THE Government today gave the go-ahead for racing to resume on Monday 1st June, so it’s official, racing goes ahead and Newcastle will create a bit of history as being the first course to stage racing in the UK post lockdown. The BHA and all of racing’s stakeholders have been planning towards the resumption of racing… Read more »
RACING is looking to resume on Monday 1st June subject to Government approval and Harper Lodge Farm is gearing up for the much anticipated resumption. The plan is for Newcastle to be the first track back and trainers up and down the country will be entering their horses at the six-day stage (on Tuesday) but… Read more »
THE HORSES are happy and thriving, as are the staff at Harper Lodge Farm during the current lockdown, so revealed Sophie Ralston in an exclusive interview yesterday with Solario Racing’s Simon Double. Five-pound claimer, Sophie, who has been based at the yard a year and who has ridden 26 winners in total, including 10 last year,… Read more »
FRENCH and German racing are looking to resume during the first half of May behind closed doors which is a sign of encouragement to British racing. France Galop which runs French racing announced last night that racing is expected to start up again on Monday 11 May, some two months after it came to a halt… Read more »
TRAINING is carrying on at Harper Lodge Farm, not quite as normal but in many senses it’s business as usual despite the Corona virus lockdown. It is now a week since the Prime Minister announced the “lockdown” with restrictions on people leaving their home. Apart from being allowed to exercise once daily and go out… Read more »
EIRENE, winner of three races and rated 102 at her best was retired to the paddocks this year and she is in foal to crack miler and very exciting first season sire, Too Darn Hot! The Declaration Of War filly (pictured) who ran in the green and yellow colours of M J Yarrow cost 85,000 guineas… Read more »
FANTASTIC FLYER’S win at Chelmsford tonight over 6f under Sophie Ralston, brought up win number 500 for Dean Ivory! Earlier this month, Sophie won on Fantastic Flyer at the Essex track and this column posed the question as to which horse would achieve the 500th win and who would be the winning rider. The piece… Read more »
FIGHTING TEMERAIRE won again last night and his victory at Chelmsford brought up the 499th success for the yard since Dean Ivory became the name on the trainer’s licence at Harper Lodge Farm in 2002. The 7yo son of Invincible Spirit went off the 3/1 second favourite in the six-runner seven furlong handicap and he ran… Read more »
SOPHIE RALSTON rode another winner today, Fantastic Flyer, at Chelmsford which made it three wins from ten rides for Harper Lodge Farm this year at a very healthy 30% strike rate. For the Harbour Watch filly (pictured at home last month), it was her sixth win in 19 starts since her first victory in April last year. … Read more »
LUCYMAI, the seven times winning 7yo mare owned by Roger S Beadle, has been retired to the paddocks. She had her final race last week at Kempton and although she didn’t go out on a high and finished last of ten runners, it was the track where she made her debut and won at 50/1 over… Read more »
