Why not get another one in, the new game is not out until the end of the year at the earliest. Its better to decide early so people will keep breeding, unlike last season where probably most gave up for months because of the unknown.

An incredible week for my flat team, just when I thought my 1m4 horses all running well was a massive shock then my 5 furlong horses out did them, all 3 won. Two group 1 wins at Dubai. It's good to have them back.

My jumps team are all over the place, any win will be good this season. My best day was the 3rd with one of my fav horses of all time Dublin Flyer winning a grade 3 and Castle almost pulling of the shock in the big race of the day.

Must say I’m pleasantly surprised with my opening weeks performers with 4 wins!!!

Got my first ever League group success in the Group 3 Lingfield Derby with Ditton Lail.

Only To be followed up in a Grouo 1 by Flodden Road in the Dubai Sheema. Chuffed.

Wins also for Jackpot and Monthly Minor.
And a 2nd for Dialogue Supreme in a sprint maiden.

Thanks to all who run the competition from hosting the site, creating the vids and doing the the commentary. Great work.

And best of luck to all involved.

Jaei Bermenstein

After starting a new save 2 weeks before deadline I'm happy to report the stable isn't a complete write-off.

The first two days were disappointing, with only prize money coming in very small fields. Can't complain about the 3 year olds, they were taken from my old save and don't appear to be any good, but didn't export any in the new save. No 2 year olds either, focus all on 4 year olds!

I stuck a few into the Dubai G1s as know how much of a head start they can give with crazy prize money. Caterbilly Augustus struggled to make up ground from the back in the Golden Shaheen, he's the best of my 6F runners but my sprinters are weak this season. Babcary Layla was well out of the places in the World Cup, i wasn't sure how my 10F horses would fare but this confirms they're not up to scratch. Ajzal Ginger was useless in the Al Quoz Sprint but that was no surprise. Scoglio Spartan didn't place in the Godolphin Mile but showed some promise finishing just behind the leading pack. Quilty Tech justified the G1 gamble by landing 4th place in the Sheema Classic. Pretty pleased with this as did it from the outside draw and was stuck out there. Suggests that my 1m4F horses may be competitive, backed up by Lady of the Night winning the 1m5f maiden quite easily, which was a surprise as had no idea about the heavy ground.

The 4th in the Sheema was a big win for the stable and launches us up the leaderboard table.

I'm going to see if I can find any superstars before the uploads deadline to fill the remaining 2 spots.

Leon, in answer to your mention of a future season before SO8, i'd be keen and imagine most others would if we have 6 months to wait. Then gives a reason to keep breeding.

Good to be back, well done race winners and good luck for next week.

Alex Ince

As expected from my lot. Very little time to look at the game recently an a lot of cast offs in there. A lot of 3rd an 4ths are what I'm expecting this season. The ground definitely against a lot of them with a few going clear at the end, then the run petering out in the final half furlong, so hopefully more to come on better ground

Breathtaking Legend - 2nd in a conditions race to what looks an exceptional horse of Jaei's. Expect this to be right up there this season so hoping the ground was the issue. Could just be that winner is a freak

Gutsy destiny - 1st in the Dubai UAE Derby. Very surprised by this, as definitely better with that extra furlong, an my 3yos are never up to much. Solid performance considering he also ran about 6 wide the whole race. One worth watching I think

Sierra Vista Pants - 1st in 2m2 Maiden by over 9 lengths. No idea what to make of this, I've had this horse in my trials for about 3 league seasons at least, an it's never made the team. Will improve for the gold cup, but imagine that may turn out to be a weak race he won here

3 other 2nd places at Dubai, so hoping mine mightn't be quite as bad as I thought they'd be.

Congrats to all winner, great week from Jaei an Munas in particular, both likely to be right up there. Great to see so many new faces too, hopefully not too disheartened by week 1, it's always the worst week. Thanks to Leon an Mart for all the work too.

Day 3, I couldn't have asked for a better day with 4 winners, sharing a G1 with Josh, and 2 G2s

Good Dancer - winning The Lonesome Glory Hurdle G1 with Josh's horse Fantastica, such a great run and helped with a great jump at the last, she missed out of my team last season after disappointing in league trials at 7yo, but after trialing her at 8yo seen she's improved a lot, I think she will enjoy Cheltenham too
Ace Queen 8th x2 G1 winner last season, she was really disappointing, hopefully just a bad run, and she's still good enough, main aim is Aintree hurdle again

Royal Duty - Winning the Galway Hurdle G2, she likes the sharp tracks and soft ground, and she's by Stateman, who won this race 2 seasons back
Vulcan 2nd ran well, also by Stateman, but maybe better at a different track and a furlong more like the dam Cheltenham 2m1f mares novice hurdle winner Princess Kate

Always Brave - My most pleasing win this week, winning back to back Galway Plate G2, Yes Martin hes prob got his hurdling speed from Popular Class, who won 3x G1 2m4 hurdles in the league and also won over fences too

Queenofthelodge winning the 2m5 hurdle, good to have a horse that will stay in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham now if there is past pace

Glance Of Glory 6th and Vautour 7th in 2m3 New York Chase, but not too worried i think they will improve next week over 2m5

Glencaraig Lady 5th and Run Rose 9th in The Iroquois Chase G1, not sure they both liked the ground. Congrats, Martin, on the win with Annie Golden, a returning horse too always great to see

Chosen Hero, 3rd in 2m5 novice hurdle, needs fast ground,
Always On The Go, 2nd in 2m4 novice chase jumped really poorly but still managed 2nd will be better over further too
Stars Away 5th in 2m novice chase, disappointing, hopefully she will improve

Well done, everyone with winners and placers this week

Day 2

Flat

Dame De Vix - 1st - Ran a blinder on ground an a distance that was not entirely suitable, pleased with that as I was not certain of her quality.

Legend of Greystoke - 4th - Ran wide and got pushed further wide when trying to challenge, likely has more to show when on more suitable ground.

Now We Must Go - 3rd - No real issues here, he ran a good race, just made his challenge later than the other two and could never close the gap. Ground against again.

Heart Of The Devil - 9th - Hmm this is a worry, even if I can make excuses about the ground, was swamped at the end and I think I might be up against it over 1.4m this term with many looking like they have better horses.

Effervescence - 3rd - She ran well on ground that did not suit, just left herself too much to do and I am not sure she stays the extra 1f. More to show over 1m I hope.

Always Something Wrong - 1st - Won at a canter, and on unsuitable ground too. Very pleased with that showing, but likely a weak race.

Savage - 3rd - Got caught up in the pack and never really timed his challenge, likely his best distance this, but ground was against.

Azog The Defiler - 3rd - Thought he ran well again on ground that does not suit him, was never one I had especially high hopes for so thats a pleasing first showing.

Heart Of The Matter - 7th - Like Heart of Stone on day one, got bumped off her style and did not run what I would call her ideal race. Soft ground and shorter than ideal, but I am pretty worried with both my 1.4m 3yo's failing miserably.

Jumps

Gravitation - 1st - Good performance from the worst of my 2.4m hurdlers and on ground that would not have suited. Pleased with this one.

The Pitch - 3rd - Ground against again and left way too much to do when finally making a challenge. But not unduly worried and think there will be better to come.

The Tempo - 1st - Decent showing and jumped well enough when it matters, both my 3m novice chasers won their opening so prospects for the RSA look good.

The Verdict - 3rd - No excuses today, ground would have been fine, I am just not convinced he's all that good. And putting my two most balanced 2m chasers in as novices to avoid the best guys might leave me exposed for the Queen Mother.

Bask In Glory - 3rd - Something of a disappointment and had his run checked by getting boxed in the closing stages. Hopefully better to come.

National Charger - 1st - Sorry Leon. Jumped the last better and ground his way to the win, but only by a whisker. Anyway thats the National done for

Bellisimo - 1st - Really pleased with this as I had question marks, so a little more comfortable now, but wont get away with that too often.

Stick To The Rules - 1st - Stole this one in a small field and weak race, my plan to get get him a Chase mark, now likely wont do me much good. Better over Hurdles.

Day 3

Litmus test day with the big boys entering their best in Dubai and it largely confirmed what I thought I already knew, my flat team are not quite up to standard. Not a disaster, and on another day it might have been very different, but if there is another league I have a bit of work to do, and if I can muster the energy for it.

Flat

Telekinesis - 2nd - Can't really fault her, she ran well and was ideally positioned at the business end, just beaten by a better horse on the day, fine margins indeed.

Incredulous - 4th - Ran wider than the other contenders, which did not aid, but also ran out of puff on the line, too soon to be worried by a horse I consider to be my best sprinter.

Celestial - 3rd - Took the lead early only to give it up, not how she is supposed to run, but you can't win them all and too soon to be unduly concerned.

Testing The Waters - 2nd - Ran a blinder since I am not overly excited about this one. Will take that.

Rapscallion - 3rd - Took a breather at exactly the wrong time, but was also a little outpaced at the end. Jury remains out.

Benediction - 4th - Another flat display from a horse who always seems to find a way to lose..........always looks different at home.

So Wrong Its Right - 1st - Main bright spark for the day with a pretty dominant performance, exactly what she should be doing from the front. Pleased with that, looked like she had plenty in hand too.

Colossus - 3rd - Likely has more to offer on the turf and I remain buoyant about his prospects for the breeders cup.

You All Belong To Me - 3rd - Not this year it seems, very flat performance, running wide and leaving herself too much to do. Needs to bounce back at the Coronation Cup.

Xenophobia - 2nd - Ran wide to challenge late, not out of keeping with his style, had he had a better line I think he might have stolen this. Happy enough.

Jumps

Did more work with my jumps team and it shows. Week one wins from team members in each discipline and distance, other than the 3m hurdlers, but they did steal a chase win yesterday. So it all looks good for another solid season on the NH. Sure there will be harder weeks to come.

The Pretty One - 1st - Really pleased by this, since I have doubts about my 2m chasers, may have gotten my placement wrong and gone too much in favour of the novices this season, but made that look easy on his perfect ground.

Stick Around - 3rd - No progress made with my 3m hurdlers and it showed here on what was ideal ground. Its being fixed as we speak.

Wants To Rule It All - 2nd - Did it all right but blown away by Queenofthelodge on speed. There will be other days for her.

Juvenile Star - 1st - Slightly unexpected this one, might have a good one this season. Often a hit or miss area for me, so its a promising start.

Hopes Spring Eternal - 4th - Linchpin for my new line hurdle breeding programme and a less than ideal start, felt he would take to Heavy but I might be in error on that now I look at the breeding a little more closely and it was not properly trialled due to time.

The Magic - 4th - Not horrible, but far from the way she should be running today. Not unduly concerned.

The Bodyguard - 2nd - Was always going to be a little short and was always going to be exposed on pace. Expect to see better at 3m+

Sea of The Unknown - 3rd - Happy with that against the Hooley Monsters, far closer than I thought she would be, could have a G1 in her yet.

The Slash - 1st - Ran a really nice race, not the perfect run style and I think this might have been a weak race, but good win regardless. And Martin last season I had a horse called Welcome To The Jungle, of course I am

The Savage Lands - 2nd - Good run mickey mouse track and race........ move on.

Fantastica - 1st - Outstanding run and vindicates my breeding approach, especially as she ran wide for most of the race on this stupid track. Loved the way she battled back too, should be an interested season with Great Dancer both of whom will likely be aiming at the Mares Hurdle. But she is a little ground restricted.

The Caged Beast - 7th - Another Hmm, quite way he tied up so badly when he happily stays too 3.4m is a mystery, but i have never been found of this race. I was, to be honest, also cheering Annie Golden home, congratulations Martin.

Nothing not to like about my week 1 NH showing.

Josh

And as an aside the AI changes are excellent, teething problems entirely expected, and it likely preserves the league for at least another season. Many thanks Leon for all your hard work on this.

Josh

Had to dig out my old laptop when season was announced as had bought a new one and game wouldn't transfer as I was still using my old tester ID. When I installed it on new laptop I had to use the key I had purchased so it thought I was a different person and wouldn't load my saves. Looked like league was about done so I didn't bother starting again. So basically I am about 5 seasons forward from where I was last season so plenty of returners and horses that missed cut last time.

Flat

As expected nothing much here. Monicarion came 2nd but was beaten a mile and is now likely going to struggle off top weight for a bit. Sparky Tasse ran ok but thats about it. Hopefully plot a few big race handicap wins throughout the season.

NH

Always seem to do better here and had a good start with 2 winners on opening day. One that I thought was good and one that I wasn't sure about so not sure what to make of that. Got a few places as well so hopeful can have a decent season after last years poor effort. Highlight of course was my new stable star Annie Golden landing her third G1 after winning New Jersey Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup along with the G3 Hennessy last season. Sadly she doesn't quite get up the hill at Cheltenham so probably not a Gold Cup contender. I like bringing horses back and she will now step into that position vacated by Finding Alice and before that Bucko who were multi season big race winners. Bucko is actually her sire and the dam won a big race in one of the very first SO7 seasons thats how old a game it is! With a bit of luck I will breed something decent from her before next season.

Leon has been working hard behind the scenes and I think he has sorted the card staying up longer and a better camera angle for the NH so we might see more of the fallers next week and I will be able to do the proper run through of the top 5 finishers.

I hope we get another season now, well I thought my breeding was over when I finished this game and I started a game just to play normally after the league has finished and I just played it and I found a 2m+ Oz stayer who gives out full potential at 3 . I've never had a full 3yo potential horse in SO7. Why couldn't I have found that years ago. Might have to try to breed some stayers just in case we get another season. I have some stayers from last season who were rated about 95 to trial against.

I had one of those in my original Aussie flat game 90% at 2yo. He was crap in trial and that game was deleted after 90 seasons of banging my head on a wall

This one has produced a 93 or 94% two year old. I've not seen many that high ever in any SO. He is a slowboat though , 15L behind them 95 rated league horses. Even if it comes to nothing it's my game for when the league is finished and I Just have fun in game.

Rather gutted, he could give 94% 2yos and he dominated the stallion barn after 15 years but the family had 0% league ability. I've parked that game, nothing worse than banging u head against the wall.

Flat

Not the best of starts for my team with an 0 from 6 strike rate on day one. Underlines where I think my flat team are this term, decent but not quite up to snuff, credible performance from ‘Heart of the Devil’ aside and one or two I had not held out much hope for anyway, but overall a poor day.

Jump

Far better showing on the jumps, figured i might have overdone my NH prep this term with those extra breeding seasons, with hindsight I could have used the time better over flat, but the NH has always been where my heart lies. 4 wins from 6, star of the day Basking, who I had not liked much on this going putting up a dominant performance. Only black mark was Fantastica running a very flat and lacklustre race, and she was my main fancy on the day…….

Leon - please check the rating on "Blue Peter Revival" finished last in a nursery off 73 back end of last season, yet appears in the 100k Sprint off 80 and moved up to 81 after finishing 9th. Donny Doctor also somehow gone from 80-89 despite finishing 11th and 16th in two maidens. I'm assuming there's nothing we can do given the AI but I fear they're never going to be rated well enough to win.

Flat -

I expected maybe 2 to make top 5 and they did, with Leipzig Lady booking her place in the Guineas, Melbourne Gaol ran well over a more suitable distance, Monarch Puzzle ran well but clearly didn't stay the 6f.

Jumps -

Croquette a surprising 3rd place and probably needs a flat 2m. Kinslayer and Risky Mission both ran plenty well enough. Again have a feeling they are doing too good in these races and rating themselves out of winning down the line.