Thirsk Races

The rainy weather did not disrupt the racing or the positive atmosphere. There was however a double for Richard Fahey in the first and second race. A horse to watch out for is the winner of the fifth race Mondain, who won with ease by 10 lengths. In the selling stakes nothing was sold.

The first race had the punters guessing as due to the majority of the field being unraced. Frankel's Storm took the early lead with Galadriel, Impression and Secret Passion closely following. While Sweet Serenade and Carriesmatic were slow away. In midfield was Diamond Sparkles and Imperial Gloriana. Many were ridden with two furlongs to go, Sweet Serenade and Imperial Gloriana were pushed along. Diamond Sparkles was making headway yet Frankel's Storm was still leading. One furlong out had Imperial Gloriana take the lead this was only short lived  as Diamond Sparkles in the closing stages challenged and went on to lead. Inside the final furlong Sun Crystal, Secret Passion and Galadriel were outpaced and weakened. Frankel's Storm stayed on well but Imperial Gloriana had no more to give. The winner was Diamond Sparkles by 3/4 length, second Frankel's Storm by a head and third Imperial Gloriana by 4 lengths.

The 3:55 had Troubadour dictating the pace, the rest of the field stacking up behind him. The chasers being No Mercy, Bushtucker Trial and Aberama Gold. The back markers initially were Rose Of Kildare and Corndavon Lad. Bushtucker Trial, Coastal Mist and Star Of St James were ridden along over two furlongs out but Rose Of Kildare when she got room managed to track the leaders. No Mercy and Aberama Gold needing to be pushed along. Troubadour had no problem leading the race under Paul Mulrennan  which was unquestioned. In the final furlong many including No Mercy and Coastal Mist kept on. The lead established was too far to be caught. The rain had definetly got into the ground causing Aberama Gold and Rose Of Kildare to plod along. The winner Troubador was 1 1/2 lengths clear of second, No Mercy with only had a head to third Coastal Mist.

Next blog will be from Pontefract on Sunday! There additionally should be more racing blogs next week now we've had some rain which should change the going.

Catterick races- go racing in yorkshire

The scorching weather had a surprisingly little impact on the number of non-runners and the horses welfare is a priority of the racecourses. The day saw a double for Ben Curtis and Dani Tudhope helping his attempt to become champion jockey. The selling stakes in the 2:40 saw the winner, Laughter Lounge go for £11,000, Gold Venture and It's Not My Fault were also claimed. Laughter Lounge is certainly one to watch. The fourth race was a claiming stakes but no horses were claimed.

The 4:10 had Merry Banter leading narrowly to Something Lucky. These were followed by Landing Night, Timetodock and Alsvinder, Tomily was squeezed out. All were close together until two furlongs out when a few horses needed to be ridden such as Alsvinder, Timetodock and the leader Merry Banter. Tomily at one furlong out managed to be switched to find room and quickly made headway. Inside the final furlong Tomily went on to lead taking over from Alsvinder. The rest of the field had nothing to give especially Something Lucky, Landing Night and Hawaam. The winner Tomily won by 1 1/2 lengths, second Alsvinder by 2 1/2 lengths and third Timetodock by 1 1/2 lengths.

The final, an apprentice race, saw a great ride by Zak Wheatley despite a naughty horse who even reared in the stalls, he managed to ride the winner. Airplane took the lead, tracked by Mr Carbonator, Midnight Warrior and Lafilia prominent. Metronomic, Corton Lad and Calliope were all midfield and Fillydelphia was held up in the rear. At the three furlongs out horses such as Osborne Lady and Calliope were ridden along. Yet the rest of the field were still sat nicely behind Airplane. Two furlongs out had Metronomic pushed along to give chase, regardless of the fact that he was boxed numerous times. Lafilia, Fillydelphia, Mr Carbonator and Corton Lad were ridden along. In the final furlong Airplane lost its lead to Metronomic but Fillydelphia, Corton Lad and Lafilia all stayed on. First was Metronomic by a neck, second was Lafilia by a head, third was Fillydelphia by 1/2 length. This win was a very patient ride from the 7lb claimer.

There will be another blog from a course in Yorkshire soon.

Hamilton Races

The family fun evening was filled with activities for the whole family including a dress up competition, face paint and music after from Little Mix Magic and Scarlett Lee. The evening had a few surprises, a double for trainer Stef Keniry and another double for 5lb claimer Harrison Shaw. A horse to watch out for was the winner of the last, Rosemary who won handsomely.

The first race on the card had a small field but it was competitive. Rose Bandit was dictating the pace on the standside rail. However she was closely followed by Asmund and Never In Red. The field was closely bunched. The lead was never questioned until one furlong out when Asmund tried to challenge Rose Bandit. At this stage Star's Daughter had already trailed off. Both Spygate and Never In Red attempted to rally to challenge the front runners, although this was unsuccessful. In the final furlong Rose Bandit continued to extend her lead going on to win by 1 length, the one paced Asmund was second by a length.

In the 7:05 Winged Spur led the pack in usual Jason Hart style riding. She was narrowly followed by Matewan and Dark Lochnagar. Others such as Euro Implosion, Tor, Moll Davis and Top Notch Tonto were all in touch while Carbon Dating missed the break. The pace was controlled by Winged Spur. The placings only began to change at three furlongs out, Isabella Brant, Tor, Top Notch Tonto and Carbon Dating were pushed. At two furlongs out the leader changed to Matewan, followed closely by Regal Mirage and Euro Implosion. One furlong out had Dark Lochnagar take the lead, with the rallying Euro Implosion and Euro Implosion. Moll Davies did not have a clear run and after switching became a contender in the running. Many of the field were outpaced including Tor, Sioux Frontier and Regal Mirage. In the closing stages Moll Davies went on to win well by a neck to Dark Lochnagar. These two were clear of the rest of the field by 3 1/2 lengths. Euro Implosion finished third and simply could not reach the first pair past the post, fourth was the well finishing Carbon Dating.

Next update will be from somewhere in the go racing in Yorkshire week!

York races

The glorious sunshine had the ground firm, despite many believing that the ground would be softer due to predicted rain. In form trainer Declan Carroll had another winner at York in the first race with Spartan Fighter, only adding to his tally for this year. Also apprentice jockey Cian Macredmond rode a winner on the day at a 22/1 shot, showing the ability he has to bring the best out of the horses. I tipped Archie Perkins a few weeks ago to win on firmer ground. This prediction came true in the fourth race on the card. Additionally Danny Tudhope had a double on the day, dominating the first two races.

The second race had Oasis Dream running alone on the far rail setting the pace whilst on the other side the leader was Final Rock. He was tracked by Anythingtoday whilst Speed Company, Dance King and Maifalki were held up. These positions did not change until three furlongs out where Oasis Dream needed to be pushed along, weakening as the rest of the field moved forward. At two furlongs out the lead was close between Anythingtoday and Oasis Fantasy being chased by Speed Company. The backmarker Maifalki was making headway. With one furlong to go the leader was clearly Anythingtoday while the rest of the field were strongly being ridden including Speed Company, Maifalki and Final Rock. But Oasis Fantasy was headed easily. Anythingtoday went well clear and gamely went on, the others not being able to catch him despite keeping on. First was Anythingtoday by 1 1/4 lengths, second Speed Company by a short head and third Maifalki by 4 1/2 lengths.

The main race of the day was the William Hill Summer Stakes at 3:15. Until the final couple of furlongs it was difficult to see who was leading as many were the same paced. The leading pack included Royal Intervention, Shades Of Blue, Glass Slippers, Foxtrot Lady and Archer's Dream. A few were unsteady at the start and never really got involved in the race. With two furlongs to go some were being pushed along including Archer's Dream and Foxtrot Lady. But others made headway like Fairy Falcon (who managed to challenge the leaders at this stage), Queen Of Desire, Stay Classy and Red Balloons. The lead was taken by Royal Intervention who was hassled by Shades Of Blue. This battle only further developed into the closing stages when it became neck and neck, both vying for the win. The rest of the horses simply couldn't keep up, regardless of  Red Balloons, Glass Slippers, Stay Classy and Queen of Desire staying on well. Royal Intervention and Shades Of Blue were clear of the rest of the field. Royal intervention just found a little bit more than Shades Of Blue winning by a neck. This pair were 3 3/4 lengths clear of the next horse.  Third place by 1 1/2 was Red Balloons, who in the early stages had a lot of cover. Fourth was Glass Slippers.

Interview with Cian MacRedmond

Cian MacRedmond is a 7lb claimer for Declan Carroll. He began his career in Willie McCreery's yard, moving to England last year. Cian against all odds had a winner on his first ever ride at the Curragh on Sweetest Taboo for his boss at the time. Cian's father is a vet in Ireland and he has involved Cian in racing his entire life.  His love for racing spiralled from here as he got hooked becoming more immersed in the industry. Cian's biggest influence on his career has been his father, his dad clearly deserves some credit.

Like many apprentices he has the dream of claiming the champion apprentice title but he is well aware of the challenges within this competition. In 10 years it would still be his dream to be riding with a professional license, hopefully having more winners.

Cian receives some hate online through social media, this is often personal. Despite these perhaps hurtful words, Cian refuses to reply. So the keyboard warriors are clearly wasting their time and shouldn't bother making the comments to him or any other jockey.

If he wasn't a jockey he would be a farmer. But this career change is clearly not on the cards for him any time soon as he is doing so well. This year he already has a 13% strike rate and a winner at York. He too is clearly one of Declan Carroll's good apprentice jockey finds.

Cian's winner at York on Music Seeker 

Beverley races

The lovely 70s themed evening saw some horses being withdrawn. The results of the races had three favourites winning on the day. Whilst top jockey Danny Tudhope had a double helping him in the title race. The first race the selling stakes had two horses sold, the winner Muatadel and Ajrar.

The 6:40 had the lead Living In The Past for one furlong before this was passed on to Too Shy Shy. These were chased and tracked by Dublin Rocker, Aryaaf, Mighty Spirit. Midfield was Pentewan and Wafrah. The horses went off at a quick pace but Living In The Past led again over two furlongs out taking over from Too Shy Shy. Other horse such as Dearly Beloved, Aryaaf and Pentewan were being pushed along. At one furlong Mighty Spirit challenged Living In The Past whilst Pentewan made headway. In the final furlong Living In The Past kept extending the lead while the rest of the field were either one paced or struggling. First was Living In The Past by 1 1/2 lengths, second Mighty Spirit by 4 1/2 lengths and third Pentewan.

The fourth race saw a long stewards enquiry, however the results were unchanged. Vivacious Spirit set the pace whilst Ollivander chased and Anna Bunina and Hector's Here were all in touch. With Flying Dragon and Hunterwali held up. Vivacious Spirit was 4 lengths clear at four furlongs out, this lead reduced at two furlongs out. At the same time much of the field was moving closer to the leader including Hunterwali and Anna Bunina who managed to give chase. At one furlong out Ollivander had a brief narrow lead before Anna Bunina took this lead. Hector's Here chased. Flying Dragon was one paced and Vivacious Spirit despite its early lead soon dropped away. In the closing stages of the race Anna Bunina and Hectors Here collided which resulted in the stewards enquiry. Ollivander had no more to give. Anna Bunina in the end only managed to narrowly win by a neck to second Hector's Here and third Ollivander by 2 3/4 lengths.

Something to look forward to: an interview with up and coming jockey Cian Macredmond will be available to read mid-next week!

Interview with Zak Wheatley

Zak Wheatley is an apprentice for Declan Carroll, before this he was in David O'Meara's yard for two and a half years where he gained much experience. Like many his involvement in horse racing stems from ponies. This was an experience Zak and his father shared. Later Zak went to the racing school which kick started his racing career. His future aims are to become a professional jockey and  continue with the success that he has started to build. Either this or as he said jokingly, he'll be in a pub somewhere...

Zak's first winner came earlier this season after consistently being placed. This was a monkey off his back, he described it as an amazing day. Zak has experienced much frustration on the journey to his first win. The win came on 7 year old Mushariff for boss Declan Carroll and happened in tremendous style at Ripon winning by 3 1/4 lengths.

Zak's choice of ride from any horse past or present, would be Frankel for obvious reasons. Frankel definitely would not be a bad choice. When not racing he likes to relax and often does this by playing football.

His future is undoubtedly bright. From all his rides this year he's had 3 winners from 15 rides and clearly will have more to come.

Zak's latest win on Bee Machine