Sabine Crowe's 5 horses to watch this season

In a prior blog I did an interview with Sabine Crowe- travelling head lass at Declan Carroll's stable. These are the horse's Sabine would watch from his yard.

1) Jus Pires- He's believed to be well handicapped and a recent wind op has only accentuated his ability. The gelding has had 3 winners from 13 runs and numerous placings too. The majority of his best runs have come on all-weather but he's versatile.

2) Tweet Tweet- She's currently an unraced filly with an alleged fast turn of foot. Sabine says she's "lightning quick". There's a big hope with will translate on to the track. This two-year-old is still not had any entries as of yet. Maybe one to put in your tracker.

3) Trinity Lake- in the best fitness of his life. This full brother to Titus a Sky Bet handicap winner which Declan also trainer won first time out last season. But seemed to peter off, there's a belief that this will transform. The bay gelding likes good and soft ground so as of yet has run once and looked better for the run. I was impressed with the transformation I saw within the horse.

4) Sommer Katz- Undeniable form 2 wins and one second. The gelding has the official rating of 75 and there's hope that this will allow room for improvement. This Frank Gillespie owned bay has not yet been raced this year. But the turn of pace shown and the level of success suggests that this horse could be an interesting one this year.

5) Rock Sound- He's raring to go already building on his form from last season. The Lope De Vega gelding has great form since going to Declan's yard being placed in every run. It will be interesting to see if this all-weather form transfers onto the turf and see what the plan for this talented horse is.

An extra horse to watch is Music Seeker. This York winner is a favourite of Sabine's and he's in great form which was shown by his first run back this season being a narrow second. He has consistent form and always tries.

Additionally, Declan has an incredible strike rate with two-year-olds and any of these should not be discredited. Over the past five years on the turf with two-year-olds, he has a 15% strike rate. This is impressive considering the number of horses he has and they have gone on to win some big races. For example, Santry who won two competitive races at Doncaster and York and a close second at Ascot.

Royal Ascot Round up!

There were some amazing moments from Ascot this year. These are some of the most prominent in my opinion.

 Hollie Doyle her first Royal Ascot winner. She's made history by doing so being the 3rd ever female jockey to have a winner here. Hollie continues to break records and build on her success of last season mentioned in my prior blog which can be found here. She gave Scarlet Dragon a hell of a ride by weaving her way through the field and having a strong finish . Her strength significantly helped her. This followed the success of the day before of Hayler Turner who replicated last year again in the Sandringham Stake on the 33/1 Onassis for Charlie Fellows.

 Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore have additionally made history having their 70th and 60th Royal Ascot winner. Also, Frankie has now won every single group one winner at Royal Ascot showing how much of an exceptional jockey he is. Frankie's 70th was on the penultimate day on Fanny Logan in the Hardwicke Stakes while Ryan's happened on Russian Emperor in the Hamton Court Stakes. They both rode well all week and these just show why they are two of the best jockeys in the country.

 Jim Crowley had six winners which is amazing in itself. These were all ridden exceptionally, he read the race well. These winners came from the outsider Motakhayyel, Battaash, Nazeef, Hukum, Molatham, Khaloosy. They were all owned by Hamdam Al Maktoum. He has a very impressive string of horses making it appear like they hadn't had any time off at all.

Battaash was one of Crowley's winners. I wasn't sure about this horse, it seemed like a big ask. The favourite made all and went on to win easily. His turn of pace has largely been exciting and we got to see this again. He went clear and won by 2 1/4 lengths.

The Queen had her first winner at Royal Ascot for FOUR years which is incredible. Tactical under James Doyle rode this winner in complete and utter style.

 John Gosden was one of my top trainers of all time and I wasn't wrong. He was this year leading trainer of Royal Ascot with six winners including Frankly Darling, Nazzef, Lord North, Stradivarius, Fanny Logan and Palace Pier. For me Stradivarius was one of the best wins of the entire meeting, winning in such ease by moving through the field and just accelerating away. He went on to win by 10 lengths making it his third Gold Cup win. Simply incredible.

Another surprise from the jockeys was Kevin Stott. He managed to ride a double on the final day in tremendous style. These came from Hello Youmzain and Hey Jonesy. This was a big day in his career and I'm sure he will just continue with this momentum.

 I could have mentioned so many more moments. What would be your best moment of the week?

My looks for royal ascot

These are the looks I would have picked for each day if the public could attend. When picking outfits for Royal Ascot please check their website for dress code as outfits I would have worn wasn't allowed due to the strict rules. I'm a huge fan of two pieces/co-ords but midriff isn't permitted. Other dress code rules are no narrow straps or off the shoulders including Bardot tops.

I'm a big believer of wear what you want and what feels comfortable so this is what I would have worn. I kept my nails rather neutral so they would go with anything that I would have worn but again this is up to the individual like with makeup too. I would have my makeup subtle with big lashes and a nice lipstick that works with my skin tone.

First day outfit 

My first-day outfit is a predominantly black jumpsuit with a pop of colour down the front. I paired this with a pair of black heels, a matching hat and bag. I'm a big fan of wearing black clothes I think it really suits my skin tone but by having the dash of red it makes it a bit different. I would wear this with gold accessories. I went for gold hoops which in my opinion make any outfit and a simple gold

necklace as the front was rather lowcut.

Second day outfit 

My second-day outfit is A little black dress with white detailing. You can't go wrong with a monochrome moment. I wore this with silver accessories, including a clutch and shoes. I would always wear heels but this is up to the individual. To me, heels brings an extra touch of class where flats wouldn't. Again a hat is necessary. Due to the top of this dress, I don't think a necklace is needed but I would have long-ish dangly earrings.

Ladies day outfit 

My third-day outfit is: Ladies day means all the best outfits will be out, the most extravagant hats and dresses for the best-dressed competition will be seen. This dress is more floaty and airy. The burgundy colour is one of my favourites and slightly unusual. This again gives a change of silhouette throughout the week, giving some variation to the looks that you have. This I would wear gold accessories with a hat to match shoes. this time I went for a strappy heeled sandal type shoe. I would pick simple stud earrings and a delicate necklace.

Fourth day outfit 

My penultimate day outfit is a simple blue dress which flatters my skin tone. The top has a slight decoration with some delicate lace. This would be worn with gold accessories including the strappy sandals and a gold clutch. However, this could be worn with various coloured shoes, bags and hats including cream, black, blue and silver. The choice is up to the individual. I think the silhouette of this dress is classy and suits most people.

Final day outfit 

My final day outfit is A emerald green ruched dress, I love this dress I think it suits my figure. I paired this with gold jewellery and black shoes but again a variety of colours would work. The black lace-up shoes matched with the little black handbag. Ruched dresses are very popular at the moment as they flatter all figures and are very diverse.

The next blog will be coming soon keep an eye on my Twitter and Instagram!

Successful jockeys' since racing has returned

A few jockeys have done very well since racing has commenced behind closed doors. Here are some of the more memorable moments so far...

Cieren Fallon's group 3 win on Oxted in the Betway Abernant Stakes saw him following in his father's footsteps. The champion apprentice jockey gave the horse a safe but smart ride keeping clear of the rest of the field. Then as the field opened he was sat second and came through and the other horses easily. Fallon kept Oxted on despite the rallying second place of Breathtaking Look. This has put him in a great position to keep improving from for the whole of the season.

The 2000 Guineas did have some surprises. Initially, it was a shock after Pinatubo didn't win and came third. But the win went to Kameko and Oisin Murphy's first guineas triumph. This excellent ride and the win made the Champion Jockey very emotional as this was his first classic win. I'm sure there will be many more classic wins to come.

Richard Kingscote had a four-timer at Haydock Park. It was 9593-1, making this feat nearly unpredictable all but to 1 punter in Ireland who won 18,000 euros on this. The four-timer with the horses Lauded, Brad The Brief, Ishvara and Shady McCoy. Kingscote himself was shocked by this and attributed the victory of these to the tough horses with good ability or attitude.

There's a fair few other jockeys who are flying at the minute these include Hollie Doyle, Ben Curtis and Tom Marquand. Let's see what other jockeys highlight their talents in the following weeks.

My top 5 trainers of all time

With racing back and behind closed doors this will give you an insight into which trainers in the UK I think are the best and why. Here’s the top 5:

1) Sir Henry Cecil undoubtedly one of the best trainers of all time his death in 2013 had had a serious impact on racing. Some of the best horses he trained included Noble Mission, Frankel and Camacho. The ten-time champion trainer also had 25 UK classic wins under his belt. Despite some struggles personally and sometimes with the horses he never did badly in terms of racing.

2) John Gosden- his best trainer horses have often been mentioned before in other blogs like Stradivarius, enable, Nathaniel and roaring lion. He’s known for his straight-talking interviews and this year alone from 48 runners he’s already collected over £160,000 in prize money.  His worldwide success just adds to the 40 wins he’s had at royal ascot.

3) Mark Johnston- with an incredible string of horses that have had the very unlucky Dee Ex Bee, Sharmadal and Attraction. He is the most successful British flat trainer of all time with 4,194 winners in 2018. This total continues to rise. Additionally, last year he earnt over £5million in prize money.

4) Jimmy Fitzgerald- is perhaps one of the less known significant trainers but he is very much missed. His horses are most known for over the jumps where he saddled over 1,200 winners in his career. Forgive n’ Forget probably was the greatest for his trainer career. But the success was clear from the early stages of training when he had a winner with the second horse he ever trained.

5) Aidan O’Brien- has trained some of the biggest names in racing such as Henrythenavigator, Galileo and Camelot. He has a long list of credentials next to his name including Champion Irish National Hunt for six years running. In 2001 he was the England Champion trainer, the first Irishman to do this since 1971. O’Brien is also an 11-time Irish derby winning trainer and 8-time Irish 1000 Guineas winner. These make it near impossible to find a better trainer than him.

That’s my top trainers' list who would be on yours?

5 best jockeys all time

Again due to the limited racing I looked back through the archives to find some of the best UK jockeys here's my list:

1) Frankie Dettori - has ridden some of the most well-known horses in the world including Enable, Stradivarius, Cracksman and Poet's Voice. One of the most famous flat jockeys despite his past problems. In 2019 he had a strike rate of 26% which is insanely successful. Dettori has had winners all around the world and ridden winners in more than 500 group races. An unforgettable moment was the magnificent seven in 1996.

2) A P McCoy- An incredible jump jockey he even has a horse named after him "Champ". His strike rate in his final year of riding in 2015 was 28%. He had 31 festival wins which is an unbelievable number. An unmatchable feat that he achieved was well over 4000 winners and 20 consecutive wins. These show why he is undeniably one of the best jump jockeys.

3) Kieren Fallon- After his slow start to his career and again he faced various issues surrounding his weight and substance abuse his career was somewhat fragmented. A few of the horses that he's ridden are Gabrial, Hoof It, Yeats and Footsteps In The Sand. Yet these troubles didn't stop him achieving a multiple time 1000 and 2000 guineas winners and 6-time champion jockey. But this is clearly a controversial especially because of his behaviour, personally, I think his achievements outweigh these.

4) Richard Johnson- The four-time champion jump jockey and over 3500 winners, these put him in a league of his own. Some of the most memorable horses he's ridden are Native River, Florida Pearl and Looks Like Trouble. He's said to be a little unlucky as he a ridden in the Grand National 21 times but has never ridden a winner in this.

5) Ruby Walsh- He is another widely famous retired jump jockey. His strike rate rarely dropped below 20%. The statistics that he produced were crazy including the leading jockey at Cheltenham Festival eleven times, Irish National Hunt jockey twelve times and won the English Grand National in 2000 at the first time of trying.

Another jockey from the time vault would be Lester Piggot. His success was groundbreaking and he largely revolutionised riding style. He rode nearly 4500 winners, champion jockey 11 times. In my opinion, the most amazing fact is he won his first race when he was 12 years old. He additionally had multiple big race wins with some of the horses like Sir Ivor, The Ministrel and Roberto.

Well, there's my top 5 what do you think? Give me some of your suggestions in the comments below!

Behind the scenes of racing: an interview with a travelling head girl

“It’s mental in the summer, you’re doing at least 20 hours a day, at least three days a week.”

Sabine Crowe (22 years old) is travelling head girl at Declan Carroll’s Malton based stable. She explains the daily challenges especially in the height of the season. “We normally start at five or six. If we have five runners here, there and everywhere we need more than one person to go racing.”

Often the stable staff have started at all hours in the morning so she can get the stables done and ride out before she goes racing.

Despite the hard physical and mental aspects of her job, Sabine loves it.

In the summer there’s no time to rest and like the other 6,000 people that racing employs she doesn’t have time to think until the season ends. She explains the everyday work, her love clear in the rapid nature of her voice, a Yorkshire accent creeping though.

“In the winter I have time to think OMG get me out of here. You’re literally out there 20 minutes each time getting drenched multiple times a day.” These mornings make the rows of stables seem dark and dreary with little shelter. “Even wearing waterproofs and jodhpurs aren’t enough.

“Today I got up about six, got ready and went to work for seven. We get in, get our tack and get started straight away.”

There are three horses immediately taken to the walker. Dec her boss tells Sabine what to ride and she starts riding out. If she doesn’t ride out a lot, she mucks out stables. Sabine normally rides out five lots of horses. The first part of her day finished by 12.30.

Sabine goes about all her tasks with a smile on her face and her long brown pony tail swaying as she does her work.

By the look of concentration on her face it’s a difficult question to answer what she would change. After a long pause a small smirk appears as she replied: “The outdoor ring covering. That would be amazing. The worst thing is, you can have all the waterproofs on in the world and you can go outside and get p****ed on and then you’re wet the for the rest of the day.”

This is the price Sabine pays for doing the job she adores.

Finally, for her last task of the day she returns to the yard about half past four for the evening feed and feels lucky if that’s finished by half five. This rushing is a normal part of her life.

Sabine shows me the photos of the winners she’s led up that adorn the walls of her room. The passion and pride for her job that she’s been involved is filling her face and her blue eyes widening.

Despite the dedication to her job, it wasn’t always the plan to get involved in racing. As with many she started riding young about four or five but was doing a business apprenticeship at an office. “Funny story, Di (Declan Carroll’s wife) had Green Park up at the stables where I had my horse and she’d seen me ride and said if you can sit him you can easily sit on ours.”

And so, she did. First doing weekends while continuing the apprenticeship, working seven days a week. Three years ago, where she used to work let everyone go and she’s never looked back.

Last year alone she did 50,000 miles… yes 50! Her forehead crumples calculating it. She agrees: “I know it seems crazy but it’s only me that really drives the horsebox.”

With all this travelling Sabine’s had some amazing memories. She offers up two. There’s a soft smile on her face. “The best is … leading Justanotherbottle up when he was second in the Steward’s Cup just beaten a short head.

“The other one was Music winning at York because I do everything with him. I ride him, bring him up and it’s a surreal moment having a horse you do everything with winning at York. It’s a big thing.”

That day she admits bawling like a baby and in shock and overcome with emotion. Even talking about it now her eyes glisten.

But with these highs come the lows. The worst part of the job is the injuries and having to put horses down.

Her tone is sombre as she recalls the horses that have been loved and lost including the stable stars Santry and Crazy World. Her voice wavers. “It was horrible.”

However, Sabine has the support of the other staff and her boss Declan Carroll, who she considers one of the most influential people on her career.

“Dec’s quite inspirational although he is hard on you. He doesn’t hold a grudge and knows people mess up, and as much as you put in for him, he’ll put it back.”

Another influential person has been Carole Easton. She was travelling head lass for Tim Easterby for 30 years and now works in transporting. All this experience means Sabine has been able to learn from her.  

These people behind the scenes are vital to the sport.

“People think sitting on a horse is easy, the horse does it all. Driving everywhere is as easy as anything. But it takes a toll on you. The horses mean everything. Every horse has a soft spot in everyone’s hearts. No one ever wants to see a horse hurt. We don’t see them just as a business.”

Sabine leading in Music Seeker at York