Kate Walton Racing - News

Review of 2008

As the Festive period approaches it signals the end to another year and allows for us to reflect on what has occurred during the previous 12 months.

We have had a very successful 2007-08 jumps season which officially finished in May 2008. The yard accumulated the most prize money it had ever won and finished in a very good position in the trainers championship, ahead of a lot of the bigger yards. This success was the result of having an excellent team of staff, owners and horses. 

In brief, highlights through the previous season have included Nevertika accumulating three Novice Chases in a row, Huka Lodge winning The Last Fling Chase, Jimmy Bond finishing second over the National fences and winning at Ayr and Breaking Storm and Still at Lunch breaking their duck over hurdles.

The 2008-09 jumps seasons has continued where the previous year had finished with the horses running well. The trio of Breaking Storm, Still at Lunch and Galapagos Islands kept the flag flying during the summer months and horses of old and new have been producing good accounts for themselves. 

A highlight through the summer was at Cartmel when Paul and Tracey Chapman registered their first victory with Queen of Diamonds. We are all delighted that Morgan Be and It’s A Roofer are back in action following missing last season through injury and have showed that they still retain all of their ability. 

The more established stable stars such as Nevertika, Huka Lodge, Jimmy Bond and Royal Flynn have continued to run well and have been visiting the winner’s enclosure they have all been showing great consistency. Crop Walker has also made a promising return to action he is a horse with a lot of potential but has a more colourful medical book than many jump jockeys so let's hope he can progress. 

The youngsters in the yard are also establishing themselves and impressing, Stopped Out who is only three put up a very bold show to win his first start at Wetherby this month, Sitting Tenant has also been running extremely well in his bumpers finishing second twice. 

Over the next couple of months we will have some new names appearing on the track with all our hopes wrapped up in them such as Fairynuff, Ballysimon and Rats.

We have also had a successful small team on the go through the 2008 Flat season with Embsay Crag and Unawatuna flying the flag. 

Embsay Crag had run well throughout the season finishing mid division in most of his maiden’s but his finest hour came when winning at Leicester on the 27th October when he was stepped up to Handicap Company and ran over a slightly further distance. 

Unawatuna has also been a model of consistency through the season the further she runs the better she seems to be, her last two runs where very promising finishing second and third. Both horses have gone home for their well earned winter breaks

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all are a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and let’s hope that 2009 is as good to us as the previous year has been and remember the door is always open whenever you would like to come and visit.