Tag Archives: charlie longsdon

Visiting Charlie Longsdon’s Hull Farm for #NationalRacehorseWeek

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Good Evening!

First things first, it has been a long while since I posted, so I do apologise for that. If you follow me on Twitter you will have seen I had a lot of things going on in my personal life with my family, so I took some time away to focus on that. However I am now back. I have today’s post, then from October 2nd I will be back every Saturday at 11am up until the New Year and hopefully beyond. So with that all being said, on to today’s post.

Today marks the final day of the #NationalRacehorseWeek so I am bringing you a brand new post all about my visit to Charlie Longsdon’s Hull Farm last weekend. I had a thoroughly enjoyable day so I am bringing you a little insight into what I seen that day as well as a breakdown of some of the horses Charlie paraded and their future plans. Everything I put into this post was authorised by Charlie to be posted for my audience – With that being said… Enjoy!

When we first arrived, we got the chance to walk around and meet some of the stable stars with Charlie and his team around to ask questions and to speak to everyone about the horses in question. I met some lovely horses including an old favourite of mine Glen Forsa. There were quite a few people at the visit including a lot of families and children, who were all meeting the horses and enjoying their afternoon.

Charlie then paraded 32 of his horses out the front for everyone to see. Here we got to see the horses on parade as well as having Charlie explain what each horse had already done and what the plans were for them. The one thing I have always found so incredible is when a trainer can name every horse, their history, their plans, their bloodline and everything in between. I can barely remember what I did last week, let alone 32 horses and everything you need to know about them, but Charlie knew everything and it was really interesting to hear him talk about future plans for his horses. He did explain 2 horses would run on Tuesday at Fontwell and he thought they both had a decent shot of winning, Glimpse Of Gala and Midnight Jewel and in the end, as predicted by Charlie, they both ended up winning. Now onto the horses he paraded…

Almazhar Garde
Kapgarde x Loin De Moi
Owner: Kate & Andrew Brooks

Potentially he will go through the novice hurdle route and then potentially return to chasing.

Beyond The Clouds
Peintre Celebre x Evening
Owner: Robert Aplin

Potentially a run at Kelso in December and maybe go to America.

Byzantium Lad
Yeats x Socialite Girl
Owner: Stormy Milan Syndicate

Once the rain turns up he will go chasing.

Carlow Farmer
Stowaway x Supreme Fivestar
Owner: Cracker Syndicate

Going chasing over 3 miles.

Castle Robin
Robin Des Champs x Coco Opera
Owner: Bradley Partnership

Novice chasing when the ground softens up.

Due Reward
Westerner x Long Acre
Owner: Charlie Longsdon

Was brought on Wednesday 8th September from Gigginstown at Doncaster. Charlie said rated around 133 in Ireland. Still very new to the yard so plans will be set out once an owner is found, right now Charlie still owns him.

Eclair On Line
Dream Well x Odeline
Owner: Eclair On Line Syndicate

Got injured last October so hasn’t ran in over a year. Will go chasing when the ground goes soft.

Freethinker
Libertarian x Supreme Magical
Owner: The Free Thinkers

Ready to run in around 3 weeks.

George Bancroft
Australia x Extensive
Owner: JP McManus

Brought by Charlie recently, JP McManus brought from Charlie around the time of visit. Plan is to go juvenile hurdling.

Unnamed 3 Year Old
Getaway x Missusan

Brought from Ireland in the summer. Will run in a bumper in the spring.

Glen Forsa
Mahler x Outback Ivy
Owner: TP Radford

Chasing over 3 miles – Possibly a Grand National horse.

Glencassley
Yeats x Reseda
Owner: Grant Leon

Interesting fact – He was the last winner before the country went into lockdown in March 2020 when winning at Wetherby. Novice hurdling this season.

Glimpse Of Gala
Passing Glance x Apple Days
Owner: The Tweed Clad Fossils

Won on Tuesday (after the visit) in a Novice Hurdle.

Haas Boy
Diamond Boy x Naker Mome
Owner: Malcolm Olden

Unraced – Potentially a bumper in October.

If I Say
Free Eagle x Wandering Star
Owner: Charlie Longsdon

She was brought around 6 weeks ago at Doncaster from David Redvers, he recommended her to Charlie. Has won a point to point bumper, Charlie thinks she will go for a mares only bumper in October and then onto a listed race.

Just Your Type
Morozov x Enistar
Owner: Tyrone Hanlon

He will be aimed towards some big staying chases over the next season. Charlie said after his back operation he was the first horse he rode again as he trusts him the most in his yard.

Thinque Tank
So You Think x Azharia
Owner: The Charlie Longsdon Racing Club

Ran at Newton Abbott on Friday (after visit) and finished 9th. Plan is to run every 3 weeks or so.

Lyrical Genius
Milan x Rheinland
Owner: Thackray, Ogilvy, Longsdon

Novice hurdling once it rains, if not enough rain he will run in a bumper. 3 mile chaser in the making.

Maninsane
Salutino x Don’t Fall
Owner: Barrels Of Courage

He fell back in February where he broke a couple of ribs and punctured his lung. He was placed in intensive care and it was touch and go for a little while. Thankfully he is okay now. He has done some pre-training with Claire Hart and will now go on to a Maiden Hurdle around October.

Midnight Jewel
Midnight Legend x Follow The Dream
Owner: Ms GE Morgan

Won on Tuesday at Fontwell (after visit) – Will eventually be a chaser.

Moon King
Sea The Moon x Maraba
Owner: Merriebelle Irish Farm Limited

Given a rating of 115, Charlie thinks he is well handicapped and will be ready to run by mid October and he will be visiting the winning enclosure this season.

Oscar Montel
Oscar x Montel Girl
Owner: Robert Aplin & Stratford Racecourse

Was brought over from Ireland in May, has ran 5 times and not finished outside of the top 3. He will go to Market Rasen for a Chase or to Warwick for a Hurdles race.

Present Storm
Presenting x Sunami Storm
Owner: Robert Aplin

Charlie said the jockey Brian Hughes admitted he got it wrong in the last race as he lost a stirrup. She will have 1 or 2 more runs before having a winter break. (She is declared on Tuesday 21st for the 3:20 at Warwick with Brian Hughes riding.)

Rivarros
Agent Secret x Rive Sarthe
Owner: 100 Not Out

Arrived from Ireland late last year. Needs 1 more run for a handicap mark. Chasing on slow ground will be his future.

Saint Dalina
Saint Des Saints x Dalina
Owner: Alan Halsall

Started the season rated 108, finished it rated 130. Will go chasing over 3 miles as well as some black type races.

Stroll On By
Walk In The Park x Liss Croga
Owner: Old Gold Racing

Unraced horse. He was brought over from Ireland in the Spring and will be aimed for a bumper in the Autumn.

Supremely Lucky
Milan x Lucky Supreme
Owner: Malcolm Olden

Needs to build up his confidence, Charlie would like to take him chasing as his current hurdle mark may make it tough to win some big hurdle races.

Tea For Free
Court Cave x Golan Gale
Owner: Mrs Susan Monkland

Arrived from Ireland in the Spring after winning an Irish Point to Point. He will go hurdling on good ground before eventually going chasing over 2.6-3 miles.

Teenage Dirtbag
Fame And Glory x Tavadden
Owner: The Saddleworth Players

Charlie said he thinks the penny had only just dropped with this horse and he now understands what he is doing. He thinks he travelled too well last time as he did not know what to do when he hit the front. He wll be back on a racecourse very soon.

The Mighty Arc
Arcadio x Funcheon Lady
Owner: Leon & Thorton Families

He will go chasing when the ground is a little softer, around late October. He has shown plenty of speed so Charlie thinks he may suit 2 miles 4 furlongs.

The Wise Traveller
Getaway x Butterfly Betty
Owner: The Endeavour Racing Syndicate

Won English Point to Point end of last year, has had a wind op since his last run and will need another tidy up of his wind before his first run. He will run in a maiden hurdle, then possibly go down the handicap route, however long term goals are to send him over fences.

Unnamed 4 Year Old
Westerner x Beneficial Breeze

Taken a long time to get ready, plans to go for a bumper before going hurdling later this Autumn. Western Zethra may be his name.

We then headed over to the schooling ground where Kielan Woods and Paul O’Brien schooled 3 horses each. When you get to be so close to the fences they jump, it’s an incredible experience and it’s brilliant to hear Charlie talking to the jockey’s about various things as they go too.

Little Bruce
Yeats x Lady Rolfe
Owner: The GPS Partnership

In his career he has won the North Yorkshire National as well as coming second at 66/1 in the Listed Summer Cup at Uttoxeter. Charlie says he will continue to run in staying chases and go to the Cross Country races at Cheltenham in the Autumn.

Illegal Model
Stowaway x She’s So Beautiful
Owner: Alan Halsall

The plan is for him to go chasing on soft ground and he will be aimed at some staying chases later in the season. Charlie thinks he is a Midlands National or Welsh National horse.

Vivas
Davidoff x Lavircas
Owner: Nigel M. Davies

He finished 5th in the Cross Country at Cheltenham in November 2020, however he’s not seen out the trip since. He has had a recent wind operation. Charlie said he would run at Warwick on the 21st of September or Market Rasen on the 25th of September. (He is declared for Tuesday 21st at Warwick in the 3:55 with Jonathan Burke riding.)

Nightfly
Midnight Legend x Whichway Girl
Owner: Mrs DPH Flory

She won last time out at Stratford in March. She will run a couple more times over fences, but long-term she will become a broodmare for her owners.

Train Hill
Subtle Power x Aljapip
Owner: Old Gold Syndicate

He was recently brought by the Old Gold Syndicate from Swanee River Partnership and will be advertised to buy shares soon. He has finished 2nd in his last two runs and Charlie thinks it won’t be long until he goes one better.

Guetapan Collonges
Saddler Maker x Saturne Collonges
Owner: JP McManus

He is rated 108 after winning twice earlier this year. Charlie has said he will now go chasing and he believes he is a staying chaser in the making and he will possibly develop into a regional National type horse.

Overall, I had a brilliant afternoon and so did everybody there. I hope you all got the opportunity to visit a yard this past week for #NationalRacehorseWeek and if you haven’t then hopefully the chance will arise for you. I highly recommend anyone to visit a stable and see the behind the scenes and how loved these animals are. I am so grateful I get given the chance to spend so much time around these loving and talented horses.

Quick side note before I finish: I will be back with the Racing TV’s Raceday team on September 29th from Nottingham taking you behind the scenes. It’s been a little while since I last worked with them so I’m very excited to get back to it. If you don’t already follow the page then head over and do so. @raceday.rtv on Instagram and @raceday_rtv on Twitter.

I hope you all enjoyed this post and I will see you Saturday the 2nd of October at 11am for a brand new one!

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Harry Skelton vs Brian Hughes

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Original Image: https://twitter.com/RacingPost/status/1382356346239062017?s=20

Good Morning!

Welcome to another post here at zoelouisesmithx.com. Today’s post is a quick look back at one of the most exciting Champion Jockey season’s we have had in a very long time, so with just one week to go, I wanted to briefly have a look at the season so far.

The Jumps Jockey Championship started on July 1st 2020 and ends next Saturday on April 24th 2021 and right now it’s probably the closest it’s been in my lifetime with Harry Skelton and Brian Hughes fighting it out neck and neck for the last few weeks and it’s been a pretty exciting situation to watch, I have no idea who will win but it’s been great for racing fans to see it so close for a change.

I won’t go through every single win that both Harry and Brian have had this season, I think I’d be here all year, so I have had a look at some of the bigger wins they have both had and I think we should just jump right in.

So, first up I’m going to start with Harry Skelton and the bet365 Hurdle Grade 2 (Registered As The West Yorkshire Hurdle) at Wetherby on October 31st 2020 where Harry won on Roksana as the 13/8 favourite by 8 and 1/2 lengths for brother Dan Skelton.

Two weeks later on November 14th 2020 Harry won the Karndean Designflorring Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed Race) (GBB Race) on Elle Est Belle (16/5) at Cheltenham for brother Dan Skelton. The race was (potentially controversially) declared a deadheat with joint winner Ishkhara Lady (11/2) for Sean Bowen and Harry Fry.

One week later on November 21st 2020 Brian Hughes won the Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Handicap Chase (Class 2) at Haydock on Snow Leopardess (9/2J) for Charlie Longsdon by 1/2 length to Commodore.

Eight days later on November 29th 2020, Brian then won the Houghton Mares’ Chase (Listed Race) (GBB Race) at Carlisle on My Old Gold (4/1) for Nicky Richards, winning by 1 and 1/2 lengths to Chilli Filli.

We then move forward to December 5th where we had a rather successful day for both jockeys with Brian Hughes heading to Aintree and Harry Skelton heading to Sandown. First of we had Harry Skelton win the 1:50, the Planteur At Chapel Stud Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) on Allmankind (2/1F) beating Hitman (11/4) by 2 and 1/2 lengths for brother Dan Skelton. He then won the 2:25 – Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) on Politologue (11/8F) for Paul Nicholls beating stable mate Greaneteen (5/2) for Harry Cobden by 7 lengths.

15 minutes later at 2:40, Brian Hughes then wins the William Hill Many Clouds Chase (Grade 2) with Lake View Lad (16/1) for Nick Alexander, beating Santini (13/8F) by 1 length.

Moving forward a couple of weeks and on December 18th, Harry Skelton wins the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) at Ascot on My Drogo (9/1) beating 2/1 favourite Llandinabo Lad by 2 and 3/4 lengths, again for Dan Skelton.

The following day on December 19th, Brian Hughes then wins the Betfair Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Class 2) on Sam’s Adventure (14/1) for Brian Ellison, beating Sojourn the 11/4 joint favourite by 4 lengths.

One week later on boxing day 2020, Harry then wins the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) at Kempton on Shan Blue (7/4F) for Dan Skelton, beating The Big Breakaway (16/5). Following that up with another win at Kempton the following day December 27th when he won the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2) on Nube Negra (20/1) for Dan Skelton, beating Evens favourite Altior by 3 and 1/2 lengths.

Moving into 2021, we have Harry Skelton kicking us off on January 23rd when he won the Matchbook Betting Podcast Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) at Ascot on Roksana (8/15F) for Dan Skelton, beating Magic Of Light (9/2) by 8 lengths.

On February 7th Brian Hughes headed to Musselburgh where he won the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (Listed Race) on Fiveandtwenty (6/4F) for Donald McCain beating Historic Heart (5/1) by 4 lengths.

Harry Skelton then had a busy two days when he won the Bet At racingtv.com Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) at Exeter on Wilde About Oscar (16/5) for Dan Skelton on the 14th of February beating Evens favourite The Glancing Queen by 7 and 1/2 lengths. Followed up by 2 quick wins at Warwick the following day on February 15th when winning the Agetur UK Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) on Allmankind (4/7F) for Dan Skelton, beating eventual Cheltenham Festival winner Sky Pirate (3/1) by 14 lengths. Followed by the next race on the card, the St Marys Land Warwick Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race) on Molly Ollys Wishes (7/2) for Dan Skelton, actually beating Brian Hughes in second place on the Evens favourite Paul’s Saga by 15 lengths.

On February 20th 2021, Harry then won the “My Oddsboost” on Betfair Swinley Chase (Listed Race) at Ascot on Captain Chaos (10/1) for Dan Skelton, by a head to Regal Encore (12/1).

The following day, Brian Hughes headed to Market Rasen where he won the Ballymore Sidney Banks Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) on Minella Drama (13/8F) for Donald McCain, beating Stoner’s Choice (9/4) by 3 lengths.

Swiftly moving into March, on the 6th Harry Skelton won the bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) at Kelso on My Drogo (2/1F) for Dan Skelton beating Do Your Job (10/1) by 9 and 1/2 lengths. One week later on the 13th of March, Harry then won the Paddy Power Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) at Sandown on Langer Dan (5/1) for Dan Skelton beating Miss Heritage (8/1) by 4 and 1/2 lengths.

We then move into April and the final month for both jockey’s to get the wins on the board ready to be crowned Champion Jockey. We start off on April 8th when Harry Skelton won the SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) at Aintree on Protektorat (17/2) for Dan Skelton, beating The Shunter (7/2) by 3 and 3/4 lengths. Followed up on the 10th of April when winning the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) on 5/4 favourite My Drogo, again beating Brian Hughes on the second placed Minella Drama (12/1) by 9 and 1/2 lengths.

Also want to include here that Harry Skelton finished 6th in the Grand National on Blaklion (50/1) on the 10th of April for brother Dan Skelton, making them the first British trained horse to cross the line.

We then head into the April meeting at Cheltenham where both jockey’s had a pretty successful time. On April 14th, Harry Skelton won the 1:30 Join Racing TV Now Novices’ Hurdle (Class 2) on 4/6 favourite Faivoir for Dan Skelton, winning by 2 and 3/4 lengths to Witness Protection (8/1). Harry then won the 2:40 Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) on 7/2 joint favourite Proschema for Dan Skelton, winning by 6 and 1/2 length to Winds of Fire (9/1). Moving on to the 4:25 Weatherite Handicap Chase (Class 2) where Brian Hughes pulled one back when winning on Domaine De L’Isle (6/1) for Sean Curran, beating Coo Star Sivola (5/1) by 1 and 1/2 lengths.

The following day on April 15th, Brian Hughes claws another one back when winning the Citipost Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) on Bannixtown Glory (9/1) for Donald McCain, beating Harry Skelton on the 5/2 favourite Eglantine Du Seuil by 1 and 3/4 lengths.

Yesterday both Brian and Harry headed to Ayr for the Scottish Grand National meeting and in doing so, Harry Skelton has now pulled ahead after winning the first race on Stepney Causeway (4/9F) for Dan Skelton, beating Brian on Mrs Hyde (15/8) by 19 lengths and also the last race on I’d Better Go Now (11/2J), again for Dan Skelton, beating Manetti (33/1) by 3/4 of a length.

So, all in all we start today with Harry Skelton on 143 and Brian Hughes on 139 with just 8 days of racing left. It’s still very very close and either could win so I am very excited to see how this final week goes. Both have been going for it and picking up as many spare rides as possible so I think this last week could be very interesting.

Personally, I would love to see Harry Skelton win the Jockey Championship for a couple of reasons. He is based very close to where I live, so it would be nice to see a local jockey win, but also because the majority of Harry’s rides have came from his brother Dan Skelton and as far as I’m aware (correct me if I’m wrong), the last time a jockey won the Jockey Championship with the majority of their rides coming from one stable was when AP McCoy won it whilst riding for Martin Pipe, so for me that is a huge achievement. I won’t take anything away from Brian Hughes, but I feel like he has the opportunity to ride a lot more horses for a lot more trainers and personally, I think if Harry Skelton had the opportunity to ride as many horses as Brian Hughes has then he would be a mile ahead in the title race. The fact that Brian has had over 200 more rides than Harry and Harry has still been fighting it out at the top shows just how incredible Harry’s season has been. Overall, it’s been a huge season for the Skelton team and I think that Harry winning the Champion Jockey title would just be the best way to end it. Again, I want to reiterate I am not taking anything away from Brian Hughes and if he wins it then he deserves it, but for me, I would just love to see Harry Skelton do it.

I have found looking back over this season actually really interesting and I hope everyone else has found it interesting to read too. If there are any similar posts like this you would like to see me do for particular jockeys, trainers, owners, horses etc then please do let me know over on Twitter (https://twitter.com/zoelouisesmithx) and I will try my best to have a look into it because I find researching these posts so interesting and from my viewing figures for similar posts like this, they have seemed to be pretty popular.

I actually have an extra post coming tomorrow morning at 11am where I look into the history of the Scottish Grand National ahead of tomorrow afternoons renewal, including some winning trends, facts and figures which may help you pick your winner, so keep your eyes out for that one! See you then!