It’s been a rollercoaster six weeks since I was granted a licence on 1st July 2019 but I’ve enjoyed nearly every minute of it!
We moved into Red House Stables on 1st July with four horses who were fantastically pre trained at Vicarage Farm in Kirtling by Adam Kirby, Megan Evans and their team.
It wasn’t long before I asked Sam Haggas to buy a horse for me and he found what would later turn out to be my first winner. The July sale at Tattersalls was next where we bought WALLA from Simon Crisford, GHAYADH from Stuart Williams and FAIRY FAST from David O’Meara.
The 24th July quickly came around and two days prior I declared my first three runners at Bath. On the day I was very well supported by close friends and family. Of the three runners on the card I was sure that THREE C’S was the best chance in the last and a syndicate of great friends seemingly agreed with the odds tumbling in the offices during the morning!
GEORGE DRYDEN was my first runner ridden by Jack Mitchell. He attempted to make all on quicker ground than he had ever run on. A furlong out he was clear with all behind off the bridle and looking like the perfect start. Sadly though, it wasn’t to be. BAY WATCH under a well-timed ride from John Fahy picked us up close home. BAY WATCH went on to win twice again afterwards and looks progressive for trainer Tracey Barfoot-Saunt.
COTTON CLUB was next again ridden by Jack Mitchell. He showed a liking for the fast ground and a step up in trip and ran his heart out only beaten a length with the well backed favourite winning.
THREE C’S disappointed after a slow start and never really got in the race. Cieren Fallon gave him every chance after the poor start but we knew our fate pretty soon.
Next we headed to Yarmouth for a disapointing run from GEORGE DRYDEN where he was drawn in 1 over 5f. The track bias was made more apparent by the fact that the ground was watered in the morning and there was a strong head wind.
FAIRY FAST made her debut for us in a selling handicap at Ripon over 5f having been bought for 7,500gns out of David O’Meara’s yard at the July Sale. She ran a massive race in 2nd and gave her owners a fun day out. It was more a return to form that I was looking for after a poor run last time.
I then took COTTON CLUB to Catterick and in hindsight probably shouldn’t have. He hated the ground and Jack Mitchell looked after him. We will go back to Bath all being well and look for fast ground again.
13th August 2019 is a day that will forever be ingrained in my brain as the day we had our first winner. FAIRY FAST again ran a massive race finishing 2nd behind a very well supported winner trained by Hughie Morrison. She was returning to handicap company from selling grade and it was fantastic to see her run so well. It was THREE C’S though who made it a day I’ll certainly never forget when Pat Cosgrave produced him to absolute perfection to win by a neck. The race went as we had hoped having taken a ticket to go in last, he was first away and held a good position, took up the running in the final furlong and held on close home! THREE C’S is owned by the most enthusiastic group of friends and I’ll be forever grateful for their support from the start of my training career!
I’m delighted with how the horses have run to date and long may it continue.
George