17-length, New Year Double!
Tue 02 Jan 2024
Firstly, we would like to wish you all a very Happy 2024.
We finished 2023 with a double and on New Year's Day, repeated the feat, which you can read about below....
WINNER 1 OF 2024: STOKE THE FIRE, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Danny Mullins: 'The Ryans Cleaning Services Maiden Hurdle' over 2m 5.5f at Tramore.
A private purchase in November, this was his first start over hurdles and indeed, in our silks. Close up from the start, with the mud flying, he made a few novicey errors early on, but he travelled well. Making good progress and taking the hurdles well, as others started to toil, he moved into 2nd after 3 out. Soon taking the lead, he started to pull clear at the 2nd last, keeping on well after the last (as a cheer went up from the crowd!) to win easily by 15 lengths.
"Stoke The Fire making a successful start to his hurdling career, wins impressively." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2024-01-01/tramore/1305
Timeform rated it as 125+ performance, saying: "Fairly useful maiden on the Flat (stays 2m), wasted no time getting off the mark as a hurdler after 11 weeks off; chased leaders, travelled well, led before 2 out, shaken up between last 2, won easily; will stay further than 21f and open to improvement.”
Danny said in his Racing TV interview: "I thought that was a very decent performance on that ground. He learnt very fast in that race with his jumping. You'd like to think that he'll do well on the flat again too - to win like that on that ground on hurdling debut, would give you a lot of hope for the future.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://healyracing.ie/product-category/racecourses/tramore/1-1-24-tramore/page/15/
Thank you to http://irishracing.com/ for the included image of him in the winners enclosure.
Read the Racing Post story from the meeting, here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/boldog-kicks-off-2024-in-style-for-joseph-obrien-as-he-powers-to-impressive-win-on-stable-debut-aIKUD4h3eT5X/
Syndicate manager Tom says: "That was the perfect start, so many congratulations to his owners. Timeform have given him a lofty rating for that and both Willie and Danny were very taken by his performance. He coped with the ground well and warmed to his debut jumping task well as he went round. He is likely to head for either a listed or Grade 3 Hurdle next time out and we couldn't ask for a better way to both start the year and our relationship with Mr Mullins!"
Shares are available in this exciting horse with the legendary, Willie Mullins! See these opportunities, here; https://www.middlehamparkracing.net/horses/view,stoke-the-fire-by-vadamos_1545.htm
WINNER 2 OF 2024: DEAR MY FRIEND, trained by Charlie Johnston and ridden by Joe Fanning: The Class 2 'BetMGM: It's Showtime Handicap' over 1m at Newcastle.
Back after 129 days off, he looked really well in the paddock and towered above the others as they stood in the stallls. A little awkwardly away, he was soon prominent; sat in behind the leaders in the centre. The field closed in around him and he lost position 2f out, having to switch left. It looked like an impossible task to get out from there, but Joe steered him through as a gap opened and he quickened well to take the lead inside the final furlong, pulling away, to win by 2 lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Newcastle/01-January-2024/1545
Timeform rated it as a career best t112+ performance, saying: "Made a winning reappearance over this C&D for the second year in a row with a big effort after 4 months off, having been gelded and had a breathing operation since last seen, quickly pouncing once in the clear to justify market confidence; in touch, raced freely, going well when not clear run over 1f out, switched final 1f, quickened to lead last ½f, drew clear; very highly tried last year and should have more wins in him on all-weather.”
Joe said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He had done a very good piece of work last week, so I was confident that he would take a bit of beating. We were nearly beaten though when we were stuck in behind on the rail. He has a good turn of foot and has won well here.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385725562/x4-dear-my-friend
Read the Racing Post story from the meeting, here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/derby-runner-dear-my-friend-shows-his-class-to-win-valuable-mile-handicap-aFk324z0vUYv/
Syndicate manager Mike says: "Wow, that was a good return! Charlie had sent us some videos of him moving well at home and to see him come through the field in style like that and pull away on seasonal return was a joyous sight! Well done to his syndicate on his 4th career win, many of whom were there to collect the prizes and give him a pat. He moves over £100k of career race earnings and has booked his automatic ticket to Finals Day on Good Friday, where of course he won the Listed Burradon Stakes in 2023!"
A very good start to 2024, watching this double, Marie's Rock taking 2nd in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham and over £50,000 already in the prize money kitty. If you missed our end of year newsletter with all our 2023 statistics, you can read that in the previous story, here on our website.