Kalane destined for motherhood

Mercian Prince out in the paddock enjoying himself

Having had a busy start to the year runner wise, February and early March was a quiet period for the yard with only a handful of runners. During that time, the decision was made that with Kalane being a multiple Listed winner over both Hurdles and Fences she would be retired to stud. I am pleased to say it took her no time to adapt to motherhood; she has already been covered by Derby winner Sir Percy. Only a few days after covering Kalane, Sir Percy had his first Cheltenham Festival winner in Presenting Percy. For me it’s an extremely exciting journey having purchased her myself as a foal to now be watching her go to stud and hopefully having the privilege of training her progeny. I was very lucky to be entrusted with training her in her final season. In that time she gave me my first Listed victory which I will be forever grateful to her for. Charlie Longsdon did a fantastic job with her throughout her career including winning the Mares Final which is a race my father had long wanted to win.

(Kalane winning under Jack Quinlan)

We have started to run a couple of our Flat horses in the last few weeks, Thaqaffa has had two runs and we are still learning about him all the time, which is one of the main reasons I wanted to get him out on the track early prior to the turf season getting underway. He ran with great credit last time out in what was a very fast run race. I am looking forward to getting him on the turf for his next run. Gwendoyln also ran well last week. We tried her over six furlongs, which she didn’t get and appears to be an out and out five-furlong horse, needing either cut in the ground or a stiff five furlongs to be at her best. She will now wait for a suitable race on the turf. Meanwhile, with the Flat season only a week away from the off its getting very exciting here in Newmarket and there is a great buzz around the heath. Our Flat string are all working nicely and where I want them to be at this stage. We appear to have a couple of precocious two year olds among them.

(Some of Thaqaffa's owners having a pre race photo with Silvestre De Sousa)

I was delighted with Mercian Prince’s run at Kempton last week to finish a close third in the £40,000 Class 2 Cheltenham consolation race. He has now gone for a well-deserved summer holiday having given us some brilliant days out this year and I am already really looking forward to seeing him progress next season. We still have a few of the jumps string to run over the coming month. Mariah’s Legend will go to Southwell for a two and a half mile novice hurdle under a penalty on Tuesday. She ran a very disappointing race at Doncaster last time, but when we got her home, tests revealed that she was very sick. She receieved treatment and had an easy couple of weeks to get over it and now appears to be back to her best, time will tell. We also have a few bumper horses to run before the National Hunt season is out and one I am looking forward to is Kalane’s full brother Kalashnikov, who will, all being well, run at Wetherby on Friday. He is still very much a big raw horse, but has shown us ability and a very likeable attitude so far at home.  

(Mercian Prince in the Kempton winners enclosure) 

The Amy Murphy Racing Club has officially been launched. I am currently searching for the right horse to give the club some great, fun filled days out over the coming Flat season. I was at Ascot Sales earlier this week trying to find the right horse to fit the bill, but there were very few opportunities for the type of horse I was looking for. The search continues and I am continually looking to buy something privately, with so few horses in training sales over the coming months, due to it being the wrong time of year to be trying to buy an older horse. The club is already drumming up plenty of interest which is brilliant and if you haven’t already checked it out then please do. It’s a very affordable way of experiencing race horse ownership, as well as being a hugely social occasion. Many people make lifelong friends in racing clubs/syndicates. Find out more here.

If the club isn’t for you then I still have shares available in nearly ready to run two year olds, so please do get in contact as I am more than happy to meet each individual’s need ownership wise. Find out more

Back to listing