ALL FOOTSTEPS LEAD TO YORK AND ASCOT

Well I did promise you that MAD MOOSE could do anything and he did in some style at Chester in finishing 2nd to the magnificent Mount Athos in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes.

We were absolutely delighted with Moose's performance, he clearly relished the occasion and is performing to a really high level after only 2 Flat runs. The handicapper has reacted with a mark of 100, which counts him out of the Ascot Stakes, but leaves him eligible for all Top handicaps, Listed and Group Races.

He will run this weekend in the Listed Stowe Family Law Grand Cup at York. At entry stage it looks a competitive little heat but we will see at Declaration stage later this morning.

 

Mad Moose (courtesy of Darren Birdie)





Later on that Friday afternoon, we watched as our Footstepsinthesand filly SANDIVA made her debut for Richard Fahey under jockey Tom Eaves. She popped out the stalls well and sat in 3rd place, running extremely green as Tom tried to settle her. She looked like she didn't know how to go through the gap, so Tom switched her to the outside at the furlong pole. She settled matters in strides to go 6 lengths clear and earn the top Racing Post Rating for a two year old filly this year of 92.

We are all extremely excited by Sandiva and with her family, she could be a very valuable young lady. In the meantime we will look for a novice or maybe listed race prior to her most likely Royal Ascot target, the Albany Stakes over 6f.

 

 

Joining Mad Moose at York on Saturday will be another tremendously exciting filly STRANGE MAGIC. Strange Magic ventured to France late last season to be placed in 2 Listed races and has taken her time to come to hand this year, due to the harsh winter up in Malton. As a sprinting 3 year old, she will not be easy to place so we may be on our travels again as the season progresses, particularly as our girl prefers a bit of juice in the ground.

She is likely to make her debut in the big all aged 5f Sprint at York, which should put her spot on for whatever opportunity we can find for her in the next few weeks. Not sure there is anything suitable at Royal Ascot but we will hope for a good start on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

Looking forward to going to York on Saturday, great to have runners at one of my favourite Flat courses, hoping dreams continue to be realised and disasters kept to a minimum.

 

THE MOOSE IS LOOSE AT CHESTER

I never imagined that being involved as an owner with Mad Moose, would allow me to experience such a wide range of emotions and experiences. From our first meeting, the day before my 50th Birthday at Market Rasen, Moose has gained almost cult status through his exploits (and lack of them!!).

To have experienced the Highs (Leading him into the winners enclosure at Cheltenham last April and again after his fine Second to Sprinter Sacre in the Victor Chandler in Jan) and the Lows (Refusing to race at Cheltenham and Aintree festivals), I really thought the Rollercoaster ride was over, until that afternoon, only 2 weeks ago, when he pinged out of the stalls to beat 3 very well bred 3 year olds at Doncaster, becoming the first 9 year old to win on his Flat debut for 18 years!!

So it was, in fact, just oranges at half time, and we move into the second 45 minutes, where, remarkably, our gutsy chaser, takes on proper Group horses in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes, tomorrow, at Chester.

Moose has already proven that he is capable of absolutely anything so we travel up to Chester with Dreams intact and the well wishes of his increasingly massive army of supporters, ringing in our ears.

IT'S CERTAINLY A MAD MAD WORLD WHEN MOOSE IS INVOLVED!!