Welcome to 2009 everyone -- and what a wonderful welcome to the New Year for our runners from Manor House Stables ! Performances from our runners during December 2008 suggested our horses had finally turned the corner and fully recovered from their ailments, and this has certainly proved to be the case at the start of 2009.
Just 2 days into the new year and the winner everyone at Manor House Stables has been looking for arrives courtesy of Hi Dancer in an Amateur Riders' Handicap over 2 miles at Southwell. The 6 year old, owned by Middleham Park Racing and R Tocher, won 3 races in 2006 and 4 races in 2007, but despite some consistent efforts had been winless since. However, here he returns to form with a vengeance. Ridden by Emily Stead, Hi Dancer tracks the leaders in the early stages but being sent on over 2 furlongs out is soon clear, spread-eagling the field to win by no less than 11 lengths. This is a wonderful result for all concerned, but especially for Emily who works in the stable and who is registering her first success on only her second ride in public.
The following week Scutch Mill runs his best race for some time taking second place in a 1 mile one and a half furlong handicap at Wolverhampton, quickly followed by good performances from Bespoke Boy, also showing a welcome return to form finishing fourth at Great Leighs, River Ardeche also returning to form with a third place, at 66/1, in a Wolverhampton handicap, Scutch Mill quickly reappearing and finishing 4th in a Great Leighs handicap and Sheer Fantastic, also filling the same spot at Great Leighs.
The middle of the month proves a real purple patch as Patrick sends out 3 winners in 5 days. The run starts with Montevideo, who joined Manor House Stables during 2008, and shows improved form to take a Class 3 Handicap Chase over 3 miles one and a half furlongs at Catterick under a fine ride from Barry Keniry at odds of 20/1. Owned by J P McManus, Montevideo chases the leader in the early stages but needs to be switched a number of times in the straight, before staying on to lead inside the last 100 yards. The step up in trip appeared to suit the 9 year old but he was certainly given a tremendous ride by Barry.
3 days later Riguez Dancer travels down to Wolverhampton to contest a 1 mile 6 furlong handicap. This is Middleham Park Racings' 5 year olds first experience of the polytrack but he clearly relishes the surface. Riguez Dancer, ridden by Paddy Donaghy, is always prominent and leads fully 5 furlongs out staying on well allowing Paddy to ease him down near the finish and still win by a very comfortable 5 lengths !
The following day River Ardeche replicates the example of Riguez Dancer by recording a victory on his first experience of a new surface. This time it's Southwell's fibresand as the 4 year old, owned by Mark James and Mrs C Barclay, takes in a Class 4 one and a half mile handicap. Given a good front running ride by Paddy Donaghy, River Ardeche makes all and holds a 3 length lead coming into the straight, although the lead is reduced to half a length at the line. This is another improved performance from River Ardeche, reiterating his return form at Wolverhampton 8 days earlier, and this win is his first since his debut run at York in July 2007.
Just over a week later Riguez Dancer returns to Wolverhampton for a 2 mile handicap. This race turns out to be a procession for Riguez Dancer as Paddy Donaghy stretches the field from the early stages and is 10 lengths clear turning for home. Drawing further clear in the straight Riguez Dancer is eased by Paddy in the final furlong, yet still records an incredibly easy 12 lengths success. This is Paddy's 3rd victory in his last 4 rides for the stable, and also Middleham Park Racings' third win this month.
Since River Ardeche is in such good form he is given another opportunity before the month ends. Following a third place and a win on the all-weather, he this time shows his adaptability by running in a Class 4 Juvenile Novices' Hurdle over 2 miles at Catterick. No doubt because of his good recent form ( and that of our stable, of course ! ) River Ardeche is sent off favourite and attempts to lead for much of the race, and although running on well in the straight he is headed before the last and ultimately has to settle for second place. A good performance again nonetheless.
On the final day of the month Heraldry runs in a Class 3 Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles 1 furlong at Wetherby. The 9 year old, owned by Alurie O'Sullivan, is yet another runner from Manor House Stables for whom Patrick has succeeded in extracting improved form this month. A winner on his only previous visit to the course over 2 years ago Heraldry sports earplugs for the first time and after tracking the leaders leads approaching the last, and Felix De Giles riding the horse today is able to ease the 9 year old down in the closing stages whilst still recording an 11 lengths victory -- an impressive performance indeed.
A tremendous start to 2009 for Manor House Stables -- 6 winners in January alone ! Patrick and Ben are justifiably delighted with the stables return to form, and the well-being of the horses. Lets hope this augers well for the rest of the year !
Away from the racecourse, all at Manor House Stables will be sorry to hear that Helen Cuming, our hard-working secretary, is leaving us at the end of February after 8 years service. We will miss Helen in the office and wish her well for the future.
Meanwhile we can report that another long-serving member of our staff, Teresa Molloy, has had a baby girl, Fay Iona, weighing in at 8lb 7oz. Many congratulations to both her and Pete and we look forward to Teresa returning to the stable in the not too distant future.
Finally, we would again remind readers who may be interested in purchasing a share in a horse trained at Manor House Stables -- and given the current form of Patrick's horses there must surely be many -- to look at our recently updated Horses For Sale page on this website. Ben is currently especially keen on a chesnut filly out of Lucky Story who is looking extremely promising on the gallops -- 100% of this filly is available for sale or, of course, smaller shares if you wish ( for costs please see the Horses For Sale page ). Shares are also still available in colts by Cape Cross, Footstepsinthesand ( now named Fleetwood Sands ) and Captain Rio ( now named Bothwell Castle ). As always, anyone interested in purchasing a share in any of these very promising 2 year olds should contact our office ( telephone 01969 624351 ) atany time. An early call will always avoid possible disappointment and also make Helens' final month working for the stable especially memorable and, hopefully, incredibly busy !