Is Bill Turner the Brocklesby Stakes King?

Anyone who enjoys two-year-old horse racing will be familiar with the name Bill Turner.

Turner has trained at Sigwells Farm, Corton Denham, Sherborne, Dorset for over 40 years.

A gently-spoken man, knowledgeable, and a grafter who has seen his share of gifted horses, especially sprinters. This talented trainer of two-year-olds is known for his success in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. I wonder if Turner has every sold a horse to Australia - I know he has to Hong Kong - or played Online Casinos AU. Great fun and many games to enjoy. 

The Brocklesby Stakes dates back to 1875, the most famous winner being Donovan (1888), trained by George Dawson, owned by William Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland. Sire by Galopin, this bay colt won 18 of his 21 starts with 9 major wins including the Derby & St Leger. 

The Brocklesby Stakes is the first two-year-old race of the Flat turf season, taking place at the end of March or early April, at Doncaster racecourse, over the flying five furlongs. 

In modern-day history, dating from 1984, a number of very talented two-year-old have won this contest. 

1984 - Provideo, trained by Bill O'Gorman set a 20th-century record for a British-trained two-year-old winning 16 of 24 race and awarded British Horse of the Year (1984) & Timeform Horse of the Year (1984). This horse would have been ideal to race in America and it reminds me to play online casinos us.  

1994 - Mind Games, trained by Jack Berry, went on to race at the highest level, winning at Group 2, competing in the Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1).

2009 - Hearts Of Fire, trained by Pat Eddery. This son of Firebreak went on to win the Gran Criterium (Group 1) at San Siro, Italy. 

2016 - The Last Lion, trained by Mark Johnston, raced at two, concluding his career winning the Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) before retiring to stud. 

Bill Turner is synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes 6 times. 

His triumphs include:

1996 - Indian Spark, this son of Indian Ridge raced an incredible 143 times winning 14 times. 

2002 - The Lord, this son of Averti was probably the best of Turner's Brocklesby winners if not one of the best sprinters he ever trained. He won at Listed class and achieved an official rating of 105. 

2006 - Spoof Master, won the Brocklesby Stakes on his second start, with the race taking place at Redcar. 

2008 - Sally's Dilemma, is one of just three fillies to win the Brocklesby Stakes since 1988. She raced just 11 times in her career and this was her only victory. 

2011 - He's So Cool, raced in the familiar silks of E A Brook, a loyal patron of Turner, who won the Brocklesby Stakes on his second start.

2013 - Mick's Yer Man, is a horse with a story. He won the Brocklesby by five lengths and took his second race in style. However, this son of Bahamian Bounty must have been plagued with injury and raced infrequently. However, in 2014 he won a Listed race at Ascot. Later sold by Turner to race in Hong Kong where he won prize money of over £300,000. 

In recent years, Turner has struggled to capture those past glories. Recent runners include: 

2015 - Just That Lord 7/2J 4th 

2016 - Crucial Moment 5/1 8th 

2017 - Hollofaqueen 10/1 4th 

2018 - Arthur's Spirit 10/1 8th 

2019 - Hell Of A Joker 10/1 14th 

Good luck to the stable for future Brocklesby Stakes entrants. 

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

Monday's 2yo Update (6th May)

Just a quick look at the significantly entered two-year-olds on Monday. 

1:55 Beverley - 

Just the sole entry. Dylan De Vega ran well at big odds on debut at Nottingham. This son of Poet's Voice lost by half a length but clear of the third. A recent Class 2 Stakes entry adds some promise that this colt is capable of better. Not giving much away at 5/4f.

2:50 Bath -

A restricted Auction Stakes. A couple of entrants here. Heer We Go Again ran in the Brocklesby Stakes. David Evans never lets the grass grow under his horse's feet and this son of Heeraat hasn't done much wrong in his last three starts. In fact, he has run well considering he has been quite keen. The visor has been applied, I imagine, to try help settle this March foal. Bath is a course which often benefits horses with experience and pace although the field can rattle home if the leaders go a stride too fast. Heer We Go Again sets a fair standard although offers very little value at even money. There is a chance this juvenile may regress after a few hard races. 

Interesting to note that Bill Turner has a debutante with an entry. *Summer's Way is a grey daughter of Coach House out of a poor mare who didn't win a race. The sire was a decent sprinter. Summer's Way was withdrawn from the sales and, to be honest, doesn't look the most obvious hope. 

Turner's Brocklesby Stakes runner, Hell Of A Joker, did little, although showed very good pace for four furlongs at Beverley second start (before fading fast). 

Another stablemate Queen's Road was given a similar entry and she showed very good pace at Leicester when a 50/1 shot before fading in the final furlong. 

It is half interesting Turner gave Summer's Way a significant entry and it is a course he has sent a few better juveniles. Readers may remember Little Boy Blue who went very close to winning at Bath on debut when 40/1. 

Summer's Way is the type of horse you may take a chance on a speculative punt simply because she is huge odds. With an apprentice taking off a valuable 5lb, if she has got an element of ability, she will be light as a feather (almost). Also, Turner's juveniles are usually ridden positively so likely to lead, if capable, which may give the opportunity to lay your stake in running at shorter odds. 

In many respects, this looks a tricky race with a few horses which may be better than they look and an unraced juvenile from Mark Johnston to add to the confusion. 

* NR (Summer's Way) 

2019 Brocklesby Stakes Entries Declared

Well, the journey has started. 

The first significant entry of the British 2yo Flat season 2019 has been declared. In fact, twenty-five two-year-old have been forwarded by trainers for the 4:10 Doncaster (30th March) for the 5f (5f 3y) Unibet Brocklesby Conditions Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 3) (2yo). 

At present, the going condition is good to soft. 

As readers may be aware, these entries are the starting point for Group Horse [Daily] in our pursuit to name the best two-year-old horses in training. 

The information will be updated on a regular basis to this page Group Horses 2019. By the time the season ends, you will understand why you need to keep glued to this page because it will detail the very best unraced and lightly race two-year-old horses in Britain & Ireland.  

The 25 Brocklesby Entries will most likely be cut down in size at the final declaration stage although it is possible there could be two divisions if more than the maximum number of 22 allowed in the race.[unlikely]. 

A few interesting notes. Most significant trainers include:

Mick Channon has two entrants: Birkenhead & Sir Gordon. 

Richard Fahey has two entrants: Bendy Spirit & Show Me Show Me.

David Evans, no stranger to early-season two-year-old races has four horses entered: Dark Optimist, Dorchester Dom, Heer We Go Again & Zulu Zander. 

Bill Turner has a solitary entrant in the shape of Hell Of A Joker, a son of Hellvelyn out of a twice-winning sprint mare in the ownership of John Pyatt. Turner has made his name in the Brocklesby Stakes race over the years with horses such as The Lord (2002).   

Richard Hannon has the sole entry of Lexington Quest, who is sired by Ivawood, in the ownership of Middleham Park Racing and £32,000 yearling purchase. 

Kilham is trained by Declan Carroll who sent out the smart Santry in 2017. 

Other significant trainers include: 

Kevin Ryan has a Coast Of Dubai entered at this first declaration stage of the Brocklesby Stakes 2019. 

Charles Hills has an early two-year-old in Walton Thorns. This son of Zebedee has Robert Winston booked to ride. This 45,000 guineas yearling looks set to race. 

Interesting to note that Mark Tompkins has a couple of juveniles entered. Fajoora & Prosecutor are unlikely to be winning on debut, as the Newmarket trainer has a poor strike rate with debutantes. 

Other possible runners:

Gracie's Girl (Michael Appleby)

Victochop (George Baker)

Gina D'Cleana & Handlebars (Keith Dalgliesh)

Paddy Elliot (Brian Ellison)

Richard Rhb (David Loughnane)

Arasugar (Seamus Mullins)

Strong Power (George Scott) 

Anna Fallow (Ronald Thompson) 

Barry Magoo (Adam West)

Notable omissions:

Mark Johnston, who won this race with Ravenhoe (2015) & the classy The Last Lion (2016) doesn't have an entry for the 2019 Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. 

I will update this page when the final declarations have been made.  

Tuesday's 2YO Update

2:10 Beverley - 

A Novice Stakes Div I on good going. 

Nine two-year-olds take part. Deep Intrigue is the only horse with significant entries. A beaten favourite on his last two start - short odds - Johnston will be hoping this is third time lucky. This grey son of Dark Angel cost £200,000 at the yearling sales. 

Read more: Mr Angry (Johnston) Derides new plans for racing 

2:30 Beverley - 

Nine two-year-olds entered for this Novice Stakes Div II.

No horses with significant entries. 

5:15 Chepstow - 

A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f 16y on good to firm going. 

A restricted race type which often favours form horses. 

Bill Turner's John Betjeman has run well on two starts. He seemed to enjoy the testing ground conditions on debut at Bath. He may be better with a bit of give in the going description but a horse with enough ability to go close in a race of this nature. Finley Marsh takes off a valuable 5lb. Rod Millman does well at this course.

Swan Street hasn't got an entry at this stage but not a bad looking juvenile who ran fair enough on debut at Kempton. 

In addition, Whataguy is a rare two-year-old runner for Paul Nicholls. This son of Mayson ran in a competitive race on debut at Salisbury. Quite a nice looking juvenile who will improve with racing. 

Stuart Kittow is a very good trainer and Mayfair Madam did little wrong when beaten a neck at Windsor. This chestnut daughter of Mayson traveled well that day even though she had unseated her rider going to the start. The form of that race is respectable for this grade with a couple franking the form.    

Clive Cox has made a great start to the season with his two-year-olds. A couple look very talented. Molly Blake races in the familiar silks of Peter Ridgers. A £24,00 yearling purchase. May well be under priced after a few successes but interesting as their debutantes have decent each away claims when priced 13/2 & less SP.  Even more so when 7/2 and less SP.   

Read more: Clive Cox's Harry Angel returns to racecourse in the Duke Of York Stakes on Wednesday at York 

2:35 Southwell Racing Tips (1st April)

An EBF Novice Stakes over 5f (4f 214y) on Standard going. 

Eight two-year-olds take part: two once raced and field of debutantes. Three fillies take on the colts.  

Arthur's Spirit & Haats Off made their debut in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. The former, trained by Bill Turner, who often sends his best juvenile to contest this race, failed to shine. This son of Swiss Spirit was relatively fancied in the betting at odds of 10/1. He showed fair speed before fading into eighth. On that performance, there is little to sing about. The other side of the coin, the ground was testing and horses can often disappoint on debut. I would imagine connections expected more. Turner usually tells it is as it is so pre-race thoughts may reveal they are still hopeful. Best take a watching brief although not impossible to show more.

Haats Off is a chestnut daughter of Haatef. Brian Barr isn't known for having smart juveniles and reason she was 66/1. In truth, this January foal showed excellent pace before tiring at the furlong pole. I imagine they went a little too fast although the soft ground may have been the cause of her downfall. With experience onside, connections may blast from the stalls and gain a lead. Whether she will hold that pace to the line is the gamble.

Brian Barr's Brahma Kamal was entered to run in the Brocklesby but withdrawn most likely due to the soft going.  This bay colt cost 14,000G at the yearling sales. 

Interesting to see how Robyn Brisland's string goes this season. He had a few fair juveniles last year. Insanto was similarly entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take part. This son of Charm Spirit and cost just 2,500G. The mare enjoyed a trip.   

Ontoawinner and Karl Burke are no stranger to success. Majestic Appeal is worthy of note, especially if fancied in the betting. This April foal is a son of Heeraat and 20,000E yearling purchase by the trainer. One for the shortlist. 

Two trainers who can hit the floor running are Richard Fahey and David Evans. 

North Korea is a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle out of a multiple-winning mare who prevailed on debut. A relatively cheap yearling purchase at just 5,500E. Evans is never the easiest of trainers to assess on debut. They can go very well or fail to shine. The betting is the best guide. 

Richard Fahey is a trainer to respect with debutantes. His racing club do pretty well, so it is worth noting Mr Buttons. This son of Elzaam cost 21,000G at the yearling sales. The stable had the third in the Brocklesby, which gives them form with Haats Off and Arthur's Spirit. 

Tony Coyle had the second in the Brocklesby, with a fair sort in Brocken Spear. *Maggies Passion is a bay daughter of Sir Percy. The mare enjoyed a trip so may need further in time. 

Conclusion: A race to watch. A couple of form horses from the Brocklesby Stakes. Haats Off showed good pace but difficult to assess in some ways. Arthur's Spirit showed little but may be better simply because Turner often sends his better horses to compete in the race he debuted. Of the unraced, Majestic Appeal is worthy of interest from a stable who can go well on their racecourse bow. Mr Buttons hails from a stable who know the time of day and form lines with the two raced. North Korea is another from a trainer who can shine and if backed would bring added confidence. This doesn't look the strongest of heats. I'll be taking a watching brief. 

NR: Maggies Passion