Scott's Blog

I was having a conversation with my sister-in-law the other day and we were discussing what a peculiar job I have, very far removed from your average nine to five job indeed. From that conversation a thought came upon me; ‘wouldn’t it be fun to give my owners and readers of the Darby Racing website a little glimpse into the random goings on of the racing industry from my eyes.’ And so, Scott’s Blog has been born. Throughout the week I thought I shall post a few comments on the website for you all to enjoy and get a taste of what it is like working in such an unusual, sometimes stressful most times fun, and on the odd occasion glitz and glamour office that is Darby Racing.
I hope you enjoy it!

 

 

Wednesday 22nd February,2012
I visited Razorback stud to see the progress that our stunning colt by Shinzig, out of Dreaming On, has made during the breaking in process and I continue to be impressed. He is a strong, precocious colt that looks full of potential. Scott Wade, of Razorback Stud, does an exceptional job with these young horses as they learn the ropes of what it means to be a race horse.

It was also an opportunity to take little Bella for an outing. She is certainly becoming more alert every day and her first glimpse of a horse up close was definitely an amusing experience. There was a very wide-eyed, some what stunned, look upon her face. I am sure as she continues to grow "horsies" are going to be a firm favourite of the newest Darby Racing member.

 

Tuesday 21st February,2012
French Rose trialled particularly well this morning at Rosehill winning her strong heat by 3 lengths! Trainer Gerald Ryan has always had an opinion of this daughter of Lonhro and although she has won 2 in town, she hasn't as yet fully lived up to that potential. French Rose appears to have come back very well and would be worth following!

Tuesday 24th January,2012
A busy week of yearling inspections and purchases at the Inglis Classic Sales. I'm extremely tired after a huge couple of weeks however we ended with a bang securing 3 quality yearlings, 2 by Snitzel and one by Not A Single Doubt.
Racing continues this week with Darby Racing running 8 horses in the next 6 days! Some great chances amongst them!

 

Monday 23rd January,2012
Massive week for the Darby household with the birth of Renee and my first child, Isabella Faith Darby! Both Renee and bub are doing really well and I could not be any prouder, she is absolutely gorgeous!

Massive day at the Inglis Classic Sales with 2 very very exciting purchases. Lot 213 a colt by in form sire Snitzel out of the marauding mare Zest, direct family of Melito, Zeditave, Alanon and Military Rose to name a few. A very fast looking colt to be trained by 4 time Golden Slipper winner Clarry Conners. 5th Golden Slipper could be on the cards??

Late in the day trainer Gerald Ryan brought my attention to what he described as the one of the colts of the sale. Lot 369 a magnificent chestnut colt by Shinzig out of the Marscay mare Dreaming On. Take a look at his photos on the home page an outstanding type that could easily line up in next years $250,000 Inglis race.

Day 3 tomorrow with still a couple of nice horses on the radar!

 

Friday 28th October,2011
Our quiet period is over! Cordelia racing tomorrow at Rosehill! 4 horses trialling Monday, 3 horses racing Tuesday and another 10 or so horses to race in the next 4-6 weeks! It is about to get crazy and I'm looking forward to every minute and wish all owners the very best of luck and great success!

Special mention to Eight Thorns returning to racing on Tuesday now under the care of Terry Robinson. He has been off the scene for over year due to injury and has run into some very good horses in his short career including So You Think, Maluckyday, Count Encosta, Once Were Wild just to name a few. Good ability and we wish the owners and the horse the very best. Tuesday will be used just for fitness as it is an unsuitable 1000m.

 

Sunday 16th October,2011
Great day yesterday for 2 of the Darby Racing trainers Gerald Ryan and Clarry Conners!
Gerald won 2 races at Randwick both by his very own trained Snitzel! 2YO First starter Amorino, which pleased me greatly as I had him picked out to buy however Gerald had already lined him up for another client at this years Magic Millions. The 2nd being Hot Snitzel who returned from a spell in fine fashion.
Clarry Conners then claimed the last race at Caulfield yesterday with the very talented Satin Shoes!
Also I must mention Marc Conners unveiling a first starter on Thursday at Wyong, 'Didntcostalot', that broke the track record. Looks promising!

 

 

Monday 12th September,2011
A great day was had by all yesterday at our Open Day held at Clarry Conner's Victory Lodge stables. With near 150 people in attendance and 14 horses paraded the day was a huge success with clearly the highlight being Chris Lawrence from the West's Tigers in attendance to view his Charge Forward filly 'Star Charge'. Chris was very obliging with his time signing many jersey's and hats for all the kids.
Big special thanks to all who attended and helped out on the day! Watch channel 7 news tonight for a story on Chris Lawrence at our Open day!

 

Friday 2nd September,2011
Massive congratulations to Terry Robinson the trainer and the owners of Gladiator winning today at Canberra! It's been a long road with Gladiator after showing promise with original trainer Gerald Ryan and winning twice, Gladiator found himself up at Mackay where he went through a fence and failed to return to his best after injuring his shoulder. We decided not to give up after soome very poor showings and brought him back down to NSW under the care of Berry trainer Terry Robinson. Terry has done an outstanding job with him for a first up very unfit 2nd at Goulburn and then today winning very well at Canberra. Plenty more wins look instore for this extremely well bred son of Hussonet closely related to Not A Single Doubt.

Very best of luck tomorrow to the owners of French Rose at Warwick Farm! She will be at very good odds and is tipped to run a very big race!

 

Wednesday 24th August, 2011
A very long day yesterday after an early morning start at track work at Rosehill then plenty of office work before heading to Warwick Farm to watch French Rose tackle her 2nd race this time in. Disappointing result to finish 5th but certainly not disappointed in our horse as our jockey Nathan Berry so firmly put it, she just did not go a yard on the extremely cut up racing surface. Nathan felt the heavy 9 surface was not that wet but just cut to pieces with holes all over the place. Nathan told the owners to totally forget the run because if there were 50 holes in the track then we hit all 50 of them. Every time Nathan asked her to go forward, French Rose could not get her footing and scrambled the entire journey.
One thing is for sure, French Rose is going exceptionally well on the training track and she will be back to her best on a better racing surface.

 

 

Thursday 11th August, 2011
It's been a tough seven days battling the dreaded flu but I now seem to be getting on top of it!
It was wonderful today to see 4YO Commands mare, Queen Commander break her maiden at her 19th start! Queen Commander has really tested trainer Clarry Conners and owners patience however today she was not to be denied at Goulburn! It is quite staggering that it has taken this mare so long to win a maiden when you consider she has been nosed out at Warwick Farm and been close up in a number of metro Sydney runs. she has always shown good ability but has just failed up until now to put it all together. Well done to the owners and I'm sure she can win more races when she returns from a spell!
Off to Rosehill tomorrow morning to video track work for owners with some exciting prospects going through their paces!

 

Saturday 6th August, 2011
Great return today by French Rose at Randwick finishing 2nd first up from a spell in the 1100m Fillies and Mares benchmark race. Ridden by Nathan Berry and starting at 20/1 in the small 7 horse field, the camp was very confident the daughter of Lonhro could perfom well. The owners were very happy and she appears to have a good spring ahead of her.

 

Saturday 29th July, 2011
A good day at the trials and races yesterday with Rockaway Star leading all the way at Geelong to win his 4th race! Also fantastic to see Gladiator return from a bad injury and a horror preparation last time to finish 2nd at Goulburn with a tonne of improvement to come. On the last Darby TV episode I told everyone to watch our 2YO Rock This World, the son of Fastnet Rock is a big slow maturing colt and raced really well yesterday at Goulburn. He finished a close up 5th but was the only survivor from the on pace runners after a blistering pace was set and then was checked down the straight. It would pay to follow this horse in the Autumn next year!
Regal Choice trialled really well at Warwick Farm and is now set to debut at Canterbury on Wednesday!

 

Saturday 23rd July, 2011
A very busy and wet week of videoing track work sessions for owners at both Warwick Farm and Rosehill. I'm really looking forward to the spring with some very nice gallops witnessed this week with some unraced and some familiar horses to return to racing shortly. French Rose a multiple city winner looks to have come back in fantastic order easily working the fastest of the morning at Rosehill yesterday running her last 200m in an effortless 11.47s on a very wet track. A rising 2YO that caught my eye yesterday was a little Snitzel filly named Cordelia running her last 200m under double wrapps in 11.9s. Darby Racing has had 2 Gimcrack runners in the last 3 years and the way this filly is going, I can't see why she won't make number 3. Cordelia was purchased at this years Magic Millions for just $50,000 and looks to be a real jump and run type, not overly big but compact and strong and wants to run. From the moment she was broken in the reports were that she rated herself and really wanted to run.
Just a couple of shares in one of last syndications for 2011 by Snitzel who just started work with Gerald Ryan, lovely sprinting colt that will be set for all the early 2YO races.

 

Tuesday 19th July, 2011
A very cold and wet day out at Wild Oaks Spelling Farm photographing about a dozen of our Darby Racing syndication horses for the owner updates. The temperature gauge in the car said 6 degrees however with the rain and wind it felt more like -2 degrees. Anyway all the horses looked good and are well looked after by the team at Wild Oaks. One colt I think you should keep your eye on providing he stands up as an early 2YO is the very big, very mature 'Hurricane Henny'! By first season sire Henny Hughes this lovely 16.1hh yearling colt is big, athletic and extemely mature for his age, he may just be the colt to show up in the early 2YO races.
Off to track work at Warwick Farm tomorrow to video some work outs for the owners!

 

Wednesday 29th June, 2011
Renee’s grandmother is 89 and still going strong. Until I married Renee and introduced horse racing into her family, no one knew this family matriarch loved horse racing... maybe she didn’t know herself. Nevertheless, “Ma” as she is known to everyone has turned into something of a good luck charm for me, being present at times of big wins, including Flaming’s win of the listed Civic Stakes. Today, she is heading to Canterbury with her social club and has been crossing her fingers for weeks that Darby Racing has a runner she can cheer on. Well, I’ve exceeded myself. Not only do I have a runner, I have TWO! Stradasun and Rock This World will be flying the Darby flag (Rock This World setting out on his debut run). So Ma, I’ve done my bit, I hope you can bring home a winner for me! We’ll see you on track.
On another note; Well done to Elastane for his hard fought second yesterday afternoon at Mackay.

 

Tuesday 28th June, 2011
Fortunate is the trainer to figure out what makes their horse tick. Lucky is the trainer who discovers it by accident. Such is the story of the impeccably bred and long time frustrating Darby Racing mare Fantasising. Out of a dam that is the full sister to General Nediym no less, you cannot blame me for having excitedly high expectations about this horse when the hammer fell my way three years ago at the Magic Millions yearling sales. As frustration after frustration increased with each race this racing blue blood ran, I was at my wits end. That was until apprentice Sam Clipperton proved a fine horseman in the making three starts ago when Fantasising’s saddle slipped and she took off like a scalded cat, only to be run down on the line with Sam hanging on around her neck! Our luck got better. Next start, with the same jockey aboard, Sam dropped the whip in the race and had to ride her out hands and heels... AND SHE WON!! Here’s a thought: maybe she doesn’t like the whip!! Yesterday, she flew home from a back markers position on the turn to finish second, and with a bit of extra distance may have just caught the winner. No doubt, Terry Robinson will be instructing any jockey that climbs aboard her in the future to leave their whip in the change rooms!

 

Monday 20th June, 2011
It may have only been a class 2 race at Moruya however impeccably bred mare Fantasising overcame all odds to win her second race today for her extremely patient owners!
Coming off the back of a very unlucky run at Goulburn where her saddle shifted forwarded in the middle stages of the race giving Sam Clipperton no control and finishing a close up 4th, Fantasising once again had to overcome trouble to win in great fashion. Settling last during the run, Sam wound her up before the turn surging 12 wide around the home bend, Fantasising accelerated quickly but with 200m to go Sam Clipperton dropped his whip, ridding her hands and heals to just get there on the line. Perhaps this is the key as Sam reported that when he did give her a couple of hits with the whip she didn't really respond until being forced to ride her out her hands and heels.
A huge congratulations to all her patient owners and especially her trainer Terry Robinson who has believed in her since receiving her to train this preparation. Every jockey that has ridden her has said she was looking for a mile as she only plods to the line usually not far from the winner however Terry stuck to his guns believing she had a very good sprint in track work and all she needed was a sprint journey and ridden quiet. Well done spot on!

Another highlight on the day was lightly raced 'Man of Honour' returning to the track from a long spell winning his 4th race from only 8 starts. Darby Racing purchased and syndicated the 1/2 sister by Snitzel now named 'Cordelia' at the January Magic Millions Sales. No doubt her owners will be waiting for her to race later this year!

 

 

Tuesday 6th June, 2011
Darby Racing has 5 runners around the country today! More Than Words and Magic Maestro look to have very strong chances at Cessnock whilst Elastane looks extremely hard to beat at Mackay. Ellehro and The Skater will also give a good account of themselves in their respective races at Mackay.
Very best of luck to all the owners!

 

 

Saturday 4th June, 2011
Huge congratulations to our trainer Gerald Ryan for winning the Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes this afternoon with Hot Snitzel! Gerald is having a wonderful run with the breed!
A welcome addition to the Darby Racing stables this week is the lightly raced city winning 3YO 'Courgette'! Courgette was purchased this week off clients of Gerald Ryan's to be transferred and raced in North QLD with our leading Mackay trainer Stuart Kendrick. Stuart is wrapped to be able to train a filly with her potential and she will race in the Darby Racing colours in a few weeks times as we look to strengthen our representation in that region.

Very best of luck to the new owners!

 

Wednesday 1st June, 2011
I'm heading out to Canterbury today to see if a couple of our horses can swim! Packed with flippers and snorkel, Canterbury has received some 90mm of rain this week and amazingly the track is rated only a heavy 9. I would have thought anywhere else it may have been a heavy 15.
Good luck to the owners of Queen Commander in the 1st race and Stradasun having his 2nd start in the 3rd race. Hoping that both are olympic swimmers and can fight out the finish.

 

 

Thursday 26th May, 2011
So in case you’ve missed it... it’s been raining again!! And guess who is running today up at Gosford?! That’s right!! Darby Racing’s very own mud lark Rockaway Star! I’m thinking it just might be worthwhile to hang around for the last race of the day. Currently rated a slow 7 with showers forecast. The heavy range would certainly suit the son of Rock of Gibraltar!

 

Monday 23rd May, 2011
What a bright sun shiny day it was yesterday for our open day at Gerald’s. 60 or so of Darby Racing’s owners and friends were treated to a morning of parading horse power, interesting interviews and a traditional and oh so tasty BBQ. Thanks to Allan, the master of the tongs, for keeping us well fed.
Andrew Lejeune from Sky Channel also joined us as our master of ceremonies and led us through some very interesting observations and discussions with trainers, owners and jockey’s alike. Josh Adams, fresh from his stakes win on Saturday aboard Ironstein, gave the owners great insight to their horses as he rides a lot for Gerald both on race day and track work... straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.
For those who may have seen a four legged friend they fancied yesterday, with only two horses with shares left for the season, don’t sit on your hands for too long! Many shares were snapped up yesterday and again some more this morning! Just quietly I am astounded my Charge Forward filly hasn’t charged out the door yet. What a lovely type she is!! I’m sure she will be a nice early runner. I am definitely looking to her to keep our Gimcrack representation record intact.
The day almost finished perfectly had it not been for some “too cool for school” riding aboard our Darby Racing charges out at Bathurst. Classic Rush finished second whilst More Than Words finished third. I look forward to them both saluting the judge next time around.

 

Tuesday 17th May, 2011
Busy week of preparations for our massive Open Day at Gerald Ryan's Rosehill Stables. If you haven't been to one of our Open Days I suggest you come and have a look, really enjoyable days with parades of horses, BBQ and refreshments and plenty of chit chat with other owners. Everyone is welcome even if you don't own a share in one of our horses.
This Sunday the 22nd of May from 10:30am to 12pm Gerald Ryan's Rosehill stables, Rosehill racecourse. Entry off Unwin Street!

 

 

Saturday 14th May, 2011
Congratulations to the owners of SARAMENHA after finishing a gallant 2nd in the Listed Hardy Brothers Jewellers Hampden Stakes. Drawing the horror barrier of 15, Saramenha was trapped wide and had to make a couple of runs while the favourite Benifica had the cushy run just behind the leader.
Great effort by Saramenha increasing her value gaining black type by running 2nd today and setting her up for her next couple of starts over longer trips! Well done Gerald and staff!

 

Sunday 8th May, 2011
Quite a frustrating week of racing for the Darby Racing team! Although they all ran well we had to be content with 2nd's and 3rd's with a couple looking very unlucky!
If you haven't been following our latest syndication by Lonhro out of the Group 2 winning mare was sold out in record time and this week we will launch the very exciting filly prospect by Zabeel out of the stakes winning 2YO mare Carlton Spirit. Now usually the Zabeel breed you have to be pretty patient with but trainer Gerald Ryan and myself are convinced looking at how forward this filly is and with the majority of the family running early that you won't have to wait long for this girl to run. If you like what you see then don't wait too long becaus I'm tipping she will be pretty popular!

 

 

Wednesday 4th May, 2011
Huge week of racing for the Darby Racing horses! Rockaway Star can go close again tomorrow at Gosford providing the track is nice and wet. We have 2 runners at wagga tomorrow both each way chances for Hustle and Magic Maestro! On Friday at Wagga we expect Lonchero to win the first race, his work has been sensational and it looks a very winable race. We finish off on Saturday with the ever consistent Elastane engaged to run at Mackay in an Open handicap. Hopefully there are a few winners amongst them and good luck to all their owners.

 

Monday 25th April, 2011
Rewarding day at the races for the Darby Racing horses, Rockaway Star has been out of form but on the Heavy 9 track at Gosford bolted in by 4.25 lengths paying $41 fixed odds. Magic Maestro put up a good performance to finish 4th beaten only a length and a half and probably looking for further.
Busy week coming up with The Skater racing tomorrow at Mackay for Stuart Kendrick chasing the QTIS bonus money, More than Words and Classic Rush racing at Canterbury on Wednesday and Queen Commander looking to break through at Wyong on Thursday. I will also be attending track work at both Rosehill and Warwick Farm. If time permits may even get to our new spelling and training farm Wild Oaks. Last but not least Saramenha will run on Saturday at either Hawkesbury or Brisbane.
I better get started now as this is going to be one busy week!

 

Friday 22nd April, 2011
Happy Easter to all! I hope you all have a very relaxing and enjoyable time over the Easter weekend remembering that on this day Christ died for us ALL so we may all have life even after this one!

 

Tuesday 19th April, 2011
Returned late last night from another week of sales this time at the QTIS 600 Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast! I thought the Gold Coast was supposed to be beaches and sunshine! It never stopped raining and made working quite difficult at times. Anyway I worked hard and managed to secure 2 cracking colts for North QLD to be trained by Stuart Kendrick! A colt by Jet Spur and colt by Falvelon to plunder the North QLD rich prize money under the very successful QTIS scheme. My trainer Stuart Kendrick is a massive advertisement for the scheme with his $3,000 purchase last year Masuri winning 3 races at Mackay for nearly $150,000 in prize money from 5 starts. That is incredible prize moony for the class of competition and I'm keen to get amongst it. they will also be eligible for the rich Magic Millions race series.

Huge launch also today of our colt by Lonhro out of the Group 2 winning mare Mamzelle Pedrille, winner of 11 races. I was inundated by prospective buyers to secure a share in the full brother to O'Lonhro. It looks like shares will sold by the weeks end at this rate.

 

Thursday 14th April, 2011
It has been a quieter week this time around, hence the lack of blogs – sorry about that. I think I needed the slower pace though after all the hype of the Golden Slipper. However, racing stops for no one and the Autumn Carnival is still in full swing and there is a plethora of Darby Racing charges running around in the next few days. More than Words finished a neat 6th today at Canterbury. I was quite pleased with her run, she gave her all and was only beaten 2.7 lengths. Classic Rush and Stradasun will be trialling on their home track at Warwick Farm on the same day. At Randwick on Saturday, Lonchero will be looking to step up to city weekend company, whilst Saramenha will be racing in the listed Keith Mackay following her last start in the Slipper... and word on the street is she has never looked better! And then finally on Sunday, Rockaway Star will be looking to return to the winner’s circle and Queen Commander will try and break her maiden when they run at Gosford.
As for today, I think it will be quite an emotional day for the owners of one of Darby Racing’s favourite mare, La Belle Chataigne, who will go under the hammer at the Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale. I can’t wait to see her progeny in the yearling catalogues in a few years time. I’d better start saving my pennies! Good luck Bella!

 

Thursday 7th April, 2011
It has been a Lonhro day! Last start winner Lonchero finished fourth at Wyong after stepping up considerably in distance following his maiden breaking win a fortnight ago. I am confident he will improve from this run. Gerald is doing a great job with him. While back in the sale ring, I’m going to start getting a reputation as a horse thief. This afternoon I picked up the full brother to Group 2 winner O’Lonhro for just $60,000. He looks a picture at the moment and I was wrapped to picked him up and put him in the Darby Racing colours. Call me if you wish to reserve your share in my latest purchase!

 

Wednesday 6th April, 2011
I have made my wife very proud today! She is the best shopper I know and is always out for a bargain. Today I picked up the best bargain yet. So good is it that I practically stole the goods... if you can call a horse that. The first day of the Easter Yearling Sales was extremely successful with Darby Racing picking up what I feel is the best bargain of the sale early in the morning and then finishing it off with another terrific purchase at the very end of the day. It was kind of like Darby Racing bookends for today’s auctions.
I recently decided to try and find myself a So You Think or a Shootout and I could look no further than their very own sire, High Chaparral. Swooping in after lot 15 (High Chaparral/Richfield Rose). I managed to secure this beautiful filly by the champion producing sire, who also happens to be the half sister to the three time group one winning mare Miss Potential. And what is even better, I only had to pay $90,000 +GST to secure her – much less than I originally had her marked down for. Anyone who is in racing cannot deny ever having thoughts of winning a Melbourne Cup or a Cox Plate, I know I certainly dream a little in that regard. This filly is so well bred, her x-rays are faultless and her conformation is impeccable that you never know... she may just be the one to make those lightly entertained thoughts a reality. Before the day was even out 40% of shares had already been sold and I’m sure the remainder will go just as quickly. So don’t think too long if you are interested. Go check out her photo and pedigree page on the Inglis website and give me a call if you are keen, she has outstanding residual value after her racing days.
Staying with the stayers (pardon the pun), I picked up the last lot for day one, a big muscled, smart Zabeel filly. This filly has outstanding presence with a great walk and is out of the 2YO Listed Stakes winner Carlton Spirit. I really liked this filly when she was parading, she was confident and relaxed. I’m confident she too will turn into a really nice middle distance horse.
So keep your eyes on the Darby Racing website for when these babies are ready for sale or get in early and give me a call.

 

Tuesday 5th April, 2011
After months of anticipation and a huge build up to the Golden Slipper, I can hardly believe the day has come and gone. Although our little speedy girl wasn’t able to come home with the goods, I know a whole heap of owners who are as proud as punch of their trusty steed and had the ride of their lives last Saturday! For those wondering where to next, Saramenha will drop down a touch in class and tackle the Keith Mackay at Randwick in a fortnight’s time.
From group one’s a few days ago to the Inglis Easter yearling sales later in the week, it’s time to switch hats and begin the most important task of inspecting, considering and hopefully purchasing what might possibly be next year’s Golden Slipper winner. If you have ever wondered what the sales are like I suggest you get out to Newmarket later this week, sit back, and watch the quickest and some of the richest business transactions you’ll ever see take place. It’s definitely something to experience!

 

Sunday 3rd April, 2011
What an amazing experience to have a runner in the richest 2YO race in the world, the Golden Slipper! Yesterday was a huge thrill for Darby racing and all our owners involved in 'Saramenha' as she competed at the highest level in the Golden Slipper. Although she finished 2nd last from her dreadful barrier 15 we all thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was enthralling just to be apart of such a race, the atmosphere in the mounting yard was incredible.
This is Darby Racing's third year of racing and fourth year in trade and with this years Golden Slipper complete I am already planning next years assault as we have some very precocious yearlings currently at the breakers. None more so than the 2 we currently have on offer by Charge Forward and Choisir. It will not surprise me to see both these fillies line up in next years $3.5million 2YO race.
Huge week ahead with a number of horses trialling and racing, plenty to keep me busy and on my toes. Visit our stable page to view when our horses are racing and trialling.

 

Wednesday 30th March, 2011
Boy oh boy, hasn’t the buzz in racing circles really started humming in the past day or two! Yesterday was the all important barrier draw for Golden Slipper and every trainer was talking up their charges latest track work times and how well the horse is looking and how much they are eating and what the track will be like and the list goes on. Since Darby Racing began operations just four years ago we have had two runners in the Slipper and perhaps it is a case of third time lucky in regards to the barrier draw as we drew the exact same barrier as last time with Our Joan of Arc. Poor Mark Lindsey felt the weight of the world on his shoulders when he drew barrier 15 for our little girl and although our heads dropped momentarily, mine included, the group of owners at the draw rallied together, picked themselves up and are drawing all the positives together, including one little statistic that says the horse in barrier 14 (which Saramenha will move into when the emergency horse is removed) has won four times! Regardless of the draw, they’ve all got to start at the same mark and from what I can see, all the early speed is out wide and as I joked to some of the owners, coming from out wide will make the victory all the more sweeter. At present Saramenha is $71 to win on Saturday and no one is talking about her and that suits me fine. It’s often good to fly under the radar and keep the pressure off in the lead up to the big event. And just quietly, Saramenha worked the house down this morning and we feel she is peaking at the perfect time. I couldn’t be happier!

 

Tuesday 29th March, 2011
I’m finding it difficult in my role as bad cop to keep the lid on the Golden Slipper fever that’s going around. Myself and a large number of Saramenha’s owners are heading into Martin Place today for the midday barrier draw. Mark Lindsay was the lucky owner whose name was pulled out of a hat to be our representative and pick our barrier. I secretly have my fingers crossed for anything between 1 and 7 so that Saramenha can make the most of her ability to PING out of the gates. I’ll have the camera there capturing all the action for our second instalment of Darby Racing TV’s feature; the Golden Slipper build up. I’m sure I’ll find plenty of excited people to interview and of course there’s the all important moment of our barrier pick. Watch this space!

 

Friday 25th March, 2011
Woohoo! I don’t have to change my name to Elizabeth!! As you can imagine, I not only cheered today when Lonchero broke through for his maiden win (in class record time too) but also gave a huge of relief as I know some of you would hold me to my previous claim! For those who missed it, I was so confident Lonchero would win this preparation that I offered to change my name to Elizabeth in tribute to the current cordial advertisement on television if he didn’t come up with the goods! The big fella was masterfully ridden by Chris O’Brien in the second today at Wyong and his charge home in the last 200m was nothing less than eye catching! I am beyond thrilled to finally see a number one against his name. Congratulations to Lonchero’s owners who have been hugely patient as the gelding has developed and I hope he can be equally as devastating in future races to come!
On another note, the Darby Racing Footy Tipping competition is now in full swing and I don’t know about you but it has brought me a great deal of frustration thus far! I can’t believe how inconsistent most of the teams are play, however, as a Tigers supporter I am probably a little more used to it than most!! Come on Tigs!!

 

Thursday 24th March, 2011
I shall keep my blog very brief today as there is really only one important thing to say:
Happy Birthday to my darling wife Renee!

Also Congratulations to all the Lonchero owners, great win at Wyong today by the Darby Racing son of Lonhro! Many more wins in store I'm sure!

 

Wednesday 23rd March, 2011
Yesterday, the owners of two year old Snitzel filly Saramenha, unanimously decided to press ahead with her Golden Slipper aspirations and will be paying up her acceptance fee of $30 000 this Friday. Saramenha will be the second horse in our short history to fly the Darby Racing flag in the coveted race, Our Joan of Arc being the first. A very excited Nathan Berry will saddle up in his first Slipper ride as Saramenha’s jockey - a terrific feat as an apprentice. Nathan was so excited when I first told him that he responded with an enthusiastic promise, “I’ll ride her like a $1.10 favourite!” It’s hard not to get carried away in the lead up to big occasions such as the Slipper and it’ll be my job to play bad cop in an attempt to keep everyone’s feet on the ground I think. But in all honesty, I’m just proud to have a runner in such a prestigious race.
On a different note, we have settled nicely into our new office and there is plenty of wall space to hang our many winner’s photos instead of having them stacked in the corner. Renee and I and our fur kids have also settled in well to our new home, although we do have a little task of making the back yard Chester (our 6 year old Rottie cross) and Aisha (our 1 year old Labrador) proof. A few holes have already started to appear in the lawn and one of our new neighbours was unfortunately introduced to Chester (who is slightly huge and slobbery) when he hung his head over the fence and greeted her face to face with a loud bark. Funny in retrospect but I doubt she thinks so... she is only four!! Oops!

 

Monday 21st March, 2011
What a weekend!! I can’t get over how much it has rained. In retrospect it was probably a very good weekend to be away from the track and inside out of the wet. It was also a weekend for the bookmakers. Can you believe only one favourite got up on Saturday at Rosehill, the ever consistent More Joyous. I, like many others, expected the unbeaten two year olds, Sepoy and Satin Shoes, to remain unbeaten but what a boil over, especially for Sepoy. The market for the Golden Slipper was well and truly thrown wide open after his defeat and I now have difficulty putting my pennies on one horse to come away with the coveted trophy in two weeks time.
Saramenha was supposed to trial today however the Warwick Farm trials have been called off due to the rain! She will now either trial Friday or race on Saturday before taking her place in this year’s Golden Slipper on April 2!
Lonchero, More Than Words, Queen Commander and The Viper are all running this week and I’m feeling confident the Darby Racing Team can come away with a win or two but a lot will depend on the state of the tracks after all this rain and how well the charges handle the going. Fingers crossed!

 

Saturday 19th March, 2011
It is safe to say two year old Saramenha didn’t set the world on fire last weekend in her first start back this prep in the Sweet Embrace Stakes. We were originally planning on running the filly in today’s Reisling Slipper Trial but she came to hand really well after her spell and was ready to race earlier than expected. Jockey, Nathan Berry, believes the daughter of Snitzel knows too much about racing already despite only a handful of starts and is “too cool for school” in her racing now, settling a little too much in her run. Yesterday at track work we applied the blinkers for the first time and boy did she sharpen up her act. Gerald was really pleased with her work and she will now run in a trial on Monday morning at Warwick Farm to allow her run with them on in amongst other runners before her next race.
This weekend will be a nice and quiet one which is just what the doctor ordered after a long few weeks in the lead up to the move, the move itself and the many charges running around recently. I’ll need it to recharge the batteries as we head towards the mayhem of the Golden Slipper and the plethora of horses returning to work.
Oh and by the way, check out our latest episode of Darby Racing TV featuring Marc Conners!

 

Wednesday 16th March, 2011
What a week it has been! If you haven't kept up to date, Darby Racing has moved offices. It has been extremely hard work but finally we have just about completed the change over to a much bigger office. The space is much appreciated and I look forward to working in the new surrounds.
Looking forward to the up coming Autumn carnival, Darby racing has a number of horses back in training with some set to return to competition shortly.
French Rose finished 6th in the Canberra Guineas on Sunday and heads to the paddock for a well earned spell after a very fruitful preparation. French Rose won 3 races including in town at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Congratulations to all her proud owners!
Off to the spelling Farms tomorrow to check on all our horse spelling and the ones in pre training to provide all the owners with photos and information on how their horses are progressing.

 

Thursday 10th March, 2011
And I thought I was busy last week!! This week is ridiculous, mainly because we are moving office. As most of you know, I work from home and things are just getting a little too crowded and space is at a premium. Renee and I made the decision earlier in the year to move from our humble abode and we have found a great new home not far from where we are now which is very handy indeed. The new place is very spacious and will mean a bigger office area, a more organized work place and Mark and I won’t be in each other’s laps all day. Of course if the office is moving, it also means Renee, myself, and our fur family (Chester and Aisha) are packing up and moving too which means only one thing... well two really; lots and lots and lots of boxes and one very sore back at the end of it all. Wish me luck!

 

Tuesday 8th March, 2011
Ha ha!! You heard it here first punters. Yesterday I let the cat out of the bag about More Than Words and she did the right thing and proved me right by winning at Bathurst paying $12.50 in the process.

Today is a big day for Saramenha and her tilt towards this year’s Golden Slipper. Gerald will make the final decision about her path to the big day in April after her morning track gallop. Originally aiming for the Reisling Slipper Trial on March 19th and then the Slipper itself a fortnight later, Gerald has recently wondered if the filly needs a back up run under her belt and has nominated her for both the Sweet Embrace Stakes this Saturday and the Black Opal this Sunday just in case. Plan A is definitely still the Reisiling/Slipper combination, and hopefully after today’s gallop the speedy little girl gives Gerald the thumbs up to stick with it. There is a wise saying I once heard, “write your goals in concrete and your pathway to those goals in sand.” One thing I can assure you all of, “The Golden Slipper” is written in concrete! Watch this space as we await the verdict.

 

Monday 7th March, 2011
The Darby Racing Team hosted another open day yesterday at Victory Lodge. It was a more intimate gathering with around 50 owners and browsers attending and as usual fun was had by all. Many of the horses trained by Clarry and Marc Conners paraded as well as a couple of the yearlings up for syndication currently. Fortunately we were once again blessed with lovely weather and it was terrific to catch up with everyone once again out in the sunshine and surrounded by the real stars of Darby Racing Team.
One of that team will be flying the Darby Racing flag today at Bathurst when More Than Words will race and word on the street is she will go very close to winning if all the cards fall our way, which as we all know is a small yet crucial part of the racing game. I shall start warming up the vocals now.

 

Wednesday 2nd March, 2011
It was yet another early start yesterday morning with the trials at Rosehill. Both Lonchero and Saramenha trialled and their efforts were quite pleasing. Saramenha was third in the fastest trial of the day, even faster than the three year olds over the same distance and should come along leaps and bounds after the hit out, whilst Lonchero finished fourth in his trial and looked extremely relaxed and confident as he picked his way through the pack late.
If Lonchero doesn’t break his maiden this preparation I’ll change my name to Elizabeth (he he he... I get quite a laugh out of that TV ad). I was at track work again on Saturday morning and he is going absolutely gang busters. Even Nathan Berry who was riding a different horse commented to me later in the morning, “That black horse is flying!” I think he might be fishing for the ride (jokes). It has taken Lonchero a while to figure out he is actually a race horse. He was so frustratingly casual in his approach, to training in particular in the past and this preparation I have seen a noticeable difference. He is more alert, always has his ears pricked and is just bouncing when he hits the track. He is such a lovely, huge, strikingly black coloured gelding and I’ve always thought he’d come up with the goods and I have a feeling he will deliver those goods very, very soon. Watch this space!
Anyway, I can’t stay and chat, things are extremely busy here at Darby Headquarters at the moment - things to do, places to go, people to see, horses to check up on, horses to buy, horses to sell... the list goes on!

 

Monday 28th February, 2011
Great start to the Melbourne Premier sales as trainer Gerald Ryan and I secured what we believe is the best filly in the sale by BOOM sire Snitzel! We had to fight hard to secure lot 137 for $125,000 as there was some spirited bidding to secure the very classy daughter of Snitzel who was clearly the pick of all the Snitzels catalogues at this sale. She is out of Monte Rosa, a full sister to stakes winner Nina Haraka. Gerald believes that this filly is possibly the nicest filly Darby Racing has ever purchased and is the closest filly in looks and type he has seen to his race track star Snitzel!
This quality precocious filly be syndicated shortly!

 

Thursday 24th February, 2011
I can only describe French Rose as “Trés Magnifique” following her second win on the trot yesterday at Canterbury in class record time, making it three wins from her last four starts. Ridden beautifully by young apprentice Adam Hyeronimus who himself has just returned to racing following an horrific fall, French Rose charged home in the fourth to win by a half neck. Nathan Berry was spot on when he said this young lady hasn’t missed a beat since her last start and Gerald and his team will now look at setting her for the Canberra Guineas. It would be awesome to see her complete her picket fence (three first places in a row, i.e. 1-1-1) in the nation’s capital and in a listed race as well.
Another bit of exciting news today was the release of the order of entry (as it currently stands) for this year’s Golden Slipper and Darby Racing’s very own Saramenha sits at number four. Obviously one week can be a long time in racing, let alone six, and it will be a great effort just to get her there. I am looking forward to the challenge, and what a mighty one it will be!

 

Wednesday 23rd February, 2011
It was another early morning yesterday for me at the Warwick Farm trials. Many members of the Darby Racing Team are back in work and getting close to racing. Rockaway Star, Queen Commander and The Viper all trialled yesterday and I was pleased enough with their efforts.
Rockaway Star – 2nd by 0.2 lengths
Queen Commander – 3rd
The Viper - close up 6th

I was met with a most unusual problem the other day – How to post a winning owner’s trophy… to Canada. As all of my owners would know, when their horse wins either a sash or a trophy there is a ballot to see which owner receives it. I think this is the fairest way of doing it and it is always a joy to make the phone call to tell the respective owner to keep an eye out for the post. When French Rose won at Gosford she received a lovely trophy of a horse (in fact, all winners at Gosford regardless of the class of race receive this cute little trophy and I think other clubs would be wise to take note of this) and Peter Deys name was pulled out of the hat to keep it. Trouble is, he lives in Canada. Not one to shy at a barrier, I parcelled it up, put metres of bubble wrap around it, affixed hundreds of stamps and sent it on it’s merry way. Hope you get it soon Peter! Tom Beath was the other lucky owner who takes home the sash from French Rose’s win at Warwick Farm on the day of the Darby Racing Lawn party.

 

Tuesday 22nd February, 2011
Boy oh boy, have I been a busy bee in the last few days? On Sunday, still a little bleary eyed from Saturday’s wedding that we attended, Renee and I and about ten or so owners headed south to Shoalhaven Heads to meet Darby Racing’s newest trainer Terry Robinson. Terry Robinson has taken over the training of three of our horses; Fantasising, Hustle and Eight Thorns. Terry has a gorgeous property that is situated near the lovely Seven Mile beach which he is able to utilise to walk and swim his charges and the overall set up of his stables is impressive. My dealings with Terry in the past have been limited so it was great to spend time with him and I was left with great confidence that he will get the best out of our horses and work well with me to continue the open communication with our owners. All three Darby horses looked well and happy in their new surroundings and Eight Thorn’s, who suffered a tendon injury, is improving slowly.

On the racing front, Gladiator will be flying the Darby Racing flag this afternoon up at Mackay so I will be tunning in to cheer him on. I would love to get up to Mackay soon to catch up with Stuart and his team, I just need to find a vacant spot in the already jam packed diary. French Rose is also running this week, tomorrow in fact, at Canterbury and is looking to continue on her winning ways. If her track work is anything to go by, she hasn’t missed a beat and should put in a good showing! Go Rosie!!

 

Saturday 19th February, 2011
I put my enforced spelling time to good use this morning and got up at 4:30am to head to track work at Rosehill. Three of the Darby Racing Team were put through their paces, with particular interest on two year old Saramenha who was having her first hard hit out for the preparation. Other Darby Racing horses this morning were French Rose who last Sunday put the cream on the cake with a hard fought win at the Darby Racing Lawn Party at Warwick Farm, as well as big boy Lonchero.
Rosie did her work first with Nathan Berry aboard who was wrapped in her efforts, naming her his ride of the morning and tell me, “She hasn’t missed a beat!” Last out onto the track was Saramenha and Lonchero who were working as training partners. Nathan was once again in the saddle for Saramenha, whilst Dean Pettit, one of Gerald’s most experienced track riders and former jockey, climbed aboard Lonchero. Lonchero, given a 2 length head start, put in a sharp gallop to hold the youngster at bay and has seemed to leave his relaxed training ways behind him this preparation. Whilst Saramenha, although not handling the chopped up track all that well, recorded the second fastest time of the morning for all track workers. All in all, a pleasing morning.
Anyways, best be off. Must go scrub up for the wedding of a dear friend of Renee’s. Congratulations and all the best Leonie and Brian!

 

Thursday 17th February, 2011
I’ve been boxed... and I’m not too happy about it!! A while ago I was telling you all how I like to start my day with a run but recently I pulled up lame. With a whole heap of pain in my leg and many urgings from my better half I took myself off to the physio today. Let me just say, physios and fun are two words that should never be put in the same sentence, although I must be careful as there is a physio in the family who I know regularly reads this blog. It seems I was a bit of a mystery to the physio who took over an hour to rule out possible causes and then finally come up with an initial possible diagnosis of nerve damage around the head of my fibula (the outside bone in the lower leg). He swiftly told me I must take two weeks off from all activity, especially running, and that it might require further investigations if I don’t pull up well in the time. Well, you can imagine my joy at hearing that news but right now I think I’ll try anything, perhaps not bandages, cooling paste and boxes though. I guess this gives me more time to get out to track work and watch my four legged friends do all the exercising.

 

Monday 14th February, 2011
What a great day we had yesterday at Warwick Farm! Over 100 owners and friends turned up for our lawn party and it is fair to say that fun was had by all. I have received some kind emails from you all attesting to that:

Dear Scott and the Darby Racing Team,
What a hoot! I thought I’d send you a quick email to let you all know what a great time I had yesterday at the Darby Racing lawn party. I very much appreciate the time and effort you clearly put in to organising the day... but then again I am not surprised considering the quality with which you look after your owners and our horses on a day to day basis. I only wish my girl La Belle Chataigne was able to join French Rose in the winner’s circle to cap off the day.
Thanks once again, Phil C.

Dear Scott,
I am not a current owner of any of your fabulous horses but I am a keen fan of racing and for a long while I have been contemplating taking that big step into ownership. Friends of mine who have a horse with you invited me along to your day at Warwick Farm yesterday and it was terrific! It seems you have brought a lot of new people into the industry and when I finish writing this email I can assure you I am heading straight to your website to find a horse I can call my own. Thank you for a great day.
Peter S.

Hey Scott ..... Just a quick thank you for today... a really relaxing and enjoyable day...
Vince F

Hey Scott and Renee, just a big WELL DONE for the today at Warwick Farm.
Looked to me like a great day for all involved, we had a great time, thanks again.
Chris and Kylie D.

Dear Scott, We had a ball! We could have kept goining for hours more, money in the bank and one of the great days. Congrats. you couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks
Peter H

Scott & Renae,

Thanks very much for your hospitality yesterday. Mae & I had a great day.
Good to see so many owners enjoying a day out at the races.

Best Regards,

Michael & Mae

 

Saturday 12th February, 2011
I can hardly believe there are only seven weeks until the Golden Slipper!! The closeness of the world’s richest race for two year olds was heralded today with the first of many lead up listed and group races for the babies. The Widden Stakes for fillies, the Canonbury Stakes colts and geldings, as well as the two Blue Diamond Preludes saw Satin Shoes, Diamond to Pegasus, and One Last Dance move up the market for the highly coveted race to be run in April, whilst unbeaten colt Sepoy firms even further as the favourite following another dominant win. I have to admit I took time out of my busy schedule to sit down and watch these quality races. The cream is most definitely rising and I can hardly wait!!
Anyway, best be off – there are still a heap of things to get organised for our lawn party tomorrow. See you all there!!

Friday 11th February, 2011
I just got a huge kick out of watching Komodo Blue winning at Walcha in a 1000m maiden. The daughter of Hidden Dragon out of Paleface Blue was a horse I bought some years ago and what a lovely filly she is. I was very disappointed to have to sell her after the vet reported she was a “roarer” and that she would not be able to race without surgery. A couple of my existing owners, Carol and Glen bought her and were happy to pay for the operation to fix the defect. That happiness turned into complete joy when the operating vet pulled out of the surgery because the initial report was in fact incorrect and there was nothing wrong with the filly. It was lovely to see her in full stride today, putting her opponents to the sword with a two and a half length win. From what I saw, I think she will be putting a few more markings in the winner’s column. Congratulations to Komodo Blue and her owners.
Definition of a Roarer: “Also known as Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN), describes the paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which normally innervates - stimulates - part of the larynx (part of the throat). Two cartilages within the larynx must move to the sides of the organ each time a horse takes a breath. If they fail to move apart - because the recurrent laryngeal nerve is paralysed - or even if they move across only partially, the airway is compromised and the horse cannot inhale enough oxygen. In top-level competition horses this results in a loss of performance, although pleasure horses can usually cope at lower levels of work.”
This is a scope of a “roarer.” The left cartilage (on the right of the picture) is very vertical and has not opened as much as the right, even when the horse has taken a deep breath in.

 

 

Thursday 10th February, 2011
It was great to get out to Heritage Park again today to photograph and check on some of our horses. A couple of our recent purchases have almost completed their breaking in whilst others are just soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the green pastures. I regularly travel out to Heritage Park as I love to see our horses change and develop and at the same time give feedback and photos to our owners. It's amazing to see the change in a young horse from purchase time to an older horse with all of them developing at different rates.

My enjoyable afternoon soon turned sour when I watched our horse Gladiator get ridden in complete opposite to our instructions given and drop out a long last in the final race at Mackay. Not only did the jockey mount the horse in the wrong colours, he was given strict instructions to ride the horse quiet from his wide barrier as he had not been finding the line up on the pace. No sooner had they jumped, our jockey had Gladiator up running 2nd on a hot speed and once again he was tiring at the point of the turn. Naturally I was fuming as I had told all the owners in the last few emails how we were going to ride him quiet today and this should really help him find the line. His work had been outstanding and he should be right in the finish. If you thought I was angry you should of heard his trainer Stuart Kendrick! Let's just say I'm not sure how many more rides that jockey will get for Stuart.

Well I guess as they say 'That's Racing'! Back to the drawing board and hopefully the instructions will be followed next time.

Looking forward to a big weekend of racing culminating on Sunday where we sponsor a race at Warwick Farm and also host a lawn party for our owners. Might need the day off come Monday!

Wednesday 9th February, 2011
I don’t know if purple with white stars is going to suit Tommy… Joking!! If you have been keeping up with the current racing news lately you will know that Tommy Berry, one of our usual Darby Racing jocks, is heading to Randwick to join forces with Gai Waterhouse as her second stable rider. Not only will this give Tommy a wealth of experience and an excellent opportunity to learn from Sydney’s best jockey, Nash Rawiller, but it will also give him access to some great rides, and Darby Racing wishes him all the best in his new endeavour. Of course Darby Racing will continue to engage Tommy for our charges where possible, but for now… Tommy, good luck, learn lots, and we’ll see you around the traps.

My head has been spinning big time lately. There is so much going on at Darby Racing as we gear up for a massive Autumn Carnival. We will kick things off this Sunday at Warwick Farm with an exclusive Darby Racing lawn party. I am looking forward to catching up with all our owners, kicking back and sharing a tasty beverage or two. Fingers crossed the track is not too hard that La Belle Chataigne may take her place in the 2200m race and fly the Darby Racing flag. French Rose will contest the 1200m NMW for 3YO’s.

Sometimes I feel like one of my four legged friends in that I need to be ready to ping out of the gates at every opportunity. Each of my days begins at the gym, going through my paces to help me stay fit and healthy and on top of my game mentally. I must confess though I am definitely a land mammal. I much prefer a solid hour on the treadmill than ten minutes in the pool. Thank goodness there is no one there to clock my efforts though.

Yesterday I headed out to Rosehill for morning track work(up at 4:30am). It is a massive operation from the team at Ascot Hill (Gerald’s stables) to get all the horses out on the track, through their work, cool them down and back home without interruption or glitch. I was pleased to see Lonchero and Saramenha put through their paces and the effort they put in was very good. Fingers crossed these two will have a successful autumn in the blue and gold. Following track work Gerald was very generous with his valuable time to sit down for an interview with Darby TV. If you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out on our home page! I very much appreciate the time all my trainers give me and our owners. I could not ask for a better group of trainers!

I am looking forward to seeing if Gladiator can put his best foot forward tomorrow at Mackay in the last race as his work has been nothing short of sensational according to his trainer Stuart Kendrick!

Monday 7th February, 2011
The Sydney Turf Club (STC) and the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) no longer exist as we know it. Last Saturday was the final race meet at Rosehill under the STC’s stewardship, whilst the meet at Randwick this coming Wednesday heralds the beginning of the newly formed Australian Turf Club (ATC) following the approval from the ACCC for the merger of the two clubs. Along with it comes a $174million package from the NSW Government to revitalise and renovate both Rosehill and Randwick race courses, the majority of which going the way of historic Randwick. All the talk is about the two big Sydney tracks; Randwick and Rosehill, but what about Warwick Farm and Canterbury race tracks I say? These two courses have so much potential and I feel they are underutilised at present. Here’s hoping the new ATC, to be chaired by John Cornish, is of the same view and puts some funding the way of these two smaller tracks.

Thursday 3rd February, 2011
First and foremost, I have just got off the phone with Stuart Kendrick. I am relieved and thrilled to report to you that Stuart and his family are all safe and well, our four Darby Racing Team charges (Elastane, Ellehro, Gladiator and The Skater) and the rest of Stuart’s horses are also safe and sound, and there is minimal damage to their property after Tropical Cyclone Yasi ripped a path of destruction through the North Queensland coast early this morning! Praise God!
In other news... just in case you missed it, we launched Darby Racing TV today! As I hope you appreciate, Darby Racing prides itself on keeping our owners as up to date as possible and making sure they are right in the loop in regards to the goings on of their horse. Darby Racing TV, I hope, will add to this and give not only the owners but other racing fans a behind the scenes glimpse into the industry and be an informative source of current racing issues and top feature stories.
Finally, I was very pleased to hear the decision today that the richest race for two year olds, The Golden Slipper, will remain at Rosehill! It is such an iconic race, steeped in history and part of that comes from Rosehill itself. I applaud this decision. After all, Randwick can’t have all the fun!

Wednesday 2nd February, 2010
Queensland... beautiful one day, floods and cyclones the next! My heart is absolutely breaking for the wonderful people of Queensland during this enormous hardship and terrifying experience. My thoughts and prayers are most definitely with you tonight and shall be for the near future as you recover. As an Australian I am most proud of the resilience of the Australian spirit and to those affected, I am confident you can once again pick yourselves up, dust yourselves off and start again shoulder to shoulder with your neighbours. However, until that time comes we are all with you in spirit and you with us in thought and prayer.
As most of you would know The Darby Racing Team have a small stable of horses up in Mackay with trainer Stuart Kendrick. Please take care Stuart, we are praying for you and we hope to hear from you and all our charges very soon.

Monday 31st January, 2011
I can hardly believe the first month of the year has already come and gone. It’s been quite a packed month for me and it’s probably only going to get more hectic as the year progresses. Along with being busy, it has been very successful for the Darby Racing Team with some great performances from our four legged athletes. This month alone the team has achieved two wins, three placings and four top five finishes.
The matron of the stables, La Belle Chataigne, went around on the weekend, finishing a creditable fourth. As I am sure you are aware, as we get older we aren’t as agile as we once were, nor do we recover as easily and Bella, who is going on six, is in the same boat. Poor Bella loves racing but has a few issues with her front fetlock joints which hampers the vigorousness with which she can train on the ground and she especially feels the harder tracks. As a result, the week following a run needs to be slower paced and the old girl needs some extra love and attention which usually comes in the form of the pool. Saturday’s track at Randwick was unfortunately upgraded to a Good 3 prior to Bella’s run and jockey Tommy Berry believes she noticed the difference. Clarry has decided to send Bella to Wild Oats Farm at near Camden so that Bella can have a week on the Water Walker. The Water Walker is a terrific Australian invention that can be used as an effective training and recovery tool as well as in the rehabilitation of injuries. It not only provides resistance against the water but the all important buoyancy that unloads the limbs. This is the perfect device for the old girl. It will allow her to recover as well as help her maintain her fitness and strength in her quieter week’s work. The added bonus is the new environment it will bring, that will refresh her mentally and put her in top shape, ready for her next start.

Here is a link to a video of the Water Walker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvt5YHtbeYw&feature=player_embedded

Friday 28th January, 2011
Maidens are being broken left right and centre this past fortnight for the Darby Racing Team. First there was French Rose and today Magic Maestro joined her with an impressive four length win at Goulburn. Twelve months ago I would not have believed this young gelding by Magic Albert would have started odds on favourite in a race, let alone win by such a large margin in a trot... ok, well maybe a bit faster than a trot. As I have mentioned earlier, it’s taken such a long time for “Maestro” to figure out what in fact he is supposed to do, to the point where we doubted him after his first preparation. But as they say, patience is a virtue and it’s paid big dividends today. The ease with which “Maestro” controlled his position in the race, settling one out one back, and then picked up the leader at the top of the straight and toying with him before pushing the button and waving goodbye was super impressive and I have a little feeling this won’t be the last time we see the chestnut first past the post by a large margin. Congratulations to all “Maestro’s” owners for their terrific patience and to Marc Conners for always believing he’d get there!!

 

Thursday 27th January, 2011
I love having the Berry boys ride my horses! They are terrific young guys and work extremely hard. Both Tommy and Nathan call me the day before riding any one of my mounts to discuss the form, the pace of the race and the all important tactics. I was further impressed when some months ago I had a long chat with the twins during morning trials at Warwick Farm. They were telling me about the hours of work they put in each day, the discipline they must have to maintain weight without compromising strength and the responsibility they feel when riding a horse for owners. Another thing from that morning’s conversation that added to my opinion was the respect they show for the owners and trainers alike, addressing each by “Mr Conners” or “Mr Ryan” for example. Being brought up with a father as a small provincial trainer and knowing how tough the industry can be for “the little guy” has given these boys a solid and reliable foundation to build successful careers from. Tommy was telling me recently that when either of them are suspended from riding their father puts them to good use in his stables and works them twice as hard that they may appreciate riding more and learn to be better jockeys. Both are very level headed and mature for their young age!
I was ecstatic to see Nathan ride his 80th metropolitan winner yesterday and catch up with his brother in terms of out riding his claim as an apprentice. Well done Nathan! (Bummer we can’t use your claim anymore though.)

Tuesday 25th January, 2010
From one sale to another... It’s Inglis Classic Sales times and no sooner have I finished pouring over one thick catalogue and I’m onto the next. The sales have been running since Sunday and finished up today. The days at this sale ring, thank goodness, are much shorter than those on the Gold Coast and the pace is a little less hectic – much more to my liking. I very much enjoy sitting under the great old fig tree at Newmarket and watch the comings and goings of the sale. William Inglis and Sons is Australia’s leading Bloodstock agent and auctioneers and have been a hugely successful company since 1867 which tells me two things; they know their horses and I can trust I am only going to purchase quality yearlings when the hammer comes down. All up I purchased four terrific yearlings, one of which is a precocious, neat, Choisir filly that will be trained by Clarry Conners. Clarry has had great success training two year olds, (he has won the Golden Slipper four times after all) and took one of Darby Racing’s very first syndications, Our Joan of Arc, to the giddy heights of group and listed races.
I have received a few comments since starting my blog and I am glad you are enjoying it. Gerald has even jumped on the band wagon telling me yesterday he logs on regularly to have a read. Hi Gerald!

Thursday 20th January, 2011
Here is an email sent to me from Julie Bone, part owner of the winning horse 'French Rose' at Gosford on Thursday the 20th of January 2011-

Sue French and myself were the only ones there today.
It was a bit disappointing that we couldn't share the moment with all the other owners, but then again we both lapped up the moment together!

It was funny as we both honestly thought that French Rose had finished 3rd from where we were sitting in the stand. It is bloody deceiving that winning post at Gosford.

We were both quite happy with the run and thinking that she has finished 3rd, we started to make our way to the paddock enclousure. The numbers still hadn't come up on the board and neither one of us bother actually bothered to check it either.

It wasn't until I stopped to wait for Sue to get past a group of people, that I heard a guy tell his mate that his horse hadn't won and that the horse on the outside had got up.
After a quick double take on seeing number '10' in the 1st place frame, all I remember is turning around to Sue who was still trying to get past a group of people calling out 'SHE WON SUE!!! SHE WON!!'. Then we must have looked like two crazy women, bowling over people who got in our way to get down to the WINNERS stall.

It was a big shock for both of us, but we cherished our moment of JOY!

Thursday 20th January, 2011
We’ve hit the ground running since returning home from the Gold Coast, overseeing the new arrivals to the Darby Racing Team and catching up on the comings and goings of the overall stable. All three yearlings from the Magic Millions have arrived safely at Heritage Park where our breaker Mark Holland and Sean Mc Cormick will put many hours into educating our youngsters. Also home from the Gold Coast is The Last General who put in an exciting effort in the three year old Magic Millions Guineas but unfortunately faded in his run when reaching the leader. An unavoidable whirlwind trip up at the last minute and a very heavy track seemed to take its toll on the big boy and he has now headed for a spell. I headed out to Heritage Park this morning to view all the Darby horses and The Last General was happy and running a muck... back to his old self already it seems.
All trainers have their little quirks or habits and don’t usually like to give away much. Gerald has a habit of early morning text messages. I have learnt to like these despite the broken sleep because they only come when he is excited about a horse. I received one this morning regarding two year old filly Saramenha. It read “She is bigger, stronger, more mature and looks great!” Things are progressing nicely for this Slipper hopeful and I can tell the excitement of the owners is building.
As I type, long time lady in waiting French Rose has just broken her maiden at Gosford. This lovely three year old has been knocking on the door for her last two preparations and has finally given her first salute with young Tommy Berry in the saddle. Here’s hoping she’ll gain a world of confidence from this effort and progress on to bigger and better things.

Sunday 16th January, 2011
Huge congratulations must go to “Nifty” Neville Layt (trainer), Tommy Berry (jockey) and the owners of Karuta Queen, Glenn and Viva Williams on the filly’s big win in the two year old Magic Millions yesterday on the Gold Coast. This pocket sized filly can only be described as a freak and for those contending this year’s Golden Slipper in April they certainly have their work cut out for them.
The sales wrapped up today after five days of furious bidding and bargaining. I finished off my sales tilt by purchasing a cracking Henny Hughes colt that Gerald Ryan and I have decided to race together. He looks like an early runner with outstanding conformation.
Overall the prices were slightly down this year at the sales but there were still the occasional “big lots.” The son of Sunday Joy was bought by Peter Moody for $1.15 million. If he goes anything like his relatives Tuesday Joy and More Joyous then he just might be worth that large price tag.
You never know who you are going to bump into when everyone within the racing industry gets together and that includes many of my owners. It was great to finally meet one of my dedicated owners for the first time. Peter, who has shares in a few horses of the Darby Racing team resides in Canada and was out here on holidays with his lovely wife. A day at the Magic Millions Carnival race day and a night at the sales and Peter was like a kid in a candy store! It was certainly interesting chatting with Peter and hearing about the racing industry in North America and how vastly different it is to here in Australia - I definitely learned a thing or two.
With things all wrapped up here on the Gold Coast and my four legged purchases on their way to Heritage Park for their most important breaking and educating, Renee and I head home tomorrow. I fear we will be paying excess baggage though as a certain someone has hit the shops harder than I hit the sale ring!

Thursday 12th January, 2001
Day two of the sales and prices seem to be average, if anything slightly down. I was wrapped to purchase a cracking Snitzel filly yesterday. She will go to be trained by “The Snitzel Master” Gerald Ryan. Today I picked up a lovely athletic Charge Forward filly to be trained Marc Conners. Together with our other Charge Forward filly, Classic Rush, the two will make a nice pair for the stable.
Whilst I was busy inspecting my next crop of super stars (one can only hope), Renee was across the road at the Gold Coast Turf Club for the all important barrier draw for the two and three year old Magic Millions races. I was more than delighted to receive the phone call from my better half to say we’d drawn barrier seven.
I was doing a happy dance this morning for two reasons. Firstly, stable favourite La Belle Chataigne finally showed a glimpse of her real self yesterday, running a notable third at Warwick Farm. Secondly, it has been touch and go in regards to The Last General filling his much coveted spot in Saturday’s Magic Millions owing to road closures on account of the floods. Fortunately roads are starting to open and as I type the big fella is stepping onto the float to begin his journey north, albeit a day or two late. Although I am thankful our horse is able to make this journey I have been reminded that sometimes there are more important things in life and these floods have been cruel and devastating on so many levels. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Queensland at this time.

 

Wednesday 12th January 2011
The sales start today! The first half hour or so will set the tone of the sale as to whether prices are up or down. There are a few yearlings from some pretty smart mares in the first session such as Cincinnati Gal and Cheeky Choice so I expect the bidding to come fast and furious. I don’t anticipate bidding on any of the early lots but all good things come to those who wait and you never know what four legged jet engine I might bring home. Watch this space! Also going through the sale ring this week are the very first foals of superstars Mirror Mirror and Miss Andretti – very exciting!
I forgot to mention in my last spotlight what a terrific first start Magic Maestro put in down at Nowra on Monday – flying home for third! This son of Magic Albert has been very slow to develop but finally the penny seems to have dropped and he is improving every day. I look forward to watching his next start!
On a side note, did anyone else see the clip on the news last night of a race in Japan this week? Approaching the end of the race the jockeys had to take their skill to the highest level when needing to guide their trusty steeds around not one, but two, tractors grading the track!! Unbelievable! The tractor drivers believed the race to be over after the first lap and went about their job a little too keenly. I wonder who was more shocked; the horses, the jockeys or those two tractor drivers? The latter I think!
SD

Tuesday 11th January 2011
I have to admit I’ve been doing my own personal rain dance this past week in the hope that one of our Darby Racing Team charges, La Belle Chataigne, gets a favourably soft track at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, and I seem to have underestimated my powers and brought the rain to the Gold Coast with me. It has been raining cats and dogs since we arrived, making it rather muddy and difficult when viewing the yearlings at the Magic Millions sale yards. Note to self – buy a pair of gumboots!
Boom sire of the moment, Snitzel has certainly produced another fine crop of progeny this year from what I have already seen and as the commencement of the sale draws closer I have my eye on a couple. With current two year old stars such as Schiffer, Hot Snitzel and our very own Saramenha all coming from the former sprint champion, I am sure they are going to be hot property by the time the final hammer comes down!
Gerald is arriving back on the Gold Coast today following the weekend’s racing in Sydney and I am keen to get his opinions on some of the favourites I have picked out. Gerald is a very astute horseman and I value his opinion greatly. Together I am confident we can buy a few smart horses to continue flying the Darby Racing flag high.
I was also delighted to hear the news today that our 3YO, The Last General gained a start in the $1million 1400m 3YO Guineas. Good luck to all the owners!
SD

Sunday 9th January, 2011
Renee (my lovely wife) and I arrived on the Gold Coast on Friday in preparation for the Magic Millions Carnival that will kick off next week. I don’t know who was more glad when they checked into our hotel, yours truly because of the early start induced fatigue, or Renee who was star struck when seeing Bridie Carter of ‘McLeod’s Daughters’ fame also checking into the same hotel – a big moment for such a huge fan of the former TV series!
Since then we have been relaxing and charging up the batteries in preparation for the sales, due to commence next Wednesday. So much time and consultation has already gone into the prospective purchases. Unlike some of the big trainers, the Darby Racing Team is only small and so the next couple of days will be very long indeed inspecting over 300 yearlings on offer and then re-inspecting, consulting with trainers and veterinarians and then finally settling on a budget for horses. What makes it hard is when I see something I just must have... perhaps yours truly will need to sit on his hands for a few lots that will most definitely be out of a syndicator’s price range!
SD