COLIN Bowe could barely have wished for a better start to the spring campaign.
Two days after consigning the top four-year-old to the Cheltenham February sale, Bowe became the only trainer so far this year to saddle two four-year-old maiden winners when Shadow Rider impressed at Knockanard last weekend.
In the second part of a stable tour, focusing on the well-bred four-year-olds in residence at his Milestone Stables, the Wexford native runs through the next batch of potential stars to watch out for this season.
LARQUEBUSE (FR)
4yo b m
Saddler Maker – Sirene Du Rheu (Ascetic Silver)
Milestone Racing Partnership
She is one of the more expensive mares I have ever bought. She cost €50,000 out of the Derby Sale. She is about 16.2hh and was a bit backward starting off, but she has got the hang of it now and is showing us plenty of ability. I would say that she could be one we aim at the mares’ race at Durrow next month.
LE MUSIGNY (FR)
4yo b g
Anzillero – Fee Magic (Phantom Breeze)
Milestone Racing Partnership
He is a big, scopey horse with a huge pedigree. We got him from the Derby Sale and he is out of a half-sister to Al Co. His dam has produced plenty of Saturday horses. He is a half-brother to Grand Crus and Gevrey Chambertin - who both won graded races in England for David Pipe - and Le Richebourg, who finished second in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas for Joseph O’Brien. He came in a bit later than some of the others, so we are in no rush. But he is showing all the right signs and we like him. He will run before the year is out.
LONG AFTER DARK
4yo b g
Flemensfirth – Vindonissa (Definite Article)
Milestone Racing Partnership
He is about 17hh and has a great pedigree. His dam is a half-sister to the likes of Carlingford Lough, Thisthatandtother and The Tother One, and she has already produced a winner in Krugermac, who was sold for £185,000 after finishing second in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival. Our lad is by Flemensfirth and is a well-balanced horse with a great attitude. He will go on soft ground and he is only two or three weeks off a run.
LOCK’S CORNER
4yo b g
Gold Well – Last Century (Glacial Storm)
Milestone Racing Partnership
He is a half-brother to a three-time track winner in Steele’s Rock that we got out of the Derby Sale. He is a bit behind some of the other horses and we will have him for the autumn. The autumn season is so strong now with a good market for the horses that there is no pressure to run them in the spring.
PENNYFORAPOUND
4yo b g
Winged Love – Recession Lass (Presenting)
Milestone Racing Partnership
He is a nice, forward and sharp type of a horse. We had him in a schooling bumper at Monksgrange and he showed up well, but he is by Winged Love so he will probably want some nicer ground. He has a great attitude.
PISTOL WHIPPED
4yo b g
Beneficial – Holiday Time (Turtle Island)
Milestone Racing Partnership
He is a forward horse that cost €35,000 at the Derby Sale. He came to me about seven weeks ago having been in pre-training with Jim O’Neill. He is a bit behind some of the others, so hopefully we will be able to get him out before the ground goes against him as he would want a good cut in the ground. He has shown us a good bit recently.
SHINROCK FAME
4yo b g
Fame And Glory – Have More (Haafhd)
Milestone Racing Partnership
We bought him for €38,000 at the Land Rover sale and he is a half-brother to John Joe Walsh’s Davids Charm who won that valuable Grade A handicap hurdle on the Hatton’s Grace card at Fairyhouse after we had bought this lad. He is taking a bit of time. He is in light work at the minute. We will begin to step it up with him soon. He will run this season.
TANRUDY
4yo b g
Presenting – Come In Moscow (Over The River)
Milestone Racing Partnership
We paid €46,000 to get him at the Derby Sale. Aiden Murphy bought his half-brother for €140,000 a year earlier. We are hoping that our lad will run in the next four or five weeks. He jumps a fence well and, for a Presenting, he is well able to handle a cut in the ground. He is a good, hardy type.
THE GLANCING QUEEN
4yo b m
Jeremy – Glancing (Kayf Tara)
Milestone Racing Partnership
She came out of the August Sale and is related to some blacktype horses, like Operating and Mercuric. She was very green when we started her off but she has got the hang of it now in the last month. She has been working well of late and will run this season.
VICIOUS CIRCLE
4yo b m
Fame And Glory – Inchiquin Princess (Bob Back)
Milestone Racing Partnership
She is 16.2hh and is a real quality mare by Fame And Glory. I paid €25,000 for her and she is out of a half-sister to Empire Of Dirt and Panther Claw. She is very forward and jumps very well. She is showing us loads at home and we would be looking at going for one of the early four-year-old mares’ maidens with her.