are making the most of any opportunity and there were six Yorkshire trained winners at Southwell this afternoon courtesy of Mick Easterby (a double), Kevin Ryan, David Barron and Patrick Haslam (a double).
31/01/2009 Mark Johnston's Robby Bobby lands the £11,657 Play Roulette at Williamhill.com Handicap at Lingfield to make it a double for the Middleham trainer. Closer to home at Wetherby Sue Smith's Daldini wins the £12,524 totescoop6 Record Rollover Handicap Chase from Tim Easterby's Edmo Yewkay, whilst further local winners at Wetherby are provided by Brian Ellison, Patrick Haslam and George Moore.
24/01/2009 Another good Saturday over sticks for the Yorkshire trainers with George Moore's Pagan Starprincess getting the ball rolling at Doncaster when taking the Bet & Watch Horse Racing at skybet.com Mare's Hurdle Gd2 (is it too early in the year for me to complain about some of these race titles ..... probably) at odds of 28-1. Later on the same card Malcolm Jefferson's Cape Tribulation runs a favourites race to take the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Gd2 whilst Paul Murphy's (son of Ferdy) Par Avion lands the last. Paul is resident at Middleham's 'Cappall Lodge' - formerly the equine pool next to Spigot Lodge. On the flat Kevin Ryan has a winner at Lingfield.
17/01/2009 Crikey, some success! Today Alan Swinbank's Alfie Flits, frequently seen on the flat, landed the Blue Square Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle Gd2 at Haydock, where Sue Smith also had a good win when Coe won the £11,384 Tim Molony Handicap Chase. Linda Stubbs had a winner on the all-weather at Lingfield. What is to become of Great Leighs, who can tell !?
10/01/2009 Abandonments galore this week, but racing at Lingfield today sees wins for Mark Johnston (Lady Jane Digby in the £11,657 Wm Hill January Sales Bonuses Galore Handicap) and Kevin Ryan. Meanwhile following Bill Ratcliffe's relocation to Newmarket his former base, The Bolton Hall Racing Stables at Wensley near Middleham is advertised for rent at £18,000 pa., complete with 21 boxes, 3 bedroom house, ancillary buildings, 15 acres of paddocks and an all weather gallop .... the ideal starter yard for anyone thinking of taking the plunge!
03/01/2009 ZZzzzzzzz.... wake me up in time for Cheltenham.

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