Raising the Bar

In the blink of an eye, we are already at the end of February 2024 and gearing up for the season ahead.  The bar has been raised from 2023 and the goals have been set.  Last year was another stellar year for Southgate Stables with 34 winners, including two Listed winners and placings at Group level.  Multiple favourites picked up multiple races including Myconian who claimed our first Listed success of the year, Miss Cantik, Passionately, Baileys Polka Dot, Catwalk Model and Sharp Distinction to name but a few.  Although there were many special moments throughout the year, the highlight was most definitely Pride Of America’s incredible victory in the John Smiths Cup at York.  We also ventured to Germany for the first time with Geologist who scooped our second Listed victory in the Dingers Gartencenter Koln-Winterkonigin at Cologne under Hollie Doyle. We also had a plethora of second places which, in hindsight, becomes more frustrating the more you dwell on it.  However, these things are sent to try us, and it serves as a good motivator for the year ahead.

We also said some fond farewells last year and those that moved onto pastures new are going to be very hard to replace.  Kalashnikov, Mercian Prince and Hawthorn Cottage all held a very special place in our hearts and, quite frankly, life isn’t quite the same without them.  Their achievements throughout their careers were remarkable and thankfully all three will be starting out on a new beginning this year.  Kalashnikov will head to the ROR show ring, Mercian Prince, who now lives with his partner in crime Jack Quinlan, will be let loose in Team Chasing events and Hawthorn Cottage now lives with her best friend, Lucy Barry.

Naturally, those are three big sets of shoes to fill but Carole’s Pass (Charles Auld & Partner) is shaping up nicely to fill some of the National Hunt void.  Having already won a bumper and two hurdle races, we stepped her up to chasing for the 23/24 season.  Having gained Black Type in her first two appearances over fences she was then unlucky to lose Jack Quinlan when hampered by a faller at Huntingdon.  Her next outing at Exeter proved to be winning one when stretched to three miles.  Concerns over the heavy going were soon laid to rest as she powered clear of the field in the home straight.  Her next target will be the Paddy Power Mares Chase at The Festival on Gold Cup day.

Sovereign Knight (Daniel MacAuliffe & Anoj Don) made it an across the card and codes double on the same day having shown improvement in each of his previous races.  He was bought from the Arqana Summer Sale last year but required some time to strengthen into his frame hence his late racecourse debut in December 2023.  We started him at a mile and have gradually brought him back in trip to six furlongs where he made all under Kieran Shoemark at Lingfield Park.

Mamalouka (Daniel MacAuliffe, Anoj Don & Friend) became our first winner of 2024 when finally showing us the promise we hoped she would have when we purchased her as a yearling.  She had, at times, proved frustrating until we discovered her wind was failing her during her races.  She underwent a soft palate cautery and had some time out in the paddocks before returning to training.  It was instantly apparent once in fast work that the procedure had helped her enormously which subsequently transferred to the racecourse.

We were extremely fortunate to have War Bride (Mr R. A. Green) remain at Southgate Stables as she was intended to go through the ring as part of the Bronte Collection’s policy.  Thankfully, we were able to secure a private sale with Mr Richard Green and she promptly repaid her new owner by cantering around Lingfield and winning eased up by Danny Tudhope.  She was another that made a late debut and was unfortunate in that there were no fillies races available to her by the time she was ready to run.  However, she more than held her own against the boys in her first two appearances before finally getting the win she deserved.

We are extremely fortunate to have the long standing support of Steve Surridge and his Eclipse Sports Racing Club so it was a huge relief to have his two horses in training, Awtaad Prince and Miss Sunset Strip, finish first and second respectively at Chelmsford on the same card.  Due to the constant low level of prizemoney, racing is becoming very difficult for the smaller owner as the outgoings are way higher than the incomings.  So, to be able to provide a small Club such as Steve’s with a successful day at the races meant a lot to everybody involved.  Awtaad Prince also found himself in the unfortunate position of being rated far too high for a good run when finishing 5th in a Listed race at Saint-Cloud as a two year old.  It has taken all of 2023 for him to come down in the weights in order for him to finally be competitive. 

Subaltern (Amy Murphy Racing Club) has come into his own now that we have found the right trip for him and won nicely at Chelmsford to break his maiden.  The Amy Murphy Racing Club is designed to be an affordable introduction to racehorse ownership and we welcome new members to the Club at any point.  There are a fabulous group of members who are involved in the Club and thoroughly enjoy meeting up at the races and being part of the team.  If you would like more information on the Club then please click on the link below.

http://www.amymurphyracing.com/racing-clubs/racing-club.htm

With another exciting crop of two and three year olds for the new season, the story of 2024 is waiting to be told.  As previously mentioned, the goals have been set for this year and with the help of an outstanding team of owners and staff along with all of our supporters we hope that by December the story reads like this.

40 Winners

5 Black Type Winners

1 Group 3 Winner

1 Royal Ascot Placed Runner

Back to listing