William looks back…and forward |
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| Written by Tony Rushmer | |||
| Wednesday, 7th January 2009 | |||
| “LET ME start by wishing all owners, staff and everyone else connected to Phantom House a very happy New Year. We are really looking forward to continuing where we left off in 2008 - a solid year in which we had 26 winners. “We had significantly more winners than the previous year and, domestically, the overall prize money won by the string was also up, which was pleasing. “The major highlight was the Group 3 Lilly Langtry victory of Lady Howard de Walden’s Gravitation at Glorious Goodwood. A similarly memorable afternoon came at Epsom on Derby Day when Smokey Storm lifted the Woodcote Stakes. “There were several other notable achievers including Moon Sister, who registered a couple of victories while rising through to Listed status. “The latter part of the season saw a series of promising efforts that bode well for 2009. Archie Rice won his maiden in good style at Newmarket and then finished fifth in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes. He actually ran even better than the bare form suggests as he was drawn wide and may have been the second or third best horse in the race. “Whatever, he has done incredibly well over the winter and I feel he can prove himself in, at least, Listed company. “I would be hopeful that one or two more of his generation will prove progressive. Perhaps Grey Granite may be a dark horse after giving an encouraging debut display at Yarmouth at the back-end. I have him down as a potentially nice staying prospect. “Of the fillies, I also have plenty of time for In The Mood, a daughter of Hawk Wing who showed she possesses her share of talent. I’m sure there will be others who will make their mark, too - Royal Willy, for example. “It is too early to make a major assessment of the latest two-year-old crop at Phantom House. Suffice to say, they are all ridden away on the Heath and I feel sure there are some nice individuals among them. “The major positive is that Gravitation remains in training as a four-year-old and her pedigree and stature suggest she can improve for having the latest winter over her. There are a wealth of early-season options open to us and we’ll look at such races as the John Porter Stakes, the Jockey Club Stakes, the Ormonde Stakes, the Yorkshire Cup and the Henry II Stakes as a possible starting point for her 2009 campaign. “Let’s hope we can enjoy plenty more success together over the coming 12 months and I look forward to regularly welcoming all those connected to the yard to Phantom House in the near future. “Best of luck for the year ahead…” |
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