Carrying a severe hangover was probably not the best way to drive up to Ferdy's yard but after a nice 12-1 victory in the football a few beers had to be consumed! On arrival at his yard the first thing that catches your eye is the ease with which everything happens and the smiles on all the staff tells you that this is a very happy and enjoyable place to live and work. Pimms on arrival followed by a couple of Fosters and the hangover had gone and work had started on the next! Free to wander around the yard and grounds was very nice, being able to stroke the horses and feed the ones you knew carrots or polos was extremely enjoyable. We made a bee-line for Riguez Dancer as 2 of the people I went with had shares in him, and he looked a picture of health and a nicer horse you could not meet, as soon as my mate said his name he was nuzzling in his shoulder and sniffing the carrots out of his pockets!! I then wandered off to locate my favourite horse of Ferdys, Naiad de Misselot. Tiny in stature but massive in heart and i was very pleased to hear he is heading back to Cheltenham this season but back over hurdles after Ferdy confirmed he hated chasing and never got going at all. After an hour or so the crackling of the microphone testing gave notice that the parade of horses was about to take place and the dulcet tones of Mr Murphy asked all to take their places on the hay bales that had been placed in a semi circle very neatly indeed. This was a very well run organisation as the 80 odd horses were then led out by jockeys and grooms one after the other, all looking majestic and the odd one playing up and showing off for the crowds! Some stage shy (Ferdys words) but put a filly in front of them and they'd move like something off of a shovel . After the parade of horses with excellent running commentary on all from Ferdy it was a quick photo of his 3 stable stars for the RP and then on to the marquee for the most amazing hog roast BBQ with free bar Again the staff were excellent, wandering around the tables chatting and answering any questions whatsoever. The food was outstanding and the wine and beer was flowing extremely well and fast Got talking to a few owners and then one got the Trophy out that Divers won at this years festival, as it was a syndicate they had conducted a raffle and she had won the right to keep the trophy. All other members were taking it and getting their photos with Divers and the trophy. Malcolm Denmark was a very strange character indeed, and other owners who I recognised apparently 'star' in Emmerdale playing 2 of the KING brothers. With an 'Irish' band (what else would Ferdy have) playing in the background it was a very nice setting with 4 to 5 dogs wandering round hoovering up all the leftovers On to the horses and comments from Mr Murphy, as I said yesterday he was very, very upbeat about the coming season and felt his horses were very well handicapped due to the snow stopping his training regime. I have broken down the list to his favourites, Graham Lee's favourites and ones that he earmarked to watch out for. Graham Lee liked the following: Brandon Lee will win another bumper and another very good looker, great feel. Capricornus ex M Johnston who looked amazing but was very badly behaved! Needs blinkers but GL says will win and maybe a sequence of races. Hennessy who joined recently is one of GL favourites, 10yo but what a great looker, will win very soon. Lap of Honour will go well and looking fwd to chasing him. Secret Desert will without doubt win very soon and GL likes this one a lot. Wadnaan will take more time than some but could be high class and go to the top! Excellent prospect was Ferdys wording and GL loves this one. GL stated Gavroche Gaugain will win, 3 times he has fell at the last when having the race won! Ferdy liked the following very much indeed: Almadan a 3yo who won easily and does anything you ask of him at home, this one is top class. Blue Shark will win a novice hcap Ch before better races are won, likes him a lot. Going Wrong sent Ferdys voice up 5 pitches, he loves this horse. Nicest prospect in yard and up in the top 5!! Had a minor injury but is over that now, follow this one. Rollwiththepunches is very similar to Divers so you can imagine how much Ferdy thinks of him! Another for Cheltenham and this could be a star horse, favourite in the yard. Sophonie had a minute fracture but is sorted now and will win a nice race, Newbury final hopefully. The Hollinwell, ignore last year another who needs a routine and sulks otherwise. Top Prospects for Big Races: Big Fella Thanks seemed to empty late on during the national which surprised them all, found to have a slight injury and will go back as he loves the fences and slips round the inside! GL believes he can win the race. Divers will head to the PPower meeting in Nov, loves Cheltenham and has bags of improvement to come, massive prospect indeed, Ferdy got very excited. De Boitron looked awesome although on his toes, again loves Cheltenham and will head back and hopefully get better luck in running, will win better class handicaps this year. Gallant Nuit was one of Ferdys favourites and GL loves him, great looking horse and will be heading to Cheltenham and aimed at the National as GL says he will jump for fun. Kalahari King heading for the Peterborough Chase, better than ever this year, looked amazing. Nine de Sivola is now 100% fit and is massive! National prospect so will try the Beechers this year. Negus de Beaumont loves Newcastle and will be heading for the Eider, great chance. Poker de Sivola will head to Cheltenham for X Ctry and then the National. GL says will love the course and his style will suit Aintree and the race. Improvers: Big Burrows has definite ability, once he wins he will run up a sequence. Emperor Charlie will win very soon, a superb jumper and works easily and does anything. Eliades Run a full brother to Amberleigh House, jumps fences for fun and will win. Farmers Cross is one of the best handicapped horses in training, had a septic corn last season and will improve massively. Glasson Lad will win, 100% and soon. Hollo Ladies can be ignored from last year, simples needs a routine, v well handicapped. Masterful Act will win early in the season, big improver at home. Mister Wall Street has had a great summer and a smashing type. Stuff of Dreams needs bottomless ground and is on a great mark, superb jumper. Seigneur De Bois is bred for 3m but needs to sort jumping out, will win, improve lots for going up in trip. Samson Collonges a beautiful grey (almost white) and massive horse in length of body, unlucky when 2nd at Hexham as young jockey dropped whip, great prospect. Sendiym looks great, Hexham suits, fantastic pedigree, jumps brilliantly, very very good. Watch My Back looked awesome, had a stone bruise but still ran very well with it, will win and could run up sequence. There you go, was one of the best Open Days i have had the pleasure of attending. Any questions please feel free to ask away. I have notes on them all so if you have a favourite from his yard or just want to know about a certain horse ask away
Excellent write-up Gary. Sounds like a very enjoyable outing. Do we have a few horses to add to our Horses to Note?
Ron: He was keen on many but the ones that really got Ferdy excited were: Alamadan/Blue Shark/Divers/Going Wrong/Kalahari King/Rollwiththepunches/Sendrym/Wadnaan and Watch My Back
No sadly not Ron, will try to publish on here when i think they are ready to go from my notes. That's the best i can do mate
Cheers Don, as Brendan will tell you i do not struggle talking so writing comes easily to me!! Nass: Ferdy would love that and almost said the same himself
