Happy New Year

It's been a busy few weeks here in Tinahely. We have had plenty of runners over the Christmas and New Year period and Thankfully it's been a successful period from a racing perspective. During the Christmas and New Year we managed to clock up 2 winners and 8 placed horses.

Spring Wine was the first of our winners on New Year's Day in Tramore for his owner Mr Tommy Flynn. Tommy has supported us from almost the outset of Philips Career and we wish to not only Thank him but congratulate him for yet another winner. 

The second of our winners was Ballyburke winning his maiden Hurdle in good style under the mount of David Casey. Ballyburke won his bumper last year and was given a substantial break before coming back into full training in October, he looks like a promising young horse who has a great chasing career ahead of him. We wish to congratulate Mr J.P. Mc Manus and all connections involved with Ballyburke.

Saturday saw Mayo Mistique pick up a well deserved 3rd in the Grade 3 chase at Thurlus giving her Black type status. Congratulations to her owner Mr Tomas Moran. Jak Dream picked up 2nd place yesterday in Naas having been off the track since March, it is great to see him back in action for his owner Mr Joe Hillard.

Some of our other horses to get into the winners encloser over the past few weeks include Vardas Supreme who finished 4th in Down Royal on the 26th; Ard agus Fada finished 3rd in Leopardstown on the 29th;  Barneys Honour also finished 3rd in Punchestown on the New Years Eve: In The Havan, Fairwood Massini came in 2nd in Tramore also on New Year's Eve; and Mount Welcome who finished 2nd in Tramore on New Year's Day almost giving us a double!!! Next time! Congratulations to all connections.

We would like to wish all our customers and supporters a very happy New Year and please do check in with us over the next few weeks as there is a good line up of runners for 2012. 

UK Bound

Philip headed off to Cheltenham on Wednesday Evening with 2 horses aboard all was going well until he hit Wales and we had a blow out on the lorry. Two hours later and a very tired crew finally were back in business. It was 8am when they finally arrived in Cheltenham and stabled our two horses Mount Welcome and Fairwood Massini . With a short break it was back to the lorry with Mount Welcome and Ludlow bound.

Mount Welcome ran a cracker considering he spent the night travelling when finishing 2nd under the mount of Tony McCoy for the Ros-Off Syndicate. Well done to all concerned. We also have Fairwood Massini running on Saturday in the Novices Handicap Hurdle at 3.40 he has travelled well and is adjusting to his new surrounding and eating up well so we would hope for a big run on Saturday.

We had a great weekend last week with our point to pointers flying the flag. Tally Em Up finished 3rd in the open at Milltown, she will have appreciated the run so plenty to look forward to when she hits the track.  We had 2 runners in the 7 & 8 yr old Geldings maiden Wherearewegoinow ridden by Andrew Ring  just headed Trumph Card ridden by Darren Howard in the final half furlong to win in what was an exciting finish for both of our amateur jockeys hear at Fairwood. Great result for all concerned and fantastic to see all our horses over the past few weeks in top form the winners are sure to role in so worth keeping an eye on some of the more fancied runners.

We have runners in Limerick and in Naas as well as a point to pointer to run this weekend.   I would expect a big run from Mayo Mistique in the beginners Chase at Limerick on Sunday under the mount of  Declan Bates .  We also have Mylerstown and Dushy Springs to run in Navan on Sunday. Dushy Springs will improve from his last run.

Andrew Ring rides Glass Lough in this week's point to point at Ballydaragh on Sunday. He has a lot to live up to after his debut winner for the yard on Wherearewegoinow last week. Here's hoping he can give us all something to celebrate this weekend.

Thurlus Thursday

Our horses are in great spirits here at Fairwood with lots of our horses fresh having been clipped so the lads have to hang on tight at the moment!!! Here is hoping we don't get a Winter like last year and we can continue racing right through the National Hunt season.

Although we didn't manage to get a winner over the bank Holiday weekend we were very pleased with our runners. The ground came up a bit holding which hindered our chances somewhat, but I am sure that you will see some of these horses in the winning encloser in not the so distant future.

Looking ahead to Thursday in Thurlus we have a good line up of runners, the first being Dont Tell The Boys who runs in the opening race at 1.25. I like this horse a lot, although he can be a bit quirky, he has plenty of ability and is capable of winning this race. We also have Fairwood Massini running in this Maiden Hurdle, this horse definitely has placeditis but it can't last forever, one to follow over his next few runs as he is never too far out of the placings.

Paddy O Dee runs in the Handicap Chase at 3.55 another consistent sort who should put it up to his rivals. Mayo Mistique runs in the Beginners Chase at 3.25 although it is hard to say how this race will break up at this stage and she will appreciate a cut in the ground.

Its About Time!!!!

Well, we are finally back in action after a long withdrawal from our updates.  I have to apologise once again for not bringing you the latest from Fairwood, but the good news is we have lots to fill you in on and hopefully we won’t have any more technical problems on the lead up to Christmas!!!

We have had 2 winners in the past month the first being Ta Blazes who narrowly battled off her stable mate Mount Welcome in Tramore, it was a very exciting finish and great to see the horses back to their true form. Paddy O Dee also picked up the spoils when winning the Handicap Chase in Downpatrick on the 15th of this month. Congratulations to all involved. We have had plenty of placed horses and a few of these being Lough Coi, Fairwood Massini, Mount Welcome and Mayo Mistique to name but a few.

Looking to the bank holiday weekend with runners in Dundalk this evening, Naas Saturday and Wexford on Sunday and Monday, definitely plenty to keep us busy and worth taking a look at our runners in Wexford on Monday. Ta Blazes carries 10/3 in the handicap Hurdle and I would be hopeful that she has a great chance again off this nice low weight. We also have other hopefuls on the day with, Paddy O Dee and Ard agus Fada who both run in the Handicap chase. Luddsdenene also runs in the Beginners Chase. 

There has been plenty to keep us busy at home with quite a few young horses newly broken and in light work, a few of these are showing great potential and giving us something to look forward to, in the new year, watch this space!!!!

Check back with us on Monday with an analysis of  our weekend runners and a look at our runners for Thurlus on Thursday. We also have a new bunch of horses for sale and these can be viewed on our horses for sale page which is currently being updated.

We would also like to wish Charlotte the very best of luck in the future as she is heading for home at the weekend having been here with us for the past year and a half.