With the final meeting of the turf in our sights at Doncaster on Saturday, we have some time to reflect on the season we have had. On the domestic front, MEHMAS had been a real stable star, owned by Al Shaqab, he was bought at the breeze ups at Newmarket in April, never finishing out of the first three in eight starts. With 2 Group 2 victories to his name and 2 Group 1 placings, he has gone to stand at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland. 'He has been so consistent all year and has the heart of a lion. He never stopped trying and I expect he will have a tremendous career ahead of him at Stud.' STORMY CLOUDS who has now gone to be covered by MEHMAS was another two year old who won over £200,000 in prize money for the year. She was second in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury followed by a third in a Listed event at the same venue only to go and clinch the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes in great fashion. 'She was very tough and now she has another career to look forward to.'
Abroad VENTURA STORM held up the fort by winning the Group 1 Premio Jockey Club in Milan in convincing style, having won the Fielden earlier in the year. He was then successful in a Group 3 in Deauville, winning by three and a half lengths. The Middleham Park owned three year old has plenty to look forward to next year.
NATIONS ALEXANDER and LARCHMONT LAD both gained Group 3 success on home soil and are two horses to look forward to for next year. LEGENDARY LUNCH was the other horse who was second in the Group 2 Flying Childers. 'He has a real turn of foot and will be a horse we will aim at the Commonwealth Cup next year at Royal Ascot.'
TOOMORE who gained victory at the highest level as a two year old, showed his well being by landing the Group 2 Sandown Mile early on in the year and has now been retired to Stud at Godolphin. 'He has been a real champion over the years, winning a Group 1 at two and being competitive in the highest grade for the past 3 years. He is a lovely big horse and has been a great stalwart for us over the years.'
HUMPHREY BOGART was the winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial back in May and was then set the task of the Derby itself where he ran a very good fifth, running home nicely late on. VIRENS ARMY was another horse who landed a Derby trial in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester, consequently he was bought by Godolphin to go to Dubai.
Others of note include, OH THIS IS US who won four races this year including a very valuable £100,000 handicap at Goodwood. DANEHILL KODIAC won a Shergar Cup race under the very talented South African G Lerena. MARENKO won the Fred Darling Stakes Group 3 earlier in the year.
A big thank you to all our owners and staff. Onwards and upwards for next year.