Tom Dascombe, Racehorse Trainer

Declarations & Entries For W/C 18 January

2010-01-18T16:41:00.000Z

For the W/C Monday 18 January

Declarations

Monday 18Jan 5:20 Look Officer WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) Bet Multiples - Betdaq Handicap

Tuesday 19Jan 3:50 Diapason WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) Wolverhampton Hospitality - A Pleasure Fillies' Handicap

Entries
Wednesday 20Jan 12:50 Nubar Boy LINGFIELD (A.W) (Four Day), Try Betdaq For An Exchange Median Auction Maiden Stakes
Wednesday 20 Jan 1:55 Que Belle LINGFIELD (A.W) (Four Day), Bet Carling Cup - Betdaq Maiden Fillies' Stakes
Wednesday 20 Jan 2:30 Brouhaha LINGFIELD (A.W) (Four Day), betdaq.co.uk Handicap
Wednesday 20 Jan 6:00 Brouhaha KEMPTON (A.W) (Four Day), digibet.Com Handicap
Thursday 21 Jan 1:50 Law Of The Jungle SOUTHWELL (A.W) (Four Day), Bet Asian Handicaps - Betdaq Handicap
Thursday 21Jan 4:50 Diapason WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Four Day), Betdaq On 0870 178 1221 Handicap
Thursday 21Jan 6:20 Nubar Boy WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Four Day), Call 01902 390000 To Sponsor A Race Median Auction Maiden Stakes
Friday 22Jan 2:00 Diapason LINGFIELD (A.W) (Four Day), Marriott Hotel Opening Spring 2010 Handicap
Friday 22Jan 6:05 Nubar Boy WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Four Day), Wolverhampton - The Black Country's Only Racecourse Maiden Stakes
Friday 22Jan 6:35 Nubar Boy WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Four Day), Try Betdaq For An Exchange Handicap

Declarations and Entries for W/C Monday 11 January 2010.

2010-01-11T12:54:00.000Z

Declarations:

Monday 11January
1:30pm Diapason WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) Bet African Nations Cup - Betdaq Fillies' Handicap

2:30pm Pomeroy WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) Bet Masters Snooker – Betdaq Handicap

3:00pm Que Belle WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) Hotel & Conferencing At Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes

Tuesday 12 January
1:20pm Law Of The Jungle SOUTHWELL (A.W), Bet Masters Snooker - Betdaq Handicap

Entries

Friday 15 January
2:45pm Midnight Strider SOUTHWELL (A.W) (Four Day), Southwell Median Auction Maiden Stakes

4:20pm Diapason WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Four Day), Try Betdaq For An Exchange Handicap

6:20pm Plush WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Four Day), Bet Premier League Football - Betdaq Handicap

2010 gets underway

2010-01-10T18:14:00.003Z

Tom announced his targets for 2010 yesterday in the Daily Express. He is going for 75winners and £500,000 in prize money.

This afternoon Look Officer posted the first score on the door by romping home in a handicap at Southwell. This was her maiden win and was a nice start to the year for Grant Thornton Racing Club. So only 74 winners and some £498,500 to go by 31 December 2010.

This was the seventh winner for Manor House Stables since Tom took charge on 1 November 2009.

Let's hope Wolverhampton gets the go ahead at its early morning inspection tomorrow as the yard has three intended runners.

Entries and Declarations w/c 4th January

2010-01-07T17:17:00.001Z

Declarations

Friday
Que Belle 5.10pm Wolverhampton Maiden

Entries

Sunday
Look Officer 2.20pm Southwell Handicap
Law of the Jungle 2.20pm Southwell Handicap

Monday
Diapason 1.55pm Wolverhampton Fillies’ Handicap
Pomeroy 3.00pm Wolverhampton Handicap
Que Belle 3.35pm Wolverhampton Maiden

Tuesday
Law of the Jungle 1.20pm Southwell Handicap

63 winners in 2009

2009-12-29T15:54:00.003Z

Diapason won her race at Wolverhampton on Bank Holiday Monday bringing the total winners for 2009 to 63. We were all delighted for John and Diane Brown that their filly won as they have been great supporters of Tom and the yard over the last three years and they show enormous patience when their horses have set backs.

The total winners includes three winners in France courtesy of Danehill's Pearl, who won a listed race in Vichy in July, Ruler of my Heart who won a listed race in Deauville in August and Where's The Soap who also won a race in Deauville that month. We also enjoyed two winners under NH rules, King Red who won a bumper under stable amateur Nuno Santos on his first ride and Hope Road who won his first race, a chase, having run placed numerous times.

The target for 2009 was 52 winners so it was pleasing to exceed this total. However the closest we came to another Group winner in 2009 was the second by Orpen Grey in the Group 2 July Stakes,the race which Classic Blade won at Newmarlet's July course in 2008.

Last week of the year 2009

2009-12-25T18:27:00.002Z

Having reached 62 winners for the year there are just a few opportunities left before 31 December to increase the score.

Quaker Parrott, Plush, Midnight Strider and Look Officer are just a few of those capable of passing the post first and increasing Tom's best season to date.

The target for the year was 52 winners and this was after 42 in 2008, so anything like 62 or better is quite an achievement in Tom's fourth year as a trainer.

The new Manor House Stables website is in its final stages of preparation and should be ready to go live in early January. On 4 January Tom's new secretary Lizzie Lea, recruited from the Racecourse Association, starts her new job and we expect communication with owners and others will improve considerably. It has been difficult for the last two months trying to fire on only two cylinders but from January there should be no more excuses.

60 winners for the year to date

2009-11-29T15:12:00.003Z

King Red won nicely at Wolverhampton on Friday after a seven month absence from the track. He won a bumper at the beginning of the year but then sustained an injury when coming 4th on his flat debut on the turf at Kempton in April. The Racing Post reported that Tom said "John (Reed) has been very patient with him since and the horse is still a big baby, so we won't be doing much with him on the all-weather over the winter. I see him as a nice turf stayer for next season and can visualise him winning races over two and a quarter miles at Pontefract when he strengthens up. He's one of two horses John has in training with me; the other is Plush, who has won several races for us and returns from a break to run here next Friday"

King Red's win was the 60th winner of the year. That total comprises 30 winners on the all-weather, 25 on turf, three in France and two under NH rules.

It is especially pleasing that the horses are running so well now that they are all based in Cheshire. In the last seven days there have been seven runners, with one winner, three seconds, one third and one fourth.

Update on Friday 13th

2009-11-14T15:47:00.001Z

I thought I should give you an update on things.

Firstly, we are hugely aware that communications have lapsed. I do hope you will understand that things are a little turbulent at the moment. Tom has no secretary and Alex Owen is trying to set up the accounting systems at MHS and to get all our owners and their horses properly recorded so we can continue invoicing in November. He is also dealing with all the urgent racing secretarial matters and just has not found time to send out emails for our declarations and entries.

On that subject Valmina is running tonight at Wolverhampton, 7.20pm. He ran really well on the surface last time coming second to an odds on favourite but the handicapper has allotted him a mark of 68 and he will need to have improved to be competitive.

Yesterday Vegas Palace scored on her third run , this time at Southwell. She was odds on and did it comfortably but the time was significantly faster than all three of the previous races by older horses over the distance so the form looks respectable.

Her win means that of the 24 yearlings that Tom and Ed Sackville bought last year, 17have won races this year, two have come second, one has come third, two proved disappointing and have been sold and the remaining two will not run until they are 3yo’s. Let us hope that he can boast similar statistics this time next year!

Moving on

2009-11-02T15:54:00.001Z

Today, Sunday 1 November 2009, is the fourth anniversary of the birth of ONEWAY on 1 November 2005. Today is also the end of ONEWAY as it is the first day in my new role as a partner with Michael Owen and Andrew Black in Manor House Stables LLP. So it is a day of some sadness at the passing of my own business, but it is also a day of great expectations as it is the start of a venture which is potentially bigger and better than anything I could have hoped for five years ago. Visible evidence of this is that I have bought or acquired 50 yearlings at the Sales, probably five times as many as I could have risked buying on my own.

Yesterday I had my last two runners for ONEWAY. It could hardly have gone better. Prince of Dance won the bet 365 Ben Marshall Stakes a listed race at Newmarket. It was a hugely exciting race with three horses crossing the line together. The Racing Post wrote:

“This race was won by subsequent Lockinge winner Virtual last year and, although matching his achievements would be a stiff task, it’s quite possible that Prince of Dance could make his mark in Group company next year, as he retained his unbeaten record despite pulling hard early. Throwing his head about and eager to go faster, a strong pace would have undoubtedly seen him in a better light, but he still impressed in digging deep and seeing off his two main rivals close home. A progressive sort, a bit of ease in the ground is essential to him”.

I am very grateful to his owners, Five Horses Ltd., that Prince of Dance is moving to Manor House Stables with me and I look forward with eager anticipation to his four year old career.

Valmina ran in the evening at Wolverhampton and ran well coming second. It’s an amazing coincidence that my very first runner, when I started back in 2005, finished second at Wolverhampton and I signed off in similar fashion five years later.

Entries and Declarations w/c 26th October

2009-10-26T17:00:00.004Z

Declarations

Monday
*Jonny Mudball 3.20 Lingfield Maiden Stakes

Wednesday
*Abbashinko 6.50 Kempton Maiden Stakes

Entries

Thursday
*Peintre D’Argent 7.30 Wolverhampton Handicap

Friday
Valmina 12.40 Newmarket Maiden Stakes
Valmina 1.15 Newmarket Maiden Stakes
Marine Boy 3.35 Newmarket Conditions Stakes
*Private Soldier 6.20 Wolverhampton Handicap
*Dashing Daniel 6.20 Wolverhampton Handicap
Valmina 8.50 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes

Saturday
Valkov 12.55 Newmarket Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
Prince Of Dance 3.10 Newmarket Stakes (Class 1) (Listed Race)
Valmina 6.50 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes
Plush 8.50 Wolverhampton Handicap Stakes

Sunday
*Mondovi 3.05 Lingfield Handicap Stakes

*Denotes horses running from Manor House Stables

Entries and Declarations w/c 19th October

2009-10-19T11:14:00.006+01:00

Declarations

Monday
Mr Money Maker 2.00 Windsor Maiden Stakes

Tuesday
Lily Lily 2.30 Lingfield Maiden Stakes

Wednesday
Clifton Encore 3.00 Bath Maiden Stakes
Crazy Chris 4.00 Bath Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
*Maryolini 6.20 Kempton Handicap Stakes
Vegas Palace 2.40 Southwell Maiden Fillies’ Stakes

Entries

Thursday
Cyan Eyed 5.40 Kempton Claiming Stakes

Friday
*Peintre D’Argent 5.40 Wolverhampton Handicap
*Maryolini 7.40 Wolverhampton Classified Stakes

Saturday
Classic Colori 1.50 Doncaster Nursery Handicap
Walkingonthemoon 2.55 Doncaster Stakes (Class 1, listed race)
Liliac Moon 5.15 Doncaster Handicap Stakes
Valkov 7.10 Kempton Maiden Stakes
Tikka Masala 8.40 Kempton Handicap Stakes
Tikka Masala 9.10 Kempton Handicap Stakes
Classic Colori 2.05 Newbury Stakes (Class 1, listed race)
Don’t Tell Mary 3.45 Newbury Stakes (Class 1, listed race)
*Lilac Moon 4.55 Newbury Lady Jockeys’ Handicap Stakes

*Denotes horses running from Manor House Stables

Entries and Declarations w/c 5th October

2009-10-07T08:53:00.003+01:00

Declarations

Monday
Mdawee 2.50 Warwick Nursery
Soccer 4.00 Windsor Nursery
*Jonny Mudball 4.30 Windsor Maiden Stakes

Wednesday
Peter’s Follie 2.40 Nottingham Nursery (Div 2)
*Bullet Duck 3.10 Nottingham Maiden Stakes
*Gee Major 3.10 Nottingham Maiden Stakes
*Pink Please 3.10 Nottingham Maiden Stakes

Friday
*Bom Boms 7.20 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes
Apostle Of Rome 7.50 Wolverhampton Nursery
*Four Tel 8.20 Wolverhampton Handicap

Entries

Saturday
Above Limits 2.15 Ascot Stakes (Group 3)
Don’t Tell Mary 2.15 Ascot Stakes (Group 3)
Classic Colori 4.05 Ascot Conditions Stakes
*Lady Soughton 5.05 Bangor Mares’ Open NH Flat Race
Read The Script 9.15 Wolverhampton Handicap

Sunday
*Lady Picola 4.10 Lingfield Selling Stakes
Clifton Encore 4.20 Goodwood Maiden Stakes

*Denotes horses running from Manor House Stables

Entries and Declarations w/c 28th September

2009-09-28T15:35:00.000+01:00

Declarations

Monday
Queens Flight 2.50 Brighton Handicap
*Bom Boms 4.30 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes

Tuesday
*Royal Manor 2.10 Warwick Handicap
Fire And Stone 4.10 Warwick Nursery

Wednesday
Maverin 3.05 Salisbury Handicap
Antonius Moris 3.40 Salisbury Novice Stakes
Haafhd Time 8.50 Kempton Handicap

Entries

Thursday
Quaker Parrot 3.20 Goodwood Nursery
Diapason 5.05 Goodwood Stakes
*Jonny Mudball 5.45 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes
*Dashing Daniel 7.15 Wolverhampton Handicap
Read The Script 7.15 Wolverhampton Handicap
Brouhaha 8.15 Wolverhampton Handicap
*The Staffy 9.15 Wolverhampton Handicap

Thursday
Quaker Parrot 3.20 Goodwood
Diapason 5.05 Goodwood
*Jonny Mudball 5.45 Wolverhampton
*Dashing Daniel 7.15 Wolverhampton
Read The Script 7.15 Wolverhampton
Brouhaha 8.15 Wolverhampton
*The Staffy 9.15 Wolverhampton

Friday
Bellini Rose 3.50 Lingfield Maiden Stakes
*Ajara Boy 3.50 Lingfield Maiden Stakes
*Peintre D’Argent 5.00 Lingfield Handicap
*Maryolini 6.20 Wolverhampton Handicap
*Dashing Daniel 7.20 Wolverhampton Claiming Stakes
*Moscow Eight 7.50 Wolverhampton Handicap
*Uncle Bertie 8.20 Wolverhampton Handicap

Saturday
*Ajara Boy 2.10 Redcar Maiden Stakes
Barzan 2.25 Newmarket Timeform Million (Class 2)
Quaestor 2.35 Epsom Handicap
Walkingonthemoon 3.15 Redcar Two Year Old Trophy (listed race)
Transvaal Sky 4.15 Newmarket Nursery Handicap
*Moscow Oznick 4.30 Redcar Selling Stakes
Tikka Masala 5.30 Epsom Handicap
*Lilac Moon 5.40 Redcar Handicap
*Maryolini 6.15 Wolverhampton Handicap
*Ajara Boy 6.45 Wolverhampton Maiden
*Gee Major 6.45 Wolverhampton Maiden
*Dashing Daniel 7.45 Wolverhampton Claiming Stakes
*Private Soldier 7.45 Wolverhampton Claiming Stakes
*The Staffy 7.45 Wolverhampton Claiming Stakes
*Lilac Moon 9.15 Wolverhampton Handicap
*Moscow Oznick 9.15 Wolverhampton Handicap

*Denotes horses running from Manor House Stables

First winner from Manor House Stables

2009-09-27T19:10:00.024+01:00

Mondovi won a five furlong handicap at Wolverhampton on Friday evening, 25 September, under a confident ride from Ross Atkinson. This was Tom's first winner from Manor House Stables. Thanks are due to the whole team at Manor House led, on a daily basis, by Colin Gorman, Tom's assistant trainer.

Entries and Declarations w/c 21st September

2009-09-22T08:17:00.006+01:00

Declarations

Monday
Quaker Parrot 2.20 Leicester Fillies’ Nursery
*Moscow Oznick 3.50 Leicester Claiming Stakes
*Moscow Eight 5.00 Kempton Handicap

Tuesday
Brambleberry 3.00 Beverley Novice Stakes

Wednesday
*Maryolini 2.50 Redcar Handicap

Entries

Thursday
*Ajara Boy 2.30 Pontefract Maiden Stakes
*Four Tel 6.00 Kempton Handicap
*Royal Manor 9.00 Kempton Handicap

Friday
*Bullet Duck 2.10 Haydock Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
Noverre To Go 2.35 Ascot Handicap
*Ajara Boy 2.45 Haydock Maiden Stakes
Cyan Eyed 3.10 Ascot Watership Down Stud Sales Race
Quaestor 3.20 Haydock Nursery
*Dashing Daniel 6.20 Wolverhampton Selling Stakes
*Mondovi 6.50 Wolverhampton Handicap
*Ajara Boy 7.20 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes
*Abbashinko 7.50 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes
*Lady Picola 7.50 Wolverhampton Maiden Stakes
Where’s The Soap 2.00 (BST) Maisons-Laffitte Prix Saraca (Listed Race)

Saturday
Brambleberry 2.50 Chester Nursery Handicap
Crazy Chris 3.20 Chester Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
Noverre To Go 4.25 Chester Handicap
Marine Boy 3.00 Haydock Handicap
Haafhd Time 6.15 Kempton Handicap

Sunday
Quaestor 3.50 Ascot Handicap

*Denotes horses running from Manor House Stables

Entries and Declarations w/c 14th September

2009-09-14T12:20:00.001+01:00

Declarations

Monday
Valkov 3.00 Leicester Nursery (div 1)
Diapason 5.30 Leicester Handicap Stakes

Wednesday
Open Glory 6.20 Kempton Nursery
Anessia 7.50 Kempton Handicap Stakes
Queen Sally 9.20 Kempton Handicap Stakes

Entries

Thursday
Ruler Of My Heart 12.55 (BST) Chantilly Prix D’Aumale

Friday
Brouhaha 4.30 Newbury Handicap Stakes

Saturday
Quaestor 1.50 Newbury Nursery Handicap Stakes
Wisecraic 2.20 Newbury Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)
Pomeroy 4.00 Newbury Maiden Stakes
*Lisbon Lion 7.50 Wolverhampton Handicap Stakes
*Emerald Rock 9.20 Wolverhampton Handicap Stakes

*Denotes horses running from Manor House Stables

Entries and Declarations w/c 7th September

2009-09-05T08:29:00.002+01:00

Declarations

Monday
Peter’s Follie 2.10 Bath Maiden Auction Fillies Stakes
Gold Party 2.50 Folkestone Median Auction Maiden Stakes

Entries

Tuesday
Chairman Pat 2.45 Lingfield Nursery
Quaestor 3.20 Lingfield Median Auction Maiden Stakes
Crazy Chris 4.30 Lingfield Median Auction Maiden Stakes

Wednesday
Transvaal Sky 2.35 Doncaster Conditions Stakes
Above Limits 3.45 Doncaster Stakes (listed race)
Bahamian Sun 7.20 Kempton Maiden Auction Stakes
Haafhd Time 9.20 Kempton Handicap

Thursday
Bahamian Sun 2.55 Chepstow Median Auction Maiden Stakes
Transvaal Sky 4.20 Doncaster Nursery Stakes
Eyes Like A Hawk 5.35 Kempton Apprentice Handicap
Diapason 7.35 Kempton Fillies’ Handicap

Saturday
Antonius Moris 2.45 Chester Handicap
Read The Script 6.50 Wolverhampton Handicap
Eyes Like A Hawk 8.20 Wolverhampton Handicap
Brouhaha 8.50 Wolverhampton Handicap

Sunday
Brambleberry 2.25 Bath Nursery Handicap
Quaker Parrot 2.25 Bath Nursery Handicap
Eyes Like A Hawk 5.50 Bath Handicap Stakes
Where's The Soap TTBC Longchamp Prix Al Khor

Entries and Declarations w/c 31st August

2009-09-02T07:45:00.003+01:00

Declarations

Monday
Valkov 3.05 Warwick (Div 1) Maiden Stakes
Sun Dream 3.40 Warwick (Div 2) Maiden Stakes

Entries

Tuesday
Sun Dream 4.50 Leicester Maiden Stakes
Valkov 4.50 Leicester Maiden Stakes
Peter’s Follie 4.30 Ripon Maiden Stakes

Wednesday
Haafhd Time 5.50 Kempton Handicap
Best In Class 8.20 Kempton Handicap
Anessia 9.20 Kempton Apprentice Handicap

Thursday
Eyes Like A Hawk 2.10 Salisbury Apprentice Handicap
Cyan Eyed 3.15 Salisbury Fillies Stakes
Adele Blanc Sec 3.50 Salisbury Fillies Stakes (listed race)

Saturday
Bertoliver 1.55 Haydock Handicap
Lambourn Genie 2.15 Stratford Juvenile Novices' Hurdle
Eyes Like A Hawk 9.20 Wolverhampton Handicap

Sunday
Noverre To Go 3.45 York Stakes

Yearling purchases

2009-08-28T08:53:00.007+01:00

I bought two yearlings at the Arqana Yearling Sale at Deauville, 14 to 17 August with the help of Ed Sackville, my bloodstock agent. One is sold to Ed's Father leaving the other one looking for an owner. She is lot 222, a bay filly by Iffraaj, who, to me, was the outstanding looking filly at the Sale. She cost 87,000 euros plus the buyers premium of 6%. She is now at Manor House Stables in Malpas where she will be broken and if you would like to view her please contact my assistant Colin Gorman at Manor House or call me on 07973 511664.

This week at the St Leger Yearling Sales in Doncaster I bought another 12 yearlings. Three of them are now sold and the other nine are available to purchase. Over the next day or two full details of the horses for sale will be listed on my website. Once again if you are interested in seeing any of them contact Colin or me.

Target for 2009 achieved by end of August

2009-08-27T16:09:00.003+01:00

Adele Blanc Sec won her maiden at Lingfield this afternoon by three and a half lengths from an odds on shot. Her win made it 52 winners this year so equalling the target for 2009. The total comprises 47 winners on the flat in the UK, three in France and two under NH rules.

Dazed in Deauville

2009-08-27T10:36:00.002+01:00

The following report was written by Glenn Holmes, the only member of Timeform Betfair Racing Club to be present in Deauville when the Club had two runners over the weekend of 20/21 August.

'Last weekend I made my first foray into French racing at Deauville to see Where’s the Soap and Ruler of My Heart make their reappearances.

I was looked after at the course by Jane Ianson, who does the international transport for Tom Dascombe, Anna Steadman and Nacim Dilmi who looks after Ruler of My Heart all of whom were really helpful and friendly.

For those of you who haven’t been racing en France; put it on the “to do list” (can’t believe I told you that I was going to keep it secret). The whole atmosphere is really laid back. The “connections bracelet” allows you much more back stage access than you get in England. You get into the stable area although at Deauville the pre parade ring is in the stable area rather than public area.

Friday – No clean run for the “Soap”

On Friday Where’s the Soap ran a cracker. The race was 1300 meters (6.5 furlongs to us) and on sand (sable to them). Deauville is quite a tight, right handed track. The run in from the bend is a little over two furlongs. As they turned for home she was fourth of six on the inside. At about 300 metres Davy Bonilla looked to get her out and make a move but just at that point the horse in front of him As Speed seemed to blow up. This meant that he had to check her up and she lost momentum. Once he got her out she started to close up. The picture in Paris Turf, taken with 50 metres to go, shows her 2 and 3/4 lengths down. She finished fourth; beaten a rapidly shrinking length, head and ¾ of a length, less than two lengths in all.

She was beaten by about the distance that she lost when she had to be checked up. Without that I think that second was definitely on the cards and with my “rose tinteds” on (should that be more of a cerise tinted) I reckon that she would have gone close. She was doing her best work at the finish. She is not a horse that has gears but has a decent prolonged surge. I think that she would definitely stay further and would be better on a track with a longer run in.

Saturday - “Ruler” does just what it says on the tin

Arrived at the track on Saturday and joined Jane and Anna in the pre parade area; just in time to see Nacim leading round this equine beauty. She is huge and has legs that go on for ever. If there was such a thing as catwalk modelling for horses, she would get the gig. Nacim had done her proud. She was very laid back even as others got skittish and wound up around her she didn’t react. The size and scope of her screams '3 year old prospect' so I was hoping to see a nice “learning run” (what do I know?). A gentlemen introduced himself and his wife as the parents of Ed Sackville, the bloodstock agent who bought her..

As the filly went down to the start the “Sackvilles” invited me to view the race from a private box that a friend of theirs was not using and had made available to them.

The race is 1600 metres (1 mile) and on the turf track which is outside the dirt track and therefore a little less tight.

In the early stages the six horses are racing in pairs like a set of primary school kids on an outing. Ruler of my Heart is in the rear pair on the outside and lobbing along. As they turn for home she doesn’t handle the turn that well and runs wide about 4 or 5 horses worth. They weren’t going that great a gallop and I reckoned that if they quickened that by the time she got those great long legs organised they may well have gone.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. The drift to the outside had given her a clear run. Davy shook her up and she started to close. At 300 metres she was moving upsides the leader and then she took the lead and then she went on and then she went further on and erm then still further on. At that point the winning post came. I don’t think they moved it further forward to save the others embarrassment but I wouldn’t have blamed them. She was 2 i/2 lengths clear and going away and all this under a hands and heels ride.

Pandemonium and euphoria are a heady mix. Down to the winners’ enclosure; the horse comes in. She isn’t blowing at all. “Is the trainer here?” asks the racing press. “No.” replies Ed Sackville’s father, “this is a representative of the owners.” I am now giving interviews to the French press. “We were more hopeful than confident” (as if I knew). Ed’s father who it transpires is Lord De La Warr, former steward at Ascot and Goodwood, gets Tom Dascombe on the phone so he handles the Racing Post.

A quick word with Davy Bonilla who tells us that she didn’t handle the bend too well but that she won easily and and and “she is better than this”- better than this; better than a EU 60,000 listed race. The trainer of the second Eoghan O’Neill comes over and congratulates me. I smile graciously (read grin idiotically) and say thank you.

Next thing I am up on the podium and getting the prize (a brass horse in full flight) and receive the applause.

Lord De La Warr informs me that as a French bred she qualifies for a 75% bonus so that the total take is EU 106,000.

I wandered around in a daze for a while but recovered enough to see the filly hosed down and come out of the doping box. I give her a pat and a kiss goodbye (she said she didn’t mind but no tongues next time).

Parcel up the trophy to go back to the stable, say goodbye and thank you to Jane, Anna and Nacim after all this had been a team effort – they did the work and I accepted the plaudits (works for me). Did some more dazed wandering about and serious grinning.

Nearly forgot to collect winnings.

Glenn Holmes'

Entries and Declarations w/c 24th August

2009-08-24T10:45:00.002+01:00

On Tuesday Party Doctor ran at York, finishing fourth in the Acomb Stakes. Orpen Grey also ran at York, but on Wednesday in the Gimcrack Stakes. Haafhd Time and Best In Class also ran on Wednesday at Kempton, both finishing fourth.

Brambleberry ran at Lingfield on Thursday for the Grant Thornton Racing Club.

Where’s The Soap ran at Deauville on Friday, finishing fourth by only two lengths to the winner. Chairman Pat also ran on Friday, at Salisbury.

On Saturday Bertoliver won at Chester under the hands of Philip Robinson. Ruler Of My Heart also displayed a high calibre of performance, winning in Deauville. Both Quaestor and Wisecraic ran in the Tattersalls Sales Race at Fairyhouse in Ireland. Wisecraic ran on to finish fourth and Quaestor finished tenth. Soccer also ran on Saturday at Bath, finishing third.

Please see below for this week’s declarations and entries.

Declarations

Monday
Gold Party 2.30 Windsor Maiden Stakes
Queens Flight 5.10 Kempton Classified Stakes

Entries

Thursday
Anessia 2.50 Lingfield Maiden Stakes
Adele Blanc Sec 3.50 Lingfield Maiden Stakes
Open Glory 4.20 Lingfield Nursery

Friday
Cyan Eyed 5.40 Bath Maiden Fillies’ Stakes

Saturday
Transvaal Sky 5.40 Windsor Median Auction Stakes
Diapason 7.40 Windsor Handicap

Sunday
Danehill's Pearl 2.45 Goodwood Fillies' Handicap (listed race)

Entries and Declarations w/c 17th August

2009-08-17T16:17:00.001+01:00

Last week Transvaal Sky made headway by winning a maiden fillies’ stakes race at Lingfield on Tuesday, the yard’s first runner for the week.

On Wednesday Peter’s Follie ran at Beverley, finishing third and Janeiro ran at Salisbury.

Valkov ran at Salisbury on Thursday as did Sundream, finishing seventh on her debut run. Where’s The Soap displayed a fantastic performance in Deauville after winning the Prix Etalon Haafhd, Brouhaha ran at Sandown to finish second.

On Friday Queen Sally ran at Nottingham and Above Limits ran at Newbury, finishing third. Noverre To Go ran at Newmarket on Saturday and Eyes Like A Hawk ran at Lingfield.

Walkingonthemoon ran well on Sunday, he too went to Deauville, and finished third in the Prix Francois Boutin (listed race).

Please see below for this weeks’ list of declarations and entries.

Declarations

Tuesday
Party Doctor 2.15 York Acomb Stakes (Group 3)

Wednesday
Orpen Grey 2.50 York Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)
Haafhd Time 8.40 Kempton Fillies’ Handicap
Best In Class 9.10 Kempton Apprentice Handicap

Entries

Thursday
Brambleberry 3.15 Lingfield Nursery
Haafhd Time 3.50 Lingfield Fillies’ Handicap

Friday
Antonius Moris 3.05 Chester Nursery
Chairman Pat 5.55 Salisbury Nursery
Where’s The Soap TTBC Deauville Prix De La Louvirl

Saturday
Adele Blanc Sec TTBC Deauville Prix Du Calvados
- Haras Des Capucines
Ruler Of My Heart TTBC Deauville Citurium Du Fonds E E C ‘E Levage
Bertoliver 2.25 Chester Handicap Stakes
Wisecraic 4.20 Fairyhouse The Tattersalls Ireland Sales Stakes
Orpen Grey 4.20 Fairyhouse The Tattersalls Ireland Sales Stakes
Quaestor 4.20 Fairyhouse The Tattersalls Ireland Sales Stakes
Coloursoftheglen 4.55 Sandown Handicap Stakes
Lambourn Genie 5.00 Market Rasen Juvenile Maiden Hurdle
Soccer 5.15 Bath Novice Stakes

Sunday
Danehill’s Pearl TTBC Deauville Darley Prix De La Nonette
Queens Flight 4.40 Folkestone Handicap Stakes

Entries and Declarations w/c 10th August

2009-08-11T10:25:00.005+01:00

There were few runners from ONEWAY last week.

Adele Blanc Sec started off the week by making a solid debut on Monday, to finish a close second at Windsor for The Trial Partnership.

On Wednesday Haafhd Time gave a gutsy display and battled on gamely to win at Kempton for Mrs Maureen Coxon.

Chairman Pat ran at Brighton on Thursday, he was the only runner from the yard.

On Friday both One Cool Mission and Brambleberry ran at Lingfield. Brambleberry was back in winning form after being given a positive ride by Richard Kingscote giving the yard her second win at Lingfield.

Noverre To Go ran in the Shergar Cup Sprint at Ascot on Saturday and went on to win under the hands of Hayley Turner. Giving ONEWAY their third winner for the week. Ruler Of My Heart made her debut on Saturday at Newmarket and went on to finish fifth.

There was only one runner from the yard on Sunday, Apostle of Rome who gave a more encouraging run at Windsor, finishing sixth.

Please see below for this weeks’ declarations and entries:

Entries and Declarations w/c 10th August

Declarations

Tuesday
Transvaal Sky 3.30 Lingfield Maiden Fillies’ Stakes

Wednesday
Janeiro 3.00 Salisbury Nursery
Peter’s Follie 3.15 Beverley Maiden Auction Stakes

Thursday
Sundream 2.30 Salisbury Maiden Auction Stakes
Valkov 2.30 Salisbury Maiden Auction Stakes
Where's The Soap 2.55 (BST) Deauville, France Prix Etalon Haafhd
Queen Sally 4.50 Salisbury Fillies’ Handicap
Brouhaha 5.10 Sandown Handicap
Lambourn Genie 8.20 Chepstow Handicap

Entries

Friday
Queen Sally 2.35 Nottingham Fillies’ Handicap
Eyes Like A Hawk 2.45 Newcastle Fillies’ Handicap
Above Limits 3.30 Newbury Stakes (listed race)
Best In Class 9.15 Kempton Handicap

Saturday
Noverre To Go 3.25 Newmarket Stakes
Noverre To Go 3.55 Ripon Stakes
Eyes Like A Hawk 7.30 Lingfield Handicap

Sunday
Eyes Like A Hawk 4.00 Bath Fillies’ Handicap
Walkingonthemoon TTBC Deauville, France Prix Francois Boutin

Manor House Stables

2009-08-07T12:44:00.002+01:00

2009 has been a great year so far ( 7 August 2009) and I have trained 44 winners to date, beating last year's total to December 2008 of 42 and, hopefully, I am well on the way to exceeding my target of 52 winners for the year.

On 4 August it was announced that I am to join Michael Owen and Andrew Black to train at their yard, Manor House Stables, Malpas, Cheshire. This will happen full-time at the end of the year and in the meantime I will continue to train in Lambourn but am responsible for what happens at Manor House Stables immediately. Manor House Stables will be run on a day to day basis by Colin Gorman, my Assistant Trainer, and he is directly responsible to me.

All my existing owners are invited to stay with me in Lambourn until the end of the turf season and then to transfer their horses to Manor House Stables as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

A number of my existing staff will be going to Malpas with me to join the staff already in place there.

I look forward to welcoming new owners. I am about to attend the first of the 2009 Yearling Sales in Deauville and will be looking for owners for my purchases. So far in 2009 15 of my 2yo's have won a race and have had 18 2yo winners in total. Only seven 2yo's have run without winning and, on average, they have each run only twice.

I am delighted to say that there will be no increase in training fees after 1 November 2009, for the forseeable future. They will remain at £45 a day which has been the rate I have charged since 1 November 2008.

2009 is my fourth season as a racehorse trainer. In 2008 I trained 42 winners to exceed my second year score of 26 and 12 in year one.