**James Doyle after BELIEVING clinched the Chelmer’s Listed Fillies’ Stakes at Chelmsford**

By Harry Herbert

What a thrill it was to see Believing win her listed race at Chelmsford on what was a seriously cold and gloomy evening at Chelmsford! This beautifully bred daughter of Mehmas had run such a promising race in the Nell Gwyn (Gr 3) to finish 5th after which James Doyle advised bringing her back in trip to 6f. A possible tilt at a Group 3 in France beckons for her next.

**BELIEVING wins in style at Chelmsford!**

Meanwhile Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Soprano kicked off our two year old campaign in mightily impressive style with victory in her maiden at Newmarket! Jake Warren bought her at the Yearling Sales for 100,000 guineas and I remember when George Boughey found out she was going to him, he exclaimed ‘I love that filly!’

Many congratulations should go to Karl Burke for a fantastic training performance in getting Spycatcher back to winning ways after 301 days off the track! Many thanks too, to Spycatcher’s extremely dedicated vet Duncan Moir who took such care great in planning a successful and full recovery.

Meanwhile, our two new Breeze Up purchases have settled in extremely well with George Boughey and Richard Hannon, and gearing up for their debuts! The Saxon Warrior filly is all sold however, there is still a share available in our wonderful filly by Tamayuz who George is really pleased with and will run very soon so please do get in touch quickly if you want to be involved!

Tamayuz ex Sharqeyya

In America Royal Patronage stormed to victory in a $130,000 allowance race whilst, in Australia, Naval College won at Randwick having just been touched off on his debut. Exciting international times for HTR! The two year olds are warming up with the first entries made for Western and Bespoke who have both been working well at home. Western is all set to make his debut on Saturday at Ascot which is very exciting so all fingers and toes crossed that we can get off to another flyer with our second two year old runner.

**Our Richard Hannon trained 2 year old WESTERN will make his debut at Ascot this Saturday!**

Clodagh and I have just been away for a few days in Sicily which was amazing. Such delicious food and wine and despite the slightly dodgy weather we had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful city of Taormina. Ascot now beckons - no more rain please!

On The Track

By Emily Scott

Believing made a pleasing return to action in the Nell Gwyn (Gr 3) at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting, but the 7f did prove slightly too far for her. She is extremely quick and as James Doyle said, “we need to let her be quick.” He partnered her again just 8 days later in the Chelmer Stakes (Listed) at Chelmsford and she showed what a class act she is by winning decisively. They went like lightening through the early stages and James did a brilliant job to get her in the perfect position to challenge in the straight. She almost hit the front too soon, but it didn’t matter because she is incredibly tough and battled all the way to the line. She has bounced out of that race in terrific form and may head to Chantilly next week for a Group 3.

**Believing digs deep to win the Listed Chelmer Stakes at Chelmsford under James Doyle**

George Boughey’s good form continued into Guineas weekend, and it was Soprano who hit the high notes on Friday, relishing every yard of the trip and storming up the hill to win with plenty in hand. William Buick struggled to pull her up and there’s no doubt she will be even better over further. This elegant filly, by Starspangledbanner, didn’t look like she would be Highclere’s first two-year-old runner back in January, but she has thrived off her work and I think her raw ability has allowed her to win over the minimum distance. She could well go straight to Royal Ascot where the Albany Stakes (Gr 3) over 6f is the logical race.

**SOPRANO wins her maiden in great style at Newmarket - Ascot awaits…**

It was heart-warming to see Spycatcher return after a 301-day absence to win a 7f conditions race at Thirsk under apprentice Pierre-Louis Jamin (3). He had his favoured soft ground and demolished the opposition to win by 3 ¾ lengths at the line. He has some top-class form to his name, including a second to Highfield Princess in the Duke of York Stakes (Gr 2) last spring, and he looks to have retained all that ability following a length spell on the side-lines. Karl plans to take him to Ascot on Saturday for the Victoria Cup and I’m sure it won’t be long before we see him back in Group company.

**Spycatcher winning by a wide margin at Thirsk on his 5yo debut**

Over in the States there was huge excitement when Royal Patronage made a winning return to action in an Allowance race at Keeneland. He had been off the track for 226 days and hadn’t been seen in the winner’s enclosure since beating Coroebus in the Royal Lodge Stakes (Gr 2) as a two-year-old. Royal Patronage moved to Graham Motion last summer following his run in the Epsom Derby and he quickly made an impression when finishing a close 5th in the $1,000,000 Belmont Derby Invitational (Gr 1). He has benefitted hugely from a long winter break and has come back a “different horse” according to his trainer. His preparation this spring has been smooth and so it was very satisfying to see him translate his homework onto the track to win so decisively on his 4yo debut. He will step back up into Stakes company for his next start, which may be at Churchill Downs on 3rd June.

**Royal Patronage taking the Highclere colours to glory at Keeneland!**

Snowy Clouds has been a revelation this season winning three races, the latest of which came at Market Rasen where he ran his rivals into a submission with a relentless tempo. The handicapper put him up another 7lbs and he was unfortunate not to record a hat-trick of victories when taking a crashing fall at Ayr on his next start. Thankfully he came away from that fall unscathed and has now been turned out for a summer break.

Rolf’s Rambling’s

By Rolf Johnson

WHO SAID NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS?

You would have thought some trainer, by Royal appointment, would have laid out one of King Charles’s horses for victory on the new monarch’s big day. But His Majesty’s inscrutable Coronation countenance gave nothing away throughout the ceremony as his colt Saga came up short at Newmarket and Candle of Hope was a no-hoper at Goodwood. There’ll be better days ahead for the royal colours – unbeaten colt Slipofthepen , bred by the late Queen, could feature on the next ‘Honours List’.

Bad news for racing could have been buried while the great occasion of Coronation diverted a nation’s attention; e.g. publication of the Gambling Review should have been withheld for a couple of days, after all we’d been waiting for years for the thump of its three hundred and fifty pages. Quickly dismissed as a fudge, a half-hearted attempt to solve the endemic problem (for some) of gambling, real messes such as Britain’s disintegrating roads – pock-marked with craters (also called pot holes) and the takeover of Artificial Intelligence (a contradiction in terms) should surely take precedence.

Intelligence will be vital to counter British racing’s greatest menace – animal activists who have promised disruption at the Derby to make up for the singular failure of their ‘Special Mission’ in London at the Coronation.

Racing (for the majority) nowadays really is, in that famous phrase (oft misquoted) a triviality in the context of life: last Saturday’s extravagant proceedings were no dress rehearsal for the crowning of the best three-year-old in a few short weeks’ time in the Derby. For one thing, there will be nothing like the attendance on Epsom Downs as the hundreds of thousands that turned up in London. Or indeed in 1953 when three days after the late Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation (and the announcement of the conquest of Everest) her horse Aureole, was a leading Derby fancy. The betting wasn’t sentimental, Aureole was a top class colt but Pinza was too good for him. I would have been tempted to take back the knighthood I’d just handed to the jockey who ruined my best chance of winning the world’s greatest race but of course Her Majesty displayed only pleasure that Pinza’s partner Sir Gordon Richards had finally won his Derby, at the 28th and final attempt.

That day there were no demonstrations – bar ones of affection.

Bad news, and it could hardly be disguised, has been attending the world’s leading equine empire, Coolmore. The running of Aidan O’Brien’s Two Thousand Guineas favourite Auguste Rodin - he beat two of the fourteen home and one of those was well-regarded stablemate Little Big Bear, was described as “A non-event” by Aidan O’Brien. There had been talk (always cheap) of Auguste Rodin being Triple Crown material: old news now. And more of the same came from Leopardstown next day. O’Brien had trained the last four winners of the Group Three Derby Trial but the best the batch of Coolmore representatives could do this time was fourth, behind Jessica Harrington’s springer Sprewell who leapt into the Derby market.

The crowning of the King buried good news too, for last Saturday’s Two Thousand Guineas was one for the ages and deserved greater publicity – someone must sort out just who are British racing’s cheerleaders (if they exist). The form of the Guineas may be suspect – treble figure starters finished second and fourth - yet who, other than the one and only (no other words to describe him) Frankie Dettori could fall to earth one day and yet land on his feet the next.

Despite parting company with the favourite Chaldean exiting the stalls for the Guineas Trial, the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, Dettori retained the mount on the Juddmonte colt for the Classic. He had every right to exult crossing the line at Newmarket. Jockeys other than Dettori could have kept Chaldean in a straight line while his nearest adversaries were scattering across the Rowley Mile. But ‘everyday jockeys’ might not have had the chance at redemption – they’d have been jocked-off after the Newbury fiasco. Dettori feeds, greedily, worldwide, on the spotlight in which his career, for good and ill, has been bathed.

All the world’s a stage; Frankie Dettori’s world is a stage and he has played many, leading, parts for the best part of thirty- eight years. Oisin Murphy is his understudy, in the wings waiting to take over. Their careers have hit humps and bumps (and potholes) but then what champion jockey’s hasn’t? Dettori has led a charmed life and Shakespeare’s “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends rough hew them how we may” – applies as much to his as to Murphy’s turbulent times. Their destinies aren’t tied – the younger man will dominate a new era - and at 27 has twenty-five more years to emulate the senior jockey’s feats. Murphy already has as many (three) jockey’s championship as Dettori will retire with.

Last year’s ban for Murphy, after three consecutive titles, for a variety of indiscretions was 14 months: it was 14 years since Saeed Bin Suroor’s last Classic for his Godolphin boss. That was Mastery, outsider of the 2009 St Leger field since what time Godolphin’s apparent number one trainer Charlie Appleby has gathered four Classics, seven in Europe as a whole. Bin Suroor’s filly Mawj restored her affable handler to (a few) headlines.

At Newmarket Murphy and unsung Hi Royal (half-brother to Highclere winner Whitehall) chased home Chaldean. Next day, in the One Thousand, Murphy was aboard Mawj for the first time. She’d been beaten by several of her Guineas rivals at two but blossomed in the winter in Meydan. Mawj was just too strong for the hitherto unbeaten favourite Tahiyra with the rest of a big field so far behind that either the first two are exceptional or the soft ground inhibited the stragglers. They included a pair of Charlie Appleby Godolphin also rans.

Racing struggles to impact the news. Its struggle will exacerbate when Dettori is no longer around. Never one to eat humble pie he was obliged to ‘eat grass’ when nosediving from Chaldean into the Newbury turf. Nebuchadnezzar, founder of Babylon and the Caldee-an (never ‘Chaldean’) empire before madness overtook him, also took to eating grass.

Don’t spoil the euphony – the inception of the Carolinian age of King Charles III coincided with the crowning of Chaldean. Juddmonte’s first Andrew Balding, Kingsclere-trained, yearling was judiciously named and this son of Frankel, his first Group One mile winning colt, will hopefully henceforward be called home by his proper name. They haven’t got a suitable one yet for Chaldean’s £1m younger half-sister by Kingman (just don’t put any money on ‘Chaldean’s Sister’).

Chaldean, a mere 550,000gns is a miler through and through so we went to Chester seeking authentic Derby and Oaks evidence. In the same Juddmonte ownership and another Frankel, Arrest, again under Dettori, put another Coolmore hopeful, Adelaide River in his box in the Chester Vase. John Gosden warned that 440,000gns Arrest might be a better horse in time; and after the horse’s easy win the trainer was still hesitant. Chester’s ground was soggy and though Arrest isn’t PC Plod his action is not that of a fast ground horse. There was precisely the same six and a nod lengths between Arrest and Adelaide River as when they met on the same ground last October at Saint-Cloud, where the winner was this year’s Guineas fifth Dubai Mile.

Arrest joins Godolphin’s pair Military Order (Adayar’s brother) and Flying Honour heading the Derby betting, albeit at longer odds than is customary at this juncture. Coolmore are still shuffling their Derby cards (twenty seven of them at the last count). They will regroup more determined (were that possible) than ever.

The betting in the Cheshire Oaks was a giveaway for Coolmore’s Savethelastdance – odds on having won her maiden at 20-1. She’s not quite odds on for the Oaks as a result of her twenty-two length victory (yes, you read that right) but she might be on the day. Such performances aren’t everyday happenings, even on such wet ones as last Wednesday’s. Those with long memories might recall a Vincent O’Brien colt, Grey Moss, winning by almost as far at Chester – and then beaten even further in Charlottown’s Derby.

The Coronation was done, thankfully without dust ups, just before the Guineas kicked off. On June 3 we’ll hardly have time to digest the Derby result (and our lunches) before we’re stuffed full of FA Cup Final coverage. That game kicks off some four hours after the running of the world’s most famous horserace so settle down for the long haul of wall-to-wall betting adverts (Gambling Review notwithstanding) and postulating pundits. The world is on tenterhooks for the Manchester ‘Derby’* clash at Wembley. Our Derby will be lost in the hullabaloo attending the ‘main’ event.

Don’t believe me? Count the papers column inches. Ask the ‘man on the bar stool’ once racing’s stalwart: “What’s the Epsom winner?” and the response is most likely to be: “Nah, racing, not my cuppa tea anymore. Mind you I got threes about Man City, Haaland to score the winner, enhanced odds money back as a free bet if it goes to penalties.” (Terms and conditions apply).

If antis breach Epsom’s defences, to which end they will redouble their efforts after their ‘Light Brigade’ charges were routed at the Grand National, Scottish National and Doncaster, will Epsom’s commentator have the wit to repeat broadcaster Kenneth Wolstenhome’s immortal words, “They think it’s all over. It is now”? England fans prematurely invaded the Wembley pitch just as the winning goal hit the back of the (German) net in the 1966 World Cup Final. Spontaneous overwrought and over refreshed fans were by no means brethren to the calculating disrupters threatening Epsom. Justification for aggravation will be sought by those denied, by their lights, the right to peaceful protest. A plethora of glazed words and occasional counterfeit sentiments from self-appointed Royal watchers wouldn’t have converted many ‘Republicans’. But frightening the horses – be they pulling carriages down Whitehall or, to coin a phrase, ‘pulling a train’ at Epsom can’t be defined as ‘peaceful’: “coercive, bullying” are more accurate damnations of the anti-social demonstrations.

And now we have to suffer the preposterous indignity of the 2023 Derby relegated (bullied?) to an off time, 1.30 (pm), which suits FA Cup final advertisers but nobody in racing. We’re sponsored by a bookmaker for the first time – prepare for ear-bashing adverts for Fred “Betting should be fun” Done’s firm before his Betfred Derby – joined by a chorus of every bookmaker who can buy air time leading up to the football Final. We should be thankful for small mercies, that the bookmaker sponsor hasn’t (yet) asked for a new title, say ‘Fred Done’s Derby’: blow me down he’s captured the St Leger too!

Done bought and sold the Tote and his ingenuity reminds me of the ‘colourful’ wheeler dealer football impresario Barry Fry who managed at least seven clubs, some more than once. His interventions in a maelstrom of transfers were meat and drink to the media. One profile saw Fry signing off another exhausting day of trading players with - “Sell dog buy cat”.

So with the Derby also being treated as a commodity; the competition from football seemingly irresistible; existential threats from the antis, it’s high time racing went on ‘manoeuvres’. A different drill is required. Setbacks for the antis will only spur them to more vehement challenge: Operation Epsom in Normandy in 1944 was a score draw: racing requires a clear cut victory.

Taittinger Moment

Many congratulations to William Haggas who is this month’s recipient of our Taittinger Moment after DUBAI HONOUR returned to the UK with $2.9 Million Australian Dollars for winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1) at Randwick!

**Emily presents a magnum of Taittinger to William Haggas the Jockey Club Rooms**

5 to Follow

Thank you to anyone who entered our annual 5 to Follow competition which has raised over £7,000 for Greatwood. This is a fantastic charity which uses former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs.

Greatwood is home to a few former Highclere horses, including Beacon and Burlington.

The Godolphin Flying Start Program

By Lachie Pethica

In 2003, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai launched the Darley (now Godolphin) Flying Start, a two-year graduate management programme focusing on the Thoroughbred Industry. Twelve positions are granted annually, with the programme offering an all-inclusive scholarship which provides experiences across five countries: Ireland, England, America, Australia and the UAE.

At the outset, Sheikh Mohammed expressed his goal to develop future industry leaders to enhance the sport he loves dearly long into the future. As the course approaches the celebration of its twentieth year, this goal has been well and truly advanced. Across the world, graduates have plied their trade whether it be in bloodstock, racing or breeding.

The programme is designed to include a balance of practical and academic experiences with a view towards developing well-rounded industry contributors who can direct future developments in racing and breeding. This includes a mixture of hands on placements, lectures, seminars, conferences and assignments, each geared to advance trainees’ knowledge of each industry aspect. Successful graduates include french trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, leading bloodstock agent Ed Sackville and Highclere’s own Emily Scott.

**Godolphin Flying Start Class of 2023**

Commencing in August each year at Kildangan Stud in Ireland, trainees study a veterinary module through University College Dublin and assist in breaking-in yearlings on the farm. This phase of the course is accompanied by involvement with the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale and visits to several racing and breeding operations across Ireland.

Following this comes a ten-week stint in racing’s ancestral home, Newmarket. Each trainee partakes in placements with trainers and pre-trainers, a rotation at the British Racing School and the opportunity to experience the Tattersalls December Sales. This provides the opportunity to shadow bloodstock agents and better understand the function of the breeding stock market in Europe.

The new year sees the programme move to the USA, where trainees are based in Lexington, Kentucky. Being based at the centre of American Racing makes for an exhilarating experience. Practical rotations remain at the core of the programme, which see trainees placed with trainers, stud farms, rehabilitation facilities and rehoming initiatives over the first three months of the USA phase. The academic component of the course continues with trainees completing a course in Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky and attending evening lectures hosted by an abundance of industry leaders. These span from veterinarians to data analysts and bureaucrats, making for intriguing learning and an unrivalled overview of the racing and breeding industries in America. A highlight of this phase for many is the opportunity to attend the Kentucky Derby; a phenomenal event, the scale and build-up to which is unmatched anywhere in the world. To conclude the phase, trainees complete the first of three externships; extended placements which advance trainees’ skills and knowledge in areas of particular interest. For myself personally, this saw me spend six weeks at WinStar Farm, one of Kentucky’s pre-eminent stallion farms. On this placement, I was able to gain experience in the on-farm pre-training operation and also gained experience in the bloodstock and nominations functions of the stallion business. This was an incredibly exciting time for me, with the farm preparing to retire superstar racehorse, Life Is Good to stud and the access and learnings I gain were of enormous benefit.

After concluding in America, August sees the cohort arrive in Australia. Much of this phase is spent based in the Hunter Valley, the Thoroughbred Breeding epicentre of Australia. Once again, practicality is at the forefront of the syllabus and trainees complete practical rotations across the many stud farms in the area. In addition, weekends are spent racing in Sydney, where we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the vibrant racing scene at Randwick and Rosehill. The academic component of this phase involves a leadership and communications module at Macquarie University in Sydney, which provided each of us with some highly valuable insights into our owns strengths, weaknesses and preferences, seeking to develop a group of better-rounded leaders. A week in Melbourne ensued following that, allowing us to take in the festivities of the Melbourne Cup Carnival before venturing off on our second externship. In my case, I was lucky enough to spend three months with Magic Millions, an Auction House based on the Gold Coast. This involved assisting with on-farm inspections and preparations for upcoming yearling sales. The placement culminated in the business’ January yearling sale which is renowned for its atmosphere and hospitality. Beyond the sale itself, the barrier draw involving horses galloping on the beach, a celebrity polo match and show jumping exhibition make it a must-see for any racing enthusiast.

Our route back to Europe involved a three week stop-over in Dubai, where we completed a study tour. Here we visited many of the major racing operations and had the fortune of going racing at Meydan, Jebel Ali and Al Ain. Each gave us a very different insight into racing in the UAE and the central role the horse plays in society there. Beyond racing, we were exposed to the growth and development of Dubai as a city and a commercial hub and were given a greater understanding of Emirati Culture and the central role those traditions have played in the development of Dubai.

Since arriving back to Ireland in late February, we have been working on the capstone of the programme – an entrepreneurship unit challenging us with presenting a business case which solves a problem in the industry. Facilitated by University College Dublin, this programme was a great culmination of our learnings over the past two years and the fresh eyes with which one can view challenges in a particular jurisdiction.

With the bulk of our coursework now complete, attention has turned to our final placements. My fellow trainees are based across England, Ireland and France and are spending time with a multitude of businesses. I am fortunate enough to be with Highclere over the next month where I am very much looking forward to deepening my knowledge of British Racing and exploring the customer experience that Highclere provides to such a high standard.

Clodagh’s Recipe of the Month

Sicilian Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo

By Clodagh Mckenna

INGREDIENTS:

500g fettuccine pasta

1 unwaxed lemon, thinly sliced

500ml double cream

1 clove garlic, whole

110g butter, cut into small pieces

75g freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and more for serving

A grating of fresh nutmeg

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

flat-leaf parsley, chopped

METHOD:

Place a large pot of salted water over a high heat and bring to the boil. Then stir in the pasta and cook the fettuccine for 5 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, place a deep frying or saucepan over a low-medium heat. Pour in the cream and add the lemon slices and whole garlic. Next add butter and whisk gently until melted. Remove and discard the garlic. Stir in the nutmeg and grated parmesan cheese. Season with freshly grated black pepper. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking liquid. Add it to the pan, gently toss the pasta to coat in the Alfredo sauce. Top with more grated cheese and chopped flat leaf parsley.