It goes without saying that it is fantastic to be back racing and everyone is hugely grateful for the efforts behind the scenes to make it possible. I think there was a ever-growing confidence through May that we would be racing on June 1st and I was very keen to have our team of horses in the best shape for that date. It would not have been possible without the unconditional support from all of my owners and hard working staff at Saffron House Stables.
THREE C’S carried on where he left off winning at Chelmsford in impressive fashion under Kieren Shoemark. A simple ride on the front end was well executed and he will look to follow up back at Chelmsford under Callum Shepherd on Wednesday. He has now won four of his five starts in 2020 and proving a most consistent performer. A cheap private purchase by Sam Haggas (Hurworth Bloodstock) - we are currently looking to source more of the same type for the summer months!
Although neither of our first two year olds won we were delighted with how they ran. ASTIMEGOESBY looked to make all at Newmarket over six furlongs on 1,000 Guineas day. Ben Curtis was highly complimentary of him and we will look to drop back to the minimum trip in The Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot next week. He is a horse we have always held in high regard and a fantastic advert for Tally Ho Stud and freshman sire MEHMAS. It is a huge thrill to have a runner at Royal Ascot in my first full season as a trainer. ASTIMEGOESBY was the first yearling that I bought (with Alex Elliott) and he was bought with the Royal meeting in mind.
SUSUCARU was well found in the market at Pontefract and found only the Brian Ellison trained Bonne Vitesse too good. The Fast Company filly had already run at Newcastle on the first day of two year old racing at Newcastle and proved too good late on. I am pretty sure that our filly got a little tired having got racing a long way from home and will improve for the run. We will try to find a similar event for her next time on a more conventional track to get her in the winners circle.
INVOLVED was an impressive winner at Newbury on 11th June given the perfect ride by James Doyle. I had reservations about the ground with the slightly softened ground but James said he handled it just as well as the fast ground at Newmarket seven days before. He is a gorgeous horse who Sam Haggas and I bought at Tattersalls at the end of 2019. Sam is making a real name for himself buying high level performers all around the world and it is great to build a working relationship with such a good friend. A horse who seemingly will stay further and an impressive handicap winner who will now be rated in the high eighties, Australia at the end of the year will be the main aim.
George