Watson looking to the future after popular open day Keith Watson held an open day at his Springfield stables in Killylea Co. Armagh on Saturday. He had previously held one in May 2019 as part of the HRI National Racehorse Trainers Open Mornings. Assistant trainer Marshall Watson told Michael Graham: "Our numbers have increased, we are up to the best part of 45 horses. "We have broken more into the Flat, last time you were here we had ventured into Flat yearlings and one of them turned out to be Iva Batt who has made the yard more Flat-orientated. We went out and actively purchased horses like New Society to go and be competitive on the Flat. "The plan (to succeed his father) is slightly on the back burner - we've had a bit of a family discussion about it, he has held the licence for 48 years so he wants to go on until the 50-year mark. I'll bide my time and learn my trade! "When we did this open day venture two years ago, we got shares in horses here and there but it is also giving something back to the owners. It is a day out other than just going racing." Watson junior outlined future plans for some of the stable stalwarts. Iva Batt: "The plan had been to go over to Scotland (for a Listed race) but the cost of going over is the big thing. "She is still growing and still developing - she is about 16.2 hands and is only a three-year-old. The two horses that beat her in Navan were five and six respectively. She had to give them weight as well, both of them. "We are going to go for the Joe McGrath (at the Curragh on September 26th) next, rightly or wrongly, because there are very limited options for her. "She wants a flat five furlongs, she didn't seem to act in Navan coming down the hill. Other than that, I am very happy with her." New Society (maiden hurdle and dual Flat winner for the yard): "He has been a wee star to be honest - for a thousand pounds he has won 25,000 Euros this year. "He might go to Downpatrick on Friday, I'm not sure if that is the right track for him but there is a novices' rated hurdle there and he just sneaks into it. "After his (Ulster) Cesarewitch run there are no more options for him on the Flat unless he got into the Irish Cesarewitch but he is too low for that, so we have to go back hurdling now." The Banger Doyle: "He won his bumper in Punchestown and disappointed slightly in Sligo (fourth on hurdling debut) and a couple of small things came to light but nothing significant. "He'll go to Downpatrick on Friday and he's in better form. He's going to be a chaser in time." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
