Kate Walton Racing: News Page

Latest News:

August 31st:
The horses continue to run in great form although we are suffering from 'place-itis'! Over the past week we have had 8 runners with 7 of them finishing 2nd or 3rd giving us a 87.5% place strike race. This is a great credit to our team at home who all work extremely hard behind the scenes.

The week began on August 23rd with Jupiter Fidius running another solid race at Carlisle, finishing 2nd on the flat over 8 furlongs. He has become very consistent during the latter part of the season and given his owners lots of enjoyment. He returned from Carlisle in fine form playing in the field like he hadn't had a race. He seemed in such good form we decided to run him again at Newcastle on August 27th over 7 furlongs and he continued his consistent streak by finishing 3rd.

On the same Newcastle card we also ran Gypsy Style in the 7 furlong Maiden. We have always liked her at home but the penny hadn't seemed to have dropped in her first couple of races. However, on rain softened ground she ran a great race to finish 3rd at an SP of 100-1! It sometimes takes a couple of races for horses to learn exactly what they should be doing and we are hopeful she'll make further progress with more racing.

On the jumping front we had runners at Cartmel over the Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday and Monday. Cartmel is a unique track/place in which they have a large fun fair in the centre of the track and my staff often come home with a new pet in the form of a goldfish!! The course is known for families/parties taking their own BBQ's and picnics. It has a relaxed, party atmosphere and is a track well worth the visit.

Royal Flynn was our first runner at Cartmel on Saturday 28th August, contesting the 2 miles 2 furlongs Conditional Jockeys handicap under Henry Brooke. This was his first run back following his break and he ran very well to finish second. Given a good ride by Henry, he'll be much sharper for his run. As many of you will know, Henry had been with us for the past couple of seasons and has now moved across to Donald McCain to become his conditional. Although we are very sorry he has left, he will continue to ride for us in the future and we wish him the best of luck with the McCains.

Murphys Beau and Dream Risk travelled across to Cartmel on the Bank Holiday Monday. Murphys Beau was having his first run for the yard in the 2 miles 5 furlongs Handicap Chase and finished 3rd. He was given a good ride by Graham Lee but found the track on the tight side and was never able to get on terms properly. He is a gentleman to deal with in all respects at home and we hope he can build on his debut on a more galloping track.

Dream Risk also ran on the same card in the 2 miles 1 furlong Mares Handicap Hurdle. She has proved a real versatile filly this summer and looked set for her fourth victory of the summer under Graham Lee. She travelled and jumped well throughout the race and turning into the home straight looked likely to be an easy winner but she was collared close home, beaten in a photo finish. She has proved a real fun horse for her owners.

Dispol Kylie made her debut for the yard on Bank Holiday Monday at Newcastle in a 5 furlong Handicap. She ran a gallant race to finish 2nd under Phil Makin. She looks to be a real consistent filly and we are looking forward to her building on this debut in the coming months.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
August 23rd update:
Dream Risk has turned into a little star this summer for the Keep The Faith Partnership as her victory at Carlisle on August 18th was her third win of the season. She was successful in the 1 Mile 6 Furlong Amateur Riders Flat race under Serena Brotherton and showed great battling qualities to gain the upper hand in a photo finish. She is proving a versatile filly at her own level as she is able to switch between the flat and jumps racing.


We are delighted to welcome some new owners and horses to the yard for the forthcoming season. The horses have settled well into their new environment and seem to be exciting and promising prospects.

On the staff front, we are delighted to welcome Lucy Ryan who has arrived with us from Jedburgh for her gap year before going to university in Stirling. Lucy is an established rider who has grown up through the Pony Club/hunting ranks and has also been on the Point-to-Point circuit. A very bubbly person who takes pride in looking after her horses, she is a pleasure to have in the yard.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Over the past week we have had just two runners resulting in a winner and a second, this has kept the bandwagon rolling.

Dream Risk's journey to Perth was rewarded with a second victory for her this season in the 2 mile 1 Furlongs hurdle on July 28th. She is proving to be a fun horse for her owners The Keep the Faith Partnership. James Halliday gave her a good ride and she really seems to enjoy her jumping we may give her a try over fences in the next couple of months.



Jupiter Fidius also ran a very solid race to finish 2nd at Carlisle on August 2nd. He seems to have rekindled his form from earlier in the season and this was his second strong run in a row followng his win at Beverley. He was never going to beat the winner but ran well under James Sullivan.

The horses which are back in work following their summer breaks are in the process of undertaking their conditioning work which consists of a number of weeks walking and trotting whilst the younger horses are progressing well and at the moment are looking a nice bunch.

On the staff front we are sorry to lose Abby Hutchinson who has been here for 2 1/2 years, she has been a valid member of staff and we wish her well in her new job as racing secretary to Ferdy Murphy.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
July:
Jupiter Fidius recorded his first success of the season in game style for his enthusiastic owners. It was great for him to get a win under his belt as he had some promising form from earlier in the season. He may be one of the smallest in the yard but he showed great battling qualities in the race.

West Stand our 2yo filly remains an exciting prospect for the Elland Road Partnership she ran very well in a competitive maiden at Haydock and I believe the owners will have a lot of fun with her.


On the jumping front our team have been running well, Breaking Storm recorded his second success of the year at Uttoxeter under James Halliday. He was stepping up in trip from his previous race and won in very game style for his enthusiastic owners the Yarm Racing Partenrship. He has since run at Market Rasen in a very competitive handicap hurdle finishing fourth.

One of our older favourites Its A Roofer also ran a good race to finish 2nd at Hexham over 2 Mile 5 Furlongs. Unfortunately during the race he suffered some fairly horrific cuts to his hind legs which we later found out where caused from the metal brackets on the hurdles. Although he will make a full recovery it is such a shame as he loves the quicker ground during the summer and was extremely well in himself. I am glad to report that all metal brackets on hurdles are getting banned from been used at the racecourses.

Many of the winter jumpers are now returning from their summer holidays, with the lovely weather and lush grass they have experienced whilst out they all look terrific if not a little like hunters instead of racehorses!! They will endure a number of weeks walking and trotting to condition their legs and develop them to a fitness level in which they will then start cantering.


On the staff front I am delighted to welcome a new member of staff called Matt Garnett who previously worked for Micky Hammond. He has successfully ridden as an amateur jockey and has settled well into the yard. The staff have also managed to fit in a large amount of their holdiays over the last couple of months, they have also done a fantastic job painting, creosoting and cleaning the yard making it look spic and span.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Latest News

News: July-August 2010

News: May-June 2010

News: May 2010

News: April 2010

News: March 2010

News: February 2010

News: January 2010


News: November-December 2009

News: September-October 2009