With the entries filtering in, and hopefully 20+ lining up for the Flat, thought I'd try and stir some more interest with some Stable Tours

2yo's

Kyllachy Revival - 5f - Not made any inroads with 2yo's and he is from 20-30 season's ago, trialed well though, on a par with Blue Peter Revival who won the AW Final last year. This one is strong on AW and will have AW Champs as main aim.

Illuminant - 6f (5-7f) - My best trialing 2yo, solid between 5f and 7f. Beats my previous 2 6f 2yo's relatively comfortably and hoping he can reach 90ish level, AW Finals day again the main aim.

Maitredee - 1m - Rothschild and Matron winner in game, and bred from my league rep over 1m in season 16. Newmarket and AW suits, with another likely to head to AW finals day.

Ingen - 1m1f (1m-1m2f) - Proper Filly in game, winning Fillies Mile and Opera, bred from 2 league horses from last year, again, looking to emulate her mother "Carnivore" and win on AW finals day.

Battleworld - 1m2f (1m1f-1m2f) - One of my newest strong types and breaks the mould by being awful on the AW, loves turf and French Derby and Von Baden winner in game, hopeful of possibly being competitive at low listed/G level.

3yo

Monarch Puzzle - 5f (5-6f) - Tried to stay away from young sprinters but he trialed far too well and didn't kick on at 4yo. Strong league pedigree in breeding and Abbeye winner in game, loves Ascot, unlikely to race on AW and looking for a good handicap somewhere.

Blue Peter Revival - 6f - Last years AW 2yo Sprint winner and first of five returning horses, might even have some juice in the mark and may go for the Tattersalls 3yo 100k race and then return to AW champs.

Melbourne Gaol - 7f - Very recent addition and trialled well, not expecting much, although chance of winning a low handicap or two.

Leipzig Lady - 7f (7f-1m) - Proper Filly and G1 placed last season in the National and the Dewhurst. Still a workable handicap mark and if she doesn't end up good enough to go Nell Gwyn/Guineas, she'll absolutely be seen in the Sandringham at Ascot with a flying chance.

Tailspin Of Doom - 1m1f (1m1f-1m2f) - Another recent addition, daughter of Mont Doom from last year and 2x Oaks runner up in game. Very outside chance of ending up in French Oaks, but highely unlikely, she will have options.

Wing Hawk - 1m4f - I always love my middle distance horses but they are always so far away from where I expect them, 7x G1's including Arc and 2 BC Turf's in game, would love to get to Epsom but comes into his own at Ascot and the 3yo 1m4f handicap would be ripe for him there.

Donny Doctor - 1m4f - Super filly who was placed at G1 level 8 times in game with a sole win in BC Turf to her name. AW specialist who's likely to aim for AW finals day.

Kinahan - 1m6f - Melbourne Cup winner in game and multiple G1 places, one of the newer breed with some new lines in there, hoping to be competitive in some 1m6f top handicaps.

4yo

Imhoteps Curse - 5f - Returns from last year as the probably best from a bad buch, likely she has improved for 4yo and could pick an early win up off a low mark.

Egyptian Queen - 6f - Another best of a bad bunch, mediocre in game. Lowly handicapper.

Bullet Beatrice - 7f - Signed off with a win last season after a solid unexpected season, will be aimed at the Jersey, Victoria Cup and International again. Strong on AW too.

Texas Gin - 1m1f (1m-1m2f) - Was one of my best I thought last season but never materialised, did win the Sandringham at Ascot though, she could be far better at 4, and is unstoppable at home at Ascot. Royal Hunt Cup and Cambridgeshire are two big targets.

Hell Soul - 1m1f (1m1f-1m2f) - Cream of the crop at home and bred from my best from last year, Titanfall, would have made the cut at any age, hoping to be top handicap/listed level.

Princess Palace - 1m2f - One of the newer breed and did not expect to see her get through trials but has done plenty enough at home to warrant a place.

Bellaitalia - 1m4f - Proper filly at home with Arc and Yorkshire Oaks to her name along with 10x G1 places. Running style suits the league from the front and don't have many of them, so hoping to be competitive at 0-100/110 level.

Mont St Michel - 1m6f - 3x Leger winner in game across both sides of the Irish Sea, strong in trials but this is a weak distance for me usually.

Dawnraid - 2m (1m6f-2m2f) - Won the lot in game 2m+, mainly a turf runner and doesn't like the AW, could aim for the Melbourne Cup.

Dawnslam - 2m2f (2m-2m2f) - G1 winner between 2m-2m4f in game, likely to aim at a Cesarewitch but also loves the AW and one for finals day.

Spice Rack - 2m2f (1m6f-2m2f) - Strong trialler across multiple distances, Cadran/Doncaster Cup winner multiple times in game.

Reichfall - 2m4f - Retuns from last season, stayers dissapointed last year so there is a chance none of the 2m+ horses are any good.


One To Watch - Leipzig Lady, got me closest to a G1 last year, could go close in weak renewals again this year when even better at 3.
Under The Radar - Hell Soul, hoping to get a breakthrough runner at classic distance that can compete in Listed or better, they could be the one.

Good luck all, looking forward to it! Hopefully we can get as many as possible in within the next week.

Fantastic! Can't wait to watch

Hi all, my name is Peaches. I have been playing Starters Orders since I was a kid so I am super excited for my rookie season in the online league. My family was in the horse racing business for a long time. My dad was state trainer of the year a few times and had two horses in the Preakness Stakes. My granddad had a 30 year career as a jockey, winning just shy of 4,000 races, retiring shortly before I was born so he could help my parents raise me. He went on then to be the head steward at Pimlico (Baltimore) for a number of years.

I have little to no expectations for the league. I’m honestly just super excited to compete and follow along. I’m uploading a small team of 13 to start and then will expand at the week 7 upload window, giving my save a few more seasons of breeding (hopefully with horses in league form). Without further ado, let’s meet the team!

2YO’s

Wings of Apollo - Colt, 6f

Was, for a very long time, my 2 year old sprint yardstick. I had exported him from a practice save before I even started breeding for the league. I eventually started a new league save but this horse kept beating all my other 2yo’s. Sadly, he is not in the game I am using so he will not be able to enter any of my breeding lines but he deserved to be on the team for his efforts.

Banba - Filly, 1m
Sire: Mujamead
Dam: Leadenhill Lass
Unfortunately, I did not export her past the age of two, but she is still in my breeding shed. It will be interesting to see what she can do in the league and how the next few game seasons of breeding go. She dominated all my fillies at 1m 0.5f as a 2yo. Obviously, I’d hope to qualify for the BC Juvenile Fillies at the end of the season. She’s another one that dominated my trials for a long while but I do not have an export past two years old for her.
Notable Game Victories: The Adirondack G2, 6f

Feisty Owners - Colt, 5f
Sire: Seventy Pot Yearling Need Cr
Dam: Quiver Tree
Super excited for this horse. It was a really long time of the two aforementioned horses dominating my 2yo trials until this horse came around. Split wins all the way down with Wings of Apollo in sprint trials. His dam makes my team as well, both are my strongest turf sprinters.
Notable Game Victories: Kranji Yearlings Stakes G3, 6f

3YO’s

Allperksonice - Filly, 1m1f
Sire: Mujamead
Dam: Bramalea
Filly out of a mom/son Sire and Dam. Whatever these two had passed along to this filly. She dominated all my classic distance fillies as a 3 year old in trials. Unfortunately, there’s no Kentucky Oaks. That would probably be a really nice target race for her, if she could get there. Instead, she will look towards the Distaff against older mares. Currently in my breeding shed but she has yet to produce anything decent in the CK.
Notable Game Victories: Grade 3, 7f

Black Pond - Colt, 1m2f
Sire: Mujamead
Dam: Apple Town
Oh what could have been. DIdn’t start trialing until after I had retired this horse. He just didn’t have the bars, only like 92 potential max with ugly speed and cruise. In every 1m2f trial during my mass trials he won. As a 3 year old. I was just about sick watching my meticulously bred horses get washed by him, knowing he wasn’t in the game anymore. He Alydar’d the US Triple Crown in game, I’d be happy if he qualifies for one of those races.
Notable Game Victories: Juvenile Championship G3 6f, BC Juvenile G1 1m110y, Las Virgenes Stakes G1 1m, Los Angeles Derby G1 1m1f

Tastahil - Colt, 1m4f
Sire: Mujamead
Dam: Diane Collonges
Another what if. Never really reached his full potential in game. I ended up retiring him as a 3 year old because I was chasing bars. He never even ran at 1m4f in game. But he smoked everyone at 1m4f on both turf and dirt. Looking towards qualifying for the Belmont with him.
Notable Game Victories: Eddie Read Handicap 1m1f

4YO’s

Quiver Tree - Mare, 5f
Sire: Lucky Dream
Dam: Wires Crossed
Kind of a game bust. I was really excited about her because she was one of my first 100 potential horses. She only ended up winning a no name grade 3. I exported her during her best season anyway as a four year old. She was fantastic in trials at 5.5f. Her son, Feisty Owners, was no match for her in any of his older seasons. Big part of the reason why he was brought on as a 2 year old. Will be paying special attention to her as she is now 16yo in game so I want to get the most out of her.

Lucaindubai - Stallion, 6f
Sire: Lucky Dream
Dam: Santa Gertrudis
Yet another horse that got away from me before I realized what I was working with. Really just didn’t like his speed bars and I ended up not exporting him until 4. Well, he proved me wrong. Dominating my trailers on the dirt at 6f. Unfortunately, he never sired any offspring so I have to back down the line to find whatever he had.
Notable Game Victories: Palos Verdes Handicap 6f, Aristides G3 6f

Heres The Key - Mare, 7f
Sire: Lucky Dream
Dam: Silver Glen
Yet another victim of being retired before I knew what I had. Not a single one of her offspring are in the game anymore either. I do not have high hopes as this 7f-1m distance is probably my weakest distance. If this is anything like real life on the flat, the top 1m horses tend to be the best horses in the world.
Notable Game Victories: Stonerside Beaumont G2 7f, San Carlos Handicap 7f

Raghida - Mare, 1m
Sire: A Little Bit Dusty
Dam: Briery Ann
Raghida is currently a 4yo in my save. Really excited to see what she can produce in the league and beyond. I think she’s a hair worse than Heres The Key but if she can run with her in the league, I won’t feel as bad losing some of the horses I retired.
Notable Game Victories: Cape Verdi Stakes G2

Likely Story - Mare, 1m3-4f
Sire: Hardwick Wood
Dam: Orange Sunset
Probably my most dominant gamebred horse. 11 time graded stakes winner (8 G1’s) from 6f all the way up to 1m6f over the course of her career. Her best distance is probably 1m3f, as she obliterated fillies at that distance but got crushed by Tastahil at 1m4f in trials. She has yet to produce a decent trialing foal but extra attention will be paid to her for her trial efforts. Maybe my most exciting league horse. Could potentially win a maiden.
Notable Game Victories: Kentucky Oaks G1 1m1f, The Belmont Stakes G1 1m4f, 2x Sword Dancer Invitational G1, 2x JH Classic Invitational G1, SIngapore Gold Cup 1m4f G1, Blue Label Telecoms Cape Stayers 1m6f G2, BC Turf 1m4f G1

Sabys Gem - Stallion, 1m6f
Sire: Swordsman
Dam: Apple Town
Only really including him because he is in my breeding shed and sired the next horse on my team. Never won a graded stake in game and didn’t even come top 3 in my stayers trials but it’s more to fill a role as my older male stayer.

Badrapette - Mare, 2m
Sire: Sabys Gem
Dam: Play That Tune
Was a star in my stayer trials. Not many horses came close to her. She got some special attention in her next foaling it seems, as my best sire covered her. I don’t know what the league is like at this distance. There aren’t any horses that want to go this distance in NA both in game and real life. Not really sure what to expect but if she does alright then we have the start of our stayer line.
Notable Game Victories: 1m6f Nad Al Sheba Trophy G3, Kranji Stayers Dirt Cup G3 2m3f

If you made it this far, thank you! I am thrilled to be in the league. I wished I had known about this league sooner. I had just gotten back into the game this last year and would have started back up just in time for the last season. Hoping that there is another season or so. I have left a dozen spots open on my team for the week 7 upload window and would love to follow my horses’ forms as they progress. Going to evaluate my processes as results start coming in the league. I really dislike mass trialing but it seems like the best way to do things. Looking forward to reading everyone else’s stable tours! Cheers all.

Peaches

Hate to rub it in but he was likely your ‘magic juju’ horse. Horrible looking but trials like a god, these are the horses that can unlock everything when paired with better bars.

Yep *sigh* his sire sired many of the horses on my team though (Mujamead) so hopefully there's some juju sitting around in my save somewhere

Likely the case then, just don’t expect it to always pass down, even if both sides of the breed have it.

First time 5 seasons I've got a flat team . I have 0% idea how good any of them are because I have no other horses from the past to run them against. Totally in the dark, I do find it interesting though. If they fail it's because I couldn't find any decent potential bar horses, between 90 to 95. Well happy though with the cruise bar.

I think my sprinters are probably around the same ability as my sprinters from 5 years ago, but times moved on a lot since but that's just based on times so that could be wrong.

I noticed the hardest thing were the milers, if u run the trials with pace u get 110% different results to races without . Done my head in if truth be told so god what horses I've got.

If I've got any group horses it's 1m2 division, it's always my fav division and probably the division I've spent most time on.

My best 3yo are I'm no Ghost, he's my best 3yo grass horse. My best 3yo dirt horse is Ghost Ride, hopefully my kentucky derdy horse. My older 1m2 horses were all over the place so we'll have to wait and see what they are.

My jumpers. No hurdlers this time, I was cleaning up My PC and I deleted all the hurdle files.
I've probably maxed out their ability, I would love to give My flat horses cruise to them but that can't happen. Apart from the 3m to 3m4 division I've spent very little time on the rest.

My best two miler on soft looks to be Lady Buttons, her mum Nite Of Springs and dad Newmill are also in the league. Its a family affair, will they be a good or bad family .Time will tell.

My best 2m4 horse Dodging Bullets is a real odd bred horse , his dad Rig Steel was an average horse but had good bars and his mum moon castle is almost unknown , she never made the trials finals and she must have been very old when she bred Bullets. Her dad is Cuthill Hope who was my best two miler last year so she has that but all the dams through her pedigree were very average to poor. None were even close to running in the league. A very odd bred horse.

My 4milers are probably around the same ability as last year. The best on home form is Carol's Adventures, hopefully good enough to run in the 4m4 group1 at the festival.

I've probably over done my 3 to 3m4 horses, I think I've got 14 in. Not sure if I'll have enough races for all of them.

My two Gold Cup hopes are Twin Oaks and Celtic Shot , they are by Pendil who was good in the league last year but was clearly my best stallion . I'm sure more than half will be by him. Actually he's got 6 in the league. A superstar stallion for my team.

Flat Team

As the last league finished and still carrying a little enthusiasm for the game, I played both my flat games and did four seasons of breeding on each, but then the interest waivered and ultimately died a death, and so its those 8 combined seasons that make up my team for this one. Fair to say this is about as under prepared as I have been for some time and I doubt I shall be making any strong challenges to the usual suspects and my dark horse for Champion Trainer, Paul Parsons. Thats not to say there are not a few in here I am looking forward to racing and likely the odd G1 along the way, but my expectations are pretty measured, time will tell.

2YO’s

Have never quite managed to get a decent crop of sprinters from my UK stable with most of my lines not maturing until they are 3yo’s, and my US game has a number of lines who breed horses that trial peak at 2 and never really go on to do much after that, so my 2yo crop this year is from my US stable. I have also decided there is no real point in entering a 1.2m 2yo with so few races on the schedule, especially if you win or place in the maidens, they are usually done for weeks after that, new handicapping might change that for next year but even then, the schedule is light.

Savage

Sire Thundercloud
Dam Sage

This colt is pretty old in my barn now, and has been on my trial sheets for some time, he would have made the team last season, and on merit too, but I never quite decided what age to bring him in at. Now the situation is clearer as he has fallen away as an older horse but at 2yo he’s still relevant and leads my trials at 5f and 6f, he’s also a rarity as he is not exclusively a 2yo trialist. Sire was a season 16 G1 winner with 4 total wins and the Dam had trial pedigree too. Group class.

Fete

Sire Savage
Dam Breed Trial Line To Besty

Something of an also ran, and only in the team as I need to have a balance between fillies and colts. Better as a pure 5f horse, but like her sire can stay up to 6f, 2yo is the only impact she made on the trial sheets. Sire is above and has G1 league pedigree, Dam is a breed mare, but one who has a stack of league form in her lineage from horses like ‘Magical’, ‘Intergenerational’ and ‘Generational’ who between them had 11 wins and 7 G1’s. Group class/Handicapper.

Xenophobia

Sire Intergenerational
Dam Sparks

Another who only appears in the 2yo trials, but he makes that appearance from 6f to 1m, I can’t yet tell if that’s because he’s a bit special or if my 2yo team is really that weak, I am leaning towards the latter. Sire is a 2x G1 league winner and is one of my exclusively 2yo lines whose extended breeding includes other G1 winners ‘Finale’ and ‘Elixir’. Dam is a failed trial horse, who has G1 pedigree from ‘Thundercloud’ in her line. Group Class but I have no idea at what distance.

Perplexing

Sire Intergenerational
Dam Solitude

Another rangy sort who is likely to be league competitive from 6f to 7f and another who is from my pure 2yo lines. Sired by 2x G1 winner ‘Intergenerational’ who also sired her Dam ‘Solitude’ (all a little incestuous with my 2yo lines) and she is a trial sheet success too, and since this is my two line the same sort of names ‘Elixir’, ‘Finale’ and ‘Generational’ feature in the extended lineage for both. Yes Stu they are all just copies . Group class.

Colossus

Sire Benediction
Dam Bredd Small Lift Add Con

Was quite excited when I breed this chap, since his line was a mix of my 2yo and slower maturing lines, but it’s the 2yo side that stuck, so he’s another one season wonder. Range is 7f to 1m and its likely at 1m where he does his best work, will be waiting for the Breeders cup. Sire ‘Benediction’ has two league wins to his name as was runner up in the 2000 Guineas, St James Palace and Kranji Mile last season and returns as a 4yo this one. Dame is a breed mare, but she has all the usual names in her breeding lineage. Group Class

Effervescence

Sire Savage
Dam Perplexing

Decent looking filly, but a bit of a head scratcher since neither of her parents stay to 1m and that’s where she does her best work, and she is another half and half from my 2yo and maturing lines. Sire is in the team, written up above and has league pedigree and the Dam is also in the team, so the same names show up in the extended lineage. Breeders Cup also in my thinking. Group Class.


3YO’s

I have gradually over the years moved away from chasing the classics and like to balance my team more between 3yo and 4yo+ now, but with a number of returning horses in the older team (speaks to lack of options) I have largely been able to throw the best at this seasons 3yo crop and there is a few in here who might be a bit special.

Turnaround

Sire Tranquillity
Dam Preamble

Breed to be a 1m horse, but never developed the stamina and has reverted to the shorter distances in his extended lineage that includes ‘Savage’ and ‘Blessed’, with the later having 2 league wins at G1 and G2. And every year I bemoan using 3yo sprinters who have so little to aim for, but here I am again having concluded there was no better option that was not already covered. Sire was a bit of a bust, but he’s from ‘Benediction’ and ‘Synchronicity’ who had 2x G1 last season. Dam was a solid mid tier trial sort, and that true for the rest of that side of the breeding, ‘Thundercloud’ and ‘Elixir’ feature further back. Group Class, but there is only one race to shoot for.

Supercilious

Sire Incredulous
Dam Breeds Uber Minor Flaws Mile

Possible star and he trials well as a 4yo so he’s one who might get two seasons if we have another go around, pure 1m sort. Breed could have gone either way, but he seems to have taken more from him Dam as his Sire is a monster 6f sprinter as a 4yo. Sires breeding is a mix of 2yo and older lines, so some familiar names, and a few mid level trial types included ‘Incandescent’ whose bred a lot of good trial horses. Dam is a bred mare, but ‘Elixir’, ‘Thundercloud’ and G1 league winner ‘Night On The Town’ all feature. Group Class

Telekinesis

Sire Incandescent
Dam Lotions And Potions

This girl turned out exactly as she was supposed too and is my 1000 guineas horse for this season. Keeps pace with the boys at trial, least all but Supercilious above. Likes dirt too so has some later season options. Sire is also a trial success and remains on my trial sheets, his line like many others, extends back to horses like ‘Elixir’ ‘Night On The Town’ and ‘Finale’. Dam was a trial bust, but her breeding is basically of the same ilk, and also features ‘Elixir’. Group Class

Dame De Vix

Sire Breeding Some Monsters
Dam Breed Some Speed Here

As we move beyond 1m, so we say goodbye to my US game and my UK breeding takes over, and here things get a little more complicated and experimental as the game is younger and less refined. Indeed, both sides of her breeding are from stock horses, but there is class in the extended lineage. She will be seeking the Prix De Diane. Sire was a link breeding horse taking my best cruise forward, but he was out of ‘Titus of Gaul’ last season’s UK and Irish Debry winner so the class is there in spades. Dam introduced speed in the line, and has extend trial form back to ‘Time To Play The Game’ who has a single G1 league win to his name. Group Class.

Azog The Defiler

Sire Azog
Dam Zip To The Line

This one is actually a failed attempt to improve my Juvenile Hurdle team, by introducing a G1 class flat breed, it failed miserably, but at least one side stuck from his sire’s flat side of the breeding. Not exactly blown away by his prospects, but it’s nice to have a grey running in the league who is not from my Juve hurdle line. Sire has three league wins to his name up to G3, but don’t let that fool you as he spent all season facing off against ‘Heart Of Oak’ so read him as G1 class. Dam has no flat pedigree at all, but she made this one nice to look at. Handicapper maybe Group Class.

Heart Of The Matter

Sire Time Of The Beast
Dam Heart Of Oak

So, let’s just say it, ‘Heart Of Oak’ was the finest Flat horse in the league, certainly in the modern era, 12 G1 wins, 14 Group Wins and 15 total wins for 11m in prize money over two seasons. This lass is maybe not quite up to that standard, but she got most of the best parts of her mum and has the same punishing front running style, but it’s hard to gauge in some respects as my 1.4m trials are ridiculous now. Add in the fact her Sire also won the Derby in the league and was also himself from ‘Heart Of Oak’ and I expect she’s going to be a handful. Oddly I don't have a 4yo version of her, either a trial error or fat fingers, so its this year or bust. Good Luck. Group Class.

Heart Of The Devil

Sire You Are Mine Now
Dam Heart Of Oak

Take ‘Heart of Oak’ on one side and sprinkle in a breeding line that corrects her few visible flaws and out came this truly awesome looking colt, who also adopted her dominant front running style. Add to that the fact the sire (also a trial star) comes from dual Derby winner ‘Titus Of Gaul’ who was not good enough to come back as a 4yo (such is the depth I have at 1.4m) and ‘You Belong To Me’ who also had 4x G1 wins in the league and well………………………………I wish you all the very best of luck. My only small doubt is he can sometimes tie up on the line, since his sire was a little more in the 1.2m range but then the horses who catch him sometimes are also insanely good. Group Class and I hope a multi season star.

Legend of Greystoke

Sire Breed Uber Cru Timeline
Dam Breed The New Best

Another pure stock breed and another grey, which became something of a sideline in my post league breeding programme. But with the exception of ‘Time To Play The Game’ who is on the side of his Sire, there is very little in the extended lineage that will mean anything much to anyone but me. He’s basically the realisation of mixing juju lines at 1.2m to cruise bar lines at 2m+, and he landed nicely in the middle at 1.6m and will be my St Leger horse. Not a star (ok he maybe) but almost certainly Group Class.


4YO’s

Yes my 3yo’s are loaded this season, but there are a good few best in class entrants here too as this year I am keeping a firm focus on my older horses. Four returning from last season does speak to my lack of overall depth, but some of them gave a pretty good account of themselves and I think they are all likely returning G1 level horses.

Rapscallion

Sire Incredulous
Dam Breed Uber Gene Line Mile

Another one who is a bit of a puzzle, since his breeding should have landed him between around 6f to 1m, but his trial form is 5f and there is nothing lineage that speaks to that, my guess is he’s just taken his range from his sire and lost stamina in the exchange, one I enter with some question marks. Sire is a trial monster at 6f and also in the team. Dam is a breed mare whose extended lineage features all the usual suspects ‘Elixir’ ‘Thundercloud’ ‘Generational’ ‘Finale’ and ‘Night On The Town’ so there is plenty of G1 history in their league form. Group Class.

Incredulous

Sire Interstellar
Dam Breed Best Pot To Best

With Vinny having a very strong sprint class, this boy, my top 6f trialist is my best attempt to challenge him. Sire is actually from my specialist 2yo line and he trials well over 6f and 7f with some of the usual suspects in the extended line. Dam is a pure slow maturing breed line, bar focussed with very little league pedigree to speak of, but I still think this boy could be a monster. Group Class.

Angelic

Sire Interstellar
Dam Breeds Almost To Top And Fix

First of the returning horses, 3 wins to his name last season, but as a 3yo sprinter he was always up against it after missing the Commonwealth Cup, wins included a G3 and a G1H, with some respectable places so its not all bad news. Sired again by Interstellar, covered above, with a Dam out of ‘Thundercloud’ and 5x G1 winner ‘Prince of Darkness’ further back in her lineage. Group Class.

Celestial

Sire Incandescent
Dam Monsterous

Six times in the winners enclosure last season as a 3yo, five of which were G1 and at her best when she pushes them hard from the front. Sired by ‘Incandescent’ who has produced a lot of good horses and still holds is place on the trial sheets today. Dam was a league monster with 8 total wins, 6x G1 and one G1H. She remains a handful. Group Class

Benediction

Sire Blessed
Dam Breed Is Close To Best

Third of the returning horses, but one who never found his luck, 2nd in the 2000 Guineas, St James Palace and Kranji Mile, but did pick up 2 wins and one G2. Sired by ‘Blessed’ who won twice in season 16 including one at G1. Dam is a breed mare, but with all the right names in the extended lineage…………….. Group Class.

Testing The Waters

Sire Here We Are Now
Dam Make What You Will

Back to the UK team now as we go beyond 1m, and this 1.2m sort is something of an experiment. My 1.2m horses were below par last season so I have been breeding to address that and he’s the first effort from what is a new line. Sire was a 1m speed horse breed to taken on my US team, but did not quite cut the mustard, his extended breeding will only mean something to me but does include ‘High Times’ and ‘Higher Purpose’ both of whom were my original ‘magic juju’ breeders. Dam is equally uninteresting but has the same ‘High Times’ connection via my 1.6m to 2m lines. Handicapper maybe group class.

Heart Of Stone

Sire You Are Mine Now
Dam Heart Of Oak

Full sister to ‘Heart Of The Devil’ and my first attempt to correct the flaws in ‘Heart Of Oak’ but also the horse who leads me to worry about his staying power as his sister taps out at 1.3m and clearly took more from her sire’s lower range. But she’s a front running handful over 1.2m and will be eyeing the Distaff at the Breeders Cup too. Both side of the breeding written up above, but with ‘Heart of Oak’ in the line what can possibly go wrong . Group Class

You All Belong To Me

Sire Titus Of Gaul
Dam You Belong To Me

Last of the returning horses and one who comes back in with 3 wins and 2x G1’s under her belt. I actually have a few better options, but I like returning horses and she beat out her Sire ‘Titus Of Gaul’ for this years 1.4m slot. Sire is a dual Derby winner from last season, written up above and Dam had 4x G1 wins herself in season 16. Group Class.

Always Something Wrong

Sire Breed Cruise Monsters
Dam Breed Hammer But Better

Another pure breeding horse and one from a mixed cruise and speed/distance breeding project. She’s flawed, in sofar as her consistency was off full, but it does not seem to bother her much at trial, ranges in the 1.6m bracket. Sire is a pure breeding cruise line with no real league pedigree to speak of, Dam is very much the same but connects to ‘Hammer And Anvil’ handicap winner in season 15. Group Class.

So Wrong Its Right

Sire Now Is The Time
Dam Always Something Wrong

Monster Alert, least I think so. Breed was a simple case of correcting the flaws on the side of the Dam, written up above with a proven league winner at 2m, last seasons ‘Now Is The Time’ who had three wins up to G1H and ‘Heart of Oak’ in his extended lineage, and the outcome, still flawed but in a way that just looked right. Comfortable at 1.6m to 2m so has options. Potential Star Group Class.

Now We Must Go

Sire Now Is The Time
Dam Read The Rules

Last of my offerings for this season, and at a range I usually struggle 2m-2.4m, likely to find more success at 2m to 2.2m, but is my long stayer. Sire, written up above, is a three time league winner who has ‘Heart Of Oak’ in his lineage. Dam has less league Pedigree but connects to the ‘Hammer And Anvil’ line and my longest staying flat horses. Group Class/Handicapper

Jump Team

At 160 seasons, my NH save is likely the oldest game I have ever played and for a while now it has suffered from two distinct problems, firstly there is nothing new coming into the game, and thus the bars I have are the bars I have, made worse as when it was started, league mode was still played with hidden stats, so I had long since lost anything potentially useful before this was changed to make them visible again. The second problem is the games never ending quest to degrade your breeding, the odds are massively stacked against you and so I have been fighting a losing battle with potential for some time now, and more recently I would say around 90-95% of all the horses I bred failed to reach 100% when they fully mature as 8yo’s.

The first problem was solved not long before the last league started, just too late to take advantage of it, when by total chance I glanced at a 20% potential home bred flop and noticed it had 10% more speed than I had ever seen in my game, something I was not really looking for but have never seen since. And at about the time the last league began I had meticulously bred that horse, who luckily was a colt, and gradually kept the speed whilst adding it to better overall bars into successive colts, sometimes multiples and breeding on, it took around 4 or 5 generations to make it stick with something that was workable for league breeding.

The second problem I solved at around the same time, I had one 2.4m hurdle line who still held higher than 80% potential as a 2yo and bred the same and that assures (usually) a 100% potential by the time a horse is 8yo in my game, but he had always produced trial busts so I never bred him wholesale, this I now changed and sacrificed my more proven trial lines a little in the process. But I created more colts and a bunch of breeding mares who held the stat and towards the end of the last season, whilst still having a little enthusiasm for the game I managed to stick the two together into a 2.4m chase breeder, and used him to breed 4 seasons, from which I created my two linchpins. The 2.4m hurdler ‘Hopes Spring Eternal’ and the 2.4m chaser ‘The Savage Lands’. And then the forums went quiet, the league looked done and I stopped playing the game before even racing them.

I had actually picked up my flat game again just before the league was finally announced and raced and trialled horses I had bred months before. I had just about finished their trial when the AI based answer to league volunteers was presented and the league was announced. And so with one month to go, I wrapped up my flat games and switched to the NH, quickly racing, exporting and trailing the 4 seasons of breeding, and both linchpins landed on the top of their respective trials, it took me two weeks, just enough time to get another cycle done, so planning to do only two seasons, I ended up doing four, hastily churning out horses with my new trial stars and a stack of breeding colts and tried to work these new bars further into the lines, up and down the distances and back to my original stock of horses. So right now, I am in transition, trying to mix the new bars with my ever-decreasing pool of old trial lines and trying to not loose sight of other bars in the process, something I have definitely done, but its recoverable.

Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards and both statements are true for this years team in my view, how far backwards and how far forwards, well that remains to be seen, hopefully it’s not a disaster .


Hurdlers

2m Juvenile Hurdler

I cannot breed 4you hurdlers from a NH only game, since they only have around 75-85% potential at this time with realised often far lower. So my 4yo’s come from my flat games. And having already abandoned my hurdle line in my US stable, its only my UK game that provides them, they have never been a strong point, and I have yet to find a successful way to address that.

Juvenile Star

Sire Juvenile Delinquency
Dam Breed Hurd Zip To Bush

One of two active juvenile hurdle lines right now, and he’s one of the best I have so far bred. But his pedigree in the league is a little questionably compared to the rest of my stable and its not an area where I am expecting much success. Sire was my entrant last season, he won a single listed race, but placed a few times at G1 and G2. But his sire was a 3x G1 wining league horse ‘Potential In Spades’ from the season prior so there is a little hope in the extended lineage. Dam is a breed mare, who I specifically targeted at a horse called ‘Bushman’, that failed, but the ‘Zip’ line from which she originates have produced a number of trial successful juvenile hurdlers. Graded/Handicap Class.


2m Hurdlers

Been behind the curve for a long time to both Leon and Mr Hooley, and more than any other area it’s the one I want to improve as the Champion Hurdle remains about the only big G1 race I have yet to win. Sadly, I am not quite there yet with the new speed lines and my 2m hurdlers, I have a breeding colt and a stack of mares now, but only one new line success story and that’s in a horse who remains pretty flawed in other respects. Its also clear from my trials that a number of historically ‘also ran’ types, hanging around on to the bottom of the trial sheets, now look like far better league prospects. So, this one has gone backwards, even my old-line horses are likely worse or the same from what I have previously fielded and they have consistently fallen short when it matters.

Apocalypto

Sire Breed Next Gen Two Hurd
Dam War Of The Badland

This is the new one, and has the speed and potential from my new lines, but he lost a slug of cruise in the exchange and so is not really a significant step change, I rate him as my second-best hurdler in this year’s team. I would say that when he does win trials he can do so by a significant margin, so when he gets it right he may set a new standard for me, we shall see. Sire is the next gen speed breeder who is from ‘Hopes Spring Eternal’ and has an extended lineage that can be traced back to ‘Building Bridges’ who won 2x G1’s in season 16. Dam is a successful trail horse, who remains on my sheets to this day, maybe 5th or 6th and has an extended lineage that includes last seasons ‘Warmonger’ who had a single G1 win over two seasons. Work to be done.

See You In The Lists

Sire Breed for Warkid
Dam Tilts At Windmills

Older line horse who was actually ready for last seasons team, but held back so I could return a 9yo and save him. Back then he was one of my best and he remains so, likely rated 3rd but with little to split all four members of my team. He’s been breeding with the speed mares, but I can’t yet make anything stick. Sire also traces his lineage back to ‘Warmonger’ above and with an extended lineage that also includes ‘Building Bridges’ Dam was an experimental chase hurdle hybrid who briefly introduced my top cruise into my 2m hurdle line, she has a lot of Chase pedigree, but if you go back far enough I can find ‘Dominion of Darkness’ the only NH horse I have run over three season in the league, from 11-13. He had four wins and 2x G1 including the Fighting Fifth and Irish Champion Hurdle. Graded Class but has it all to prove.

Sea Of The Unknown

Sire See You In The Lists
Dam Eternal Void

She’s probably the pick of the litter, and my main hope, unless Apocalypto really takes to running against other people horses. Her sire is written up above. Dam is just as interesting, since its another hybrid line, with likeable bars, but an awful success rate in breeding, she basically the product of my previous attempt to improve my 2m hurdlers. So she seems like the exception, likely saved by her sires side of the breed. The extended lineage is a real mixed bunch, and this sort of mixing is very rare for me as I have never had much success with it, but there are 3m chasers, 2.4m chasers and 2.4m hurdlers all to be found within the extended lineage many of whom found league success as the highest level. Graded Class.

Whats The Story

Sire Warmonger
Dam Frequencies

Last of my 2m hurdlers and another from my old breeding lines, likely my best on good ground, but accomplished on soft too. Sire ‘Warmonger’ features in two of my other 2m hurdlers and is written up above. Dam is a failed trial horse from a failed 2m hurdle experimental line, I am reading the form on this one as coming from the sire. Graded Class.

2.4m Hurdlers

My 2.4m hurdlers are probably my most complete area of my team and breeding right now, an area that was directly advanced by one of my two linchpins ‘Hopes Spring Eternal’ and has been heavily augmented since with breeding mares and further colts, my trail sheets have largely been completely renewed with only a few newer old line horses and my 9yo’s from last years team just hanging on to the bottom of the trial sheets and they will all be deleted as they are not coming back this season. My only doubt is their ground preference which leans more towards Good than Soft, something I am addressing. So, it’s all change in this part of the team, hopefully for the better and my gut says this area is firmly going forward.

Fantastica

Sire Hopes Spring Eternal
Dam Bellisimo

She’s the finished product and the only horse I have bred so far that has the best of my new speed, existing cruise and new potential, if only she had been a colt. Does her best work on Good ground but is accomplished on soft, and will be aiming for the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham. Sire is my new line linchpin, a hybrid first generation from my new speed line, but you have to go back four more generations to find some league pedigree. Dam is also in the team, but connects to ‘Thou Shall Not Kill’ who had 2 wins in the league, but it’s a good few generations back. Perfect example of the going backwards part in her breeding with no association to my past league winners, but I think I have gotten her right. Graded Class

Bellisimo

Sire Breed Uber And Pot Hybrid Hurdle
Dam Smaller Than It Looks

She’s technically from my old lines, but her sire was the horse who contributed to the re-building of my potential so she’s maybe on the fence. Has trialled twice now, once as an also ran and more recently as a featured horse consistently over most ground types. Jury is out a little bit. Sire is a link horse and one who has been injected into a lot more of my breeding recently, he also carried my top cruise in addition to his potential and she had inherited both. Dam is an interesting one and a horse who had been part of two members of the team, here extended lineage links to my small 2m chasers, so she’s technically a hybrid. But on both sides you have to go a fair way back to find league pedigree. Graded Class.


Hopes Spring Eternal

Sire Breed Mega Eighty High Pot
Dam See You Soon

My hurdle linchpin and he has already contributed to two further team members and is the sire behind my new direction of travel for my 2m hurdlers also. Dominant in his first trail he now competes against a his offspring but remains high on the trial sheets regardless. Sire is a 2.4m chaser breeder who unlocked my new lines but there is league pedigree in the more extended line if you go back far enough. Dam is a 2m hurdle line that includes current season team member ‘See You In The Lists’ in her extended lineage so this was a classic bars meets ‘juju’ type breed. Graded Class.

Wants To Rule It All

Sire Hopes Spring Eternal
Dam Breeds An Uber Hurdy Three

Was breed to be a 3m hurdler, but took too much on the sire side and does not stay the distance, but at 2.4m she’s a monster and likely the best of my team for this season. She will be battling Fantastica for the Mares Hurdle along with most of the other G1’s, and as a soft ground specialist she gives my team some balance. Sire is the aforementioned linchpin and written up above. Dam is a breed mare but one who connects to the ‘Stick’ line and directly to ‘Stick Em Up’ who had 2x G1’s and 3 total wins last season. Graded Class

Gravitation

Sire Basking
Dam Smaller Than It Looks

He’s actually an old line bred horse and one where I was trying to draw from of my 3m hurdle lines into what was at the time a failing group of 2.4m hurdlers. Soft ground trialist, and the last in my team brought in to give me some scope in the handicaps and lower end of the graded races. Sire was one of my 3m hurdle team members who won 3 races last season 2 of which were G1 and he’s tied to my ‘Stick’ line that produces nearly all my 3m hurdlers. Dam is a hybrid who has been instrumental in a few good trial horses and two of the team, she’s a real mixed back but has league pedigree if you go back far enough. Handicap/Graded Class.

3m Hurdlers

Has always been a decent part of my team, but Leon’s return likely makes it a lot hard for them this season, he’s always been good at this distance. It’s also an area I have thus far not been able to progress with my new lines, I have bred a few nice-looking horses but they all trial badly. I have the pieces but the answer to the puzzle currently eludes me. Neither backwards or forwards with this lot, I think I am pretty much exactly where I was last season.

Basking

Sire Stick Em Up
Dam Risk Of Injury

Returning horse with 2x G1’s to his name from last season, beat out his sire for the return slot, but he’s not the horse he was, indeed he’s probably my worst 3m hurdler, but he’s good on most goings so he gives me good team balance. Sire ‘Stick Em Up’ is basically the founder of all my 3m hurdle lines, his is the line I need to master to the new ones, and he was also in the team last season bagging 2x G1’s. Dam is also from extended breeding pedigree connecting to ‘Add Insult To Injury’ who had 8 league wins up to G1 over two league seasons. Graded Class.

Stick To The Rules

Sire Stick Em Up
Dam Another Close Call

My top novice hurdler and decent on most going’s but seems to favour good ground, rates as my second best 3m hurdler right now. Sire ‘Stick Em Up’ written up above is basically everywhere in any decent 3m hurdler line I have. Dam is from the other main one the ‘Injury’ line and again connects to ‘Add Insult To Injury’ above. Go back far enough and the line was also one made hybrid with some top 3m chasers, but it’s a long way back. Graded Class.


Stick Around

Sire Stick Em Up
Dam Fine Looking Addition

My second novice and he is basically the same horse as the one above, he just has a ground preference moving more to soft and heavy so makes him an ideal compliment to ‘Stick To The Rules’. Sire ‘Stick Em Up’ has already been covered. Dam also connects to ‘Add Insult To Injury’ and my original ‘Judge’ line who had decent league pedigree. Graded Class.

Bask In Glory

Sire Basking
Dam Breed Uber Hurdy Hybrid

This one I am genuinely excited about, he’s old line, but he is somewhat ahead of all the rest and consistently on all going’s, makes him read like a star and likely one who has more to show when facing better horses in the league. Sire was a 2x G1 winner in last seasons league and again ties to the ‘Stick Em Up’ line. Dam is a hybrid, from my 3m chase lines with the other being a mix of 2m hurdlers and 3m hurdlers. He is sort of why hybrid breeding is something I still do, even though more often or not it fails, sometimes it can offer a change of direction. Soon as I make the bars stick he will be breeding a lot. Graded Class.


Chasers

Bit of a mixed bag in my chase team this year. My 2.4m is largely all from my new speed lines, with one exception, buy beyond that its more patchy. I have a few examples in my 3m chasers, but enough old line horses to know I still have ground to cover, and I cannot penetrate my 2m chase lines at all, I have some of the right looking pieces but cannot make it stick. This is all part of the reason my NH game has become interesting again, and I am still breeding it now, despite the league having started. If there is one more league I might have some horses to finish on a high.

2m Chasers

Try as I might I cannot make this one stick, I did breed the new bars into a colt, potential and cruise was in place too, but he was firm ground preference and failed in my soft focussed trials. I have since breed a copy of him at soft and good, but too late for the league and there are two other colts in my current race stable who might also be the linchpin for my 2m chasers going forward. But this is the one area of my team I have the most doubts about, I did introduce my previous attempt to bring my new speed lines into the old more established trial lines, but its fully in transition. My older lines have suffered the potential loss and the new ones have not yet landed, the fact my trial star is a returning 9yo from last season with only a single G1 to her name also does not bode well. Too much experimentation, this one has gone backwards and not yet taken a forward step I think.

The Entry Level

Sire The Bloody Boy
Dam Breed Cowboy Two Min Spec

Returning horse with a single win to her name, but that was a G1 and she placed in a few other big races too. Its possible she’s better at 9yo with more polished jumping but I am not convinced and her being my top 2m chaser for this season leaves me assuming the worse for my 2m chasers this season. Sire has good trial and league pedigree being one season removed from 5x G1 winner ‘The Pretty Boy’, Dam is a breeding mare, who connects to an average trial, somewhat experimental line, but go back far enough and there are some decent league horses. Graded Class.

The Pretty One

Sire Breed Uber Pretty
Dam Breed Chase Mega Has Speed

Carries an illustrious name, but he’s the not the same horse as his grandfather ‘The Pretty Boy’ consistent on most goings which is why he made the team. He’s actually from my first run at bringing my new speed bars into my lines, so is a little faster than the true older generation, but he’s not out of the new linchpins. Sire is a breed horse from ‘The Prety Boy’ who had 5x G1 wins in the league over two seasons, and there is league class in the extended lineage. Dam connects to ‘The Balance of Judgement’ and ‘The Witch King of Angmar’ both solid trial sorts, the former on the cusp of the team and that speaks to high cruise. Graded Class but has a lot to prove.

The Slash

Sire The Next Generation
Dam The Slam

Loves the mud and will enjoy Heavy and Soft goings in the later part of the season. Breed is another that’s mostly old lines with a little extra speed from my first attempt to land new bars with ‘juju’. Sire as the name suggests is the enhanced speed, but its not from the new linchpin lines, beyond that its mostly experimental drawing top cruise out of my 2.4m chase lines through ‘The Balance of Judgement’. Dam was in the league team last year and had three wins, one to G1 level so it might not be all bad. Graded Class.

The Verdict

Sire The Bloody Boy
Dam The Old And The New

Good ground specialist in to balance out the ground preferences in my team, and he’s pure old lines connecting to some decent league horses. Sire The Bloody Boy who also bred ‘The Entry Level’ is from 5x G1 winner ‘The Pretty Boy’ and the Dam is a mix of my high cruise line from ‘The Balance of Judgement’ and a much old ‘Star Wars’ line that is largely on its final legs now in my wider breeding. Go back enough generations and there are a few good trial types, not real league pedigree to speak off. Graded Class

2.4m Chasers

Like my 2.4m hurdlers an area that was the landing stop for one of my two new linchpins ‘The Savage Lands’. And that has led to a number of new line horses and breeding stock throughout the line, all the team for this season are in someway connected to my new speed lines. Few more seasons of breeding back to the ‘juju’ lines and I think I will have this part of my stable nicely set. Firmly going forward is my view with this lot.

The Savage Lands

Sire Breed Mega Eighty High Pot
Dam The Intense

He’s one of the two new linchpins and pretty close to the finished product in my new breeding programme. I have high hopes for him and his trial form remain amongst the best, he was even further removed form the old lines in his first trail round. Sire is the breeding horse who is responsible for both my hurdle and chase speed breeding line, and he got that from a semi success trial speed horse ‘The Silver Surfer’ whose two generations removed from the original 20% dud, and G1 league winner ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’ is further back on the same side. Dam is an old generation trial line that includes ‘The Last Spartan’ who bred a stack of good horses, ‘The Phalanx’ is also there and she had an ok time in the league. Graded Class will be after the Ryanair and Melling.

The Magic

Sire Breed High Pot Uber And Fast
Dam The Meg

Not directly from the linchpins, but from the original speed line attempt that was designed for my 2m chasers. But line held cruise and potential along with slightly enhanced speed and she offers decent challenge to ‘The Savage Lands’. Sire is three generations removed from ‘The Next Generation’ and there is a lot of old trial and league form if I go back far enough. Dam was a trial failure from basically the same line, she’s one of those breeds that should not work on paper from the immediate lineage, but its there again when I go far enough back. Graded Class.

The Pitch

Sire The Dark Lord
Dam Breed Her To Bal Line

A failed attempt to breed speed into a new 2m chaser as was his sire and both attempts landed in the 2.4m range, but it’s a different new line to the two linchpins, yet another all about adding speed bars. He’s a trial star on good ground and provides balance to my soft ground horses, but he’s not bad on that ground either. Sire who is also in the team connects to ‘The Witch King of Angmar’ and feeds cruise into the new speed line which is five generations in the making to the source, ‘The Pretty Boy’ is also there 3 generations back. Dam is a breed mare who can connect to 3 different trial and league winning lines. Graded Class

The Dark Lord

Sire The Witch King Of Angmar
Dam Breed High Speed to Bal

Straight forward attempt to match cruise with speed, and I was aiming at 2m chase, ended up landing at 2.4m and as a general all purpose ground horse so it gives balance to the rest of the team. Sire was a 2m chaser I had expected to be a monster but who only landed on the tail of my trial sheets, but there are some good horses in his extended lineage, including ‘The Pretty Boy’. Dam is a new speed line breeding mare, four generations in the making, but its been thoroughly mixed into some top 2.4m chase lines. Graded Class

The Top Man

Sire Breed Mega Eighty High Pot
Dam Breed Uber Quick Chase

Another new speed line horse and sired directly out of the same colt who sired the two linchpins, but he lost some of the good stuff in the process and so he’s the last horse picked to make the team. Does his best work on good ground and when he does get it right uses his speed to put some distance between him and the rest. On his good day he can be very good indeed, but consistency is his problem. Sire is covered already above, Dam is another experimental line which a fair amount of trial success in the more extended line. Graded Class.

3m Chasers

My 3m chasers are full on in transition mode, with a team that’s connected to both the new and old lines but in a slightly different way, since neither of the linchpins has made an impact on the line, nor have the multitude of breeding colts since, speed in my 3m chase lines has come from the horse that created the colt who created the linchpins ‘The Silver Surfer’, so it’s a more original, older and now passed on speed line of the same ilk. Going forward is my belief but there is a fair amount of scope for improvement.

The Bodyguard

Sire The Silver Surfer
Dam Breed Tree Uber Chase

Trial star, and probably one of my two Gold Cup horses, least on how I see things going into the league. Does his best work on soft to heavy ground, and largely likes to set the race pace. Sire was my first successful landing of my new speed bars, but he only trialled on the edge of good, and is only two generations away from the original source, but the ‘The Last Spartan’ is in the extended line and he has breed a stack of good trial horses. Dam is a long staying full cruise breeding mare, connecting to G1 winner ‘The Treeman’ and also ‘The Last Spartan’ and this boy nearly landed the best of both. Graded Class

The Tempo

Sire The Resurrection
Dam Breed Chase Quick High Pot

Mixed ground trial success and one of two novices who share the same ability. But he is also about as good as I have on Good ground. Sire is an old school line connected to ‘The Last Spartan’ and ‘The Python’ who is from my top cruise lines. Dam is connects to ‘The Silver Surfer’ and also league success ‘The Widow’ who had 5 wins over two seasons, two at G1. Graded Class

The Monsterous

Sire Statescraft
Dam Breed Uber Chase Breeder Three

This one has been on the trail sheets for some time, and always missed the team for the same reasons, ground preference, but I have the balance this season to try and take advantage of his Good ground trial form. At the time he was named he was a minor move forward on my speed bars, stealing from my hurdle lines, but he’s not so special now my lines have moved forward and is probably the worst of my 3m chasers. Sire is a hurdler with a lot of league successes behind him and several G1’s. Dam is a breeder from the ‘The Treeman’ and ‘The Last Spartan’ line. Season 14 G1 winner ‘The Ranger’ is there too. Graded Class.

The Gullible

Sire The Dark Lord
Dam Breed Chase Quick High Pot

Breed that takes more from the side of the Dam than the sire, who is in the team with my 2.4m chasers. She’s the second of my all purpose ground Novice 3m chasers. Sire can be viewed above and largely takes from my 2m chase cruise line. Dam is all three mile chase and was the same breeder that created my other 3m novice ‘The Tempo’ above, ‘The Silver Surfer’ and ‘The Widow’ are the main names on that side. Graded Class.

The Caged Beast

Sire The Last Spartan
Dam Breed Mega Good Line Chase

This one is all old school, likely to be one of my two Gold Cup Horses and also gives me range up to 3.4m so will be going after the longer chases on the schedule also. He’s top class in my view even if from the older lines, and I can’t yet make them stay to 3.4m. Sire is written up a lot above and has had a hand in an absolute stack of progressively better 3m chasers both from trial and league. Dam is a high potential line, connected to ‘The Last Spartan’ ‘The Treeman’ and go back further and league types, ‘The Mighty’ ‘The Ranger’ and ‘The Uncle’ can all be found. Graded Class.

4m Chasers

Have been messing with my 4m national lines for a while now, as there was a lot of scope to improve them from a purely visual perspective. Right now I am breeding my top speed into my 4m line, but have not made it stick, but its not the first time I have tried to draw better bars from my shorter lines into my National breeding lines. The Grand National remains a missing piece in my trophy room, this years changed handicapping might give me a decent shout in the weights for once. Standing still right now, Backwards and Forwards will hopefully both be ticked off between seasons.

National Charger

Sire National Blitz
Dam National Fantastique

His sire was a monster, who was accidently deleted form my CK lists somewhere between my last two trials, but he has got some of my best national types in the extended lineage. Dam is an experimental line drawing from 3m chaser ‘The Treeman’, she was a trial also ran, but the mix seems to have worked nicely. Graded Class.

National Superstarr

Sire The Caged Beast
Dam National Rider

Sired by my best 3.4m chaser who is written up above, she is the pick of my current National crop and by some measure too. Dam connects to ‘National King’ who was nearly good enough to come back for his third season. I have high hopes for her this season especially as she had the mares allowance for the big one.

Just spent an hour and a half typing up my stable only to get logged out and lose it all, so I am not typing it up again!!!

In short it was thanks to Leon and Martin (and anyone else involved).

I haven't been around much as I have had a lot going on outside of SO7 in the past 4 months.

So everything has been last minute.

My flat stable are just targeting certain races.

Jumps are targeting Cheltenham and the Gold Cup - didn't have time to come with unique names so used legends from the past.

Good luck everyone.

Great to see some new trainers - keep it going!

And would be keen on another season!