NEWS AND UPDATES FOR FEBRUARY 2011 - BUONA SARAH WINS AT 28/1 AT LINGFIELD AND MR MUDDLE WINS AT FOLKESTONE!

Friday 25th February 2011

Buona Sarah at Lingfield with jockey, James Doyle and the owners, The Tapestry Partnership

Saturday 26th February 2011

Mr Muddle at Kempton where Hayley won best turned out and where Mr. Muddle just didn't run quite as well as Sheena would have hoped.

16th FEBRUARY 2011

Pretty as a picture. Whipperway looking stunning at Lingfield on Wednesday. Although she wasn't placed she ran a good race and gave her owners a lovely afternoon out in the spring sunshine.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Indian Violet 3rd at 7/1 at Lingfield. Ridden by Jamie Goldstein and led in by his wife, Kim.

TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2011

NO MORE SECONDITIS FOR MR MUDDLE - WINS AT FOLKESTONE TODAY - COMFORTABLY!

A worthy favourite in the lovely looking grey, Mr Muddle. Under a patient but confident ride by Jamie Goldstein, there was never much doubt (barring a fall) that Mr. Muddle will put his recent bout of seconditis behind him. Ears pricked and winning easily I am sure all the connections will be breathing a collective sigh of relief as they have always known he was capable but previously, just finding better horses on the day!

Many congratulations to all the connections and long may this purple patch continue for this in form yard!

Courtesy of The Racing Post
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A fair novice hurdle. The leaders set off very fast in the conditions and the winner must take credit for staying on when others folded.

MR MUDDLE, runner-up on his previous three starts, made virtually all the running to land an easy victory. He jumped professionally and looks a smart prospect who seems to handle soft conditions well. He should win more races.

13th FEBRUARY 2011

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.....

The photo below shows a horse who came 3rd in his first "in hand" hack class. Nothing strange in that BUT this is "Toby" a 9 MONTH old Tobougg colt who behaved impeccably for his "in hand" trainer, none other than Sheena's daughter, Megan!

As you can imagine Toby was far the youngest in the "hack" class.

Nice work, Megan!

9 month old Tobougg colt lovingly shown and produced by Megan.

SCREAMING BRAVE 2ND AT KEMPTON - FRIDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2011

Courtesy of The Racing Post
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Screaming Brave travelled smoothly into contention and, despite hitting two out, looked likely to get upon the run-in. The concession of over a stone to the winner took its toll near the finish, though. He likes a sound surface so his proximity suggests the ground had not deteriorated all that much.

Hayley and "William" (Screaming Brave)

Photos courtesy of the owners : Tracey Walsom & Alex Woodger

Golan Way to bypass Cheltenham for Aintree

COURTESY OF THE RACING POST

SHEENA WEST'S stable star Golan Way had his biggest success to date at Cheltenham when winning the Grade 2 Sharp Novices' Hurdle, but the seven-year-old novice chaser will skip the Cheltenham Festival this year, with various targets at the Aintree Festival preferred.

Two from three over fences this year, Golan Way's bold front-running style has made him popular with jumping fans. Golan Way could have one more run before his Aintree raid, with Kelso mooted, but he missed both festivals last year after a tough race when fourth in the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

West said: "He is not going to Cheltenham as we are aiming him at Aintree, where he'll get a couple of entries. He'll go for either the two-and-a-half [Manifesto Novices' Chase] or the three [Mildmay Novices' Chase], with preference for the latter.

"We'll take him to Kelso on March 5 next for a valuable novice chase. It should suit him as it's a front-runners track and he should get good ground."

WEDNESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2011

BUONA SARAH WINS 2ND TIME OUT FOR SHEENA @ 28/1!

Having purchased Buona Sarah and knowing that this was a nice horse Sheena was disappointed last week at Kempton when Buona Sarah did everything wrong. She just didn't want to know. Sheena assured the owner that was present (who was very understanding) that Buona Sarah was capable of so much better having finished last, having played up on the way down to the start and then managed to completely miss the break. This was just not a true reflection of this horses obvious talent so the decision to run her today at Lingfield was made at Kempton.

With the very talented jockey James Doyle in the saddle who rode an absolute peach of a ride, Buona Sarah showed what she is truly cabable of.

So thrilled for the connections, for Sheena and her hard working team and of course James Doyle - an outstanding ride by this jockey.

Courtesy of The Racing Post
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BUONA SARAH came with a late rattle widest of all in the straight to just get up on the line. She needed the run last time, following an absence, and settled much better on this occasion. She was progressive on this surface at the end of 2010 (albeit at a low level), so this wasn´t the biggest of shocks. Connections said they will send her hurdling eventually but this AW victory was a bonus.

2 year old colt now named Geordie Boy. He's by Arrafa.

At last it is February and I've now gone a whole month with no frozen washing machine or toilet, now that is a result!!

The first batch of 200 ewes to lamb started eventually 17 days after start date and only a pathetic 7 had produced prior to that but now they are coming with a vengeance. Reaction is in a barn with the ewes and lambs all around him and getting to him twice a day is a liability through lambs and after birth all over the place! (you need to be there) :-)

Marc Goldstein (Jamie's brother) is recovering from his injuries received last week when he fell off Whipperway. Unfortunately, another horse kicked him in the face which has led to Marc needing reconstructive surgery for multiple fracture of his jaw, a rearranged cheek bone and a fractured eye socket. It's all plated and fixed he should be back soon. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

We also welcome Kristina to our work force. Kristina was previously with Gary Moore and Richard Hannon. To her credit she has slotted in seamlessly.

A big thank you to all of you who voted for Megan's photos although sadly (this time) no banana's!


On to the horses...


MOHANAD
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He's now back in full work and as bubbly and happy as ever. No race targets yet but he is coming together quite quickly.

MISS BOLTE
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She is doing well and will run in another bumper on the 14th at Plumpton.

GOLAN WAY
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Back in full work after a light work break. His form has been franked left right and centre and does confirm him as a high class chaser. It was painful to resist even putting entries in for Cheltenham and time will tell if it was the right decision but he is fully on course for Aintree where he will have entries for the 2m 4f and 3m f novice chases. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is the right thing to do and with a view to the future with a sound healthy horse I'm sure in this case it's the right thing to do.

BUONA SARAH
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She behaved appallingly at Kempton but was as good as gold when I rode her the next day. I think she has arguments with herself and it's easy to get in to her head what's not so easy is getting her head in to mine. She's been popping over the tyres and hurdles with Marc without too much issue. We all know she she can do it and she will agree too.

DUBAI GLORY
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She's in proper work now and will probably be ready before there are races for her which isn't a bad thing.

FLYINFLYOUT
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Just started back in work.

APPOINTMENT
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The delightful April is back in work with a mission to give Kim Goldstein (Jamie's wife) her race ride. You can follow Kim's progress on
www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk where she has been asked to write a blog.


MR MUDDLE
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Doomed forever to be 2nd. Off he went to Folkestone and odds on to win. His nearest rival needed to find 29lbs and bugger me it did! It reminded me very much when Tobago Bay beat Simarian at Sedgefield and Evan Williams said that I taught him lesson that day. i.e. never under estimate the opposition no matter how weak the race seems to be. History tells the story.
We very much hope that Mr Muddle will run in a couple of weeks and although a bit ambitious we will see if he can get into the Imperial Cup on 12th March when his owner will be celebrating his 95th Birthday!

SCHIROCCO 2 year old
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Being broken now and Karl' loves him' (a bit worrying)

*NEW* 2008 'YA HAFED' By HAFEED ex TRUE BRITANNIA
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Just bought a few days ago from Ed Dunlop at Tattersalls. He won his maiden at Southwell last week over a mile and looks like a proper horse for juvenile hurdles next season. In the meantime he can carry on on the flat before he's gelded and with the huge stride and his temperament he has, a step up in trip will not go amiss. That said he's only 3 and like so many horses I have to keep an eye on their future.

JUST JOSIE
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Has been given a fair mark of 86. If anyone has watched her race you'd have seen how she jumps and chasing is the obvious way to go. I pulled her out at Folkestone as she wasn't quite right and she will be aimed now at the 15th back at Folkestone.

BLAZING BOLTE
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Should have been at Folkestone but an infection stopped her. I love her to bits and she'll be out when recovered which shouldn't be too long.

MOONWOLF
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He's on a break, and the handicapper still won't give him a mark.

SCREAMING BRAVE
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Is actually on very good terms with himself. He was swiftly re routed from an abandoned Doncaster and was 3rd over 1m 2f the next day at Kempton. The trip was always a bit short for him but he ran very well indeed. He's entered over jumps this week and the flat. Decision depends on the ground.

FORTY THIRTY
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He's had a lovely break and developed a proper 'jelly belly'!

MAC FEDERAL
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He's doing well but as a 'leggy' horse the balance between work and injury is fine. His enthusiasm undoubtedly remains intact and fingers crossed everything will work out.

WHIPPERWAY
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Unseated last time at Fontwell but will attempt to put it right next time but the ground was horrible and holding that day.

DENTON RYAL
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She ran only OK on the AW and she is having a few weeks break until the ground gets better for her. She doesn't mind a bit of cut but not suited to what we have at the moment. She's been on the go for a while and a freshen up will do no harm at all.

INDIAN VIOLET
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He's in very good form with himself and ran so well back at Lingfield when just caught on the line. When the right race comes along he'll run again and he will be interesting over hurdles in the spring.

*NEW*

MR HARMOOSH
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2007 bay gelding by Noverre ex Polish Affair

Bought at Tattersalls last week from Ed Vaughan (who was reassuringly the underbidder) This very attractive horse won 5 on the flat last year winning off of 71 and now rated 75. He looks a great hurdling prospect and if he's as good as his half brother Predator we shall be delighted. He's been trotting and we've just doing light cantering to start of with and if his tipped up water buckets and his rugs pulled over his head are anything to go by he has a sense of humour!

Also
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TOBY the foal is being prepped for his first in hand show. Not sure if he's a future hack but the experience certainly won't go amiss.

A nice note to finish on for this months write up.....

These excellent photos were kindly sent to me by a lady who purchased an ex inmate of my yard from Ascot sales. The welfare of horses leaving my yard is very important to me and I was thrilled to see Kipling looking so well and to find he has gone to such a good home.

Dear Sheena

I thought you might like to see some pictures of Kipling, who I bought at Ascot about 6 years ago.

He’s extremely fit and well, never been lame, enjoying life show jumping and eventing – it’s been a learning curve but he is the most superb ‘person’ and a joy to have.

I’m sure you’ll agree he looks a picture!

Kind regards

Jackie Oliver

Graftonwood

Equestrian Photographer