Monthly Newsletter - September 2024
We had a sizzling September (maybe not in terms of the weather!!) but there was a lot to get excited about this month at Whitehouse Stables. The horses are all in form, more yearlings have been added to the team for 2025, we passed a milestone mark of career winners AND our September strike rate was 14%!
September's Runners Highlights
It was another strong month for the girls with WHOOP WHOOP making it a double and being beaten by just 3 lengths to come 3rd at Wolverhampton, and LADY DREAMER (pictured above) following on her success from August. We also had a 2nd at Goodwood from CRYSTAL FLYER, beaten in the last furlong. The boys held their own too. Following his gelding, LAPLANDER made a strong start to his career in handicaps, and ‘one to watch’ after finishing 2nd at Sandown running on really well over 1 mile. PAY ATTENTION is another with a future in handicaps as he came 3rd at Salisbury over 7f.
WHOOP WHOOP (pictured below) was first past the post on the 4th September to win by 2 lengths under Daniel Tudhope at Lingfield Park. Drawn wide in stall 8 and in first time cheek pieces, the filly was given a front running ride over the seven furlongs and wasn't to be caught going round the final bend. Exactly 7 days later on the 11th September, she headed back to Lingfield Park. Carrying a 6lb penalty this time, Tom Marquand was in the saddle for the seven furlongs. The filly was given another front running ride, and was able to kick off the bend to take the win by a length. WHOOP WHOOP is by Land Force, out of the Oasis Dream mare, Miss President. She is owned by Fitorfat Racing.
We were back at Lingfield again on 5th September, but this time it was LADY DREAMER getting her head in front to double up on her win from August. This takes her wins to three from her last four starts. Under a 5lb penalty, the 4 year old filly was back to the races just 9 days after her previous win over course and distance. Neil Callan was in the saddle for the seven furlongs. Drawn in Stall 1, they jumped and gained a prominent position to lead the field. Lady Dreamer was once again not to be caught and was first past the post by one and a quarter lengths. Lady Dreamer is owned by Mr Arjun Waney and is by Dandy Man, out of the Acclamation mare, Weekend Getaway.
INNISFREE PEARL got off the mark on 9th September at Brighton under Trevor Whelan. The three year old filly had to work hard over the 1m 4f distance but it all paid off. Jumping from the stalls, Innisfree Pearl settled behind the leaders in the soft going and was in amongst the action the whole way to the finish line, winning by a neck. The daughter of Yeats is owned by The Greenlands Syndicate and is a homebred for Breeder Karina Casini. Innisfree Pearl is out of the Green Desert mare, Snow Gretel.
Meet The Team - Georgie Norton
Age & Where are you from: 17 from Essex
Your role at Tom Ward Racing: Work Rider/ Stable Lass
How long have you worked for Tom: 6 months
Favourite Horse: Whoop Whoop
Favourite Racing Moment: When Whoop Whoop got a double this month!
If you had a fully paid trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go? I think it would have to be to safari in South Africa
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would want to be invisible!
NEWS
We hit 100!
September was an exciting month as we hit a milestone at Tom Ward Racing reaching 100 career wins. Commencing training in September 2019 we have tallied winners in both England and France. We have the second 100 to look forward to now!
A HUGE thank you to our supportive owners and our super team at home. We couldn’t have done it without you.
A look at Springcombe Park Stud
We sat down with businessman, Paul Gardner to find out more about Springcombe Park Stud, where he breeds and sells his foals and yearlings from the band of broodmares. At Tom Ward Racing, we are fortunate to train some of these homebreds in Art Fantastique (pictured below), Galaxy Zoo, Limegreentangerine, Deep Sky Blue and Rhyme Dust. Read on to find out more…
Tell us a bit more about Springcombe Park Stud and your broodmares.
Springcombe Park Stud is a private stud and home to about 15 broodmares on the Somerset/ Wiltshire border set in 100 acres. We currently have two Group 3 winners in Little Kim and Romantic Time and Listed winners Blizzard, Dry Your Eyes, My Propeller and Purciatta.
Have you always had an interest in breeding? How did you get into racing & breeding?
I didn’t get into racing until my 30’s when I went to a local point to point. After that first race experience, and over the past 30 years I have had a string of point to pointers, then jump horses and finally flat horses. Keeping a good jumps mare to breed from led eventually to the purchase of Springcombe Park Stud.
Tell us a bit more about the success stories of progeny to date, in the sales ring or on the track.
My greatest success as a breeder was that of multiple Group 1 winner Quiet Reflection who was sold as a yearling at Doncaster in 2014. She was Cartier European Champion sprinter in 2016 and is the Grand dam of this years favourite for the 1000 guineas in Lake Victoria.
In the sale ring - 2023 was probably our most successful year where we sold three Havana Grey colt foals for an average of over £70,000 from covering fees of about £5,000 each.
Favourite racecourse to visit & why?
My favourite racecourse is Newmarket’s July course. I can’t think of anywhere so quintessentially English and such a delight to have a horse run there.
SAVE THE DATE
Don’t forget to save the date for this year’s yearling parade where we will be introducing you to the class of 2024 and parading a select group of horses in training from the stables and that have been purchased at the HIT sales that have shares available.
Please RSVP by 10th November via the Racing Manager on the ‘Tom Ward Racing’ organisation page or to [email protected]
Horses for Sale
At Whitehouse Stables we have a selection of different ownership options to suit everyone’s budget. This could be the purchase of a horse outright, or maybe even a smaller share. Below is a selection of the horses we currently have for sale. Get in touch now for more information.
TRANSPARENT
A big strapping two year old colt with lots of shoulder and a strong hind end, this colt is ready for his debut on the racecourse. Tom is really pleased with the progress of this colt. There is only ONE share left, don’t miss out!
DUE DILLIGENCE X AMOREENA
This yearling colt, purchased at Goffs Doncaster for £16,000 and by Due Dilligence is a strong two-year-old type. He is a three parts brother to the black type horse, Diligent Harry. Get in contact now for further information.
LADY DIESEL
A ladies only Syndicate that offer more than just days at the races, this daughter of Sergei Prokoviev is ready for her third run this month after showing promise at Newbury. Membership for the Racing Dames is being renewed this month, so now is the perfect time for join!