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Linkslade Review of 2009
The year started quietly with few runners; Waldorf opened the account at the end of February with a win at Wolverhampton followed a few days later by Trip Switch and Trade Centre coming home at Lingfield. So by the start of the new flat season (28 Mar – 7 Nov) we already had three winners and nine places from fifteen runners – a promising beginning to the year.
On the first day of the new season Sweet Lightning showed the way, being runner up in the Roseberry Heritage Stakes. Enroller won the John Porter (Gr. 3) at Newbury and by the end of April there were wins for Lyra’s Daemon and Cavendish Road plus a number of places – we were flying.
Lady Francesca followed up her 2nd at Epsom with the runner-up spot in a listed race at Goodwood. Then, as frequently happens in horse racing fate takes a hand. Silvador was beaten into 2nd place by Akmal, who was to go to record six further victories, including Group and Listed races. Silvador visited the vets to have an operation on a fractured cannon bone. Merchand of Medici, who had run very green was a fast finishing third to Xtension at Goodwood, pulled up lame with a fracture. Saphira’s Fire, one of our great hopes for Group races, was the first to contract the virus that was to ravage the yard for the next three months.
During these months we suffered a further six fractures of varying degrees, of course this was to horses held in the highest regard and which we had been looking to, to boost the year’s prize money.
But somehow the show stayed on the road. King’s Wonder was an impressive winner at Goodwood before he too succumbed to the virus. There were wins for Strike Shot, Nemo Spirit at York, and Halling Gal. Blue Jack started his move up the handicap (77-99) with the first of his four wins and three places.
Mick’s Dancer won at Folkestone and followed this up with two further victories and four places. Cavendish Road was another to record three wins and three places, alongside We Have a Dreeam.
Coolree Star enjoyed the East Anglian air to win a claimer at Great Yarmouth at 33/1 and was duly claimed, as were Dr Mathias and Carmenero over the ensuing weeks. Sweet Lightning, who had trouble with his feet all season, ran an excellent 2nd in a Heritage Race at Goodwood, having had no run.
Shesha Bear, in foal to Haafhd, had an impressive win in her last race before retiring to the paddocks.
Striding Edge won at Kempton and that tough little sprinter, Tony the Tap, who is always knocking on the door, won at Chepstow and followed this up two days later with a 2nd at Sandown. Tanto Quanto, Whiskey Jack and Defector joined the list of winners. Lady Francesca, who had been competing in listed company, dropped back in class to win her maiden and then travelled to Longchamps a few weeks later to finish 3rd in a listed race. Victories by Trade Centre, King’s Masque, Ever So Bold and Be a Devil kept the momentum going. Saphira’s Fire, who had really struggled throughout the summer with the virus and other niggling complaints, finally came back to her old self and ran an excellent third in a Group 2 at Newmarket on Champions Day. Her reward - a mark of 112. In spite of this she returned two weeks later to claim third in a Listed race, to confirm her undoubted ability. Let’s hope that she has put her problems behind her and can progress into a top class mare next season.
The Linkslade Lottery did not have an auspicious start. Inittowinit - couldn’t, Double Rollover - didn't, but we still have Dream Number who having finished a creditable third on two occasions she made the journey to Leicester and won well. It was decided by the partnership, almost unanimously, to retain her for next year.
Blue Neptune, who had previously disappointed, confirmed our confidence with an emphatic win at Kempton. We have a Dream was upped into Class 2 company and ran a sterling second.
We then entered the sales season – 10 yearlings have joined the ranks with a number of homebreds due in the New Year. The Horses In Training Sale saw the departure of ten, including our Horse of the Year Blue Jack, Sweet Lightning and the stable favourite Nemo Spirit. We wish them well in their new homes.
Totally Ours pushed our 2 y.o. winners to nine with an impressive display at Kempton, giving the 2 year olds a 35% ratio of winners to runners. With the close of the turf season approaching we have registered 42 winners hence overtaken last year’s record figure of 41 and that's in spite of contesting some 33 less races. The 3 year olds and older horses produced a 50% ratio of winners to runners.
Note that a £1.00 stake currently shows a profit of £61.59
Linkslade, Wantage Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 8UG
Tel:+44 (0) 1488 73098 Fax: +44 (0) 1488 73490
© William R Muir 2007 - 2010