"TRAINER TOM IS FAN-DAS-TIC" - My favourite headline from the Sport of the World!

Sport: Alastair Down, July 12

Dascombe shows he has Classic touch
TRAINER TOM IS FAN-DAS-TIC

SOME horrendous weather meant that this week's Newmarket July Meeting was not so much Panama hats as Panama Canal.

But there was loads to soak up, not least the emergence of Lambourn’s Tom Dascombe, 35, as a fast-rising force in the training ranks.

Freddy flying. Click here for the full story

Dascombe won classy two-year-old races with Classic Blade and Firth of Fifth, who cost a combined £15,000 — rather less than some of the big stables spend on headed notepaper a year.

He started training in 2006 and had 12 winners from just 16 horses and those who cottoned on early reaped their reward last year when the yard struck 26 times.

Already this season he has sent out 22 winners and the quality is going ever upward.

A driven character, who chomps through nearly as many cigarettes as I do, Dascombe is no silver spoon merchant and is very much a team man.
Direction

But, unlike many trainers, he is very much a grafting part of the team rather than one who sits back and lets the team work their socks off for him and pats them on the head every Pancake Tuesday.

What this week will have done is attract owners with just that little bit more money to spend.

And they will want to be in on the ground floor of an operation going places.

Dascombe strikes me as having his head screwed on pretty tight and if he proves a good placer of horses in handicaps he will continue to make huge strides.

One man in need of a decent season is Sheikh Mohammed. Despite the gulf that has opened up between his operation and old rivals Ballydoyle, his great passion for the game remains.

His Godolphin empire is a supertanker and changes of direction take time.

And hearing him speak on Channel 4, you could tell he is dug in for a long haul.

Read Alastair Down every week in the Racing Post

Declarations and entries w/c 14th July 2008

Gross Prophet runs today at Wolverhampton in the 8.50 Handicap Stakes. Richard Kingscote rides.

Wednesday Prince Desire runs at Kempton in the London Mile Handicap Stakes at 7.50.

Thursday Gross Prophet is entered at Leicester in the 5.30 Apprentice Handicap Stakes.

Friday Rowan River is entered at Newbury in the 2.35 Fillies' Handicap Stakes and Blakfrankisch is also entered on Friday at Newbury in the 4.10 Apprentice Handicap Stakes.

Saturday Shiva Adiva runs at Newbury in the 3.25 Weatherbys Super Sprint and lastly on Sunday Naughty Thoughts in entered at Redcar in the 5.20 Apprentice Handicap Stakes.

"Blade gives Dascombe his first Group win"

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HE has not been training long enough to establish the race-winning pedigree of a Peter Chapple-Hyam or a Richard Hannon, yet Tom Dascombe made a solid start when he exploded the established pecking order to land the TNT July Stakes to record his first Group victory yesterday, writes Jon Lees.
Chapple-Hyam, seeking his third win in five years, and Hannon his fourth in the oldest two-year-old race in the calendar, were relegated to second and third spot as Classic Blade - entered "on a whim" by third-season trainer Dascombe - made all the running under Richard Kingscote in the Group 2 race.
"He won a Class 2 conditions event last time and I said to the owners, 'let's stick him in and see what happens'," said Dascombe.
"I was out in America but managed to get on my computer and saw there were only nine entered. I thought we had to go for it.
"It's amazing. Our target last year was to have a Listed winner, which we achieved with Max One Two Three, and our target this year was to win a Group race; so we better make it two Group winners now.
"Above anything else, I'd just like to say a big 'thank-you' to all my staff because they all worked really hard for this."
Classic Blade cost ¿19,000 at Fairyhouse and will now contest the e300,000 Tattersalls (Ireland) Sales race at the Curragh on August 23 for the numerous members of the Classic Strollers partnership.
Kingscote, whose biggest win before this was in a £60,000 Ascot handicap, will ride him again.
He said: "Tom gives me brilliant orders and trusts me and everything worked out well. It's our first Group winner and it's great for the yard. Tom's an up-andcoming trainer and he's doing brilliant."
Sayif, Chapple-Hyam's challenger, was reeling in Classic Blade approaching the line and failed by only a short head.
His jockey Alan Munro said his mount ran off a straight line and should have won.
The ground was blamed for the defeat of Prolific. Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "He travelled like a very good horse but once Ryan Moore let him down he couldn't quicken. As long as the ground is good or faster he will run in the Gimcrack."
Result TNT July Stakes 1 Classic Blade ............6-1 2 Sayif ........................3-1 3 Prolific ....................2-1f Owner Classic Strollers Trainer Tom Dascombe Jockey Richard Kingscote Groom Aimee Barnes Breeder Ballybrennan Stud Distances Sht hd, 3l

"Charlotte has the champagne style as Aimee shows her winning smile"

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THERE may have been non-runners aplenty on the 'sticky' track, but judging by the thousands turned out in their finery there was an overwhelming entry for the 'best-dressed lady' competition yesterday.
Photographers were having a field day snapping numerous female forms dressed - a term that applied loosely in some cases - in every colour and none, and our man Edward Whitaker was shooting with the best of them as Charlotte Webber, a vision in red, installed at long odds-on by paddock watchers, walked off with first prize.
However, it was another girl in red, one who might have finished rather nearer last than first had she not been too busy to enter that contest, whose picture provided the most lasting image of the day - and might do more to sell the joy of racing than a hundred Sovereign Series.
Aimee Barnes, a young groom with Tom Dascombe, was wearing a T-shirt that rather bore the hallmarks of her job looking after half a ton of horseflesh, but few would have noticed as her face was the very embodiment of elation, her smile never wavering as she posed for yet another photo and a friend embraced her as though she had won the Lottery. Twice. In a rollover week.
'That's what a winner means' might be the caption the BHA marketing team could use as the 18-year-old, from the jumping town of Newton Abbot, was beside herself with glee at the short-head TNT July Stakes success of her charge Classic Blade.
Nor was her boss, saddling his first Group winner in his third season with a licence, anything but ecstatic and he and the delighted Classic Strollers partnership of owners went off to celebrate in a mood that suggests they could have made a big dent in Webber's prize - a year's supply of champagne from sponsors Lanson.

Published: 12/07/2008 (Sport) Alastair Down is happy to see a top sprint handed to the French for once

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Tom Dascombe had already had a pretty decent meeting after winning Thursday's July Stakes but made it a dream week by adding the Superlative Stakes with Firth Of Fifth. You occasionally hear trainers pointing out that winning a particular big race never changed their lives or brought them more owners. But if a small trainer wins the National, potential owners don't flock to them thinking, "all I need to do to win a National is send one to this bloke", because they know a one-off when they see one.
But this was qualitatively different.
Owners need to feel they have found something that is accessible at their level and that is why this week will work wonders for Dascombe. It is not just that he has won two shop window televised races at a serious meeting, it is the fact that he has done so with unfashionably bred two-year-olds who cost ¿19,000 (Classic Blade) and 5,000gns (Firth Of Fifth) - the sort of money that wouldn't pay the milk bill at some yards. SO OWNERS will look at the Dascombe results this week and say, "I can afford a bit of that type of action", and vote with their cheque books. If this doesn't prove a career-shaping few days for the trainer, it will not be an opportunity missed but the opportunity.

Racing Post Cutting July 12th

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DOING it once could be regarded as a fluke but doing it again just 24 hours later leaves no room for any doubt - Tom Dascombe is clearly a trainer on the up.
A day after beating the big battalions when Classic Blade gave him a first Group-race success with a short-head victory in the July Stakes, he repeated the trick in the Group 2 Weatherbys Superlative Stakes, and did it in style too.
Dascombe's Firth Of Fifth, stepping up in class after an all-the-way auction maiden success at Lingfield, ran his rivals into the ground again to score by a length and a quarter under Richard Kingscote.
"This just goes to show it is sometimes worth running," said Dascombe, who is now quoted at just 10-1 to win a Group 1 race this season by Coral, who rate him a 40-1 chance to win a British or Irish Classic in 2009.
"I was more confident with Classic Blade because it was an easier race. On form, Firth Of Fifth couldn't beat Bryan Smart's horse Prime Spirit, but he has kept improving and is tough."

Cutting from The Guardian on Friday 10th after Classic Blade's Group 2 success

Fortune favoured by brave move on Lucarno | Sport | The Guardian

Tom Dascombe achieved his main ambition for the year when another front-runner, Classic Blade gave his yard a first Group-race success with a narrow success from Sayif in the July Stakes. Dascombe, a former assistant to the outstanding South African trainer Mike de Kock, has held a licence for less than three years, but has already sent out 56 winners at an impressive strike-rate of 19%.

"Last year our target was to have a Listed winner, which we achieved, and this year it was to win a Group race, so now we'll have to win two," Dascombe said. "He only cost €19,000 at Fairyhouse, so his next target is easy. He'll go for the €300,000 Tattersalls sales race [at The Curragh on August 23]."

A few more cuttings

Bonilla's late, late show helps Marchand lift Cup | Sport | The Guardian

Tom Dascombe's quest for a second Group race victory after his win in the July Stakes on Thursday lasted precisely 24 hours, as Firth Of Fifth produced a near-identical display from the front to take the Superlative Stakes by one and a quarter lengths.

The step up to seven furlongs has been the making of Firth Of Fifth, who cost just 5,000gns as a yearling but ran on bravely to beat a field that included Grand Ducal, the favourite from Aidan O'Brien's yard, who was 335,000gns more expensive at the sales, but finished out of the frame.

"He had a huge hock on him, he did it on the way over, and there was no interest in him so we thought we'd have a go," Dascombe said. "My vet did a fantastic job on him and it's come good."

Still drinking Champagne...not enough time to post!

We thought we better celebrate Thursday night....little did we realise that we would have to drink all day Friday and Saturday!

A few press cuttings for good measure

The Telegraph

The Times

Sky Sports

Awesome

Bill Dascombe writes:

I don't like using expressions that sound too American but the only word I can think of that describes the events of the past two days is AWESOME.

Tom was uncertain whether Classic Blade and Firth of Fifth would be good enough for Group 2's but he was reassured by a good friend who knows a thing or two that their previous performances had been of such merit that they deserved to be given a chance. This reassurance proved to be spot on.

Chris McGrath wrote in the Independent on Saturday, under the caption 'Once is fortunate, twice is flare' :

'To win one Group race with a five-farthing juvenile may be considered fortunate; to win two, within 24 hours, looks suspiciously like the work of a young trainer who knows what he is doing.

The July Meeting at Newmarket this week will prove a turning point in the career of Tom Dascombe. On Thursday, Classic Blade made all and just held on in the July Stakes; and yesterday Firth of Fifth won the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes under an identical ride from Richard Kingscote.

This colt cost just £5,000 as a yearling " But he's just tough and loves it", remarked his trainer; You can't buy that, you can't see it".

That is what gives everyone half a chance. And for some people, half a chance is ample'.

I couldn't have had a better birthday present! Thank you, Tom.

It was also really nice to see the comments about Tom's staff and the way the Racing Post highlighted the joy on the face of Aimee Barnes who looks after Classic Blade and led up both horses at the races. Tom paid an emotional tribute to his staff and also to Richard Kingscote who received many plaudits for his courageous and expertly executed front running rides to 'steal' the races.

Declarations and entries w/c 7 July 2008

We have three runners at Wolverhampton tomorrow. Old Father Zieten, now a gelding, runs in the 2.15 pm a maiden auction, Willridge runs at 3.15 pm in the median auction maiden and Blitzen runs in the handicap at 4.45pm. Ross Atkinson rides all three as Richard Kingscote suffers the third day of his suspension incurred when Firth of Fifth won at Lingfield.

On Wednesday Handful of Magic runs in the fillies median auction at Kempton at 6.50 pm.

On Thursday Old Father Zieten is entered at Warwick at 1.50 pm but is unlikely to be declared. Parisian Gift is entered in the handicap at 4.40 pm. Classic Blade is entered in a Group 2 at Newmarket, the July Stakes at 4.40 pm, Rowan River in a fillies handicap at Folkestone at 5.05 pm and Campbeltown Trader in a maiden auction at Nottingham at 6.20 pm

On Friday Firth of Fifth is entered in the Group 2 Weatherbys Superlative Stakes at Newmarket at 2.00 pm and also in the nursery at 4.20 pm on the same card.

On Saturday The Legal Blonde is entered at Nottingham in a maiden fillies stakes at 2.00 pm and on Sunday Doctor Robert is entered in a juvenile novice's hurdle at Stratford at 2.00 pm

American Oaks

Zaskar & Hollywood Park

Just a quick update before writing up a full story.

Yesterday afternoon (about 1am UK) Zaskar ran her last race for Tom in the American Oaks, before going on to be trained in New York.

Tom's second Grade 1 runner looked magnificent in the paddock, having behaved brilliantly on a very long and difficult trip to the US. Not only did she look great but she was in a fantastic 'mood'. We all commented that she looked like she had a smile on her face!

The sun was out and it was very hot but she took everything in her stride. David Flores was given his instructions and legged up into the plate. Zaskar was led onto the track and we all made our way to our viewing positions. Tom went to the rail just in case there were any problems.

As the horses made their way, with the outriders to the back straight, we were all thinking how well it was going.....Zaskar spooked at something, the jockey fell off!

She stood there frozen for a second but then ripped the reins from the grasp of the outrider and sprinted off down the back straight. Luckily one of the other outriders down the back straight rode her onto the outside rail and she was caught within 2 furlongs.

Most of the time in the US they will scratch the horse if they do this but luckily, as a grade 1 they gave her a chance. The jockey was located and put back in the plate. They were loaded into the stalls. She behaved brilliantly again.

We were worried about her breaking slowly but she sprinted from the gate with them and Flores was able to get a great position. Down the back straight he was able to make his way through the field and get closer to the pace. Making his way out of the back straight into the home turn she was in 5th right between the eventual winner and second....SHE WAS GOING EASILY!

I said to myself "she's going to win this", Tom said "she's going to win this".....I just wish David Flores had said "she's going to win this"!

As these thoughts entered our heads, the French horse on her outside pushed into her and cut her off. David Flores panicked and ripped at her head and nearly fell off...again. Zaskar didn't know what was going on.

For some unknown reason the jockey just dropped his hands and rode to the line without pushing her out. We thought for a split second that something was wrong. But as she took a full three furlongs after the winning post to pull up and then 'cantered' back to the unsaddling area like a steam train taking a mile to pull up again it was obvious that she was still full of running. She wasn't even blowing!

The stats will read that she was 10th of 12 but we all feel that she would have been in the first three and dare say it "first" if she had been given a more positive ride round the home bend. We are all hugely disappointed.

Today I'm off to Vegas. Let's hope 'our' luck gets better!

Classic Blade runs them ragged

Classic Blade won the Class 2 Conditions Race for 2yo's at Salisbury today under another exceptionally able front running ride from Richard Kingscote. The Racing Post writes:

"An authoritative display in a warm-looking heat by Classic Blade for whom fears that the ground would prove too quick proved unfounded. Tom Dascombe said ' I was a bit worried about the ground because his action lends itself to the soft.'

The Daggers Drawn colt hasn't looked back since a slightly disappointing debut run and followed up his smart Doncaster win with another convincing effort. Making virtually all he kept pulling out extra when pressed by Measurement and had the rest well strung out. Measurement ...ran into a tartar in the impressive winner".

This was Tom's 19th winner of the year and his 3rd 2yo winner from only 17 2yo runners.