Our Best Flat Season......So Far

It’s been a while since our last news update but, thankfully the winners have continued to roll in and life at Southgate Stables has been as hectic as ever.  In the past month we have taken back full control of the yard meaning we now have 77 licensed boxes to utilise.  As always, we are happy to help and advise anyone who is thinking about taking that first step into racehorse ownership.  The Henry Cecil Open Weekend took place mid-September and we had a wonderful turn out at the yard.  It’s always a great opportunity to showcase Newmarket to the public and for them to get up close and personal with their equine heroes.  A big thank you to everyone who took the time to call in and say hello and to my wonderful team who helped out on the day. 

In mid-August, Great Shout finally got a win under her belt at Yarmouth for the Cherry & Whites partnership.  She is not the easiest of fillies to ride, both at home or on the track, so George Wood did a fine job keeping her exuberance in check until it really mattered.  She has run a handful of times since at Epsom (did not handle the track), Yarmouth (finish second and probably ran to same mark as her win) and Newcastle where she decided to be a naughty child and give George a torrid time.

Great Shout winning at Yarmouth for Cherry & Whites

A switch of codes and the turn of Really Super and The Accountant to put on some winning sparkle at Worcester.  Really Super is dubbed the Queen of Worcester having won all her races at the track and it was a facile victory under Jack Quinlan for owners White Diamond Racing.  The Accountant then followed up an hour later to win by 13 lengths for owners Philip & Lesley Rann.  He backed up this promised by scooting home at Stratford upon Avon.  He is still a big raw individual, however, his work at home has always suggested that he has ability so it was satisfying to see him win both races in impressive fashion.  The handicapper must agree with our sentiments as he has seen fit to raise him 27 lbs for both wins.

The Accountant wins for the second time this year for The Rann Family

Nirodha bagged herself a second win this time at Redcar with Sean Davis once again taking the reins.  She was giving the winner 7lbs in weight and earnt herself a rating of 79 so the general feeling was to aim for some black type.  We went to Doncaster for the £50,000 nursery handicap and found the gap closing in on her as she went to make her move at the two pole.  She then went to Pontefract and probably found the ground too soft for her liking as she did not put in any sort of performance.  We are hoping she can find her way back to the winner’s enclosure before the season comes to a close.

Our next three winners came from fillies that have already been in the winner’s enclosure this season.  Napping and Blessed To Empress both scored under Sean Kirrane whose claim is worth its weight in gold.  Kennocha then dug in deep at Brighton under Tom Marquand to get back in front just before the winning post.  These fillies are great to have around as, although their mark will never be overly high, they will always pick up a race or two each season and provide their owners with a great amount of fun.

It’s been a long time coming but Amor Kethley finally picked up the win she deserved at Chelmsford towards the end of September.  Having been chinned on a number of occasions earlier in the year we gave her some time off out in the paddock.  Her comeback run at Bath to finish third was enough to encourage us that she was still capable of winning a race which she did in fine style next time out.  Her win also put us on a total of 18 winners this season.  That is one more than last season which, numerically, makes 2019 our best year to date. 

Amor Kethley prior to winning at Chelmsford under Sean Kirrane

Our target for the season is 20 winners and Royal Family brought us one step closer to this number when winning gamely at Yarmouth on heavy ground under Louis Steward.  She had previously run in some decent novice races and earnt herself a high enough mark for those efforts, however, I was surprised to see her sent off at 33/1.  Ultimately, being by Frankel she will be a nice broodmare prospect for the future.

Royal Family winning gamely at Yarmouth

Lastly, Kalashnikov made a satisfactory return to the National Hunt scene albeit it in less than ideal circumstances.  Although we fully respect Aintree’s decision to omit fences due to the low sun, however,  this could have been prevented with some forward-thinking race planning.  The public came to see a showdown between Frodon and Kalashnikov and, although our boy was still in with a shout coming to the final furlong, it inevitably went the way of the race fit and worthy winner Forest Bihan.  The main thing is that all the horses came home safe and sound and this race will have put The Gun spot on for the coming season.

Pictures courtesy of Nigel Kirby Photography & Leaderboard Photography

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