An update on last week's runners: Money Maid, Loxley Mezile, Headly's Bridge & Shanaderry Kin

                We were all pleased with our runners last week and they have all improved on their previous runs.

                On Thursday 10^th April we had two runners at Towcester.  We ran Money Maid in a 2m mares’ maiden hurdle, she is continuing to get the hang of things - learning to settle better and was able to run on at the end.  She got hampered by fallers 3 hurdles out and was forced wide; so wide we couldn’t see her on the viewing screens!  She still managed to run on very pleasingly and finished 4^th. You would have to say she was unlucky not to have finished closer.  On the same day, Loxley Mezile also ran in the 2^nd Division of the same race as Money Maid and she stepped up appreciably on her previous run at Wincanton to be well in contention at the end of the back straight before getting badly hampered.  Her jockey then let her come home in her own time.

The following day we ran Headly’s Bridge at Ayr and Shanaderry Kin at Fontwell.  Headly’s Bridge was running in a £25,000 Class 2 handicap chase over 2m4f and it was only his 3^rd run over fences.  In fact he jumped a hell of a lot better than some of his more experienced rivals to finish 3^rd and was only beaten 2 ¾ lengths, with 13 lengths back to the forth horse, Tap Night, who has shown decent form at the highest level.  The Racing Post said: “Headly’s Bridge lost his unbeaten record over fences, but was stepping up in grade and showed improved form”.  Whilst it was a long way to go, Mrs Penelope Bridel and her daughter Jo had a wonderful time and were well entertained by Ayr racecourse.  Headly owes us nothing by running with credit in all his runs and has consistently finished in the first four in all of his 8 runs this season.

Shanaderry Kin also improved on his first run for us in a bumper at Ffos Las when he ran at Fontwell last Friday in a 2m4f novice hurdle, coming 5^th.  The Racing Post said “Shanaderry Kin had shown promise in Irish points and on his bumper debut.  He was ridden with consideration, as he was too keen last time out.  He certainly has ability if learning to settle”.

All the horses are fine and have come out of their runs well - we can’t wait to run them again (hopefully this time a little closer to home then Ayr!).

Tracey & Ellie from EPDS Racing came today to do templates for fitting made-to-measure saddles for all their horses.  I love owners who care like this for their horses and it will make our lives easier and the horses will be so much more comfortable.  Picture of Ellie with Loxley Mezile below.

Money Maid at Wincanton yesterday

                We were thrilled with Money Maid (Rosie) yesterday at Wincanton where she ran in a 2m 6f mares’ novices’ hurdle to finish 6th.  To quote The Racing Post: “Money Maid was an eye catcher, staying on from an unpromising position, hinting at better to come”. 

We know there is lots of improvement in her still to come and this is only the start.  We certainly haven’t put the gun to her head at home or on the racecourse.  We are in it for the long term with the horses and won’t sacrifice that for a good result tomorrow.  We have let her sort herself out and learn, rather than force the issue.  With Wincanton only being half an hour away, she came back home and put her head straight into her grub, which shows it was a positive experience.  When a horse is learning to accept and enjoy racing I think it is always better to relax, take your time in a race and be running on at the end and that is exactly what happened and she finished with her ears pricked, gaining on the horses in front of her all the way to the winning post.

We want Rosie to be entertaining her owners for as long as they wish and longevity is key; preparation and early grounding is the most important thing to achieve longevity.  Of course training and running without shoes is one of the most important cogs in that goal and Money Maid is trained and races without shoes.

         If you are interested in owning a share in a racehorse, I would strongly recommend you get in touch with John Powell who runs EPDS Racing as there are affordable shares still available in Money Maid - www.epds-racing.co.uk.  If you want to meet new people and make new friends as well as have fun at the races and socially this is the syndicate to be involved in.  Money Maid is the most beautiful mare, totally generous and will give her all for her owners for hopefully a long time to come.