Springtime at Southgate Stables
Life could not be busier at Southgate Stables at present. With a full book of horses in training and constant improvements to the yard, the place is a hive of activity. As always, our aim and focus is to provide the best facilities possible for horses, owners and staff to insure being involved with our team is fun and enjoyable.
Things have been ticking along nicely over winter with plenty of racecourse action to keep us going through the colder months. Mercian Prince provided the team with a facile victory and an exhibition round of jumping at Kempton in January under Jack Quinlan. Unfortunately, his 17 length win did not come without punishment as the handicapper raised his mark by 10lbs putting him on an official rating of 149. He will now face a step up in grade at Newbury on Saturday in the Grade 3 William Hill Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup over two and a half miles. Providing all goes well, he will then be aimed for the Grade 3 Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase during Aintree’s Grand National Festival.
Mercian Prince in the Kempton winner's enclosure
Obviously, the big disappointment recently was the below par performance from Kalashnikov in the rescheduled Grade 2 Agetur UK Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Sandown. Nothing obvious has come to light since the race to explain why he ran like he did and at this point we are still aiming for the Grade 1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase. Hopefully, after Cheltenham we can look back on the Sandown race and put a line through it.
Collate scored under David Probert over a mile at Lingfield for owner Mr Bill Tillett. Although she took a keen hold for the first couple of furlongs there was plenty left in the tank to win by a comfortable length. She reappears at Kempton tomorrow over seven furlongs and it would be nice to see her make it two in a row.
Collate winning at Lingfield (picture courtesy of John Hoy Photography)
With the Flat turf season almost upon us we have also been stepping up what looks to be a healthy and interesting bunch of horses. We have a number of new recruits including Phoenix Star who had a pre-season run on the all-weather at Wolverhampton at the beginning of February. Unfortunately, he was too fresh over six furlongs and ran incredibly well to finish third despite giving George Wood a hard time during the early part of the race. He has now been gelded and we shall probably drop him back to five furlongs next time out.
Others to note are Angel’s Whisper who was purchased from the Tattersalls July Sale for the Box Clever Display & Shepherd Global partnership. By Dark Angel, she looks to be a nice type who can hopefully progress through the season. Trouser The Cash is a precocious looking two year old filly by Starspangledbanner and should be one to make an early racecourse debut. Sois Belle is another two year old filly by Dabirsim who was purchased from the Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale. She qualifies for a number of French premium races and should provide the new partnership of Booth, Flatt, Foster with plenty of fun.
We also still have shares available in a number of horses most notably Private Matter. He was purchased from Richard Fahey’s on the recommendation that a change of scenery would do him the world of good. He is already the winner of a Listed race and had a top mark of 106. Now down to a rating of 84 he could be one to take a chance on with plenty of Saturday races being the aim.
For Sale - Private Matter 2014 Mayson x Privacy Order
Other horses for sale and information on our two racing clubs can be found on the website. Come join our enthusiastic team and experience the fun and enjoyment of affordable racehorse ownership.
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