Latest News

Listed below is the latest news from West Lockinge Farm. Clicking the [more...] link will take you to the full news item.

Brilliant Calgary

Calgary Bay sealed our week with a fantastic win in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last Saturday – 28th January.  It was a stunning performance with top weight.  He will now be rested and is unlikely to run again until the Grand National in April.  Altogether an excellent 5 days at the races.  All the horses have run well and all of them have been placed.  Now we face up to a big freeze. Temperatures due to fall dramatically this week.  As long as the snow keeps away. Horrible stuff! [more...]

Somersby - Grade 1 win

A great Saturday! Somersby and Dominic Elsworth had a wonderful win in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot. It was very exciting and richly deserved. We now plan to run in the Ryanair or Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival, but decisions as to which one, will not be made until nearer the time. The horses are in great form at the moment and January has provided us with some good winners. This weekend Calgary Bay is due to run in either the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster or in a handicap chase at Cheltenham. [more...]

Last weekend and next

We had a disappointing day at Kempton on Saturday 14th January.  Harvest Song (owned by the Queen) was running a lovely race in the 3 mile Novice Handicap Chase when he capsized 4 out and then Soixante faded and broke a blood vessel in the 2m 4f Handicap Chase.  It seems he has an infection in his sinuses and we all know how painful blocked sinuses can be.  He will go on antibiotics for a week but is very perky. Harvest Song is also very well despite hitting the deck.  He is bouncing and totally sound.  He is surprisingly tough.   Hopefully, weather permitting, we’ll have a better week this time round. Glen’s Boy runs at Newbury on Wednesday in a 3 mile Handicap and Somersby is due to run in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday.  He was 2nd in this race last year, beaten a head by Master Minded.  It looks another hot contest with the likes of Al Ferof, Finians Rainbow, Kauto Stone and Gauvian.  It will be a fascinating race.  Calgary Bay is very well and either goes to the Great Yorkshire Chase on Saturday week or the 2m 5f Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on the same day.  It all depends on the weather.  He must have good or good/soft. [more...]

3 Winners and Spring like weather

After an excellent week, 31st December to 8th January which yielded 3 winners and 2 seconds, we have had no runners this week due to unsuitable races although we hope to have some horses out on Saturday at Kempton Park.  We could do with more rain – the ground is rapidly drying up - but it is very pleasant not having any frosts.  The mild temperatures are unbelievable for the time of year and the flowers which are out everywhere plus the bulbs that are sprouting are completely unseasonable. [more...]

Happy New Year!

A Happy New Year to you all.  It has been an eventful weekend!  Glens Boy was robbed of victory at Warwick on Saturday 31st December.  Timmy Murphy had given him a peach of a ride and he’d jumped for fun only to be confronted by a riderless horse head on just before the winning post.  Not surprisingly he put the brakes on to avoid it and lost the race by a head in a photo finish.  Cruel luck!  However, on New Year’s Day, Calgary Bay was superb and captured the feature Chase at Cheltenham, the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase Grade 3.  He jumped really well with Dominic Elsworth and won with his ears pricked.  It was very exciting and a welcome tonic after a long string of seconds.  The horses are happy and well at the moment.  We have quite a few to run during the week.  Somersby has come out of the King George VI Chase in great shape.  He will probably be aimed at the Ryanair Chase at the Festival in March but will have a break now.  He and Calgary deserve a week or two on the easy list and some time out in the paddock. P.S. And today Silver Roque has won too! [more...]

Another second!

Yesterday we had yet another 2nd placing! Isleofhopendreams ran a nice race to be 2nd at Plumpton.  That's our 10th second this season! [more...]

Seconditis and Benny off to Ascot Sales

So many 2nds but better than ALSO RANS!    2nd with Somersby in the Peterborough Chase 8th December, 2nd with Loch Ba at Sandown on 2nd December, 2nd with Ballylifen at Plumpton 5th December, 2nd with Harvest Song at Leicester 7th December and 2nd today, 14th December with Ballygarvey at 150/1!  The horses are running well but we need winners.   BENNY THE SWINGER  is going to Ascot Sales next Tuesday 20th December.  He is obviously not a racehorse but would make a hunter/team chaser or event horse.  He is sound, a good mover and an excellent jumper.  About 16.2hh and 6 years old.  He would also be ideal for the Retrained Racehorse Classes at the big shows and has done plenty of flat work.  DON’T MISS A BARGAIN! Can be seen/tried/ridden here prior to sale. [more...]

THE WEEK AHEAD

The horses are running well but we need a winner!  Loch Ba ran a really good race at Sandown last Friday only to obliterate the second last and lose his momentum.  He was still only beaten a neck by a 7 year old and he is only 5 years old – a big raw baby.  He is a good horse and 3 miles will suit him even better than the 2m 4f that he’s been running over.  He’s an exciting horse for the future.   Ballylifen ran really well in his bumper race at Plumpton on Monday.  He is NOT a bumper horse because he jumps and stays but he has shown 2 excellent runs in bumper races to date – 3rd at Ludlow as well as 2nd at Plumpton.  He is still for SALE.  Owner Wilson Dennison sells all his horses and has had some top horses through his hands.  If anyone buys Ballylifen they will have so much fun.  He is a future Chaser but should have no trouble winning his hurdle races on the way.  He is such a lovely horse to deal with – so enthusiastic and straightforward and he is still only 4 years old.   We plan to run Somersby on Thursday in the Peterborough Chase.  A pity it’s not over 3 miles but nothing is ever perfect and the horse is well.  Calgary Bay is doubly entered at the weekend – Doncaster and Cheltenham. It all depends on the weather.  Watch this space. [more...]

Rain at last?

The horses are still running satisfactorily.  Silver Roque was 3rd at Newbury in a Novice chase – he jumped hesitantly to start with and probably needs further.  The rain is on its way so we are told, and it’s certainly raining here today at West Lockinge.  We have a good few entries this week.  Somersby in great form and on course for the King George on Boxing Day. [more...]

BERTENBAR WINS

Somersby ran very well at Ascot in the Amlin Chase last Saturday.  He made a serious mistake at the 3rd last – almost breasted the fence – and that knocked a lot of stuffing out of him.  After that he lost the lead to Master Minded and could not make up the ground again.  Yet he was only beaten 2 ½ lengths at the finish and was staying on.  We are LONGING  for him to run over 3 miles but the King George on Boxing Day against Long Run and possibly Kauto Star is quite a tough assignment.  High Kite also ran a nice race at Ascot and was 4th beaten a head in a photograph with the favourite from Nicky Henderson’s yard.  He has been given a fair handicap of 101 and should be able to win a hurdle race off that mark.  He has a lovely temperament and enjoys his racing.  His hurdling was slick and accurate on Saturday.   Bertenbar was a star on Sunday and won the 2m 3 ½ f Handicap Chase under Dominic Elsworth.  Tragic prize money – only £2,000 but a lovely win and his connections were thrilled.  Something is seriously wrong with the system.   On Monday, Ginger’s Reflection stayed on nicely to be 4th in his first hurdle race at Kempton.  He is still green and immature but learnt a lot and will be a nice chaser in time.  He jumps well and is a very nice type.  Craignure blew his brains and took off right from the start.  This strong pulling performance did nothing to help his cause and when he stopped quickly on the far side, Sam Thomas pulled him up as he thought something was wrong.  Fortunately all is well but he’d just burnt himself out.  Next time he’ll hopefully be firmly anchored close to the back, with a stronger bit and a cross noseband!  Obviously the run in the bumper at Sandown had wound him up too much and he ran too free at Kempton.   We have quite a few horses entered for later in the week but a lot depends on ground.  Silver Roque is due to run in another Novice chase – somewhere.  He’s a horse we like a lot. [more...]

JOIN A SYNDICATE!

Ballyculla  - we have only had a couple of interested parties in this lovely 4 year old by Westerner – a stallion who is currently getting plenty of winners.  Therefore, his current owner Wilson Dennison said that he would like the horse to have some runs to maybe kindle greater interest.  He had a run in a bumper on good/firm ground at Huntingdon on Sunday 31st October and finished 8th.  He is not a bumper horse and will next run in a 2m ½ mile Novice hurdle.  Sam Thomas who rode him was most complimentary about the horse but endorsed our views that he needs obstacles.   He is still for sale and the shares are £5,000 each for a 1/8th share, plus the keep for the year would be £2,700. Please take this horse seriously and come and see him schooling (super jumper).  If he runs well over hurdles Wilson may well withdraw him from being syndicated and send him to a Brightwells Sale at Cheltenham.   My Friend Riquet is also available for syndication.  He too has not yet filled.  A 1/8th share is £4,000 plus the keep fees for the year of £2,700.   He is a lovely horse and about 2 weeks of a run.  Please hurry if you are interested.  You will not be disappointed! [more...]

SOMERSBY PLANS

Delighted with the performances of Loch Ba and Somersby on Monday at Kempton.  We are now looking at the King George on Boxing Day for Somersby but would like to give him another run before then and have pencilled in the Amlin Chase 2m 3 ½ f at Ascot on November 19th.  Thank you all for your lovely messages re: Terry. He’s progressing slowly.  It was very moving when, on the Racecourse tannoy, he was wished a speedy recovery at Kempton last Monday.   May run a couple of youngsters at Sandown on Saturday.  Craignure a nice future chaser and will line up in the bumper.  We plan to send Bertenbar to Market Rasen on Sunday. [more...]

A WELCOME DOUBLE!

At last, things went right!  Monday was a good day and both Somersby and Loch Ba won their races at Kempton in good style.  They are 2 lovely horses and it was most pleasing to see them both in the winner’s enclosure on their first outings of the Season.  Somersby jumped fluently for Dominic Elsworth and brought back memories of the day he won a Novice Hurdle on him at the same track 23 months ago.  The horse could well take his place in the line up for the King George on Boxing Day.  We’ve always thought he needed further than 2 miles.  Loch Ba is a big raw 5 year old and often a somewhat wayward horse at home but he buckled down well to his job over fences and could also have a big future.  He too needs further than 2 ½ miles.  High Kite too ran a promising race.  He was 4th in the Novice hurdle.  He’s a sweet horse and will be a lovely chaser in time.   Terry is improving even though it is slowly.  He takes a great interest in the horses and the racing but finds moving difficult as his balance is not great, nor is his arthritis.  Monday’s double was a big tonic to him.   We have plenty more horses ready to run but are still wanting rain. It appears that Oxfordshire is a dry oasis and the ground remains firm.   There are some lovely youngsters to come out.  We just hope that the mild dry weather does not rapidly change to frost and snow! [more...]

WE NEED RAIN!

I’m still watching the weather.  Oh dear, when will it ever rain in the South?  We’ll probably get a freeze up before it rains.  If safe, we will run Harvest Song and Silver Roque at Haydock on Wednesday.  Terry is progressing and taking short walks.  He has lost a lot of weight and looks very weak but his mind is still sharp and he’s watching all the racing on the TV Channels and is busy telling me what to do!  He is delighted to hear that his very best friend Josh Gifford is making significant progress and is able to talk and eat again though he too is very weak.  Terry and Josh were such great warriors and such special friends.  I’m so looking forward to them having a reunion once Josh comes out of hospital.  It’s a privileged to know the pair of them! Two special people. [more...]

Thursday update from WLF

Terry doing well and progressing daily.  He’s a bit lazy with his speech though and may need a therapist to give him a shove!   We are both shattered by the loss of my Golden Retriever, Tiger.  He was only 7 years old.  He collapsed yesterday and despite being taken straight away to the vets they were unable to save him.  They do not know why he died.  He was extremely anaemic.  We may learn more today.  He was the most wonderful dog.  He went everywhere around the place with me and everybody knew him.  The house is empty without him.  Why do we get so attached to our animals?   The horses look fantastic.  We hope to run our new recruit Isleofhopendreams at Aintree on Sunday.  It should be softer ground up there.  It is still like concrete down here.  It is a beautiful crisp sunny day but not a cloud in the sky and no rain.  We can’t risk the horses on firm ground and withdrew our 3 from Fontwell yesterday as it was good to firm.  Surely things will change? Somersby is due to run at Kempton on Monday 31st.  We are praying for a let up in the weather before then. [more...]

West Lockinge update

Terry is making a little progress but is still a long way off being his normal self.  He is very quiet and obedient!  His speech is improving.    Just had to take my wonderful 7 year old Golden Retriever ‘Tiger’ to the vets as he collapsed this morning and the surgery is very worried about him.  It could be an internal haemorrhage as he is very anaemic.  We can’t run the horses today either as the Fontwell ground has changed overnight to Good to Firm.  Just hoping for better luck to come our way very soon.     P.S. The weather is really crazy.  Our good friend Wilson Dennison who lives in Northern Ireland and from whom we buy a number of horses reports that he has never seen so much rain in County Antrim and that the whole county is flooded and under water.  They are the worst conditions ever known. [more...]

Latest update on Terry

Terry is making progress but everything is slow.  We know that recovery takes time but the messages and cards have given him a huge boost.  He stays in bed all morning and then comes downstairs it the afternoon and watches the racing on the television.  His mind remains sharp and he shed a tea when Frankel won at Ascot.  What a fantastic horse! [more...]

TERRY IS HOME!

Terry is home!  Came back from hospital last night.  He is shaky and frail and has lost a lot of weight – could soon ride at 10 stone! – but he is sitting up in bed and has had a few small walks, and his voice is improving.  I’m sure he will be watching racing at Cheltenham and Ascot at the weekend. He is following the whip debate, and is disappointed that Richard Hughes has handed in his licence. [more...]

TERRY'S SENSE OF HUMOUR!

Yes, he certainly is a fighter!  He surprises the nurses by his determination.  The hospital will release him shortly but I’ll need a chain and padlock to keep him quiet at home.  Have already been in touch with Oaksey House in Lambourn – the wonderful Injured Jockeys Fund Rehab centre.  They sound brilliant and most helpful.  He had to do a sentence for his attractive female speech therapist yesterday and he said “I’d like to take you home”.  Not lost his sense of humour!  Thanks for all your WONDERFUL messages – I’ve read them out to him.  He is so touched – what an amazing fanclub he has. [more...]

TERRY

Terry making some progress.  He is resigned to his week in hospital and talking a little better.  He is starting to eat and likes soups.  He has walked a short way but is very shaky.  It will take time.  He thanks everyone for all the wonderful messages – so uplifting for him.  He is however very upset to hear that Josh Gifford is in hospital too.  Josh and Terry are the best of friends and go back a long way from their Race riding days.  He hopes Josh makes a full recovery ASAP. [more...]

ENTRIES FOR WEEKEND

Have entered Calgary for the 0-150 2m 4 ½ Handicap Chase @ Cheltenham on Saturday.  Would love to run him as he is very fit but worried about the ground “firm in chute” – He’s a big horse and although he loves good ground I’d hate to injure him especially just for the sake of an early race on uncertain ground.  Reports on Cheltenham (from outsiders) are that the ground is very quick.   Have also entered a few nice horses at Kempton on Sunday but the same re ground applies.  Please can we have some RAIN! [more...]

UPDATE ON TERRY

Everything is more upbeat today.  He has had a good 24 hours and is able to manage to say a few sentences.   He is not very fluent and gets lost for words but it is a lot more encouraging and he has an excellent speech therapist.  A good few swear words come out!  He will stay in hospital for a while but is overwhelmed by all the messages he has had from well wishers.  Thank you all so much. [more...]

DROUGHT AND TERRY UNWELL

The horses are very well and a lot are ready to run but we are still suffering from drought conditions here at Lockinge and the ground is extremely FIRM.  We have been unable to school any horses in our schooling field for a fear of injuring them on the ground.  Fortunately, we do have our loose jumping school which is on a good all weather surface.  The north of the country seems to have had plenty of rain and in Ireland I see it is soft and even heavy in places.  Today, Monday, it is very windy and very mild with us.   NOT a good weekend either as Terry suffered a stroke on Saturday and I have spent a lot of my time in the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford.  He is in the Stroke Ward – Ward 5B Room 6 and looks like remaining there for a while until he can swallow and speak properly.  Currently he is being fed by a drip and by a tube directly into his stomach.  It looks very uncomfortable but he seems fairly peaceful.  I will know more about the prognosis when I see the Doctor this afternoon.  Weekends are never any good at hospitals – it was difficult to get much sense out of anybody on Sunday. [more...]

SOME RAIN PLEASE?

This weather is so frustrating.  It seems we should be in Scotland or Ireland.  Absolutely no rain here in Oxfordshire and the ground is going back to concrete.  The horses are raring to go.  A lot of them are ready to run but we dare not risk them and the next forecast is SNOW! [more...]

Today's Open Day

We had a fantastic Open Day today.  The sun shone and the horses looked great.  We had an excellent turnout.  The dog agility and the para showjumper rider’s  - Susi Rogers-Hartley - display were also hugely popular.  There are still some syndicates to fill but the horses should soon have workable numbers.  They are lovely individuals and raring to go! More pictures will be posted shortly especially jumping ones. [more...]

OPEN DAY THIS SUNDAY - 25TH SEP!

The Autumn has definitely arrived – it is much colder and very blustery but we still need more rain.  We get heavy showers but the wind then evaporates all the moisture and the ground stays firm.  However, despite starting to get Winter coats, our horses look great and are progressing well with their fitness.  We hope to have some runners in about 2/3 weeks time.   At the moment we are busy organising our Open Day for SUNDAY.  The parade of horses is at 12 noon.  We have ample car parking space and there will be coffee etc plus Bacon Butties and sausages from the outside caterers from 10am onwards but the YARD will not be open until after the parade.  PLEASE NOTE THIS.  Dogs welcome on leads and plenty of big grass fields to walk them in.   At 2pm we have a Para Showjumping Demonstration by Susi Rogers-Hartley and her horse Seamus, and there will also be a dog agility display at 2.30pm.   LOOKING FORWARD to seeing as many of you as possible.   Entrance Fee £10 per person, Children under 16 free.  Profits to Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. [more...]

TWO WEEKS TO OPEN DAY

I’m really pleased with the way in which the horses are shaping up.  They look great and we should have some runners in early October provided the ground is OK.  Somersby looks superb and may go for the 2 ½ mile Graduation Chase at Kempton on October 31st.  Calgary Bay will hopefully run before that at Cheltenham in October.  He looks awesome!  So big but such a gentle horse.  The younger ones are great too and we are thrilled with the new animals from Ireland whom we are syndicating.  They have settled in really well and one of them, Ballyculla by Westerner, could race in a fortnight.  He is very fit!  Obviously he needs to have owners first!    We are preparing for our small select  Open Day on 25th September.  The horses will parade at 12 noon and the yard will then be open till 3.30pm.  It will cost £10 per person (Children under 16 free).  Do come along and support us.  The profits will go to the Chiltern & Thames Air Ambulance.  There will be a dog agility display in the afternoon plus excellent raffles and tombola.  You can bring your own dogs too for walk round the farm!  We are just praying that it does not rain! [more...]

WEST LOCKINGE FARM SYNDICATES

WEST LOCKINGE FARM SYNDICATES   Friendly syndicates with weekly updates and monthly newsletters.  Frequent visits to yard to see the horses in their stables and the gallops and to meet the staff plus Hen and Terry.   Special coffee mornings plus opportunity to watch schooling sessions to be arranged throughout the season.  Excellent communication and advice given.  Fun for the future!  Including taking boxes at certain race meetings, owner participation in the preliminaries – paddock/saddling up boxes/stables etc.   ENJOY YOUR RACING AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES! PLEASE SEE OUR HORSES FOR SALE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION. [more...]

3 NEW SYNDICATES & AN OPEN DAY

It is all getting exciting now as the horses are much fitter and doing plenty of cantering.  Hopefully, not too long before we will get some of them back onto a racecourse.  There are some cracking youngsters in the yard and I really think we have a great team for the Autumn/Winter.    I have just spent a day in Northern Ireland at Wilson Dennison in Co. Antrim.  Wow!  What lovely horses everywhere – probably close on 200 ranging from yearlings to 5 year olds and he says it’s only his hobby!  Wilson’s main business is in Volvo Trucks – “Dennison  Commercials Ltd” but his property is magnificent and every year he buys top foals and yearlings privately or from the sales.  They have really good pedigrees and are super types.  He likes to get them broken in and then run them in Point to Points before he sells them on but some are far better than Point to Pointers!   For example, Bindaree won the Grand National and Burton Port was 2nd in last year’s Hennessey Gold Cup.  Plus he sold many other top horses and Festival winners too.  A lot of them are “Bally….something” as all the place names in Northern Ireland seem to start with Bally!  I have hand picked 3 horses to be syndicated for this Season.  They are about to be vetted and then I hope they will soon be at West Lockinge Farm.  They will all be ready to run in October/November.  Three super types and great jumpers.  I watched them all working and jumping at Loughanmore – Wilson’s home.  Details of the 3 will appear shortly on this website and anybody is welcome to come and see them.  Do join a syndicate – a lot of fun for the winter!   All 3 horses are sensibly priced and have had plenty of ground work done – indeed they have all had educational Point to Point runs as well.  WATCH THIS SPACE!   Terry and I had our annual holiday in Connemara in August.  We always go to the big Connemara Breed Show in Clifden on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  It is one of Ireland’s biggest tourist attractions and the town is buzzing.  A sight to behold!  I also caught a salmon on the Owenmore River by Ballynahinch Castle.  Only 4lbs but a big thrill!  Maybe I’ll take up fishing?   We are now busy preparing for our Open Day on Sunday 25th September.  Do come along! [more...]

GETTING FITTER

All going well with the horses.  Their fitness is improving and they look good.  We have a lovely bunch and some very promising individuals.  We are busy making plans for our Open Day on 25th September. Hope you can pay us a visit. [more...]

August Update

The horses are coming along really well after their Summer break and a number of them are back cantering.  We have a lovely bunch of youngsters plus some older ones and all looks good for the Season ahead.  We don’t expect any runners though until end September/early October. [more...]

ACTION AGAIN!

At last! Action again!  After a quiet Summer with the horses resting in the fields plus some of the older ones sold and new ones bought, we are off on the trail for Winners in the Autumn/Winter months.   There are a lot of new names in the yard both equine and human and everybody is looking forward to starting afresh.   To date we have about 20 horses in from grass and they are doing steady build up work – walking and trotting – on the roads and downland tracks.  They will not start cantering until later in July/August.    Watch this space for horses for sale and new syndicates.  It is all very exciting! [more...]

Summer Hols For Horses

The racehorses continue to enjoy their Summer holidays but several will be coming back into work at the end of the month.  The lack of rain has not helped the grass to grow but the horses have done well.  They always tend to thrive in dry weather.  It is the cold and the rain that causes them to lose condition and huddle into corners.  It is great to see them grazing happily in the fields.  Four of them were sold last week (June 1st) at the Brightwell Ascot Derby Sales.    Gortenbuie - £32,000 Iona Days - £23,000 Teddy’s Reflection - £15,000 Drumlang - £8,500   They have all gone to suitable homes and should win plenty of races for their new connections.  We were sorry to part with them but the owners sold them to make room for more young ones which are coming on so we look forward to training and racing the new ones.  We have several horses in the yard to syndicate for next season.  Details will appear on here in a couple of weeks time. [more...]

May update

We are now on our holidays at West Lockinge Farm – that is to say we are not racing anymore until the Autumn as we are not Summer Jump racing fans and don’t like risking the horses on the firmer ground.  Sometimes, May is a wet month and we race on into June but this year – 2011 – there has been such a shortage of rain that the racing surfaces are, in places, like roads.  Firm and rough.   It is very worrying for the farmers and horticulturists. The serious lack of rain means that the grass is not growing and the prospects of making any quantity of silage/haylage and hay for the coming winter are slim.  It has always been said the “Rain in May is worth a load of hay”.  Let’s pray that we get rain before the month is out.    A large number of our horses are now out to grass and enjoying their own Summer holiday in the fields.  The yard is having a huge ‘spring clean’ and all the boxes are being steam cleaned, disinfected and painted.  The staff are very busy.   We have some exciting new horses for next Autumn/Winter.  Rock of Allen, a lovely 4 year old winning Point to Point horse was bought at the Cheltenham Sales on 13.04.11 and Isleofhopendreams was purchased at the same place on 11.05.11.  He was 2nd in his one and only Point to Point.  Two horses have come over from Northern Ireland.  Balbriggan and Ballylifen.  They too have had pleasing Point to Point experiences and we like them very much. The former, a lovely grey by King’s Theatre, already has an owner and was 4th on his only run.  Ballylifen by Brian Boru will be syndicated at a later date and we really like him too.  He has been 2nd in a Point to Point and is a super type with a very strong pedigree.   On June 1st, we are selling 6 horses at the Ascot Derby Sales.  We may buy back a couple of them and re; syndicate them as there are some horses with decent form being sold notably, Iona Days, Gortenbuie and Teddy’s Reflection and although their owners are wanting to pass them on, we believe that they will win plenty more races.  Watch this space – photographs will be shown here next week. [more...]

OPEN DAY SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2011

We are planning to hold a big Open day here on Sunday 25th September 2011. We will parade the horses, show off the yard, have various extra attractions, trade stands, dog agility etc etc.  Please put the date in your diary. [more...]

Early Summer

A number of our horses are now happily out in the fields and enjoying their Summer break.  The ground is so firm to jump and race on at the moment.  We are looking to buy some new recruits for the coming Autumn/Winter Season and some of our present inmates are going to Ascot Sales on June 1st either to go Point to Pointing next year or else looking for a change of scenery.  We are about to start a new syndicate with an Irish Point to Point horse.  Watch this space! [more...]

HAPPY EASTER

The ground on the racecourses is a big cause for concern.  No rain and very dry everywhere.  Calgary and Somersby are both very happy and out in the field all day.  They will not run again until next Autumn when hopefully Somersby will be stepped up to 3 miles and Calgary will race in some decent Handicap Chases.  Hopefully Aintree again for the Becher Chase.  We have a lovely new horse in the yard, Rock of Allen, he won a Point to Point in Ireland in March and is a gorgeous individual.  Sadly, Job One, broke down at Stratford on Saturday despite the Racing Post saying he looked ungenuine and needed headgear.  It is so distressing when the “Analysis” of races is so inaccurate.  He will be retired and will have a home for life with a friend of the owner’s.  We hope to have runners over Easter but so much depends on the weather and the ground. [more...]

CALGARY BAY IS FINE

Calgary Bay is fine after his fall in the National on Saturday, and we would like to thank everyone for all the messages we have received asking about him. [more...]

AINTREE

With all the beautiful sunshine and higher temperatures, the ground is rapidly drying out but the going at Aintree promises to be good.  We are taking Somersby for the Melling Chase (2m 4f) on Friday and Calgary Bay for the Grand National on Saturday.  Robert (Choc) Thornton rides the former, and Hadden Frost gets the leg up for his first experience of the big fences on the next day.   Both horses are fit and well.  The racing is sure to be very competitive and there will be some of the best English and Irish horses taking part.  Terry is looking forward to sizing up the Liverpool talent on “Ladies Day” on Friday.  There are always some amazing sights!   Next week we plan to have even more runners – weather permitting, and I will be attending the Brightwells Sales at Cheltenham on Wednesday 13th.  This is a sale largely comprising ex Point to Point horses for Ireland and it has a great record.  Cheltenian who won the Festival bumper in 2011 was sold at it in 2010, and other good winners include Line Freedom, Wayward Prince, Realth Dubh, Minella Class and Peddlers Cross [more...]

POST CHELTENHAM

After a busy Cheltenham week, we are pleased to say that Somersby has come out of his race – the Queen Mother Champion Chase – in which he was 5th – very well.  Had he not made a bad mistake at the 3rd last he would probably have been placed.  He will now be campaigned for longer distance races and will probably be entered in the Melling Chase at Aintree over 2m 4f before stepping up to 3 miles next Season.  He is still very young and was the youngest horse in the Champion Chase.    Calgary is progressing well towards his run in the Grand National on 9th April. He looks fantastic.  Next week will be a quiet week, with only a few runners from West Lockinge Farm but April promises to be very busy.  Terry and Hen are off to Lismore Point to Point on Sunday in Co Waterford to try and spot some new talent.  It was at this Point to Point that they found Best Mate!   All shares in Ballygarvey are now virtually sold.  There is possibly one still left.  He will be ready to run in 2 weeks and works really well. [more...]

CHELTENHAM NEWS

Everybody is excited and looking forward to Cheltenham next week. We hope to have a few runners from West Lockinge Farm but as far as handicaps are concerned a lot depends on the ballots.  Somersby is set to contest the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday and Robert (Choc) Thornton will be riding him.  It was felt that Festival experience is all important when it comes to the best races, and he knows the horse having been 2nd on him in the Arkle in 2010.  Minella Theatre is set to run in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase on Thursday and we are fortunate to have secured the services of Richard Burton who last week surpassed Julian Pritchard’s record in the Point to Point world by notching up his 385th winner.  Racing Demon could run in the Pertemps Handicap but he is currently a way down the list.  If he does get in and horses come out, Hadden Frost will ride him.  Calgary Bay’s preparation for the Grand National is going well and he looks magnificent.  He has had plenty of long steady gallops which will hopefully improve his stamina.  We are hoping for good ground at Aintree as he does not appreciate underfoot conditions that are too soft.   Our current horse for sale/syndication in the yard is filling up well with new owners, but there are still a few shares left.  He will be advertised in the Racing Post on Saturday and again next Wednesday.  The sooner he is sold, the better as he is ready to run and working very well at home.  For further details please see our Horses for Sale page. [more...]

MARCH

The yard is a lot more upbeat now that the ground is drying up and we’ve had less rain.  Our horses are not heavy ground types as was illustrated on Thursday by two good runs at Ludlow on the better ground.  Gortenbuie at 25/1 ran a very nice race to be 2nd in his first handicap hurdle – he is a real future chaser in the making, and Seventh Hussar ran on well to be 5th in the bumper, a promising run.   Somersby is doing well in his preparation for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and Calgary Bay is doing a steady build up for the Grand National.  We are pleased with both of them.  This weekend we run 3 on Sunday at Huntingdon.  Two novices in the 2 ½ mile Novice hurdle.  Airdrie and Loch Ba who will be having their “third” hurdle runs and should get handicapped afterwards, plus Bertenbar in a fairly competitive 2 ½ mile handicap chase.   Not many runners next week, until the weekend, but we are pleased with the horses and the way they are going.  Most of next weeks racing is up North! [more...]

ASCOT

We have been very pleased with the enquiries regarding Ballygarvey who is to be syndicated, and we have already sold some shares.  He has settled in very well and is filling out nicely.  If any of you are at all interested in getting involved in him, please do get in touch.  We have 2 runners at Ascot tomorrow - Racing Demon reverts to fences for the first time in 14 months, in the Ascot Chase, and Teddy’s Reflection runs in the Reynoldstown Novice Chase. [more...]

BALLYGARVEY

Ballygarvey has arrived and takes everything in his stride.  He is a really nice “person” and very friendly in the stable.  He had a good journey from Ireland overnight on Thursday, and arrived with us Friday morning at 6.30am.   On Saturday he was out on the gallops and we like what we see!  He just needs some shareholders.  He should be ready for a race in about 3 weeks time provided all the paperwork is up to date.  Please seriously consider a share in this really promising 5 year old!    Fortunately we had no horses to run at Newbury on Saturday.  What a freak tragedy they experienced there.  It all looked so unreal on the television.  One could not believe what one was seeing.    We did not run Soixante at Kempton on Friday as developed a tooth abscess and his face and mouth were noticeably swollen when he got to the races.  Horses seem to dream up a lot of excuses not to run!  Fortunately it has responded to antibiotics and it is already much better. [more...]

WYATT FAMILY WINNER

We were delighted with Bertenbar’s run at Fontwell on Sunday.  He won the 2m 2f Handicap Chase in emphatic style and jumped superbly.  His owner/breeders were all there – the Wyatt family – and it was great lift for them to see yet another homebred win on the track.   Airdrie and Seventh Hussar ran satisfactory in their Novice Hurdle and Bumper, but Airdrie needs further and fences and Seventh Hussar needs better ground.   Ballygarvey is arriving this week, probably on Friday, now that the gales have subsided. [more...]

WINDY WEEKEND

Ballygarvey is due to come over from Northern Ireland next week once the gales subside.  We are longing to get him over.  Please see details and photos of him on our Horses for Sale page.  He is very reasonably priced because he was previously sold in the Summer.  Unfortunately, the purchaser died so Wilson Dennison was not paid, and took him back!  As a rule, all Wilson’s 5 year olds are sold by now but this is an exceptional case and I’ve persuaded him to sell him much cheaper than he priced him at in June!  No runners on Saturday.  We were balloted out of Sandown with Silver Roque, so he’ll now go to Market Rasen on Tuesday.  We have 3 runners at Fontwell on Sunday.  Airdrie in the EBF Novice Hurdle, Bertenbar in the Handicap Chase and Seventh Hussar in the Bumper.  We hope also to run Mew Gull at Lingfield in the Bumper on Monday. [more...]

RE:ROUTE - DONCASTER TO CHELTENHAM!

With Doncaster abandoned last Saturday, Calgary Bay who was ¾ of the way there, was re: routed to Cheltenham – his 2nd preference.  After 5 hours in the horsebox he ran a super race to finish 2nd to Wishful Thinking in the 2m 5f Murphy Group Chase.  He will now have a rest and be prepared for the Grand National in April.  Somersby is extremely well and fresh.  We have decided that his most likely race at Cheltenham will be the Champion Chase on the Wednesday.  That is our aim. [more...]

THIS WEEK

The weather is a bit of concern again now with the threat of overnight frosts but we plan to run Calgary Bay in the Skybet Chase at Doncaster on Saturday, and The Vicar at Uttoxeter.  Somersby has come out of his Ascot race really well but we are still undecided as to which race to run him in at Cheltenham in March.  Hen and Terry have been to Northern Ireland during the week and have seen some lovely horses with Wilson Dennison.  The horse Hen loved in Spring/Summer “Ballytober” from Wilson’s won his bumper most impressively at Ffos Las on Thursday.  Other horses to have won from the yard this season include Hit the Headlines, Mossley and Camden as well as Burton Port who was 2nd in the Hennessey.  They are always a lovely bunch of youngsters with plenty of talent.  We plan to get a couple over to England again shortly to either sell as wholes or else syndicate them.  Watch this space! [more...]

ASCOT THRILLER

Somersby ran a fabulous race last Saturday at Ascot when he lost to Master Minded in the Victor Chandler Chase by a rapidly diminishing short head.  It was very exciting and his career best performance. He was well ridden by Hadden Frost who is now getting to know the horse and they are cementing a good partnership.  The burning question now is do we run him in the Queen Mother Champion Chase (2 miles) or the Ryanair Chase 2m 5f.  Watch this space.  Meanwhile Calgary Bay goes for next Saturday’s Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster and if all goes well he will then contest the Grand National. [more...]

THE NEW YEAR

The weather is stranger than ever. From the bitter winds, frosts and snow in December, we are now experiencing a lot of rain and above average temperatures. It is always difficult to know what rugs to put on the horses at night because if they have too few and the weather changes they could be too cold and if it stays mild then 2 rugs are too many and the horses are sweating in the morning – rather like us humans and our bedclothes! We have been running a few horses in January but the ground on the racecourses is mostly very soft or even heavy and the horses struggle to move on it. Those with good action simply cannot gallop at all and go up and down on the spot. However, Teddy’s Reflection ran well at Leicester on Tuesday 11th January, and finished 2nd , beaten only ½ length. The Chase course up there is totally different to the hurdles one which gets watered in the Summer for the flat racing. It was really quite unacceptable ground! Teddy was unlucky to come up against a mare of Nicky Henderson’s who carried almost a stone less weight. Iona Days ran a nice first race over fences and jumped beautifully. He needs even better ground and probably further than 2 miles. Somersby is very well. He could run in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot next weekend, Saturday 22nd January, or else he may wait for the 2 ½ mile Graduation Chase at Kempton on February 11th. Calgary Bay is going to run in the Grand National if all goes according to plan but could first contest the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster on Saturday 29th January. [more...]

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

I’m afraid the prospects of racing look bleak but the horses are well and are kept cantering at home.  Keeping everything crossed for a thaw as we are fed up with breaking ice and carting round buckets of water.  It is hard work but a good way to get rid of too much turkey and mince pies! [more...]

Cold snap back again!

We are once again under the grip of the icy cold weather and threats of snow but we were fortunate to get a lovely days racing at Cheltenham on Saturday 11th December.  We ran 2 horses and they performed with credit.  Somersby was 3rd in the Tingle Creek Chase to Master Minded (only beaten half a length for 2nd place and running well up the hill), whilst Calgary Bay was 4th in the A.P. McCoy Gold Cup.  We were very pleased with both of them.   Not much more news for now until racing resumes again – hopefully the Boxing Day programmes will be saved. [more...]

Teddy's Reflection

The horses continue to run pleasingly as we go into the third week of November.  The younger ones are learning their game and several are getting placed though not yet ready to win.  Teddy’s Reflection won at Ascot on 20th November under a positive ride from Hadden Frost.  He appreciated the trip up to 3 miles and jumped soundly.  We should have quite a few runners this week at Newbury but the weather forecast is bad with heavy frosts.  Let’s hope the met men are wrong again! [more...]

Season is underway

The horses are running well and a number of them are being placed.  The ground has softened up a lot due to all the rain so there are no excuses for not running because of the firm!  Somersby ran a good race on November 2nd to be 3rd in the Haldon Gold Cup to Twist Magic and he is being aimed at the Tingle Creek on December 4th.  Loch Ba ran well to be 3rd at Sandown in his bumper – his first ever race – last weekend.  He is a lovely big horse and every inch a chaser.  We have virtually filled our syndicates with the exception of Havego.  We do not have runners at Cheltenham this weekend but we have entries at Uttoxeter, Fontwell and Market Rasen.  A winner anywhere would be welcome! [more...]

A Good Weekend!

Now the weather is changing and ditto the ground we hope to have more runners.  We had a good weekend on 23rd & 24th October.  Minella Theatre won a nice 2m 5f Handicap Chase at Stratford on the Saturday and Racing Demon was 2nd in a competitive 3 mile Handicap Hurdle at Aintree on the Sunday – both were well ridden by Hadden Frost.  It was a big relief to see Minella return to form after 3 pull ups last season.  He is not easy to train and lost his way last Winter/Spring.  He also tended to break blood vessels, probably due to stress as he gets very anxious.  However, he is now spending a lot of his time in the paddocks and is much more relaxed.  Racing Demon really enjoyed himself at Aintree and jumped superbly.  He does not jump right over hurdles.  He may stick to hurdles for the time being or else he could have another crack at the Peterborough Chase in December – a race he’s twice won before.  He did not shine in the race in 2009 but was returning from a lengthy lay off and was very ring rusty.  He is much sharper this season. [more...]

Autumn Arrives

At last it looks as though we may get some rain and we plan to run a lot of horses in the next few weeks – weather permitting.  The horses are extremely well.  They have done plenty of work and are raring to go. Calgary Bay ran a nice race at Cheltenham on Friday 15th October.  He does not truly stay 3 miles on a course with a hill, but the outing should have brought him on and he has come out of his race well.  He is not an easy horse to place as he must go left handed, and there are only limited races for horses rated 150. Miller's Dawn ran yet another disappointing race at Exeter on Wednesday 19th October.  He never produces on a racecourse what he shows us at home.  He is a frustrating horse.  Maybe he needs further?  We will try him over fences at longer distances.  We have sold 2 of the horses advertised on our website in September. There are just 2 shares left in Airdrie and a few in Haveago.  Please look on our Horses for Sale page for further details. [more...]

OPEN DAY REPORT

We had an excellent turnout of owners, guests & members of the public. The weather was fine although unfortunately rather dull and cold but the horses looked great and showed themselves off well in the parade.  There were lots of compliments flying around on their condition and general well being.  Many people said that they thought they were the finest bunch of young horses we had had on show for some years.  Let’s hope we now get plenty of winners!  We too think they are a fantastic lot.   If anybody is interested in joining the West Lockinge Team we have several shares available in syndicates.  Please read our HORSES FOR SALE section for details.  We sold a number of shares at the Open Day so please don’t delay if you would like to join us! [more...]

Horses for Sale

Please see our Horses for Sale section for information on 2 lovely unraced 4 year olds for syndication. [more...]

BIG TACK SALE - TUESDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2010

There will be a Big Tack Sale on Tuesday 21st September 2010 at West Lockinge, comprising  over 300 lots.  Catalogues are being printed shortly and will be available from Pilgrim Bond  - see www.pilgrimbond.co.uk for more information, or to request a catalogue please e-mail lambourn@pilgrimbond.co.uk or telephone 01488 72911 [more...]

OPEN DAY - SUNDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Hen and Terry are hosting an Open Day on Sunday 19th September 2010 at West Lockinge Farm near Wantage.  The yard will be open to the public from 10.30am until 2.30pm with a Parade of Racehorses at 11.30am.  Entry will be £10 for adults, and children under 12 free.  Refreshments will be available onsite.   This is the first public Open Day since the days of 3 times Gold Cup winning Best Mate, and a wonderful opportunity for people to come and meet our current stars for the coming 2010/2011 National Hunt Season.   Directions to West Lockinge Farm, West Lockinge, Wantage, OX12 8QF   From M4 Travelling East: Leave at Junction 14 and take the A338 North to Wantage. In Wantage take the A417 East towards Didcot. West Lockinge is situated on the right just off the A417. *   From M4 Travelling West: Leave at Junction 13 and take the A34 North towards Didcot. Pick up the A4185 and then the A417 West towards Wantage. West Lockinge is situated on the left just off the A417, there are two turnings into West Lockinge, please take the second turn. *   From Oxford: Take the A34 South. After approx 5 miles pick up the A338 towards Wantage. In Wantage take the A417 East towards Didcot. West Lockinge is situated on the right just off the A417. *   From Newbury: Take the A34 North towards Didcot. . Pick up the A4185 and then the A417 West towards Wantage. West Lockinge is situated on the left just off the A417, there are two turnings into West Lockinge, please take the second turn. *   * Drive carefully down the lane, round a sharp left-hand bend then a sharp right-hand bend (past the schooling fences on the left). As you continue along the road you will see a wooden gateway with a track straight ahead. Turn off the road onto this track and follow the parking signs from within the gateway. [more...]

Hadden Frost

Current National Hunt Season  Jockey Arrangements for Autumn/Winter 2010/2011   As from September 2010 Hadden Frost will ride as stable jockey to Henrietta Knight.   After his successful career on the flat – rode 50 winners for Richard Hannon - and his good National Hunt Season 2009/10 when, as a conditional jockey in David Pipe’s yard he rode 12 winners which included winning the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival, Hadden is delighted to team up with Hen where it is expected that he will ride the majority of the horses in the yard.  He will still ride out for David Pipe each week and hopes to have further rides for Pond House.  At the moment he has a total of 72 winners which means he has 3 wins left before he loses his claim.   As well as N.H. racing, Hadden has had a successful time show jumping and pony racing.  He should suit the West Lockinge Farm yard where he will do plenty of the schooling/jump work with the young horses.  In addition to Hadden, Hen will continue to seek the services of other top jockeys notably A.P. McCoy, Dominic Elsworth, Sam Thomas, Andrew Thornton and Will Kennedy, all of whom have ridden winners for the yard in the past and have been extremely loyal and helpful. Hadden has his first winner for Hen at Stratford on 30th June, when he partnered Job One, owned by Tim Watts from Pertemps Group Ltd, to win the Beginners chase at 16/1.  It was a very pleasing win. [more...]

Summer

It is a quiet time of year at West Lockinge Farm, with only a handful of horses in full training.  The dry weather has made it particularly difficult for the racecourses, and the groundsmen have struggled to provide safe going.  There are plenty of courses with watering systems but as fast as the water is applied it evaporates.  Horses who are resting are doing well out in the paddocks and enjoying the sunshine on their backs.  They will start to come back into work in July. [more...]

A Royal Winner

We are now well into May and at last the sun is shining and we have got some warmer weather.  As usual, the farmers are very worried about the lack of rain and fear that with the light grass crops, 2010 will be a very poor year for hay.  So horse owners be prepared!  It looks like another expensive Winter.  As far as our Racehorses are concerned, most of them are doing very well on their Summer holidays and are happily grazing in the fields.  We do have a few horses which are continuing to run and we had a lovely surprise winner at 40-1 last week at Fontwell when Harvest Song won a Maiden Hurdle for The Queen.  He is a very nice horse but had been extremely backward before last week and had not covered himself in glory when twice running on the flat as a 2 year old and 3 year old.  He loves jumping and seems to stay well.  He remains a Novice for the whole season so will hopefully improve further on his winning run. [more...]

Firm!

It is now mid April and the ground is drying up very quickly with the cold North East wind and no rain.  It is making it very difficult to run any horses as the racecourses are giving their going as good/firm in many places.  The courses are also very rough in many places after being over used during the wet Winter months.  Somersby ran at Aintree on April 8th.  He was 2nd in the 2m 4f Novice Chase but nothing went right in the race and he got kicked at the start.  Calgary Bay was 4th in the Betfair Aintree Bowl.  He ran a nice race and jumped well, but yet again 3 miles 1 furlong proved too far.  We are hoping to race a few of our young horses very shortly in bumper races but are watching the weather. We will not risk them on dodgy ground. [more...]

Rain back again!

After my last report when the sun was shining and the days were getting warmer, it is now bitterly cold again and we seem to have had more rain than in any other week this Winter.  Our fields are saturated.  However, the horses are well and we are looking forward to plenty of runners in April.  Somersby is due to run at Aintree next Thursday (April 8th) in a 2m 4f Novice Chase and Calgary Bay may contest a race, also at Aintree, on the same day.  Not much action over Easter as there are not that many fixtures and several have already been abandoned due to waterlogging!  Everybody is hoping for a change back to Spring weather and better conditions. [more...]

Cheltenham Review

It is lovely to see the sun shining at long last and get some warmer days.  The grass is now beginning to grow and everything looks much greener after the shocking winter.  Spirits are high on our yard and the horses are getting their Summer coats through which signals the beginning of Spring.   We were pleased with out 3 Cheltenham runners.  Somersby ran a fantastic race for a young horse, to be 2nd in the Arkle Chase and only beaten ¾ length by Sizing Europe.  He looks to have a bright future as a chaser and will obviously appreciate a step up in trip next Season.   Calgary Bay was 6th in the Gold Cup and again ran a most creditable race for a 7 year old – the youngest in the race.  He did not stay the last 2 furlongs and will revert to 3 miles or 2m 6f in his next run.  The Ryanair Chase looks a more likely race for him in 2011 but that might also be Somersby’s goal as well!   Racing Demon who is now 10 years old was 8th in the Coral Cup.   He thoroughly enjoyed himself and gets on very well with young Haddon Frost.  Had a horse not fallen in front of him at the 2nd last he might well have been 4th or 5th.  He will have one more run over hurdles before reverting to fences again next Season.   We have a lot of young horses queuing up for runs now that the weather has improved and April promises to be a busy month. [more...]

Hen and Terry update

Although the severe weather conditions have now passed, it is still extremely cold and the biting East Wind continues to hinder the growth of grass and dry up the land.  At this stage, we badly need some light rain and warmth. [more...]

Back on track after severe weather

Having endured extreme weather conditions for the greater part of January, the snow and ice have now largely left us and we are looking forward to a good spring!  We have not had many runners lately as many of our horses prefer better ground or else are still too backward/young to race.  However, there are some exciting prospects for March and April and the Cheltenham Festival is only a month away. [more...]

Winter Season Winners

We are now well into the Winter NH Season, but everybody has been suffering from the recent frost and snow. Training has not been easy with frozen gallops and icey roads. However, we have had plenty of runners and some nice winners over the past months and the horses are going well. [more...]

Horses for Sale

We have several nice horses for sale in the yard and one for syndication.  [more...]

Yard Visits

Our last yard visit was in October and we all enjoyed meeting everyone who came to see the yard and horses. If you are interested in coming along to one of these small, informal visits to see the horses working and jumping then please email us for further details and we can send you more information when we have another date. [more...]