Thursday 29th June 2023 - winners, new recruits, and the Royal Procession

Although we've only had ten runners this month, I am delighted we've added another couple of winners to our seasonal tally. 

I was thrilled to see Arbennig winning again under a lovely positive ride from our 10lbs conditional jockey, Will Featherstone.  He jumped from fence to fence, and won nicely in the colours of John Kirk, who owns him in partnership with Arwel, Paul, Henry and Carol.  It was Arbennig’s second win, and I am quite sure he will be able to follow up before long. 

Arbennig wins at Uttoxeter under young Will Featherstone.

Having been off the track for over 600 days, Guinness Affair benefitted from his comeback run to win in impressive style at Hexham on Sunday, under a lovely ride from Gavin.  He has now won 4 of his 7 career starts, and looks a horse on an upward curve.  It is all credit to the whole Value Racing Club team, to get him back to his brilliant best, and providing he can stay sound, I’d like to think he can keep progressing.

Guinness Affair is an impressive winner at Hexham.

We’ve hit the crossbar a couple of times recently too as bumper winner, Teeceethree finished 2^nd for the second time over hurdles.  She improved from her hurdling debut, but filled the runner up spot again, but I’d like to think there is a maiden hurdle for her to win fairly soon.  The same comment applies to the perennial bridesmaid, Fortunate Fred, who was once again 2^nd at Uttoxeter last week.  He is a lovely horse, and surely deserves to become Fortunate sooner rather than later.  Donnie Azoff was also 2^nd earlier this month, when he filled the runners up spot for the 2^nd time over fences this season. 

Coastal Sun and Cornicello have both been 4^th this month.  Cornicello has been a bit high in the handicap since winning twice last season, and can win again before long.  Whilst, Coastal Sun is getting closer to the winners enclosure, and I’d like to think she can go close next time out.

Whilst we’ve not had many runners this month, we’ve been busy enough off the track at the sales, and also going to the Ashes and Royal Ascot, and we were lucky enough to be invited to Windsor Castle for lunch with Their Royal Majesties, The King and The Queen before the Saturday of Royal Ascot.  We were very privileged and honoured to be included in the Royal Procession down the course in a Carriage.  We had an entertaining entrance into the track as Lucy and I shared a carriage with Frankie and Catherine Dettori.   

Having mentioned the sales, I was delighted to add another store horse to our team at the Derby sale as we secured a son of Its Gino.  He has sired many Graded winners, including Datsalrightgino who won a Grade 2 for us last season.  This chap is a brother to Passing Well, who won twice for us last season, and was 4^th in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle, whilst he promises to be an even better novice chaser this season. 

We head to the Arqana sales in France next week, where we hope to pick up a few more decent recruits to our burgeoning team.