International Rescue
The last 12 months have passed us by in a whirlwind of emotions as Southgate Stables travelled the world in search of success. From France to the United States and Arab Emirates, the show has most definitely been on the road, and I cannot thank everybody enough for the support and sheer hard work that has gone into making everything possible. With our biggest team of two year olds to date, I can only look to the future with a sense of excitement as to what may lie ahead. We have already struck lucky with Myconian who won just over a cool £13,000 when winning comfortably at Saint-Cloud for Daniel MacAuliffe & Anoj Don under Mickael Barzalona. Not only was he our first two year runner/winner he was also the first two year old runner/winner for Coolmore’s freshman sire Magna Grecia.
Myconian prior to winning on his racecourse debut at Saint-Cloud
I would, however, like to point out that our hand has been somewhat forced with the decisions we have taken to travel further afield. The prizemoney in Britain is, quite frankly, abysmal and there does not appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel despite numerous calls from owners and trainers. Over the past few years, we have seen numerous people leave our sport because it is no longer financially viable to keep going and I completely understand why. I can only hope and pray that the calls for a substantial reform are heeded before it is too late for our great sport.
Last year we saw numerous horses winning numerous races with the likes of The Covex Kid who won five, George Morland and Tarbaan who won three apiece and the wonderful Manhattan Jungle who also won three including the Listed Prix des Reves d’Or and was placed in some exceptional Group 1 & 3 company. Thanks to her owners, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, she also gave us our first Breeders Cup experience in the Grade 1 Juvenile Fillies Turf and what a thrill that was as she hit the front coming into the home straight. Sadly, she didn’t quite see the mile out but with 120 yards to go she was still in front and giving our vocal cords a good workout.
Manhattan Jungle (R) & Lemos De Souza at Lexington Racecourse, Kentucky
Dancinginthewoods and Taritino both provided Solario Racing with a trip to the winner’s enclosure and I think it is fair to say that both are enigmatic characters for different reasons. Woody has masses of ability but very much likes things his own way on race day. Fred Larson gets on with him very well and gave him a fine ride to win at Kempton. Although he has yet to score again since that win he remains incredibly consistent and is currently on a well deserved holiday. Taritino has his training quirks but behind his kinks is a horse who has plenty of scope and potential for the coming season. Having scored nicely at Redcar under Stefano Cherchi he then went on to finish second at Yarmouth before putting in a credible effort in the Class 2 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes.
Another exciting prospect for the coming flat season is Awtaad Prince owned by Eclipse Sports Racing Club. He won a competitive novice at Leicester before we took a chance and ran him in the Listed Prix Herod at Saint-Cloud. He gave a good account of himself by finishing 5th and Mickael Barzalona said he was still a big baby and needed time to strengthen. Awtaad Prince was bought on a small budget for a small racing club and proves that racing can be affordable to anybody who would like to get involved in racehorse ownership.
Awtaad Prince & part owner, Fiona Sloan, after his racecourse debut at Sandown
Pride Of America is a horse that needs no introduction and, having had the summer off while the ground was too fast for him, he bounced straight back to winning ways in a Class 2 Handicap at Kempton for Kevin & Graham Freeman and Daniel MacAuliffe & Anoj Don. Tom Marquand was back in the saddle and knows how to ride Pride to perfection. While some said that the rest of the field had let him get away on a loose lead, the truth of the matter is this horse has a very high cruising speed that most horses cannot live with.
The National Hunt season is almost at a close and, while we only have a small team of jumpers, I think it is fair to say – what a team we have. Carole’s Pass and Kaleb are the new kids on the block, and both have shown enough for us believe there is more to come in future seasons. Kaleb’s victory at Fakenham was especially sweet as not only was it a first win for owners, Racing To Profit Syndicate, he was also the first progeny winner for the mighty Kalane. Without Kalane, there is a lot of the Amy Murphy Racing history that might not have happened, and I have no doubt that some of the Amy Murphy Racing’s future will also lie with Kalane.
Kaleb & members for the Racing To Profit Syndicate in the winner's enclosure
However, as the saying goes – old is gold and the ever-young Mercian Prince has been nothing short of our very own champion. The spritely 11 year old continued his love affair with Kempton when winning his fifth race at the Grade 1 track and his 13th in total. Each of his victory evokes more heartfelt emotion and he is another who has been a massive part of our success.
Hawthorn Cottage took over the reins as Queen of Southgate Stables after the retirement of Really Super and boy does she wear her crown well. Another firm yard favourite she has been an incredible race mare for Melbourne 10 Racing. Her two victories this season have some under Luca Morgan and her front running style of racing and quickness over fences invariably makes it hard for the opposition to get past her.
Hawthorn Cottage in the winner's enclosure after gaining her 7th career win
Last, but by no means least, the incredible return of Kalashnikov to the winner’s enclosure at Auteuil was enough to melt the hardest of hearts. It has been an emotional journey since he last ran at Cheltenham in the 2021 Ryan Air and the amount of blood, sweat and tears that have gone into just getting him back to the races were more than I would care to mention. There is a list as long as my arm of people who I need to thank for making his return possible but special mentions must go to my Assistant Trainer - Liz Mason, vet Stuart Williamson and the rest of the NEH team, Jason Maguire’s Ivy Lodge Farm, Ben Brain and the team at home who never ever lost faith in our treasured warrior.
Kalashnikov after his emotionl return to the winner's enclourse at Auteuil
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