Glorious!

Having finished as Leading Trainer at Glorious Goodwood on six previous occasions, and with a record of forty-two career wins at the meeting, there is no doubting the special relationship which exists between Mark Johnston and British racing’s summer highlight.




That special relationship is one which Mark savours, but it carries with it an annual pressure to maintain the record of success and to preserve the reputation which has been built up at the Sussex track since The Can Can Man scored the yard’s first Goodwood win back in May 1991.

It was, therefore, especially pleasing that the yard got off to the perfect start at this year’s festival when Drumfire stormed to success in the opening race on Tuesday 28th July. The Paul Goes The Extra Mile Stakes, a Heritage Handicap named in honour of Paul Stewart, attracted a field of fourteen including Drumfire and our own William Blake, the latter having run so well in defeat at Ascot the previous week. Both Johnston runners attracted support in the market, with Drumfire starting at 8/1 having been available at 20/1 in the morning. Jimmy Fortune took the ride on Drumfire, who was top-weighted with 9st 10lb to carry over the mile and a quarter, while birthday boy Francis Norton partnered  William Blake.

William Blake raced prominently   throughout, but Fortune held Drumfire up in around tenth place. Having moved out wider to challenge with a quarter of a mile to run, Fortune drove the Danehill Dancer horse into a narrow lead with a furlong to run. Gradually getting on top of Royal Destination on the rail, Drumfire then had to withstand the late challenge of the favourite, Sweet Lightning, who stormed home under Martin Dwyer.

At the post, Drumfire won a shade cosily, defeating Sweet Lightning and Royal Destination by half a length and a nose. William Blake stayed on well to land fourth place in what was an ultra-competitive event.  It was a fitting win for Drumfire, for it was at Goodwood two years ago in the totesport Mile that he sustained injuries in a fall which threatened to cut shortl his career. This win has given his owners, Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, some compensation for that disappointment.

Drumfire, now a five-year-old, is huge and his athleticism impressed Fortune. “He is an absolute monster of a horse and he is such a strong galloper, “ commented the Irishman. Mark was delighted with the flying start Drumfire’s win  made to the stable’s Goodwood campaign and commented: “He’s a very classy horse, he always has been, right back to his two-year-old days.” This was the yard’s third win in the past nine runnings of this race (the others being Sharp Play and Crosspeace) and, funnily enough, all three winners carried 9st 4lb or more!

After Urban Poet had run a grand race in finishing third in the Gordon Stakes, the stable added a second win in the closing event of the day. Lowdown, a Shamardal juvenile owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum, was an emphatic winner of the EBF Selsey Maiden Stakes over  six furlongs.

Partnered by Greg Fairley, Lowdown headed the market for this Class 2 event, worth almost £13,000 to the winner.  The main danger appeared to come from Marcus Tregoning’s Royal Applause colt, Aetos.

The race turned into something of a procession. Racing against the near rail, Lowdown made all the running. Asked for his effort with a quarter of a mile to run, the colt stretched clear and was perhaps as much as three lengths clear entering the final furlong. Richard Hannon’s Red Badge made an effort to challenge in the final furlong, but even so the winning margin was a length and a half at the winning post. The first and second were seven lengths clear of the remainder, headed by Dandy Nicholls’ George Benjamin.


Lowdown was purchased by John Ferguson at Tattersalls last October for 100,000gns as a yearling. Out of the Shirley Heights mare Mood Swings, he is a half-brother to Grand Ducal and Hurricane Floyd. His dam won over six furlongs as a juvenile. This was a performance full of promise, and it will be interesting to see how the colt progresses from here.

After a second day campaign that yielded two thirds in Becausewecan and Proclaim, the yard kicked off the third day in similar style to the first when Roman Republic landed the Summer Vase. This ten furlong heritage handicap attracted a field of sixteen and looked ultra-competitive. After a sterling effort at Newmarket last time out, Roman Republic was well-fancied and started at odds of 9/2. However, Sir Michael Stoute’s Mirrored headed Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s Cape Cross colt in the betting, sent off the 7/2 favourite.


Neil Callan soon had Roman Republic racing prominently, tracking the leading trio as the field climbed the hill before turning for home. With fully two furlongs to run, Neil asked Roman Republic for his effort and the colt burst into the lead. Favourite Mirrored set off in hot pursuit but always looked held; a late challenge was thrown down by Jimmy Fortune on Sopranist, but although this was to wrest second from Mirrored Roman Republic held on to win a shade comfortably. The distances were three quarters of a length and half a length. This was the yard’s forty-fifth winner at Glorious Goodwood over the years and it opened up a gap in the race for the title of Leading Trainer over all Mark’s rivals.

Roman Republic was following in the hoofprints of Happy Diamond and Road To Love as MJR-trained winners of this event in the last decade. Held up by niggling problems as a juvenile, he has shown signs of inexperience in his races this term. Striking a positive note about this talented horse’s performance, Mark commented: “Neil said he switched off much better than last time but I think there’s still more to come.”

Friday’s card saw Drumfire reappearing in the Coutts Glorious Stakes, a Group 3 event over a mile and a half. Jimmy Fortune again took the ride, but as Drumfire made his forward move in the straight, Jimmy chose to follow the inner route and headed for the rail. It was the wrong move at the wrong time; switched again after what seemed an eternity, Drumfire ran on well to finish fourth, about three lengths behind winner Illustrious Blue.

Mark entered no fewer than five horses for the totesport Mile, a Class 2 event which traditionally produces an ultra-competitive field. The draw seemed all-important, but luck appeared to have deserted the yard when four of the quintet were badly drawn in single-figure stalls, with only Tartan Gigha looking fairly treated. Although Mark has trained two winners of this race, Riberac and Flytothestars, arguably the race owed the yard some luck, Drumfire and Joe Fanning having sustained a crushing fall in the 2007 renewal. Crackdown, Tartan Gigha, Dubai’s Touch and Lovelace all had their supporters, but quirky old Laa Rayb proved the joker in the pack, producing a splendid performance under Jimmy Fortune to win by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths from Spectait.

Slowly away from stall 8, Jimmy Fortune took the opportunity of bringing the horse to the rails. As he had done on Drumfire, he chose to challenge on the far rail. This time the splits came, and when the gap appeared for Laa Rayb to take the lead, he powered into an unassailable lead. At the line, Sheikh Ahmed al Maktoum’s Storm Cat gelding was a cosy winner, whilst Lovelace defied a hopeless draw to finish a creditable fifth. This was just the sixth time in twenty-three runnings of the race that a horse has won from a single-figure draw.
In a post-race interview, C4’s Alastair Down had the temerity to suggest to Mark that fortune had favoured Laa Rayb with a dream run. Mark is to be congratulated for retaining his sang froid, pointing out to Down “we deserved a dream run with four badly drawn horses!”

Saturday turned out to be one of those Goodwood days where the weather closed in. A sea fret dominated the course and heavy rainshowers were the norm. Again, the yard was to enjoy success in the opening  event, when Eastern Aria gave us our fifth win of the week. The Bluesquarepoker.com Stakes, a Class 3 handicap over a mile and three furlongs, attracted a field of fifteen. Our own Becausewecan was sent off favourite, and as well as Eastern Aria MJR also ran Guestofthenation.

Neil Callan set out to make every yard of the running on Becausewecan, and Douglas Livingston’s Giant’s Causeway colt made a bold bid, leading until a quarter of a mile from home. Eastern Aria had been travelling sweetly for Greg Fairley, tracking the leading pair, and Greg sent the Halling filly into a clear lead with two furlongs to run. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s filly kept on well to score by two and a quarter lengths from Citizenship, with Lady Luachmhar a similar distance back in third. Becausewecan stuck on well to retain fourth.

With five wins at the meeting, we’re delighted to report that Mark finished the week as Leading Trainer at Glorious Goodwood for the seventh time. Quite a performance!

Originals’ Mister Angry Completes Hat-trick

Our determination to bring you full news of another exceptional Goodwood campaign this month has had the added benefit of allowing us to comment on racing on Saturday 1st August. In addition to Eastern Aria, the stable also enjoyed a win at Hamilton Park’s evening meeting when Mister Angry won the Novice Stakes for his owners, The Originals, in the process completing a hat-trick.
Please note that the statistics in Klarion Update this month do not include these winners as they will form part of August’s record.
Mister Angry’s win was noteworthy for a number of reasons. Firstly, the race attracted just two runners despite being worth over £4,500 to the winner. As a result, Mister Angry’s starting price was 1/50 and his winning distance 25 lengths. Secondly, the Cape Cross colt became the first of the yard’s horses to complete a hat-trick this season. Lastly, he became the third winner for The Originals, a new partnership in the yard this year.
The Originals consist of thirteen partners, all of whom were among the original owners to have horses with Mark in the early days of MJR. They include owners like Ron Huggins, Paul Venner and Brian Yeardley who are all closely associated with the yard in the public’s minds. They have four two-year-olds in training this year – Mister Angry, Original Quest, Original Dancer and Shernando – and they are delighted to have made such a good start.
Partner Stuart Morrison was on hand to see Mister Angry’s latest win and his wife Christine collected the trophy on the partners’ behalf.

Joe Recovering Well After Ayr Pile-up

Popular jockey Joe Fanning is, thankfully, recovering well from his injuries after being involved in the horrendous pile-up at Ayr on Monday 13th July. No fewer than seven horses fell as the field entered the straight in the ten furlong handicap. Miraculously, only one of the horses sustained injury (Linda Perratt’s Balwearie broke his jaw), whilst Joe was the only pilot to be hurt. Thrown from Andy Crook’s All in the Red as the horses toppled like skittles, Joe broke his collar bone.

The fall was a major blow to Joe as he was riding in particularly good form in the run-up to Ayr. With seventy-two wins under his belt already this year, he looked to be on course to have his best ever year, and was fresh from riding a hat-trick at Ascot on 10th July, following upon his Royal Ascot successes on Holberg and Drill Sergeant. His reputation as a consummate judge of pace has been further enhanced this year.

As the field entered the straight at Ayr there was an audible gasp from the crowd as the carnage unfolded. With horses spread-eagled on the track and fallen jockeys scampering for the safety of the rails, confusion reigned.  As the race came to an unreal conclusion, all eyes were focussed back down the straight where the erection of the dreaded green screens seemed ominous. This was especially so as there was a growing realisation that all of the horses had been accounted for, and when jockey Amy Ryan was seen in tears on the racecourse television screens, one wondered whether a really serious injury had befallen one of the jockeys. Thankfully, such fears proved ill-grounded, Joe’s collar bone  excepted.

The Klarion spoke to Joe on 27th July and were delighted to find him in good form. The x-ray of the injured area had revealed that whilst his collar bone had been broken there was no damage to the ligaments. “I’m grand,” he told us. “It’s two weeks today since the accident and it’s coming on well. I hope to be riding out again in the middle of next week, and I’m aiming to get back race riding on Friday week.” We asked Joe whether the whole accident had happened in a flash. “No, not at all.  I saw it was coming well before it happened. I was unlucky, in fact. I could see horses’ back legs slipping, so I tried to edge out . But a horse swung in front of me and clipped me and down I went.”

It’s great to know that the popular Irishman is on the road to recovery. Let’s hope he has a trouble-free campaign to end a record year.

Sales Season Begins

As those of you who take an interest in the bloodstock markets are well aware, the yearling sales season is now upon us. Mark’s schedule over the next few months will take in the following sales: Fasig-Tipton Saratoga; the Deauville August Yearling Sales, the Keeneland September Sale (Books 1 and 2), Goffs Orby Yearling Sales, Tattersalls October Sale Books 1 and 2 and the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale.

Given the parlous state of the global economic climate, it is even more important than usual this year for Mark to secure real value for money when assembling his equine team for 2010. To that end, potential purchasers of yearlings should rest assured that Mark and his team will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of potential stars whether in the States or across Europe.

Before each sale, Mark’s team carry out extensive analysis of the catalogues so that he is briefed with a list of potential targets. Whilst Mark views the horses highlighted by this research, his vet team will examine any x-rays or other medical information made available pre-sale. At a major sale such as Keeneland, the whole operation will be run on almost military lines, co-ordinated by Mark and characterised by the customary MJR attention to detail.

Mark’s record at the sales speaks for itself. Over the years he has picked up numerous bargains for our owners, horses which have gone on to enjoy success at the highest level. Never one to be swayed by passing fads, Mark always has in mind that he wants to buy horses which will, first and foremost, provide value for money.

This year in particular Mark would welcome commissions to purchase yearlings at any of the major sales. Giving a firm order in advance of the sale helps Mark enormously, both in relation to managing the huge financial risk which the annual sales round involves for a ‘buying trainer’ but also in helping him frame a realistic  budget in advance of a sale.

Those who are not in a position to give a firm order but who might be tempted by a well-bought yearling can also ask the yard to put them on a fax/e-mail list. This means that they will receive regular updates of the horses Mark has bought which are available for resale on a first come, first served basis. Persons seeking to be added to that list should e-mail Mikaelle Lebreton at mikaelle@markjohnstonracing.com.

Mark is also happy, when his schedule permits, to meet owners at the sales and to take instructions from them there. Those of you who saw the brief passage about Keeneland Sales in Stephen Fry’s excellent television series about America will have realised that the major horse sales represent an exciting world, but it is also very much a world where expert advice and guidance is essential. To have a consummate professional such as Mark, focussed on value and with the veterinary skills backing up his own judgement, on your side is a considerable advantage.

These are challenging times; entrusting someone with a proven record of success at the highest level of racing would seem a wise move for any potential investor in the yearling market.

Knavesmire Dreaming

Kelvin Briggs takes an affectionate look at the Ebor Meeting, fat rascals and all.

August is a great month for holiday racing breaks. French ‘turfistes’ rest their best horses for an autumn campaign and head for the beach parasols and the seaside delights of elegant Deauville. Nearer home, with more Masham Black Sheep real ale on offer than Calvados Pays d’Auge, York will host the fabulous four- day Ebor festival from Tuesday 18th  to Friday 21st August. A chance to see super horses and high quality Group One racing in splendid surroundings.

Since Royal Ascot came north to York in 2005, my partner Kat affectionately calls the Ebor meeting ‘Royal York’. Backing Bandari to win the Hardwicke that year may have influenced us, but we rate York a more enjoyable total experience  than Ascot, now known in our house as ‘The York of the South’ and clearly relegated to third place behind York and  Glorious Goodwood in the racing break pleasure stakes.

York racecourse has crafted and blended the old and the new buildings, retained little historic gems like the County Stand and kept its champagne pricing within reach of most of our wallets. There is a friendly camaraderie and humour at York which makes it a wonderful place to go racing.

Royal Ascot by comparison disappoints us. It’s still tip-top for attracting the finest horses, still great to see MJR fly the flag there for Middleham and the north, but since the redevelopment, as paying customers, we feel taken for granted and exploited by the racecourse and local hotels. We miss the grand old paddock, the ‘shabby chic’ of the old grandstand, the ability to clearly watch the racing. It may surprise the Ascot authority, but forming an orderly queue before each race in the Royal Enclosure area of the grandstand, in the hope of perhaps getting a viewing seat, has lost them customers. My top hat and tails now gather dust, no longer required and confined to the darker reaches of my wardrobe.

Last year’s Ebor meeting was, tragically, a monsoon washout, the first Festival lost to bad weather since it started in 1731.  £2.5million has been spent since on a new drainage system with twenty-four miles of pipes.  Significant track widening and camber improvements have produced a more consistent racing surface. There should be no paddling on the Knavesmire this year. Tuesday’s Juddmonte International will be one for the connoisseur if  Guineas, Derby and Eclipse winner, Sea the Stars turns up in preference to contesting Ascot’s King George. Fingers crossed the ground is suitable for the superstar to cruise to victory under a calm, cool and collected Mick Kinane ride. With running plans still fluid at this stage, we hope to be profitably rooting for the MJR early closing entries. Jukebox Jury in the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur on Tuesday, Call to Arms in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack on Wednesday and Yes Mr President in the totesport Ebor. We like the rare old Capercallie bird in the Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes on Ladies Day, Thursday.

No disrespect to the twenty different places to eat on course at York racecourse, but for us the Tuesday will begin with a pre-race car park picnic. Fellow guests will include members of the Mark Johnston Racing ‘Straight Talking’ website Forum. Christened by Mark  ‘The Forumites’, the esteemed circle will gather ‘bootside’ to share a glass, some exquisite Yorkshire food  and no doubt swap a few tall stories. Dress code for the car park is strictly ‘Marie Curie daffodil button hole’, sharp wit and broad shoulders. The southern-based members of the forum are threatening to turn up in shorts and pumps but we northern boys can be relied up on to scrub up well, be suited, booted and pass all discerning ‘fashionista’ scrutiny.

Car park chat will focus on the shrewdest bets for the day, perhaps a shared Tote Placepot investment. History teaches us that to secure a common Forumite view of a horse, a race, a jockey or any subject will need a firm arbitration policy and sober judge. Heated debate will follow on a current hot forum topic: - Just how many winners will MJR have in 2009? The shrewdies are talking up 200 plus for the year. Picnic over, it will be time to get on course.

Everyone has their favourite spot at York. Mine is the old County Stand. Call me a traditionalist and hopeless romantic, but for me one of life’s simple pleasures is standing by the rail looking back to admire the architecture of the historic structure. Consider the highly decorative white painted Victorian iron work, the architraves patterned with proud white Yorkshire roses. The white support pillars all painted in the brightest red and blue ribbon-like twists, flower boxes resplendent with a swathe of contrasting greenery and red geraniums. Almost Venetian gondola-style, the pillars sum up York for me:- unique, vibrant, priceless and worth preserving. In comparison Ascot’s grandstand pales with its cold and cavernous character like an anonymous global airport terminal lounge.

Wednesday will begin with a breakfast treat. No visit to York is complete without the early morning pilgrimage to Bettys, the iconic Cafe Tea Room in St Helens Square, central York, open all day from 9am until 9pm.
Bettys, a Harrogate-based group, have just celebrated their ninetieth anniversary. In 1936, Bettys‘ founder Frederick Belmont travelled on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary. He fell in love with the splendour of the ship and commissioned the Queen Mary’s designers and craftsmen to fit out his York cafe branch. Spot fellow racegoers discreetly thumbing Timeform surrounded by art deco elegance, huge curved windows, elegant wood panelling and ornate mirrors.

There is something decadent about eating ‘Eggs Benedict’ or a full Yorkshire breakfast, whilst sipping chilled Bucks fizz.  Excellent Service is the norm here, the menu of Swiss and Yorkshire favourites presents as tough a choice a picking the winner of the Ebor. A different tea flavour for each day of the month. And can you resist a ‘Warm Yorkshire Fat Rascal’? Return later, or another day perhaps, to sample Bettys’ most famous speciality, a large plump, fruity scone made with citrus peels, almonds and cherries.Yum!

Here’s a true ‘Always Ebor’ story. Two youngsters were sat at an adjacent table to us in Bettys, playing “I spy”. Geoffrey ( a true Yorkshire lad)  said “T”, and Nazz ( from Essex) after guessing “Table”, “Teaspoon”,” Trolley” etc, sighed and gave up. Triumphantly, and with a wry smile, Geoffrey said “T’oven door.”

Kelvin Briggs was a member of an early ‘Always Trying Partnership’ and is currently researching and writing a book about Middleham and the horse racing industry. He is ’Always Keen’ to hear from any Klarion readers with a Middleham tale to tell. kelvinbriggs@btconnect.com

JULY Klarion Update

(includes results to 31st July 2009)

June’s campaign was always going to be a tough act to follow, but in all fairness, Mark and his team have not done at all badly in attempting to follow it up! A glorious Goodwood campaign has set the seal on another excellent win, with 27 winners keeping the pressure on for yet another record-breaking year.
According to the Racing Post’s statistics (British races only), before racing on 31st July the yard has achieved 141 wins this year at an overall strike rate of 20%; prize-money stands at £1,518,411, and strike rates across the generations can be broken down into 17% (two-year-olds), 22% (three-year-olds) and 15% (four-year-olds and upwards). Taking into account second and third placings, the juveniles stand just a fraction under a 50% placed strike rate. Remarkable statistics indeed!

Leading Horse (Prize-money Earned)
Laa Rayb	£102,890
Lady Jane Digby	£70,683
Roman Republic	£69,674
Drill Sergeant	£60,288
Holberg	£54,910
Quai d’Orsay	£47,339
Drumfire	£46,119

     
    
The effects of the Goodwood racing programme can clearly be seen here, with totesport Mile winner Laa Rayb shooting to the top of the chart, Roman Republic taking a prominent role and Drumfire entering calculations for the first time. The issue of prize-money has been to the fore of racing politics in July with gloomy pronouncements about the levy; it would be nice to hear where the Harrison:Fraser inspired steering groups are in their deliberations (the ‘Racing for Change’ project board’s exclusion of trainers and jockeys can’t be a good sign), and, if you’ll forgive me a cheap shot, it would be even nicer to hear from RUK/ATR about the actual sums they have earned from selling British racing abroad as a consequence of, whisper it, 48-hour decs.

Leading Horse (Races Won)
Eastern Aria	4 wins
Green Agenda	4
Lady Jane Digby	3
Nightjar	3
Proclaim	3
Tartan Gigha	3
Tartan Gunna	3

    
Everything to play for here as Eastern Aria’s Epsom win early in July took her into the joint lead. A rough scan of my records suggests that there are no fewer than 27 horses on two wins, anyone of which might burst to the top of these standings.

Leading Sire – MJR wins 2009
Halling	11 wins
Cape Cross	8
Anabaa	7
Elusive Quality	7
Green Desert	6
King’s Best	6
Daylami	4
Dubai Destination	4
Giant’s Causeway	4
Montjeu	4
Peintre Celebre	4

Cape Cross is the sire of the moment, but it’s not only Sea The Stars who is representing his dad with distinction. Mister Angry and Sea Lord are making big strides in the juvenile division while Roman Republic remains a horse to look forward to among the classic generation.

Leading Sire of Two-Year-olds (by MJR Wins 2009)
Cape Cross	4
Elusive Quality	3
Shamardal	3
Alhaarth	2

Lowdown is the latest Shamardal to shine, his Goodwood win being mighty impressive. Mark assures me that there are plenty of winners still to come from the juveniles so we’ll watch this category with special interest!

Leading Jockey (by MJR Wins 2009)
Greg Fairley	49 wins
Joe Fanning	43
Royston Ffrench	23
Jean-Pierre Guillambert	6
T P O’Shea	5
Richard Hills	4
Jimmy Quinn	3
Jimmy Fortune	2
Andrew Mullen	1
Neil Callan	1
Darryll Holland	1
Hayley Turner	1
Robert Winston	1

Definitely an unusual month for MJR jockeys! Our intense relief that Joe was not too badly injured at Ayr was followed by a sense of frustration on his behalf that his good run of form should be so cruelly ended. Jimmy Fortune proved well-suited to the giant Drumfire and quirky Laa Rayb while Neil Callan conjured an excellent performance from Roman Republic at Goodwood.
          
               

Racecourses (by MJR prize-money 2009)
Goodwood	£213,751.30
Ascot	£140,358.20
Newmarket	£123,955.50
Hamilton	£108,426.30
Lingfield	£105,600.46
Doncaster	£72,418.75

This table is a clear indicator of (a) why Mark loves Goodwood, and (b) just how glorious our Goodwood campaign has been this year! All bar £18,500 or so of this prize-money was earned during the summer festival meeting. The effects of the July Meeting can also be seen in the healthy results for Newmarket.

It is becoming our custom to end Update with a comparative look at how 2009 shapes up with previous years. The stable remains on course for a stellar year. Laa Rayb’s win gave Mark 141 wins for the year, a score achieved in 2007 and 2008 only on 5th October and 16th October respectively. Will August, and York, keep the yard on schedule?

Kingsley Kickback by John Scanlon - Editor of the Kingsley Klarion

Disciplinary Concerns
As highlighted in the Racing Post on Monday 27th July, spending on ‘integrity services’ (or ‘the fight against crime’ as the Post calls it) has risen to £25m a year, almost 25% of the BHA’s total budget. Whilst I think it is a great pity that such an amount has to be spent on policing racing, I readily accept that as we have allowed racing’s wellbeing to be linked directly to betting turnover over the years it is essential that  gamblers are given confidence that our racing is ‘clean’.
That  said, I have two main areas of concern. The first surrounds the penalties meted out by the Disciplinary Panel. Much has been written elsewhere on this topic and it would serve little purpose to rehearse the penalties issued to individuals in full once more. Rather, I would prefer to contrast the punishments allotted to two individuals, the trainers, Messrs Henderson and Burke.
 The Panel’s findings in respect of Nicky Henderson speak of ‘a systematic attempt to conceal from investigation the use of TA’. The vet at the centre of the case, despite being the Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Newbury and the NTF’s Veterinary Advisor, omitted any reference to the administration of TA from the yard’s Medication Book, told investigators that he didn’t know TA was a prohibited substance and did not give evidence at the enquiry. Nicky Henderson’s line at the enquiry when asked questions about the actions of his staff was simply to say that he took 100% responsibility for their actions.  The penalty? A £40,000 fine and a ‘refusal to accept entries’ from the Henderson yard for three months, months, incidentally, where a major jumping yard such as his would have few runners anyway.
Turning to Karl Burke, the Middleham trainer admitted (albeit not at the outset of proceedings) supplying inside information to a professional gambler over a period of a month in 2004. The penalty? Disqualified for a year.  One aspect of the Panel’s findings related to Burke’s solicitor’s submission that they should have regard to the disposal in Darren Williams case, namely a three month suspension. The Panel distinguished that case partly because Williams had been subjected to the failed Old Bailey proceedings whilst Burke had not. I accept that it’s easy to pick holes in an argument after the event, but I’m fairly confident Burke’s legal advisers will attack that passage of the findings. Surely it could be argued a decision not to proceed against Burke in the Old Bailey implies concern on the part of the prosecutors about the evidence they felt able to adduce against him or to the extent/import of his involvement? To increase a penalty because others chose not to pursue a defendant seems perverse. In my submission, these decisions highlight an apparent lack of even-handedness on the part of the Panel.
The Panel’s findings in respect of Messrs Burke and Rodgers also give rise to my second area of concern. These findings are important legal documents of vital concern to the livelihoods of those affected and of general importance to the industry as a whole. It is important that the documents are worded carefully and accurately. With respect to the members of the Panel I am concerned that some people may take exception to some of the language used in this case. Firstly, in paragraph nine of their findings, the Panel refer to “Burke’s story”; surely it would be more appropriate to refer to ‘his evidence’ or even to ‘his version of events’. The use of the word ‘story’ implies a dismissive approach by the Panel. Secondly, the findings on Miles Rodgers contain this remarkable passage (at paragraph eighteen): “He (Rodgers) said that he was only a social gambler with an occasional interest in racing, who would now obey a new exclusion order. The fact that he attended the Enquiry with a copy of the Racing Post and two mobile phones may be consistent with the portrait Rodgers painted of himself, but then again it may not.” Is anyone in any doubt of the conclusion the Panel drew here? Are we to take it that possession of a Racing Post and two mobile phones negatively impacts on the Disciplinary Panel’s opinion of character and credibility? Mr Johnston, beware!

‘Silks, Soaks and Certainties’
I’m indebted to Bob Butchers for sending me a copy of his excellent book “Silks, Soaks and Certainties”, which is available from Blenheim Press (www.blenheimpressltd.co.uk). Bob’s family links with racing have spanned more than a century and first as a rider, and latterly as a journalist (Bob was the original Newsboy on the Daily Mirror), he has amassed a wealth of stories and memories which would be of interest to any racing fan. In his eighties, Bob’s book is full to the brim of racing stories and anecdotes which, above all else, reveal a fantastic memory and a real joie de vivre on Bob’s part. The early part of the book which deals with Bob’s upbringing in Lewes and the exploits of his father Leslie and uncle Don are particularly fascinating. It was interesting to see John Gosden interviewed on C4 regarding Lewes the other day and John would doubtless enjoy the memories of the town, its racecourse and its stables which Bob brings to life here. It really is a cracking read.
Bob has very kindly agreed with his publishers that if any of our readers purchase the book (available for £20 inclusive of post and packing), a donation of £5 will be made to the charity of Mark’s choice. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the offer should ensure that the word ‘Klarion’ is quoted in any order.

John Scanlon

On The Soapbox

Channel 4 Racing’s Graham Goode tells us how he would address the threat to prize-money arising from concerns about the Levy. 

We recently learnt the disturbing news that there is a downturn in the Levy. Anyone who has stepped foot inside a betting shop in the past year wouldn’t be a bit surprised.  Despite massive renovations to virtually every shop, footfall has dropped from a torrent to a trickle .  
There are many problems to be addressed here - not the least of which is does “racing” deliver what the punter wants or what the bookmaker thinks the punter wants? But that’s another issue.
The growth over the past few years of the betting exchanges shouldn’t  come as a surprise  either .  Where would you buy your goods?   At the corner shop with its mark up, on the High Street, at the supermarket or the hypermarket or on the internet?    We are all price sensitive and cost conscious . 
So to place a bet would you prefer a mark up of 20% or 1%?   No contest .
So exchanges are here to stay and they are the future .  The on course bookmaker is merely a commission agent and, sadly, a dinosaur .    Future generations who will be born with a mobile phone already attached will say -“You did what? “ And, in the exchange system, there has been one area of almost exponential growth over the past few seasons, and that  is the “in running” market . 
When I first went racing there were only one or two punters who would bet “in running “. Most notably, the late, great ‘Dodger’ McCartney would have a bet in this way. It involved the now quaint notion of looking through binoculars, holding an opinion, asking for odds and being accommodated. Now, we all look at a screen and push buttons.
The volatility of this market appeals to the gambler; the ability to hedge appeals to the arbitrager . 
Here I have to declare an interest . I am involved, albeit it in a small way, with  Nottingham Racecourse and regard it as part of my task to get bums on seats there .  All racecourses face a similar problem to bookmakers – that is, footfall is on the downturn.  And, like the bookmakers’ problems,  there are many reasons for this  - poor fixtures , too many fixtures ( has ‘racing’  asked its  target audience ( and what’s that ?) what it wants  or what it thinks it wants? ) , entrance costs, current economic climate  and many others .  But there is no doubt that the regular  racegoer,  whom I regard as the punter , isn’t turning up  anymore . Why?  He’s better served at home by TV and gets better odds on the exchanges .
He can bet “in running” on the exchanges – so for him it’s no contest.  And the “in running” betting appears to account for 18-23% of the handle per race . It’s a percentage of the profit on this tranche that I believe is due to racecourses.
I’ve been banging on about this for years   To the JCR , RCA , NTF , ROA , LB , BHA  ( or B  or whatever letter they are on now) -  indeed, the whole alphabet soup of racing .  Sadly, to little effect . 
Some racecourses are getting a handle on the “in running “  market in an unexpected way.  My understanding is that, having looked at rulings from the Gambling Commission, they, the Gambling Commission, have said that as far as the “in running” market is concerned , its words to the effect that  let the punter beware .  Be aware, that is, of the differences between the speed at which  the stay at home viewer sees the race .  This varies quite enormously in racing terms  between  analogue  - digital  - terrestrial – satellite; between ATR,  SIS,  RUK, Turf TV, BBC and C4 . 
Some racecourses are allowing groups to hire hospitality boxes and  the groups   arrive turning the hospitality box into  mini   stock exchange dealing rooms.  At the end of the day, to show a profit you still have to be able to read a race and be right, but a three to five second advantage is handy.   And that’s before you get rumours about space age sabotage of intercepting and looping the encrypted signal.  In these days, it seems, it’s just not a question of backing the second favourite each way!
Despite the best endeavours of some, exchanges are down to one major operator  - Betfair .  According to one press release, Betfair paid  £6.16 of the £6.2 million paid to the Levy Board by the exchanges  and 90% of the £1.35 million reportedly paid as “voluntary levy from off shore operators”.  And Betfair are big sponsors in racing -  now, apparently, just behind racing’s original exchange – the Tote . 
Betfair’s growth must continue, with constant references to it on terrestrial television and virtually at every opportunity on one of the dedicated satellite channels, together with, more surprisingly, on screen references to their odds on ATR (who says leopards can’t change their spots?).
But Betfair is not a cash cow.  Yet I’m sure the  R & A (the Royal and Ancient Golf Club) would like to get their mitts on  a handle  on the profit of the £12 million plus  turn over on the  win market  alone of the Open golf , or the  LTA ( Lawn Tennis Association) a handle on the  £70 million turnover  on the Roddick/Federer  Wimbledon final (to be fair,  I  think that represents two separate markets  - the £53 million on the winner of the tournament and the £17 million  on the match on the day). But, for all I know, they might .  
 Would a divi on the “in running” handle  for racecourses to use as prize money  be such an ask ? 
Graham Goode.

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Shamardal Colt Has the Lowdown on Goodwood Rivals

After opening the first day of Glorious Goodwood with a win courtesy of the five-year-old Drumfire, the stable added a second win in the closing event of the day. Lowdown, a Shamardal juvenile owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum, was an emphatic winner of the EBF Selsey Maiden Stakes over  six furlongs.
Partnered by Greg Fairley, Lowdown headed the market for this Class 2 event, worth almost £13,000 to the winner.  The main danger appeared to come from Marcus Tregoning’s Royal Applause colt, Aetos.
The race turned into something of a procession. Racing against the near rail, Lowdown made all the running. Asked for his effort with a quarter of a mile to run, the colt stretched clear and was perhaps as much as three lengths clear entering the final furlong. Richard Hannon’s Red Badge made an effort to challenge in the final furlong, but even so the winning margin was a length and a half at the winning post. The first and second were seven lengths clear of the remainder, headed by Dandy Nicholls’ George Benjamin.
Lowdown was purchased by John Ferguson at Tattersalls last October for 100,000gns as a yearling. Out of the Shirley Heights mare Mood Swings, he is a half-brother to Grand Ducal and Hurricane Floyd. His dam won over six furlongs as a juvenile.
This was a performance full of promise, and it will be interesting to see how the colt progresses from here.

Drumfire Kicks Off Goodwood in Style

Drumfire kicked off the stable’s Glorious Goodwood  campaign in style when storming to success in the opening race of the meeting on 28th July.
The Paul Goes The Extra Mile Stakes, a Heritage Handicap named in honour of Paul Stewart, attracted a field of fourteen including Drumfire and our own William Blake, the latter having run so well in defeat at Ascot on Friday last. Both Johnston runners attracted support in the market, with Drumfire starting at 8/1 having been available at 20/1 in the morning. Jimmy Fortune took the ride on Drumfire, who was top-weighted with 9st 10lb to carry over the mile and a quarter, while birthday boy Francis Norton partnered  William Blake.
William Blake raced prominently   throughout, but Fortune held Drumfire up in around tenth place. Having moved out wider to challenge with a quarter of a mile to run, Fortune drove the Danehill Dancer horse into a narrow lead with a furlong to run. Gradually getting on top of Royal Destination on the rail, Drumfire then had to withstand the late challenge of the favourite, Sweet Lightning, who stromed home under Martin Dwyer.
At the post, Drumfire won a shade cosily, defeating Sweet Lightning and Royal Destination by half a length and a nose. William Blake stayed on well to land fourth place in what was an ultra-competitive event.  It was a fitting win for Drumfire, for it was at Goodwood two years ago that he sustained injuries in a fall which threatened to cut shortl his career. This win has given his owners, Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, some compensation for that disappointment.
Drumfire, now a five-year-old, is huge and his athleticism impressed Fortune. “He is an absolute monster of a horse and he is such a strong galloper, “ commented the Irishman.
Mark was delighted with the flying start Drumfire’s win  made to the stable’s Goodwood campaign and commented: “He’s a very classy horse, he always has been, right back to his two-year-old days.” This was the yard’s third win in the past nine runnings of this race and, funnily enough, all winners carried 9st 4lb or more!

Poet On Song!

Urban Poet made an impressive racecourse debut at Hamilton Park on 16th July when slamming his field in the Always Trying Open Maiden Stakes over eleven furlongs.
The son of Dynaformer, previously with Godolphin but now running in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, was one of two stable entries for this race which is sponsored by the stable. The other entry was the same owner’s Clientele, partnered by Andrew Elliott. Urban Poet was sent off at 3/1, and was ridden by Greg Fairley.
He broke well from the stalls and was at the head of affairs as the field headed down the Hamilton straight. Entering the loop, Andrew Elliott sent Clientele into the lead. This allowed Greg Fairley to settle Urban Poet against the rail in third, with the favourite, Richard Fahey’s Acquavella, trailing him in fourth. Coming down the hill, Fairley asked  the Dynaformer colt to take closer order, and just at the intersection of the courses Urban Poet struck the front.
As the field hit the rising ground, Urban Poet strode further and further away from his rivals. Considerably eased by Fairley for the last half furlong, he still managed to beat Proud Times by nine lengths, with Acquavella finishing third, having just denied Clientele for the minor honours.
Urban Poet was an expensive purchase at $2.9 million, and whilst it’s hard to know what to make of the opposition he beat at Hamilton, there was plenty in the manner of his victory to suggest that  that price tag may not look so outrageous in the fullness  of time!

Gacho Noses Home

My Gacho scored his ninth career victory when opening his account for the year at Leicester on 16th July.  The seven-year-old turned in an ultra-game performance to land the ladbrokescasino.com Handicap,  a class 4 event over seven furlongs.
Grant Mercer’s Shinko Forest gelding has been out of luck in six runs this year, but as he went to post at Leicester he had two things in his favour. Firstly, a drop in the weights left him on a competitive mark of 73, and secondly he was reunited with jockey Jean Pierre Guillambert, the partnership having notched up three previous wins.
A field of nine went to post for the race, the market led by Sweet Gale at 9/2. In such an open race, My Gacho was sent off at 7/1 (joint fourth favourite). He was to turn in a game performance. Kevin Ryan’s three-year-old Cook’s Endeavour was the long time leader of the race in the centre, while My Gacho came to lead the stands’ side group four furlongs from home. Challenged for the lead and headed by Balata a furlong out, My Gacho was carried right as that rival hung across the track, but despite that the gelding  rallied well. Dane O’Neill must have thought he’d landed the spoils on Orlando’s Tale as he came to overhaul Cook’s Endeavour in the closing stages, but in the shadow of the post Guillambert managed to coax the old boy into a renewed effort. At the line, My Gacho prevailed by a nose from Orlando’s Tale, with Cook’s Endeavour a head back in third.
My Gacho was rated 91 at the end of 2008, so unless the handicapper reacts to this win with a major hike in his rating, he may be worth following in the weeks to come as he goes in search of win number 10!

After making a winning debut at Hamilton on 17th June, Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum’s Awzaan was sent to Newmarket’s July course to contest the European Breeders’ Fund Conditions Stakes over six furlongs  on 9th July. The Alhaarth colt faced nine rivals in this Class 2 event, headed by Richard Hannon’s Goodwood winner Sabii Sands. Ridden by Richard Hills, Awzaan was sent off at 9/1.
The race was characterised by a really strong pace up front as Farmer Giles led the way. Richard Hills was content to bide his time on Awzaan, despite the fact that the colt had made virtually all the running when scoring at Hamilton. It turned out to be an inspired decision, as, having been asked for his effort a furlong and a half from home, Awzaan hit the front with a furlong to run and surged clear on the rising ground. At the winning post, Awzaan had five lengths in hand of Clive Brittain’s Amary, with Sabii Sands finishing third a further two lengths in arrears.
Awzaan’s dam is the Zafonic mare Nufoos. Many of you will remember her racing for the yard a few years ago; as a juvenile, she won a Leicester maiden and a Beverley nursery, while at three she won the Eternal Stakes (Listed) at Warwick and was Listed placed elsewhere. She is a half-sister to five winners, including Valiant Romeo. Retired to stud at the end of her three-year-old career, Awzaan is her first foal.
Clearly on the upgrade,  Awzaan may now be targeted at the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The fantastic campaign enjoyed by the stable in June saw a new record total of winners for one calendar month set. The magnificent tally of 38 wins will provide a very hard act to follow, but, remarkably, in the early days of July, the winners continued to flow. Beautiful Breeze started the ball rolling with a win at Chepstow on the first of the month. By the 8th of the month, the number of July winners had grown to nine. Awzaan scored at Newmarket to take the total to ten, keeping hopes going that July could prove comparable to June, and that goal received a major boost at Ascot on Friday 10th July.
A good run at Carlisle last time out ensured that Trailblazing, a juvenile colt by Green Desert, was well-fancied in the ICAP EBF Maiden Stakes. This ultra-competitive race saw eleven runners go to post, three of which, including Trailblazing, started as 5/1 co-favourites. Joe Fanning partnered Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s colt, and was soon racing at the head of affairs with Paul Cole’s Fantastic Prince. Trailblazing hit the front a quarter of a mile from home, and despite edging left, he went clear of his field approaching the furlong pole. Staying on strongly to the line, he defeated Taajub by a length and a half, with a further three and a half lengths separating the second from the third horse, Sheer Force.
Trailblazing  is a full brother to Yamal, who has now won seven times in all and, interestingly, ran with credit on his only Ascot start. Trailblazing looks set to follow in his footsteps, despite his name!
Alanbrooke, always a highly-rated colt, has begun to find his real form since being stepped up in distance. At Sandown on 3rd July, he slammed his field by six lengths over a mile and six furlongs. Stepped up again to two miles for the Spargonet Handicap, and racing off a mark of 86 , he was understandably installed as an odds-on favourite by the layers. He didn’t disappoint, Joe Fanning sending him clear two furlongs out. The pair romped home virtually unchallenged, the official winning distance being five lengths over Sweetheart. There may be more to come from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s Hernando colt.
The hat-trick was landed when Dubai’s Touch defied top weight to land the Goudhurst Handicap, a Class 3 event over a mile. Having been dropped a few pounds to an official rating of 90, Mr Salem Suhail’s five-year-old Dr Fong horse still had to shoulder a burden of 10 stone.  Sent off at 12/1, he was rather slowly away, and Joe had to ride a patient race from behind. Making progress from halfway, Dubai’s Touch hit the front two furlongs out and soon went clear. Keeping on well to the line, he defeated One Way or Another by three lengths with the longtime leader Sarah Park back in third. Dubai’s Touch is one of a number of the stable’s horses entered in the totesport mile at Glorious Goodwood, a course where he has already notched a Listed win.
Just to put the icing on the cake, Thebes scored a six-length win at Chepstow later that evening to make it a four-timer on the day. The winner chase continues!