Summer 2015 Newsletter - Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds

2014
Racing Partnerships
KENNET VALLEY
THOROUGHBREDS
SUMMER
2015
NEWSLETTER
Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds
2014
Frankie's flying dismount after The Stewards’ Cup
As if by magic
Welcome to KVT’s summer
newsletter and what a magical
summer it has been to date. Last
year KVT achieved record results
for partners with the highest prize
money in its long history. For the
current summer season we are very
pleased to report further progress
with eleven wins and eleven paying
places from 24 runners amassing
£378,964 in prize money, a new
record.
TULLIUS kicked off the season in
fine style with a workmanlike win
in the Listed Doncaster Mile on
the opening day of the Flat Season.
However things did not go quite
so swimmingly for the next few
months with a disappointing run
at Sandown and a lack of rain in
particular affecting his homework
and giving Andrew Balding reason
to be cautious. Thankfully the
careful approach paid off with him
running a decent race when fourth
in the Diomed Stakes (Group Three)
on Oaks Day at Epsom. He then
went to the Eclipse Stakes (Group
One) at Sandown where he was not
disgraced in finishing fifth (only
beaten ten lengths by the Derby
winning Golden Horn giving him
11lbs in weight) earning a £12,000
cheque in the process. This followed
with a trip up North in late July
for the York Stakes (Group Two)
where our almost forgotten hero
started at 10-1 probably due to the
forecast rain not materialising, a
common theme for him throughout
the season so far. However Tullius’
heart is bigger than most and despite
the odds and the dry conditions,
he weaved his way through the
pack to get up late to score in
courageous fashion, his second
win at Group Two level bringing
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2016
Partnerships
Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds
Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds
2014
Tullius, a horse in a lifetime, winning The York Stakes (Group Two)
his career tally to ten. His long
term aim remains the Qipco
Champion Stakes (Group One)
in October although Andrew
has interestingly given him a
tentative entry in the Cox Plate
at Moonee Valley in Australia
on Saturday 24th October. His
gross career earnings now stand
at just over £430,000 which is
some feat for a 20,000 guineas
yearling purchase.
MAGICAL MEMORY could
quite fairly have been described
as a bit of a talking horse as
a two year old with some
promising performances on
the track, but ultimately not
showing the same level of ability
as he did at home. Ryan Moore’s
assessment of the then colt after
his Goodwood sixth last August
was to geld him and turn him
away for the year – just how
right he proved. After being
gelded and having an extended
break at Peter Winkworth’s
Merton Place Stud, he resumed
training early in the spring.
Charlie Hills was quick to point
out that Magical Memory could
be a well handicapped horse this
season and so it proved, with a
couple of creditable efforts at
Newmarket during their Craven
and Guineas meetings before
he notched a second career
win at Leicester in impressive
style under Ryan Moore.
From there he went on to be a
good third in the valuable 888
sport Charity Sprint (Heritage
Handicap) at York. The logical
target was then the Betfred
Mobile (Heritage Handicap) at
Newmarket’s July Festival and
with Ryan Moore’s last minute
injury, the in form Frankie
Dettori stepped in to guide our
gallant grey to an impressive
two length success. Still riding
high from this win, he was next
given the gargantuan task of
being the only three year old to
take on hardened sprinters in a
maximum Stewards’ Cup field
at Glorious Goodwood. The
only way to sum up the result
was and still is unbelievable
and a very special day for all
concerned. Magical Memory
came with a great run up the
far rail under Frankie to score
by half a length being eased
down at the line which is
something unheard of in a race
of this nature. Charlie Hills has
said for a while now that he
thinks we have a Group horse
on our hands and after this
performance, the sky just could
be the limit as he is a big, scopey
horse with an exceptional
attitude who is sure to improve
with age. Smart entries beckon
so watch this space.
MAXWELL was very much
a project in the making
as a two year old, but his
promising second at Kempton
in November gave Ralph
Beckett and ourselves plenty
to be optimistic about for the
future. Having been gelded
over the winter, he broke his
maiden in late March on the
all-weather at Wolverhampton
over a mile, which was always
going to prove a trip short of his
optimum. From there he went
to Salisbury in May and showed
improvement for the step up
in trip to land a competitive
ten furlong handicap in good
style, booking himself a ticket
to the King George V Handicap
at Royal Ascot in the process.
On only his fifth career start
Maxwell found Royal Ascot a
bit too much, but he was not
disgraced and it was an exciting
day for all involved. Ralph was
adamant that it was not stamina
that beat him and entered
him for a one and a half mile
handicap at Newmarket’s July
Festival. Ralph was spot on with
Maxwell showing great reserves
of character and stamina to
grind out a good win, his third
of the season and providing
KVT with a fantastic double
at this prestigious meeting.
He now heads to York for the
Melrose Handicap over one
mile and six furlongs during
their Ebor Meeting on Saturday
22nd August.
BISHOP’S LEAP perhaps
had the lowest expectation
on his shoulders coming into
this season having proved
extremely backward and weak
as a two year old. He was
roughed off early last year for
an extended break at Merton
Place Stud before heading to
Nick Pearce’s pre-training yard.
By the time he came back to
Kingsclere at the end of April,
it was time to find out whether
there was an engine underneath
the attractive bonnet. Andrew
Balding’s reaction to Bishop’s
Leap’s transformation was
amazement and quickly an
air of optimism regarding his
prospects returned. He made
his debut at the end of May
at Windsor where he stayed
on to be a good third with the
penny just dropping a bit too
late. He then went to Lingfield
on a balmy Saturday evening in
June and, although looking beat
for much of the short straight,
David Probert galvanized our
chestnut gelding to almost
sprout wings and collar the
longtime leader on the line for
a most exciting success. From
there, he went to Newbury in late
July for his handicap debut and
he did not disappoint, making
it two wins on the bounce
with another tight victory, just
holding on at the line, having
travelled like a smart prospect
throughout. KVT founder and a
Bishop’s Leap shareholder, Nick
Robinson, even commented
that he was worried about his
heart if Bishop’s Leap kept
getting involved in these tight
finishes. His latest start at
Windsor produced the rare feat
of a hat-trick as he scored again
under David Probert.
Maxwell ridden by Pat Smullen after his comfortable win at Newmarket’s July Festival
Another game performance from Stroke of Midnight at Lingfield
Two Year Olds
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
always looked the most
precocious of our 2014 yearling
purchases and, as such, was
chosen for the Hannon team to
train. As hoped this Dark Angel
filly was out early and showed
some promise on her debut
at Windsor in May. She has
since been second four times
consecutively running with
credit on all occasions, but just
seeming to bump into one each
time. Unlike some of her older
KVT teammates, she has lacked
a bit of luck whether it be hitting
the front too early (Bath), being
drawn poorly (Lingfield) or
being on the wrong part of
the track (Chepstow). Richard
is confident she should be
winning soon and then she
will hopefully be able to take
up an engagement in the
valuable Tattersalls Ireland
Super Auction Sales Race over
six and a half furlongs at The
Curragh on the Sunday of Irish
Champions Weekend (13th
September).
SIGNAL HILL has always
been held in good regard by
Andrew Balding and was
showing plenty of ability in
some half-speed bits of work
in mid-May before suffering a
slight setback which required
an easy few weeks. Andrew felt
this was a blessing in disguise
as it stopped them from
potentially doing too much
with the colt too early. He is
cantering away again and could
be ready for a debut sometime
in October. He looks a likeable
colt and hopefully can provide
his partners with a lot of fun
when he reaches the track.
MATCH MY FIRE is a lovely
individual who Ralph, in his
own quiet way, has a high
opinion of. He moves very
easily at home and the aim is
to get a couple of runs into him
this year before turning him
away for the winter, much like
Maxwell did for the same yard
last year. He was gelded at the
end of April but he was found
to have an undescended testicle
and therefore he had to have
that removed under general
anaesthetic. The operation took
a fair bit out of him and he went
a bit light physically shortly
afterwards. However, he has
put on weight and condition
since and Ralph is happy with
him. He looks a racehorse and
hopefully he will be worth the
wait when he reaches the track.
FRENCHMAN is a fine big
imposing colt who is still a
work in progress at home. He
has been cantering away and
the Hills team have been keen
to give him all the time he needs
to develop and not to push
him too early. He has a super
attitude and is a good doer.
The penny will no doubt drop
when he starts to go a bit faster.
He is French-bred and a trip
over there at some stage in the
future is certainly the intention
if possible.
Roger Varian with his wife, Hanako
We are delighted to have
recently launched our new
partnerships to race in
2016. Breaking from the
usual KVT pattern we have
decided to announce our
autumn yearling purchase
plans during mid-summer
at the height of the flat
season. This is a more logical
time for us to be marketing
partnership shares and it
gives early purchasers the
opportunity for a worthwhile
saving. We will be acquiring
five yearlings who will be
Match My Fire
2014
trained by our established roster
of Andrew Balding, Ralph
Beckett, Richard Hannon and
Charlie Hills. In addition we
will be including a Newmarket
based horse to be trained by
Roger Varian (see KVT in
Newmarket). The yearlings
will be on show at our annual
yearling parades at Ardington
House on 22nd October and at
Newbury Racecourse on 24th
October. If you are interested in
reserving a share, please contact
Sam Hoskins.
Current Shares
For Sale
Match My Fire (2013 ch g by
Makfi ex High Lite) We have a
couple of shares remaining in
this cracking son of Makfi who
is soon to make his two year
old debut. He has been going
nicely at home and although
he has taken a bit more time
than we had initially hoped,
he has developed into a strong
individual who shows a very
likeable attitude. He is in
training with Ralph Beckett.
Out and About
Bishop’s Leap stretching out to just get up on the line at Newbury
Tullius knows he is the star of the show after winning the York Stakes (Group Two)
Magical Memory storming to a stunning win at the July Meeting
Thank you Magical Memory
Maxwell’s Partners after his most recent win
Still smiling and second again
In the paddock with Frankie before Magical Memory’s win at the July Meeting
Celebrating a successful season
Bishops Leap and owners celebrating his Newbury win
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Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds
Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds
2014
TRAINER FOCUS
KVT in Newmarket
Ralph Beckett
This is KVT’s third year of
having horses in training with
Ralph Beckett and so far he
has not disappointed providing
partners with three wins a
piece from the two KVT horses
that have run so far. With luck
Match My Fire will keep up the
impressive strike rate. We will
be sending Ralph another two
year old next season as not only
has he proved to be successful
for us, but he has given us some
wonderful days behind the
scenes at his Kimpton Down
yard, near Andover.
Ralph hails from a family of
racehorse breeders and bankers
with his grandfather, the third
Baron Grimthorpe breeding
and owning the 1947 Gold Cup
winner, Fortina. His cousin,
the fifth Baron Grimthorpe,
currently manages the racing
interests of Juddmonte Farms.
Ralph served his apprenticeship
with such mentors as Jimmy
Fitzgerald, Arthur Moore,
David Loder and Martin
Pipe before landing the job
of assistant trainer to Peter
Walwyn in 1996. On Peter’s
retirement in 2000, Ralph took
over the licence at Windsor
House Stables where he
trained some notable winners
before moving to Whitsbury.
With a growing business and
reputation, the time had come to
invest in his own yard hence the
purchase of the purpose built
Kimpton Down Stables from
Toby Balding five years ago. The
winners have since flowed with
2013 being an annus mirabilis
courtesy of Talent winning the
Oaks from Secret Gesture and
a season’s tally of 73 winners.
STATISTICS
Summer Season to 10th of August
Horse
Wins Paying Places Runs
2
3
5
£97,034
Magical Memory
3
3
6
£242,531
Maxwell
3
0
4
£17,790
Bishop’s Leap
3
1
4
£16,799
Stroke Of Midnight
0
4
5
£4,810
Total
11
11
24
£378,964
WIN AND PLACE RATIO 92%
WINNING HORSES 80%
In 2014, Ralph reached the 80
winner mark for the first time
and he looks set to overtake this
in 2015.
Kimpton Down is a private
training establishment with 35
acres of downland grass that
have been laid down as gallops
for over 100 years. Ralph has
continued to improve the
facilities increasing capacity
from 72 to 125 horses and with
his wife Izzi and two daughters,
Katinka and Cressida, owners
are ensured a warm welcome in
a homely style.
If you are interested in joining
The 2016 Beckett Syndicate,
please do get in touch.
Dates for
the Diary
Prizemoney
Tullius
WINNING RATIO 46%
2014
EXPERIENCES
2015 Yearling
Parades
Our annual Yearling Parade
and Lunch for partners will
be held at Ardington House,
near Wantage, on Thursday
22nd October. We will also,
once again, be holding an
extra Parade Day on Saturday
24th October at Newbury
Racecourse for invited guests –
if you would like an invitation,
please apply by emailing
[email protected].
With the prospect of having
a horse in training at
Headquarters next year, KVT
Partners enjoyed a fabulous
day there in June. Still today
regarded as the greatest
horseracing centre in the
world, one in three people in
Newmarket are employed in the
world of racing and it is evident
from the moment you approach
that this is a one industry, if not
a one horse, town.
The morning was spent with
Roger Varian, who will train
the new KVT recruit, watching
his string cantering on Warren
Hill before being given a tour of
his yard. Roger now sits firmly
at the top of the trainers ranks
having enjoyed considerable
success since taking over the
reins at Kremlin House from the
late Michael Jarvis in 2011. He
is one of the very few trainers to
have had a Group One success
in his first season when Nahrain
won the Prix de L’Opera. Last
year, he added another four
Group One winners to his tally
including Kingston Hill in the
St Leger and Belardo in the
Dewhurst.
KVT hosted lunch afterwards in
The Jockey Club Rooms which
have been at the heart of British
horseracing for over 250 years.
Roger Varian giving KVT a tour of Kremlin House Stables
As a private members club few
people have stepped inside and
seen the magnificent interiors
which house an unparalleled
collection of British racing art
and memorabilia.
The main event followed
courtesy of James O’Donnell,
Juddmonte Farms’ Nominations
Manager, who treated us to
an afternoon with six of their
stallions at Banstead Manor
Stud. The jewel in the crown is
of course Frankel who looked
magnificent and is clearly
relishing his career at stud
whilst Kingman, the new kid
on the block, also appears to be
enjoying his new job. James was
incredibly informative on each
of the stallions and to stand
in Prince Abdullah’s private
gardens was a privilege that will
long live in the memory of all
those lucky enough to be there.
Frankel meets KVT Partners
A look behind the scenes at
Weatherby’s
The Card Room at The Jockey Club Rooms
Nick Cheyne, Weatherby’s Client Relationship Director, kindly
hosted a morning for KVT partners at their headquarters in
Wellingborough. This gave a unique opportunity for us to have an
insight into the administration behind racing with tours of each
of the different departments that are responsible for the smooth
day to day running of the thoroughbred industry. A thoroughly
informative and interesting morning was concluded with a most
enjoyable lunch.
KVT Open Days
A March morning at Kimpton Down Stables
Frenchman being lunged at Hillwood Stud
KVT Partners have had many
opportunities to get behind the
scenes this year with our usual
round of open days followed
by lunch and additional trainer
visits that have been organised
on an ad hoc basis.
The New Year started with a
very successful trip to Charlie
and Tracy Vigors at Hillwood
Stud who had the task of
breaking and riding away our
new crop of two year olds. A
large turnout gathered for a
warming breakfast courtesy of
Tracy before watching their new
purchases in action. The Vigors’
run an impressive operation
specialising in breaking, pretraining, rest, rehabilitation,
sales preparation and boarding
broodmares. The four KVT
Perfect conditions at Herridge
inmates looked exceptionally
well for the time of year (early
January) and were all ready to
head to their various trainers
soon afterwards.
With the flat season starting a
couple of days before and with
Maxwell and Tullius having
already scored, we headed forth
to Kimpton Down Stables in
high spirits on a surprisingly
warm March morning. Ralph
and Izzi Beckett could not
have looked after us any
better and after having seen
Maxwell in great shape after his
Wolverhampton victory a week
earlier and our two year old,
Match My Fire, we settled down
to lunch in the local pub.
A month later and our visit
to the champion trainer was
Frenchman stood up for his partners
Signal Hill cantering
upon as and is always the
case, the morning was well
attended with both Hannon’s
pulling out all the stops to keep
partners entertained. Stroke
Of Midnight looked in fine
fettle and to be on course for an
early debut. A visit to Herridge
would not be complete without
lunch at The Shears afterwards,
much enjoyed by all.
With three horses in training at
Park House Stables, our April
Open Day with Andrew and
Anna Lisa Balding was a busy
affair and after a splendid start
to the morning with breakfast
in Anna Lisa’s new kitchen,
we had the thrill of watching
Andrew’s string in action stood
in beautiful surroundings with
the sun shining. This year we
took the partners out for lunch
afterwards to The Wellington
Arms in Baughurst. This proved
to be quite a find and after
enjoying superb food, the vote
was unanimously in favour of
returning there next year.
On another warm and sunny
morning, KVT Partners enjoyed
customary hospitality with
Charlie and Pip Hills. Our
two Farringdon Place inmates
looked in good shape with
Magical Memory really catching
the eye and the two year old,
Frenchman, not putting a foot
wrong. After a quick one for the
road with Charlie and Barry,
we all headed to The Pheasant
where forty of us sat down for a
delicious lunch.
A big thank you must go to our
trainers and their families for
making these memorable days
possible.
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2014
Racing Partnerships
Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds
Fulham Green, Chester House, 81-83 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JA
Enquiries to: Sam Hoskins on 0203 542 1620 or 07791 746119
email: [email protected]
www.kvtracing.com