Reporting the loss of Shanaderry Kin – a very sad time for all connected

                We are very sad to report that Shanaderry Kin (Derek) had to be put to sleep yesterday at just 5 yrs old.  We feel for our owner John Powell and the team at EPDS and everyone who knew him.  He was such a lovely, young horse with enormous potential. 

                Derek was recommended to us through a contact I have in Ireland after he had finished 2^nd in his point-to-point.  John and I travelled to Ireland to see him and were immediately impressed and John bought him.  He ran twice for us - after his last run over hurdles at Fontwell it was stated in The Racing Post that his run was ‘promising’.  Paddy Brennan who rode him that day said great things about him and said he reminded him of Tidal Bay!  He was such a kind and lovely horse and was so genuine with great presence for a young horse.  He was also an absolute gentleman and easy to do in every way.  I know that he would have done so very well for John and given him heaps of fun.  We were very much looking forward to his coming season.

                Derek had a wind op in the summer and whilst recovering somehow injured himself behind.  We do not know exactly how it happened but he was well and bright when I saw him that morning first thing to feed.  An hour later he was in a lot of agony with his bed all array.  My local vet, David Francis at Bellevue Veterinary Clinic and also Kevin Bishop from Summerhill were amazing that day.  It was suspected immediately that he had damaged himself behind and David worked with Kevin (who came from a call out in Birmingham) to see him rather than risk moving him to Langford.  It really was touch and go back then (2 months ago) and there were many sleepless nights spent up with him.  I would like to thank the vets in particular for the amazing care they gave him and relentless will to save his life.  Also thank you to my team here for caring for him and not giving up.  He did eventually turn a corner and as soon as he was fit and well enough he was travelled to Rossdales in Newmarket to see Marcus Head to understand the extent of his injuries.  Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done, his injuries were just too severe and he would never properly walk again.  It was heartbreaking to hear this as I never truly gave up hope of saving him.  Most importantly Derek was the bravest of horses through out.  He was such a fighter and when you looked at his head you wouldn’t have known there was anything wrong with him.  His eye was always bright.  Thank you too to John and Tracey at EPDS who forgo their pockets and whose ultimate aim was life (for any horse) even if he couldn’t make it as a racehorse.  It makes it an extremely sad outcome as they do anything to see a racehorse re-homed despite injury. 

                Below are some pictures of this beautiful horse and it breaks my heart to see them.  Rest in peace Derek.

Shanaderry Kin being ridden at home by Alice Mills

Shanaderry Kin enjoying coming back from his last race with Paddy Brennan

Red Not Blue retired

                It was a sad, as well as a happy day when we dropped off Red Not Blue to his new home.  We were sad to see him go but also happy to find such a good place for him with lovely people who really care for their horses.

                We are very proud of what he achieved considering he was on the verge of retirement when he came to us from his previous trainer unraced as a 6 yr old.  He ran in 36 races and was in the money 22 times and won 9 races.  He started with an official rating of 92 and improved 51 pounds to a rating high of 143.

                Whilst he was here, for over 5 years, he only had one set of shoes on for 4 weeks.  He always ran barefoot and never had an inkling of leg trouble and ran on all types of ground.  He ran in NH flat races, over hurdles and over fences and won in all disciplines barefoot.  After training Saucy Night as the first barefoot racehorse, Red Not Blue tops the bill as the most successful barefoot racehorse and gave his owners some fantastic days racing. 

I have always learnt something new from every horse I train and he certainly taught me a lot.  There is a lot of stress and strain on the horse’s body and mind to be a racehorse and we are constantly pushing them to the limit.  We did a lot of things individually for him to keep him going and trying to keep ahead of the game.  He didn’t have a lame day so it is great credit to everybody here and the team of practitioners that we have built up; in particular Anita Miles (physio) and of course Buffy Shirley-Beavan and her veterinary team who were always there if needed.  My view is that we did well with him but I will always think we could have done better and if we had him back again as a 6 yr old, from what I have learnt by him, I think we could have done even better.

                He is the most tough and genuine horse who is also the perfect gentleman.  You could leave a baby in his box with him and he would look after it – probably guard and lick it - which is how kind he is.  Our little girl, Mollie, often was in with him whilst Katie groomed and looked after him and he would check her out and leave her be.  He was also the first horse she sat on at 6 months old.  He is intelligent, cheeky with a great character and is a lot of fun to look after.  He never stopped loving his work making it a hard decision to retire him.  He was retired sound and happy.

                Red Not Blue has gone to Sarah and Michael Bell’s in Dorset where they all ride including their 3 daughters, Olivia, Rosanna and Sasha.  They have a fantastic place and it is certainly a five star home for him of which he greatly deserves.  Sarah keeps her horses barefoot and treats her horses very naturally which he will love.  We put him in a paddock there on his own when he arrived and one of the daughters Olivia went to get a companion for him and came back galloping bareback up the path with just a head collar on; it was wonderful to be able to see the great environment he is now in.  His companion, Tiger Lilly, fell in love with him immediately so he hasn’t lost any of his charm!  We hope to be seeing him from time to time as he is not too far away but for now we say thank you and good bye old friend.

On arrival at his new home:
from left to right - Sasha, Michael, RNB, Sarah, Rosanna & Olivia Bell

With his new chum, Tiger Lilly

Happy memories with connections, The Plum Merchants, on winning over fences at Worcester with AP McCoy on board

Enjoying a schooling session with Holly Brown riding

Licking his lips in anticipation of his Christmas stocking!

Enjoying life turned out in the paddocks

Giving Mollie her first taste of a ride at 6 months old!

With the boss, watching a schooling session