HMS PRESIDENT ALL SET FOR NEWMARKET GUINEAS WEEKEND
HMS President is on target to once again contest the valuable £100,000 Heritage Handicap on 1,000 Guineas day at Newmarket on Sunday, the race he won last year (pictured) giving us an unforgettable day. In form jockey Rossa Ryan renews the successful partnership and it is very exciting to have a runner at Newmarket’s Classic weekend. HMS President had his first run over hurdles finishing second at Plumpton in February, but the incessant rain and wet conditions have not been in his favour. A switch back to the Flat is much anticipated and Alan King is delighted with his preparation for this race, although we know he starts the season off a much higher handicap mark.
FOREVER MY PRINCE OUR FIRST 2YO RUNNER OF THE SEASON
Forever My Prince, our smart 2yo colt trained by Eve Johnson Houghton who is in flying form, finished a close third in the 5f maiden at Yarmouth on Tuesday 23rd April. Eve was delighted with this first run and he will come on for this experience. Eve has made a great start with several 2yo winners under her belt already and she is pleased with the progress of our lovely colt by Showcasing.
STASH THE CASH – GETS US OFF THE MARK FOR THE FLAT SEASON
Our promising 3 year old Stash The Cash, trained by Tim Easterby, has been coming along nicely in his recent work at home and powered home in testing conditions at Catterick to win the 5f handicap by 3 1/4 lengths, ridden by Duran Fentiman and we are delighted to have our first HP Racing winner of the Flat season! Tim Easterby was very pleased with this effort and was grateful to the owners who have been patient and given this good looking horse plenty of time. Stash The Cash, a well bred gelding by Profitable, put in three decent efforts as a 2 year old and we can expect more fun and excitement over the coming months from this good looking horse. SHARES AVAILABLE – GET IN TOUCH TO JOIN IN!
HP RACING OWNERS’ MORNING WITH EVE JOHNSON HOUGHTON
Eve Johnson Houghton has got off to a flying start to the turf season with 3 winners on the score sheet already, including two 2 year old winners. It is good to see her horses running so well and our HP Racing owners had an interesting and informative visit to her successful yard last week, to see our team of four horses. Our 3 year olds Gold Minx and Due To Henry look extremely well and we are excited about smart looking 2 year old colt Forever My Prince, who could be seen out soon. The latest addition is a lovely 2 year old filly named Soviet Symphony and her sire Sergei Prokofiev has made a great start to his stallion career with three wins from three two 2 year old runners to date.
Gold Minx Due To Henry
Forever My Prince Soviet Symphony
CONGRATULATIONS TO HOLLIE WILTSHIRE – AWARD WINNER!
HP Racing is delighted that Hollie Wiltshire, who is based with Alan King and looks after the superstar Edwardstone and our own Mount Olympus, (pictured together after his win at Goodwood, above) was awarded the Newcomer Award at the Godolphin Thoroughbred Employee Awards Ceremony held at Ascot Racecourse in February. A marvellous achievement, congratulations and well done Hollie!
Hollie with Alan King at the Awards Evening
ASTON MARTINI FINISHES 4th IN GRADE 2 HURDLE AT SANDOWN PARK
Nicky Henderson was pleased with Aston Martini’s fourth place at Sandown on Thursday in the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown, in view of the gruelling ground conditions. She did not enjoy the testing ground, but still hurdled beautifully for James Bowen, but it was a huge task to make up ground on the energy sapping going and she got tired on hitting the Sandown hill. James made sure she popped the last and got home safely in fourth place. There were no other finishers, which highlighted how tough conditions were in this competitive race. Aston Martini once again looked a picture in the paddock and it was no surprise she was awarded the Best Turned Out.
MOUNT OLYMPUS PLEASING RETURN TO THE TRACK
Alan King was pleased with Mount Olympus’ run at Ludlow, on his second start over hurdles. This was an encouraging effort on ground that was more testing than would normally be suitable. He travelled well and hurdled very well under Tom Bellamy and just ran out of steam on the ground conditions. There is much to look forward to over hurdles when the going has improved and also mixing it up on the Flat, where he was a 3-times winner last season.
ASTON MARTINI MAKES IT THREE FROM THREE – BUT WITH A STING IN THE TAIL …
Aston Martini looked in fabulous shape ahead of the Mares’ Novices Hurdle at Lingfield’s Winter Million Festival on Sunday 21st January. She ran a great race in a competitive Class 2 event under a good ride from James Bowen and despite being headed in the final half furlong, she fought back to win by a nose in a photo finish, to make it a third win from just three runs. An exciting moment for her owners present. However, then came the sting – there was a slight coming together and bump between Aston Martini and the second horse and following a lengthy Stewards’ Enquiry, the result was reversed with Aston Martini being placed second. The ups and downs of racing were certainly experienced all in the space of half an hour!
Following an appeal against the demotion, a hearing was convened and the Appeals Panel reinstated Aston Martini’s win. It was a fair hearing and a relief to all concerned that Aston Martini has had her three from three record restored.
Nicky Henderson is delighted with the progress of this lovely mare and she was the first HP Racing winner of 2024. We can expect more exciting days ahead.
FOND FAREWELL TO ON TO VICTORY
On To Victory is the senior member of the HP Racing horse team at 10 years old and ran his final race at Doncaster on Sunday, which was quite appropriate as that is where he had one of his most exciting victories, winning the November Handicap in good style, ridden by James Doyle (pictured right). He has been a tremendous servant, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton in his early years and then by Alan King for his dual-purpose career and a smart performer in his prime. His prize money earnings are over £150,500, from 6 wins and 15 placed efforts against some impressive company, including finishing second to Hukum at Goodwood in 2021 and later that year at Kempton over hurdles, third to subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Marie’s Rock.
A successful and fun horse to be associated with, On To Victory has had to overcome some injuries and although he enjoyed his spin round Doncaster, it is time for him to retire from racing. He will be found a lovely home with the right person and should have a good long career out of racing.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE YEAR AHEAD
It was a successful 2023 for HP Racing, with 8 wins from just 10 horses that ran from our small team.
We have much to look forward to in 2024 with our horses with Eve Johnson Houghton, Alan King, Nicky Henderson and Tim Easterby and wish them and their staff and all our wonderful owners the best of luck and lots of racing fun in the months ahead.
Just two shares left in Forever My Prince, a fabulous 2 year old colt by Showcasing trained by Eve Johnson Houghton – contact 01488 638718 or email office@sheffordbloodstock.com for further information. He is a strong, attractive colt and looks like being an exciting early type.
ASTON MARTINI SMOOTH VICTORY ON HURDLING DEBUT
Aston Martini kept her unbeaten record intact at Hereford on Tuesday in very taking fashion. Readily putting the 2:05pm Mares’ Maiden Hurdle to bed, she won by a comfortable 9 lengths under a confident ride from Nico De Boinville, going clear after 2 out . She jumped well and looks a really exciting prospect going forward.
Thank you to Nicky Henderson and the whole team at Seven Barrows, who produced her in great form, and to Nico De Boinville who gave her a lovely ride. Congratulations to all her owners ,who can continue to look onwards and upwards.
REMEMBERING HENRY AT NEWBURY
We had a wonderful turnout of owners, friends and family to remember Henry Ponsonby at Newbury on Friday 22nd September, where HP Racing sponsored the first race, the Henry Ponsonby Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes. Eve Johnson Houghton had kindly arranged for our two 2 year olds, Due To Henry and Gold Minx, led by older horse The Princes Poet, to parade before racing in the Paddock and we were very fortunate the sun was shining. It was a most enjoyable day to gather together in our hospitality Box and share memories and raise a glass to Henry. The race was won by a promising Godolphin owned grey colt called Movie Maker, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and Christine Ponsonby (Henry’s daughter) made the presentation to winning connections, with Liz Rutter and Fiona Marner.
TWO WINNERS IN AS MANY DAYS
Mount Olympus and King Of The Dance have both produced winning runs over two days. Starting with the former who triumphed for the third time this season, from only four runs, when keeping on well to score in the 1 mile 3f 0-60 handicap at Goodwood. He seems to be improving this year and is a credit to Alan King and his team. He has also been given some super rides by Rossa Ryan.
King Of The Dance was the second winner of the week , when scoring at Lingfield on Wednesday evening (pictured with delighted owners). He has been a little frustrating in his last few runs having shown ability in his early runs this season and at home , so it is lovely to finally get his head in front. Having won off a mark of 62, let’s hope now that he has the winning way, that he can make it a habit! Much thanks to Eve and all her team and to Tom Marquand for a classy strong ride. It is nice to have Tom in the Henry Ponsonby colours again.
The Princes Poet was a good third at Brighton on Monday and the busy week continues with Boy Browning declared to run at Ascot on Friday and Noble Masquerade at Kempton later in the evening. Let’s hope they can continue the winning thread! Congratulation to all the owners involved, the sun coming out has brought better fortunes.
SCARLET DRAGON CONTINUES TO IMPRESS IN THE SHOWRING
Former HP Racing Royal Ascot winner and general stalwart Scarlet Dragon (pictured with Hollie Doyle) is thriving in his new career in the show ring. Under the supervision of Solway Sport Horses (see here ) he last week continued his winning thread at the ROR National Championships held at Aintree International Equestrian Centre. Having qualified for the event when winning his first show on grass in May, he partook in three individual classes and in the Always a Star Parade.
His results at the Championship were as follows:
1st – In Hand Newcomers (Flat)
5th -Tattersalls ROR Novice Show Horse Series
6th – In Hand Showing -Always A Star (Flat & NH)
The equestrian centre is based at Aintree Racecourse so he probably thought he was back in action on a racecourse, having previously run at the track in the Grade 1 Novices Hurdle. Hollie Doyle also recently mentioned him in an interview as a horse who kick started her career. Well done Scarlet Dragon!
Who Dares Wins , a winner at Royal Ascot in the same year as Scarlet Dragon has also been progressing nicely with his retraining. His new owner recently sent across videos of him having a go at cross country. We look forward to seeing more of him aswell.
STASH THE CASH FINISHES FOURTH ON HIS SECOND RUN
Tim Easterby was delighted with Stash The Cash‘s first time out on a racecourse at Carlisle and this smart 2 year old gelding by the speedy sire Profitable looks like being a fun horse for his owners. He had his second run at Ripon in a decent 2yo novice stakes and finished a very pleasing fourth. He has clearly come on in leaps and bounds and was quick out the stalls, travelled well and stayed on well to the line. A most promising effort and much to look forward to, particularly when he is qualified for nurseries. Tim Easterby was very happy with this performance and also commented on what a great temperament and attitude he is showing. Shares available in this super prospect
HMS PRESIDENT – AN EXCITING DAY AT ROYAL ASCOT
HMS President ran a fabulous race, expertly guided by Rossa Ryan, to come second by just a neck to Okita Soushi in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap today, Friday 23rd June. Congratulations to all connections!
This is a race we have won previously with Alan King when Scarlet Dragon was victorious in 2020.
Alan’s horses continue to be in tremendous form and we congratulate him on achieving an incredible 2,000th winner at Sandown.
ASTON MARTINI IMPRESSES WITH SMOOTH BUMPER WIN
Aston Martini is a lovely 4 year old mare by Getaway and Nicky Henderson has been patient in finding the right track and ground conditions for her to make her debut. Nico de Boinville (pictured on Aston Martini) gave her a super ride and the pair cruised to victory, quickening away from the field to win the Mares’ Bumper by 5 lengths at Southwell on Tuesday.
She is an exciting prospect to go hurdling with in the autumn. Well done to all concerned and the fourth winner in five weeks for the small team of HP Racing horses.
HMS PRESIDENT EXCITING WIN AT NEWMARKET
HMS President ran a great race to get up and win by a neck the £100,000 Guineas Festival Heritage Handicap at Newmarket on 1,000 Guineas day Sunday 7th May. Rossa Ryan gave him a lovely ride and owners present were delighted and it was also a poignant victory, remembering the late Henry Ponsonby, who adored this horse and was surely looking down with a smile.
LAST FEW SHARES AVAILABLE IN NEW TWO YEAR OLD PROSPECT WITH TIM EASTERBY
STASH THE CASE Bay Gelding by Profitable – Appreciating (New Approach)
Contact: office@sheffordbloodstock.com for further details
He is by the high performing Profitable, who is getting plenty of winners and his dam was bred by our late Queen. The pedigree on his dam’s side is full of Black Type and this fellow looks a speedy type to have some fun with this summer. Tim was delighted with his first run at Carlisle recently, where he ran a bit green but was finishing off his race well – a good start and jockey David Allan was most complimentary and liked him alot.
OUR LOVELY FILLY WITH NICKY HENDERSON – ASTON MARTINI – TAKING A LEAD FROM ONE OF THE YARD SUPERSTARS, JONBON
HP RACING OWNERS VISIT TO EVE JOHNSON HOUGHTON’S WOODWAY YARD
We had the ideal weather to view our horses at Eve Johnson Houghton’s yard in the spring and our owners in The Princes Poet, King Of The Dance, Noble Masquerade, Boy Browning and new 2 year olds Gold Minx and Due To Henry spent an enjoyable morning seeing the horses in action on the gallops. All the horses are coming along nicely and thanks and credit to Eve and her staff for organising this and giving us a warm welcome, it was a pleasure to be there.
On the Downs to see the horses – our two 2 year olds Due To Henry (yellow cap), Gold Minx (red cap, nearside)
A WONDERFUL FAREWELL TO HENRY
The Church in Lambourn was packed full with Henry Ponsonby’s family and friends from the racing community and beyond for a service of thanksgiving remembering the life of a special person on Thursday 20th October 2022. Henry, the founder of HP Racing and Shefford Bloodstock and pioneer of racing syndicates, died peacefully at home on Thursday 15th September 2022 with his beloved dog, Miller, by his side. Miller was present at the private funeral for Henry in the village Church, where his constant wagging tail kept many amused!
Henry’s sister, Elizabeth Shand, gave an insight in to his early years and life and another sister, Caroline Maloney, did a reading. Nicky Henderson made a warm and humorous address and with rousing hymns the service was very moving. Donations were made to the Injured Jockeys Fund www.injuredjockeysfund.co.uk a cause that Henry supported over many years.
Racing has lost a great friend and huge character, with an enormous appetite for life and Fun. Described by many as an eternal optimist, enthusiastic, infuriating, irrepressible, he was a complete one off and will be greatly missed by his family and his many, many friends in the racing world and beyond.
The HP Racing syndicates continue on, as Henry would have wished and he would be delighted to see the horses racing and fulfilling the plans he had made with his trainers, Eve Johnson Houghton, Alan King, Nicky Henderson and Tim Easterby. With the support of his loyal owners, HP Racing will continue Henry’s passion for horses and racing.
Click here to view possible entries Entries Being Considered – HP Racing (henryponsonby.com)
MEMORIES OF 2020 – WHO DARES WINS & SCARLET DRAGON – A FAIRYTALE ROYAL ASCOT 2020
Who Dares Wins ridden by Tom Marquand rounded off an incredible Royal Ascot week for us with a narrow victory in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Timeform’s comment sums up this wonderful horse:
“Who Dares Wins has been a wonderful servant, without needing to even run to his best in a thin renewal, added a Royal Ascot success to a role of honour that includes a Northumberland Plate, the Gerry Fielden Hurdle and Pendil Chase, a level of versatility that is rarely seen; never far away, shaken up three out, led under pressure approaching final one furlong, driven out”.
Scarlet Dragon, reunited with Hollie Doyle, skipped through the field to an exciting victory in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, giving Hollie her first Royal Ascot success. Hollie knows this horse well, having won his biggest ever victory in the Heritage Handicap at Newmarket as a 3 year old and also being Group placed at Goodwood, beaten under 2 lengths behind Poet’s Word . Held up in rear, they made steady headway over 2f out weaving through the field and finishing strongly to win by half a length. A great ride by Hollie and well deserved victory for Scarlet Dragon.
HMS President, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, came very close beaten just over 2 lengths in the Golden Gates on Thursday and this horse is one on the block for the future. He is rated quite a bit higher at this stage of his career than Who Dares Wins and Scarlet Dragon were, so lots to look forward to.
“I cannot thank all our HP Racing owners enough for the support they have given us over the years and without them none of these events could ever take place. We must also raise our glasses to Alan King, Eve Johnson Houghton and their staff, who have been so instrumental in planning these horses’ careers” Henry Ponsonby