2007 the final week

Gross Prophet ran a blinder yesterday to make it 26 winners for the year and our last four runners have recorded two wins and two seconds. I'm not sure I want the year to end.

Our 26 winners have come from just 30 different horses running for us and the strike rate for the year is a very respectable 20%. The joy has been to see so many 2yo's winning especially those like Max One Two Three that I selected and purchased on spec at the sales.

We go into battle in 2008 with 19 yearlings (2yo's from 1 January) and hopefully there will be one or two class acts amongst them. At this stage it isn't easy to say which ones are geese and which ones are swans as they grow and develop at varying paces at this stage of their development. It makes the prospects for next year both unpredictable and exciting.

I'm now looking forward to a two week break in search of some sun.

Parisian Gift makes it winner no 25 for the year

Parisian Gift won his second start at Lingfield this afternoon and his first for PG Tipsters a new partnership set up to buy him, only on Monday this week, from my good friend Struan Cochrane. So it is smiles all round for both present and past connections.

I was beginning to feel I'd never have another winner as this was the first for almost six weeks despite everything running really well they never quite got their heads in front. Sawwaah only an hour earlier just failed to get up after his usual slow start from the stalls but he remains a horse in fantastic form for a 10 year old. He is as game as they come.

Tattersalls Ireland December Sale

The following report appeared in today's Racing Post:

Up-and-coming trainer Tom Dascombe struck for the star offering on the first day of the Tattersalls Ireland December Flat Sale when going to 45,000 euros for a yearling filly by One Cool Cat.

The Mount Loftus Stud offering hails from the first crop of Aidan O'Brien's top juvenile and is the second foal out of a winning Zeiten mare whose first runner is Listed-placed juvenile Rey Davis.

" I've had quite a bit of luck with the horses I've bought here, including Max One Two Three from last year's September sale" said Dascombe.

" That one was sold after she won the Rockingham Stakes at York and I've bought this filly for Max One Two Three's owners, who were looking to replace her".

" She's a nice type out of a fast mare, looks a real two-year-old type and is from a good family"

Declarations & entries w/c 17 December 2007

Tomorrow, Wednesday, we have two horses declared at Lingfield.

Sawwaah is in the 12.40 pm, a claimer over 10 furlongs and is drawn 2 of 11.

Parisian Gift, who has just been purchased by PG Tipsters, runs in the 1.40 pm., a maiden over 7 furlongs and is drawn 10 of 14.

On Thursday, at Wolverhampton, Gross Prophet has been declared for the 6.50 pm novices stakes over an extended 5 furlongs.

On Friday, What's For Tea is entered at Southwell in a 6 furlong nursery at 1.30 pm.

These will be the stable's last runners for 2007. Michaela and I are off for a two week break on Saturday and Andy Lindsay, our head lad, will be giving the horses an easy time until our return on 6 January 2008.

A happy Christmas to you all and may you have a healthy, happy and successful year in 2008.

Charity Auction

Tonight, Tuesday 11 December, Fightnight1112, is staging a charity auction boxing event at the Porchester Hotel, Bayswater, London W2. It is compered by Sir Henry Cooper.

I am donating as a prize to the auction a free lease for a year of Prince Desire (IRE) a 2yo colt, formerly trained by Barry Hills, and owned by De La Warr Racing, including free training and all other costs until 31 October 2008.

Hopefully, the auction will be a huge success as the money raised will go to support a unique social centre at the heart of Benchill the most deprived council estate in England.

Entries w/c 10 December 2007

Savile's Delight ran today at Southwell rather disappointingly (a big understatement). He is entered back at Southwell on Saturday at 2.15 pm in another handicap.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Doctor Robert is declared to run at Kempton Park in the 6.20 pm maiden auction.

Further entries w/c 3 December 2007

Savile's Delight is entered at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening in a claimer at 7.30 pm over 6f and on Sunday at Lingfield in a 5f apprentice handicap at 1.00 pm.

Declarations and entries w/c 3 December 2007

Rio Rocket as been declared for the seller at Wolverhampton on Tuesday at 2.00 pm. She is also entered in the claimer at Kempton on Wednesday at 7.20 pm.

What's For Tea is entered for the nursery at Kempton on Wednesday at 7.50 pm. and at Wolverhampton on Thursday in the claimer at 7.50 pm.

Sawwaah is entered for the claimer at Wolverhampton on Friday at 7.30 pm.