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Date  
28/12/2015 Two winners at Lingfield today for Richard Fahey sees him match Richard Hannon's record of 235 winners in a calendar year, hopefully there will be at least one more before close of play, Storm Frank allowing. Brian Ellison and Malcolm Jefferson both struck at Catterick.
26/12/2015 Wetherby, not surprisingly, is off ; hopes remain that the Rowland Meyrick can be rescheduled for the next meeting. Brian Ellison had a double at Sedgefield were there were also winners for Micky Hammond, Alan Swinbank and John Norton whilst Tim Easterby struck at Market Rasen and Richard Fahey at Wolverhampton.
19/12/2015 A cracking run by Sue Smith's Wakanda at Ascot this afternoon saw him hold on gamely to land the £56,950 Sodexo Silver Cup Handicap Chase L having led over the last. Stablemate Cloudy Too was third in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock where Brian Ellison's Smart Talk landed the £11,390 Abram Mares' Novices' Hurdle L. Henry Hogath won the second race at Newcastle.
13/12/2015 An untypical below-par run saw David O'Meara's Mondialiste finish down the field at Sha Tin this morning. Better news was a Micky Hammond double at Carlisle with pride of place going to Tullamore Dew, victorious in the £18,768 Veteran's Handicap Chase. Sue Smith won the last at Southwell.
12/12/2015 David Nicholls' ever-reliable Sovereign Debt was narrowly beaten by a short-neck at Deauville today whe second in the Prix Luthier L. On this side of the water Tony Coyle landed Southwell's feature Class 2 Handicap, with Westwood Hoe, whilst David Barron's Twin Appeal was back in third. Other winners were supplied by Bryan Smart and Anthony Brittain. The Hong Kong Mile is early tomorrow morn.
28/11/2015 Yorkshire interest today mainly centred on Newcastle and Sue Smith's Wakanda came up trumps landing the £34,170 Rehearsal Handicap Chase L. A Smith runner also landed the opener whilst Micky Hammond also had a winner. Evening racing at Wolverhampton saw a double for Richard Fahey as well as winners for Declan Carroll and David O'Meara.
25/11/2015 Midweek racing at Kempton Park sees Mark Johnston's Fire Fighting land the Wild Flower Stakes L whilst James Bethell also took the opening maiden. Tim Easterby provided the only local winner at Wetherby.
21/11/2015 Yorkshire's best performance today came at Haydock where Brian Ellison's Definitly Red was second in the Betfair 'Tap Tap Boom' 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle Gd3. Malcolm Jefferson's Sun Cloud was second in the last whilst at Lingfield there were winners for Richard Fahey and David O'Meara withe the former also taking the last on Wolverhampton's evening card.
14/11/2015 No joy at Cheltenham today, but at Lingfield Kevin Ryan's new recruit Goken (owned by Guy Pariente, the man behind Goken's sire Kendargent), already a multiple Group Three winner in France, took the Roses Stakes L in a comfortable fashion. At Wetherby there were local winners for Philip Kirby, Sue Smith and Micky Hammond.
07/11/2015 The last day of flat racing proper at, as always, Doncaster sees local winners for Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey (Withernsea in the £12,938 Betfred Good Luck Hayley Turner Handicap) and Tony Coyle whilst Richard Fahey also has a notable 2-3 in the EBF Gillies Fillies' Stakes L with Latenightrequest occupying the runner-up slot ahead of stablemate Imshivalla. In the last major handicap of the turf season, the £40,462 November Handicap, Declan Carroll's Buonarroti is second ahead of David Barron's Esteaming in third. Brian Ellison lands the bumper at Aintree. Evening racing at Chelmsford results in a winner for Kevin Ryan.
31/10/2015 Another chance for Breeders' Cup glory this evening with Mondialiste running in the mile, but first the domestic scene in which Mark Johnston's Fireglow took pride of place landing the EBF Montrose Fillies' Stakes L at Newmarket by a comfortable four lengths. Later on the card there were black-type placings for Brian Ellison's Top Notch Tonto (3rd in the James Seymour Stakes L) and David O'Meara's So Beloved (third in the Ben Marshall Stakes L). There was a double for Mark Walford at Ayr, but no local winners at Wetherby's big Charlie Hall meeting, although Karl Burke's Intense Tango was second in the OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle L. Later on at Keeneland we came even closer to our first Breeders' Cup win when David O'Meara's Mondialiste stormed home late to finish a strong second in the Breeders' Cup Mile G1 . Maybe next year .....
30/10/2015 Yorkshire came close to it's first ever Breeders' Cup win tonight when Richard Fahey's Birchwood was third, only beaten two necks, in the Breeders' Cup Juvenille Turf G1 at Keeneland. Rather closer to home at Wetherby Sue Smith's Wakanda took the bet365 Handicap Chase L at Wetherby where Kevin Ryan and Phil Kirby also had winners and Tim Easterby's Our Thomas was third in the Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle L. Richard Fahey had a winner at Newmarket.
25/10/2015 Another group one win, and another multiple Group One winning filly (strictly speaking mare) today when Karl Burke's Odeliz took the Premio Lydia Tesio G1 at Capannelle, taking her career earnings over the £400k mark in the process. The ladies have led the way this term as far as Yorkshire is concerned with Odeliz, Amazing Maria and Lumiere all scoring at the highest level. Over in Ireland David Nicholls' flag-bearer Sovereign Debt got back to winning ways when landing the Knockaire Stakes L.
24/10/2015 Yorkshire's, and indeed Britain's, last Group One of the season at Doncaster today, but no local runners, indeed there were no local winners across the card either with the best performance coming from Richard Fahey's El Viento second in the £28,012 Betdaq.com 2% Commission Handicap to, of all things, a Norwegian trained horse ! There were no winners at Newbury either, although Richard Fahey's Return Of The Mak was third in a chaotic renewal of the Horris Hill Stakes G3, the winner of which, Crazy Horse, is a son of Beechwood Grange stallion Sleeping Indian. James Bethell's Chiringuita was fourth in the Radley Stakes L and Tim Easterby's Silvery Moon second in the £18,675 Bathwick Tyres Handicap. We did have a winner at Kelso, thanks to Brian Ellison and Sue Smith's Straidnahanna was second in the feature £11,047 EDF-EF Handicap Chase. At San Siro Mark Johnston's Oriental Fox was a faintly dissapointing third in the St Leger Italiano G3.
19/10/2015 Minor black-type today for Karl Burke's Percy Street, third in the Silver Tankard Stakes L at Pontefract today, Tim Easterby's Still On Top is only a neck back in fourth ; both nice prospects for next term. Tim Easterby did have a winner on the card, as did Richard Whitaker.
17/10/2015 Champions Day at Ascot, no Yorkshire winners but two very strong placings. In the opening Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup G2 Peter Niven's Clever Cookie is badly hampered but comes wide and late to close in on second place at the line, picking up a more than useful £74,175 for his efforts. Later on the card Richard Fahey's Gabrial pushing his career earnings over the £600k mark when charging through in the closing stages to grab third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes G1 , his second long-odds Group One placing of the year. At Catterick Richard Fahey lands three consecutive races including the feature £15,562 Totescoop6 Catterick Dash with Arctic Feeling whilst Tim Easterby lands a double and John Quinn wins one of the few races not annexed by Messrs Fahey & Easterby.
16/10/2015 Fantastic Friday. Two successful overseas raid today ; pride of place goes to Richard Fahey's progressive Donjuan Triumphant who made the journey to Maisons-Laffitte and came back with the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte G2, having drawn away to win comfortably by an extended five lengths, and this less than a week after his York win. Meanwhile at slightly less glamorous Dundalk Mark Johnston's game Fire Fighting, having his twenty-second start of the year, won the Carlingford Stakes L, the biggest win of his career to date, and his first 'black type' win. Domestically Richard Fahey won the two opening races at Haydock where there were also winners for Kevin Ryan and Alan Swinbank whilst at Redcar the local winners were provided by Karl Burke, Brian Ellison, David O'Meara, Geoff Harker and Tim Fitzgerald. Evening racing at Wolverhampton yielded wins for Kevin Ryan and David Barron.
10/10/2015 Today's big two meetings were at Newmarket and York. At Newmarket we had to wait until the Cesarewitch for any joy when Mark Johnston's top-weighted Oriental Fox was just denied by a short head on the nod, but still picks up £46,600 for his efforts. In the last at HQ David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt, running for the second time in less than a week, was a gallant second in the Darley Stakes G3. There was much better luck at York with Jedd O'Keeffe landing the biggest win of his career to date when Shared Equity took the £62,250 Coral Sprint Trophy by three lengths, with Bryan Smart's Nameitwhatyoulike back in third. Richard Fahey had a treble on the card with the highlight being Donjuan Triumphant landing the Rockingham Stakes L whilst David O'Meara (Chancery in the £21,788 Download The Coral App Handicap, ahead of Tim Easterby's Off Art) and Tom Tate provided the other winners to see the locals take every race bar the opener. Also landing a treble was Brian Ellison at Hexham where Sue Smith had to make do with just the one winner.
09/10/2015 Karl Burke's Quiet Reflection took one of the big races at Newmarket this afternoon when landing the Cornwallis Stakes G3, three weeks on from her listed victory at Ayr. At York meanwhile Julie Camacho's good season continued with Swaheen taking the £31,125 Stan James Handicap. Earlier Camacho's hitherto stable star Wilde Inspiration had run third in the £18,675 Stan James Bet On Your Mobile Handicap which was won by Karl Burke's You're Fired. Richard Fahey and David Barron won the last two on the Knavesmire whilst Alan Brown took the opener on Wolverhampton's evening card.
04/10/2015 No joy at Longchamp, but some in Tipperary. Arc day started OK with Karl Burke's Katie's Diamond a decent enough fifth in the Prix Marcel Boussac G1, only a neck out of fourth. Our best chances came in the Abbaye and Foret, in the Prix de l'Abbaye G1 David Barron's Pearl Secret put up our best performance on the card ; storming through on the rails in the closing stages to finish fourth, just in front of last year's winner David O'Meara's Move In Time who was fifth. It would be a crying shame if this really is Pearl Secret's last race. There was no show in the Prix de la Foret G1 but there was better news over at Tipperary where David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt was a short head second, but promoted to first after a steward's enquiry in the Concorde Stakes G3. No winners from slim pickings at home.
03/10/2015 A weekend of top class racing on both sides of the English Channel, and indeed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. At Newmarket it's the annual lottery that is the big sales races and in the opening £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes David Barron's Poet's Prize runs a stormer to pick up the £92,175 first prize, and looks a sound prospect for next season. Next up is the £300,000 Tattersalls Millions Two-Year-Old Fillies' Trophy in which Ann Duffield's Ninetta runs well to grab the £29,500 third prize whilst Richard Fahey's Nimr is fifth (£12,300) in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions Two-Year-Old Trophy. At Ascot Richard Fahey's always game Eastern Impact holds on tenaciously to land the Bengough Stakes G3 and will head now for Champions Day having bagged his first group race. It's also Redcar's biggest day of the year and whilst there are no local winners in either of the two listed races we do sweep all of the placings with Richard Fahey's Mr Lupton picking up even more prize money (£32,250, taking him over £300,000) when second in the Totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy L in which Mark Johnston's Delizia was third and David O'Meara's So Beloved also finishing second in the Guisborough Stakes L with the ever-popular Top Notch Tonto, trained by Brian Ellison in third. Winners at Redcar were provided by Tim Easterby (Father Bertie in the £12,450 Pinnacle Cup Straght-Mile Series Final Handicap), Richard Fahey (a double), Mark Johnston and Tony Coyle.
02/10/2015 The quiet before the weekend storm and Richard Fahey's Pin Up picks up useful black type at Ascot when third in the Noel Murless Stakes L whilst there are winners for Mick Easterby and David O'Meara at Wolverhampton's evening meet.
27/09/2015 Not quite the fireworks of yesterday but Middleham's Patrick Holmes will be pleased tonight after his Lil Sophella took the £15,562 EBF Scottish Premier Filles' Handicap at Musselburgh, where there were also Yorkshire winners for Kevin Ryan, Bryan Smart, Mark Johnston and Ollie Pears.
26/09/2015 Wow, and indeed, wow. Today Mark Johnston landed his first domestic Group One for six years (pretty much to the day) when Lumiere lit up Newmarket to take the Cheveley Park Stakes G1 with a dazzling start to finish performance. Whether or not she stays in Middleham next term or is transferred to Godolphin remains to be seen, but this is a performance to savour, image how good she could be if she learns to settle in her races. In the following race stablemate Buratino (already running in Godolphin blue) puts up his finest performance of the season when a fast closing second in the Middle Park Stakes G1. As 2015 was heralded as the year Kingsley House began to morph into the Godolphin Juvenille Academy it's pretty much mission accomplished in Year One ! But the Day at HQ wasn't over for the Yorkshire raiders as, not to be outdone, Richard Fahey promptly won two of the following races with the undoubted highlight being Third Time Lucky landing the £99,600 Cambridgeshire Heritage Handicap nicely followed up with stablemate Drifting Spirit taking the £18,675 EBF 'Jersey Lily' Fillies' Nursery. Phew. It was pretty much the same story of Yorkshire dominance at Chester where Kevin Ryan's Erik The Red took the feature £31,125 Sportingbet Handicap, with Richard Fahey's Darrington back in third, and there were also winners for John Quinn (El Astronaute in the £16,172 Golden Square Shopping Centre Nursery), Richard Fahey and Mark Johnston (Poniatowski out of former stable star Lady Jane Digby). Could the locals continue their fantastic day on home soil at Ripon ; you bet they could ! Paul Midgley's Another Wise Kid took the feature £18,903 Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap, in which the first nine home were Yorkshire trained and further winners at Ripon were provided by Tim Easterby, Julie Camacho, Micky Hammond and Tony Coyle. The glitter didn't quite stick at Haydock with only Kevin Ryan having a winner although Tim Easterby's old campaigner Confessional was only beaten a neck in the feature £28,012 Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap. The jumps boys also shone today with Malcolm Jefferson's Oscar Rock continuing his hurdles to fences progression by landing the £28,475 Racing FX Prelude Chase Handicap L, the feature race at Market Rasen where Brian Ellison also had a winner. Yorkshire Day was officially the 1st of August this year, but personally I think it was the 26th September.
25/09/2015 David O'Meara's seemingly ever-dependable Custom Cut ran his usual good race at Newmarket today but unfortunately found one too good when running second in the Joel Stakes G2. There was no joy at Haydock but Geoff Harker won the opener on Wolverhampton's evening card and Ruth Carr also claimed a winner later on the card.
24/09/2015 Black type was garnered at Newmarket today with Mark Johnston's Adventurous finishing third in the Somerville Tattersall Stakes G3 (having led inside the final furlong but found wanting for a turn of pace) and Richard Fahey's Angel Gabriel occupying second in the Jockey Club Rose Bowl L, in addition Johnston's Bathos made it four in a row when landing the nursery. At Pontefract there were winners for Mark Johnston, Ronald Thompson, Karl Burke and Tim Easterby whilst Malcolm Jefferson struck at Perth.
19/09/2015 Team Musley Bank ran riot today with four winners at Ayr, including the two main handicaps and a group winner at Newbury. The star at Ayr was the still unbeaten three-year-old Don't Touch who landed the £112,050 Wm Hill Ayr Gold Cup Heritage Handicap and made it look easy in the process. Incredibly two of Fahey's other Ayr winners were in the same Nicholas Wrigley/Kevin Hart ownership as Don't Touch ; their only other horse in training ran unplaced in the last. In the 'Consolation' £31,125 Ayr Silver Cup Fahey saddled the first two home with Tatlisu coming home in front of better fancied stablemate George Bowen. Fahey had only the one winner at Newbury, but arguably it was the most important with (the now Godolphin owned) Ribchester losing his 'best maiden in the country' tag when a convincing winner of the Mill Reef Stakes G2. Nothing much to note from Newmarket, although Brian Ellison's Full Day was third in the £31,125 Cesarewitch Trial Handicap. Local winners at Catterick came from Richard Fahey (who else?!), Tim Easterby, Alan Swinbank, Brian Ellison and Richard Whitaker. Evening racing at Wolverhampton yields wins for Nigel Tinkler, Mick Easterby and Bryan Smart.
18/09/2015 Ayr Western Meeting, Day Two (three lesser winners yesterday) and the quality of racing steps up a gear. Karl Burke lands the Harry Rosebery Stakes L with the filly Quiet Reflection whilst Richard Fahey scores a treble including Doujuan Triumphant in the £15,562 Shadwell Stud Nursery Handicap. Sue Smith takes the second at Hexham.
13/09/2015 Carry on as you finished off .... Irish Champions Weekend moved to the Curragh today but the first race still went to Yorkshire with Richard Fahey's George Bowen landing the £69,767 EBF 'Bold Lad' Sprint Handicap, with stablemate Jan Van Hoof finishing fourth, but promoted to third. Two races later David Griffiths' Take Cover ran creditably to be third in the Flying Five Stakes G2 , the same position occupied by Richard Fahey's Birchwood in the National Stakes G1. It was Arc Trials Day at Longchamp and David O'Meara's Move In Time (bred at the Yapham Mill Stud) took the opening Prix du Petit Couvert G3 ...... back-to-back Abbaye's anyone ?!? Later on the card Mark Johnston's Oriental Fox ran his usual dogged race to be third in the Prix Gladiateur G3. David O'Meara's stellar season, and indeed weekend, continued when Mondialiste took the Woodbine Mile G1 this evening under Fergal Lynch, the trainers third Group One win of the season with his first ever runner in North America.
12/09/2015 Hereafter known as Stewards Enquiry Day. No winners at Doncaster today, and not really much joy in terms of big race placings either with Paul Midgley's Another Wise Kid running third in the £37,350 Portland Handicap representing our best run at Donnie. There were at least Yorkshire winners at Chester courtesy of a Richard Fahey double and a winner for Tom Tate. Yorkshire's two best horses, Kevin Ryan's The Grey Gatsby and David O'Meara's Amazing Maria, both ran at Leopardstown and both were soundly beaten, although Amazing Maria at least had the excuse of a terrible position at the crucial phase of the race. All looked lost for a good Saturday until the penultimate race at Leopardstown, the Boomerang Stakes G2, which yielded some compensation in the form of a Yorkshire 1-2 with David O'Meara's Custom Cut landing the spoils from Brian Ellison's Top Notch Tonto ; the later has now passed the £400,000 earnings mark and Custom Cut, counting only his earnings since his move to God's Own Country, is also close to that milestone. Incredibly Yorkshire then repeated the trick in the closing race, the £69,767 EBF 'Sovereign Path' Handicap, with Kevin Ryan's Kelinni winning from Richard Fahey's Withernsea. Evening racing at Musselburgh was almost as productive with a double for Mark Johnston, including Adele in the feature £18,675 Caledonia Cup Handicap, as well as wins for Brian Ellison and Ann Duffield.
11/09/2015 No joy in the major races on Day Two at Doncaster, but Mick Easterby's Hoof It (bred at the Yapham Mill Stud ) landed the £12,938 Coopers Marquees Handicap and Kevin Ryan's Mohab was a promising third in the Flying Scotsman Stakes L. Chester saw Kevin Ryan, Mark Johnston and Richard Fahey land the opening three races.
10/09/2015 Better offerings on Day Two at Doncaster and Richard Fahey hits the annual jackpot that is the Weatherby's Hamilton £300,000 2yo Stakes with his Mr Lupton taking home the £215,654 first prize, following his earlier 'sales race' placing this takes his lifetime earnings up towards £275k. Earlier Kevin Ryan's Company Asset was a decent third in the £25,204 'Carrie Red' EBF Fillies' Nursery, only a head out of second and David O'Meara recorded a 1-2 in the last.
09/09/2015 Doncaster needs to throw some money at the St Leger 'Fesitval', or make it a day shorter. Anyway, Day One sees Nigel Tinkler provide the only local winner when taking the penultimate race, otherwise not much to write home about. Mark Johnston has a double at Carlisle where there are also winners for Ann Duffield and David O'Meara. Over the channel Mark Johnston's Sixth Sense is third in the Prix des Chenes G3 at Longchamp.
05/09/2015 No joy in Haydock's Betfred Sprint Cup G1 today with last years winner David O'Meara's G Force best placed of the Yorkshire runners in fourth. There was however yet another Yorkshire group winner in the opener with Brian Ellison's always reliable Balty Boys taking the Superior Mile G3 from David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt in second. Karl Burke's Pearl Castle was second in the £38,814 Old Borough Cup Handicap (which also featured the somewhat odd occurence of Joseph O'Brien riding the Maktoum owned Blue Wave for Mark Johnston .... which may lend further fire to the assorted 'Ballydoyle' conspiracies doing the rounds!) and Mark Johnston's Champagne City filled the same position in the Ascendant Stakes L before Richard Fahey's Pin Up, who needed seven starts to loose her maiden, took the closing £28,012 Betfred 'Be Part Of The Action' Handicap ; literally 'for' Fahey as he is both owner and trainer! Karl Burke managed to go one place better with Georgian Bay at Kempton when he landed the £38,814 Totepool London Mile Series Handicap Final whilst Mark Johnston's Adventurous was third in the Sirenia Stakes G3. At Ascot meanwhile Richard Fahey's Right Touch landed the £18,675 Bibendum Wine Ltd Hcap and the Mark Johnston pair of Polarisation and Yorkidding were third and fourth respectively in the £62,250 Appletiser Heritage Handicap. The local winners at Thirsk were provided courtesy of Messrs Johnston, Fahey, (Tim) Easterby and O'Meara. Philip Kirby took the opener at Stratford. Richard Fahey and Mark Johnston took a winner apiece on Wolverhampton's evening card.
02/09/2015 The Group winners are coming in thick and fast now, today the Mark Johnston (who had four winners yesterday, three of them juvenilles) trained Dessertoflife took the Baden-Badener Zukunftsrennen G3 at Baden-Baden (where else?!). Already twice listed placed this pattern victory will further boost the value of this daughter of Mastercraftsman. That's 12 individual (flat) group winners this year to date with David O'Meara providing four (of six group races), Mark Johnston two, Karl Burke one (of two group races) and Tim Easterby, Kevin Ryan, Richard Fahey, David Barron and Peter Niven one apiece. Mike Sowersby won the opener at Southwell.
31/08/2015 Bank Holiday racing was centred on Ripon today and the main race didn't disappoint with local winners taking the first fives places in the Ripon Champion Two Year Old Trophy L headed by Mark Johnston's Whitman a head in front of James Bethell's Chiringuita with Tim Easterby's Still On Top in third. Ruth Carr's Dubai Dynamo won the £12,602 Ripon Rowels Handicap whilst there were also winners for Ann Duffield, Kevin Ryan and Marjorie Fife. There was probably a larger crowd than normal hanging on for the last race in which Victoria Pendleton was second in her first ride under rules. Mick Easterby and Richard Fahey provided the Yorkshire winners at Newcastle with the later also scoring at Epsom and Micky Hammond and Philip Kirby (has he moved yet!?) struck at Cartmel.
30/08/2015 David O'Meara's So Beloved made the jump to pattern class this afternoon at Goodwood when landing the Supreme Stakes G3 by a hard fought head. Up North the locals won all bar the opener at Beverley thanks to a Mark Johnston double as well as winners for Kevin Ryan, David Nicholls, Ann Duffield, David O'Meara and John Quinn.
29/08/2015 Richard Fahey led the way at Goodwood this afternoon with two winners including Rene Mathis in the £62,250 888sport Handicap, his game Gabrial was also second in the Celebration Mile G2. In the opening Prestige Stakes G3 Mark Johnston's Fireglow was touched off in the last half a stride to be denied the win by a (very short) nose whilst stablemate Vive Ma Fille picked up black-type when third in the March Stakes L, which was won by the Garrowby bred The Twisler. Fahey also had a winner at Newmarket where Karl Burke's Intense Tango was second in the £28,012 Fly Easyjet From London Southend Airport Handicap, with Alan Swinbank's Kinema third. On home soil at Beverley there were winners for Bryan Smart, Ruth Carr, Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey and David Griffiths whilst Paul Midgley's Line Of Reason was second in the Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes L. Jo Foster and Julia Brooke both had winners at Cartmel whilst Mick Easterby took the opener on Redcar's evening card where there were also winners for Ruth Carr, David O'Meara and Alan Brown.
27/08/2015 Kevin Ryan's Calypso Beat (bred at Providence Stud) picked up more black type this evening when third in the Fairy Bridge Stakes G3 at Tipperary. Earlier Richard Fahey (a double), Ann Duffield and Kevin Ryan produced winners at Musselburgh whilst Tony Coyle took the closing bumper at Southwell and Brian Ellison the first at Sedgefield's evening meet.
23/08/2015 An excellent day trip to Deauville for Middleham trainers, and especially for Karl Burke whose Odeliz, who only recently at the age of five finally secured her first group win in Germany, produces an odds-defying performance to land the Prix Jean Romanet G1 running on well to prevail by a neck. The EP Taylor G1 in Canada beckons next. This is Yorkshire's third Group One win of the year, and they've all gone to fillies ! The next race was the Prix Kergorlay in which Mark Johnston's Oriental Fox, also largely unfancied, was a game second, the soft going probably aiding his cause over this shorter distance.
22/08/2015 That's more like it ! The final day of the Ebor Meeting, and the locals chalk up three winners, twice as many as they accrued in the preceding three days! Proceedings got off to the best possible start with (still not at Ballydoyle) David O'Meara's Mondialiste landing the opening Strensall Stakes G3 followed by Mark Johnston's Polarisation taking the £52,912 Melrose Handicap. There was no Buratino in the Gimrack Stakes G2, but it still went fairly well for the locals with Richard Fahey's Ribchester, still a maiden, picking up £47,300 for second place. Tim Easterby's Off Art was third in the penultimate race, the £31,125 Jack Berry House Handicap before Nigel Tinkler had his biggest win in many seasons when landing the closing £31,125 Betfred Apprentice Handicap with Thesme. There was also a good showing for the Yorkshire runners at Chester with Richard Fahey landing the opening £12,291 Betdaq Serious About Horses Handicap whilst later on stablemate's Gabrial's King and Gabrial's Star were first and second respectively in the Chester Stakes Handicap L with Mark Johnston's Blue Wave back in third, Kristin Stubbs landed the penultimate race on the card. Rebecca Menzies had a winner up at Perth. Overseas Karl Burke's Katie's Diamond was a decent third in the Prix du Calvados G3 at Deauville.
21/08/2015 Day Three of the Ebor Meeting, and we've moved up to one and a half winners ! Our half win came in the opening Sky Best First Race Special Handicap in which Alan Swinbank's Libran picked up £24,267 for his efforts when dead-heating. Our best result of the day however came from Tim Easterby's Mattmu who was third in the Nunthorpe Stakes G1. Mattmu is still entire, but an imminent stallion career seems unlikely so this son of Indesatchel could be knocking up the good results for Team Great Habton for many seasons to come ......... here's hoping ! Peter Niven's Clever Cookie could only manage fourth, albeit only beaten a short head out of third, in the Lonsdale Cup G2 whilst Kevin Ryan's Salateen was third in the City Of York Stakes L, which is surely pushing for group status in years to come with £52,710 on offer to the winner (mind you there was also a £30k maiden on the card!), Richard Fahey's admirably consistent Heaven's Guest was only a neck back in fourth. At Bangor there was a winner for Ben Haslam whilst Richard Fahey registered a double and Karl Burke a single at Sandown.
20/08/2015 Day Two, fillies day, and great hopes for Mark Johnston's highly-regarded Lumiere, but she could only manage second in the Lowther Stakes G2, in which David Barron's Lady Clair was fourth. The opening £147,540 DBS Premier Yearling Stakes saw a Yorkshire 2-3-4 with Kevin Ryan's Ferryover picking up £59,040 for second ahead of Tim Easterby's Still On Top (£29,520) and Mark Johnston's Delizia (£14,730). Yet more placings in the £52,912 Clipper Logistics Handicap with Geoffrey Oldroyd's Alfred Hutchinson (homebred by Reg Bond at his Yapham Mill Stud ) second and Kevin Ryan's Kelinni third. With Richard Fahey's Dusky Queen a neck second in the closing £31,125 Eventmasters EBF Fillies' Handicap it was a day with a lot of placings, but no local winners. Elsewhere Philip Kirby had a winner at Chepstow whilst evening racing at Hamilton saw winners for John Quinn, John Wainwright, Lawrence Mullaney, Kevin Ryan and David Nicholls
19/08/2015 Day One of the Ebor meeting at York. Before it was officially recognised as the best race in t'world the Juddmonte Stakes G1 was known for shock results, and it reverted back today when 50-1 outsider Arabian Queen landed the spoils from Derby winner Golden Horn, with Kevin Ryan's The Grey Gatsby a respectable, if slightly disappointing, third. In the opening £37,350 Symphony Group Handicap a local horse didn't win, but they did fill the next 4 places, led by David O'Meara's Highland Acclaim. David Barron's Bing Bang Bong ran a trifle green but still managed an excellent second place in the Acomb Stakes G3, something to dream about over the winter in Maunby!!. The penultimate £31,125 Fine Equinity Handicap saw David O'Meara's Saved By The Bell finish second, but we had to wait till the final race for a local winner with Richard Fahey's Mayfair Lady landing the £31,125 Betway Nursery Handicap, in which Mark Johnston's Whitman was third. Elsewhere Ann Duffield had a winner at Ffos Las whilst Tyke winners came from Alan Brown, Richard Fahey, Nigel Tinkler, Tim Easterby, Kevin Ryan and Alan Swinbank and Alan Swinbank at Carlisle.
16/08/2015 Kevin Ryan's Online Alexander (strange name for a filly!) put up a brave performance today when just denied by a neck in the EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies' Stakes L at Pontefract, where there were local wins by Richard Fahey, Alan Swinbank, David Barron and Mick Easterby.
15/08/2015 Great St Wilfrid Handicap day at Ripon sees a local 1-2-3 in the £43,575 race with Richard Fahey's Don't Touch, still unbeaten in four runs, coming home a neck in front of David Nicholls' Kimberella with Fahey's Tatlisu back in third. Tim Easterby won the first and last and Richard Guest, Ann Duffield and David O'Meara also had winners. At Newbury Mark Johnston's Dessertforlife ran well to be second in the Washington Singer Stakes L whilst at Newmarket there was a double for Richard Fahey and a winner for Mark Johnston. Richard Fahey also had a double at Doncaster to make it five on the day and Kristin Stubbs also had a winner. Evening racing at Market Rasen yielded a double for Brian Ellison and a winner for Philip Kirby. The meeting of the year, and the world's top rated race next week !
09/05/2015 No Group One winners today, but things didn't go too badly in the two big races with Mark Johnston's Buratino third in the Phoenix Stakes G1 at the Curragh and David O'Meara's Watchable fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest G1 at Deauville. There was compensation at the Curragh however when Tim Easterby's Mattmu, who has run well so far this term without actually winning, battled home to land the Phoenix Sprint Stakes G3 by a short head, taking his career earnings over the £300,000 mark. On the home front Nigel Tinkler had a winner at Leicester.
08/08/2015 Shergar Cup Day at Ascot and Yorkshire drew an uncharacteristic blank, at least from a training perspective, although Malton based Samantha 'Sammy Jo' Bell, a late substitute, won two to take the Silver Saddle. The best placed of the Yorkshire runners was David O'Meara's Earth Drummer, second in the Shergar Cup Mile. A blank also at Newmarket although Mark Johnston's Fireglow was a game second in the Sweet Solera Stakes G3. Haydock also saw no Yorkshire winners, but again there were some strong placings for Johnston with Fire Fighting third in the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes G3 and Sennockian Star occupying the same position in the £28,012 Betfred Goals Galore Handicap. At least there were local winners at Redcar thanks to a Richard Fahey double and winners for David Nicholls and Tim Easterby. Evening racing at Ayr yielded a double for Karl Burke and a winner for Phil Kirby.
07/08/2015 We have entered the quiet period betwixt Goodwood and York (the Shergar Cup is really no consolation, although if Mark Johnston wins the Phoenix Stakes or, less likely, David O'Meara the Prix Maurice de Gheest on Sunday I might retract that statement !). Still, horses don't know these things and Paul Midgley's Monsieur Joe put up yet another excellent performance in the late afternoon at Tipperary to take home the Abergwaun Stakes L. For once Musselburgh passed with just two Yorkshire winners, courtesy of Mick Easterby and Sean Regan. Evening racing at Newmarket saw Mark Johnston take the opener and Richard Fahey the last whilst Tim Easterby and David O'Meara both struck at Haydock.
02/08/2015 No group winners at Goodwood but David O'Meara's Amazing Maria (homebred by Sir Robert Ogden at Sicklinghall Stud ) made up for it today by landing her second Group One on the trot when striking at Deauville in the Prix Rothschild G1, with Karl Burke's Odeliz a creditable fourth, only beaten a neck out of third. Presumably the Matron Stakes will be next on the agenda, unless connections decide to take on the colts. The previous race was the Prix de Cabourg G3 in which Kevin Ryan's Mont Kiara, still a maiden, was a decent third. Yorkshire also had it's first victory at this year's Galway festival with Brian Ellison's Baraweez - the hot favourite, winner of the race later year and second earlier in the meeting - taking the £46,511 EBF 'Ahonoora' Premier Handicap. At Chester Richard Fahey landed the main race on the card when his Eastern Impact won the Queensferry Stakes L, with Brian Ellison's Canny Kool in second, the other Yorkshire winners were supplied by Bryan Smart and Declan Carroll. John Quinn had a double at Market Rasen.
01/08/2015 A mixed final day to Glorious Goodwood. In the opening £46,688 Stewards' Sprint Handicap (aka the 'Consolation Race') David Nicholls' Barnet Fair rolled back the years to finish a decent second. There then followed a bit of a lull until Karl Burke's Rivellino was a decent third in the £155,625 Stewards' Cup itself. Mark Johnston landed his third winner of the meeting in the penultimate race when Enlace took the £18,675 Qatar Handicap from stablemate Mambo Paradise. So some valuable handicap wins at Goodwood this year, and some nice group placings, led by Richard Fahey's Gabrial and David Griffiths' Take Cover, but no 'black type' wins. At Newmarket Richard Fahey's well-handicapped Holy Grail held on to land the £24,900 EBF Fillies' Nursery whilst stablemate Farlow was placed later on the card , Kevin Ryan's Mount Tahan provided the other Yorkshire winner at the July course. Locally Sally Hall, these days with only a couple of horses at Brecongill, had her biggest win for many years when Altharoos took the £19,407 Totepool Thirsk Summer Cup Handicap, leading home a local 1-2-3-4. Other local winners at Thirsk were provided by Kevin Ryan (a double), Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey and Declan Carroll. Only a small number of Tyke runners at Donnie, where Bryan Smart provided the only local winner. Evening racing at Hamilton saw a winner for Kirsten Stubbs and also for Kevin Ryan ; making an across-the-card four-timer for the Hambleton trainer.
31/07/2015 Probably our best day of Glorious Goodwood so far. Mark Johnston's Watersmeet was fourth in the opening Glorious Stakes G3 but David O'Meara's So Beloved put up the performance of the day to land the £93,375 Betfred Mile Heritage Handicap. Next up was the King George Stakes G2 in which David Griffiths' Take Cover, beaten only a head, led home a Yorkshire 2-3-4 with the lesser placings occupied respectively by David O'Meara's Move In Time (bred at the Yapham Mill Stud) and Paul Midgley's Line Of Reason. The next was the £12,938 Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Nursery Handicap which was won by Belvoir Bay, trained 'darn Sarf' but bred in God's Own County be Lennie Peacock at Manor House Stud, Mark Johnston trained the runner-up, as he did on the last race on the card. George Moore and John Quinn had a winner apiece at Bangor whilst the locals won all bar the last at Thirsk thanks to Richard Fahey, David Barron, Richard Guest, David O'Meara, Brian Ellison and Tim Easterby. Evening racing saw Mick Easterby and Richard Fahey take the opening two races at Musselburgh, there was also a winner later on for David O'Meara.
30/07/2015 A long wait for any joy on Day Three of Glorious Goodwood, but it finally came in the last when Mark Johnston got his, and Yorkshire's, second winner of the meeting thanks to Indescribable in the £12,450 Tatler Handicap (with stablemate Showstoppa a head and a neck back in third), Johnston had also had the runners up in the prior two races whilst earlier still his Adventurous had finished fourth in the Richmond Stakes G2. Elsewhere Richard Fahey won the opener at Nottingham before collecting a winner at Epsom's evening meet.
29/07/2015 No winners on Day Two of Goodwood but an excellent result nonetheless when Richard Fahey's 50-1 shot Gabrial, this year's Lincoln winner, came through to grab third place in the Sussex Stakes G1, netting a cool £106,800 for connections in the process. In the Molecomb Stakes G3 Mark Johnston's Muhadathat was fourth (only a head off third) and Fahey's Lathom fifth. Closer to home there were local winners at Redcar for David Barron, Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey, Lawrence Mullaney, Tim Easterby, Paul Midgley and David O'Meara ; indeed only one race on the card didn't result in a 'home' winner. Evening racing yielded a Leicester winner for Mark Johnston.
28/07/2015 The opening day of 'Glorious' Goodwood and things start OK in the opening £31,125 Sky Bet First Race Special Handicap with Mark Johnston's Fire Fighting finishing a creditable third under top-weight. Next up is the Vintage Stakes G2, but the best the three Yorkshire runners can manage in this is fifth for Richard Fahey's fancied, and impeded, Birchwood. Later on however in a cracking finish Mark Johnston draws first blood when his Blue Wave just hangs on by a neck, neck, nose and short head to take the main handicap of the day, the £62,250 Summer Handicap. Meanwhile at Beverley the local's took all the races thanks to winners for Ruth Carr, Ann Duffield, Nigel Tinkler, Lawrence Mullaney, Tim Fitzgerald, Julie Camacho and David O'Meara, whilst Richard Fahey took the penultimate race at Wolverhampton.
26/07/2015 Only two UK Flat meetings today, but Yorkshire trainers won all bar two races! The domestic highlight came at Pontefract where David O'Meara's Mondialiste won the Pomfret Stakes L, with stablemate Birdman back in third. Other local winners at Ponty were provided by Richard Fahey (a double), Micky Hammond and John Wainwright (his first winner of the year). At Carlisle every race fell to a Yorkshire trained horse courtesy of the combined efforts of Ann Duffield (the opening two races), Richard Fahey (another double, one of them Pamushana, a nice Teofilo filly owned by East Layton Stud), Brian Ellison, Jedd O'Keeffee and Kevin Ryan. The later also provided the best result of the day when his Areen was third in the Prix Robert Papin G2 at Maisons-Laffitte.
25/07/2015 Another busy Saturday, with attention centred on Ascot where Mark Johnston's Sixth Sense took the opening Winkfield Stakes L. Later on the card was the £93,375 Gigaset International Heritage Handicap which fell to Richard Fahey's Heaven's Guest who put up a brave performance to just hold on from Brian Ellison's Balty Boys a head back in second ; basically the same outcome as the Michael Foster Conditions Stakes at Thirsk back in April !. No joy for Peter Niven's Clever Cookie in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes G1 although his fifth placed finish still earned connections £32,683. Yorkshire's own Serena Brotherton took the Longines Lady Amateur Riders' Handicap. At York meanwhile Kevin Ryan's Salateen took the second race on the card, the £15,562 Win £5,000 With Sportinglife.com Pick 6 Handicap and Brian Ellison's Top Notch Tonto was just denied in the final strides of the Sky Bet York Stakes G2. John Quinn, David O'Meara and Kevin Ryan closed out proceedings on the Knavesmire by taking the last three races on the card. Newmarket saw the Yorkshire runners annexe the main race on the card, the £31,125 Adnams Broadside Handicap with Kevin Ryan's Teruntum Star coming home in front of Richard Fahey's Bond's Girl and David Barron's Handsome Dude whilst Richard Fahey took the penultimate race. A lower level of racing at Newcastle saw winners for Kevin Ryan, Bryan Smart and Noel Wilson to make it an across the card four timer for Kevin Ryan, although any joy at Hambleton may have been tempered by the news that Golden Horn, having skipped the King George due to the going, will now head to York for the Juddmonte, also the stated destination of The Grey Gatsby.
24/07/2015 The Mark Johnston band wagon continues when his Midlander takes the £28,012 SIS Live Handicap at Ascot today (with Kevin Ryan's Distant Past in second and Johnston's Mukhmal in third), where Brian Ellison also took the £18,675 Brown Jack Handicap with Seamour and Johnston's Master of Finance was second in the £18,675 John Guest Handicap. Johnston also had winner at Thirsk, but then so did Ruth Carr, John Quinn, Kevin Ryan, Ann Duffield and Tim Easterby. Evening racing saw two Mark Johnston winners at Newmarket (but not before David Barron had also chalked one up), one at Chepstow and one at York where the also in-form Brian Ellison scored as well as did David O'Meara and Nigel Tinkler. I make that six Mark Johnston winners today, and twelve in the last three days ; more than most trainers manage in a whole season ! Yours truly was in Berkshire today (although unfortunately not at Ascot!) and the deluge won't do Clever Cookie's chances in the big one tomorrow any harm at all.
23/07/2015 Who needs a calendar? Mark Johnston followed up his three winners yesterday with a listed race 1-2 today, so you know Goodwood must be just around the corner. The 1-2 came in the EBF Star Stakes L at Sandown with Fireglow finishing in front of stablemate Dessertoflife. Evening racing saw two more winners for Johnston, one at Newbury and one at Doncaster where Les Eyre and Brian Ellison were also victorious.
19/07/2015 Day Two of the Yorkshire Summer Racing Festival, allegedly, but it's a fairly meagre offering at Redcar where there is at least the consolation of a double for Brian Ellison and winners for Bryan Smart and David O'Meara. Over at the Curragh David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt is third in the Minstrel Stakes G3.
18/07/2015 Yorkshire trainers supplied over half the runners in the £122,925 Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury this afternoon so it was very pleasant, if not a surprise, that they provided four of the first five home with a one-two for Richard Fahey thanks to Lathom and Mr Lupton (who collected £55,275 for second) with maiden stablemate David's Duchess in fourth and Tim Easterby's Excessable in fifth. Earlier Mark Johnston's Fire Fighting was third in the Steventon Stakes L whilst his Mister Universe was second in the feature handicap on the card and David O'Meara's Watchable was fourth in the Hackwood Stakes G3. Chester saw a Mark Johnston/Franny Norton treble, headed by Welford in the £22,6412 EBF Conditions Stakes, whilst their Mambo Paradise was second in the £31,125 ITC Luxury Travel Apprentice Handicap, ahead of Richard Fahey's Character Onesie in third. No joy at Newmarket although Johnston's Ifwecan was second in the opening £28,012 Betway Handicap. On home soil at Ripon Alan Swinbank's Kinema was second in the £16,172 Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap and there were winners for Ollie Pears, Ruth Carr, Declan Carroll, Mark Johnston and Nigel Tinkler. Malcolm Jefferson provided the sole National Hunt winner, taking the last at Cartmel, although Brian Ellison's Manhattan Swing was a decent third in the Betfred TV Summer Hurdle Handicap L at Market Rasen. Irish Oaks day over at the Curragh where Mark Johnston's Rogue's Gallery was fourth in the Anglesey Stakes G3.
17/07/2015 The calm before the weekend chaos. At Newbury Mark Johnston's Plagiarism is beaten only two necks when third in the Rose Bowl Stakes L. Johnston has a winner at Nottingham whilst Karl Burke, Bryan Smart and Tim Easterby all score at Haydock. Evening racing sees Richard Fahey's Tatlisu and Jedd O'Keeffe's Shared Equity finish second and third respectively in the Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap at Hamilton where Mick Hammond also had a winner, with Hammond also taking the opener at Pontefract where the oher local winners were provided by Paul Midgley, Karl Burke and Mick Easterby.
11/07/2015 The third and final day of the July Festival sees Richard Fahey to the fore with an excellent run comprising Birchwood bouncing back to form when winning the Superlative Stakes G2, Rene Mathis landing the £74,700 Bunbury Cup (with Tim Easterby's One Word More in second and Fahey's Heaven's Guest in third) and then 50-1 outsider Eastern Impact running an excellent third in the July Cup G1. In the meantime at Chester Fahey's Dusky Queen took the City Plate L, with stablemate Gabrial in third, Fahey also won the last at Chester. What a sequence for Team Musley Bank ! Other Yorkshire wins at Chester came from Bryan Smart and Declan Carroll. It was also a big day at York which started well with David O'Meara's Birdman landing the opening £15,562 John Smith's Racing Handicap and John Quinn's Great Hall running third in the next, the John Smith's Silver Cup Handicap L. The third race on the card was the City Walls Stakes L which saw the finish of the day with David O'Meara's Out Do coming home a neck in front of Paul Midgley's Monsieur Joe in second. Next up on the Knavesmire was the John Smith's Cup which saw Kevin Ryan's Kelinni, a neck second, take home £27,960. Less joy at Ascot although Paul Midgley's Desert Law was third in the £62,250 Totescoop6 Heritage Handicap, with David Barron's Robot Boy in fourth. Evening racing at Hamilton saw a double for Philip Kirby (still in Middleham ....) and a winner for Richard Guest .
10/07/2015 Day Two of the July Festival at Newmarket, and a real red letter day. There's only the one Yorkshire winner but by landing the Falmouth Stakes G1 by a length David O'Meara's Amazing Maria has scored a rare double ; a Group One winner trained AND bred (by Sir Robert Ogden at Sicklinghall Stud ) in Yorkshire (although O'Meara also managed this last season with Move In Time - bred at the Yapham Mill Stud ). Formerly with Ed Dunlop in Newmarket she has been a revelation since switching to O'Meara and now presumably races like the Matron Stakes and Sun Chariot will be on the radar. Next best of the Yorkshire runners was Mark Johnston's Rah Rah, fourth in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes G2. York saw winners for Richard Guest, David Nicholls and Tim Easterby whilst evening racing at Chester saw wins for Mark Johnston (a double), Mick Easterby and Kevin Ryan and Rebecca Bastiman struck at Chepstow.
09/07/2015 Newmarket July Festival, Day One and a good start for the Yorkshire challenge when Mark Johnston's Resonant stays on well to land the £43,575 Unibet Handicap, two races later and Johnston's Lumiere is an impressive six length winner of a fillies' maiden whilst Richard Fahey takes the last with Jan Van Hoof. Earlier Carlisle had seen winners for Richard Fahey, Karl Burke and Alan Swinbank whilst Chris Fairhurst, Mark Johnston, Nigel Tinkler and Mick Easterby all had winners at Doncaster.
04/07/2015 Yet another second for The Grey Gatsby when Kevin Ryan's charge filled the runner-up spot in the Eclipse Stakes G1 behind Derby winner Golden Horn. Presumably York beckons where hopefully he can go one better. Also at Sandown Richard Fahey's Angel Gabrial ran for two miles in sweltering heat, only to be denied by a head in the Esher Stakes L ! At Haydock an in-form Mark Johnston landed the 1-2 in the £62,250 Old Newton Cup with Notarised coming home in front of stablemate Watersmeet, Kevin Ryan provided the only other Yorkshire winner over the Pennines. As well as landing a winner at Leicester (Assault On Rome in the £12,602 Sandicliffe Motor Group Handicap) Mark Johnston also took the opener at Beverley where the other local winners were provided by Richard Whitaker (Avon Breeze, bred at Whitaker's Hellwood Stud ), Richard Fahey, Les Eyre and Kevin Ryan. Evening racing saw Mark Johnston gather another winner at Nottingham, where Tim Easterby also scored, the later doubling up at Carlisle where David Nicholls and Declan Carroll also had wins.
03/07/2015 It's Mark Johnston benefit day at Sandown as he lands the first three races, most notably with Riflescope taking the Dragon Stakes L. David O'Meara and Mick Easterby each chalk up winners at Doncaster whilst evening racing at Beverley yields wins for Richard Guest (a double), Karen Tutty, Mark Johnston and David O'Meara,
27/06/2015 Northumberland Plate day up at Newcastle, but with Clever Cookie out Richard Fahey's Angel Gabrial was best placed of the Yorkshire runners in fourth. Earlier Tim Easterby's Mattmu was a decent second in the Chipchase Stakes G3 whilst Mark Johnston took the opener and Brian Ellison the last. At Newmarket there was a Yorkshire 1-2 in the Empress Stakes L with Karl Burke's Katie's Diamond triumphing by a neck from Kevin Ryan's maiden White Bullet. Richard Fahey's Gabrial was third in the Midsummer Stakes L at Windsor whilst there were winners for Mark Johnston (Enlace in the feature £12,602 Stella Artois Handicap) and Ruth Carr at Chester. Irish Derby day over at the Curragh where David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt took the Celebration Stakes L and Paul Midgley's Line Of Reason put up another good run to be third in the Dubai Duty Free Dash L. Over in Hamburg Karl Burke's Odeliz finally landed a much deserved group race when taking the Franz-Gunther von Gaertner Gedachtnisrennen G3 by a neck, taking her lifetime earnings over the £200,000 mark. So two black type victories by a neck for Spigot Lodge today. No local winners at Donnie's evening meeting.
24/06/2015 If we're betwixt Royal Ascot and Northumberland Plate Day then it must be Carlisle and their biggest meeting of the year. Mark Johnston landed a double (including Ifwecan is the £18,675 Carlisle Bell) whilst Alan Swinbank took the £18,675 Cumberland Plate with Kinema and there was also a winner for Karl Burke whilst Kevin Ryan's Calypso Beat (bred at Providence Stud) was second in the EBF Eternal Stakes L. Mark Johnston also won the opener at Salisbury where his Polarisation was only beaten a short head in the Bibury Cup.
21/06/2015 Micky Hammond's Only Orsenfoolsies gained black type today when third in the Pontefract Castle Stakes L, the local winners at Ponty came courtesy of James Bethell and Richard Fahey.
20/06/2015 Having won the second race on the opening day of Royal Ascot Mark Johnston topped and tailed nicely when Oriental Fox, on his seasonal debut, took the last race of the meeting when landing the marathon that is the £37,350 Queen Alexandra Stakes by seven lengths. Earlier the opener had seen Johnston's Sixth Sense finish third in the Chesham Stakes L whilst in the second race the Kingsley House team were narrowly beaten into second and third, the places occupied by Sennockian Star and Fire Fighting in the Wolferton Handicap L. However the Yorkshire performance of the day came in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes G1 in which Kevin Ryan's Astaire was best placed of the Europeans when finishing third. At Ayr there were doubles for Ruth Carr (with Lexington Place making it three in a row) and David O'Meara (with Two For Two taking the £15,562 Sunsport Handicap) as well as winners for Karl Burke and Richard Fahey (Intiwin in the £15,562 Scottish Sun On Sunday Handicap), indeed the Yorkshire trainers took all the races on the card .... apart from the feature Land O'Burns Fillies' Stakes L. On home soil at Redcar there were winners for Simon West, Tom Tate and Nigel Tinkler whilst evening racing at Haydock resulted in just one Yorkshire winner for Richard Fahey.
19/06/2015 Another winnerless day at Royal Ascot. Kevin Ryan's Ashadihan put up our best performance to be second in the opening Albany Stakes G3, with Mark Johnston's Fireglow back in fourth. Later in the day Alan Swinbank's Libran was fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap and Mark Johnston's Vive Ma Fille filled the same position in the Queen's Vase L. Micky Hammond and Brian Ellison scored at Market Rasen whilst the local winners at Redcar were produced by Ruth Carr (a double), David O'Meara and Richard Fahey. Evening racing at Goodwood yielded a double for Mark Johnston.
18/06/2015 It had to end eventually ; no winners at Royal Ascot today, albeit 'we' didn't really have any highly fancied runners. The best performance of the day came from Richard Guest's Udododontu, second in the £74,700 Britannia Handicap, whilst the Mark Johnston runners ran respectably to be fourth and fifth in the Norfolk Stakes G2 (and King Of Rooks was only third !). Ripon yielded winners for Richard Fahey, David Nicholls, Sean Regan, Marjorie Fife and Tim Easterby whilst evening racing at Leicester and Lingfield saw winners for David O'Meara, Tim Easterby and Mark Johnston. There was some 'black type' action this evening however with David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt third in the Ballycorus Stakes G3 at Leopardstown.
17/06/2015 The second day of Royal Ascot. Ostensibly a better day than yesterday, but as it involved Kevin Ryan's The Grey Gatsby being narrowly beaten in a photo for the Prince of Wales's Stakes G1 it perhaps didn't feel like it ! On the plus side The Grey Gatsby has today surpassed Collier Hill to become the winningmost Yorkshire trained horse ever! See chart below. Today's winner was a Yorkshire double as not only was the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes G2 winner Amazing Maria trained by David O'Meara but also bred by Sir Robert Ogden at Sicklinghall Stud . Next best was Brian Ellison's Balty Boys, fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup. Hamilton saw a Richard Fahey double as well as winners for Kevin Ryan and David O'Meara whilst visitors to Ripon's evening meeting saw local winners from Noel Wilson, Richard Whitaker, Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey and Rebecca Menzies.
Horse Trainer Amount Best Performances
The Grey Gatsby Kevin Ryan £2,396,060 Prix du Jockey Club G1, Irish Champion Stakes G1, Dante Stakes G2, 2nd.Juddmonte International Stakes G1, Dubai Turf G1, Prince Of Wales's Stakes G1, Champagne Stakes G2, Craven Stakes G3, Acomb Stakes G3
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 £1,001,241 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.
Jukebox Jury Mark Johnston £857,187 Preis von Europa G1, Irish St Leger G1, Jockey Club Stakes G2, Grand Prix de Deauville G2, Royal Lodge Stakes G2, Prix Kergorlay G2, Rose of Lancaster Stakes G3, 2nd.Canadian International Stakes G1, Racing Post Trophy G1, 3rd.Prix la Rochette G3
Borderlescott Robin & Rebecca Bastiman £798,863 Nunthorpe Stakes G1(x2), King George Stakes G2, City Wall Stakes L, Mercury Stakes L, Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes L, Steward's Cup Handicap, 2nd.Temple Stakes G2(x2), Palace House Stakes G3, Bentinck Stakes G3, Ayr Gold Cup, 3rd.Prix de l'Abbaye G1, King's Stand Stakes G1, Temple Stakes G2, Palace House Stakes G3 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
Auroras Encore Sue Smith £725,737 John Smith's Grand National Gd3, totepool Handicap Chase L, John Smith's Handicap Hurdle L, Betfair For Better Odds Levy Board Handicap Chase, Dawn Group Novices' Handicap Chase, 2nd.Scottish Grand National Gd3
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.
16/06/2015 Royal Ascot 2015, Day One and Yorkshire is on the board by the second race when Mark Johnston's Buratino, recently transferred to Godolphin, was an impressive two length winner of the Coventry Stakes G2, how good must King Of Rooks, entered in the Norfolk on Thursday, be !?! Johnston also supplied the fourth and fifth in the same race whilst the best placed of 'our' runners in the other races were David Barron's Pearl Secret who finished fourth in the King's Stand Stakes G1 and Kevin Ryan's Areen, second by a head in the closing Windsor Castle Stakes L. Clever Cookie is out of the Gold Cup, due to going concerns. At Thirsk local winners were recorded by Kevin Ryan, Richard Guest, Richard Fahey and David O'Meara whilst Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey, Richard Whitaker and David Griffiths all scored at Beverley's evening meeting.
14/06/2015 Paul Midley's Line Of Reason kept on strongly this afternoon to land the Midsummer Sprint Stakes L at Cork, with stablemate Monsieur Joe back in fourth. At Doncaster there were local winners for Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey and Jedd O'Keeffe.
13/06/2015 The last Saturday before Royal Ascot, and meetings all over the place. It's Charity Day at York where Brian Ellison's Top Notch Tonto strides to victory in the Ganton Stakes L with Richard Fahey's Gabrial back in second. Ellison had also won the opener whilst in the £62,250 888sport Charity Sprint Handicap Richard Fahey's Grandad's World is a decent second. Micky Hammond and David O'Meara provide the other local winners on the Knavesmire. At Chester Mark Johnston's Sennockian Star lands the £32,345 Crabbie's Original Handicap with Fahey again providing a big race runner-up with Spirit Of The Law. Paul Midgley, Tim Easterby and Mick Easterby won the last three at Chester with the later's Kalk Bay prevailing in the £18,903 Lamb's Navy Rum Handicap from Mark Johnston's Mambo Paradise. Up at Musselburgh David Nicholls' Pearl Acclaim took the £19,407 Scottish Sprint Cup Consolation Race, with David Barron's Fast Track and Tim Easterby's Confessional occupying second and third in the main event itself, the £62,250 Scottish Sprint Cup Heritage Handicap. Mark Johnston and Mick Easterby had won the openers in Edinburgh whilst Richard Fahey and Tim Easterby took the last two. Jumps action at Hexham sees a double for the in-form Micky Hammond and Alan Swinbank taking the last. Evening racing at Leicester saw winners for Bryan Smart, Mark Johnston and Jason Ward.
06/06/2015 And so to Derby Day. No runners in either of the big races, but otherwise it went fairly well at Epsom starting in the Woodcote Stakes L where Mark Johnston's Buratino put up a dazzling display to win by an ever increasing six lengths. Two races later was the £61,590 Investec Corporate Banking 'Dash' Heritage Handicap in which Paul Midgley had three runners and managed to land a fantastic 1-2 with Desert Law coming home ahead of Monsieur Joe and registering his first win since August 2012 in the process ! Up a Musselburgh Tony Coyle took the £18,675 EBF Edinburgh Castle Stakes with New Road Side and, in the next, Richard Fahey's Third Time Lucky won the £12,938 Totequadpot Handicap. The next was the feature of the card, the £37,350 Edinburgh Cup in which Team Kinglsey House found one to good with Mark Johnston registering a 2-3-4 courtesy of Viva Ma Fille, Triple Dip and Yorkidding. Next up Richard Fahey's Chiswick Bey landed the £12,938 Totepool Betting On All UK Racing Handicap whilst John Quinn and Kevin Ryan trained the winners of the last two races on the card. Just solitary winners at Doncaster and Hexham courtesy of David Barron and George Moore respectively. Mark Walford, Ruth Carr, Mick Easterby and David O'Meara all had winners at Newcastle's evening meeting.
05/06/2015 Epsom Derby Meeting, Day One, Oaks day, no runner in the big one, and no winners, but some nice placings with Karl Burke's Odeliz third in the opening Princess Elizabeth Stakes G3, Mark Johnston's duo of Fire Fighting and Master Of Finance second and third repsectively in the £31,125 Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap and, the star turn, David O'Meara's Custom Cut second in the Diomed Stakes G3. That was the first three races, there was then a bit of a lull before Mark Johnston's Mister Universe was second in the Surrey Stakes L. There were local winners at Catterick for Clive Mulhall, Ann Duffield, Les Eyre, Tim Easterby, Ruth Carr and David O'Meara.
30/05/2015 A very busy day, pre Epsom. A good start at the Knavesmire with a local 1-2-3-4-5 in the opening £18,675 titanbet.co.uk Handicap with David O'Meara's So Beloved coming out on top. The next was the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup L which fell to Peter Niven's Clever Cookie, with Richard Fahey's Angel Gabriel back in third. The most valuable race on the card was the following £31,125 titanbit.co.uk Spring Sprint Handicap in which Paul Midgley's Monsieur Joe triumped with Neville Bycroft's Willbeme in third. A lull for the next three before Tony Coyle took the last. Joe Fanning was back yesterday with a winner at Catterick and followed up today with a double for Mark Johnston at Newmarket with Watersmeet winning the £28,012 winner.co.uk Handicap (to make it four from his last five) and Mukhmal the £15,562 winner.co.uk Casino Handicap. The success continued at Chester with Richard Fahey's Loving Spirit winning the £29,110 Matthew Clark Handicap, with Julie Camacho's Wilde Inspiration. There were also winners at the Roodeye for Mark Johnston, Brian Ellison and John Quinn (Trendsetter in the £13,585 Hooper's Dandelion & Burdock Handicap). There was no joy in the Group races at Haydock but David O'Meara's Out Do was second in the Achilles Stakes L and there was a double for Richard Fahey.
28/05/2015 Businessman, owner, trainer and breeder Mel Brittain died this morning at the age of 71. He trained a number of good horses at Northgate Lodge including Grey Desire, Peatswood Shooter, Dublin Lad, Grey Kingdom, Golden Garter, Nordic Brave, First Musical and Melodian and was also active at Northgate Lodge Stud standing a number of sires. He was also well known as a trainer of jockeys including Alan Munro and David Allan, Mel's son Anthony Brittain will take over the licence. Former Middleham trainer Kate Walton has accepted an ex-gratia payment from the BHA after corruption charges against her and others were dropped in March. On the track there were winners for Kevin Ryan, Tim Easterby and a resurgent Micky Hammond at Haydock whilst evening racing saw Mark Johnston's Buratino finish second in the National Stakes L at Sandown whilst Christine Drury and Joanne Foster took the last two at Wetherby.
25/05/2015 Fairly standard Bank Holiday fayre with the locals going through the card at Redcar where Mark Johnston's Fire Fighting took the Zetland Gold Cup and the other winners were provided by David O'Meara (a double), Bryan Smart, Alan Swinbank, David Nicholls and Ron Barr. At Carlisle the Yorkshire raiders took all bar one race courtesy of Jason Ward, Julie Camacho, David Nicholls, Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey and Ann Duffield whilst down the road at Cartmel under hunt rules Micky Hammond had a double and neighbour George Moore also scored.
24/05/2015 I cursed The Grey Gatsby and Kevin Ryan's star could only manage fourth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup G1 at the Curragh this afternoon. Still, this was only ever a stepping stone on the way to the Prince of Wales's Stakes G1 at Royal Ascot, so onwards and upwards !
23/05/2015 A very good day for the Yorkshire runners. Pride of place must go to David Barron's Pearl Secret who finally bagged a big one when taking the Temple Stakes G2 at Haydock by a fast diminshing neck. Some of his rivals had an impeded passage but Pearl Secret surely deserves this and Royal Ascot beckons. Earlier on the card Brian Ellison had a 1-2 in the second race and Karl Burke's Explosive Lady was a decent third in the EBF Cecil Frail Fillies' Stakes L whilst David O'Meara took the penultimate contest on the card. Only a couple of runners at Goodwood but the in-form (four winners yesterday) Mark Johnston took the most valuable race on the card when Enlace won the £48,518 888sport Handicap by a nose. On home soil Tim Easterby had a double at Beverley where there were also winners for Tony Coyle and Jedd O'Keeffe. Earlier Tim Easterby had also won at Catterick with Brian Ellison, Richard Guest, Karl Burke and David Barron providing the other winners there. Over at the Curragh Sir Robert Ogden's homebred Amazing Maria, a Group Three winner for Ed Dunlop two seasons ago but now trained by David O'Meara, was a good third in the Lanwades Stud Stakes G2, only a head out of second. Tomorrow, hopefully, is the Grey Gatsby day !
17/05/2015 Quieter still, but good results at Ripon with Ruth Carr's Dubai Dynamo taking the £16,172 Ripon, Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse Handicap and Tim Easterby's Gran Canaria Queen the C.B. Hutchinson Memorial Challenge Cup Fillies' Handicap as well as supporting winners for Kevin Ryan and David Barron. Peter Niven took the last at Market Rasen.
16/05/2015 Despite Group One action at Newbury today was a little quieter post the Dante meeting. Result of the day came in the opener at Newbury with Richard Fahey's Birchwood taking the £32,345 Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes from Mark Johnston's Beaverbrook. It was also a Yorkshire 1-2 in the £28,012 Junction 17 Cars Sprint Trophy at Newmarket with Kevin Ryan's Captain Colby landing the spoils from Richard Fahey's Steve Prescott. Fahey and Ryan also provided local winners at Thirsk with Micky Hammond (the Copgrove owned and bred Sherry) and Tim Easterby adding to the tally whilst Brian Ellison provided our sole winner at Bangor and Kevin Ryan the only local winner at Doncaster.
15/05/2015 After a fairly quiet start to the season by his own high standards it was Mark Johnston who garnered the plaudits today with a four timer on the final day of the Dante meeting at York, as well as a winner at Newmarket. First up at York, in the opener, was Johnston's Delizia who took the EBF Marygate Fillies' Stakes L, with Kevin Ryan's White Bullet back in third. The next race was the £31,125 Jorvik Stakes Handicap which went the way of Johnston's Notarised. Two races later and Richard Fahey's Realtra was a decent third in the Michael Seely Memorial Stakes L before team Kingsley House kicked back into action with wins for Indescribable and Yorkidding, with a Richard Fahey victory in the penultimate race interrupting the flow of Johnston winners temporarily. Johnston and Simon West provided the Middleham winners at Newmarket whilst Karl Burke and Micky Hammond (Only Orsenfoolsies in the £16,172 Braveheart Handicap) flew the Middleham flag at Hamilton's evening meet and Tony Coyle struck at Aintree. Kevin Ryan's The Grey Gatsby took a five furlong spin on the Knavesmire as a precursor to his tilt at the Tattersalls Cup G1 next weekend which will probably by followed by the Prince of Wales's Stakes G1 at Royal Ascot.
14/05/2015 A non too shabby day for the local's at York. Proceedings commenced well with David O'Meara's Out Do landing the opening £15,562 Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Handicap. Karl Burke's Odeliz was fourth in the Middleton Stakes G2 whilst stablemate Lord Ben Stack was fifth in the Dante G2, albeit some way behind the winner. Geoff Oldroyd took the Hambleton Handicap Stakes L with Alfred Hutchinson (homebred by Reg Bond at his Yapham Mill Stud ) with Burke's You're Fired filling the runner-up slot. Evening racing saw a winner for Mark Johnston at Newmarket.
13/05/2015 A strong local start to York's Dante meeting with pride of place going to Tim Easterby's Mattmu, beaten only a head when second in the Duke Of York Stakes G2, promising for the new Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot ! Sir Robert Ogden's homebred Pandora was third in the Musidora Stakes G3. Meanwhile David O'Meara (Algar Lad in the £15,562 Infinity Tyres Handicap), Richard Guest, Kevin Ryan and Alan Swinbank all scored on the supporting card. Richard Fahey, Tim Easterby, Alan Swinbank, Karl Burke and Ruth Carr had a winner apiece at Newcastle.
12/05/2015 Sad new today that John Quinn's The Wow Signal, so impressive last term, has been retired to stud (Australia/France) as a result of the injuries that caused him to miss the Guineas. Local winners today at Beverley courtesy of Richard Fahey (a double), Tony Coyle, John Balding, Sally Hall (her first flat win since June 2013!) and Mark Johnston.
10/05/2015 Kevin Ryan's Hot Streak was third in the Prix de Saint-Georges G3 at Longchamp this afternoon, with David Barron's Pearl Secret finishing in midfield.
09/05/2015 Result of the day came at Haydock's mixed meet with a Yorkshire 1-2-3 in the Spring Trophy L where David O'Meara's That Is The Spirit came home ahead of Richard Fahey's Dusky Queen and O'Meara's Penitent. Also on the level Brian Ellison had a winner whilst over sticks Sue Smith had a double headed by No Planning's victory in the £18,768 Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle. No joy at Ascot although David O'Meara's Amazing Maria was third in the £28,012 Garrard Fillies' Handicap, Mark Johnston landed the opener at Lingfield whilst Henry Hogarth, Mark Walford and Malcolm Jefferson had winners at Hexham and there were winners for Brian Ellison, Richard Guest and Richard Fahey at Nottingham. Evening racing at Thirsk was fruitful for David Nicholls, Mark Walford, Richard Guest, Richard Fahey and Karen Tutty.
08/05/2015 Chester Day Three (supporting race double for Richard Fahey yesterday) and a better show. Much better in fact with Peter Niven recording his first group winner when Clever Cookie came from almost last to land the Ormonde Stakes G3. A tilt at the Ascot Gold Cup is now possible, especially if it rains. David Barron's Newstead Abbey landed the opening £15,752 Earl Grosvenor Handicap whilst Jedd O'Keeffe also had a Roodeye winner. Muddy evening racing at Ripon yielded winners for Richard Fahey, David Nicholls, Bryan Smart (a double), David Barron and Micky Hammond with Fahey also scoring at Nottingham's evening meet where Richard Guest was also amongst the winners whilst at Ascot Mark Johnston's Mister Universe took the £18,675 likenowhereelse.co.uk Handicap.
06/05/2015 Chester Day One. And the theme continues ; no joy in the main events, but a good showing in the supporting races ; Mark Johnston (Rah Rah in the £12,602 Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes), Richard Fahey (Lexi's Hero in the £15,752 Boodles Diamond Handicap) and Paul Midgley (Silvanus in the £10,350 sprint conditions race) provided our winners today but a combination of no show or no runners in the Cheshire Oaks and Chester Cup although Richard Fahey runners did occupy fourth and fifth in the later. Malcolm Jefferson had a double up at Kelso where Alan Swinbank also had a winner.
03/05/2015 A not dissimilar outcome to yesterday, the primary difference being that today we didn't even have any runners in the 1,000 Guineas. Again however we won one of the main supporting handicaps, this time with Richard Fahey's Eastern Impact (owned by the estate of the late David Barker) landing the £28,012 Havana Gold Handicap by a short head. The Tykes were dominant up at Hamilton with a double for Alan Swinbank (inc Aramist in the £12,938 Buttonhook Handicap) as well as winners for Kristin Stubbs, Kevin Ryan and Jedd O'Keeffe.
02/05/2015 Whilst the best Yorkshire result of the day did come at Newmarket unfortunately it wasn't in the 2,000 Guineas but rather in the opening £28,012 Makfi Suffolk Handicap which fell to Brian Ellison's Balty Boys. On home soil Karl Burke, Richard Fahey, Tim Easterby, Brian Ellison and David O'Meara all won at Thirsk (but not the Hunt Cup) whilst Mark Walford struck up at Hexham. Evening racing at Doncaster saw more wins for David O'Meara, Brian Ellison, Richard Fahey (a double) as well as for Ruth Carr.
30/04/2015 A good day at Punchestown today when Micky Hammond's Just Cameron (an election sign perhaps ... !?) is an excellent second in the Ryanair Novice Chase Gd1. Earlier David O'Meara's Rose Of The Moon was fourth in the La Touche Cup. Somewhat closer to home there were winners at Redcar for Tony Coyle, Kevin Ryan, Julie Camacho and David O'Meara, whilst Malcolm Jefferson had a double at Sedgefield where Hammond also had a winner. John Quinn's The Wow Signal is out of the 2,000 Guineas after picking up an injury.
29/04/2015 David O'Meara's Mondialiste garnered more black type today when third in Ascot's Pavilion Stakes L . At Ponty there were winners for Mark Johnston, Nigel Tinkler and Mick Easterby whilst Johnston also had a winner at Wolverhampton.
26/04/2015 A momentus day with Wetherby's first flat card and Alan Swinbank has the honour of the training the first flat winner at Wetherby. The other local winners were provided by Kevin Ryan, Ben Haslam and Geoff Harker. All parties seem delighted and the track has three more flat meetings scheduled this season.
25/04/2015 A good day in Lancashire for the Yorkshire raiders with Julie Camacho's Wilde Inspiration landing the £29,111 888sport Handicap at Haydock, not to mention a treble for Karl Burke and a winner for John Quinn. Richard Fahey had a winner at Leicester whilst on home soil there were winners at Ripon for Tim Easterby, Karl Burke, Richard Whitaker (Pipers Note in the £16,173 Visit attheraces.com Handicap), David O'Meara, Mark Johnston and Brian Ellison with a Richard Fahey double at Doncaster's evening meet for afters.
24/04/2015 David O'Meara's Custom Cut, one of the revelations of last season, started 2015 as he will hopefully go on when landing the bet365 Mile G2 at Sandown this afternoon, with Brian Ellison's Top Notch Tonto back in fourth after not the clearest of runs. At Doncaster there were victories for O'Meara, Kevin Ryan (a double) and Declan Carroll whilst Rebecca Menzies struck over fences at Perth.
18/04/2015 Lots of minor winners today, but the quality horses failed at Newbury. At Ayr David O'Meara's Ifandbutwhynot was third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle Gd2 and Brian Ellison's Yorkist was second in the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase L. Thirsk saw winners for David O'Meara, David Barron, Richard Fahey, Kevin Ryan, Mick Easterby and Ruth Carr whilst Nottingham yielded a double for Richard Fahey and a winner apiece for John Quinn and Tony Coyle, Alan Brown had a winner at Bangor.
17/04/2015 Some nice results today with Richard Fahey's Zuhoor Baynoona being the stand-out when taking the EBF Lansdown Fillies' Stakes L at Bath. At Newbury meanwhile David Barron's Robot Boy took the £15,563 Dubai Duty Free Handicap whilst at Ayr Malcolm Jefferson's Firth Of The Clyde was second in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase L.
16/04/2015 Better at Newmarket today with Kevin Ryan's Astaire landing Yorkshire's first group race of the season in the Abernant Stakes G3, a strong bounce-back from a win less 2014. Two races later David O'Meara's Mondialiste, second in the Lincoln, was a decent third in the Earl of Sefton Stakes G3. Closer to home David O'Meara landed a treble at Ripon where Mel Brittain and Richard Fahey also had winners.
15/04/2015 Newmarket's Craven Meeting time. Poor runs for Muraaqaba and, to a lesser extent, Bond's Girl in the Nell Gwyn but Richard Fahey's Ballymore Castle put up a good display to pick up £25,479 for second place in the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions 3yo Sprint. At Beverley meanwhile there was a double for James Bethell as well as winners for Kevin Ryan, Richard Whitaker and Richard Fahey.
11/04/2015 There was some racing at Aintree today. Elsewhere ...... Karl Burke, Richard Fahey (a double) and Mick Easterby had winners at Newcastle whilst Richard Fahey also scored at Lingfield and Mark Johnston at Wolverhampton's evening meeting.
10/04/2015 Finally, a National Hunt Festival Winner ! Malcolm Jefferson's promising Cyrus Darius did the honours for Yorkshire today when landing the E-Lite Top Novices' Hurdle Gd2 by a convincing 10 lengths. In the next Sue Smith's Wakanda was an odds-defying fourth in the Milday Novices' Chase Gd1, albeit 23 lenghths behind the horse in third, but that was about all the good news from Aintree. Richard Fahey had a winner at Leicester, whilst evening racing at Wolverhampton yielded wins for Michael Herrington and Mick Easterby.
04/04/2015 Fairly dull for a Bank Holiday weekend, couldn't they just have held yesterday's races today? Anyway Kevin Ryan's Realize takes the £12,938 London Mile Qualifier at Kempton whilst Micky Hammond's election contribution is made at Haydock when Just Cameron lands the opener.
03/04/2015 Whilst I'm still not keen on racing on Good Friday it worked out pretty well for the Yorkshire trainers today. At Musselburgh we had one-two's in both the big handicap with Brian Ellison's Buthelezi taking the £32,345 Balmoral Cup Handicap from David Barron's Esteaming and John Quinn's Moonlightnavigator prevailing over Richard Fahey's Spring Offensive in the £32,345 Royal Mile Handicap. Yorkshire won six of the seven races in total with a double for Richard Fahey and winners for Hambleton neighbours Bryan Smart (ten year old Tangerine Trees landing the £16,172 Borderlescott Sprint Trophy from Rebecca Bastiman's, erm, Borderlescott!) and Kevin Ryan. Meanwhile it was All-Weather Championship Day (aka Charlie Appleby benefit day) down at Lingfield where Richard Fahey's Alben Star and David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt were both second, the later by a neck, respectively in the Sprint and the Mile, both picking up £27,960 for their efforts.
28/03/2015 Where to start ? OK, it's the start of the season (sort of, don't get me started on the Championships), and I'm a traditionalist, so let's start at Donnie. In the opener Mark Johnston won the Brocklesby with Ravenhoe, before Kevin Ryan's seconditis (more on this later ....!) set in with both Glory Awaits and Astaire filling the runner up positions in the Doncaster Mile L and Cammidge Trophy L respectively, although no shame in defeat in either case. Karl Burke's Yourartisonfire was a decent third in the Spring Mile before the traditional charge of the £62,250 Lincoln Handicap which went to Richard Fahey's Gabrial, who held on by a neck from David O'Meara's Mondialiste. O'Meara had a winner later on the card in the first leg of the apprentice handicap. At Kempton Mark Johnston again won the opening juvenile race whilst David O'Meara's new recruit from Ballydoyle, Afonso de Sousa, showed promise when second in the Magnolia Stakes L. Next up was the historic £29,110 Rosebery Handicap in which Mark Johnston's Fire Fighting just went down by a nose to the Theakston Stud bred Noble Gift. Incredibly at Chelmsford Mark Johnston again won the only juvenile race on the card, so that's three races for two-year-olds so far this season and they have all been annexed by Kingsley House. Tim Easterby's Mappin Time was second in the £29,110 Totescoop6 Handicap and Johnston's Sennockian Star was third in the £29,110 Totepool Handicap whilst Richard Fahey also had a winner on the Essex card. And so to Dubai where Kevin Ryan's stable star (Yorkshire's stable star in fact) The Grey Gatsby was 'only' second in the Dubai Turf G1, if you can describe picking up over £750,000 as 'only'. Whilst disappointing that he didn't win he has obviously retained his talent and this was not (quite) his optimal trip so it's looking good for another stellar season. In the meantime The Grey Gatsby has consolidated second place in the Yorkshire All-Time Winningmost list, and should pass Collier Hill sometime in the next couple of months.
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.
The Grey Gatsby Kevin Ryan £2,227,371 Prix du Jockey Club G1, Irish Champion Stakes G1, Dante Stakes G2, 2nd.Juddmonte International Stakes G1, Dubai Turf G1, Champagne Stakes G2, Craven Stakes G3, Acomb Stakes G3
Shakespearean Mark Johnston £1,001,241 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.
Jukebox Jury Mark Johnston £857,187 Preis von Europa G1, Irish St Leger G1, Jockey Club Stakes G2, Grand Prix de Deauville G2, Royal Lodge Stakes G2, Prix Kergorlay G2, Rose of Lancaster Stakes G3, 2nd.Canadian International Stakes G1, Racing Post Trophy G1, 3rd.Prix la Rochette G3
Borderlescott Robin & Rebecca Bastiman £791,886 Nunthorpe Stakes G1(x2), King George Stakes G2, City Wall Stakes L, Mercury Stakes L, Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes L, Steward's Cup Handicap, 2nd.Temple Stakes G2(x2), Palace House Stakes G3, Bentinck Stakes G3, Ayr Gold Cup, 3rd.Prix de l'Abbaye G1, King's Stand Stakes G1, Temple Stakes G2, Palace House Stakes G3 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
Auroras Encore Sue Smith £725,737 John Smith's Grand National Gd3, totepool Handicap Chase L, John Smith's Handicap Hurdle L, Betfair For Better Odds Levy Board Handicap Chase, Dawn Group Novices' Handicap Chase, 2nd.Scottish Grand National Gd3
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.
21/03/2015 Post Cheltenham, Pre Aintree/Dubai/Flat. The lost weekend. There were some good results up at Kelso though with Malcolm Jefferson's Oscar Rock taking the £14,620 John Smith's Novices' Handicap Chase and Brian Ellison's Racing Europe second in the £16,245 Thakeham Handicap Hurdle, Tim Easterby provided our other winner north of the border. Bangor saw Tony Coyle's Lucky Landing land second place in the £16,245 Alfa Aggregate Product Handicap Chase.
14/03/2015 I think there was some racing in Gloucestershire earlier in the week, but I'm not sure. The only noteworthy performance today was Richard Fahey's Alben Star who filled the runner-up slot in the Hever Sprint Stakes L at Lingfield. Sue Smith had a winner at Uttoxeter. Wolverhampton under floodlights yielded winners for Rebecca Bastiman, David O'Meara, Geoff Harker and Richard Fahey.
07/03/2015 It might be almost Cheltenham but all the Yorkshire news is flat centric today with David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt landing the Lady Wulfruna Stakes L at Wolverhampton, where David O'Meara provided our only other winner. Continuing the flat theme earlier in the week it was announced that York's Juddmonte International Stakes G1 had been ranked as the best horse race in the world, no surprise to any Yorkshireman ! The ranking system works by looking at the ratings of the first four past the post in all races over the past three seasons, so the likes of Frankel, Australia, Declaration Of War and our very own The Grey Gatsby have helped propel the Tyke Classic to the top of the world rankings. Being less parochial for a second the UK had 8 of the top 16 races.
28/02/2015 A Saturday with no winners! We're saving them for Cheltenham ....... hmmm, maybe not. Anyway Karl Burke's good start to the year continued when Intense Tango was third in the Totescoop6 Premier Kelso Hurdle Gd2 at Kelso, whilst David O'Meara's Ifandbutwhynot was second in the £16,245 Betbright Risk Free Bet Handicap Chase at Donnie. In Dubai the Bishop Wilton bred Haafaguinea (by Beechwood Grange stallion Haafhd) landed the £67,307 IPIC Trophy Handicap, to add to his valuable January winnings.
23/02/2015 Today saw a four timer for Richard Fahey at Wolverhampton (including Maiden Approach in the £11,972 32Red Fillies' Handicap), where Bryan Smart also had a winner, whilst Micky Hammond and Rebecca Menzies both scored at Ayr.
21/02/2015 Only February but two big flat winners in a week when Karl Burke's Rivellino lands the Cleves Stakes L at Lingfield, Burke followed up later when taking the fillies' handicap and David Griffiths also had a winner, David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt was third in the feature handicap. At Kempton Brian Ellison's The Grey Taylor was third in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle Gd2, albeit 32 lengths behind the horse in front. No joy in the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle but there were winners for Tim Easterby and Malcolm Jefferson whilst Sue Smith's Wakanda was only denied by a neck in the opener.
16/02/2015 Quite why Wolverhampton staged a £28,013 sprint handicap on a Monday night in February remains to be seen, but Tum Easterby wasn't complaining as it was his Mappin' Time who landed the Daily Enhanced 'Magic Multiples' at Unibet Handicap today. Sue Smith had a chasing winner at Carlisle.
14/02/2015 Brian Ellison's Definitly Red stayed on well to land the Prestige Novices' Hurdle Gd2 at Haydock this afternoon, whilst Tim Easterby's Run Ructions Run did well to be second in the preceding race. Karl Burke provided the sole Yorkshire winner on the all-weather at Lingfield, although David Nicholls' Sovereign Debt, making his first run for 476 days, was second in the main race on the card.
01/02/20015 Slightly better today up at Musselburgh with David O'Meara's Ifandbutwhynot taking the £12,996 John Smith's Champion Chase Handicap and the Brian Ellison duo of Full Day and Streets Of New York both listed placed.
31/01/2015 Dull and cold. Only the one local winner at Wetherby and even then only the bumper fell to Sue Smith although her Straidnahanna was a useful third in the Towton Novices' Chase Gd2.
24/01/2015 Better known for his flat horses, Karl Burke had a nice winner over hurdles today when Intense Tango took the OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle Gd2 at Doncaster, leading at the last and staying on nicely.
22/01/2015 Our first significant result of the year from Meydan when Mark Johnston's Fire Fighting is second in the £42,307 Gulfnews.com Handicap, beaten only a nose. Rather closer to home David Barron had a winner at Southwell.
17/01/2015 An excellent day out at Haydock for Sue Smith with Wakanda landing the Altcar Novices' Chase Gd2 and stablemate Mwaleshi winning the £12,660 888Sport Graduation Chase, in addition Vintage Star was third in the Peter Marsh Chase Gd2 albeit over twenty four lengths behind the winner.
10/01/2015 Another quiet week, and another quiet Saturday. The main race at Wetherby, the £11,710 Download The New Racing UK iPad App Handicap Chase went locally thanks to Malcolm Jefferson's Firth Of The Clyde, whilst Sue Smith and Micky Hammond also had winners. Richard Fahey won the opener at Lingfield.
03/01/2015 A good result for John Quinn at Sandown today when Aurore d'Estruval lands the 32red.com Mares' Hurdle L . Our only other winner came at Newcastle courtesy of Rebecca Menzies.
01/01/2015 Another year, and the honour of the first Yorkshire trained winner goes to Brian Ellison in the opener at Catterick, with the trainer doubling up later on the card and Sue Smith also having a winner. On the all-weather at Southwell Nevile Bycroft took the opener and David Nicholls also had a winner. Perhaps the best performance of the day however came at Musselburgh where Tim Easterby's top-weighted Hawk High was third in the £25,992 totepool Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle.

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Copyright 2015 Stephen George-Powell

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