Spigot News
News and views from Spigot Lodge
Group 1 Success
Just when we thought June could not get any better Lord Shanakill, the star of Spigot Lodge, won the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly. In doing so he also gave Karl and Jim Crowley their first Group 1 successes (see gallery for more photos).
Bold Marc, a stalwart of the yard, won a nice handicap at Catterick under an intelligent ride from Andrew Elliott. Ursula ran a great race to win the Yorkshire Festival Handicap at Doncaster for owners Tweenhills Racing.
Rodrigo de Torres looks to be a horse with a bright future when decisively winning the Skyvegas.com Median Auction Maiden Stakes at York on his debut when ridden by Neil Callan. Captain Ellis deservedly won his maiden in comfortable style at Haydock.
The long trip to Salisbury proved very worthwhile when Spinners End won The Famous Grouse Handicap, Jim Crowley kicked for home two out and soon had the rest of the field off the bridle. Moody Tunes bounced back to form when finishing second at Newcastle then, just 24 hours later, he went one better when wining his seventh race at Carlisle under a driving ride from stable apprentice Martin Lane.
Corporal Maddox and Lord Shanakill both ran really well at Glorious Goodwood. Corporal Maddox finished a good third in the Group 2 Veuve Clicquot Stakes even though he was short of room through the last furlong. Lord Shanakill finished fifth (slipped at the start) in a top class renewal of the Group 1 BGC Sussex Stakes with Rip Van Winkle running out the winner.
July provided the yard with seven winners and some very exciting racing moments. All of the staff at Spigot Lodge is working hard to ensure August is a success too!
We will soon be launching the Spigot Racing club that will provide an easy and affordable route into racehorse ownership.
June Was Just Blooming!
June provided the yard with some exciting top class racing and it is certainly vying to be one of the most successful months of Karl's training career.
It all started with Lesson In Humility winning the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown under a great ride from stable jockey Andy Elliot. Two days later the Epsom Derby meeting proved to be very successful with a stable double. Corporal Maddox, clearly enjoying the step up to 6F, finished strongly to take the Listed Investec Woodcote Stakes helped by a great ride from Jim Crowley. Baldemar won the Investec Distinctive Stakes Handicap, he was ridden by Liam Jones and beat Jim Crowley's ride in a photo finish! The Epsom double so nearly became the Epsom treble when Tepmokea, ridden by Francis Norton, managed to beat all but River Captain home in the Investec Sir Clement Freud Memorial Stakes.
Lord Shanakill proved to be back to his best with a very creditable 3rd in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot finishing within two lengths of Mastercraftsman and Delegator. Reignier's late entry to the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes so nearly paid off when, responding to every question asked, he finished a fine 2nd.
We'll end June where we started; Lesson In Humility who ran an absolute blinder to finish 3rd in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes from a less than favourable draw. Looking the likeliest winner at the furlong post she was only passed close to the line and as the only filly in the race did her sex proud.
All in all June provided the yard with eleven winners and a number of the 2yo's look very progressive. All of the Team at Spigot Lodge are now working hard to ensure that July is a great success too!
Spring 2009
Happy New Year from everyone at Spigot Lodge.
This terrible weather we are all suffering is obviously having a huge affect on racing all over the country. We are lucky enough to be able to send a few runners to the all-weather tracks that have been fortunate to hold meetings.
The rest of the staff are busy with the youngsters in the yard and preparing for the summer season ahead. Check back soon to here how they are getting on.
We have sent a few horses over to Dubai where the weather has been reported as very different. So keep your eyes out for them over next few weeks.