Possible Hurdle runner...

Everybody is back from their holidays and the horses have gone back into full work. They have generally put on the required amount of weight and they are all doing steady canters. It appears more than ever that racing doesn't kick into gear until mid April but the weather has been good this year for trainers to make an early start. We are taking our time and will probably have no serious runners until April. We have bought more precocious individuals this year and they are shaping up well. There are a few shares left (see horses for sale).

Gifted Girl and Swingland are two fillies knocking on the door to be Listed class, they are both looking and going well.

Strategic Mount is schooling over hurdles at Nicky Hendersons and could run at Huntington over the Cheltenham period subject to working well. He seems to have taken to jumping.

We have three Strategic Prince two year olds this year, the first ones we have trained. He has had a recent Stakes winner in the US, Tones, who was trained by Richard Hannon as a two year old, won a $81,000 stakes race at Santa Anita on Sunday 26th of February.

Chilly start to February

As per usual, the horses started cantering on February the 1st. The two year olds have done particularly well during the winter. We have bought a more precocious bunch this year with more two year old types. Our only All Weather runner at present is Circumvent, whose target is the Winter Derby. Although he won last year, he was permanently badly drawn, including last time at Lingfield. We are slightly down on numbers this year, we will have 40-50 in training.

Swingland & Gifted Girl have done well during the winter. Both are knocking on the door to be good fillies this year. One of our nicest three year olds, Stormbound, who did not run last year for various reasons is in great form and one to keep an eye on, he may run in the Wood Ditton.

Sovereign Power is shaping up well, he is half brother to Overpowered (one of our nicest two year olds last year) there is a 50% share remaining in him.

It has been as low as -15 degrees here, I was riding out the other day after my holiday and it was -13 degrees, big drop from 34 degrees! But there is nothing better in life than riding out on a sunny, crisp morning and looking forward to the season ahead.

Update from Whatcombe

The weather seems to have turned cold again this week but all the horses are continuing to do well, the two year olds look great and are still trotting. Swingland, Pearls From Sydney & Joy To The World are back in work here after having a winter holiday at Kirtlington & Stratford Place respectively. Circumvent and Strategic Mount are both cantering. We are planning for Circumvent to run in the Winter Derby at Lingfield at the end of March.

I didn't catch up with Putin or Berlusconi (rumour) but I did catch up with Pete Towshend who is working over here at the moment. Willie Carson leaves on Thursday and Chris Wright & Martin Myers arrive at the weekend (Racing Update!)

Carlton Blue, Standing Bear and our Dark Angel Colt (still for sale) have all been entered in the DBS Premier Stakes at York on 23rd August. Silverheels is qualified for the European Free Handicap at Newmarket on 18th April, he has 8st 5lb.

Not much to report!

There is not much happening during January at the yard. The horses have been trotting throughout the holiday period and will start their cantering work on the 1st of February. We have one or two to run on the All Weather before the season starts at the end of March.

Gem Of Wizdom has been retired as her performances on the track have not been good enough to compete with others at the same level.

We have a very nice hand of two year olds and look forward to the start of the season. We have a few shares left in our two year olds if you are interested ranging from £125 all in shares per month to 1/4 shares or full ownership. Please email jenny@paulcole.co.uk or ring the office on 01488638433 for further details.

There is very little happening during January, we just have two running this month, Witchy Moments and Gem Of Wizdom.

Gem Of Wizdom runs at Kempton tomorrow in the 4pm Maiden, she has a poor draw and will probably need the race but she is fit and good in the stalls.

Report from the Caribbean - Pete Townshend from The Who was spotted in English Harbour at New year and Prince Albert of Monaco was staying at the Inn. It is rumoured that Putin & Berlusconi are in Eastern Antigua at Berlusconi's estate.

New Year was headed up by the best band in the Caribbean, Paddy Prendergast (Itchy Feet) also Paddy Prendergast the ex trainer arrived yesterday. The weather is great and the tennis is great.

We are all fresh and ready for the fray.

Quiet week

The yearlings are doing well with their education, they are contiuning to use the stalls every day and are going upsides.

Gem Of Wizdom runs next Wednesday at Kempton, she worked well this morning and will be tried over 6f to start her off.

We wish everybody a very succesful & happy New Year, all the best for 2012!

Merry Christmas!

Our only runner last week ran well below par, possibly because of his draw. He was forced wide off what appeared to be a moderate pace, in which they quickened up from the bend and when he tried to get involved he got badly bumped. He is fine and a possible for the Winter Derby at Lingfield in March.

After starting with several runners on the All Weather we are down to two. Gem Of Wizdom will be running in the New Year, she seems to show speed but she is not a world beater. Witchy Moments who goes quite well should be out in the middle of January.

I am off for a short holiday in January and the running of the yard will be taken over by Oliver, Alex and the very competent staff.

Therese O'Neil, our second head lass has taken over from Tony Bradley who has retired. We wish him well and he is a lose to us and racing.