Got one on the board!

It was great to be back in the winners’ enclosure after the success of Breaking Waves at Southwell last Monday, 28^th June.  Prominent throughout, he moved upsides the leader early on the final circuit before jumping to the front at the penultimate flight.  Once in the lead he was just inclined to idle a little, but a bold leap at the last sealed the deal and he was driven out by Daryl Jacob to score by 1½ lengths.  This was Breaking Waves' first win since joining the yard last summer and due reward for his recent consistency.  A talented individual, he is capable of handling a step back up in class.

Breaking Waves was actually our second runner of the afternoon, following on from Numberoneson who dropped in grade to contest the novices’ selling hurdle half an hour earlier.  Held up towards the rear, he was encouraged to get closer as the pace lifted down the back straight and responded, moving into third position as the field approached the second last.  From there he was unable to find any extra, fading into fifth (subsequently promoted to fourth as one of his rivals failed to draw the correct weight) on what was his first start since January.

Warranty has been enjoying a few spins on the Flat this summer and took his chance in another staying handicap at Chepstow last Tuesday.  We removed the headgear and also employed different tactics on this occasion as he was settled last in a race run at a good gallop from the outset.  Still at the rear as the field swung for home, he began to make steady headway inside the final two furlongs, running on well down the outside to snatch the bronze-medal position at the line.  This was his third good run from four starts on the Flat in the past couple of months and we hope he’ll prove up to winning a similar event in the not-too-distant future.

The following day, Flash de Clerval stepped back up to 2½m in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Worcester.  Tracking the leaders, he proved a little keen in the early stages before losing his place when being hampered as the field packed up leaving the back straight. From there he faced an impossible task to get back on terms.  The decision has now been made to retire him to a new home outside of racing.

Waterlefe Getaway made her second start after wind surgery at Newton Abbot last Friday where she was fitted with first-time blinkers for the second division of the 2m5½f handicap hurdle.  Waited with at the back of the field, she made promising headway to jump into a dispute of third crossing three out, but once push came to shove, she found disappointingly little, weakening out of contention to finish last of the eight to complete.  A similar decision has been made to retire and re-home her.

We only have a couple of entries in the next week or so, Breaking Waves could be our sole jumps runner next week as he holds an entry at Newton Abbot on Monday.  He would be stepping back up in grade and has been raised 5lb as a result of his win at Southwell, but he has won off a higher mark over fences in the past and certainly possesses the raw ability to remain competitive.

We have secured an exciting new horse for the Lead the Way Syndicate, he arrived with us last week and his name is ‘Transfer Friendly’. He is a quality, athletic and good looking 5yo son of Mahler.  He was an excellent 2nd on his fifth start in an Irish Point To Point where the switch to front running tactics brought about plenty of improvement. He’s a very sound individual with an excellent attitude and a brilliant jumper. He’ll be for novice hurdling this season before likely chasing the season after.  His Sire Mahler is fast making a name for himself as a top stallion and boasts a highly impressive 44% strike rate with winners to runners.  His progeny are renowned for getting better with age so we’re extremely excited by his future as he develops into the finished article. An exciting prospect with shares available. The prices are as follows and there will be 10 x 10% shares in total: £1,795 upfront + £250/month from July 2021 - 31st May 2023. Please get in touch for further details or to arrange a viewing: info@harrywhittington.co.uk 

JOE QUINTIN It was a sad day for the yard this week and the end of an era,  as we waved goodbye to Assistant Trainer, Joe Quintin after nearly a decade of working with HWR. Joe has been the backbone of the yard over his time with us.  The most phenomenal horseman with a wealth of knowledge and experience, a wicked sense of humour and a fountain of wisdom for the younger staff to lean on and look up to. He has decided to take a step back from racing for a little while and we are sure whatever he turns his hand to will be a wonderful success. We wish him all the best with his future and will miss him hugely Good luck Joe!

Until next week...