News
5/12/2023
Round up of a year that started poorly and gradually improved through the year culminating in success on the track and in the sales ring. October 2022 Ashbrittle Stud offered a Lupe de Vega yearling colt out of Talent for sale in Book 1 Tattersalls. The colt was withdrawn as there was no interest from buyers.Mark Dixon and I decided to retain Harper’s Ferry and put him in training with Ed Walker who had done such a fine job with Dreamloper who was sold at Keenland sales after the Breeders Cup in 2022. Harper’s Ferry ran once at Newmarket in a maiden and was beaten a nose at 50-1. Outrunning his odds comfortably. Then at the foal sales a chestnut filly by St Marks Basilica out of Talent made the highest price in the northern hemisphere at Tattersalls. Newsells Park bought the fill and she will be reatined by the farm and raced before returning to Newsells as broodmare.Great work by the team at Ashbrittle Stud who work tirelessly to keep the horses safe and well presented.
Lots to look forward top as well as 4 unraced fillies in France with Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte.
24/10/22
Modest success on the track in France and Lingering Dream the best of our horses trained by Xavier Thomas- Demeaulte Lingering Dream again ran her heart out for a close up 5th in a valuable handicap from an impossible draw. She will go one more time but probably needs good ground which is a rare commodity in Fance in early November. We are hopeful all of our injured 2 year olds will come back into training sound and do their stuff on the track in 2023. They are an exciting bunch and we have a talented team going down to France to Monte de Marsan in early 2023.
22/06/2022
Update on horses in training
The three fillies with Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, Aiche de Bretel, Lingering Dream and Testy have all been in action and the most immediate updates is a very narrow 2nd in a valuable handicap by Lingering Dream, literally beaten by a nose, and a win for Testy in a claimer over 2,400m. Testy will run next in a handicap over the same distance and quite clearly, staying is her strength. In contrast Lingering Dream will run in a handicap at Paris Longchamp over 1850m, which is a step back in trip.
In the UK three fillies in joint ownership, two with Mark Dixon, Sea Sparkle and Sailing On, and Sakua Star with Steve Ashley have all suffered injuries. None will run as a 2 year old and although the prognosis, in each case, is good, it is extremely unlucky to have them all “go wrong'” in a week.
Preparation for the horses going to the sales has started and I am pleased to share some good news, concerning Ginny Whales, Stud Manager, who had her second child Martha, a couple of weeks ago.
06/04/2022
It has been a while since I updated readers about developments on the stud. The breeding season has been progressing and this year, unusually, there has been more colts than fillies which augurs well for the sales in 18 months time. At least we will have some yearlings to offer as this year Ashbrittle will only have a few choice lots for sale. Please refer to the bloodstock page for information on who foaled what and who they are visiting.
An the racing front we are beginning to see some home breds on the track and there are one or two interesting entries for Aerospace ( Sea the Stars/ Talent ) who is in training with John Gosden. He was bought by Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin. Aerospace had a gentle intoduction in a maiden at Kempton in December and finished a close up 4th and was given a very sympathetic ride. He has entries in the Dante and the Derby so let’s see if he can perform well enough to take part in either or both of these races. In France Aiche de Bretel ( Sea the Moon/ Cinnilla ) has run creditably in 3 maidens, 4th, 2nd and 2nd, in France without getting his head in front. She will be suited by a longer trip, given her breeding, and possibly prefers soft ground. Testy ( Time Test/ Silken Ocean) makes her debut on the 17th April, and Lingering Dream will run in a listed race in Toulouse in late April.
15/11/21
An attempt to fill in the news of the last two months will mean a longer post than usual.
Ambition, has been the standard bearer for the stud since she went to France as a 3 yo in 2019.
We had hopes, of a big run from her in the Prix L’Opera, on Arc day, after her fine run the year before, that she would go close but she was too keen early and had nothing left at the business end of the race and she probably wasn’t ideally suited by the very heavy ground. I was going to opt for retirement but her trainer Xavier Thomas Demeaulte suggested one more race and trying to win the Fille de L’Air Group 3 in Toulouse which she won in 2019. She wasn’t ideally drawn but Mickael Barzalona was at his best and he got her home by a neck, thereby becoming only the third filly/mare to have won the race twice. She has now been retired and will return to Ashbrittle Stud for a date with Frankel. She had 14 races 5 wins and 6 places, was placed in a Listed contest, won 2 Group 3’s a Group 2 and was 2nd and 4th in two Group 1’s. Her highest rating in France was 510 the equivalent of 113 in UK.
The Fille de L’Air also provided an unexpected result for the stud. Hardpia ( Lupa Montana/ Cityscape) was sold to Spanish connections at the October Deauville sale of 2018. The filly then won some races in Spain in 2019/2020 and 2021 and, unfancied, ran a fantastic 3rd to Ambition beaten very narrowly. A great result for Ashbrittle to breed the winner and the third in the same Group 3 race. This performance means Lupa Montana has been withdrawn from the mares sale, later this month, and will be covered by a dual purpose stallion. Hardpia’s full brother Ginge is in training with Sue Gardiner near Exeter. He will make his debut in a bumper at Exeter on the 3rd of December.
Singledon ran well in a listed race at Bordeaux and was sold at the Arqana horses in training sales this afternoon. Hopefully he will compete at a decent level next year, for his new owners, and help the mare by winning some further black type. Singledon’s dam Singuliere produced another winner when her 2 yo filly Rochebrune won her maiden at Kempton, becoming his sire Postponed’s 3rd two year old winner. Rochebrune should develop into a decent stayer for her owners and his trainer George Baker.
Lady Pacifico ( Sir Percy/ Silken Ocean) who won on the flat for Tom Clover, changed hands to continue her racing career as a hurdler with David Weston. She won her maiden hurdle at Leicester comfortably, this afternoon, and hopefully will go onto better things.
I will report further in a couple of weeks, with a round up of the sales as Ashbrittle is consigning four mares and a yearling in December.
The team, led by Ginny Whales, has done a splendid job through the year and I look forward posting further updates.
19/09/21
The fortunes of racehorse ownership ebb and flow. After reporting on some good performances at La Teste last weekend, Singledon ran disappointingly in a listed contest in Marseille. He didn’t get the chance to show his true ability and hopefully he will be out again soon.
Sadly Pour Joie, who ran in the colours of Helen Jameson, suffered a fatal heart attack on the gallops at Ian Williams. Such a pity as, after winning his bumper first time out at Warwick, Ian appeared to have worked out the best way to ride him and the syndicate members were looking forward to having further success over hurdles. It can be a cruel sport.
04/09/21
What a difference 2 months makes! After a relatively quiet spell, our horses have once more been on the track with some success. Although none of our fillies has managed to get his head in front there have been some encouraging performances. First Ambition after her seasonal bow in the Grand Prix de St Cloud came back to her best and finished a running on 4th at Deauville in the Group 1 Prix Romanet. She wasn’t beaten far and now takes her chance in the Prix L’Opera at Paris Lonchamps on Arc day.Today Fiesty found a couple too good for her in a maiden at La Teste near Bordeaux and will be better suited by softer ground as we go into the autumn. Lingering Dream returned to form and was a narrow 2nd in the listed race at La Teste. She was disappointing in Paris on her last run and was the outsider of the field of 11 today but was beaten close home after being allowed to go off at odds of 40-1!
The team at Ashbrittle did a fine job and a couple of Authorised filly stores sold well at the Goffs August sale. Meanwhile the team in Mont de Marsan did a super job with the fillies. Looking ahead, Singledon, who was slightly outclassed in a Group 2 at St Cloud, returns to action in a listed race next Sunday in Marseille. Let’s hope he gives a good account of himself but Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte’s horses are running well. He must have a decent chance.
04/07/2021
A slightly disappointing day at St Cloud this afternoon. Ambition returned after a 9 month lay off and was predictably a little keen early and ring rusty. She ran with promise and finished 6th in the Group 1 Grand Prix de St Cloud. Singledon having been a little unlucky in the Derby du Midi at Bordeaux in early June where he was a fast finishing 3rd without having any luck in running. He was tried in the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam and was clearly a little out of his depth. He will go back to listed class in Toulouse or Bordeaux on a right handed track in a month or so.
Pretty Fair was disappointing in a listed race at Longchamp a week or so ago and seemed to have completely lost her action when the race began in earnest. Her next engagement is yet to be decided.
10/05/2021
A busy time on the stud and on the track with mixed success. Lingering Dream was 2nd in a listed contest at Toulouse and will run next at Longchamps in a listed race in mid June. Singuliere followed up in a C1 race at Bordeaux with a fine win at 12-1 besting a 1-2 favourite trained by Jean Claude Rougier. Lets see if he can improve further in 3 weeks time in a listed race also at Bordeaux. Fragile Planet has been a bit of a disappointment and hasn’t followed up her fine 2nd in her first start. She will try over a longer distance after two below par runs at Dax on the 16th May. Fiesty is now over her stiffness and hopefully will run soon. Ambition was entered in the Prix Ganay but she was ruled out on a technicality over the date she came back into training. The Corrida Group 2, which she won last year is her first assignment. In the UK Pretty Fair ran an encouraging race on her debut on the all weather at Kempton and will follow up at Salisbury on Thursday 13th May. Pour Joie is finally back after another wind operation. Let’s hope this has done the trick. He has some ability but hasn’t managed to show it yet!
07/04/2021
Recent news from deepest Somerset. Firstly on the track a double success for horses bred by Ashbrittle Stud. In France Singledon, (New Bay/Singuliere) won a decent maiden at Toulouse. The form of the race is quite good with the winner of the previous race where Singledon finished a close up 3rd has recently won a C2 comfortably. He will now go on to a C2 or possibly a C1 at Toulouse on the 25th April. Feisty was due to have run in a maiden yesterday but worked poorly and didn’t run. There appears to have been no reason why the filly was stiff after work and she is fine now. She will run in a maiden on the same card at Toulouse.
Buxted Too (Iffraaj/Much Promise) bred by Mark Dixon and Ashbrittle Stud followed up on a promising run last year and won a maiden at Chelmsford over 7 furlongs just wearing down the favourite in the closing stages.
Lingering Dream ( Oasis Dream/Warling)was disappointing in her first try at listed class over 2000m at St Cloud in early March. She finished 5th and will be aimed at another listed contest shortly.
The foaling season continues apace and we have some lovely colt foals which is a rarity at Ashbrittle.
20/2/2021
Very sadly Caesarea 1994 Ch.m , one of Ashbrittle Stud’s foundation mares, who was purchased from Gestüt Schlenderhan, in 2002, passed away yesterday aged 27. She was a beautiful mare who produced 2 stakes placed horses and helped to establish Ashbrittle Stud. Luckily, we have one of her progeny Cinnilla on the farm as a young broodmare. Ashbrittle has retained her 2019 B.f ,by Sea the Moon, who will go into training shortly. We hope to keep Caesarea’s memory alive through continuing to develop her family.
17/2/2021
Two track performances in France to give some hope for the season ahead. Fragile Planet ( Iffraaj/Planete Bleue) made her debut over a mile in a maiden at Toulouse and finished a creditable 2nd. Lingering Dream built on her promise in C2 at Chantilly finishing 2nd but was beaten by a colt, who holds a Prix Du Jockey Club entry. She showed a lot of speed and further improvement is likely.
16/2/2021
Apologies to all for the lack of news so here goes with a quick catch up.A brief 2020 Q4 synopsis. Ambition ran a valiant 5th, in the Prix L’Opera beaten 4 lengths, which following the performances of the winner Tarnawa trained by Dermot Weld who comfortably won the Breeders Cup Turf from Magical and Audarya , third in the Opera won the Breeders Cup Mares from an impossible draw, was a fabulous performance. She was cut quite badly in the race but after we considered retirement Ambition has gone back into training to see how she fares in 2021.
Lingering Dream, (Oasis Dream/Warling) improved on her 4th in a maiden and broker her maiden tag at Toulouse comfortably. Singledon,(New Bay/ Singuliere) ran with promise in 3 maidens and was placed each time and will be better over a longer distance.
Deft continued to disappoint after showing early promise and has been retired. She visits Pinatubo.
26/08/2020
“Lock down” does funny things to one! Time passes imperceptibly and suddenly a month has flown by so there is a lot to catch up on.The swallows are teaching their second brood to fly, meanwhile………
Ambition was upped in grade to contest a Group 1 at Deauville, last Sunday, and she raised her personal best again only going down by a neck in the Prix Jean Romanet. She is a marvel and so is her trainer Xavier Thomas Demeaulte who has trained her to perfection. She next runs in the Prix L’Opera at Paris Longchamp on Arc day. She has a decent chance and will then be given a break on the Northern Spanish coast and will hopefully come back to have a crack, at top level races, as a 5 year old.
Deft’s run at Newbury was promising and she ran on to finish 4th. She subsequently ran in bottomless ground at Catterick ,after a long trek north, and got stuck in the mud. Deft barely ran a furlong before it was clear she was hating the ground. She is a work in progress and let’s see how she gets on before the season closes. Chivalry was retired and has gone to a good home. He wasn’t very talented I am afraid. Likewise Lokal Heroine who was in training with Rod Millman locally! He couldn’t get a tune out of her after three runs so we need to decide what comes next. Singleton ran 4th in a maiden and followed up with a third place finish. He is by New Bay, who has made a promising start at stud ,and we are hopeful he will win his maiden next time out and go on from there.
07/07/2020
Deft runs tomorrow evening 08/07/2020 in a 1mile 2 furlong maiden at Newbury after two improving but unplaced races. We are hopeful that she progresses further. Chivalry was disappointing in his first outing for Hughie Morrison and again we are hoping for a better showing when he reappears at Windsor on Monday 13th. Singleton runs in a maiden in France on the 11th July.
07/06/2020
Yesterday was a banner day for the farm when our filly Ambition, Dubawi/Talent, made her seasonal reappearance at Lyons in France in the Group 2 Prix La Corrida for fillies and mares only. She stepped up once again after her win in the Group 3 Fille de L’Air. She was the outsider of the 5 runners but showed that her Group 3 win was not a one off and came from behind to win cosily. Mickael Barzalona once again rode the filly pefectly. All options are now open to her and the long term plan is to run in the Prix Vermeille. This is a fantastic result for Ashbrittle Stud and its fantasic team. Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte once again trained her to perfection.
We also had a debut from Deft. Deft, a Dubawi fiily out of Prowess ran in a 1 mile maiden at Kempton Park. She finished a respectable 8th which was a gentle introduction for her and we hope for better things when Ralph Beckett steps her up to 1mile 2 furlongs.
More news when we have firm running plans for the other horses in training.
09/05/2020
Our foaling is nearly over with two mares still to produce. Yesterday Marie Baa had a bay filly foal by New Approach and Prowess has also had a New Approach foal but a colt. Racing resumes in France next week, thank goodness, and plans are being made for Ambition to run in the Group 2 Prix Corrida at St Cloud on the 6th of June. Heft may run at Fontainebleau on May 23rd in a C2 handicap. Plans in the UK remain uncertain until there is a go ahead to resume racing from the Government.
20/03/2020
The first comment of the year. Ashbrittle has a number of horses in training in France and UK but with no racing due to Coronavirus it is to be hoped the authorities get on top of the problem and we see a resumption of racing. Why not have racing in the UK behind closed doors? what is good enough for Ireland is surely good enough for the UK!
26/11/2019
Congratulations to Ginny and the team for a great job at the sales this year. A good result yesterday for our mare Marie Baa in the December Yearling Sale and we did satisfactorily in Book 3. The horses were extremely well prepped and Ashbrittle Stud received some good feedback from purchasers and prospective purchasers.
14/11/2019
Wow what a performance !! Ambition comfortably won the Group 3 Fille De L’Air the last Group race of note on the French racing calendar. She was always in a prominent position and was last off the bridle as Mikel Barzalona bided his time. When he set her alight she quickly went clear for a comfortable 1.5 length win. This is fabulous news for her dam Talent the 2013 Oaks winner. Her first foal winning a stakes race bodes well for the family. Dash To Fame by Dansili has unfortunately been injured, and will never race, but a yearling by Dubawi, hence a full sister to Ambition will go into training in the joint ownership of Mark Dixon and Ashbrittle Stud the co breeders. Talent’s Sea The Stars colt foal will probably go to the Tattersalls yearling sales, next year, all being well.
Ambition will now have a break and her excellent trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte will plan a programme for her next year. As a four year old she will hopefully grow and strengthen further.
On the same card Amhurst ran, what appeared to be, a disappointing race to finish 8th in a 1.5 mile competitive handicap. It later transpired that she bled and she will be retired with a race record of 16 races, 2 wins, beaten numerous times by very small margins, 10 places and €43,640 prize money. She is rated 85 in UK terms and will retire to Ashbrittle Stud as a broodmare.
Heft runs today at Toulouse over 3000m in a Class 2 handicap. We will see if she is a stayer in the mould of others in her family such as Protectionist (Melbourne Cup) and Stradivarius who needs no introduction.
25/10/2019
Heft made her belated debut at Tarbes in a 16 runner maiden on the 13th September. She reared when she left the stalls and was three lengths adrift at the first turn. She gradually closed the gap and showed a good turn of foot to win by a length going away. This was a very encouraging start and she will run again over 3000 m on the 17th November in a Class 2 handicap. Ambition is scheduled to run in a Group 3 at Toulouse on 11th November. Amhurst will finish her racing career on the same card as Ambition in a 2400 m Class 2 Handicap.
10/10/2019
In the event Ambition ran in the Toulouse listed event over 1.1/2 miles and Amhurst was re routed to a handicap at Lyon Parilly. Ambition finished 3rd beaten 1/2L and 1/2 L so has some black type which we aim to build upon. Amhurst ran in snatches and got going, too late, finishing 6th. Neither are finished for the season. The ground at Toulouse was quite quick which didn’t really suit Ambition and, if she comes out of her second race in two weeks she will run in a Group 3 on 11/11/2019 also at Toulouse when the ground will hopefully be on the softer side.
Amhurst will finish her racing career in a handicap on the same card before coming back to Ashbrittle to be a broodmare.
Heft will finally make her debut after a succession of setbacks and niggling injuries on Sunday at Tarbes.
25/09/2019
Ambition comfortably won her race in Bordeaux yesterday. She seemed to relish the soft ground and a Group 3 contest in Toulouse is under consideration for November before giving her a rest and bringing her back as a 4 y.o. Amhurst runs in a Listed contest at Toulouse on the 7th of October which will probably be her last race. She is a tough filly and will be coming home to be retained as a broodmare at the stud.
Nicks Not Wonder a 2 y.o colt ( Siyouni/Singuliere) trained by Jamie Osborne had her debut at Lingfield yesterday. He ran very green and was slowly away from the stalls but ran with promise and will be better as a 3 y.o over distances greater than 1 mile.
30/08/2019
A while since there was an update so here goes. Ambition returned to the track at Deauville and ran 4th in a conditions race. She was leading into the final furlong but was run down by others coming from off the pace. A similar conditions race, this time over 1 1/2 miles, is planned for her in mid September at Bordeaux. Let’s see where we go from there. The intention is to have her on the track as a 4 year old. Amhurst was 6th not beaten far in her handicap at Clairefontaine. She has been given a rest until trying a listed contest at Toulouse in October. She is a tough filly but several hard races and long journeys from the south to run in tracks in Paris and Deauville might have taken the edge off her. Kingbrook duly ran in the Acomb Stakes Group 3 at York but finished down the field. Preparation for the yearling sales has started in earnest and we will be selling 2 yearlings in Book 2, 3 in Book 3, and one in Book 4 which will be tough. The sales can be a lottery and increasingly Ashbrittle Stud will be racing its yearlings ad selling at Horses in Training sales. The type of horse it breeds are simply not on the shopping lists of owners who want quick returns.
25/07/2019
Ambition was 7th in her listed race at Vichy so no black type. However she ran creditably in a race which was a step up for her. She was only beaten 3.5 lengths in a bunched finish. The plan seems to be to run in a conditions race over a mile and a half which looks to be her ideal trip and then have another crack at a listed race later in the year. The cheapest Kingman sold at auction, bought by Roger Brookhouse and trained by Mark Johnston, Kingbrook (Warling/Kingman), has run exceptionally well in his two maidens. Narrowly being beaten by two Godolphin horses Path of Thunder and Encipher who followed up by winning comfortably at Newbury. Kingbrook won at Ascot having a tussle with Manigordo but prevailing by a neck with the rest of the field beaten 5 lengths. He now runs at Ascot in a listed race on Saturday. Anhurst tries again in a valuable handicap at Clairefontaine on Sunday. Let’s hope she gets her head in front this time as she is very brave.
05/07/2019
Amhurst ( Planete Bleue/HolyRomanEmperor) ran her heart out to finish 4th,again, in a competitive handicap at St Cloud. She was beaten a neck, a short neck, and a neck in a tight finish. I hope she gets her head in front next time as she is very brave. In England an Ashbrittle homebred Kingbrook owned by Roger Brookhouse who stole Warling’s book 1 colt yearling at Tattersalls in October made his racecourse debut yesterday at Haydock. He ran extremely well behind two Godolphin runners who both cost over £400,000 at the sales or a breeze up. Mark Johnson his trainer will no doubt have him on the track to build on that promising performance soon.
27/05/2019
Ambition won her maiden at Toulouse by a comfortable 5 lengths. She came with a strong run after being in the first three most of the way. This was a good performance and vindication in her ability now she is running over 1 1/4 miles. Her next assignment will be a listed race at Vichy on the 15th of July. Let’s hope she gets some black type which will help to make up for the disappointing news about Dash to Fame who has a bone issue in her hoof and may not make the racecourse.
10/05/2019
Amhurst ( Planete Bleue/HolyRomanEmperor) ran creditably to finish 4th in a competitive Class 2 handicap at Maison Lafitte yesterday and Sing the Anthem (Little Feat/Eastern Anthem) won his first 3 mile point to point in Somerset and will now be rested until the beginning of the next season. Let’s hope both go on to better things. Hayadh won the Thirsk Hunt Cup on the 4/5/2019 off a mark of 88 and was put up 3 lbs by the handicapper. He is a consistently good handicapper over 7 furlongs or a mile with a bit of cut in the ground off any mark around 90.
02/05/2019
Pour Joie ran a stinker at Windsor in a 1 mile 3 furlong maiden and will now come back to the farm for a rest before embarking on a late season flat campaign followed by novice hurdles. Amhurst runs at Maison Lafitte in a handicap on Thursday 9th of May and I am pleased that Heft (Siyouni/Planete Bleue) has recovered from her injury and has returned to France to Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte.
09/04/2019
Ambition made her debut in France for Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte in a 2000m maiden for fillies.She ran well finishing 3rd and the trainer thought it was a good start. She will reappear in 4 weeks in a similar maiden. Cinnilla produced a large filly foal by Sea the Moon with on 06/04/2019. Sing the Anthem ran in a point to point bumper at Hereford finishing 2nd. He might conceivably reappear in 10 days in a similar event at Exeter.
26/03/2019
Amhurst was drawn 16 of 16 in a C2 handicap at St Cloud this afternoon and performed well. She was drawn wide and forced wide throughout the race but finished strongly. Her trainer was pleased with her performance and she will next run in a similar handicap over 2,400 meters. The extra distance should help. Pax American foaled a grey colt last night by Nayef who is a good size and quite correct.
19/03/2019
It is with sadness that I have to report the death of Ashbrittle. He was the first horse the stud sent to Ralph Beckett, which was the start of a fruitful relationship for us both. I remember Ralph phoning me in September of Ash’s 2 year old career suggesting we should have him gelded which made me think perhaps he wasn’t very good. As it was he ran 25 times, on the flat and over hurdles, winning 4 races and being placed 8 times.He took us to Royal Ascot twice and, on the second occasion, he was unlucky not to be placed and the Cesarawitch twice where he never threatened. He was rated 92 on the flat and 123 over hurdles. He was a flag bearer for the stud and we will miss him.
Foaling is in full swing and Amhurst trained in France has an entry at Chantilly next week Tuesday 26th March in a hot handicap at Chantilly.
06/06/2018
A fabulous performance by Masar in the Derby was a feather in the cap for New Approach after a quiet spell. Prowess foaled a full sister to Talent by New Approach in May and we have sent Planete Bleue to New Approach this year although she is yet to test in foal. On the track Queen of Connaught finished 5th in the Lingfield Derby trial which saw her rated 90 by the handicapper. Richard Hughes who is training Ambition hopes to have her start off in a 6 furlong race by the end of June. This will be relatively early for a filly by Dubawi with the dam an Oaks winner and St Leger 2nd. Lets see how she goes. A home bred and owned filly Amhurst won a decent race at Toulouse trained by Xavier Thomas- Demeaulte who is in fabulous form at the moment training the 2nd in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club and a close up 4th in the Group 2 Prix Sandringham at Chantilly from his yard in Mont de Marsan in South West France.
03/05/2018
Talent foaled a Dubawi filly and visits Sea The Stars. Prowess foaled a full sister to Talent, by New Approach, and she returns to Frankel. Only Much Promise is left to foal and she will be rested for the season. On the racetrack a maiden win by Queen of Connaught, hopefully, sets her up to start climbing the handicap ranks over distances of a mile and a half or further. Good luck to Masar in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday, could New Approach be set for a comeback as a stallion?
06/04/2018
Our foal count now stands at 6 fillies and 2 colts. The most recent additions being a decent sized bay Sir Percy filly from a Dynaformer mare Silken Ocean and a chestnut colt by New Bay out of Singuliere a Singspiel mare. Breeding experts have identified that Dubawi, or his stallion sons, nick well with Singspiel mares. We shall see! On the track we have had slightly disappointing results with Hayadh finishing 9th in the Lincoln and then he ran down the field when following up very quickly in a Class 3 handicap at Musselbrugh. Joke Dancer ran well in defeat at Haydock in a 2mile Class 2 handicap hurdle. He was trying to win for the 3rd time in a row and as a 5 year old he has his future ahead of him and should make a good chaser next year.
23/03/2018
Allez Lou Lou foaled a large leggy filly by Eastern Anthem on the 22nd of March. Both mare and foal doing well. Talent arrived safely in Ireland and will be boarded with James Hanly at Ballhymkin Stud. Her Dubawi foal is due in 3 weeks time and thereafter she visits Sea The Stars. On the race track Brynmawr trained by the Tizzards was beaten into 2nd place in a handicap hurdle at Chepstow earlier in the week after an 8 lb rise in the weights to a rating of 120 following his maiden win over hurdles at Southwell, and we wish Hayadh the best of luck in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster tomorrow.
20/03/2018
The Cheltenham Festival is over and this marks the beginning of spring. You wouldn’t have known it as Ashbrittle had its second major dump of snow last weekend and roads were treacherous. The foaling season is underway and so far we have four fillies on the ground. An Authorized filly out of Driven Snow, a Siyouni filly out of Forte ( a full sister to Talent) A strong Oasis Dream filly out of Warling which makes her a full sister to Hayadh and an Anodin filly out of Pax Americana. Hayadh deserves a mention as he had a good two year old career when owned by Al Shaqab trained by John Gosden and after two years off the track was bought by Rebecca Bastiman. Rebecca trained him to win a competitive Class 2 handicap off a mark of 92 and he runs on Saturday at Doncaster in 7 furlong Class 2 Handicap off a mark of 95.
After a considerable period with no updates to our web site I hope we can keep visitors to the site informed of news and comment throughout the season and look forward to sharing our highlights and lowlights with you.
Some highlights of 2017 included a successful sale in Tattersalls Book 1 of a chestnut Frankel filly out of the wonderful mare Prowess and some minor winners in France. Ashbrittle Stud is also diversifying a little by identifying staying mares and breeding these mares to staying stallions. Some of these stallions would be considered dual purpose and if their progeny are too immature or too uncommercial for the yearling sales, Ashbrittle Stud will offer these horse at the DBS National Hunt sales.
Our first sale, pursuing this strategy, was an Authorized gelding out of Missy Dancer. He was offered at the DBS National Hunt sale in 2016 as a 3 y.o. unraced gelding. Sue and Harvey Smith had some faith in us and bought the horse, now known as Joke Dancer, and he has won three times over hurdles for connections and is now rated 129. It looks as though he will go ‘chasing next season.
The other highlight has been the arrival of Ivy, the first child of Ginny Whales, our Stud Manager, and Charlie Enticott her partner, early in the New Year. This is exciting for all of us connected with the Stud and we look forward to watching Ivy grow and develop into as fine a horse woman as her proud mother.
22/5/2016
All our foals are now on the ground and all are healthy and well. The final tally being 8 fillies and 4 colts. Of particular note both Prowess and Talent had fillies by Frankel and Dubawi respectively.
On the racing front Matidia ran respectably in a maiden at Beverley finishing 2nd and is now rated 66 and puts this mark to the test at Brighton on 27th May. Forte has been gently tipping away with David O’Meara and will have a run shortly to see if she can be taught to settle in her races. In which case she might start to fulfil her early promise. Zilla will go back into training with Ralph Beckett and will be joined by Corn Law a full sister to Swaheen a 90 rated staying filly.
3/2/2016
A new year and a new season. Let’s hope it goes well and is an improvement on 2015. It looks as though we will have two, 2 year old, fillies in training in France with Xavier Thomas-Deameaulte namely FALCONRY a bay filly by Falco out of a Nureyev mare Carinae, and LAST POST, a bay filly by American Post out of an Anabaa mare Marie Baa. In the UK Ashbrittle will have a 3 year old filly MATIDIA by Manduro out of Caesarea, and 2 year old filly ZILLA by Zamindar out of Caesarea, in training with Ralph Beckett. FORTE will go back into training with David O’Meara in Yorkshire. It was felt she deserved another chance and that a change of scenery would do her some good. We will know our fate reasonably quickly I expect. She has strengthened up and let’s hope she learns to settle in her races. Shrinking Violet (ch.m Lets get Cozzy x Congaree) nearly repeated her win in 2015 at Santa Anita Monrovia Stakes Group 2. She was 2nd beaten a nose in the 2016 renewal. As a result of the successful mating to Congaree the mare is expecting a foal by Animal Kingdom in April to keep some Blushing Groom blood in the mating.
The farm is gearing up for the foaling season and so far our mares have 3 produced fillies.Driven Snow (2006 g.m Linamix x In a Silent Way) has foaled a Hurricane Run filly, Mamabo Gold (Medaglio D’Oro x Mambo Jambo) has foaled a HolyRomanEmperor filly and Planete Bleue (Dansili x Ploughkeepsie) has foaled a Siyouni filly.
18/10/2015
A long overdue catch up on a slightly disappointing season. Forte, who was our brightest prospect, ran disappointingly in the Pretty Polly and we decided not to run her in the Oaks. She next appeared in the Ribblesdale Grp 2 at Royal Ascot. Ralph Beckett was confident she would outrun her substantial odds, judging by her homework. She duly ran an excellent race finishing 6th beaten a short head by Gretchen, having given the field 4 lengths head start.
28/4/2015
Forte puts her credentials on the line in the Pretty Polly sakes at Newmarket on Sunday. She is following in Talent’s footsteps, her full sister, who, of course, won this race prior to her win in the 2013 Oaks. Cinnilla has entries in a number of group and listed events, over extended distances, and Silken Ocean is entered in a 1 1/4 maiden at Salisbury. On the National Hunt scene Ashbrittle makes a long awaited comeback at Uttoxeter on Saturday 2nd May. How he runs there will determine whether we persevere with him or he has a well earned rest. Tendon injuries are difficult to recover from. Pax Americana ran encouragingly at Toulouse and finished 5th in a listed event won by a Lope Da Vega filly, Mojo Risin, who will now receive an entry into the French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp.
17/4/2015
Lots to catch up on. The racing season is underway and Ashbrittle Stud owned and bred horses have been in action. Cinnilla was 4th in the Further Flight Stakes Listed at Nottingham and hopefully runs in a Group 3 contest at Longchamp in early May. Pax Amrican won her maiden at her second attempt and then ran a very promising 3rd in a good conditions race at Toulouse. Pax Americana ran against some very well regarded horses and will try her hand in a listed race inToulouse on the 23rd of April. Singular Quest ran well but finished 3rd in a Class 5, 0-75 handicap at Beverley. He will get his head in front before long.
Foaling continues with the count now 7 fillies and 2 colts. Unfortunately Prowess foaled a large filly which didn’t survive. The mare has coped well and has just been covered by Frankel. Talent has just been covered for the 3rd time by Dubawi so we are on count down and hoping she is in foal.
24/2/2015
The team are busy now that the foaling season has started. So far we have had 5 foals, 3 foaled at Ashbrittle, one in Ireland at Barnane Stud, and one in France at Jedburgh. All the foals are healthy and the mares are all in good shape, too, after their exertions. I t must be the water here at Ashbrittle as all 5 foals are fillies! We have a short lull now until the middle of March when Prowess our star mare foals to New Approach.We are all hoping for a colt which will be a full brother to Talent. We will update you as soon as we know.
22/1/2015
Ashbrittle Stud started the new year with a stakes success in the USA. Shrinking Violet(ch.m 2008, Congaree x Lets Get Cozzy) bred by Ashbrittle Stud won the Group 2 Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita. This win has taken her her career winnings past $350,000. Fingers crossed she continues to improve and hopefully she might be given a chance in Group 1 company for her owner and trainer Wesley Ward.
Singular Quest will run at Lingfield on the 30th of January and hopefully will win her maiden.
Meanwhile down in Somerset the team are waiting for the first foals to be born. Alla Prima and Pompeia are imminent and we will keep you un to date with the foals as they are delivered.
6/1/2015
Happy New Year to all and everyone at Ashbrittle Stud is looking forward to 2015. Our horses in training returned to Ralph Beckett yesterday a signal the season is underway. Singular Quest, a first foal colt by Dalakhani out of Singuliere, ran with promise finishing 5th in a 1m maiden at Lingfield just before Christmas and was an unlucky 2nd beaten 1/2 length in a 1m 2f maiden again at Lingfield on Saturday 3rd Jan. We will try and get her to win a similar maiden and then give her some time and wait for the firm ground which will suit her. Staying will be her game. Other news of note was a first stakes win in the G2 Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday 3rd of January. Shrinking Violet was bred by Ashbrittle Stud in the USA being by Congaree ( the best colt produced by the great Arazi) out of an Ashbrittle Stud mare Lets Get Cozzy. Also Arcange a 2 year old filly by Arcano out of Carinae won another race at Deauville in France and Firdous ( Cape Cross – Alla Prima)who ran a few times in France as a 3 year old picked up the thread and has won a couple of times in decent company in Qatar.
3/12/2014
There has been little of note to report since Forte ran in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket and Cinnilla finished 8th of 11 at St Cloud in a listed race.I think it was the end of a long season for her and she needs a rest at the farm.Two of our late developing 2 year olds had an introductory run at Lingfield on the 26th of November. Singular Quest, a Dalakhani colt, ran with some real promise and we are looking forward to him running over 1 1/2 miles in time next season. Silken Ocean ran in snatches and has a lot to learn. We hope she improves next year and being by Dynaformer there is every chance she will.
Ashbrittle Stud also picked up a mention in The Golden Gavels, which are bloodstock awards for 2014, in the International Thoroughbred magazine for December 2014. Ashbrittle Stud was awarded Farm of the year for the production,preparation and selling of the Galileo colt out of Penang Pearl which was the most expensive yearling sold anywhere in the world in 2014. The stud has a lot to live up to in 2015.
4/11/2014
Forte is back at Ashbrittle Stud and is enjoying her break. She ran creditably in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket beaten 5 lengths but she will have learned from her first start on grass. She was still very green and after being slowly away she raced too keenly, and then when the race began in earnest up she became unbalanced in the dip before running on again. Cinnilla will try for some black type in a listed race at St Cloud in mid November and two 2 year olds, Singular Quest and Ocean Silk, will have introductory runs on the all weather before being put away until next year.
16/10/2014
Our Sir Percy sold well at Tattersalls Part 2 and Ashbrittle Stud has a filly yearling which sells tomorrow morning in Book 3.
Forte definitely runs in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket tomorrow. She is the least experienced filly in the race and we hope she is not overmatched and runs creditably. Too much to ask for lightening to strike in the same place twice! Fingers crossed.
10/10/2014
Today is a bit of a comedown from yesterday’s incredible high.Imagine the feeling when the Galileo/Penang Pearl yearling colt is walking around the ring at Tattersalls sales and the auctioneer is struggling to get an initial bid at 5,000 guineas. This is after the horse has been vetted by 5 different potential buyers, each of which is a known big hitter, and after Coolmore, in the shape of Magnier, Shanahan and Aiden O’Brien, have looked at the horse more than once. Ginny Whales comment that she wanted “the earth to open up and swallow her and the horse” is quite apt. I was in the sales ring below team Coolmore and people around me were asking if there was something wrong with the horse! Thankfully a bid of 5000 guineas was the start of a bidding war which ended with John Magnier offering 2.6m guineas,on behalf of Coolmore, to secure the horse.A big thanks to Coolmore and we wish them the best of luck with the horse and hope that he becomes a champion like his half brother Harbinger. Thanks also to Nick Ooi who owns the mare Penang Pear and who has the confidence to board his mare and her valuable offspring with us at Ashbrittle. A fantastic effort on behalf of everyone at Ashbrittle Stud, all of whom played their part, plus, of course, our vet James Bosley and farrier Mike Smith.However a special mention to Ginny who oversaw his preparation and made sure the colt arrived at Tattersalls in fantastic condition.
Back to he slightly more mundane business of horse racing and the rest of the sales. Cinnilla has been drawn 16 of 24 in the valuable 1/1/2 mile handicap at Newmarket on Saturday.She is quoted at 25-1 and every drop of rain that falls between now and then will be in her favour.
6/10/2014
Louis the Pious finished in 3rd place in the Group 3 John Guest Bengough Stakes at Ascot on Saturday earning his first bit of black type. This is a timely update to the pedigree of Whole Grain before the Tattersalls yearling sales.
Forte faces some well bred newcomers in her race at Kempton tomorrow evening, and Cinnilla has an entry for the 1 1/2 mile3 heritage handicap at Newmarket on Saturday.
2/10/2014
Tattersalls sales are next week and Ashbrittle Stud is consigning three yearlings.Photos are available to view on this website and the book 1 Galileo/Penang Pearl has a video clip posted online at www.tattersalls.com.Let’s hope we can get them all there without any problems!
Louis the Pious has entries in two 7 furlong races, one a listed affair and the other a Group 3 and we are looking forward to Forte running next Tuesday at Kempton Park. We hope Cinnilla will take her chance in a 1 1/2 mile handicap at Newmarket on Cesarawitch day the 11th of October.
22/09/2014
Louis The Pious (Holy Roman Emperor/ Whole Grain)trained by David O’Meara and ridden by James Doyle,comfortably won the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday.Louis The Pious is the first foal of Whole Grain, a full sister to Irish Oaks winner Pure Grain. Ashbrittle Stud is offering a Sir Percy/ Whole Grain colt yearling at Tattersalls Book 2 on Monday October 13th. A picture appears on the web site under Horses for Sale.The mare has a Lawman filly foal which will be retained and the mare is in foal to Holy Roman Emperor.Hopefully Lois The Pious will go on to secure some black type for the mare as the handicapper will probably raise him a few pounds from his current mark of 104.
08/09/2014
Cinnilla followed up her win at Salisbury with another good win at Cheptow on Friday 5th September over 12 furlongs by 3.5 lengths.She ran off a mark of 74 which included a penalty for the win but before her handicap mark was adjusted. She is now rated 80 and we will be looking for a suitable handicap in October before the horses in training sale at Tattersalls.Timeform assessed the performance as superior to her win at Chepstow and Cinnnilla looks as though she is still on the upgrade.
1/09/2014
Talent has returned home and is settling in once again at Ashbrittle Stud. She is sharing a paddock with her half brother Skilful, who is recovering from his tendon injury, and an unraced filly Mambo Gold. We were all disappointed that Talent didn’t quite show the form and sparkle of her 3 year old career, as a 4 year old, but she was at her best when it really mattered. Many thanks to Ralph Beckett and his team at Kimpton who have done such a great job with her and who have handled her so sympathetically. When mating plans for Talent are confirmed we will let you know.
Cinnilla turned in a much improved performance on Friday evening the 29th August at Salisbury and won a one mile six furlong handicap off a mark of 67 in a canter by 9 lengths. She will probably run again at either Chepstow or Haydock on Friday 5th September before the handicapper puts her up in the weights. We are hopeful she will run well again but don’t want the ground dry out too much. The key to this filly is the trip and a bit of cut in the ground.
31/07/2014 Talent at Goodwood
Talent ran creditably in the Lilly Langtry Group 3 and after looking like she would be in contention but possibly found the ground too firm.
She came out of the race well and has only lost 6 Kilos in weight. The plan is to persevere with her and look for some softer ground. Races being considered include the Prix Vermeille and the Qipco Fillies and Mares race at Ascot in October.
Her full sister Forte is close to a run and we will update when there are firm plans for her.
Cinnilla is entered at Newbury on Sunday in a fillies only handicap. She needs to get her head in front as she is due to be offered for sale at the Doncaster Sales in early September.
12/05/14 The first calf arrived of 2014
15/05/14 CINNILLA has been declared for the 3:05 1m 1f Maiden at Salisbury
04/05/14 SALSA BRAVA foaled a B.f by KENDARGENT
04/05/14 CAESAREA foaled a Ch.f by ZAMINDAR
27/04/14 FASHION ROCKS foaled a Ch.f by RAVEN’S PASS
24/04/14 LITTLE FEAT foaled a B.c by EASTERN ANTHEM
17/04/14 DRIVEN SNOW foaled a Ch.f by SOLDIER OF FORTUNE
10/04/14 PENANG PEARL foaled a B.c by GALILEO
03/04/14 WHOLEGRAIN foaled a B.f by LAWMAN
22/03/14 PEACE AND LOVE foaled a Ch.c by EQUIANO
21/03/14 TOTALLY COSMIC foaled a Ch.f by BORN TO SEA
15/03/14 ZIETUNZEEN foaled a B.C by DICK TURPIN
13/03/14 We had eight of our maiden heifers go to the Red Ruby Devon’s spring show and sale. They all past their Tb test, a couple of days previous, and they all sold for good prices.
04/03/14 LOVNA foaled a B.F by KENGARGENT
25/02/14 SINGULIERE foaled a B.F by EXCEED AND EXCEL
21/02/14 CARINAE foaled a B.F by FALCO
14/02/14 ALLA PRIMA foaled a B.F by SIR PERCY
09/02/14 Jump Ship foals a Ch.c by Compton Place.
05/02/14 Vastanya foals a Ch.f by Kendargent
29/01/14 Warling foals a bay Colt by Oasis Dream
23/01/14 The first foal of the year is born. A Bay filly to Marie Baa, sired by American Post
27/12/13 All the race horses go back into training after there winter holiday here at the stud. Talent, Forte, Singular Quest, Cinilla and Mambo Jambo ’12 to Ralph Beckett, Much Promise to John Gosden.
December Foal Sales – We had a very successful Foal sale at Tattersalls with our top lot Fastnet Rock x Prowess 2013 selling for 320,000 guineas to Demi O’Byrne.
01/09/13 Gauchita (INVINCIBLE SPIRIT x REX REGINA), a filly we sold in France, is about to make her debut tomorrow at Nottingham. Here she is photographed for the December Sales 2012
01/09/13 October Yearling Sale: Book 1 Horses Bathed, Plaited and shod ready to leave on Friday don’t forget to check them out on out Horses for Sale page!!
24/08/13 Doncaster Premier Sales Horses Bathed, Plaited and Shod ready for the next four days.
19/06/13 Another win for THWART (Ch.f Refuse To Bend x Jump Ship) yesterday at Kempton in the 8.40 Fillies’ Handicap ridden by Jim Crowley.
12/06/13 Slightly disappointing run from Pompeia, she will be tried over a mile-and-a-half as her breeding suggests that trip.
11/06/13 POMPEIA runs today at Salisbury in the Fillies Handicap Stakes at 3.30, ridden by Jim Crowley trained by Ralph Beckett. Good luck Pompeia!
03/06/13 TALENT wins the ‘Investec Oaks’ at Epsom on Friday!! A fantastic result for the co owners Mr. & Mrs. Mark Dixon, and the owner of Ashbrittle Stud Mr. James Rowsell. The stud would like to thank the trainer Ralph Beckett and all of his team at Kimpton Down Stables for all of their hard work, and also to Richard Hughes for giving Talent such a great ride.
Download articles-
‘Two more Classics fit bill for Talent’
‘Sale unlikely for Oaks heroine Talent’
22/05/13 POMPEIA comes a respectable second yesterday at Nottingham.
21/05/13 DRAHEM (B.f 2010 Teofilo x Carinae) wins the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Redcar yesterday for trainer James Fanshawe, a filly we bred, and then sold as a yearling through Tattersalls in Book Two in 2011.
20/05/13 POMPEIA runs tomorrow at Nottingham in the Fillies Handicap at 3.50 ridden by Jim Crowley trained by Ralph Beckett.
08/05/13 THWART (Ch.f Refuse To Bend x Jump Ship) wins at Kempton yesterday in the 4.10 Fillies’ Handicap race, and is entered at Nottingham on Friday. Owned and bred by our long standing owners Mark & Diana Dixon, & trained by Ralph Beckett.
07/05/13 TALENT wins the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket on the 5th May, trained by Ralph Beckett ridden by Jim Crowley.
(Download Racing Post article)
PENANG POWER (B.f Manduro – Penang Pearl 2010) owned and bred by our long term owner Mrs A K H Ooi, runs today at Sandown in the 4.25 against SKATING OVER (Ch.f Giant’s Causeway – Annie Skates 2010) a filly we bred & then sold through Tattersalls as a yearling in 2011.
23/04/13 POMPEIA runs a respectable race last night finishing third at Windsor, trained by Ralph Beckett ridden by Jim Crowley.
22/04/13 POMPEIA (Ch.f by Singspiel – Caesarea) runs today at Windsor at 6.00pm.
02/04/13 ALL ANNALENA (B.m Dubai Destination x Alla Prima 2006) wins her handicap hurdle race at Towcester on the 31st March trained by Lucy Wadham ridden by Leighton Aspell.
18/03/13 PROWESS foaled a B.Colt by Fastnet Rock on the 17/03/13 , she will be bred to Invincible Spirit this year.
15/03/13 PENANG PEARL foaled a B.Colt by Galileo on the 09/03/13, she will be covered by Galileo again this season.
04/03/13 PEACE AND LOVE foaled a Ch.f by Equiano on the 02/03/13, she will be returning to Equiano again this season.
01/03/13 LET’S GET COZZY (1994 Gr/Ro.m by Cozzene – Sweet Lassie) foals a chesnut filly on the 27/02/13 by Street Hero. This mare we have in partnership with Hartwell Farm in Kentucky USA, run by Robbie & Susie Lyons.
28/02/13 A respectable 2nd for GRAND EXIT (B.m 2006 by Exit To Nowhere – Little Feat) yesterday at Wincanton in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, trained by David Pipe ridden by Tom Scudamore.
07/02/13 WARLING foals bay colt by Oasis Dream & CAESAREA foals chestnut filly by Manduro both born Monday the 4th February under the care of Toby Barker at Broughton Bloodstock.
25/01/13 NINA FONTENAIL and her filly foal by Compton Place, out in the paddock enjoying the snow!
24/01/13 FACEBOOK – Thank you to all of our followers on facebook, we now have 500 fans!!!