Working on The Flat Gallop
It is not raining but it is yet another bleak day here at HQ. Mr Prosser is delighted that nature has meant that the irrigation systems can be packed away for a short-while and it will ensure The July course will be in good shape once racing starts there. It is not so fun for us all out on the heath! The horses all seem in good form considering the recent weather that has afflicted us and I was pleased with how they worked out on the Flat Gallop during third lot.
We just have the one runner tonight at Kempton. Charioteer was never involved on his debut at Windsor when breaking slowly and I am hoping we can learn something about him tonight. Plenary does not run but it still looks a good race with Muntahaa and Alyssa both having strong placed form in maidens and we are just looking for him to show us some promise.
We had two runners yesterday and whilst neither were in the frame I was pleased with how they both ran. Dora’s Field will appreciate a step up in trip and slightly easier ground, she performed with credit in a very strong handicap and was not beaten that far. Sagaciously missed the break and used up some energy to move up tracking the leaders on the rail. She came through to make her challenge and then flattened out as she was entitled to and was headed near the line for third which was very frustrating. I still believe we can get some black type for her.
The BHA released the findings of the review into the Fillies and Mares Programme review at the Jockey Club Rooms yesterday and the message is #thisfillycan. The median filly with a rating of 75 or higher will earn more than the median colt with a rating of 75 or higher. There will be targeted marketing at the sales to promote this and try and help raise the sales value of fillies to help make smaller breeding operations more financially viable.
Recent trends suggest more fillies are being kept in training and the program is reflecting this, two more Listed races restricted to females were introduced this year and the first at Ayr was won by Malficient Queen and attracted a strong field. There will be a pilot scheme that will bring in races restricted to horses who are by a stallion with a nomination of £15k or less and some of these races will be for fillies only.
The message from the BHA and the TBA is that whilst more people are recognising the value in racing their fillies and mares, more can be done, both in promoting the filly and mare as a racehorse and as a breeding prospect. They feel that a lot of trainers and bloodstock agents are favouring the colt significantly over the filly when recommending purchases to people entering the industry and they hope these findings and the marketing campaign that will follow can help to change this. A mile and a half race for the older fillies at Royal Ascot will be looked at once more at the next review.