Craggaknock wins again!!

31st May 2015

 Linda and I got back to yard at midnight on Friday, a long day but a massively rewarding one. Craggaknock won his second race this season in a thrilling race at Haydock on Friday night. Ridden by former Champion Jockey Paul Hanagan he looked like finishing third with a furlong to go but showed a great attitude to forge ahead and win by a head. The key to this horse has been patience, he has been a slow maturing horse and not over racing him as a young horse is paying dividends now. His owners Dave and Mary Longstaff have been very lucky owners for us over the years having owned The Grey Berry, Gulf Coast and Ubi Ace who won 12 races between them. It looks like they have another good one with Craggaknock who has won 3 races so far.

Saturday, and it was Tim that went Haydock, this time with Woody Bay.  He showed much more promise than his first two runs of the season finishing 5th. The ground was against him as it was a riding a bit dead, he is a fast ground horse I'm sure. We were hoping to see an improved performance from him as Will who rides him every day at home had told me he was feeling really well on the gallops. Getting inforamtion from our experienced work riders is invaluble as a trainer and I am lucky to have team whose judgements I trust.

I was at York on Saturday with Cornborough, Harry his jockey, was having his first ever ride on a racecourse so had a nervous couple of hours leading up to the race! Cornborough ran well enough finishing 10 of 17, he is starting to look like a step up in trip might suit him.

I have to say the two racecourses we have been to over the weekend, York and Haydock, are among the best courses for their hospitality towards owners. Both do a free three course meal for owners and the Owners and Trainers Bars have a great atmosphere. It really makes a difference to the whole experience and I think it is important to remember that without the owners there would be no racing.  A  good day out at the races is part of the experience of their horse running and racecourses like these really help to make the day more special. Plus very importantly as the trainer I get a free lunch as well!!

Looking forward to another busy week  with King of Strings, Adam's Ale, Kodicil, Druid's Diamond, Highlander Ted, Veroce, Lorimer's Lot and Woody Bay all holding entries. Fingers crossed for another winner or two!!