Cool today after the heat of the middle of the week, dry though and no sign of any rain at all in the forecast for the next two weeks. Drought alerts issues by SEPA for the whole of the east side of Scotland. No surprise therefore that Kelso are struggling with their reservoir based watering system, they have been forced to abandon their steeple chases on Wednesday so that they can focus their resources on ensuring the hurdle track is safe.
Summer is here early
The 2024/25 Jumps Season ended last weekend and the 2025/26 Jumps Season kicks off this weekend; for us at Hexham this evening with one runner on ground that should be on the soft side of good having been well watered. Said runner is Boolamore Classic in the 19.40, a staying handicap hurdle. He ran well last time at Ayr prior to appearing not to quite get home on what was very testing ground, whilst we are still unsure as to whether he is an out and out 3 miler we thought it worth finding out whether he would stay on some better ground, albeit it is a stiff track and he’s been on the go for a long time now but if he stays he should run well – Bruce rides and 9 run.
Boolamore Classic with Bruce & Jade after winning at Ayr
Our final day of last season was a mixed bag at Perth; Split Stone’s issue recurred so I am afraid he has been retired from racing, a shame as he had plenty of talent, just one weakness. Half Track ran an excellent race returned to fences, although he was just last he was beaten less the 8l by the winner in decent company so should continue to give plenty of fun. The ground wasn’t right for Theme Tune though he did run well for a long way and finally Burning it Up nearly gave us a dream result in Simon’s race, improving nicely to be 2nd behind a clearly very well handicapped horse. Should be plenty to come from him next season.
Elvis Mail was one of our stars whose season was curtailed by injury – hopefully he will be back around Christmas time. Interestingly our highest rated performances over fences, hurdles & in bumpers this season were all from horses out of Queenly Mail – Elvis, Ginger and Lester.
Overall our 24/25 Season had many wonderful highlights; our bare stats of 25 winners from 226 runners (11%) and a further 79 placed (46%) were pretty good all things considered. Our total prize money came under pressure due to a combination of reductions in prize funds and fewer horses running at higher levels. We were also frustrated by a dry autumn and a very dry spring, to an extent this was offset by many of the tracks having now mastered the art of watering – a sea change from days of old though some tracks that have failed to move with the times and discretion is required. I was delighted with the progress of both of our jockeys; Bruce riding out his claim and having 16 winners, Dom making a good start to his career with 2 winners from his 15 rides for the yard. Both are great assets, here at home and on the racecourse.
Ned Tanner at grass last night – he was our highest earning horse last season with £31286 in the bag
My first year as President of the National Trainers Federation has given me an insight into how the sport is run and why progress is so impossible; frustrating at times I feel the barriers are perhaps now being recognised more than ever and I am optimisitic sense will eventually prevail, the opportunities are immense. The horses of course transcend everything and perhaps this is borne out best by how popular the sport appears – from Perth to Aintree to York to Ascot crowds have been growing and the enthusiasm and bonhomie created by shared fun is always heartwarming.
