NEWMARKET
Dave Youngman brings the latest news from HQ
DURING all the hot weather in early August trainers were getting the horses out early and back to the yard to cool them off. Thankfully, no horses have suffered from any serious heat stress and everything has been fine. We are noticing how the early mornings are misty now out on the gallops as we approach autumn but there is still a great buzz of expectation as some of our trainers prepare to launch some of their best two-year-olds onto the racecourse for the first time.
I recently went to visit broodmare HOT SNAP at the stud, how lovely she still is. She was a big favourite of Henry Cecil’s when he trained her, hope you like this photo of me with her. She has a two-year-old filly named STAR SNAP in training in France with Francis-Henri Graffard. She is by Galileo and doing very nicely.
Also, Hot Snap has a yearling colt by Invincible Spirit that will be going into training later this year here at HQ with either John Gosden or Sir Michael Stoute. She didn't have a foal this year as she failed to conceive to Kodiac.
WILLIAM and Mo Haggas are very excited as they are expecting their first grandchild in a few days, their daughter Maryanne and husband Adam are expecting a son, how nice it would be if it was born on William's 60th birthday. Their son Sam is doing very well with his Hurworth Bloodstock agency and commands the utmost respect in this business after showing himself to be a very shrewd advisor to his many clients.
NEWMARKET is very sad to see the passing of Coral Pritchard-Gordon, long time partner of Sir Michael
Stoute, a truly lovely warm-hearted lady. Whenever I was at the stable she was most welcoming, as is Sir Michael. She will be so missed as she was wonderful to all the staff and owners.
FORMER Jockey Stan Mellor was another high profile member of the racing fraternity to pass away recently at the age of 83. I hadn’t seen him for a few years, last time was when he did a lecture at the Racing School here at HQ.
What a rider he was – absolutely fearless and as honest as the day is long. I saw him a lot during the years he rode for trainer Harry Thomson-Jones at Newmarket. Stan rode many winners for him, including OUZO his 1,000 winner and Stan was the first jockey to ride that number over jumps. He was a great inspiration to young riders and he went on to be a fine trainer in Lambourn.
WILLIE Robinson is another jockey from the past to die recently at the age of 86. He will be remembered best for riding the giant MILL HOUSE for trainer Fulke Walwyn against the mighty ARKLE back in the 1960s. My best memory of Willie was in 1965. I was at the Cheltenham Festival with my uncle the day he won the Champion Hurdle on KIRRIEMUIR at 50-1 and I had two shillings (10p) each way on it, such wonderful memories.
ANY of you wishing to get in touch with me please feel welcome to do so. I am always pleased to hear from all my followers.