The Sunday Syndicates Post – Vol. 4, Issue 17

We’re back and we’re back with a bang! The SSP has been on an extended and far too long of a break as we worked on our new website but fear not we’re back with style. Not only do we have a snazzy new website but there has been A LOT going on in the Syndicates.Racing world.

You would have to have been living under a rock to miss the fact that our new superstar mare, Ellen Kelly, won a competitive mares winners of one in Killarney on Friday evening by a going away 21L’s in a blisteringly quick time in front of a huge group of owners bolstering our ever impressive record in bumpers. The bonny little mare has now won her last two (of three) starts by a combined total of 33L’s and recorded huge speed figures in the process.

It was billed as a match between Ellen and Colm Murphy’s Savante but in reality it was a one horse race and Patrick Mullins made his intentions clear from the drop of the flag and sent a raucous group of owners into scenes of jubilation at the picturesque Kerry track. Ellen will now be targeted at the Listed Mucklemeg Mares Bumper in Gowran Park in early October, a race which our other star mare Sharp Object was 2nd in last year. Coincidentally, last years winner Aurora Vega followed a very similar route by winning a Sligo bumper before taking out a Killarney winners of one en route to Listed glory. Depending on what happens in Gowran, Ellen could be bound for either a hurdles campaign focussed at Cheltenham or a flat campaign has also been mooted given her action, pedigree and style of racing.

Sharp Object opened up as the even money favourite for the second race on the Killarney card on Friday but to be withdrawn on the morning of the race due to a dirty scope. The striking chestnut would have been hard to stop after her excellent 2nd on her first try over hurdles in Downpatrick. We may now look toward the Galway Festival for her but she still remains a thoroughly exciting mare for her owners.

Barrier Trial bonanza

The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Barrier Trials have quickly become a focal point for the Irish thoroughbred industry and something that we have targeted over the last few years to give our horses a good education before they hit the racetrack. Last Monday our Craven #BargainBreezer Romantic War won his trial in impressive fashion for Ado McGuinness and Rory Cleary. The talented son of Acclamation accelerated off a slow pace and won the 6f trial with considerable ease. He has been entered to make his debut in Naas on Wednesday.

Ranting and Raven has always been held in high regard by her connections and she did nothing to dismay us by running an excellent 2nd to a Justify filly out of the multiple Group 1, Classic winning Winter. The strapping daughter of Ravens Pass impressed her jockey Niall McCullagh and has kept the dream of the Goffs Million well and truly alive for her owners. She’s a big lady for a 2yo weighing close to 500kg so we’ll bide our time with her to find the right spot to get her started.

Upcoming runners

To France we go tomorrow as Far Beyond steps up to 7f for the first time and into claiming company. His homework has always been very impressive and his budding young trainer, Tim Donworth, feels that we have not yet seen the best of him in public. It’s a competitive race and he’s in for a big tag with a lot of prize money on the line so we’re hoping that the added time and the step up in trip will work in his favour to get that winning bracket beside his name for the first time.

To Naas on Wednesday we march as our #BargainBreezer24 squad could be dual represented in the shape of Romantic War and Irish Ballet. The latter will definitely line up in the Listed Marwell Stakes for Henry de Bromhead after her excellent but unlucky 3rd over course and distance last month. It does look a hotter than usual race but we have faith in our daughter of Mehmas who recorded three of the quickest five furlongs after a tardy start and a mid-race bump the last day.

Jana Colombe who was beaten by the aforementioned Ellen Kelly on debut is entered up to make her hurdling debut in Wexford on Thursday whilst the newly gelded Far Above The Law will take up an engagement in Chepstow on Friday.

A Piece Of Heaven unfortunately missed his intended target in yesterdays Group 2 Curragh Cup due to bad bloods but the son of Jukebox Jury could be on course for the £500,000 Ebor on August 24th after being left in at the latest entry stages.

Queen wears her heart on her sleeve

Queen Of Atlantis has been a remarkable filly for her owners and ranks as one of the most enjoyable horses we’ve ever had the pleasure of having in training. Every single start she goes out and gives her all and she was just denied a fourth victory by the narrowest of margins in Ascot last Saturday.

She has a rapidly progressive profile recording higher Timeforms on each her starts since joining Peter Chapple-Hyam barring one where conditions did not suit. A 2lb raise for Saturdays effort and an 89TFR means we’ll go in search of blacktype for the admirable mare next who oh so deserves it.

Stores Galore

I would say we’re currently Willie Mullins’s highest grossing owner by the number of horses we currently have on the gallops in Closutton. The older brigade is headed up by West End Victory and Ellen Kelly whilst the younger cohort of Kara de Thaix (Jeu St Eloi), Cabaret Princess and the Great Pretender are soon to be joined by the Diamond Boy filly. All mares are reported to be going really nicely and plots to the track are already being considered. No pressure to keep up our 100% record the ladies!

It’s not just the Willie Mullins show as our Waldpark filly (Adaliz) with Henry de Bromhead is coming through her work with flying colours. She’s bred to be precocious and given what we’ve seen from her work so far it looks like she could be out very soon.

We hugely bolstered the younger generation again adding 3yo fillies by Westerner, Harzand, Diamond Boy, Australia, Shirocco, Kapgarde and Maxios over the past few months at the Goffs and Tattersalls store sales. Ellen Kelly was bought for just €13,000 at the 2022 Tattersalls Ireland July store sale. That sale starts this week and I’ll be on site trying to find the next Ellen Kelly.

Across the pond we were delighted to launch our first ever UK Jumps horse and who better to train it than the enigmatic Fergal O’Brien. Mighty Gesture was a huge eye-catcher at last years Breakfast With The Stars where the striking black filly was a much saught after addition to our squad. She has come through two full Irish point-to-point preps and has landed with Fergal full of running. She has the looks, the pedigree and we think she has the ability to kick us off to to a perfect start over in the UK.

Aussies continue remarkable record

It’s a quite time in Australia at present given its winter down under. However, that did not stop our Australian Coly syndicate throwing up yet another impressive winner. Yorkshire was always held in high regard by his trainer John O’Shea only to keep meeting with setbacks. The impressive son of Snitzel but those setbacks firmly behind him last week as he recorded a hugely impressive debut on his maiden visit to the racetrack.

He looks a smart horse to keep an eye on and a winter warmer for our Aussie mates who have enjoyed excellent success to date with their band of horses.

Breakfast With The Stars

Thank you.

We would like to extend our sincerest thank you to the entire Syndicates.Racing Community for your continued support. Days like Friday are not possible without you and it means so much to us to bring so many people such joy and happiness from the amazing creatures that our sport is all about.

We hope you are all enjoying the new website and if there is any feedback we are always very appreciative to hear your thoughts to help us get better. if there is anything at all we can do please do reach out john@syndicates.racing.