This is an extract from our news page showing entries which appreared in August 2006. This page has been specially re-produced for prospective owners:
NEWS ITEMS :
Posted 29 August 2006
We visited the stables yesterday and are pleased to report that both Attacca and Miss Havisham are looking fit and well. For those of you who do not get to the stables, or to see the horses as often as you would like, we took some up to date pictures. The first picture shows Attacca being led back into the stable yard by work rider Melanie after his exercise on the High Moor. You can just see Miss Havisham behind being led by Tom who rode her out on the day. Once in the yard both horses and riders posed very nicely for us to photograph them together.
The second set of pictures show Attacca on the left and Miss Havisham on the right just before they went back into their stables for a brush down, a drink, and some well earned hay.
Once in the stable Miss Havisham posed very nicely for another picture, as did Tom who is such a light weight they are going to have to put some concrete in his boots to keep him on board any horse once the winds start to blow over the moor. Attacca decided enough was enough by now and sent his constant companion in the stable to pose for him throught he bars! For those who have not yet met the goat he is quite a character who sticks to Attacca like glue and follows him when ever and where ever he can! On a serious note the goat helps Attacca settle and stops him box walking which he is prone to do.
Our last pair of pictures show the youngest and latest success for the stables. John and Kirsty's daughter, Imogen, had entered her first competitive event the previous day and came runner up in the fancy dress section on her cute little pony Pebbles. Imogen is seen keeping a firm hold on Pebbles with both hands to show us what a competent horsewomen she is even at her tender age! And don't you love Pebbles's pink legs, all part of the fancy dress outfit and Imogen wants them to stay that colour as long as they can. Imogen then mounted Pebbles for one final picture. Leone, another of John's work riders, is keeping a firm hold though so that pony and rider do not gallop off for their own work out across the moor!
Posted 24 August 2006
Attacca ran a very creditable fourth today at Musselburgh. Jockey Phillip Makin said after the race that he would have been a lot closer had he had a better draw. Attacca was drawn highest in stall 14 over a course and distance which favours the lower numbers.
Posted 20 August 2006
Miss Havisham had her second race at Newcastle last Friday. It was touch and go right up until half an hour prior to the race that she would run. On Thursday evening it was doubtful that she would even travel to the course because of the weather but when John phoned the Clerk of the Course on Friday morning he was advised there had only been 1cm of rain overnight so the ground was still good to firm, firm in places. Almost constant rain during Friday morning did soften the course but when John walked it just before 2pm there was still some good ground so it was agreed that, as running Miss Havisham would do her no harm, she take part in the race.
Miss Havisham performed well but the ground was too soft for her and she faded in the last couple of furlongs to finish 8th.
Attacca's run was disappointing and he was virtually being pulled up from 2 furlongs out. Robert Winston said the horse did not feel right and he thought he might be bleeding. John immediately had the Vet look at the horse and scope him but thankfully they could find nothing wrong.
Both horses were reported as being well at the stables on Saturday morning.
This meeting is the first subject for our new photo gallery, click here to view.
Posted 16 August 2006
Both our horses have got into their respectives races at Newcastle next Friday. Attacca will be ridden by Robert Winston and will now carry 9st 3lbs in the 5.15 race. Miss Havisham will carry 8st 12lbs and be ridden by Phillip Makin in the 2.30 race. Both races have a good number of entries, Attacca will face 16 other runners and is drawn 17, Miss Havisham runs in a field of 16 and is drawn 10.
Both horses are really well so we are looking forward to a good, and hopefully successful, day at the races!
Posted 13 August 2006
Peter went to the stables yesterday and both horses are well. Miss Havisham has done a couple of very good pieces of work this week. The first one on Wednesday last was with one of John's 3yo's who is a 5/6 furlong horse and she surprised us with her speed, such that John would not be afraid to run her over a stiff 6f if the need arose.
Saturday morning she worked on the 7f High Moor all weather gallop, gradually winding up to a strong finish at the top....she went well. Depending on how she is over the next few days will determine whether John will give her one more piece of work before Friday.
She looks really well and has come on physically and mentally since her first run. John put her through the stalls again this morning....she is just stubborn, and shows no sign of fear.
Jockeys have been booked in anticipation that both our horses will get into their respectives races at Newcastle next Friday. If they run, Attacca will be ridden by Robert Winston and carry 9st 1lb, Miss Havisham will carry 8st 12lbs and be ridden by Phillip Makin.
Posted 9 August 2006
You will see from the entry page that races have been identifed for both Attacca and Miss Havisham at Newcastle on 18 August. If both horses are entered, and get in, we will have High Moor Racing represented in 2 races on the same card which will be another first for us. Let's keep fingers crossed that all goes to plan as it could be a great day out!
Posted 8 August 2006
Attacca ran another decent race at Carlisle yesterday evening over an extended 6 furlongs (almost 7!). He broke quickly and used a bit too much energy in the early stages so had no extra when needed in the final furlong. Jockey Philip Robinson said after dismounting that he was going so well he thought he would win at one stage but the up hill finish beat him. He has suggested either a stiff, true, 6 furlongs or an easy 7 would be best for his next run. The Racing UK commentators came to that same conclusion and 'marked' Attacca as one to watch for the future which was pleasing.
Posted 2 August 2006
Miss Havisham made a promising debut at Beverley yesterday. She unfortunately missed the start but made up ground steadily and showed good promise during the middle part of the race. Catching up however, did take a lot out of her and when it was clear she was not going to challenge the leaders her jockey Tony Hamilton did not push her and she finished the race easing down. The conditions were terrible with persistent rain, which turned torrential during the race, and the ground cut up very much as can be seen by how Tony looks below. Tony is pictured before the race getting instructions from John's dad Ernie who is representing John at some meetings while he recovers from his recent injuries. Tony is looking all clean and tidy in the first picture but in the second, taken just after he had unsaddled, he is very much in need of a good 'wash and brush up'!
We were delighted with the number of owners who were able to make it to Beverley but very sorry for those who, for various reasons, unfortunately had to miss out on the day. We were also pleased that Philip Moakes, the Managing Director of our sponsors Trisoft, was able to join us to see Miss Havisham make her racecourse debut. Without sponsorship our partnerships would be unable to register for VAT, which enables us to keep our costs down by 17.5%, so we are very grateful to Philip and Trisoft for their support.
John will be seeing how Miss Havisham has come out of the race over the next couple of days and then identifying some potential races for her next run. We will of course keep you fully infomed.
