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 Summer's Way was withdrawn from the sales and, to be honest, doesn't look the most obvious hope.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)
2:25 Newmarket - As detailed many times thus far, we have just one significant entry to glean information and that's the Brocklesby Stakes. Don't worry, we will have much more information coming as the season progresses. To be fair, the Brocklesby has detailed a few winners including Show Me Show Me, Zulu Zander & Birkenhead, alongside placed efforts such as Heer We Go Again, Paddy Elliot & Bendy Spirit. George Scott's Strong Power finished second in the Brocklesby Stakes and did little wrong, a battling type who was passed in the closing half furlong, beaten by three-quarters of a length. As the form has proven, this son of Kodiac is up to winning a race. Whether he is good enough to deny not one but four horses representing Godolphin only time will tell. Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby have a couple of juveniles each. I've never seen the fourth colours (black hat) (so I wonder if they have some kind of blackhat magic going on...lol). That's a joke, of course. But it is interesting to imagine if they have ten runners in a race what coloured hats would be seen for the first time! Anyway, little things for little minds, hey. Charlie Appleby's Well Of Wisdom (black cap) is, at the time of writing, the most fancied of the quartet. We have another experienced horse who didn't run in the Brocklesby but was entered who made his debut at Windsor. Interesting to see how Richard Hannon's Lexington Quest goes here. He was very well backed on his racecourse bow but didn't achieve a great deal. It could well be the case this son of Ivawood disappointed. That may well need to be the excuse because this looks a tougher race. I wouldn't be holding my breath but neither would I lay this horse to lose at 20/1. I do think it was a significant entry being earmarked for the Doncaster race and I suspect a better performance will be seen today. In truth, it looks a tricky race and I would take a watching brief unless you fancy a speculative punt on Lexington Quest if you can get some crazy odds on the exchanges and cross your fingers and toes. He may be backed if the sound of the Thames got to him that day at Windsor. 5:25 Chelmsford - Just a quick note detailing any Brocklesby runners/entrants here. Michael Appleby has Gracie's Girl taking part. She held an entry for the Brocklesby and since been a non-runner for whatever reason. This daughter of Heeraat is out of a debut-winning mare [Queen's Revenge] who looked quite promising for Tim Easterby and competed in the Hilary Needler Trophy Conditions Stakes at Beverly and raced at Listed class at two and three. Gracie's Girl cost just £4,000 at the yearling sales in the ownership of Robin Oliver, who is a loyal patron of The Homestead Stables in Oakham, Leicestershire. This Novice Auction Stakes is a pretty restrictive race which means it shouldn't take the world of winning. Appleby had three entered two-year-olds last season: Loch Ness Monster, Aquarius & Walkman. Loch Ness Monster & Aquarius proved capable juveniles achieving winning status, the latter on debut, and competed at Group class. In truth, Appleby doesn't have the largest string of two-year-olds and they can be the good, bad and ugly. Would I bet on Gracie's Girl at 20/1? No. But it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see her run a race. Please note all three horses noted are forwarded simply because they held an entry for the Brocklesby Stakes.
A couple of two-year-old races at Beverley with the first division detailing a couple of two-year-olds which took part in the Brocklesby Stakes, now hoping to make their experience count at this racecourse in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The official going is described as good to firm. Stalls position on the inside rail.
2:15 Beverley -
Find Promo Codes At aceodds.com EBF Novice Auction Stakes (Div I) (Class 5) (2yo) Winner £4,033 11 runners 5f Good To Firm RTV (STALLS Inside) Bill Turner, who has won the Brocklesby six times in recent years, failed to shine with Hell Of A Joker who finished fourteenth at odds of 10/1. This son of Hellvelyn showed pace but faded tamely in the final two furlongs. That will need to have been a disappointment for a chance to hit the frame today. Cheekpieces have been applied which suggests there may be some hope of improvement. Mick Channon has Birkenhead making his third run. In the ownership of Channon, this son of Captain Gerrard was relatively fancied and finished in sixth place. That initial experience was hoped to be the answer when started 6/5f at Lingfield. To be fair, he ran well but could never get to grips with Archie Watson Electric Ladyland who is one of four debutantes to win in just twelve days. From a statistical point of view, Rod Millman'sBetty's Hope has fair claims. With a prime draw, this bay daughter of Anjaal ran into second place on debut at Kempton when thrashed by Lady Kermit, who looks a talented horse.
The Brocklesby Stakes is the only significant entry we have to work with at this moment. However, the race has resulted in a couple of fair types. Certainly, the winner Show Me Show Me, in the familiar silks of Ontoawinner, looks a decent prospect and David Evans Zulu Zander ran out an easy winner at Leicester. In fact, the Brocklesby Stakes sixth, seventh & eighth has all run respectably on their second and third starts. That brings us to Bendy Spirit who finished ninth on debut at Doncaster. Similarly trained as Show Me Show Me by Richard Fahey, this son of Helmet showed bright speed but tired markedly in the closing stages to finish thirteen lengths behind the winner. As far as form goes, it didn't look the most illuminating result. On the upside, Bendy Spirit was priced at odds of 14/1, which may suggest he was in need in the race. The style of the run gave that impression too. Being on the sidelines for just over two weeks should be ample time to have this colt primed for the day and that valuable experience will be to his advantage. Richard Fahey's Brocklesby entrants/runners from previous years have been up to winning standard, which gives Bendy Spirit some hope. Also, Pontefract is a course the trainer has done well with his juveniles, especially on their second start. I suspect Bendy Spirit will run a better race today although there is plenty of competition from the two favourites with Mark Johnston's Alminoor looking a talent when narrowly foiled on debut at Musselburgh, while Danny Ocean, trained by Karl Burke in the Onetoawinner silks, is sure to improve a good deal on his first start at Leicester where he looked ring rusty but ran on with verve. All three horses are worthy of respect. Shame this race isn't for three places because it would bring a few options. Personally, I will be taking a watching brief unless Danny Ocean or Bendy Spirit drift to much bigger odds.
I must apologise for being quiet. I'm still working on the horse trainer statistics which are taking longer than expected. It is literally like painting the Forth bridge, with a dicky brush. The data is very interesting but it really is boring to complete. However, it is a job which needs doing and I will be doing my utmost to get the majority of it signed off this week. It has spurred me on because there are few two-year-old races these next four or five days. I'm sure you have noticed a couple of two-year-old races for Monday. 2:00 Redcar - I'm not going to write a great deal about either of these races as I much prefer to watch the early races. Archie Watson has got off to a decent start with a couple of winners and Exclusively is well owned. The betting details a big run is expected. 2:50 Windsor - Brocklesby fourth place Dorchester Dom ran well enough on debut. The third horse that day, also trained by David Evans, won well at Leicester. I'm not keen on betting short prices at the best of times. This son of Starspangledbanner has valuable experience which counts for a lot against debutants. There's always the worry something will pop up and make the jolly backers not so happy. Interesting to see how Richard Hannon's Lexington Quest goes. This son of Ivawood cost £32,000 at the yearling sales when purchased to by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock (who buy a lot for Hannon). Now in the ownership of Middleham Park Racing. Worth noting this April foal (24th April, so not quite two) was given a Brocklesby Stakes entry. The sole entrant for Hannon. I think we have to go back to 2016 for the last time Hannon had a horse entered or run in the Brocklesby. In that year he had Tomily and Bismark The Flyer. Tomily won a couple of times at two and turned out to be a very talented gelding. Bismarck The Flyer won a couple of times at two, the first victory at selling class. Lexington Quest isn't without a chance here and I would take the Brocklesby entry as a positive.
It doesn't take long for the cream to rise to the top. I'm sure that's what Richard Fahey and Ontoawinner thought when Show Me Show Me did just that by winning the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes (Saturday 30th March) at Doncaster's Lincoln Meeting. This bay colt, a son of Showcasing out of an unraced mare, was very well backed on the exchanged (7/1) to a starting price of 11/4. Clearly, a precocious two-year-old, this good-looking, athletic juvenile always travelled well and knuckled down to win a shade cosy from George Scott's Strong Power who ran well in second place, while David Evans' Zulu Dancer & Dorchester Dom finished third and fourth respectively. Show Me Show Me looks an inspired yearling purchase at just £24,000.
I think members of Ontoawinner were pleased with Show Me Show Me today - lots of happy faces pic.twitter.com/kLZEa0QpiC
Ontoawinner is no stranger to very talented thoroughbreds and this April foal looks capable of defying a winning penalty. It will be interesting to see if he is pencilled in for the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester. Wherever this two-year-old goes connections will be hopeful of more success.
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.
The two-year-old racing season has started. Not in the Brocklesby Stakes 2019, but over the Channel, Saint-Cloud, France. Not the biggest surprise as a few 'early-bird trainers' are looking for every angle to win decent prize money and £10,360.36 tempted three British trainers to the bog-like conditions of this racecourse situated near Paris. The racecourse has a rich heritage dating back to 1901, built by politician and horse/owner-breeder Edmund Blanc (1856-1920). In French, it is familiarly called the Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud. It hosts a number of high-profile races including the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud held in late June or the first week of July. Readers may remember the Criterium de Sant-Cloud takes place in November. Today's action saw three British raiders send two-year-olds to take part in the Prix le Marche (Claimer) over a four-and-a-half furlong, on heavy going. See the full result 1:00 Saint-Cloud (FR)
Twelve two-year-olds competed in challenging conditions in a winning time of 56.37s (slow by 7.17s). In a blanket finish, Throttle Control, trained by J-V Toux won by a short neck from The Nile Song who was a nose in front of favourite Wedding Proposal (41/10f). The best of the British trio saw Jo Hughes' Panthera Tigris, ridden by Georgia Dobie (3lb claimer), who finished sixth, beaten just over four lengths. This daughter of Heeraat (not two until the 31st March) gained the following race comment: ''Chased leaders on inner, outpaced and driven halfway, kept on under hands and heels final furlong.'' Next best came George Bakers' Captain Tatman (58/10) who finished seventh, ridden by Theo Bachelot, who was just a quarter of a length behind Panthera Tigris. This bay gelding is a January foal, sired by Olympic Glory is out of an unraced mare. Race comments detailed: ''Midfield towards centre of track, outpaced and driven halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, never in contention.'' Mick Channon, who won the Brocklesby Stakes in 2018 with Izzer, fielded Gift Account (11/2) an April foal, sired by Captain Gerrard out of a poor mare who raced five times without being placed. Gift Account finished ninth, beaten over ten lengths. Race comments stated: ''Pressed leaders, driven and edged right 1 1/2f from home, weakened final furlong.'' Gift Account showed good pace until tiring in the closing stages. It will be interesting to see if any of these early two-year-olds go for the 2019 Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster's Lincoln Meeting. It would seem an ideal opportunity making use of this vital racecourse experience. If you want to know the best two-year-old racehorses in training, learn more by visiting Group Horse, experts in understanding the best horse from stables big and small.
Well, it is getting closer to the start of the Flat turf season . I say turf season however I mean the start of the two-year-old campaign. In previous years, the first two-year-old race of the season has fluctuated between the all-weather and Doncaster's Lincoln Meeting which features the Brocklesby Stakes as the start of proceedings. I must admit I hate the first two-year-old race being anywhere but the Brocklesby. It really takes away from the merit of the race, which has done well over the last few seasons with impressive winners. You can take a look at the Brocklesby Stakes Wikipedia page. Recent winners include: 2023 - Doddie's Impact 2022 - Persian Force 2021 - Chipotle 2020 - Didn't take place due to Covid 19 2019 - Show Me Show Me
2018 - Izzer 2017 - Requinto Dawn 2017 - Santry 2016 - The Last Lion 2015 - Ravenhoe The standard of the following horses detail the quality of Brocklesby Stakes winners. It really fills my heart with joy to see the Brocklesby targetted by some of the best two-year-olds from high-profile trainers such as Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey, Karl Burke, Mick Channon and a number of supreme talents.
It is worth noting that, historically, we have seen some exceptional horses including Jack Berry's Mind Games(1994) (pictured). He went on to be a stallion, although never quite stealing a win at Group 1 in an impressive race career. Hearts Of Fire was the best two-year-old Pat Eddery ever trained. This son of Firebreak won the Brocklesby well in 2009. He improved for stepping up to 7f/1m and loved testing conditions. It was a great day to see him win at Group 1 when winning at San Siro, Italy. It's interesting to consider that the best two-year-old to ever win the Brocklesby came in 1888 when Donovan won by two lengths for trainer George Dawson and ended up winning eighteen of twenty-one races in a sparkling career. Although, in those days, the Brocklesby Stakes was run at Carholme Racecourse in Lincoln. It was moved to Doncaster in 1965. It's amazing to think Donovan won the Brocklesby Stakes over 5f but went on to win the Derby & the St Leger a three (1889). Other horses worthy of a mention includeProvideo, trained by Bill O'Gorman, who won in 1984. It seems incredible these days that he set the 20th-century record for a British two-year-old winning sixteen of his twenty-four races. Provideo had one win at listed class which proved he was far from the best horse. In fact, Timeform detailed that this son of Godswalk was some 20lb inferior to the best that year. In truth, there was nothing inferior about this durable, hard-as-nails colt. Winning juveniles now have the burden of penalties and it simply isn't possible to run the opposition ragged on level terms. It is sad that horses have to be handicapped when running at stakes class. From a promotional point of view, race fans would love to see these winning machines. I guess there would be calls from animal rights about welfare issues. O'Gorman was a class trainer and he would never run a horse unless it was in fine form and capable of racing. These horses were trained on the course rather than the gallops.
How times have changed.
Other noted winners include Semolina (1889) who went on to win the 1000 Guineas.
Another exceptional talent came in 1971 when Deep River won the Brocklesby Stakes by 7-lengths for trainer Paul Davey in the ownership of David Robinson. This son of Gulf Pearl was a rare talent going on to win six major contests including, at three, the Nunthorpe Stakes and Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp, France.
It is a feather in the cap of the Brocklesby Stakes that The Last Lion, trained by Mark Johnston, proved such a powerhouse. This son of Choisir cost just 82,000 euros at the yearling sales. He won the Brocklesby Stakes in fine style in 2016. He went on to race ten times and win four races including the Middle Park Stakes (Group 1). He is now a stallion with the fee of £7,500. I can't talk about recent winners without considering the true class of Santry, trained by Declan Carroll. This bay colt was a narrow winner of the Brocklesby Stakes in 2017. That year, there were two divisions of the race due to a large field of two-year-olds. The other division was won by Requinto Dawn, trained by Richard Fahey.
Santry won well on his second start at York when carrying a win penalty. He then went to Royal Ascot, finishing second in the Norfolk Stakes (group 2). Sadly, Santry was fatally injured at home on the gallops. I have little doubt he would have been one of the greatest success stories of the Brocklesby Stakes. The 2021 Brocklesby Stakes is set to be run on the 27th March, at Doncaster's Lincoln meeting. We can almost guarantee a sizable field of two-year-olds and fingers crossed we have a winner that goes on to achieve greatness like The Last Lion.