Bonnie Prince Blue gives us our first French winner scoring at Cagnes Sur Mer

•David Nicholls Open Day moved to Saturday March 13th

We've had to cancel the open day at Dandy's this Saturday as the car parking area and the standing area next to the gallops is currently waterlogged. We have rearranged the open day to Saturday 13th March. Apologies for any inconvenience.

•Granny teaches them a trick or two

Given a very patient and confident ride today at Wolverhampton (22/2/10) by Robert Winston, Granny Mcphee stormed away to win the 1m 1.5f   4,55pm handicap on the card.  Jason Weaver and Simon Mapletoft both seemed impressed by the style of her victory. I sensed they both feel she will take all the beating under her penalty in tomorrow's 1m 2f fillies handicap at Lingfield, a course where she was just touched off last week. Let's hope she can double up. As long as she eats up tonight and pulls out sound in the morning, she will run.

•Backstage tipped to be no one's understudy

The Ante Post plunge from the announcement of the Grand National weights yesterday (16/2/10) seems to be our very own BACKSTAGE. The very shrewd Racing Post PRICEWISE guru Tom Segal has tipped him up as his Ante Post shout, recommending a 2 points win bet at 25/1. This has led to a bit of a plunge on our 8yo gelding, bringing him into 20/1 generally with the major bookmakers. Personally I just hope he gets there in one piece and gives his owners a great day out in the world's biggest race. Let's hope he gets round and comes home in one piece. But it is very exciting that form experts seem to be giving Backstage favourable mentions in terms of winning the April 10th Aintree showpiece.

•Mob handed in the DBS £300,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes

The lure of the £300,000 pot has once again attracted three of our leading flat trainers to enter Middleham Park Racing horses into the St Leger Yearling Stakes held at York. Sales races are an incredibly attractive propositions due the the weight of prize money they carry which can often present the opportunity of recouping all if not more of the horse's purchase price in one swoop.

Last year's event carried just short of £150,000 to the winner which was won by our own Tim Easterby with Midnight Martini who was purchased by Tim for 20,000gns. Our Captain Rio colt (purchased for 22,000gns) who is in training with Tim Easterby has been given an entry into the race and his owners will be hoping that he can reproduce Midnight Martini's winning run in August.  Our Byron colt at Tim Easterby's has been given the confident nod for the race too. Described by Tim as a very forward sort who David Nolan (jockey) stated that he was very impressed by him when riding him in a piece of work on Tim's Malton gallops recently.

Richard Hannon has entered Bahceli our 50,000 gns colt in the Sales Race and he will be looking to improve on last year's second with Carnaby Street who then went on to have Group success at Newbury, like our colt he was bought for 50,000gns. To date Bahceli, has been doing everything right at home, and if we were to replicate Carnaby Street's performance we will be more than happy in collecting the £59,000 cheque.

Dandy Nicholls has given Fol Pickle the opportunity to take his chance in the sales race, having cost 6,200gns he will be one of the cheapest purchases in the race and he will collect more than his purchase price if he can finish 10th or better in the race.

With our trainers filling 3 of the front 5 places in the race last year, we have more than a fighting chance of winning this year's race. There are a few limited shares available in the Tim Easterby and Richard Hannon horses and anyone looking to purchase a share can do by checking out our available shares for details.

•David Nicholls Open Day

Now the freezing weather has cleared up, we have rearranged Dandy's Open Day for the morning of Saturday 27th February, further details will be released nearer the time.

•Info hitting the mark

The information line will continue to run as normal, providing information relating to our horses past performances, entries, declarations and expected performances in races, including selections based on information from our stables. The telephone number is 0906 553 2361. The 2009 record of the line was exactly 100 points staked with 153.1 points returned at SP. A considerably better return was experienced at best prices of/on the day

•Backstage taking centre stage

Our 2010 Aintree Grand National hope, Backstage ran today (07/02/2010) at Musselburgh over 2m 4f over hurdles. This is not Backstage's future and not his cup of tea at all. He still ran a real cracker finishing a close up 3rd behind 2 very classy hurdlers. Backstage travelled really well and looked like he might win going to 2 out. He just couldnt go with the first 2 over the last as he is an out and out stayer and they are fast hurdlers. But this was an awesome run and we are very excited about seeing him out after the National weights come out. Let's dream of National glory in April, this run has done him no harm at all! Trainer Gordon Elliott couldn't have been more pleased with the run and the bookies were impressed too for he has shortened into 20/1 for the Aintree showpiece in some books.

•Tres Bien! Prince Mignon Bleu!

Our trip to Cagnes Sur Mer is beginning to bear the fruit which we hoped for, when we came up with the plan approximately 3 months ago. All of Dandy's horses have now run in France, and to date Bonnie Prince Blue is the second horse to win, with all of the horses picking up prize money. Bonnie Prince Blue was drawn in the Cagnes Sur Mer Car Park, but under his french pilot sat just off the pace going into the bend, and then pressured the early leaders to put his head in front within the last furlong. Bonnie Prince Blue has now collected over £9,000 in prize money for his two runs and with plenty of racing left at the French track, we are bang on course to come back with more Euros than we went with, well done to all his owners for winning across the channel!

•Tim Easterby's Yard Visit coupled with Richard Fahey Yard Visit 

We are booked to go and see Jamesway working on the gallops under Barry McHugh (Paul is at Kempton) on Sunday 24th of January. All Middleham Park Racing members are welcome with their guests.

This is a great opportunity to view Jamesway on the gallops , listen to the opinions of the people who see the horse daily and look at the facilities in the Richard Fahey yard. Following the visit to Richard's stable, we will head to Tim Easterby's yard in Great Habton to see some of our stable stars!

Proposed Itinerary
Arrive 8:00am
Meet 8:15am - Wander round the yard and see the stable stars and facilities
8:25 Grab a drink and speak to Paul and Robin O Ryan (Richard's Assistant) about Jamesway.
8:30 Head towards the gallops
9:00am Watch Jamesway on the gallops under Barry McHugh
9:30 Leave for Tim Easterby's.
10:00 Arrive Tim Easterbys to see our horses and talk to Tim.
11:00 Leave

Address & Directions
Mews House, Musley Bank, Malton, YO17 6TD

Richard's yard is just off the A64, on the B1248 turnoff.

If you have any problems finding the yard from the turnoff please feel free to give Nick a ring on 07780112636.

•James showing the way!

We spoke to Richard Fahey this morning regarding Jamesway, the horse is in great order. He has been cantering away over 5 and half furlongs and was given a ten day break over Xmas after he had his jabs. He has not missed a day through any setback, and Paul Hanagan is more than convinced that he is the Brocklesby winner! We are booked to go and see Jamesway working on the gallops under Paul Hanagan on the 24th of January, at this stage we are confident that the weather will allow us to get on the gallops and see him working. All Middleham Park Racing members are welcome with their guests.

•There's Novay we can repeat last year, just Novay!!!!

Having switched from the Patrick Haslam yard at the end of November, Dandy has not had much time to put his mark on to Novay Essjay, but in the month or so that he has had he has already shown him the way back into the winners enclosure.  With Dandy's gallops being out of use over the Xmas period Dandy has only had limited resources to hand to get him fit ready and ready for his first run of 2010. Novay Essjay is only rated 67, but there could be alot of scope from this mark, particularly in Dandy's hands. Novay was running in a competitive field on a surface he has already shown a disliking to, but he put his best foot forward to get onto the early pace, and one by one fight off his challengers down the straight to score by 3/4 of a length. Look out for him to improve for this run, as there certainly is plenty of scope off his current mark. There is currently 5% available in him, and anyone who fancies a share in this progressive 3yo should contact either Tim or Nick asap. See our available shares for details

•Social events up coming at MPR

Following a fabulous 2009 where we achieved an all time syndicate record for the number of 54 winners in a calendar year, we are proud to announce the following social events for our current and prospective owners

Dandy Nicholls Open Morning  10th January at 10am  Sat Nav YO7 3ND
Richard Fahey Open Morning 24th January 10am Sat Nav YO17 6TD
Patrick Haslam Open Morning 9am 31st January over at the barn Sat Nav DL8 4QL

•A Year to Remember!

Looking back on the year we realise that we have had a fabulous season with our horses really doing us and our trainers proud. Sea the Stars has collected nearly every award going this year, but our horses have more than held their own. Currently there are approximately 10,000 horses in training in the UK, with only 7% of them ever winning a race. Of those 10,000, we currently have two of the top five performing horses in the UK currently including the table topper in the form of Imprimis Tagula, who is the only horse in the whole of the UK to win 8 races this year. Both his owners and all our members should feel tremendously proud of the success we have had in 2009, however rest assured we have no plans to rest on our laurels, and have already added 20 horses to our string since the end of the flat season, with more to come in the coming months.

•Last Week it was a magnificent Seven. Today's mint performance has us wondering about what we do After Eight ?

The magnificently versatile Imprimis Tagula displayed real battling qualities to hold on in the final furlong of the 6f 0-100 £18,000 added feature on today's Wolves card (28/12/09). Versatile in that he has now won around Southwell, Lingfield, Wolves and been 2nd around Kempton from just the single run there. There are very few horses in the country as versatile with regard to All Weather courses and surfaces. Versatile too in terms of trip, being a 5f winner and a 7f winner too. Last week's 7f dour 9 lengths victory at Southwell places very different demands on a horse than today's nippy 5f 213yds of the Wolves fast turning track. Imprimis' victory today takes his victories in 2009 to a grand total of 8 wins. Quite what to do now we will have to give considerable thought. He could be in the running for All Weather horse pf the Year I would imagine. A fabulous horse to have on board. He has won over £28,000 in prize money in the last week. I never would have thought that any one horse of ours would win more than Collateral Damage's 6 handicap wins, but clearly I was wrong. Well done to Alan Bailey and his team and sincere congratulations go out to all Imprimis' loyal and now quite wealthy owners. There could still be more to come, After Eight !

•Hat-trick of Centuries at Middleham Park Racing

Imprimis Tagula's mightily impressive victory in Southwell's prestigious £23,800 added feature race takes the total number of winners owned by Middleham Park Racing to a massive 300. A fabulous achievement for both us and our merry band of owners. The recent addition to our team of a number of high quality horses should mean that it wont be long before the tally is added to. Today's win takes our annual total of winners to 53 which we believe is an all time record for any syndicate company in the history of British Racing. The specific dynamics too of the Southwell race today again firmly demonstrate our pole position amongst British racing syndicates.

•SWISS GUARD to show VATICAN protect our Number One status

Option to purchase SWISS GUARD 3yo colt by Montjeu out of a Nashwan mare

Irish Handicap mark 81 Estimated GB Handicap mark 87

NB NO MONTHLY TRAINING FEES UNTIL HE WINS

At Middleham Park we are very keen, as you know, to expand our National Hunt string if the right standard of horse becomes available at the right price.The 3yo high class maiden colt Swiss Guard is currently with Aiden O'Brien at Ballydoyle. As his current maiden status would suggest, he has not won from his only 3 runs on a racecourse, but last time out finished 3rd in a 1m 2f maiden race at the Curragh on soft ground in October. He looks just perfect for the jumping game based on this run. Tim Vaughan has recently been to see him at Ballydoyle and thinks he is a superb jumping specimen. He threatens to be high class over hurdles and could well be lining up at CHELTENHAM, AINTREE or PUNCHESTOWN in the Spring. With a likely Flat racing of 87 he is a guaranteed winner of a maiden race on the Flat and should be able to compete in top class handicaps on the Flat too. He is from a fantastic Flat family. His grand dam was Milligram and great grand dam was One In A Million no less. He cost 500,000gns as a yearling so clearly looked the part even then. He has been a bit backward, running only once as a 2yo (keeping on in good style over 7f) and twice since.

He could be a very exciting recruit to the Middleham Park team. We have first option to buy him and providing there is sufficient interest amongst our owners, we will proceed to purchase him. He will benefit a good deal from being gelded and I can see him winning plenty of races for us at many of Britain's top tracks over the next 2 or 3 years.

A potential high grade Juvenile hurdler in the making.

Let's hope there's no black smoke to release. If we manage to secure him, we'll send out the white smoke !

•MPR break the bank to get a high class Grand National chance

We have been scouring the form book for months to present our owners with an opportunity of winning the most spectacular race in the world and now we think we have found it. After drawn out negotiation we have agreed to  purchase 'Backstage' to stay in the Gordon Elliott yard. Backstage is a 7yo at the moment who will become 8 like all horses in Great Britain at the turn of the year. He is one of the most progressive horses in the country as he has risen from a rating of 119 to 148 since May 2009.

Backstage's most recent run saw him win a highly competitive £50,000 handicap at Ffos Las in August by ten lengths, without being asked for an effort from his jockey Tom Scudamore. Gordon Elliott has really found the key to this horse and his jumping was very impressive at Ffos Las as he gained on his rivals at the majority of the fences. Backstage has jumped round the national fences already this year, when finishing 8th in the Fox Hunters at the Grand National meeting, so again that is another tick in his box when it comes to tackling the 4 and 1/2 mile trip at Liverpool in April. The Fox Hunter's trip is clearly not far enough for him,  and our boy had plenty in the tank when winning over 3 miles 2 furlongs, so all the indications are that the National trip will be perfect for Back Stage.

This year will attract the highest amount of prize money ever for the Grand National making it the richest National Hunt race in the calendar with there being well over £1,000,000 in the pool. Backstage is currently joint 3rd favourite, priced around the 25/1 mark in the ante post markets. Obviously a lot can happen between now and then, but if anyone is the right man to get him to Liverpool in A1 condition then Gordon Elliott is the man. Gordon has already shown the ability to train a National winner in the form of Silver Birch who won in 2007 and is a vastly underrated trainer, he has a 24% strike rate with his horses over obstacles when running in Britain, a percentage that not even Paul Nicholls can match.

Gordon wants to protect Backstage's handicap mark of 148 so he will be campaigned over hurdles in his preparations leading up to Aintree, and we should be able to pick up plenty of prize money before we go for the National.

•National Hunt negotiations approach positive ending!

Following a hard week of negotiations, we have had an offer accepted
for an improving gelding who is at the fore front of the 2010 Grand
National Market. Assuming the formalities of the deal are concluded in
the next 48 hours, we will be able to make shares available to those
owners who have registered an interest by the weekend. We are convinced that owning a genuine Aintree Grand National prospect is highly on every NH owner's agenda. For this reason we urge potential investors to register their
interest with us as soon as possible. The specifics of the horse and
the share deal we can confirm to registered interested parties privately. We are sure the horse will be heavily oversubscribed and all deals done will be on a first come first serve basis.

The purchase of the horse will be announced to the General public on
Attherraces during racing on Monday 21st December by our
representative. It is for this reason that we can not name the horse
prior to that announcement, other than to those with a registered
interest.

To register your interest, please email Nick on
semisonicanthem@hotmail.com or Tim on pchinacastle@aol.com

•Negotiations ongoing as MPR looks to break the bank!! (13/12/09)
 
We believe we have of late, established ourselves as the clear market leader within the Flat sphere of racehorse syndication with stable stars such as Collateral Damage, Resplendent Light, Captain Dunne, Fol Hollow, Something, Dhaular Dhar, Red Cape, Angelo Polizano.  We have now focused in recent weeks on adding to our high level National Hunt horses with a good level of success. Horses on our current National Hunt roster include the highly promising Makhzoon who did the business for us on debut, and horses such as the up and coming mare Gentle Caribou. Add to that the high class Flat horse Dhaular Dhar who looks like being a very smart recruit to our NH ranks given the immense promise he showed on debut yesterday over hurdles lest we forget of course the very talented juvenile Tim Easterby hurdler Helieorbea. 
 
However, we are not the type of people to rest on our laurels. We have been pursuing a small selection of high quality National Hunt horses in recent weeks. Following extensive research and by using several well known contacts within the NH game, we have decided to place offers for leading jumps horses in England, Ireland and France which we feel can be competitive in the very top echelons of Jumps racing. The sort of horses who can win or at least be very competitive in the MAJOR HANDICAP CHASES held later on this National Hunt season; races such as the Grand National and Betfred Gold Cup. At this stage we are yet to secure the right horse at the right price and work is ongoing. This weekend, for instance we have tabled significant offers for three National Hunt horses each offer would smash our highest ever purchase price which recognises our commitment to providing our owners with racing at the highest level in both spheres of horse racing. As we say, negotiations are ongoing, and we look forward to informing you of a positive conclusion to our hard work very soon.

If an interest in this sort of horse appeals to you, then please do not hesitate to contact our sales' team: either Tim  07785 745292 or Nick 07780 112636

•Va Va Zoon on debut

Makhzoon made a winning, turbo charged  debut for us today (9/12/09) in the Novices hurdle at Leicester ploughing through the heavy ground in impressive style. We think he will get further, especially being a son of stamina influence Dynaformer. In fact it was not only Makhzoon's first run for us, but it was Tim Vaughan's first runner for us. So we are delighted to have got off the mark 1st time up on both counts. One of the country's leading NH trainers teaming up with the Country's leading syndication company (52 winners in 2009 now for Middleham Park Racing) threatens to be a deadly weapon in the months/seasons to come. Well done to all involved. Shares were still remaining in Makhzoon on Wednesday morning  but not surprisingly, they have now all gone.

•Tagula in prime position

Southwell has always been Imprimis' spiritual home, until now. Racing off a mark of 80 today (6/12/09) he was always just tracking the leaders before kicking on in powerful fashion up the Lingfield straight to win going away. He was always travelling well and once sent on by Lee Newnes, he never looked like being caught. He will probably be raised to a mark of 85 now and he looks a big improver. Still not 6yo until the new year (when traditionally sprinters peak) he should continue to be a real money spinner for his very lucky owners. That's his 6th win of the year! and here are still a few shares available in him amazingly, so there is still chance for new owners just jump on board. See our available shares for details.

•Collateral gets the call

Collateral Damage's handicap exploits in the 2nd half of the season in winning 6 of his 7 handicap runs from late August onwards, have seen his being nominated for the Racehorse Owner's Association Award of OUTSTANDING HANDICAPPER OF THE YEAR 2009. No mean feat to win any race at all, let alone 6 handicaps almost consecutively. In fact, I am unable to find any horse in the country who in 2009 who has won 6 HANDICAP RACES. Maybe someone can enlighten me however ? This achievement really puts Collateral in a league of his own. Hats off to Tim Easterby in training and placing the horse so well. A very special achievement for all concerned. We are very lucky to have such a star as Collateral Damage on board. I am assuming it's just luck ! In terms of winning the ROA award, I'd be unsure given that others in the category have won a low number of handicaps but perhaps their wins included a more prestigious  handicap which could capture the voters' imaginations. We'll see. Fingers crossed.

•Another big money offer for one of our recruits!
 
After purchasing Exceptional Art for a little over £40,000 and selling him for £180,000 a month after picking up the Beverley Bullet in the process, we have now attracted a six figure offer for another of our recruits. Mirrored a 45,000gns recruit from the HIT sale at Tattersalls has already attracted many investors, and was sold out within a fortnight of being purchased from the sale. We have received offers from other owners within the David Nicholls yard, throughout the course of the last month, and we have now had an offer from an overseas buyer of £100,000. An offer of more than double our initial investment will certainly be a tempting one, when you consider that our horse hasn't even ran in the Middleham Park Racing silks yet. It further goes to show that we are buying the right horses at the right prices as we look to provide the highest level of return and enjoyment for our members.

•A Nap hand of new arrivals to bolster the Middleham Park ranks

In the last week we have added 5 new horses to our roster; both young and old. Three new very inexpensive yearlings were bought for us by Dandy Nicholls at Monday's (23/11/09) yearling sales. All three are sharp and racy individuals who should be on the track in the first half of 2010. They are all colts, by BERTOLINI, DUBAI DESTINATION and Layla's Hero's sire ONE COOL CAT respectively. We can't wait to see these guys running for us next year. In addition we have acquired the high class WHISTLEDOWNWIND, purchased very inexpensively from the Jeremy Noseda stable. We look forward to racing him over the sprint distances that his pedigree suggests he ought. Finally, there is the 'old boy' FREMEN, again with Dandy who should be up to winning for us a couple of smaller races if his recent seasons are anything to go by.
Exciting times !

•Open days at Middleham Park

It's a while since we popped over to Dandy Nicholls' yard on a formal basis to see all our horses and the stable stars, REGAL PARADE, IN EXCILE, TAX FREE, LAYLA'S HERO and many of your Dandy favourites including ROYAL DIGNITARY, TUIRNKEY, FOL HOLLOW and SOMETHING. Come and see a parade of horses with numerous other attractions. Have a fantastic day out. Meet famous jockeys, Dandy and the team. We intend holding the Open Day extravaganza at Dandy's on SUNDAY 10th JANUARY 2010 starting 10am. All welcome. Bring your friends. More details to follow

On the subject of Open mornings, the Patrick Haslam open mornings will continue on the last Sunday in every month over the Winter. The main focus of the Haslam yard is currently the barn over the back, so owners should report there please on these mornings. Ann Duffield's yard will take a brief break from the roster however, returning in February.

We will also be having an open day at the all conquering Richard Fahey's yard on SUNDAY 24th JANUARY 2010 where we'll be able to see our exciting Camacho Colt in action.

We look forward to seeing most of you in attendance and having a fabulous equine day of it.

•Making History at Middleham Park Racing

Imprimis Tagula's win today (11/11/09) at Southwell created a very special day in the history of Middleham Park Racing. His victory meant that we have notched our very first half century of victories in a calendar year(well in 11 months and 11 days in fact). 50 winners in one season is a spectacular achievement for anyone in racing, let alone a racing syndicate. Middleham Park has come a long way since its inception in 1995 with just the one winning horse, CHINA CASTLE who just happens to be the winning most horse of all time on the Britain's All Weather tracks.  

Now I could be wrong, but as far as I am aware this is a first for British racing  i.e. a syndicate who has achieved 50 winners in one calendar year. It's probably history making and record breaking. There can be little doubt that Middleham Park Racing is the Country's leading syndication company. We specialise in all types of racing, Flat and Jumps and at all levels of racing, with WINNERS at big tracks for big prize money and winners at small tracks for small beer. We have horses trained as southerly as Sussex and Wiltshire, as Northerly a Glasgow, as easterly as Newmarket and many places in between.

Our success is principally down to our great team of trainers and owners. A hearty thanks goes out to you all.

If you would like to join in the success story with us or add to your existing string with us, call our sales team anytime Nick on 07780 112636  or Tim  on 07785 745292 or email us on pchinacastle@aol.com 

•Grand Finale for Collateral

Just when you thought things couldn't get any better for Collateral Damage he continues to thrive on his racing and won in very impressive style the final race of the British turf Flat racing season; the £40,000 added Totesport handicap. He must be odds on favourite to win handicapper of the year, having won 6 of his last 7 handicaps (all of them high class handicaps too - not at all a Sir Mark Prescott 0-60 type sequence, Collateral has won a real genuine high class series of races) I haven't totted up his winnings this season alone, but it must be approaching £75,000. I'd like to see the stats on what % of horses have won that much prize money this season. I bet in excess of 99.9% of horses in training have not !!

As Derek Thompson said today following our CH4 victory

 ''he is a very special horse, this Collateral Damage. He will come back here (Doncaster) for the Lincoln in March 2010''

Would you bet against his taking a very prominent hand in the finish of the 2010 Lincoln Handicap ?

•All's well that ends well!

Collateral Damage today put himself firmly in contention for handicapper of the season given his 5th handicap win of the year under a patient David Allen ride up at Ayr in the John Smiths 1m Hcp. (31/10/09). Up 18 lbs since his first win at Ayr approximately 8 weeks ago Collateral Damage took his seasonal earnings to almost £50,000. In fact his lucky owners are now able to purchase, as we planned, a £22,000 yearling colt and pay for its keep for a year with the monies that Collateral has won them this season. So it'll provide them with two horses for the price of one. Now that's what we call good business!  We expect today's run to be Collateral's final run of the season so that will provide a great seasonal swan song for this fantastic horse. He will be prepared for the 2010 Lincoln Handicap probably off a mark in the low 90's where he should be prominent in the early betting and give his really enthusiastic owners yet another fabulous day out on Town Moor.

As Derek Thompson commented recently on Channel 4 TV following Collateral's win in the big Boddington's £30,000 added final at Redcar,

''These Middleham Park horses, they do so well. Some of the owners were just telling me that this horse only ever seems to win races sponsored by breweries; now that's the way to do it''

We guess today's John Smiths sponsored handicap at Ayr was a bit of a foregone conclusion if you look at it that way, despite the rather generous 11/4 fav starting price. The owners will know what beverage to celebrate the victory with.

•Hat trick success at this week's sales

We have had a great week in the depths of Suffolk ( i.e. Newmarket), securing 3 fabulous individuals. All will go to Dandy to train. We hope we have unearthed another EXCEPTIONAL ART, who we recently purchased here in Newmarket for 41,000gns before he won a listed race on debut and then sold to the USA for £180,000. We are thrilled to bits with the three horses, GALPIN JUNIOR, KING'S WONDER and MIRRORED. Quite how many races and how much prize money those three will earn us over the next 3 or 4 years is anyone's guess. Maybe there is a Group 1 winner in there a la REGAL PARADE or CONTINENT, BAHAMIAN PIRATE, YA MALAK; most of whom were purchased at this sale for Dandy to train.

•Helieorbea hoses in over hurdles

Helieorbea made a winning debut over hurdles by taking the 2m Juvenile Hurdle at Haydock on Wednesday. (28/10/09). Under a very patient ride from Richard McGrath, Helieorbea ran the race at his own pace, ignoring the free going front runners. The tactics paid dividends as he came round the home turn 20 lengths adrift but was soon reeling them in between the last 2 flights of hurdles. A good jump at the last put the race to bed and he won going away. He can we again under both codes.

•Jumping to it

At this time of year, we tend to clear out moderate horses and replace with new and exciting stock, (which can of course turn out to be moderate stock in the fullness of time we guess, but that's never the aim!) We have been working very very hard this week (w/e 23rd October) at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales to replenish our jumping stock. We have acquired two new charges and ensured that one remains safely on the Middleham Park roster. The two new horses are WAKE BOARD and GRAND ART. Both sure fire future winners we think. Both will be trained by up and coming NH trainer Tim Vaughan. The third horse is DUKE OF TOURAINE who we are delighted to bring home to Patrick Haslam's Manor House Sables. He is a high class hurdler and will win races too for us on the Flat. Exciting times at MPR. We head to Tattersall Horse in Training sales this week in Newmarket. There could well be another addition or two to the ranks. See our available shares for details.

•In with the new

It's that time of year again. Three new horses have been confirmed this week at Middleham Park Racing. All are yearlings and set to race for us in 2010. The first is a beautiful CAPTAIN RIO yearling colt to be trained by Tim Easterby, the second a very attractive yearling colt who is a FULL BROTHER to STAR ROVER to be trained by RICHARD FAHEY and the third is a very strong chesnut yearling filly by REFUSE TO BEND to be trained by Ann Duffield. Why not take a closer look at them by clicking on our available shares.

•Grand not so grand

Tim Vaughan sent his man to vet and collect Grand Bleu this morning. Everything had been agreed, but Vaughan's man wasn't happy with one of his front tendons, subsequently we had him scanned. The scan showed heat in the tendon, so we have subsequently withdrawn our offer to purchase the horse. It's a shame as we had already outlined an exciting racing plan for next year. Tim is looking for another chaser for us all the time, he has suggested a horse called Paddy Pub but at this stage he looks like being outside our price bracket. We'll keep you informed of any further developments.

•Exceptional Deal too good to refuse

The fantastic last to first performance of EXCEPTIONAL ART in the feature race of their season, the Beverley Bullet attracted offers form the USA. Initially the offers came in at 130k which we were able to turn down. However when they escalated past 150k up to a mighty 180k we had to sit up and take notice. The horse had been purchased by us in July 2009 for a mere 41,000gns at Tattersalls, so the sale represented a huge mark up for his very lucky owners. If you add to this the satisfaction of winning their listed Beverley Bullet and the £23,000 to the winner that day, the prospect of the 41,000 becoming £203,000 was just too good to resist. We wish his new connections well as they race him in the USA. If they do well with him, then they may well come back again to purchase others and it could prove a nice outlet for us.

•Granny teaches them a trick or two

Despite things not quite going her way in some of her recent races, Granny McPhee came into tonight's Wolverhampton race (3/10/09) quite fancied. The presenters on ATR suggested the confidence in her was rather misplaced, but maybe that is why they are talking about what may happen in a race late on at Saturday night rather than participating in it. From flag fall, a decent break meant that Granny was well in touch but held up, and given a really patient ride she made headway around the wide outside and powered clear in the final furlong to win in impressive style; that of a horse who could well follow up. Well done to her very patient owners. Our 46th winner of the year.

•Collateral claims his 4th win on the bounce

Super tough Collateral Damage landed his 4th handicap win in a row by taking the valuable Boddingtons Redcar Straight Mile Championship Final. Because Richard Fahey kept his highly rated Dream Lodge in the race, Collateral got into the race on the feather-weight of 7st 12lb. This meant we had to find a jockey who could do the weight and Kelly Harrison, who has already ridden several winners for us, fitted the bill. In the end it proved a shrewd choice as Kelly give him a peach of a ride, especially as the gaps didn't come initially for her as Collateral tried to make his effort. But patience was indeed a virtue and when the gap eventually came, Kelly rousted him through, to take the prize by a head. Collateral is an amazingly consistent horse and often consistent horses suffer at the hands of the handicapper, so for him to land 4 handicaps in a row is a great training performance from Tim Easterby. We're looking to find the right race to try and make it 5 in a row.

•Conditions just right for the Captain

Handicap company has been quite tricky for CAPTAIN DUNNE this season. To date his best performance for us this season was when he was just touched off to be 2nd in the INVESTEC DASH at Epsom on Derby Day. He was 2nd too just prior to Epsom at Thirsk and then won the Portland Handicap recently on the 'wrong side' to finish an impressive 3rd. Today was his 'just desserts' in winning, in hugely impressive style, the Conditions race at Beverley (22/09/09). The Capt could well go on to bigger and better things before the end of the season. He has, on occasions, threatened to be a high class horse. Lest we forget he was entered mid-season this year for the NUNTHORPE GROUP 1 at YORK. That's how highly he has promised on occasions.

•Ann Duffield Open Day

Sunday 27th September 2009 10am - 12:30pm

Sun Hill Farm
Constable Burton
Nr Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 5RL

Middleham Park Racing welcomes you to:
Come along and see all our horses with Ann Duffield, at Sun Hill Stables and enjoy a BBQ with Ann, George and the team.

Usual access to the Patrick Haslam yard is 9am - 10am.
Manor House Stables
Middleham
Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 4QL

For any additional details please don't hesitate to email Nick on semisonicanthem@hotmail.com

•Collateral Damages the bookies again

Hat trick seeking Collateral Damage was backed in from 5/2 to 7/4, to take the £6100 Ayr Western prize for his owners on Thursday (17/9/09), given that most things were in his favour. Myself, I didn't really think there was much value to be had with him at around those sort of prices, but as per usual, the betting markets got it right. You will have been counting your money with 2f to go as he loomed up large on the outside to take up the running. Then it looked like he would be swamped at the distance. I bet the in running betting markets were in a frenzy of activity. Fortunately David Allen had saved a bit for the finish so when he punched him out once more, he kept finding to the line to win in very game fashion. He has rattled up a quick fire hat trick in around 22 days, so well done to Tim Easterby and his team for placing him to advantage.

•Come 'home alone' Spirit returns to the scene of the crime

Whispering Spirit today at Catterick (4/09/09) was a perfect example of the age old adage 'horses for courses'   Why  ? - her two wins to date have both been over course and distance, and today's performance in sticking to far side rail saw her come 'home alone' under the excellent Sylvestre De Souza. It represents her 2nd victory to date and our 42nd of  2009 and we hope she can build significantly on this in the future.  A great horse to own, she has rewarded her very loyal set of owners. Well done to them all. She was running rather poorly this time last year so for Ann to turn her around is a great achievement.

•Decisions Decisions!!

In life, you live and die by your decisions and we have had one to make this week. Following last week's victory in the Beverley Bullet, Exceptional Art has attracted significant interest from America. An offer has come in in which is well into six figures, which isn't bad considering he cost just 41,000gns at the recent July Sales in Newmarket. At the moment we are considering the offer but we have already become quite attached to the flashy chestnut and since we aren't in it to make money, just enjoy owning racehorses, it looks like the offer will be declined.

•Defiant Collateral Damages his handicap mark

A week ago Collateral Damage had slipped to a very lenient looking mark of 70, so when the rains came at Ayr, he had to be a bit of a good thing and duly obliged. It was quite an impressive victory and the handicapper chose to raise him 10 lbs. A 6 lbs penalty until the handicapper's reassessment comes into play therefore was always unlikely to stop him in the short term. he only doubt really at Redcar today (3/9/09) was the faster underfoot conditions, but Collateral powered through the final 2 furlongs to win drawing away again. He will have a revised mark in the 80's again I am sure so he really will need give underfoot if he is defy a further rise. His victory brings our seasonal tally to a mighty 41.

•'September' begins at 40

As the old adage goes, 40 can be the start of good things and Royal Dignitary's hard fought victory at Beverley on Sunday (30/8/08) notched up MPR's victory tally for 2009 following Exceptional Art's win in the BEVERLEY BULLET yesterday, to the mighty total of 40, entering into the month of September. Way ahead of our best ever winner schedule the victory of Digger brought home the bacon under a very positive Adrian Nicholls' ride. Adrian dictated it from the front following a very cheeky right hand down steer in the first furlong of the race, slightly contrary to a strict implementation of the rules. A good job sky sports didn't flag up the incident as much as they did Eduardo's simulation last week or we'd be experiencing retribution too from the powers that be I feel. Canny tactics from Adrian I prefer to perceive them as since Adrian has really clicked with this horse this season. Digger has now won 15 races and is a 'living legend' at Middleham Park. Not many people or horses ever achieve that; certainly not Eduardo.

•39th Step a real Dandy tonic

Today's 5f Class 1 LISTED Race The Beverley Bullet (29/8/09), the most prestigious race run at Beverley each season, and televised by Channel 4 was won in very impressive and exciting fashion by our very own EXCEPTIONAL ART.  He came with a real rattle down the wide outside, making headway from a position where he was last at halfway to see him pop his head in front where in matters, on the line. Now if you don't know the history of this horse, we only purchased him in July for 41,000gns at the TATTERSALLS JULY SALE, out of the Peter Chapple Hyam yard. Today was his first run for us. And what a run !! He is probably worth over 100k now. He was highly thought of by the Chapple Hyam team as a 2yo but his temperament had rather got in his way ever since. Our thoughts on him prior to the sale in July were that

''he is a high class horse rated 97, lightly raced and still only 3yo with a quirk or two. Probably been racing over a distance too far in 7f and a mile since he is by the speed influence EXCEED AND EXCEL; who should we get to buy and train him for us we pondered ?''

Well, we didn't have to ponder too long. The only name to be put in the hat of course was that Dandy 'the sprint King' Nicholls no less. The sale went well and we managed to bring him home. Dandy has done a fabulous job on him ever since, getting him to bulk and muscle up. He never sweats and is a lovely horse to 'do' at home. Never a problem. Where this reputation as a quirky sort ever came from we have no idea.

His target since July has been the AYR GOLD CUP which remains a possibility as does the Portland at Doncaster at their St Leger meeting. His victory in the Bullet gives him a 5 lbs penalty for Ayr so we'll see what the handicapper does in the meantime.

The victory, the 39th in our record breaking season, is a real tonic for Dandy who has been in hospital lately for some defib treatment to adjust his heart rate. I bet the final furlong of the Beverley race increased its tempo a fair bit. Of course we wish him well and a speedy recovery  back to his ever chipper and cheeky ways. Maybe Exceptional Art has realised he has met his cheeky match and so has decided to pipe down a little !

•Dogged duo deliver double delight

Across the card doubles are becoming common place at Middleham Park it seems courtesy of the impressive 5 and 6 lengths victories of BONNIE PRINCE BLUE and COLLATERAL DAMAGE this afternoon (26/8/09). Both horses arrived here today not having won for over a year, but both have managed to get themselves really well handicapped in the meantime. Their patient owners have enjoyed a day in the Sun. So well done to all concerned. Both horses broke well and travelled fairly prominently before kicking on with over 2f to go. Neither race was in any doubt from the moment they both hit the front. Both horses seem to enjoy a bit of cut in the ground and both should be horses to follow in the ensuing weeks. The slightly unlucky in running HIGHLY ACCLAIMED was a decent 4th to give us another fantastic day at Middleham Park Racing from our three runners.

•Double Delight breaks the Middleham Park "all time" record

Having two morning odds on favourites is always a tricky situation to be in. It's almost as if you have it all to lose and little to gain. Well I can assure you there was a mighty relief all round at Middleham Park with the impressive performances of both Turnkey at Carlisle and Helieorbea at Hamilton this afternoon (19/8/09). Both won impressively in the end by an aggregate of over 10 lengths. Neither looked like odds odd shots at their respective 2f poles, but they both asserted late to win going away. Both should continue their winning ways in the short to medium term. Their wins provided us with an across the card double, not for the first time in 2009 but they do remain a little of a rarity in this game, for trainers and especially for owners. A fabulous achievement. On the same subject, their victories bring the MPR win total for 2009 to 36. This is a record breaking total here at Middleham Park, surpassing our previous best of 35 in 2007. With just under 40 horses in training this represents a fantastic strike rate. Look too at the wins to place ratio. We define places as 2nd, 3rd and 4th. So in theory the place tally should be three times the size of the wins tally. 2009 stats state 36 wins and 38 places. It is my belief that this represents a fabulous bit of placing of horses by ourselves and our trainers to over achieve so much statistically on the win portion, especially when you consider how many top class races our horses actually run in and how hard it is to win them. It shows the dedication we have at MPR to improve and we thank all our loyal owners for their fantastic support in enabling this mighty feat to be achieved. NB it's still only mid August so there could still be more winners to come, especially if owners help us to acquire more horses.

We look forward to seeing you all again soon, hopefully in the winner's enclosure!

•Old boy Turnkey shows them he's no back number

The usually held up Turnkey raced really prominently today under Adrian Nicholls (8/8/09) to take the all age 6f claimer on Ayr's card. He really stuck his neck out when it mattered and he just wanted it more than the Kevin Ryan horse. Not blessed with the best of joints, Turnkey has done well to win this on ground plenty quick enough for his rickety old knees. As long as his joints hold up there should be more wins in him in his grade, especially when there is a bit of juice in the ground which enables him to let himself down.

•Carmenero calls the tune on MPR swan song

At Brighton today, (7/8/08) Carmenero managed to get up in the final stride to win on the line, just where it matters. A victory for the enigmatic performer looked unlikely a furlong out, but when the gap came he ran on in better fashion than the 50 rate second horse. He deserved a victory given his consistency but you have to doubt whether he can build on this and when the bidding went to £11,500 in the post race sale, it was time to let the 6yo go. He has been a good servant to us since his 2yo days and has given his loyal owners an awful lot of fun and many days at the races.

•Super Red just keeps on winning

Ruth Carr is in red hot form at the moment as Red Cape scored for the 4th time this year, picking up the valuable £15k added 6f handicap at Ripon on Monday. He bossed the race from the start and put his rivals to the sword as he kicked on strongly from the furlong pole. He'll look to score again in another valuable handicap at Haydock on Saturday.

•MPR debutant strikes again!!
 
Ruth Carr is having a tremendous season as are we, and we teamed up once again to pick up a valuable Chester Nursery. Diamond Laura was claimed less than a month ago by Ruth, and we were grateful that she gave us first option on the exciting 2yo filly. Diamond Laura, was 4 wide in the opening stages round the tight Chester bends, and things didn't go her way in the early stages. She couldn't quite go the early gallop and sat just off the pace having been niggled along by Sylvestre. Turning in she was switched wide and powered past the fading leaders and held off the smart Mark Johnston horse to win cosily. We thought that Diamond Laura had a tremendous attitude and today further backed up our opinion, look out for her to follow up or perhaps even step up to Listed races next time. That brings up 30 winners for the year so far, and we are continuing to improve and increase the level of quality we have in our ranks.

•Diamond to sparkle for MPR?

Ruth Carr has been having an exceptional season for a smallish yard. She churns out winner after winner, including, as you know the three time 2009 winner RED CAPE for us. Recently, Ruth asked if  we would  like to buy a horse that she had purchased at the July sales recently, namely the very classy CHARLIE COOL. We agreed and he makes his debut for us in the listed race at Pontefract on Sunday. David Chapman (Ruth's grandfather) is very shrewd also at buying and claiming horses and then doing really well them, often sweetening them up and even improving them. Ruth has contacted us to see if we may be interested in purchasing a horse that she claimed at Beverley on Monday; a 2yo called DIAMOND LAURA. Apparently, the horse won impressively in a claimer by 5 lengths no less which is a long way over 5f, winning for the 3rd time this season. It does seem as if there are plenty more wins in the filly and she should be able to win a nursery handicap. She has already been 4th in a listed race and should be able to do something similar in the foreseeable future. She could be a Parisian Pyramid type horse for next season too. We have said to Ruth that if there is enough interest in the horse then we will take it. If a share in the horse is of interest to you then please get in touch because obviously it will affect our decision about whether to proceed or not. We look forward to maybe hearing from you. Costs would be in the region of £150 per 1% share and £20 per month. If an all inclusive fee for 12 months is of interest to you, then we're sure we could sort something out.

•Flo Jo sprint to victory is far from maligned

It is not often that Tony McCoy is out-ridden, but in the 4:15 at Cartmel today (16/7/09) we saw an example of just this. Keith Mercer, who gets on particularly well with our horse Josephine Malines, led on her from pillar to post. He nicked 6 lengths at the start, injected some pace and got them all at it. Then, by continually slowing things down and quickening things up he was able to keep Josephine's fluid movements at the head of affairs. Looking like she may get reeled in 3 out her sprint for the line was rather akin to that of an olympic athlete. Then, in very tenacious fashion she fought off Tony McCoy and the well backed favourite on the run to the line. Her delighted owners assembled in the winners enclosure to celebrate in enthusiastic fashion, her 2nd victory for us since being purchased for 12,000 guineas.

•Whispering Spirit see her rivals cry enough!

Whispering Spirit today (15/7/09) put in an awesome display to take the 7f maiden on Catterick's card, eased down in the final furlong. Taken along at a suicidal early pace by the 43 rated leader, the field were well strung out after 2 furlongs. Settled just of the pace, canny old Sylvestre De Souza quietly bided his time on Whispering around the bend and send our big filly ahead half way up the straight. He was looking around and easing down throughout the final furlong. She loves a bit of juice in the ground and this will have done her the world of good. Well done too to her very patient owners, who had little to cheer in the first half of the season.

•Exceptional purchase at the July Sales

We struck for the second time in 2 days at the Tattersalls July sales by purchasing the 3yo Exceptional Art out of the Peter Chapple-Hyam yard. This quality horse won on his 2yo debut by 6 lengths before going to France to run in the Group 1 Prix Morny. He's already won and finished 2nd in his 3 races as a 3yo and he looks like he'll be an exceptional acquisition for us. See our available shares for details.

•Cool customer joins Middleham Park ranks

We have bought many of our best horses at Newmarket's July sale and we hope we have unearthed another gem in the form of the John Gosden CHARLIE COOL. A 6yo entire he is virtually a Group horse. He ran a close 4th only on Saturday in a hotly contested Newmarket handicap off a mark of 100. His last victory was only as far back as his penultimate start, in Dubai where he won a £50,000 handicap. We cant believe we have managed to buy him on our always prudent budget. He will have a residual guaranteed because he still in an entire. He could well be a stallion somewhere abroad. Ruth Carr who has done so well for us with RED CAPE recently will train him. We can't wait to see him run in the blue and orange silks. See our available shares for details

•Red Cape flies away from his rivals!

Red Cape, today (1st July), continued MPR's purple patch winning in fine style over 6f at Catterick backing up his good run the week before at Newcastle. Well supported in the market throughout the day, he travelled supremely well on the heels of the leaders and when asked to go about his business by Andrew Elliot he settled the race in a matter of strides only needing to be kept up to his work in the final furlong before been eased down close home and still managed to clock a very quick time. Given his right conditions he is sure to win many more races for us in the coming months as he appears to be back to his best. He was once a 90+ horse and the way he is going, it wont be long before he is back to that mark.

•Gambled San Silvestro keeps on sticking his neck out!
 
From a ridiculous early morning price of 50/1 San Silvestro showed tremendous heart to not only get to the lead but beat off all his challengers to retain it all the way to the post. San Silvestro has now made it two from two around Musselburgh both times having been ridden from the front. These tactics are quite successful around Musselburgh and our boy seems to enjoy being able to boss his races. Our win coincides with the good form of the Duffield yard, and I would look out for her horses over the coming weeks. Clever selection of jockeys and exploitation of low handicap marks from last year disappointing season are reasons to keep on the right side of the horses from Sun Hill.

•Hel's Angel delivers her effort late to chalk up another win!
 
Hel's Angel is proving to be a great acquisition to the MPR ranks as she produced her second winning performance of the season. A great bit of placing by Ann Duffield saw our filly get a 10lb 3yo allowance in this Pontefract event, which proved decisive as Hel's Angel was produced from off the pace to circle her rivals on the run in to get her head in front with 75 yards to go. Jamie Kyne, having his first ride for MPR was faultless in his performance and joins Sylvester De Sousa in having his first win for Ann Duffield in recent days. Hel's Angel's owners are having great fun with their cheaply purchased buy, and thanks once again should go to Helen Baines for allowing us to enjoy her Angel.

•Hi Dances through his beaten rivals
 
Hi Dancer produced a masterful display to put his rivals to the sword at Hamilton. Ridden by Emily Stead, Hi Dancer travelled sweetly throughout his race sitting in 3rd a couple of lengths of the pace. Turning in Hi Dancer's abundant stamina began to show as he picked of his rivals one by one to power through to score by 4 lengths. Hi Dancer clearly gets on very well with Emily as and is in good heart and look out for him in future to score over trips where his stamina can give him the edge. Well done Emily, and all the winning owners.

•Fol defies the weights to score again
 
Looking at the form book, you could not have backed Fol Hollow today at Beverley today, as he was meeting many of his rivals from his previous Beverley victory but at much worse terms, giving some of his opponents nearly a stone in weight. But this year MPR horses seem to know that we are aiming for 50 victories, and they are putting in that bit extra to win their races rather than being placed. Fol was not drawn ideally in 3 but, with the defection of a couple of horses, he found himself drawn only 4 from the favoured Beverley rail. Adrian helped Fol to break superbly and he found himself on the pace with some of his rivals over 6 lengths down after a furlong. The writing was on the wall at this stage as there is not many horses who can give Fol a lead and then peg him back over 5 furlongs. When pressed by the Kevin Ryan trained favourite, Fol lengthened again to put his rival to the sword. Fol Hollow has now chalked up 3 wins this season already and has treated his owners to win in the UK and Ireland, what a terrific horse to be involved with. Lookout for him following up with another victory at the weekend.

•Angelo shows his true colours at last
 
Angelo Polizano has had all of us scratching our heads over recent months as we know we have a quality animal but until now we hadn't seen half of his potential. So what was different today? Well we did use a new jockey for the first time today, Silvestre De Sousa has ridden many of our horses with Dandy, and for those owners who have had him ride for them, I would doubt if one of them had a bad word to say about him. Silvestre is all power and certainly put his power to good use round Wolverhampton yesterday as not only did he keep him under wraps on the way to the start but he guided him round the inside of the Wolverhampton bend to cruise past his rivals to score by over 2 lengths. Credit also needs to go to Angelo's patient owners who have stuck by their horse, their trainer and Middleham Park Racing. Let's hope that this is the start of great things for Angelo Poliziano and his talented pilot Silvestre de Sousa. 

•Turnkey turns back the clock at Ripon!
 
His owners and anyone who has followed Turnkey whilst he has been a MPR horse will be aware that the key to this horse is the ground. Whilst we have all enjoyed the warm weather we have been experiencing recently, Turnkey has not been thriving as he has done in previous seasons as he loves a bit of cut in the ground. At Ripon the official going was Gd to Soft which is ideal for our fella, as he can really stride out and enjoy galloping. Running down the far side of the track he twice found trouble in running before being switched off the rail to power home and pick off the Richad Fahey horse 'Gap Princess'. Many people may think that Turnkey had lost his way in recent runs, but that is anything but the case, he hasn't had his ground and therefore hasn't been threatening to win his races. Look out for him to follow up, on his ground in coming weeks!!!

•The Captain leads the way to potential Group 1 glory

Buoyed by his mighty run in the £75,000 EPSOM Dash on Derby Day in finishing a SH HD 2nd to Indian Trail, Captain Dunne (RPR 105) will lead us into battle in pattern company. His next run will almost certainly be the City Wall Stakes (listed) at Chester's July meeting. It's a track that should suit him well, and given a good draw he should go close. York's Knavesmire too is all about speed and given the rains that came down at last year's Juddmonte International meeting in August, then the Captain could take a bit of pegging back on the Knavesmire. Entries for the York Sprint showpiece the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes go in at the end of this month, but the Captain fully deserves and entry in this prestigious Yorkshire prize. The entry doesn't come cheap at just short of £1000 but the decision to put him on the race hasn't been taken lightly. For instance, ANGLEZARKE (RPR 107) and CAPTAIN GERRARD (RPR 110) finished 3rd and 4th in the King's Stand Stakes; both rated 100, the identical mark to CAPTAIN DUNNE. The winning time of that race was just over 59 seconds. Albeit on a different track, Captain Dunne clocked just over 54.67 secs on the Epsom downs.

•Red Cape covers himslef in more glory

The fast 6f and a good draw at Thirsk suited the old boy really well today (16/6/09). Up in the weights for his hugely impressive Catterick victory just over a week ago Red Cape fought on really well in the final furlong to repel all raiders as they came to challenge. 6f suits him best combined with quite a fast track. He doesnt mind 7f but is a slightly weak finisher when tried over that trip. He loves the AW and there could be more wins to come for this lad. He was winning off just 70 today and was almost 100 in his pomp, so you could argue he is still well handicapped. Time will tell, but he has done us proud anyway.

•Super Sanny goes ballistic, future is atrocious

San Silvestro put in a power packed finish to blow his opponents out of the water in the seller at Musselburgh today (6/06/09) putting one or two more fancied rivals in the shade and beating too some very moderate performers who finished out the back. It was great ride from Brian McHugh, who judged the pace really well and gave able assistance to his very willing charge. San Silvestro was retained in the post race auction without a bid; probably indicating the paucity of the opposition contesting the race. A great bit of placing from Ann Duffield and we hope we can find another similarly atrocious race that he could be up to winning.

•Epsom downs rasies the MPR profile

A fantastic week last week culminated in some sterling performances in the Epsom downs. The week began with Imprimis Tagula winning first time up for us in impressive fashion and then Red Cape and Victoire De Lyphar both winning with some comfort by both bursting clear in the final furlong of their respective races on Friday 5/6/09. The sky is the limit for Victoire De Lyphar, a son of the very classy Bertolini. We will probably by pass the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and attempt to bring him along steadily. He was very green still at Doncaster and he may even require 7f in due course. His pedigree says sprinter but he doesn't do too much in a hurry on course. It could be that as he gains experience he will be mentally sharper and do things quicker in his races.

It was great to see so many of our owners down at Epsom, enjoying one of the social days in the diary and having a runner to boot. Please accept my apologies if I did not get chance to speak to you individually or if I was only able to afford you a little of my time down there. Then of course there were the splendid performances of our horses on the track. Captain Dunne being the highlight in leading all the way in the £75,000 Investec Dash only to be collared on the line by Dandy's fast finishing Indian Trail. A career best performance for the Captain and a big race surely awaits him before too long. Something was probably the unluckiest horse on the card in finishing 3rd in the finale. He was still on the bridle inside the final furlong but had nowhere to go and when Paul Quinn was able to extricate him it was all too late. He should have won, but a big race surely awaits Something too. Maybe the Wokingham £100,000 handicap in a fortnight's time could be on his agenda. Dandy sounded upbeat when I spoke to him Sunday morning about Something.

We have had so many emails and texts from delighted owners thanking us for the day. Some owners have described the day as one of the best of their lives, which is quite something when you consider this particular comment came from from a retired couple. It is so very rewarding to be receiving all the appreciative words from happy owners, but to be frank, the thanks should be to you, our loyal band of owners. It is only because of you and your support that we can buy the horses in the first place.

•Epsom awaits

This weekend sees the racing circus move on to Epsom for the Investec Oaks and Derby. The standard of racing over the 2 days is high class. We are so very fortunate to have 5 horses eligeable to race at Epsom on Derby Day itself. En masse, 60 or so of Middleham Park's proudest owners will be descending on the downs to see their respective charges compete at one of the social diary's biggest days. We will be rubbing shoulders with the rich, famous and royalty in the Queen's Stand, attired in morning suits looking like landed gentry.

Our runners in the £75,000 Epsom Dash - the Tim Easterby CAPTAIN DUNNE, who currenty sits favourite in some bookmakers lists. FOL HOLLOW already a dual winner in 2009, will be looking to take the same prize back north if at all possible. Mick Kinane takes the mount on the Captain (he used to ride Somnus for Tim Easterby). Fol Hollow currently sits at around a 14/1 to take theprize. RESPLENDENT LIGHT looks to open his account for the season in the £20,000 added 1m 4f heritage hcp on the card for horses rated 86-105. He should give a good account of himself. Lastly now, due to the late defection of Turnkey due to the fast ground is SOMETHING who won an £18,000 hcp at Kemptonn in April beating Benandonner. We have brought him here fresh and well, still off a leanient looking mark of 93. Fingers crossed. All our horses look to have decent draws and we are very optimistic of some great entertainment on the hallowed Derby Day turf.

•Victoire by name and Victoire by nature

Victoire De Lyphar showed his true colours at Doncaster on Friday evening with a very impressive 3 1/4 length win in the 2yo maiden. He was expected to run well at Haydock last Friday but ran extremely greenly and his inexperience ruined his chances there. It was a very different story this time round as he broke smartly to track the leaders and showed an impressive turn of foot to sprint clear of the field in the final furlong. He still showed some inexperience when asked to pick up, so there will be more to come from this impressive colt. In winning, he also landed a £10,000 breeze up bonus for his owners. We have now scooped 2 of the 14 breeze up bonuses won to date.

•Red romps in a Catterick

Red Cape romped to a deserved win at Catterick on Friday after a series of close efforts recently. His jockey Andrew Elliott deserves the plaudits as he had the courage of his convictions to bring him over to the stand rail in search of better ground after a day of heavy rain had softened the going. That proved to be a masterstroke as Red powered home by 4 1/2 lengths. He may take his chance for a quick follow up under a penalty at Pontefract on Monday.

•Impressive Imprimis delivers the goods

Imprimis Tagula put in an impressive display in the 7f Claimer at Southwell on Tuesday to win on his debut for us. He took it on from the front and looked the winner 4f out as he travelled really well, quickened when asked and won eased down. He is a credit to his trainer Alan Bailey and really loves the all weather surface at Southwell. He reminded us of Glenbuck coming round that final bend on the front of the pack! He's a really consistent sort and will give his owners plenty of fun. There are still shares available in the Newmarket trained horse that we bought last week. See our available shares for details.

•Tagula primed to be in first place

A more consistent horse you could not wish to meet than the Alan Bailey trained IMPRIMIS TAGULA. He is bang in form and threatens to keep his owners thoroughly entertained all year round. The perfect horse to own. Middleham Park Racing have only recently purchased him such is the potential to be a numerous winning horse for us in the months to come that we believe him to be. We think he will continue to strengthen up as he matures physically. Most horses who race at distances short of 8f do not fully mature until they are 6yo. Imprimis Tagula is currently only a 5yo. Sprinters get better with age usually as they really muscle up. Many of our horses have been at their physical peak at 6yo and 7yo; such as China Castle, Royal Dignitary, Turnkey, American Cousin, Hi Dancer to name but a few. So Imprimis Tagula has a further year or so of improvement before we see the best of him. He has always been a late developer, being very lightly raced as a 2yo and as a 3yo before racing regularly in the last 18 months as he has been thriving physically. Alan Bailey has really brought him along steadily with his future in mind. He has only raced 23 times in total but is running very regularly at the moment and will continue to do so for his Middleham Park owners. Shares in him are still available.

He goes best on turf on top of the ground but loves all the All Weather surfaces. Trained in Newmarket, at the heart of the racing fraternity he will run a mostly the midland/southern turf tracks as well as the All Weather tracks namely Lingfield, Kempton, Wolverhampton, Southwell and Great Leighs.  He is fantastic value for money and comes highly recommended. He should more than pay for himself and give his owners numerous fun days out each year. See our available shares for details.

•Heaven and Hel rolled into one 

We are becoming quite adept at identifying horses with the potential to win races, going out and purchasing them and then their doing the business by winning on debut for us on the track. Examples of suchlike in 2009 alone are GENERAL FEELING, GENTLE CARIBOU, NOVAY ESSJAY and now HEL'S ANGEL. Hel's Angel came with a power packed drive up the outside today at Thirsk in the fillies handicap despite her paltry draw and getting dragged wide turning for home. A great, patient ride from Darrah O' Donnohoe who punched her out hands and heels near the line to repel allcomers. Simply heaven for her enthusiastic band of owners. Congratulations to each and every one. Hel's Angel should now go on to bigger and better things, but to be frank now who cares, she as already done for us, more than 93% of the racehorse population do, in winning a race. Job done! We've probably been quite lucky to have had the above four horses win for us on their debuts, but it's funny you know; it seems the harder you work, the luckier you get.

•Faraway seasonal debut looks a little further away

As you will know Faraway missed his seasonal reappearance date at Beverley on Tuesday. The reason being that he didn't work well last week. Patrick was a little confused as to why. The vets have been in and given him a thorough once over. They have found a hairline fracture to his pelvis which rather slows things down a little. The prognosis is for a full, 100% recovery, but the injury will necessitate 5 weeks box rest before the being prepped for his next racecourse appearance. I would imagine it will be mid August before we see Faraway again. Please accept my apologies, but there is little we can do.

•Cheque this out!

8th May - Ripon, UK

The second winner of an additional £10,000 courtesy of the Breeze-up Bonus was NOVAY ESSJAY, short head winner of the SIS Maiden Auction at Ripon.

Owned by Middleham Park Racing and trained by Patrick Haslam he was purchased from Doncaster Breeze Up Sale for £12,000 so his earnings to date are £13,238 just like LADY LUBE RYE more than his purchase price!

•There's Novay we were going to get beaten!
 
About a month ago, we launched 'Operation Breeze Up Bonus' at the Doncaster Breeze Up Sales. There was approximately 140 horses in the sale and attending the sale was a who's who of horse racing faces. We scoured the catalogue, reviewed the breezes and bought 3 horses from the sale. The average sale price was in excess of £22,000 but we picked our 3 horses up for approximately half of that figure. Up until last night none of the horses at the sale had won, that was until our own 'Novay Essjay' debuted at Ripon. 
 
Novay Essjay was running against horses that had previous racecourse experience, but it made little difference as our horse cut them down in the final furlong to get his nose ahead where it mattered. This is a very proud moment for everyone at MPR as not only have we enhanced our horse's value dramatically, but we have also scooped £10,000 for the owners as only the second winner of the breeze up bonus and over £3,000 for winning the race. We only paid £12,000 for this horse and once again we have demonstrated our ability to purchase horses cheaply and win first time out with them. Look out for a visit to the Doncaster sales in the coming weeks, as we look to add to our string! 

•Digger does it again

Royal Dignitary just keeps on winning! In a race he won last year, it was a case of deja vu, as his pillar to post tactics worked yet again at Southwell on Tuesday. He's developing a really courageous streak as he gets older and once he kicks for home he proves really hard to pass. This win makes 14 wins for Digger from a 55 race career. An amazing 25% strike rate! Once again it shows that the science of placing horses in the correct races is half the battle when it comes to getting winners.

•2 Masterplans for the discerning owner

Masterplan 1 - Reserved for existing owners - See Owner's section of website

Masterplan 2

Hel's Angel
 
Trainer Ann Duffield
 
We have been very fortunate to be able to add this exciting 3yo filly to our ranks.We have secured her on a lease basis from her owner Helen Baines who doesn't get to watch her run as much as she would like as she is based overseas. As a 2yo Hel's Angel ran 4 times and finished placed (3323) in every run. The horses that have finished in front of our new acquisition, ooze class including South Central who won the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and Tale of Silver who went on to win follow up his maiden win with a success in novice company.
 
We are more than confident that Hel's Angel can pick up at least one victory for us this year, having had a great start to her career as a 2yo.
 
This filly offers tremendous value at the lower end of the budget as we are offering 1.5% lease shares in her for no initial cost and only £29 per month. Each 1.5% comes with full lease ownership rights including entry on race days! 
 
If this syndicate is of interest to you please don't hesitate to contact Nick at semisonicanthem@hotmail.com or telephone him on 07718986939.

•Fol serves up a potent 59 second dish of speed

Having won in comfortable fashion at Beverley on Wednesday under Adele Mulrennen, Fol Hollow was sent chasing a few thousand euros this afternoon. Under a very positive Adrian Nicholls ride, the race again went perfectly to plan. Given a lead by the listed performer Osterhase, Fol took over at halfway and continued to power along. Challenged strongly in the final furlong by the Jim Bolger trained second favourite, Fol fought on tenaciously, staying on well to get his head back in front near the line, winning going away. We do not know where we will go next but he is surely one to fol hollow for the foreseeable future until he is beaten. He could still have a bit in hand of the handicapper given that his time of 59 secs was a little faster than the winner of the listed race run earlier in the card

•Fabulous Fol scores first time up

Fol Hollow put his rivals to the sword in the feature race at Beverley on Wednesday. He was coming into form at the back end of last season and he carried that form through to his seasonal debut with a pillar to post victory. He was the 3rd of our horses with Dandy to score first time up this term and continues our cracking start to the year. He'll take the trip over to Ireland on Saturday to try and follow up under a penalty.

•Our Bonnie Prince to blow away the blues

We have secured the deal to purchase in principle the high class handicapper BONNIE PRINCE BLUE to remain in the Dandy Nicholls yard. Dandy bought him at the Tattersalls Horses in training sale in October 2008.He settled in really well. He has yet to race for Dandy but is ready to roll, straight away. Bonnie Prince Blue is a particularly well handicapped horse at the moment. We think he should be able to win off a mark over a stone higher than he is now. A victory in the next couple of weeks is anticipated and we should then be able to head for York, Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. This horse's requirements we know inside out having studied his entire form for Barry Hills. With shrewd placing by Dandy he could be able to rattle up a sequence.  He was running well in the early part of 2008 but got a bit tired in the end for having been in the same yard for a few seasons.  The move to Dandy's seems to have done him no end of good. We are hugely excited about his prospects for the season and we intend purchasing him so long as there is sufficient interest. He goes well on all sorts of ground and loves the All Weather too. All year round action.

•Our Mission is far from Impossible at Middleham Park

In recent weeks we have purchased two already raced horses namely GENERAL FEELING and GENTLE CARIBOU. Both horses hadn't won in their recent past but we saw the potential that they possessed. Then low and behold, both horses won on debut for us (General Feeling followed up too). In an attempt to build on this we believe we have unearthed something very similar here with our newest acquisition MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. He is in training with Patrick Haslam and he will remain so. Patrick knows him inside out. Already a winner earlier in his career, we believe that Mission Impossible has slipped to a very attractive mark and should be up to winning very soon. We can't wait to see him race in the light blue silks. The plan is not to own the horse for a long period of time. Possibly up to 12 months but more likely a little less in an attempt to maximise his potential before moving him on, hopefully at a small profit. Therein lies the mission. Impossible ? We think not ! He wont be off to Royal Ascot but we think he is destined for the winners' enclosure. There are still some shares available. This offer (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE) if you choose to take it on will not self destruct in a matter of seconds but should see you arriving in the winners' enclosure very soon.

•Now that really is Something

After a year in 2008 which started with us going off favourite for a valuable handicap in Dubai only to disappoint and finish 6th and then coming home to England where things never quite went right, we saw today, in the full glare of the CHANNEL 4 team, one of our stable stars SOMETHING pointing to a resurgence of form which will take him to all the big tracks in 2009 for all the big Handicaps. This is the real Something that we bought in 2007. It may be happening a year later than we had anticipated but it is about to happen all being well. He finished 4th in The Wokingham in 2007 and we will target the race again this season. He loves the All Weather too, so we will intersperse races on that surface too form him. Rest assured, his owners will be brushing shoulders with Royalty this Summer and amongst the country's rich and famous. Prepare to dine at racing's top handicap table or possibly beyond.

•Doncaster Breeze Up Sales

We purchased 3 horses yesterday who are all eligible for the breeze up bonus. All the details can be found on the website, both the catalogue and the market was strong yesterday and we believe we have purchased 3 horses who can land us our share of the bonus pot. The horses breezes can be seen on the website and they will be at Patrick's yard tomorrow for viewing. The new filly with Ann Duffield can also be viewed tomorrow. If anyone has any questions or queries regarding the Open Day or Breeze Ups please don't hesitate to email Nick at semisonicanthem@hotmail.com. See our available shares for details.

•Super Digger lands the four timer

It appears that Royal Dignitary has forgotten how to lose! On his reappearance after his winter break, Dandy thought the old boy would need his first run of the season but not a bit of it. He adopted his usual front running tactics and 2f out he was headed and it looked like his lack of fitness would tell and he would be swallowed up by his rivals but Digger showed that he's as game as a pebble and battled back to put his head in front on the line. We can reasonably expect him to come on for his first run of the season and so Dandy will be placing him to land the 5-timer. That was his 11th win in our colours and he is surely the perfect horse to be involved in for his lucky owners.

•Operation Breeze Up Bonus
 
At Middleham Park Racing we like to think of ourselves as a tad shrewd when it comes to purchasing horses. Look at recent successes General Feeling and Gentle Caribou, both winning on their debuts in the MPR colours.
 
The Breeze Up season starts on Friday at Kempton, and this year to entice buyers into the market there are various bonuses on offer to people who acquire horses from the breeze ups and then go on to win a race in the early part of the season.
 
All the details can be found at www.breezeupbonus.com , but to summarise; if we can purchase a horse from there and win a maiden race, then the racing authorities will give us free o charge a £10,000 bonus. This is a simple incentive to stimulate the currently depressed thoroughbred market.   NOW is a great time to be a purchaser of bloodstock, i.e. whilst the market is low/depressed. In addition, even if all we manage to win with a horse from operation breeze up is a victory in a selling or claiming race we would receive a £5k bonus as well as the prize money from the race. 
 
There is £500k guaranteed total in bonuses available (could be a lot more however), so we estimate that we need to win one of the first 60 or so maiden races or selling races  to receive the 10k or 5k bonus. Perfectly achievable given our selective talents and Patrick's adeptness at training and placing his charges. To achieve this we need to purchase a horse with a sprinting pedigree, and who has the physical make up of an early 2yo. Furthermore there is no point in spending 40k to achieve a 5k or 10k bonus, what we would like to do is purchase a horse for approximately 15k and look to recoup nearly all of it's purchase tag, if we can by mid June.
 
The plan for the syndicate is to keep the horse until the end of the Flat season, whereby we could look to move on the horse via the end of season Tattersalls sale.
 
The total cost of the syndicate is estimated to be no more than 25k for the whole horse until the sale, although you can't guarantee a purchase price at an auction. For instance, we could  find a horse which we really like we may be stretched to 20k. We could get the ideal candidate for 10k however. The aim of the syndicate is to make a profit and have a lot of fun on the way, including the process of selecting the horse, no less from the catalogues and watching the horse breeze and then bid at the sales. The sales experience is a fantastic day out and one that a we would implore you to experience as a potential or would be purchaser with us
 
At this stage we would select Patrick Haslam as our trainer for this project, as he would be willing to take a large share in the horse, because he sees it as a viable financial/business proposition. Anyone who would like to join this venture, would be welcome in joining the purchasing team at the breeze ups and get involved in selecting the shortlist and final choice of horse using all the information we would have in front of us.
 
This project has room for a further 9 members, if you would like to join this project please contact Nick asap to reserve your position.
 
A 10% interest would have an anticipated maximum cost of £3000
A 5%  interest would have an anticipated maximum cost of £1500
A 2.5%  interest would have an anticipated maximum cost of £750
 
Any credit you currently have with MPR can be used to fund your share. Ben Haslam and Nick Bradley, Tim and the team are going to attend the next Breeze Ups Sale at Doncaster on 8th April 2009 and hopefully with a select t yet discerning team of MPR members. If you would like to join this venture, please email Nick at semisonicanthem@hotmail.com or Tim on pchinacastle@aol.com to reserve your share so that we can make arrangements ahead of Friday.

•Momentum builds at MPR

We have started the year in sensational style at MPR. We have confirmed ourselves as far and away the country's leading syndicate owners with the 8 winners to date in 2009. Ever looking to move onwards and upwards we are far from resting on our laurels, however. Since the turn of the year we have added three new horses to our team. General Feeling (Scott Mason) who has subsequently won his first two races for us in impressive fashion is the first. Gentle Caribou who won in very impressive fashion on debut for us at Towcester is the second. She heads for THE AINTREE FESTIVAL no less, to take part in the CHAMIONSHIP BUMPER on GRAND NATIONAL DAY (so long as there is cut in the ground). How good is that for her lucky owners? Having a runner on the greatest day's racing of the year and mixing it with racing's high and mighty. There are still one or two places remaining in the GENTLE CARIBOU syndicate, which runs until the end of the 2010 NH season.
5% all inclusive shares paid for the whole duration of your involvement are just £1500.

This week we see our two CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL entries being geared up for battle. Duke Of Touraine and three time winner in 2009, Riguez Dancer.  Since the turn of the year, momentum has been building here and i cant wait for this week.  A cracking 2yo colt at Tim  Easterby's is the 3rd addition to our ranks since the turn of the year. A £26,000 yearling, he looks very exciting to us.

Operation BREEZE UP BONUS has been very popular amongst owners and we hope to be able to purchase the horse at DONCASTER on 8th APRIL. If you require further details regarding OPERATION BREEZE UP BONUS please do not hesitate to contact either Tim or Nick.

Exciting times ahead !

•Gentle Caribou annihilates field on first run for us

Gentle Caribou was having her first run for Middleham Park Racing and what a run it was. There was no pace to the race so Gentle Caribou took up the pace early in the race and none of her rivals ever threatened to get the better of her. We knew that our horse gets 2 miles comfortably and Liam Treadwell rode a fabulous race to dictate the pace and get the best from our horse. Make no mistake our horse is high class, and this victory is very much the first step along what looks like being a very exciting road. Gentle Caribou may now go to the Grand National meeting at Aintree for a valuable graded race if the ground is suitable. Credit should go to the Gifford team for a great training performance and to the horse itself for her excellent attitude to racing as she clearly loves her racing.

•Jumping on a steep upward curve

We have prided ourselves at Middleham Park for a good time now at how successful we have been at all levels of  racing, from sellers right through to Royal Ascot. The overall grade of horse we now have on board has improved year on year. This is mainly thanks to the backing of our very loyal owners. Thanks has to go out to each and every one of you. However to be fair, our Flat successes have slightly eclipsed our jumps success of late. We did have a second in the Agfa Diamond Chase at Sandown in 2000 namely ECHO'S OF DAWN. Yes, we did have a Cheltenham April meeting winner in 2002 of the Nicholson Holman Cup (the oldest trophy in racing) in the form of REACH THE CLOUDS. Yes we did have OVER ZEALOUS rattle up a four-timer over fences in 1999 and was CHELTENHAM 4 MILER bound until he pulled a muscle a week before the race. However of late we have had more successes on the Flat than Jumps. This is something we have attempted to address and with some considerable success.The quality of our jumps team is on a steep upward curve in with the likes of the classy mare GENTLE CARRIBOU who probably runs at Towcester on Sunday (should run well by the way) and with the two CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL BOUND  horses RIGUEZ DANCER and DUKE OF TOURAINE. Riguez goes for the MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS' HANDICAP and Duke of Touraine heads for the FRED WINTER HCP HURDLE.As John Upson once advised me, ''Tim, only go to Cheltenham with a horse given that if he runs the race of his life then he'll be in the shake up''. Good advice I have always thought. A horse out of its depth around there could finish it for ever. Better in such a case to look for smaller races at smaller places. This brings me back to the top of the article where I make reference to being proud of winning small races as much as the larger ones.  I bet almost half of our wins every year are in low grade races. Great placing by the trainers. Placing horses is just as important a trick as training them.

I cant wait for Prestbury Park in March !  Can you ?

•Days beginning to dawn for Bachelor

Our second most expensive yearling of 2007 is the Bachelor Duke horse Bachelor Days. He is a lovely natured horse with a classy physique and who is a half brother to a listed performer no less. At a cost of 42,000gns though he didn't come cheap. Patrick Haslam, his trainer is never one to rush his horses when he believes they have a great talent. Just look at both Riguez Dancer and Duke Of Touraine race profiles. Duke of Touraine didn't win until the spring of his 3yo career and Riguez debuted as a 3yo. In Bachelor Days, now a 3yo,  we believe we have something similar. He worked this morning with real gusto on Middleham gallops under Paul Mulrennen. On his way back home Patrick decided to school the horse over hurdles.(don't panic, he had been extensively schooled over poles and tyres previously). Barry Kinery took over from Paul Mulrennen to cruise over the 3 flights in the style of a real natural, I am told. Barry was impressed. We think we have another Duke Of Touraine or Riguez Dancer on our hands. I cant wait for him to be racing. Patrick said '' I may run him once before the turf season arrives next month but I would probably prefer to wait until then''. Watch this space for more reports on this talent

•Fantastic Sheer pulls of a four timer

We are in seventh heaven at Middleham Park this weekend, busy celebrating into the night. Wolverhampton on Friday evening (6/2/09) was the scene of our most recent winner in the form of Sheer Fantastic beating quite a competitive field of 1m4f handicappers in tenacious style. His victory took our tally of winners for the year to a magnificent 7 and was our 4th winner in a row i.e. our 4 most recent runners have been winners. Three different horses from 2 different yards. If Wolves had raced on Thursday we could have had eight, for RED CAPE was favourite on the card for the 6f handicap before the meeting was abandoned. Never mind, we can't complain!!

• Quick fire hat trick on more than one level

Riguez Dancer sauntered to a comfortable victory today at Southwell (3/2/09) under Paddy Donaghy. Having won his two most recent races over further around Wolverhampton, he showed his versatility by coming over to Southwell to successfully strut his stuff. A warm order in the market he made mincemeat of his opposition pulling clear in the straight before being eased down in the final stages. A quick fire hatrick for him. Riguez's win is also the third winner we have enjoyed from our last three runners. Riguez Thursday 29th Jan, General Feeling Friday 30th Jan and Riguez today. Now that takes some achieving !

• The General of MPR provides the Feeling!!

At MPR we pride ourselves on being shrewd in the market, and we have excelled ourselves again when purchasing General Feeling. Not only did he win on debut for us, but he decided to destroy his field on his second appearance in the legendary MPR colours. Paul Hanagan positioned the General close to the pace, and kicked off the bend to put lengths between himself and the field. Credit should go to Scott Mason and his team for an excellent training performance, furthermore to 'Our Little Timmy' who spotted the horse was on a winning mark and completed the deal with the former owners. The win moves us to the top of the Owner's table, with 5 winners in the first month of the year!!!!

• Eye catching horse takes MPR into the Gifford yard

We are taking a lease a very exciting National Hunt Prospect from Nick Gifford. To date the horse 'Gentle Caribou' has ran 3 times and each time she has caught our eye. Gentle Caribou is a very special horse who has so much potential. Parties interested should check out her form below and watch her previous runs via the racing post website. To date this horse has ran over less than ideal going and a distance which is considerably shorter than suits. Nick Gifford described her as 'game as a pebble' and what she lacks for in early speed she more than makes up for in stamina. Nick thought she was a good thing in her previous run and has lined her up for an extended bumper at Towcester in mid February, where she will get the stamina test she needs. The horse is owned by her breeder who is keen to retain ownership of the mare and then breed from her at the end of the 09 - 10 season. This option offers us a horse to go racing with at a high level with a small outlay and a minimal risk. See our available shares for details.

• Fleet of foot Riguez Dances to Wolverhampton victory

Patrick Haslam's horses remain in great form this year. So much so that we thought we were destined for 1st and 2nd in the 1m 6f handicap at Wolverhampton yesterday (19/1/09) when they turned for home. However Sheer Fantastic just ran out of stamina and needs a return to 1m3f or 1m4f. He will be wining soon.  Riguez Dancer though powered to victory and kept on really well in under the useful claimer Patrick Donaghy (5). This victory brought up the hat trick of wins for Middleham Park in 2009 from just 8 runners. We have started 2009 as we left off 2008, with plenty of winners. A Flat win is just a bonus for Riguez Dancer since his real forte is hurdling and will ultimately be chasing. With there being very little jumps racing around, Patrick Haslam thought a spin on the Flat would top up Riguez's fitness whilst giving us a further win for the syndicate. Well done to all connections.

• Super Scott Strikes again

5 days after securing Scott Mason's General Feeling, he rewarded us by hitting the winners enclosure at Lingfield under a great ride from Hayley Turner. He was keen early on but Hayley settled him and tucked him away at the back of the field. He was still stone last behind a wall of horses turning for home, but Hayley kept her cool and when the gap came he fairly flew home to score comfortably. He's in great order at the moment and can score again. See our available shares for details.

• There's a General Good Feeling at Middleham Park

We have started the year off in great style at MPR with Hi Dancer's great victory at Southwell to follow on from a highly successful 2008 which saw our horses racing for and earning a record amount of prize money for their well deserving owners. We are always keen to build on success and we are proud to announce another Scott Mason inmate to our ranks, namely the successful AW stalwart GENERAL FEELING. We think he is up to winning for us this winter and the very least he will do is provide his owners with many great days of fun at the races. His trainer Scott Mason did so well for us with BLACKHEATH and Thompson's Walls has moved there recently from Patrick Haslam's.

• Super Hi starts the year in style

Hi Dancer started the year for us as we mean to go on by giving us our first win of the year from our first runner. Under a confident ride from the young apprentice Emily Stead, the result never looked in doubt from 3f out as Hi Dancer travelled strongly throughout the 2m Handicap. She came round the final bend with a double handful and kicked him clear to score by an eased down 11 lengths giving Emily her first ever winner under rules.

• Daughter of Motivator sets the pulse racing

One of the most eagerly awaited yearlings of 2008 were those from the first crop of the Derby Winner MOTIVATOR.  His top yearling progeny sold for 230,000gns which is quite remarkable for a first season sire. He threatens to be every bit as good a sire as his father MONTJEU. There were only 30 Motivator yearlings presented for sale such was the desire of their owners to keep and race them for themselves, so we have been very lucky to purchase privately this fantastic filly who will race for us in 2009. Motivator's average yearling cost was over £50,000 so we represent quite a bit of value. The sire needs no introduction and the mare has a proven record for producing winners. Other progeny by this mare sold for £150,000 and £65,000 and yearlings and were trained by Sir Michael Stoute and David Elsworth respectively. We hope this filly will take her owners to all the top tracks.

• New Year Party

We are looking to hold a new year party for our Owners at THE FRIARS HEAD , AKEBAR on Saturday 24th January 2009. There will be stables visits to Patrick Haslam's and Ann Duffield's yards on the following Sunday Morning. The cost will be £30 per head to include a disco. To book your place or for further details, please contact Anne Morgan on anne.jaques-morgan@tesco.net

• Becky to blow away the Winter Blues

Just acquired is this exciting filly BECKY BLUE. Patrick has so far run her just the once, since she is a filly who  has taken time to come to hand this season. A reasonably promising run in a Redcar maiden does not seem the obvious reason to purchase the filly. However when Patrick comes on, recommending we buy horses like this from what is usually a slightly disenchanted owner, they usually come up trumps. Perfect examples of previous horses like this are EVER SPECIAL, HI DANCER, SHEER FANTASTIC, DUKE OF TOURAINE who have won about 18 races between them having been purchased by us as maidens via Patrick. We expect her to be very busy over the Winter on the AW so she would be the perfect horse for the first time owner or an owner wishing to expand their string for the Winter.

• Dunne deals his opponents a mighty blow

In keeping with the upgrades in class being experienced by his namesake at Manchester City, Captain Dunne is very much on the upgrade himself judged by the way he pulverised his opposition in the seemingly very competitive £14,000 added class 3 handicap at Southwell this afternoon (30/9/08). Under a very positive ride (this seems to be the key to this horse) from David Allan, Captain Dunne led them along and coasted to an easy victory with David looking around throughout the final furlong. The Capt had missed the break at Musselburgh and then was drawn in the car park at Doncaster last time since his awesome victory at Thirsk on soft ground in August. He has shown he is no one trick pony however having won on g/f, soft and now the Southwell deep AW surface. We may well head to Musselburgh next weekend for the £60,000 added heritage handicap over 5f. There is a £12,000 added race back at Southwell on 2nd November for him too. In the form of his life at the moment, he has shown his season is far from over at the moment. He will be rated in the 90's now and he could well be up to listed or even group class. He is a half brother to Tom Dascome's Group 2 winning 2yo CLASSIC BLADE after all. i.e. they both have the same dam.

• A Wonderful weekend ahead

Middleham Park Racing are looking forward to a mighty weekend. This weekend (Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September 2008) looks like being a hugely exciting one at Middleham Park for all our owners. We have 6 runners spread across the length and breadth of the country in search of almost £350,000 in added prize money. It is such weekends that have led us to be the country's leading syndication specialists with 31 winners and 59 places at all levels of racing. Dhaular Dhar looks like being the busiest of our bunch when heading for two races at Ascot , no less. On Saturday he contests the £150,000 added Totesport handicap at a track where he has an excellent record. He may well double up in the £75,000 added GROUP 2 DIADEM Stakes over 6F at Ascot on Sunday. He usually runs well in back to back races. His owners are so proud of this horse as he ventures into Group races for the first time. We have become quite used to regular black type runners here with Resplendent Light running 4th in his two most recent listed runs. Riguez Dancer heads to Market Rasen for the £25,000 to the winner handicap on CH4 and Sheer Fantastic contests the class 2 juvenile hurdle on the card too. Fol Hollow and Turnkey make the trek across the pennines to Haydock for two very high class sprints on their card and both look to perform to their best, despite both having been in great form since the springtime. There is something for everyone at Middleham Park, Flat and Jumps at all levels.

Granny McPhee runs at the picturesque Chester course by the Roodee giving her owners a great day out at one of the north's very best racecourses to round off a perfect day for all at Middleham Park

We are very proud of our runners this weekend and it is due to our loyal owner base that we have been able to provide this high level of excitement. We cant wait to see how the runners fair, but frankly we are simply very grateful to have a set of runners in these races.

• Nchike scores again

Nchike followed up his recent win today in the seller at Musselburgh with a tenacious victory under Trot Nicholls. A great win for the horse.

• Nchike Nother Winner for MPR

Although getting the nearside running rail which is a fair advantage at Thirsk and his favoured soft ground which not all horses act on, Nchike won quite nicely today(7/9/08) to record his maiden victory albeit in selling company. He showed a pleasing attitude in the final furlong to see off the favourite. Nchike was an inexpensive purchase by Dandy Nicholls, just 6,200gns, on our behalf as a yearling, so is is particularly pleasing to see him get his head in front. He takes our winners tally for 2008 to a massive 30 and we look forward to adding to this total in the coming weeks and over the Winter when our jumps and All Weather teams kick into action.

• Dunne and dusted for super Captain

Captain Dunne has been threatening to score all year and he did it in emphatic style at Thirsk on Monday evening. He seemed to relish the soft underfoot conditions as he made all under a confident ride from David Allan. He scooted 4 lengths clear at the furlong pole and was heavily eased to win by 1 3/4 lengths. His ability to act on soft going opens up more options for him over the rest of the Summer and Autumn. Tim Easterby has always held the horse in high regard and he can improve and go on to bigger and better things.

• Duke dominates at Bangor

Duke of Touraine scored the easiest of victories under AP McCoy at Bangor on Friday. He travelled easily throughout the race and cantered away from the field after 3 out and won by an eased down 20 lengths without breaking a sweat. He's now won 4 times and come 2nd in his 5 runs in our colours. His win continues our flood of winners with our tally for the year now standing at 28.

• Super Digger just keeps on winning

Royal Dignitary notched up a hat trick of wins and his fifth win of the year when scoring at Musselburgh on Thursday evening. It was business as usual for Digger who made all, controlling the race from the front, before kicking on 2f out to score yet another comfortable victory. He's in sparkling form at the moment and he'll be looking to add to his tally under similar conditions.

• Shares available page enjoys a facelift

Owners and prospective owners will see that the shares available has enjoyed an uplift of late, with a greater emphasis on jumps horses. It is coming to that time of year when jumping owners are looking to expand their strings and we hope this will facilitate this for our current members as well as those looking in for the first time. We are keen to expand our jumping string and we will be looking to develop this a good deal in 2009. We have a good team for the Winter we feel and there is plenty of choice there already.

• Show me the money!!

This weekend looks like being a very exciting weekend for Middleham Park Racing. We are firing off bullets all over the country in an attempt to increase our 26 winners for the season tally and to add to the coffers, some serious funds. DHAULAR DHAR heads to Ascot on Saturday for the £150,000 Totesport Handicap. His owners are getting quite spoilt, with his last 3 runs being Royal Ascot, The Bunbury Cup at Newmarket and now Ascot again on King George Day. Where better than to watch the King George than from the owners' balcony at Ascot itself. We fire off too, SOMETHING for the prestigious Beeswing Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday, with over £16,000 in added prize money. This will be his last run before Something heads for the Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood next weekend. Faraway Sound will take his owners to York on Saturday for the valuable £11,000 added nursery handicap on the card and Patrick reports the horse in great shape at home. Our horses are competing therefore for almost £200,000 in added prize money at the weekend. Exciting times at MPR. 

We hope to see many of our owners on Saturday morning (26th July) at Patrick Haslam's open morning which starts at 9am. A selection of horses will pull out of the yard at 9.30am to go to the gallops where we will see Barry Keniry schooling aboard some of our juvenile hurdling team. Unfortunately the Ann Duffield leg of the morning will have to be put on hold due to a minor bout of ringworm in the yard, which keep her string out of action for about 10 days.

• Middleham Gallops Morning - Change of Plan

Due to the ringworm in Ann Duffield's yard, Ann's yard WILL NOT BE OPEN for visitors on Saturday morning. PATRICK HASLAM's yard WILL STILL BE OPEN as planned

Time 9am at PATRICK HASLAM'S

Our regular monthly Sunday morning open day at Ann Duffield and Patrick Haslam's yard for July is set to be replaced as a one off for July with an OPEN GALLOPS MORINING on SATURDAY 26th JULY whereby owners will be able to see many of the yards' horses working on the gallops rather than simply perusing horses in the yard. We hope to have a parade of horses too, weather permitting. All owners welcome as are their family and friends. We hope to serve some light refreshments.

Time 9am at PATRICK HASLAM'S

• The Duke's winning Tour takes in £12,000 Juvenile hurdle

Duke Of Touraine, a purchase in the Spring on Patrick Haslam's recommendation, took his race tally for us to 3 wins and 1 second from 4 runs in the feature Juvenile hurdle on the Stratford jumps card today (14/7/08). It is a race we have now won 3 times in the last 5 years. The Duke sauntered to the front just over 2 flights from home and held on really well despite getting in a bit close to the last to land the spoils. He is not the biggest of individuals but what he lacks in stature, he makes up for in heart. There are still one or two shares available in him and he is proving great fun for all his owners. His winning run is not over yet, rest assured

• Josephine Victory far from maligned

Things haven't really gone right for the filly since Josephine Malines arrived at Ann Duffield's Sun Hill Farm from the sales last season. She took a while to acclimatise and was found to have an allergy to Ann's foodstuffs. Then Ann's yard were laid low by bug in the Spring. However they are all really healthy again now and in stormed Josephine yesterday (13/7/08) at Nottingham under an inspired ride from Royston Ffrench, urging her ahead in the final 2 furlongs to beat amongst others our very own Thompsons Wall who had won for us on his most recent Flat outing. So it was nice to have the victories shared around I guess. Well done to Josephine's loyal owners and I hope this confidence boost will spur her on the even greater things. She has been schooled over hurdles already and Keith Mercer really likes her. She'll do that job too. A very lightly raced filly who is open to plenty more improvement.

• Delighted with very promising Whispering debut


Whispering Spirit ran a superlative race on debut at Carlisle on Saturday to be just touched off by the Mark Johnson hotpot. Our jockey Royston French reported after the race that it was only greenness which beat her and that he would relish the opportunity to take on the winner, Metroland again. We will go on from here and she looks like giving her owners many great days out and an exciting filly to follow.

• Fol Liam enjoys his day in the sun

2yo debutant Fol Liam from the David Nicholls yard won impressively on racecourse debut for us at Haydock yesterday (4/7/08). He was mildly backed from 20/1 into 16/1 and won nicely under a hands and heels ride from Paul Quinn. The horse is owned by a small team of owners who bought into a 5 horse syndicate with the intention of buying in, winning and moving horses on. So, Fol Liam, has done just the job. He was sold at the subsequent auction for £26,000. No a bad bit of business for his owners given that we paid 4,000gns for him at a yearling and that he earned £5500 in prize money on Friday evening.  Well done to all concerned. 

• Anne walking for Welfare

Anne Morgan who helps out with our race day owner liaison in the north is off on a charity walk in China in month's time. If any Middleham Park owners would like to sponsor/contribute to her charity funds please email Anne directly on  anne.jaques-morgan@tesco.net. Her chosen charity to benefit is RACING WELFARE, which looks after retired and injured stable lads and lasses. Bit like Injured Jockeys fund but for non jocks.

• It's deja vu as Digger just can't stop winning!

Royal Dignitary put in a carbon copy of his performance a couple of weeks ago to land the 7f claimer at Redcar on Thursday evening. It was the usual story has he broke well and soon had the rest of the field stretched. Promising apprentice Ahmed Ajtebie was given an arm chair ride and when he asked him to quicken 2 furlongs out digger duly obliged to score comfortably. That was his 4th win in his last 5 runs and his 9th win in our colours. What a star he is for his owners and there'll be more of the same to come.

• Wonderful Whispering working well

Unraced 2yo filly Whispering Spirit has completed her preparations for her racecourse debut. She works very well at home. Ann just needs to decide where to fire her off. We expect her to run well on debut all being well at Carlisle on Saturday.

• Middleham Gallops Morning

Our regular monthly Sunday morning open day at Ann Duffield and Patrick Haslam's yard for July is set to be replaced as a one off for July with an OPEN GALLOPS MORINING on SATURDAY 26th JULY whereby owners will be able to see many of the yards' horses working on the gallops rather than simply perusing horses in the yard. We hope to have a parade of horses too, weather permitting. All owners welcome as are their family and friends. We hope to serve some light refreshments.

Times 9am at PATRICK HASLAM'S then 10.30am at Ann Duffield's

• Resplendent Light continues to put his rivals in the shade!

Resplendent Light produced a career best performance today, to put some serious horses in their place including last time out winner Warringah trained by Sir Michael Stoute who was designated as the stable's second string in the Derby early on in the season and did finish second to Tartan Bearer in a competitive Leicester Maiden earlier in the season. Resplendent was niggled along down the far side at Salisbury and then turning for home came back onto the bridle to pick off his rivals one by one and then pounce on the Stoute hotpot. Our horse is on a steep upward curve and his owners have had tremendous joy from Resplendent this season. His race record now reads 3 wins from 7 starts and a big handicap is now clearly a case of when rather than if.

• Triple Dogger for Digger!

Royal Dignitary notched up his 3rd win of the campaign with a pillar to post victory under promising apprentice Ahmed Ajtebi at Redcar on Saturday. Digger has been placed to perfection this year with 3 wins and 2 seconds from is last 5 runs. He can be a stand out horse in this grade this season and we'll be looking to place him to good effect in July in similar company. He's a great horse to own and that was his 8th trip to the winners enclosure in our colours. Given the right conditions, he consistently runs his race and gives his owners loads of fun.

• Dhaular Dhar so close at Royal Ascot

Dhaular Dhar put in a life time best performance to finish 2nd in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday. Pulses were racing as he struck the front on the far side of the track only to be foiled by Dandy's Regal Parade on the stand side by 1/2 length. The handicapper will have his say about his excellent performance so he will be entered in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle next Saturday. He is still an entire horse so we will look to enhance his stallion potential and get some black type against his name.

• Faraway is Far and Away the Best!
 
Faraway Sound returned to his early season form with a facile win over his rivals at Musselburgh today. What was pleasing about the run was that Faraway showed that he doesn't have to lead and after traveling just off the lead, picked up to put his rivals to the sword in defeating them by 2 and a quarter lengths. He was giving the second placed horse over a stone in the weights and can be expected to put up a sequence of runs if he remains in this grade. Patrick and the yard were very confident going into the race and this horse could develop into a bit of a stable star over the rest of the season.
 
'The drop in grade helped FARAWAY SOUND, who was conceding weight all round, make it fourth time lucky comfortably enough. He can go on from this.' Racing Post Summary. See our available shares for details.

• Resplendent wins our Derby!
 
Our original Derby entrant Resplendent Light ran in the highly competitive 30k added Tradesman's Derby Handicap at Musselburgh over the Derby distance of 1m4f. Resplendent broke well and jockey Daragh O Donohoe had him positioned perfectly just off the pace. As the race entered the final couple of furlongs, Resplendent responded well to O Donohoe's urgings to pick off the leaders and then hold off the efforts of the closers. Willie Muir has been very bullish about our horse and this performance confirms the level of confidence we had in our horse. Backers of Resplendent Light will have been more than happy with the SP of 16/1 and backers on the exchanges did see prices reach 25/1 before the off, although when you consider that this race had leading horses from the Johnston, Tate, Bell, Butler, Channon, Fahey and Cumani yards you can understand the lack of market confidence in our horse.

• Dhaular Dhar doesn't disappoint!

After putting in a disappointing run at Chester where he was hampered at halfway, Dhaular Dhar put in a fantastic performance at Doncaster to pick up a valuable class 2 handicap. Prior to the race, Dean Heslop the jockey was confident of a winning performance so much so that he advised his owners to wait by the 1st place post. Dhaular Dhar broke smartly to sit off the pace and responded to Dean's urgings to pick off the gamble of the race Hinton Admiral and power clear of the field in the final furlong. Dhaular Dhar has been hinting at winning this season and to score at 16/1 was a bonus for his owners as many of them had a few quid on. There are remaining shares left in Dhaular Dhar and anyone looking to go to Royal Ascot as an owner should see him as an ideal horse to get involved with, as he will go there with a winning chance. The champagne was flowing after the race (Maybe too much for one of his owners who got on the wrong train, fell asleep and ended up in Newcastle when he was supposed to be heading for Liverpool!!)

• Asian's scintillating performance tells its own tale

Leicester winners do not always set the pulse racing but you couldn't help but be impressed by Asian Tale as she strode clear in the final furlong to win the 6f claimer on the card (26/5/08). The opposition looked moderate on paper and so it proved in the race. Our own INCA SLEW almost got up for 2nd place at the death having run really green and got detached, in the first half of the race. Inca Slew will improve significantly on that and could turn the tables next time with a decent start. Asian Tale was claimed post race for £11,000 with us having paid £8000 for her. We wish her new connections all the very best with her. We did have one or two question marks over her temperament. Her ability has never been in doubt.

• Obe turns Bronze to Gold to set the Champagne corks flying

Third last time out and a bronze medal finishing position by Obe Gold at Ripon was today translated into a Gold medal performance with the horse's impressive Haydock victory under a confident ride from Adrian 'trot' Nicholls. Obe burst clear in the final furlong in the style of a horse who is well ahead of the handicapper to win the  6f Lanson Champagne Handicap Stakes. He may be up to defying a penalty in the week at Great Leighs (one of the few tracks in GB that we have yet to have a winner) should he be able to put in a repeat performance. His previous AW form is every bit as good as his turf form. This should be no surprise since Obe goes on top of the ground and with serious give underfoot. So following up this victory is a distinct possibility. Please be aware too that Obe's favourite track is Goodwood, so the Stewards Cup is very much on Obe Gold's agenda later in the season. He has a profile not dissimilar to Gift Horse who won the Stewards Cup and Lafi who won the Wokingham; both for Dandy. Fingers crossed for Obe. It's looking very exciting. Our guess is that the handicapper puts Obe up 10 lbs to 93. We'll see on Tuesday when the new handicap marks come out. There are still one or two shares available in him, remarkably.

• Five get the call for Royal Ascot

The Dandy Nicholls quartet Obe Gold, Ice Planet, Something and Turnkey were joined by Jim Goldie's Dhaular Dhar in being entered in the Wokingham Stakes on the Saturday of Royal Ascot. Something finished 4th in the race last year and will be looking the step up on that. We've had runners at Royal Ascot for the last 2 years and this year looks like being no different. See our available shares if you fancy donning the Top Hat and Tails.

• Digger proves a tough nut to crack at his favourite venue

Yesterday saw another chapter in the Royal Dignitary roll of honour back at his favourite track, namely Musselburgh. He fairly relishes it around there. Under a very positive ride from Trot he had saved enough and dug in deep in the final furlong to repel the late surges of those who had ducked the frenetic early pace and who had come with a wet sail. There is another race back at Musselburgh in about 10 days' time so we hope to see him strutting his stuff there once more all being well. We had no hesitation in going to 12k in the subsequent auction to buy him back in. In fact, we had a fair few bids left having had the horse well backed and through using some of our prize money to counter the racecourse commissions. We were amazed at his price, touching evens  just before the off. There were one or two other reasonably shrewdly placed horses in the race, but you have to get up really early in the morning to out manoeuvre Dandy Nicholls, as we all know. He had been liaising with potential purchasers before the race and had informed the eventual underbidder that if they valued the horse at 12k, then they would not be able to buy him, but some people wont be told. The bidding formalities then kind of wasted ten minutes of everyone's time.

• Regal Royal becomes King as he digs in to deny Diamond's gem

Royal Dignitary made all under a fantastic front running ride from Adrian 'trot' Nicholls today (6/05/08) in the mile race at Southwell. Adrian and Digger served it up to their 7 opponents from flag fall including the 2/5 odds on favourite Yakimov, who had been having things his own way in his recent races. However, he had not come up against a dogged Digger before and odds on backers must have feared their fate with just over a furlong to go when Jamie Moriaty's mount came under the full treatment and was subsequently out battled by the mighty Digger. Another win for Digger's loyal owners and we hope he can win again before the season is out. It is a particularly pleasing performance since Digger was nearly at death's door around Christmas time when he has taken for intensive care at the vets due to a bad case of ulcers.  It just shows how tough this lad is, too tough for Yakimov, that's for sure, who was well in with Digger at the weights.

• Thompson's rivals hit the wall

Under a great ride today (4/5/08) from Lee Enstone, Thompson's Walls won in impressive style on debut for us at Hamilton. Patrick recommended last year we purchase the horse, which is what we did. We gave him the winter off to strengthen and mature. Our patience seems to have been very much rewarded. He made all to fight off the well backed Kevin Ryan favourite in tough and tenacious fashion. Thompsons has already been schooled over hurdles and with a nice stout pedigree, we feel he will add to the numerous juvenile hurdle winners that Patrick seems to churn out every season. He is open to a good deal of improvement and we can't wait to see him race again.  There are a few shares still remaining in him but we expect them to go quite quickly. He is rated 82 on the Flat after all. Bourbon Highball, our other runner in the race, kept on really well despite being a little outclassed. He will serve us really well. I know his owners are delighted. He remains a maiden on the Flat but that won't be for much longer judged on today's performance.

• Alto set to hit new heights

Alto Vertigo was bought as a yearling by us at the sales for 2yo winners, Doncaster St Leger sales, to be a sharp 2yo. We got it wrong, because he just grew and grew and grew and couldn't be raced as a 2yo. We then thought because of his size, almost 17 hands, that he would make a NH horse.  Hence we ran him in a bumper first time as a 3yo. We got it wrong, he didn't stay the trip. So we brought him back to sprinting as his pedigree suggested being by AVERTI out of a mare by CHIEF SINGER. It worked. We'd got it right at last. His owners had been very patient and tolerant of us. Subsequently, he has won and been placed numerous times for us, giving his owners some great nights out. 6f and 7f is his trip.
So with full consent of his trainer Patrick Haslam and with unanimous agreement amongst owners we have decided to transfer Alto to the best trainer of  6f and 7f horses in the country; DAVID NICHOLLS. He will be ready to rumble again at the start of June 2008 and we will have plenty of great days with him this summer. He could even improve a good deal from his already very good hcp mark of 65 under the Dandy Nicholls regime.

A great horse to be involved with.

Shares £250 for 2.5%    £500 for 5%   £1000 for 10%

• Ivestar form looking stronger by the day

Ivestar ran an encouraging race in Ripon’s Cock of the North Handicap. The race was incredibly competitive, the favourite ‘Robby Bobby’ was being lined up for a crack at the Dante Stakes at York (Group1), but our horse Ivestar beat him by nearly 2 lengths.
The horse that came second ‘Albaqaa’ is clearly well ahead of the handicapper, and duly won on his next outing in a competitive handicap at Beverley. The winner ‘Cobo Bay’ headed for Sandown on the 25th April for a highly competitive handicap. He finished 3rd to two horses, who were both unbeaten in the last 2 runs.

• The Famous One shoots them down in flames

One of the old boys of our party, and former group winner Shot To Fame, got off the mark for the season at Lingfield today over 7f when given a great ride by Adrian Nicholls. He fought on in tenacious fashion up the straight to deny the front runners who had bowled along in their own time for the first 5.5f of the race. We gunned them down and then fought off one or two fast finishers also coming from off the pace. His victory is a well deserved one for his owners and we hope to go to Newcastle with him on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2008, where he could follow up.

• The Duke lives up to his TO REIGN billing

Although it sounds a bit blaze, Duke Of Touraine the 5/4 fav for the 2.35 at followed up last week's victory, today at Beverley in very much expected and quite impressive fashion. That makes two runs for us and two wins, to date. Waited with off the pace he quickened up nicely against the far rail to take the lead and keep on well in tenacious fashion. His win, against one or two well fancied rivals, takes our win tally for 2008 to 11. We think he will win again but given that he is probably worth a fair sum of money and that the plan with him was to be in, win and out, we may consider cashing in. We'll take Patrick's advice and go from there.

• Adele the key to our Turnkey

Today we saw the ride of the season so far, as our own Adele Rothery delivered Turnkey on the line at Pontefract to win the valuable Class 2 Handicap. Anyone who follows Turnkey will know that he loves to come into the race from off the pace, and today he produced a similar run to his winning performance of last year. Adele knows Turnkey inside out, and her riding style clearly suits our fellow. Many of the owners were there to share in the moment, and it was all worthwhile as we got the verdict in the photo finish. Turnkey beat some good horses today including recent Doncaster winner Stevie Gee. There are a few shares left available in Turnkey, and anyone who would like to get involved in him should act quickly to avoid disappointment.

• MPR 2yo's continue to impress

Camelot Communion and Asian Tale both ran great races on their racecourse debuts at Pontefract. Camelot Communion tracked the leader but couldn’t find enough in the closing stages to peg back the impressive leader. Asian Tale ran a very different race, he was off the pace turning for home, but found a turn of speed to close the gap on the leaders only to level off in the final 100 yards of the race. The winner of the race was described ‘class’ by her trainer, Richard Guest and thinks she will be hard to beat in the next month. There are shares available in these two horses who are sure to get their owners in the winner’s enclosure at some point this year.

• Fol Hollow unlucky on debut run

Fol put in yet another outstanding performance to finish 3rd in a very hot Newmarket handicap. Fol won the race on his side, only to be beat by two runners from the other group. Looking back at the Goodwood and Ripon wins we can be pretty sure as Dandy is, that if those horses were closer to him he would have found more to hold them off. Fol was carrying a lot more weight that his rivals yesterday and is clearly destined for Black Type races in the near future. Not only has Fol become a star performer for Middleham Park Racing but is also a star in the David Nicholls yard.

Anyone wishing to get into racing at the highest level should look to get involved now, before Fol has the black type win next to his name, as that will have a huge impact on his value.


Shares are available for
10 percent 10,000 then 189 per month
5 percent 5,000 then 109 per month
2.5 percent 2,500 then 59 per month

•The Duke is king for a day

Our most recent purchase acquisition, namely DUKE OF TOURAINE, who was only purchased 10 days ago duly obliged in fine style under a great ride from Patrick Donaghy(7). He was always near the head of the field at Beverley yesterday (16th April 2008) and quickened clear in a short space of time at the distance to take the prize with some authority. He will be seen out very shortly and will make a lovely juvenile hurdler. He won't be a long term horse; one of these in, win and out horses that we find quite attractive on occasions. He bolsters our win record and we like to think confirms our ability to purchase horses shrewdly.

•Rioja Ruby - Could be a little gem!

Rioja Ruby showed bags of promise to bag the lead on her debut run in the maiden stakes at Beverley. She traveled nicely for 3 furlongs and just got a bit unbalanced on the run in, to stay on for 3rd. The winner had already had a run, and improved on its previous second position to win the Beverley race. Rioja Ruby is sure to come on bundles for the race and will be fancied to win in her next couple of runs, perhaps on a flatter track.

Shares are now available in this horse for a one off fee

•Faraway ready to make a bang

Ripon in April brought about another excellent run from one of our 2yo's namely Faraway Sound. He traveled really well just off the pace and kept on in good style to be a highly promising 3rd on debut. Patrick says he has come out of the race really well and we should see him again in a couple of weeks' time. He was inexpensively bought and he is already punching above his weight. He will undoubtedly go on to better things. He is a winner waiting to happen and a few shares remain.

•Pleasing performance from Dhaular Dhar

We were thrilled to bits with Dhaular Dhar's debut for us at Newcastle. The race could not have panned out worse in running in that we were drawn on the wrong side and nearly put over the running rail when commencing our effort 3f out. Yet, there he was at the end staying on in eye-catching fashion to finish best of all, almost grabbing fourth on the line. He wouldn't have beaten the winner anyway, who had the run of the race, but Daniel Tudhope thinks he would certainly have been third and maybe even second. The handicapper may well drop him a pound or two now. He will be off a very attractive mark in his next engagement which could well be the THIRSK HUNT CUP in a few weeks' time. After that we will probably go to the big Chester meeting in May possibly have a tilt at the GROUP 3 DIOMED STAKES at Epsom no less on Derby Day. How exciting will that be for his owners ?!  Dhaular Dhar's owners may even get to see our very own RESPLENDENT LIGHT running in the day's Blue Riband event, THE VODAFONE EPSOM DERBY no less

• Delighted with Dotty debut

Dotty's Brother was our second 2yo to race so far this season. He is a full brother to our very own Dotty's Daughter who won 2 races for us as a 2yo a couple of seasons ago.The new Dotty broke well enough and traveled very well just covered up off the pace. When asked to quicken he ran a bit green and jockey Royston Ffrench reported ''he got a bit unbalanced on the rain softened ground'' before staying on really nicely in the final furlong. He finished a close up 5th in this warm novice race. He will improve significantly and on better ground he will win races for us just as soon as the sun shine and dries up the going.

• There's Gold in them there Glasgee Hills

We would like to cordially welcome our latest trainer to the Middleham Park training ranks. Namely Jim Goldie. Jim really needs no introduction to anyone who follows racing at all closely. He has been Scotland's best Flat trainer, in our humble opinion,  for a good time now with lots of, and regular, big race winners. He has trained over 109 winners in the last 5 seasons including his best ever season in 2007 with 35 winners. His career is on a big upward curve. Now is the perfect time to join in the success story we believe. He has trained already household names such as Orientor, River Falcon, Geojimali, Ballyhurry, Blazing Heights, Regents Secret, Yorkshire Blue, Highland Warrior to name but a few.

We have secured two horses initially with Jim. DHAULAR DHAR and BELLA'S STORY. The former needs no introduction, the latter we hope will be a really exciting 2yo filly for the season ahead. See our available shares for details

• Doncaster breezes on to the horizon

Doncaster Breeze ups is fast approaching, and it is likely that we will be purchasing at least one 2yo from the breeze ups, with one of our flat trainers. Any MPR owner who would like to experience a day at the sales, should contact us so that arrangements can be made. Obviously this is the type of activity where we let our trainers take the reins, but the day is very informative in terms of the buying and selection process. Any members who would like to take a large percentage in the horses selected can be more involved including the naming process.

• Damage to the Sauna doesn't stop Collateral winning!
 
After David Allan couldn't sweat off the pounds needed to ride Collateral Damage, due to a broken sauna at Pontefract, Duran Fentiman was jocked onto our horse, and what a great job he did. A patient ride, holding an inside position saw Collateral get the run of the race, as things opened up for him on the turn at Pontefract to sneak through and show a turn a pace which quickly put the race to bed. This was a very impressive performance by both horse, jockey and trainer and Collateral's patient owner's can enjoy their time on the winner's enclosure and the significant prize that comes with it. It will be interesting to see who get's the ride on our impressive winner next time out.

• Riguez rampant at Towcester

Riguez Dancer re Giles, Riguez strode away from his field up the Towcester hill to win by an eased down 10 lengths. He may well take in a flat race at Pontefract on Tuesday before raising his sights to a Listed Handicap hurdle at Aintree on Grand National Day. returned to winning ways by putting in a faultless performance at Towcester on Sunday in the Juvenile Novice Hurdle. Under a confident ride from impressive claimer Felix d

• R Kelly turns back the hands of time

Although overlooked in the betting, old stalwart and steadily becoming a Wolves specialist, Blackheath rolled back the years to put the young pretenders firmly in their place with a very authoritative display on Saturday evening. He seems to like the night air and is dazzled by neither the floodlights nor the opposition. He continues to rise up the handicap ranks and may well have to go back to Wolves on Wednesday under a penalty where he will surely be very hard to beat with anything like a decent draw.

• Top UK National Hunt Trainer joins Top UK Syndicate
 
We have been in recent contact with Dan Skelton, assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls at Manor House Stables in Somerset. The Manor House Team are the leaders in their game, and a lot of their success has been built on their purchasing methods. Stable stars such as Andreas, Armaturk, Artadi, Arturio, Big Bucks, Cerium, Chapoturgeon, Dear Villez, Five Dream, Forest Green, Free World, Gwanako, Hoo La Baloo, KAUTO STAR, L'Aventure, Le Duc, LE Passing, Le Volfoni and Predateur to name but a few were all bought out of French Stables.
 
We have asked the Manor House Team to purchase us a horse in the 40 - 60k bracket from France in their forthcoming purchasing trips in May. Dan identified that selecting a horse that has started its career but with a good level of form already is the way to go for Middleham Park Racing, that way we are assured as far as we can be in racing that we will be on to a winner.
 
This is a new and exciting step for Middleham Park Racing, and anyone who is interested in purchasing a share in our horse with Paul Nicholls should contact us asap to reserve their share, as interest in this venture is expected to be high. Hopefully this time next year we will be preparing ourselves for a crack at one of the Cheltenham Festival's big prizes.

• Nick Williams Success too much for MPR to ignore
 
After winning another valuable graded race at the weekend, MPR had to move to get Nick Williams on board. Beshabar won the grade 3 EBF Sunderlands Novice Handicap Hurdle Final for the Williams yard to secure their 13th success of the season from only 67 runners. Nick Williams has a small yard in Devon, but his success has been anything other than small. This year he has a 19% winning strike rate, which most yards can only dream of. His place record is nothing short of spectacular with over half of his runners in 2008 collecting place money. MPR owners should look to the success stories of Philson Run who was purchased for 6,500 guineas in 2003 by the Williams yard and to date has collected £169,000 in prize money and is one of the leading contenders for this year's Grand National. Maljimar was purchased for £9,000 and won a graded hurdle race at cheltenham this year picking up over £30,000 in prize money.
 
Nick's plan for Middleham Park Racing is to purchase a horse at the forthcoming national hunt sales that will be unraced, as he did with Philson Run and more recently Diamond Harry (who won on his first racecourse appearance) and prepare it for a National Hunt campaign in the 2008/09 season. Nick hasn't got the capacity of a yard such as David Pipe or Paul Nicholls and subsequently wants to provide a high quality focused service dealing with horses rated 120+. Training fees will be in line with the other MPR trainers and MPR members who are interested in owning a horse with Nick Williams should contact Nick via this link or telephone Tim to discuss details.

• Middleham Open Morning Good Friday 21st March

As usual we'll be taking part in the Middleham Stables open morning at 9.30am on the morning of Good Friday 21st March. We'll be at Patrick Haslam's from 9.30am and then we'll be at Ann Duffield's from 1.00pm. Everyone welcome.

•CELEBRATE RUTH CARR'S FIRST WINNER WITH AN AMAZING OFFER!!!!! 

Buy a share in both Kanisorn and Red Cape for the combined price of :
 
2.5% £750 and then £100 per month
5%    £1,500 and then £180 per month
10%  £3,000 and then £300 per month
 
Offer expires when Ruth Chalks up win number 2!!!!

Click here the e-mail MPR with your order

•The dream is still alive

Resplendent Light, remains on course for the Epsom Derby in June following his impressive end of season victory at Pontefract. His trainer Willie Muir reports him in rude health at home. He has strengthened up a good deal over the winter. If he continues to progress in the right direction we should be aiming at a run in April followed by a possible tilt at one of the recognised Derby trials in May, then on course to Epsom in June if things have gone well. It is quite a privilege to have a horse held in such high esteem. His owners seem to be preparing themselves for some very exciting times ahead. The next forfeit stage is later in March and we will keep him in the Blue Riband of racing. A dream come true at Middleham Park, if he is able to line up in the Flat season's greatest race.

•Middleham Park Racing show faith in Chapman’s Protégée!

After their success in buying Kanisorn out of a seller, we have advised Ruth Carr to purchase another horse for MPR Owners. The horse oozes class and could well be Ruth’s stable star in year’s to come. RED CAPE has been purchased by Ruth on our behalf out of the Jane Chapple Hyam yard. RED CAPE will run as a 5yo this season, and has already established himself as a classy performer rated 89 on flat and 97 on the all weather. In recent years RED CAPE has been excelling on at Lingfield over 6 and 7 furlongs, the highlights including winning a 25k handicap and finishing placed in a listed event. This horse offers excellent value for money and we can look forward to plenty of days out as we target the valuable handicaps throughout the year. Lookout for regular updates on RED CAPE’s training and progress via our owner's area. See our available shares for details

• Riguez ruins some big reputations

Riguez Dancer, left a couple of Group1 Cheltenham mentored horses in his wake when he scored in fine style in the Novice hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday. Relishing the faster underfoot conditions, Riguez traveled well through out and took command 2 out and great jump at the last allowed him to hold off Kalahari King, about who Ferdy Murphy said "I have no doubt that this horse is going to be top class over hurdles and is undoubtedly one of our most exciting prospects". Riguez can go on from this and he has become a really exciting dual purpose prospect.

• Helieorbea hot on the gallops

The 2yo colt has been showing up really well on the gallops this spring. Tim Easterby is delighted with his progress. He has been working upsides a nd Fergal Lynch has ridden him and he likes him a lot. He says he is a good mover who possesses a good deal of scope. Rest assured he has a heap of potential and so far so good. He looks like being a fairly early sort of colt who should give us some exciting times this 2008 Flat season

• Filly foal for Diali

Diali our broodmare, resident at Templeton Stud, has given birth to a filly foal by Danehill Dancer. The plan is for Diali to now be covered by Red Ransom, sire of several Group 1 winners.

• Open Morning at Dandy's

We'll be having an open morning at David Nicholls' Thirsk yard on the morning of Saturday 15th March. The timing is just after Cheltenham has finished and a week before the Lincoln meeting at Doncaster. We expect to see all our horses working including the six 2yo's we have in training with Dandy and his team. Everyone welcome.

• Blackheath chalks up the perfect dozen

After achieving win number 11 only a week ago, Blackheath moved on to win number 12 by dominating yet another field at Wolverhampton. Blackheath showed his early speed from box number 7, to sit up on the pace in the early stages of the race. Blackheath had put the race to bed 2 furlongs out and scored comfortably to take our win tally to 4 wins so far in 2008. What a fantastic horse he has been for his owners!

• Kanisorn already a star for MPR
 
Kanisorn has already ran four times for Middleham Park Racing since his purchase in January. After Ruth Carr bought Kanisorn out of a seller, he was given a handicap mark of 77, and missed the break in his first run in our colours, to finish a disappointing 9th. However since then Kanisorn has done nothing but impress in running a further 3 times at Southwell and each time galloping his heart out, only to find one too good each time. Kanisorn is an out and out galloper and is a great value horse for its owners. There are a few shares remaining in Kanisorn and is a surefire winner for anyone looking to get themselves in the winners enclosure in the near future. See our available shares for details

• Blackheath turns back the clock!
 
Blackheath put in his best performance for new trainer Scott Mason to chalk up his 11th victory of his career. Things didn't completely go his way as his was bustled back through the field on the turn, but as the race opened up for him, he powered through to score by 4 lengths. There have been thoughts of retirement for Blackheath but this run confirms the decision to keep him in training has been the correct one.

• Something unlucky in first Dubai run
 
Something went into the race not fully wound up by Dandy yet the bookmakers and punters chose to make him a 4/1 favourite in a competitive 95 - 110 handicap. Being drawn 7 of 10 was not ideal, and he did not break as alertly as some of the horses drawn inside him. Adrian bustled him along early to get a nice position but the outside draw meant he had to sit 4 length of the pace in the early stages of the race which was not ideal. Going into the bend, he was 4 deep but when asked, picked up nicely to close down the leaders. He progressed nicely through the field to put himself in a position to win the race, but the lack of fitness showed in the final furlong and a half as he leveled out. Our chances of picking up some place money were dashed further by the eventual 1-2 in the race who came down the outside only to hang in and hamper our horse, who had nowhere to go and was subsequently eased  down. On the whole the run was positive, and we would like to think that we've used up all our bad luck for the season in this run. Something will come on for the run and should be peaking around the Dubai World Cup night in March. 

 • Santera

We have been conscious over recent times that we are a little Summer orientated. To address this we have and still are increasing our number of NH horses. We have taken on board one or two AW types and we believe we have secured a versatile recruit in the form of SANTERA. She is a very tough type who stays well, comes to us in form and we believe can win small races for her owners in the coming months. We think a win or two on the Flat and over hurdles with her is distinctly possible until about May time, when we would look to move her on. She runs on Thursday at Wolves and we hope she can go well in that race

• Something installed as favourite on his Dubai debut
 
Middleham Park Racing are set to have their first runner in Dubai on Thursday, as our horse Something, looks to get off to a winning start in the Meydan Business Park Handicap over 6 1/2 furlongs. The vibes are positive for our horse as Adrian has chosen to ride Something rather than his stable star Machinist. The distance should suit Something as should the track as it suits front runners, and on his runs last year Something likes to be up with the pace. Dandy hasn't got Something fully wound up yet, and has recently described him as being 'woolly'. The Racing Post have installed us as the favourite for the race, though the race is very hard to call with little separating 6 - 7 of the runners and a lot will depend on how the track suits each of the runners. If Something does run well, it will help his chances of getting into the Golden Shaheen, which will be run on the 29th March with a prize pool of 2 million US dollars up for grabs. In the previous runnings of the race horses rated 104 + have made up the entries and as we are currently rated 104, a good performance should see him book his ticket in the race. 
 

 • Obe could be Gold for Us!
 
We have gone to a tried and tested route for our latest flat acquisition. The horse is Obe Gold who was purchased by our Dandy Nicholls at last year's horses in training sale at Newmarket Tattersalls.  Dandy has had great success with horses he has purchased out of Mick Channon's yard and like our own Turnkey, he was advised to purchase this horse by its former trainer.  To date Obe Gold has amassed over £337,000 in his career, he won the Redcar Trophy as a 2 year old and has some big handicap successes both in this country and in Dubai. He is a consistent 6/7 furlong performer who looks to go on any ground. He will be a very regular runner for us next year and if he can win early in the season he'll be aimed at the big sprint handicaps such as the Stewards Cup, the Wokingham and the Ayr Gold Cup, if not he should be on a good mark for the consolation races. Shares are available from £1000. See our available shares for details.

• MPR highly fashionable as another trainer asks to join our ranks
 
Richard Guest, the Grand National winning jockey, has become another trainer to join us in recent times. Richard is in the early stages of his training career, although has had some success to date with horses such as European Dream and Dzesmin. Richard has purchased an Elusive City colt for us out of the former Roger Charlton horse Winchcombe. Our horse is a forward type, and is being aimed at an early turf campaign from March onwards. This is another exciting step forward for MPR as we aim to eclipse last year's record breaking season. See our available shares for details.

 • Mr Haslam, Sheer Genius!!
 
After winning on his last outing at Kempton, Sheer Fantastic continued his winning run by putting in a never say die performance at Lingfield to get his nose in front of the well backed favourite. Our horse traveled sweetly in the early stages of the race but was nudged along down the back straight. The favourite looked to have got the jump on the field but the determined Sheer Fantastic showed his superior level of stamina by staying on to peg back the progressive Johnston horse and continue our great winning start to the year.

• Autumn Charm pipped on her way home

Autumn Charm did Middleham Park proud on her first run for her new owners. She traveled stylishly to the turn and looked like the winner from 3 furlongs out. The race was very competitive and she was closely rated with the other joint favourite on the weights, the eventual winner Home who just got the better of our runner in the final furlong to score by half a length. We were not the only one's to be impressed with our run, as our new acquisition was claimed by Lucinda Featherstone for 7,000 guineas. We were hoping to hang on to our horse, but will look to replace her in the near future.

• Chapman coup for Middleham Park Racing
 
We are pleased to announce that we have added another quality trainer to our ranks in the form of David Chapman. David has as much experience of the game of horse racing as anyone in the country. David is best known for his successes with the horse Quito, who he picked up for the mere sum of 3,500 guineas and went on to win 20 races with including 6 listed races. David's proven successes are with improving older horses who have moved on from previous trainers and we have done just that by purchasing two horses with David who we feel he can improve. The following two horses will run for us with David, in the hope he can improve our horses as he did with Quito and many of his stablemates.
 
Kanisorn
 
We were all very impressed by this foreign raider when he won at Southwell on the 8th of January. The race was not the strongest, but the fashion in which Kanisorn won in could not have been any more impressive as he won the 12 furlong event by 10 lengths with very little assistance required from the jockey. This victory was Kanisorn's 20th, yes 20th win in his career and we think we have finally found a replacement for Middleham Park's and Tim's favourite horse China Castle. Our horse will be aimed at an immediate all weather campaign, followed by a potential hurdling and chase career and should put up a winning sequence in handicaps, claimers and sellers. See our available shares for details.
 
 
Autumn Charm
 
Autumn Charm can be described as a what you see is what you get horse. This filly has already got her head in front twice at Southwell over 7 furlongs and has shown steady and consistent progress throughout the early stages of her career. Her most recent win coming in a claimer over the in form Jim Boyle's 67 rated Copperbottomed. This horse alongside Kanisorn should see the Middleham Park Racing Colours in the winners enclosure regularly through the coming months. See our available shares for details.

• One Too Good for the Prodigy
 
The ever consistent Park's Prodigy put in another impressive performance to come 2nd in a 14 furlong handicap at Southwell. Our horse hit the lead and galloped all but one of his rivals into the ground as he traveled sweetly throughout the early stages of the race. The Jane Chapple Hyam runner Legend Erry is performing substantially ahead of his handicap mark and went on to achieve his second win within the month. He was well supported before the off, and it was clear that somebody knew that another big run was expected. Park's Prodigy is a winner waiting to happen and it would be no surprise to see him in the winners enclosure very soon.

• Alto Vertigo continues to fly high

Alto Vertigo put in yet another commanding run at Wolverhampton and went onto win the 7furlong handicap on Friday. It didn’t take Alto long to reach the front of the pack under an authoritative ride from our ever impressing jockey Pat Donaghy. Pat pushed him from the gates to create a decent lead, where he stayed for the duration of the race. Alto Vertigo galloped his opponents into the ground and came home with a ¾ length lead over the field. This win gets us up and running for 200, as we aim to eclipse last year’s record winning year for a horse racing syndicate.

• Carmenero's turn will come

Carmenero's run at Lingfield was dictated by a very strong pace.  He sat just off the pace and when the button was pressed, picked off the two leaders in impressive style, only to be pipped on the line by the now 3 times Lingfield winner Reeling and Rocking. Our horse has been incredibly consistent, and again the bit of luck which you usually need to win has not fallen our way. The race was run at a very impressive time, and it won't be long before Carmenero's owners find themselves collecting the winners prize. There are a couple of shares available in Carmenero and is a perfect horse for anyone wanting a horse that is a surefire winner and a consistent runner and performer. See our available shares for details.

• Walls purchase set in stone

We have been very fortunate to purchase one of Patrick Haslam's star 2 year olds from this season, Thompsons Walls. This horse was sold for 40,000 guineas in April 2007, and we have secured him to run for us at a fraction of that cost. Thompsons Walls has raced 6 times as a 2 year old and having won on only his second race has achieved a rating of 83. We see Thompsons Walls as being at a very early stage in his career, and see this horse as a potential high class hurdler in the mould of Patrick's previous hurdling stars Yankeedoodledandy and King Revo.

• Mulling over options

We have been very lucky to secure a sensational yearling colt by Mull Of Kintyre for 48,000gns with Dandy Nicholls. He is for a pre order syndicate and he may make up into a Brocklesby type or at least we hope so. We are considering breezing him too and we'll make a final decision nearer the time as to our best way forward. He is a half brother to Dandy's BUACHAIL DONA no less who is verging on a listed performer and who Dandy feels has not stopped winning yet. Fingers crossed but he looks very exciting.

• Exciting start for Premier Venture
 
Our attention will turn to Flemington on Saturday, as Premier Venture looks to get off to a winning start in Australia. Our General Nediym Colt has done nothing but impress us with exciting trial runs and David Hayes our trainer has chosen a 1100 metre race carrying 75,000 Australian Dollars prize money as his starting point. The race should be televised in the early hours via attheraces and everyone at Middleham Park Racing will be very keen to see our colt get his nose in front.

• The Mighty Boosh!

The Mighty One lived up to his name with a commanding performance in the 6f Maiden at Wolverhampton on Thursday. He made all, traveling strongly throughout, kicking on in the home straight to win easing down. He has built on his promising debut 3rd, behind our own San Silvestro and we can look forward to an exciting winter with this progressive type. His win took our tally for the year to 35 in what's proving to be a phenomenal winning season for us.

• The hare becomes the king!

After looking not to stay in his previous run over hurdles, Strabinios King was diverted back to the all weather and a distance he is used to performing at and what a performance he put in. After a slow start Strabinios put his best hoof forward and picked up like a good thing to round the field and when the button was pressed he ran on past his rivals to win. He looked a tricky ride and was tending to hang in the home straight but this did not put off Gay Kelleway who claimed the horse after the race. Owners should not be disheartened as they have had a day in the winner's enclosure and as we know Patrick has been churning out winners and there are other prospects on Middleham Park's books which look like ideal replacements for Strabinios.

• Dizzy heights for Alto Vertigo
 
Alto Vertigo put in a most impressive performance at Wolverhampton to take the 0 - 55 handicap by an impressive 6 lengths. Our horse got to the lead and never saw a rival throughout the race, the performance was everything we could have hoped for,  and the 7lb claiming jockey Patrick Donaghy should be commended for his positive ride. Lets hope this is the start of a winning sequence for Alto as he makes his way through the ratings.

• Prodigious performance from the prodigy
 
Park's Prodigy followed up his recent win with a very impressive run at Sedgefield. He traveled on the bridle all the way around and just found one too good on the run up the Sedgefield hill. The winner is clearly a progressive horse and having won a listed race on the flat over 11 furlongs, it is understandable that his turn of pace was too much for the prodigy. Owners should not be disheartened by the run, as the winner is clearly worth a few bob and was receiving a 7lb allowance from our horse.

• Something for Nothing!!
 
After being incredibly lucky to secure the purchase of Something at the Tattersalls HIT sales, we have been dealt a second piece of good luck as he has been formally invited to take part in the Dubai Carnival meet in 2008 at Nad Al Sheba. This event is strictly invitation only, and sees the elite horses from many racing nations fight it out for the Sheikhs coffers. All transport and entry costs have been paid for by the organisers of the event, and with the prize pool of each race being approximately 50k plus, this is an opportunity of a lifetime.
 
Dandy says 'I sent 3 horses out to Dubai this year, and they all came back fitter for the experience with Tax Free building on his runs to win 4 races this season'.
 
Anyone looking to get involved in Something should look to purchase a share before the carnival, and arrangements can be made via Middleham Park Racing to watch Something run in Nad Al Sheba. 

• Park Valley Prince becomes King

Hats off to the Prince. He won his first race today under a great Paul Doe ride at Lingfield in the 7f handicap on the card. He was well backed and it always looked like the favourite would prevail. He quickened up in nice style early in the straight and ran on well to the line in the style of an improving performer. He has entries later in the week and could well be turned out again to defy his penalty. Well done to Willie Muir, his trainer, who has done very well to get him to win today despite several niggly injuries early in his career. Willie says that he as had horses like this improve significantly in the past. Park Valley Prince is still very lightly raced and should go on to much better things. There are still one or two shares available in him if you would like to be involved.

• Fantastic lives up to his name!
 
Sheer Fantastic won a competitive race at Kempton to secure his first win of his career on only his third outing.  What was impressive about the run was that our winner never got the run of the race and was caught out wide on the bend turning for home. This horse has a big future and should continue to run well on the all weather before a potential step up in distance over hurdles. The analysts at the racing post were particularly impressed and like us identify the horse as having scope and should progress and build on his 'ultimately comprehensive win'.

• The tortoise beats the hare

Strathaird wins in impressive fashion. At Wetherby on the 17th November it was a case of the old fable the Tortoise and the Hare. Off went Strabinios King in the opener, bidding to make virtually all under Barry Keniry. Unfortunately he tired in the home straight rather like the hare did in the story only for Strathaird (the tortoise) to come looming large on the outside to prevail under a very composed Warren Cafferty ride. We are sure Strathaird can win again for us. His win takes out tally for 2007 to 30 and takes us beyond our previous record of 29

• Lake Barrine puts in fine debut

We have always thought a little bit of him and it was no real surprise to see him run an excellent race on his bumper debut at Hereford to be second with us and the winner pulling a long long way clear of the 3rd and 4th placed horses. Lake Barrine gave the odds on favourite which cost 42,000gns at the recent Doncaster NH Sales quite a bit to think about until the winner asserted in the final 100yards. The fav was off the bridle turning for home. Charlie Poste who rode Lake Barrine suggests we may me able to turn the tables next time with the experience of this debut under our belt. Lake Barrine may have another bumper run but he is destined to give us some really good fun over hurdles and fences in seasons to come; he is still only a 4yo. He showed good speed on debut and should be fully effective at 2m and 2m4f over obstacles. The form of the bumper has a strong look to it, the winner was second to Group 2 Flat winner Turbo Lynn on its run prior to today's run and the third horse had been just touched off for second place when third on its only previous run.

• Super San Silvestro Serves it up

Sweeping from deep off the pace San Silvestro careered to the front on his racecourse debut today at Catterick Bridge in the opening 2yo maiden race, to hold on in tenacious fashion from the Mark Johnston trained Stagecoach Topaz with our own The Mighty One only half a length back in third. It had looked for much of the final 2 furlongs as if the pair would finish 1st and 2nd only for the Mark Johnston horse to split our two debutantes on the line. We believe both horses will improve significantly from this having learned a great deal each. San Silvestro may be put away until next season since he is quite a tall leggy sort who should fill out into his frame. The Mighty One may be dropped back to 6f next time; he was all over the winner at that trip today. This takes our winners tally to 29 for the year, matching our previous best. It just shows where you need to be if the thrill of owning a winner is your dream.

• Prodigy pops in at Newcastle

Park's Prodigy showed no ill effects from his recent wind operation to score in fine style in the Juvenile Hurdle at Newcastle on Thursday. Patrick had said we'd see a new horse next time he ran and so it proved to as he dispatched the field with ease. It wasn't the strongest of races, but we think he can go on and score again in juvenile company. His victory gave us our 28th winner of the year, just one short of last year's record of 29.

• Ann Duffield jumping for joy

Ann and George Duffield have been working very hard on our behalf to unearth a couple of really promising 3yo juvenile hurdling prospects for this winter. We asked her to buy us horses with proven ability who we can get racing and give their owners some really good fun over the Winter in Juvenile hurdles before reverting back to the Flat for next Summer. In recent weeks Ann has had FALCON'S FIRE win two juvenile hurdles in really impressive fashion. They think he could maybe be off to Cheltenham Festival. Ann also had FINLAND win at Haydock in impressive fashion and then follow up over fences at Newcastle..

Ann and George have managed to unearth two really exciting prospects for us from the Tattersalls Horses in Training sale JOSEPHINE MALINES and MURACO. Click on their names to go through to their web pages.

• Something for the weekend, Sir?

We have been exceptionally lucky to secure from the Terry MIlls yard the listed performer SOMETHING. He has this season finished 4th in The Wokingham at Royal Ascot, 3rd in The Bunbury Cup at Newmarket and 12th in The Stewards Cup at Goodwood. Definitely just a case of Dandy Nicholls (his new trainer) being in the right place at the right time at Tattersalls horses in training Sales. We think he is a £100,000 horse who we have managed to nick for 40,000gns, which with agent's fees and conversion of guineas to pounds comes in at around £45,000. He is just the sort of horse who can compete in all the top Saturday Handicaps in 2008 and beyond.

Dandy says -  'I think we can win the Wokingham with him '

• A deadly duo for Dandy

The final principal day of the yearling sales season brought us a real Dandy duo of colts. By Auction House and Observatory respectively, they were both very well bought and look like sharp early types. Both have been bought for pre order syndicates and they could well follow in the footsteps of Fol Hollow and Caught In Paradise who were both purchased at this sale last season for pre order Dandy syndicates. We wish their owners the very best of luck

• 6 of the best from nearby DBS

We have had a very productive day at Doncaster Bloodstock Yearling Sales on Thursday. We have been lucky enough to secure six new yearlings by REDBACK, MAKBUL, LUCKY STORY, FRAAM, FANTASTIC LIGHT and ZAHA. Most were bought for pre order syndicates and are to be split equally between David Nicholls and Patrick Haslam. One of the horses (the Fantastic Light filly) is available for syndication and shares can be found on our shares available page. We think we have done very well indeed today. None of them were expensive but they are all very sound and very trainable. Remember, we did the same at last year's sale and unearthed FOL HOLLOW no less. We discovered YANKEE BRAVO in similar fashion. Both are now worth six figure sums. Yankee Bravo has now been sold to continue his career in the USA. Let's hope any of the above yearlings turn out to be worth anything like either of those!!

• Resplendent full of promise at Ponty

Resplendent Light paid back some of his expensive price tag with a victory full of promise at Pontefract on Monday. Running in his first nursery, he made a mockery of his official rating as he raced up with the pace and stayed on strongly to win going away. He'll now be put away for the winter to strengthen up. We think he'll make up into classy middle distance colt next season. His win took our tally to 27 winners for the year. See his web page for share availability.

• Have a Bourbon on us!

Bourbon Highball proved to be an intoxicating proposition when Patrick told us the 2yo gelding was off to the sales at Doncaster. He advised us to go to the sales and bid on the horse which is exactly what we did. We were delighted to secure him and bring him home. He has been placed 3rd at YORK no less from only 4 starts. We think he is a surefire future winner. He has already earned a hcp rating of 63 and we believe he can improve significantly on this. He is probably best at 7f for now and may stay a distance of ground well enough to juvenile hurdle next Summer. After all, his dam did win over 1m4f during her racing career. See our available shares for details.

• Bahri filly goes to Bailey

We have acquired for a very small stake, 4,500gns in fact, a really attractive Bahri yearling filly to be trained in Newmarket by Alan Bailey. Alan has done so very well for us with the mighty GLENBUCK. He deserves our continued support. She has a super walk on her and is very elegant. She wont be an early sort but we are as sure as you can be that she will make the grade. She is from the family of COMMON GROUNDS.

• Daughter of Katrina set to make some waves

Our latest yearling acquisition is this superbly bred daughter of Alhaarth and the broodmare KATRINA. She is from the family of KITHANGA, MILAN and KAYHASI no less. We think she should make a big impact next Flat season for us and the Ann Duffield yard. She has been purchased for a pre order syndicate and we think she’ll be walking on sunshine by the end of her 3yo career.

• Happy to be a Bachelor Boy?

Ben Haslam has been at Tattersalls Sales all week unearthing this handsome individual for us. He has just purchased for 42,000gns a cracking individual. A colt by the Irish Guineas winner 2004 Bachelor Duke who we believe will be a regular 2yo runner in 2008 for us and the yard. Patrick has specifically asked if he can retain a 33% shareholding in the colt. Click here to check out his web page. This colt represents for us our only Haslam yearling in which there still remains shares available. We have three already and two more to purchase but they are for pre orders.

• New Medicean Colt is just what the doctor ordered

Tatts Part 1 catalogue has produced the last three Derby winners no less along with numerous other Group 1 winning animals. Only the very blue bloods of the racing yearling fraternity are accepted into the sale. So we have been very lucky to secure our final Ann Duffield yearling of the sale's season from this year's Part  1 book, a fine chestnut colt by Medicean. Ann has been inundated with people aghast at how she managed to steal the horse for a paltry 45,000gns, in their opinion. Ann says ' I still don't know how we managed to buy him for that price. We were convinced he would make double that figure, in which case we would not have been bringing him home' She goes on to say, he is a gorgeous horse who Cheveley Park Stud (who owned the mare) thought would make plenty of money. See our available shares for details.

• Quality fillies not elusive for Ann

Top bloodstock agent, Gill Richardson, has bought us a quality individual at the Goffs Million Sales in Ireland. She is a fantastic looking filly by first season sire and top 2yo Sprinter Elusive City. Her pedigree is packed with black type and she looks to have been very well bought. She will be trained by Ann Duffield. See our available shares for details

• Freedom flys in at Sedgefield

Freedom Flying broke her duck by landing the Selling Hurdle at Sedgefield on Tuesday. She appeared to run in snatches throughout the race but jumped well enough to keep her in contention. She looked beaten coming over the last as a couple of rivals swept by, but she put her head down to run on the snatch the lead in the last 50 yds. She was sold at the subsequent auction to Josh Saville Racing. She was our 26th winner of 2007.

• Ice Planet looks a cool acquisition

We have acquired the sprinter Ice Planet who will stay in training with Dandy Nicholls. Ice Planet is a 90 rated sprinter who has progressed throughout his career. He has won races such as the Great St Wilfred Stakes and been placed in the Skybet Dash and the Stan James Stakes. It will be more of the same for us. If you are looking for ownership that will aim for valuable prizes at the top courses then this could be the ideal horse for you. See our available shares for details.

• Prigsnov bounces in at Beverley

Prigsnov Dancer took advantage of a good draw to land a weak looking 5f selling handicap at Beverley on Wednesday. Under an enterprising ride from Lee Enstone, he went 3 lengths clear over 1 furlong and managed to stave off a late challenge to land the spoils. There was no bid for him at the subsequent auction and it will now be a lot harder to place him in that grade as will have to run with a penalty. His win took us to the 25 winner mark for the year and we look well on course for this to be a record season for us.

• NEW ACQUISITIONS - Doncaster Bloodstock Sales

We have enjoyed a very productive week at the Doncaster Sales. The market at the sales was very patchy. Some horses sold well and as ever, poor individuals with poor conformation did not. Throughout the week there was some disillusionment amongst those gathered at the sales. Quite a few would- be purchasers did not reappear for the latter part of the sale. Those, like us, who endured the marathon, we would like to think have been rewarded with some outstandingly shrew and inexpensive purchases. The same horses in a more consistent sale, we believe would have sold considerably better. We have purchased 4 horses this week. Three of them ‘to order’ namely lots 39, 62 and 109 for 6,500gns, 5,000gns and 9,000gns respectively. They are very decent individuals who should be very much 2yo runners. Some nice pedigrees amongst them too. They are by City On A Hill (full brother to a three time 2yo winner) Namid (a beautiful black filly from a decent family) and Redback (half sister to a dam who has foaled one winner from one runner). They will all race for a numerically small and already completed Patrick Haslam syndicate. We did succumb to an additional purchase over and above our intended order list. A beautiful and very scopey filly by the first season sire of the moment ACCLAMATION. She has a strong pedigree but we were amazed that she dropped our way for only 11,000gns with Gill Richardson buying on our behalf. We think she is worth more than double that. She moved like a dream around the lunge ring. She is already 75% fully syndicated so shares are likely to only be available for a short period of time in her. Ann Duffield will train. See our available shares for details

• Impressive Yankee scores on debut

Yankee Bravo put in an impressive performance to win by 6 lengths on his debut at Redcar on Thursday. The Ann Duffield trained colt had put in a sparkling racecourse gallop at the weekend and so it was no surprise when he took the race by the scruff of the neck 1 furlong out to score with plenty in hand. He's certainly one to follow and his win took our tally to 24 winners for the year. We weren't the only ones who were impressed judging by this Racing Post article

"Yankee Bravo, trained by Ann Duffield, made an impressive winning debut in the 5f maiden, scooting home by six lengths under Royston Ffrench, wearing the colours of Middleham Park Racing ,whose strong representation were spearheaded by Keith Dalgleish, the former northern jockey.

“Keith is working for us and is also our Middleham Park Racing representative,” explained Duffield, who bought Yankee Bravo at Newmarket's Breeze-Up Sales for 16,000gns from Jamie Railton.

“It's nice that Jamie was associated with this horse, because he rode quite a few jumping winners for me,” said the trainer, adding, “He's a a real laid-back horse, who just eats and sleeps, but everyone in the yard, including Keith, who has had anything to do with him, has liked him.”

Quote of the day
“He apparently recorded the fastest time at the Breeze-Ups, but I managed to buy him for 16,000gns, so I was left wondering which leg would fall off. Luckily, none did,” - Ann Duffield, recalling how she came to buy impressive debut winner Yankee Bravo earlier this year."

 

• Yearlings update

Most of our yearling syndicates are already fully subscribed with pre orders including all of the Dandy Nicholls syndicates following the success of Fol Hollow and all but one of the Patrick Haslam syndicates who has had a cracking season with his 2yo's . We think we will probably have around a dozen yearlings this time around. There are currently places remaining in just three of our yearling syndicates; the Tim Easterby Reset syndicate, the Ann Duffield Hawk Wing syndicate and a Patrick Haslam yearling syndicate which does not have a horse purchased for it as yet. We expect Patrick to purchase the horse from Tattersalls Newmarket Sales in October next month. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to secure one of the final places in any of these syndicates. See our available shares for details

• Tim Easterby Colt starts the yearling ball rolling

A fine colt by Australian Guineas winner Reset became our first yearling to be bought this year to be trained by Tim Easterby. When we asked him what he'd bought and he took us round to his sales box to show him, our decision was instant! We've tried to follow the model that has brought us success with Collateral Damage and Captain Dunne and we think that this colt is in the same mould. See our available shares for details

• Fabulous Fol scores again

Fol Hollow notched up the 3rd win of his 2yo career by taking the Sapper Conditions Stakes at Ripon on Tuesday. After impressive performances over 6f at the Goodwood and York festivals he dropped back down to 5 furlongs to make it 3 wins out of his last 4 runs. We'll be looking to place him to win again next time.

• Brave Bonjour Battles home

Bonjour Allure fulfilled the promise that she showed on her debut by winning the 7f maiden at Beverley on Wednesday. It looked a warm maiden on paper with several runners from big yards but Bonjour topped the lot under a stunning ride from Seb Sanders who put her head in front right on the line. There was a nervous wait for owners as the judge took what seemed like an age to come to his decision which was greeted by load cheers from delighted owners. She is a filly with immense potential who we are expecting to improve as a 3yo. She has a very bright future indeed.

• BBQ at Ann Duffield's

Ann and George Duffield will be a hosting a BBQ at Sun Hill Stables on SUNDAY 26TH AUGUST 11am. Entry will cost £7.50 per person and all proceeds will go to the Injured Jockeys Fund. All Owners are welcome.

• Great Day for Green Day

Green Day Packer, who has always promised so much at home, delivered on the racecourse in emphatic style at Sedgefield on Friday with a deserved win for his patient owners. Under a typical no nonsense AP McCoy ride, he took the race by the scruff of the neck and put in a bold front running performance and easily out-jumped and out-paced his rivals to score by an eased down 9 lengths. He can go on to win similar events under a penalty and give his owners a few more days in the sun. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE IN THIS GAME!! He took our tally of winners to 21 for the year and we're well on the way to toppling last year's record haul of 29.

• Sheer Fantastic

We have recently acquired this big strapping individual, him having been cast off by Newsells Park Stud. We have had him gelded. We think he will take a bit of time to mature and will make up into a nice dual purpose 3 yo prospect for 2008. He has had just the one run to date and is open to any amount of improvement. We bought the horse on Patrick Haslam's recommendation. We have taken his previous advice in buying a 2yo cast off with horses such as Hi Dancer (7 subsequent wins), Nocatee (3 subsequent wins for us), Ever Special (3 subsequent wins for us), so why should this fellow be any different. A good fun horse who would very much suit the first time owner. See our available shares for details

• Strabinios to be King

we have just purchased the proven performer Strabinios King to stay in in the Patrick Haslam yard. We think there are small races still to be won with him; definitely on the Flat and maybe too over hurdles if he settles enough to stay over hurdles. He's a great fun horse to have on board. Definitely more wins to be had and a good horse for the first time owner to get involved with. See our available shares for details.

• Riguez and Lilac at the double

Riguez Dancer and Lilac Moon both lost their maiden tags by winning at Ripon and Carlisle respectively on Monday. Riguez fulfilled the potential he showed at Newcastle earlier in the season by taking by scoring in the 1m 4f handicap by a facile 3 1/2 lengths. He appreciated the step up in trip and finished strongly for an easy victory. He has the potential to win again on the flat and will be an exciting juvenile hurdle prospect this autumn. Lilac Moon was dropped in class into claiming company and justified favouritism to score by 2 lengths. She had to be scrubbed along but out stayed the field to break her duck. She has proved difficult to keep sound and Ann has done well to get this win out of her. She was claimed post race by E Vaughan for 10000 gns. The 2 wins took our tally for the year to 20 winners.

• Glory Be on the Sussex Downs

A famous victory for Fol Hollow at Glorious Goodwood at the weekend. Dandy does so well down at this meeting and he's done us proud with Fol Hollow's victory in the 20k nursery handicap on the final card of the week. Some achievement for a horse who only cost £2500. He must be worth around 50 times that now and he is still open to some improvement. He made all at a brisk pace under Trot Nicholls and held on well to repel the strong Mark Johnston trained challenge in the final furlong. Fol Hollow could still go on to better things.

• Sonic Boom Boom Boy

Sonic Anthem comfortably took the selling hurdle on the recent Uttoxeter evening meeting under the very adept handling of the Champion jockey A P McCoy. Some of our owners had flown into the country from Abu Dhabi to be in attendance at the Midlands course. In the race we allowed the horse to bowl along in front and he wore the opposition into the ground. Tony McCoy is a regular NH rider for us. He has ridden over 20  times for us in the last 2 years and has now won on 8 occasions. We felt the price of 11,000gns at the after race sale for Sonic was a very good price for this rather exposed performer. Tony had recommend we go to 8-10k to keep him. It took our winners total to 201 and we seem to be going from strength to strength at the moment. Not only do the numbers of winners and places we are experiencing seem to be increasing, so too do our the number of horses and owners that we have on board. The overall quality of our runners is increasing too. We have 8 entries for Glorious Goodwood this week and recently we had two third places at York on the famous John Smiths Cup day, including Collateral Damage who was third in the big race itself. We must must be doing something right.  We have regular daily runners, sometimes 3 or 4 runners in a day, so there is always something going on for our owners to get their teeth into.

• Jane Delights to take us to 200 winners

Jane's Delight took the 6f seller at Ripon on Saturday in atrocious ground conditions to take our winners tally to the 200 mark! She has had her training problems in her short career and so we let her go to Reg Bond for 12,800 gns in the post race auction. She was our 16th winner of the year so far.

• Adele turns the key

It looks like young apprentice Adele Rothery holds the key to Turnkey's fortunes. This highly rated gelding has shown us this season that he doesn't respond to forceful handling and so with Adele back on board he produced a stunning performance to win the feature race on the Pontefract card on Tuesday. Adele settled him in at the back and he was plum last turning for home. He then proceeded to pass the entire field with a blistering turn of pace and scored comfortably under a beautifully judged ride. He will look to follow up in the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton on Friday with, of course, Adele on board. He was our 15th winner of the year and our 199th winner ever. We've got eight runners over the weekend, all vying to be our 200th winner.

• Fantastic Fol gets his head in front

Fol Hollow, the Dandy Nicholls trained 2yo colt, notched up his first win with a good performance in the 5f maiden at Musselburgh on Monday. He as been ultra consistent so far and he put in improved performance to win comfortably. 5f looks to be his trip and he should be seen to good effect in nurseries over the summer. He was our 14th winner of the year so far.

• It's hip hip hooray for Hi Dancer

Three cheers for the dominant dancer. Hi Dancer, a real bargain buy for us after he had raced 3 times and been unplaced three times in 2005 causing his then owner to wish to sell him, notched up a recent hat trick for us. His Saturday Redcar victory takes his win tally to 7 in the 18 months we have owned him. It is real testament to the training skills of Patrick Haslam, to coax improvement from horses as they develop with age and distance. Hi Dancer's versatility was demonstrated in abundance back on the Flat at Redcar at the weekend, following recent wins over hurdles. It also demonstrates our shrewd ability to purchase inexpensive horses that 'do the business'. We pride ourselves too on operating at the other end of the spectrum, with purchases such as Shot To Fame, Turnkey, Glenbuck, Collateral Damage and Royal Dignitary. His win was our 13th of the year to date.

• Dandy trio head overseas?

Royal Dignitary, Shot to Fame and Turnkey have all been entered for big handicaps at The Curragh, in Ireland on Irish Derby day. This is our first venture at running our horses abroad and they should provide owners with a great day out!

• Resplendent runs at Royal Ascot

Resplendent Light has been declared to run at Royal Ascot on Saturday in the Chesham Stakes. Aussie ace Kerrin McEvoy will take the ride on our exciting colt. Meanwhile, Turnkey was balloted out of the Wokingham Stakes so he'll head for Redcar on Friday as an alternative.

• Digger side steps regal action in favour of tilt at monster prize

• Coconut continues our great run

Coconut Queen has put in some promising runs whilst we've been finding out what her best trip is and she returned to the winner's enclosure when switched back to 7f at Carlisle on Monday. She has been missing the break in recent times so Ann decided to fit cheek pieces and they seemed to do the trick as she prevailed by a short head under a driving finish from Royston Ffrench. The first 2 finished clear of the rest, so she may well be able to follow up next time. She was Ann's first winner for us this year and we've now rattled up 12 winners for the year so far.

• Resplendent heads to Royal Ascot

Resplendent Light confirmed that he is progressing well when he was entered on Monday for the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday. Willie has been pleased with his progress including a racecourse gallop at Lingfield and he will take his chance all being well between now and Saturday. With only 16 entries it looks like it will be a small but select field with Barry Hills' Feared In Flight looking to have the best form of those that have run. Turnkey's entry at Royal Ascot on Saturday in the Wokingham Stakes was confirmed at the 5 day stage on Monday, but it looks unlikely that he will get in the race as he needs over 20 horses higher in the weights to come out of the race at declaration time on Thursday.

• Six of the best from Hi

Hi Dancer gained the 6th win of his career with a comfortable win at Market Rasen on Friday. As noted in this column earlier in the month, he is a horse on the improve and one to keep on the right side of, and this proved to be the case as he scored under a canny ride from Warren Cafferty. Always traveling sweetly, Warren tracked is main rival AP McCoy throughout the race, producing him for an effort two out. Two good jumps later, the race was over giving us our 7th winner in the last 4 weeks and our 11th of the year so far. There is more to come from him.

• Caught in Paradise takes us to 10

It's was a one - two for MPR in the 5f 2yo claimer at Haydock on Thursday. Both Caught in Paradise and Prigsnov Dancer came into the race with similar levels of form and the two of them fought out a ding dong battle in the final furlong with Caught getting back up to beat Prigsnov by a neck. He went on to be claimed by Evan Williams after the race but Prigsnov lives to fight another day for us. His victory gave us our 3rd winner in 2 days and our 10th winner of the year so far.

• Carmenero and Digger deliver the double

Carmenero started off a great day for us by gaining a much deserved success in the 1 mile handicap at Lingfield. He is a extremely consistent performer but time and again he has met trouble in running or not had the run of the race. Today Martin Dwyer kept him clear of trouble to score by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths landing a big gamble in the process with him being backed in from 14/1 to 11/2.

Royal Dignitary then followed up by winning the valuable £15,000 added Directors Cup at Ripon's evening meeting. The key to Digger is 1 mile on fast ground on a turning track and that's exactly what he had. Adrian Nicholls put in a well judged front running performance, kicking on at exactly the right time and the race never looked in doubt giving Digger his 7th win and taking his career prize money to over £100,000. The double gave us our 8th and 9th winners of the year to date.

• Captain in command at Haydock

Captain Dunne made a mockery of a hugh Brian Meehan gamble to comfortably take the 5f maiden a Haydock on Friday. The Brian Meehan trained I Don't Do Walkin was backed in from 11/1 to 7/2 jt favourite alongside Captain Dunne but the result never looked in doubt as Captain Dunne made all under a confident ride from David Allen. The Captain went 4 lengths clear entering the final furlong and was heavily eased to score by 1 3/4 lengths. He was our first 2yo winner this term and our 7th winner of the year so far.

• First entries go in for Royal Ascot

Turnkey, Royal Dignitary and Shot to Fame are all entered for big handicaps at Royal Ascot. Turnkey heads for the 6f Wokingham Stakes whilst Digger and Shot are in the 1 mile Royal Hunt Cup. Also Royal Ascot bound is 2yo Resplendent Light who will look to debut in the 7f listed Chesham Stakes after exciting Willie Muir in his work on the gallops. There are still some shares available in Resplendent Light for those who fancy donning the top hat and tails. See our available shares for details.

• Blackheath hits double figures

Blackheath notched up the 10th win of his career, by taking the 5f Claimer at Wolverhampton on Monday. Silvestre de Sousa used different tactics by allowing Blackheath to be given a lead and the change worked a treat, as he ran on off a strong pace to win going away. There will be more to from come in what could be his final year of racing. This was our 6th winner of the year so far.

• Handsome Hi hoses in

Hi Dancer was the comfortable winner of the 2 mile handicap hurdle at Wetherby on Thursday evening. Warren Cafferty gave him a supremely confident ride and dropped him out the back of the field as the leaders went off too quickly. He was still well adrift turning for home, but picked up the whole field in the home straight to score by an easy 3 lengths. He will go on from this and is one to keep on the right side of. His win gave us our 5th winner of the year.

• Yankee Doodle Dandy

We have just acquired a real speedball from the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sales. Bought on our behalf by top bloodstock agent Gill Richardson, this American bred colt gave THE FASTEST BREEZE OF ALL 160 Lots in the Catalogue. He will be trained by Ann Duffield. See our available shares for details

• Marvelous Mischief overcomes the odds

Mr Mischief overcame the odds by landing the 1m4f Seller at Southwell on Tuesday. This was his second run after a year long lay off and he made mincemeat of poor opposition under a confident ride from Lee Enstone. His win was a testament to Patrick's training skills. He has proved very difficult to keep sound in the last 12 months so it was a surprise that Market Rasen based trainer Michael Chapman went as high as 15,200 gns to buy him at the subsequent auction. He has proved a grand servant, winning 7 races for us and we wish him well at his new home. His victory gave us our 4th win of the year.

• Glorious Glenbuck sinks Cecil Hotpot

Glenbuck put in a superb front running performance to turn over the well touted, Henry Cecil trained, odds on favourite to land the 7f Handicap at Yarmouth on Thursday. Having put in a career best performance when 3rd at Musselburgh last time out, he's is clearly on the upgrade and surpassed that to score by a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths breaking the 19 year old course record in the process. This was his 6th win for us and he will contest better class races from now on. His win gave us our 3rd winner of the year so far.

• We give The Master a royal welcome 

• Marlena to do Dietrich 

• Chevalier is another horse

• Four new 2yo's from the Breeze Up Sales

We've had a busy week at Doncaster Breeze Up Sales. We have bought 4 colts in total. A Mujadil colt and a Namid Colt to be trained by Patrick Haslam and a Fayruz colt and Namid colt to be trained by Ann Duffield. See our available shares for details

• Middleham Park Racing Open Day - Saturday 31st March

We will be having an open day on Saturday 31st March in Middleham. We will be starting at 9.30am at Patrick Haslam's followed by 11.00am at Ann Duffield's. Come along and see the 25 horses that we have in training with these 2 trainers, including the exciting new 2yo's and hurdling prospects. Afterwards some owners will make their way up to Newcastle, where we have 5 runners.

• Five go to Newcastle

Five of the seven entries for the first day of the turf season on Saturday at Newcastle have been declared to run. Fol Hollow and Caught in Paradise both take their chances in Brocklesby Stakes. (The first turf 2yo race of the season). Collateral Damage lines up in the Lincoln Handicap whilst Shot to Fame makes it into the Spring Mile consolation race. Riguez Dancer makes it 5 runners when he makes his turf debut in the 1m 2f maiden.

• King first up for the 2yo's

King of Dalyan will be our first 2yo runner of the year when he contests the first 2yo race of the season. Adrian Nicholls takes the ride. See our available shares for details.

• An Aperitif to whet the appetite?

We have bought Aperitif from the Dandy Nicholls yard at the Doncaster Lincoln Handicap Sales on Wednesday. He will stay in training with Dandy and we will be looking to exploit his current handicap mark. See our available shares for details.

• Super Sprint entry for Wildcat

Wildcat Island, our 2yo Statue of Liberty filly with Tim Easterby has been entered in the £135,000 Wetherby's Super Sprint at Newbury in July. She has been showing plenty of dash at home and could be be one of Tim's earliest 2yo's.

• Super Sylvestre's Sonic Boom

A superb ride from Sylvestre de Sousa gave Sonic Anthem victory in the 1 mile claimer at Southwell on Tuesday. Sonic, who has been notoriously difficult to settle, was tucked in at the back of the field and last turning from home. Sylvester managed to come from behind a wall of horses to get Sonic's head in front on the line. His win gave us our second winner in 2 days and our second winner of the year so far .

• Hi cruises to victory to notch 1st win of the year

Hi Dancer had the easiest of runs to score in the Juvenile Claiming Hurdle at Plumpton on Monday. AP McCoy took the mount and didn't have to move a muscle as Hi Dancer justified his odds of 1/5. He became our joint shortest ever priced winner (The other was our legendary 26 time winner Chinacastle) and gave us our 1st winner in 2007.

• MPR down under

This year we are having our first venture into overseas racing by purchasing a stunning chestnut colt by General Nediym. He will be trained in Australia by top trainer David Hayes. See his web page for details.

• Charlton has a Bobby Dazzler

• Rahy on course for Meehan return 

• Cheltenham Festival entries for Patrick duo

Impeccable Guest and Hi Dancer have been entered in the listed Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival meeting . Depending on entries and weights allocated it looks a more realistic target for Impeccable Guest than Hi Dancer at the moment.

• Three for the Lincoln

Collateral Damage, Royal Dignitary and Shot to Fame have all been entered in the William Hill Lincoln to be run this year on the straight mile at Newcastle. On current ratings Collateral Damage should squeeze into the race but it will be touch and go for the Dandy duo. If any of the 3 miss out they would get in the William Hill Spring Mile consolation race to be run on the same day at Newcastle in what promises to be an exciting first day of the 2007 Flat Turf season for us.

• £300,000 entry for Wildcat

Wildcat Island, our Statue of Liberty filly with Tim Easterby, has been entered for the £300,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes at Doncaster in September. Tim is really pleased with her progress at these early stages.

• Guest maintains her impeccable hurdles record

Impeccable Guest made it 2 wins from 2 over hurdles by winning the Juvenile Hurdle at Wetherby on Wednesday. She took advantage of a rival's fall and stayed on gamely in very testing conditions to beat the heavily backed favourite. Patrick was very pleased with her performance and her target will now be the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, depending on how the handicapper assesses her victories. She continued our good winning run to extend our record to 29 wins for the year.

• Merry Christmas and a Successful New Year

Tim and Mike would like to wish all our owners a Merry Christmas and a Successful New Year. Let's hope 2007 is another record breaking year for winners and we pick up a big prize or two on the way.

• We're on a Hi

Hi Dancer brought up our highest ever number of winners in year when giving us win number 28 by taking the Novice Handicap Hurdle at Hereford on Friday. He was given a well judged ride by Warren Cafferty, who has now given us 2 winners from 5 rides and looks to be great value for his 7lb claim. Hi Dancer has proved ultra consistent at the hurdling game, having finished in the top 3 on 6 of his 7 starts over the sticks. There will be more to come from him.

• Resplendent Light gets a Derby Entry

Resplendent Light, our 85,000gns Fantastic Light colt trained by Willie Muir has been entered for the 2008 Epsom Derby. Willie has been so impressed with the horse since he arrived from the sales that he said we should enter the exciting colt for Britain's Premier Classic. See our available shares to buy into this exciting prospect.

• Attila's on the move

We have purchased the 2yo gelding Attila's Peintre from Mrs Jacobs (owner of Kinnaird, Marrousies Wings, Linas Selection). He ran once as a 2yo and will stay in Patrick's yard to be trained for a dual purpose career in 2007. He's a perfect fun horse for next year. See our available shares for details.

• Impeccable hurdling debut for Guest

Impeccable Guest gained a much deserved win on her hurdling debut at Catterick on Wednesday. Having been placed 4 times on the flat, she showed a talent for the National Hunt game with a fluent hurdling display and showed her battling spirit to win going away. She can win again under both codes. Her win gave us our 27th winner of the year, equaling our best ever year. Just one more to go to beat that record!

• Ever the toast at Towcester

Ever Special made it 2 wins in a week when he took the selling hurdle at Towcester on Sunday. Barry Keniry had him at the front all the way as he made all for a comfortable win. That was his third win over hurdles (the last 2 in selling company) and he would have had to step up into more competitive handicap company, so we took the difficult decision to let him go at the subsequent auction. He was bought by Newcastle - Under - Lyme based trainer John Stipmson for 9,100 gns. He was our 26th winner of the year, one short of our record total of 27.

• Ever so Special at Leicester

Ever Special continued Patrick Haslam's good run of recent form, by winning the Selling Hurdle at Leicester on Monday. Under a confident ride from AP McCoy, the heavily backed favourite never looked in danger as he jumped well and made all to win eased down. He should follow up in this grade and has an entry at Towcester on Sunday. He was our 25th winner of the year so far.

• Bridget bolts in at Southwell

Bridget's Team scored in emphatic style on her handicap debut at Southwell on Friday. Having shown glimpses of promise on her previous starts, Patrick had the 2yo spot on for the drop back to 6f furlong. She broke well from the stalls and Dale Gibson made all for a comfortable win. She looked to have a bit in hand and should follow up.

• Group 3 Winner a welcome guest at Dandy's.

We have purchased Group 3 winner Guest Connections from the Mick Channon yard at the Tattersalls Horses In Training sales at Newmarket. He competed at the highest level as a 2yo when beaten by George Washington in the Group 1 Pheonix Stakes. He's still only a 3yo and he'll return to sprint distances under Dandy's guidance. See our available shares for details.