Listowel Wed, 23rd Sep, 2026  Golden Handshake We had a winner here last year but it’s 50 years since Carrow Boy won here in my father’s colours. He was a very dear horse to the family,. Philip said he kept galloping. We were a little bit unlucky in Galway and we felt we would have been closer, if not beaten, Columbus. We had a little peck on landing in Galway and the same happened here today with Columbus. That’s what happens in racing and it was our turn today to get the rub of the green. Gary Bannon isn’t here today, he’s off at the sales and he’s already spent the prize-money on yearlings!. He picked out this horse and has done a fantastic job with him since. He came to us with a little issue, he had a small hole in his hoof which put a lot of people off. We saw value in him and bought him. In fairness it’s turned out very well for us and Gary had him spot on for today. He can only improve. He’ll probably get another run and then get a break because he likes that better ground. Stature-wise he’s probably not going to take heavy winter ground. He’ll probably get a little bit of a break over the winter and then we’ll target a spring campaign.

Punchestown Tue, 15th Sep, 2026  The Good Wife The Good Wife is tough, had a good run in Galway and she is a mile-and-a-quarter or mile-and-a-half filly for next year. She had six weeks to fill back up after Galway and I think she has a bit of class. She was drawn in 1 so I told Billy not to waste the draw and while she doesn’t know loads, she knew enough. In the last couple of years, my first-time-out two-year-olds haven’t been too streetwise and generally improve plenty, and she has come on nicely. She has a bit of size and scope and I think she’ll stay. I just told the owners that I wouldn’t be fussed about running her again this year but she could run in the Silken Glider. I’ll think about it and I’d say we’ll go into the winter after that. You’d then have a nice filly for an Oaks trial next spring.

Punchestown Tue, 15th Sep, 2026  The Good Wife The Good Wife is tough, had a good run in Galway and she is a mile-and-a-quarter or mile-and-a-half filly for next year. She had six weeks to fill back up after Galway and I think she has a bit of class. She was drawn in 1 so I told Billy not to waste the draw and while she’s doesn’t know loads, she knew enough. In the last couple of years, my first-time-out two-year-olds haven’t been too streetwise and generally improve plenty, and she has come on nicely. She has a bit of size and scope and I think she’ll stay. I just told the owners that I wouldn’t be fussed about running her again this year but she could run in the Silken Glider. I’ll think about it and I’d say we’ll go into the winter after that. You’d then have a nice filly for an Oaks trial next spring.

Ballinrobe Mon, 24th Aug, 2026  Amina even though that’s beautiful ground, I didn't really want to run her on good, because she wants three miles on slower ground, but there weren't that many opportunities coming up. She has a big frame and isn't fully furnished yet. Alex said she wasn't doing a tap in front. The owners have been very patient and it's nice to get her head in front. She had good bumper form, and there should be more to come from her.

Killarney Thu, 20th Aug, 2026  Diamond Du Berlais She was disappointing here the last day, but was entitled to do that today. In fairness, our horses weren't running to their very best in July and stepping up in trip definitely helped her. Definitely at the start of July our horses weren't quite bombing along but since Galway they have been red-hot. I thought Brian was very good on her, got her jumping and into a good rhythm. There is a race for her in Listowel and we're also toying with the idea of running in a mares' race at Far Hills (America). That race is over two miles so we might have to put cheekpieces on her, but I'm hoping she is good enough to drop back in trip at that level. Pete (Davies, owner) is keen for an adventure and I'd also like to ride over there, although she'd need a penalty for me to make the weight.

Galway Mon, 27th Jul, 2026  Witches Familiar We kept her for Galway, after she won so easily first time up, we just thought she was alright,. We had her in for a lot of last season but we kept her as a novice, we thought she was a bit better than the average novice. You won’t get too many Zaraks now for jumping bred mares, it’s nice to have a filly going jumping by him. She did it well and she’s one that we think a bit of. It’s a pity Rich and Susannah can’t be here. We’ll up her in grade as best we can. I’d probably be looking at her as a Royal Bond-type filly. We might just leave her now. I can see her being a good mare in novice company for the whole season. I’d be looking at the long term rather than shorter term with her.

Galway Mon, 27th Jul, 2026  Witches Familiar We kept her for Galway, after she won so easily first time up, we just thought she was alright,. We had her in for a lot of last season but we kept her as a novice, we thought she was a bit better than the average novice. You won’t get too many Zaraks now for jumping bred mares, it’s nice to have a filly going jumping by him. She did it well and she’s one that we think a bit of. It’s a pity Rich and Susannah can’t be here. We’ll up her in grade as best we can. I’d probably be looking at her as a Royal Bond-type filly. We might just leave her now. I can see her being a good mare in novice company for the whole season. I’d be looking at the long term rather than shorter term with her.

Ballinrobe Mon, 22nd Jun, 2026  Deressa Mr Weld had her last year and she's a new filly to the yard. She probably needed her first run of the season and the step up in trip suited her. We were second in this last year with Elana Osorio who went on to win the Give Thanks (Group 3) at Cork, and I'd like to think this filly has the class to follow a similar trajectory. I'll have a few two-year-old runners at the Curragh this weekend and will be represented in the Pretty Polly Stakes as well.