Mick Easterby's Heroes of Yesterday

YESTERDAY'S HEROES

Some of the memorable racehorses we have trained from our Sheriff Hutton stables.

We have trained thousands of racehorses here at Sheriff Hutton, and onthis page have picked out some of the well known horses, either stable favourites or horses that the racing fraternity have really taken on as flagships for the yard over recent years.

Cleveland

bay gelding (1976) by Sallust out of Proud Girl

Owner: JW Mason and Sons

Races: 30 Wins: 2

A dual winner, Cleveland made his debut at Ayr in May 1978. He won at Ripon and Edinburgh. His Edinburgh win saw him win the Millerhill Handicap to land a gamble from 4-1 to 9-4. Cleveland went jumping in his later career.

Dutch Girl

bay mare (1977) by Workboy out of Dutch Gold

Owner: C F Buckton

Races: 41 Wins: 5

A five times winning sprinter from the family line of My Old Dutch. Dutch Girl won over five furlongs at Beverley, Catterick , Wolverhampton, Ripon and Redcar before going on to become a successful broodmare in her own right.

Top O'The North

bay gelding (1980) by High Top out of Gold Poulet

Owner: P Cameron

Wins: 2

Top O'The North made his debut at Doncaster, 1982. Won at Redcar and the Champion 2yo Trophy at Ripon. "I had a right good punt on this" said Mick Easterby. He'd been backed at odds 11/1 after looking through the form of the Acomb Stakes (Sayf El Arab had finished fourth) and his trainer believed the form didn't add up to much. Top O'The North was also entered in a less valuable race the following day but it was decided that he would take on the better horses and he won. He was also third in the Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot. He left for Richard Hannon in 1984 and came back, running at Ripon on 1 Sep 1984, unplaced.

Sunday Sport Boy

chestnut gelding (1985) by Moorestyle out of Oglala

Owner: Roldvale Limited

Races: 17 Wins: 4

A four times winner by Moorestyle, Sunday Sport Boy began his career in selling races towards the end of his two year old season. As a three year old he won at Doncaster, Musselburgh, Ripon and Sandown.

Royal Estimate

bay gelding (1986) by Tender King out of Nistona

Owner: J David Abell

Races: 43 Wins: 7

A seven times winner, Royal Estimate made his debut on the flat at Newcastle in June 1988. He went on to win four times on the flat and three times over hurdles.

Coulton

bay gelding (1987) by Final Straw out of Pontevecchio Due

Owner: MW Easterby, GE Shouler

Races: 20 Wins: 8

Coulton was foaled in 1987 and made his debut as a four year old at Market Rasen. His debut win came at Newcastle over hurdles in December 1991, the 1991/2 jumps season seeing him win gain at Wetherby before being stepped up in class to record Grade 2 wins at Aintree and Uttoxeter. He went on to win at Nottingham rated 158 before winning novice chases at Wetherby, Newcastle and Aintree. Coulton ran in Grade 1 company at Aintree in April 1994, and was pulled up in the Martell Aintree Hurdle. Coulton left the yard in August 1994.

Purevalue

brown gelding (1991) by Kefaah out of Blaze of Light

Owner: Mr Simmons, Mrs Turpin

Races: 38 Wins: 9

In October 1992 I bought a yearling colt at Tattersalls Sales. He'd been bred in Ireland and he was a bargain at 3,800 guineas.

By Kefaah, a Group 3 winner over ten furlongs, his dam, the Blakeney mare Blaze of Light was unraced. I was that bloody confident I'd got a bargain that I called him 'Purevalue'. Bred for jumping, I put him out in the field to grow, bringing him in towards the end of the summer of 1994.

Russ Garritty rode Purevalue on his debut in a bumper at Newcastle and despite running green he finished third. After a second outing in a Nottingham bumper he was given another summer to grow and made his hurdling debut at Haydock in December.

In February 1996 Purevalue won for the first time, under that great horseman Richard Dunwoody. This was Purevalue's first win for his new owner, Mr Simmons, as I'd sold him at the turn of the year. Rated 90 he hacked up in a novice hurdle at Haydock and after being placed in his next two outings Brian Harding won on him at Wetherby.

Rising up the weights he was able to tackle better company and further wins in '97 at Wetherby and Newcastle brought down the curtain on his hurdling career and we schooled him over fences in preparation for novice chasing. He also changed ownership, to run in the orange and green silks of Mrs Turpin.

His fencing debut at Market Rasen didn't go to plan, and he made a mess of just the second fence and Adrian Maguire fell off him, but runner up in his next two outings showed his education was working.

The year 1998 began well, with wins at Market Rasen and Hexham, before finishing third on the Mildmay course at Aintree. Then at the end of '98 Purevalue won at Newcastle for Peter Niven.

The horse loved Newcastle and the 1999/2000 jumps season saw him notch up a further two wins around Gosforth Park. Next came a bit of a gamble, as we put him in the Northern National at the end of February at his favourite track. Four miles in heavy ground was too much for the lad and he was pulled up four out, despite putting in a brave effort over a longer trip than he had ever known before.

Purevalue wasn't to win again, and he switched to Point-to-Pointing, trained by my son David. He managed a few placed runs before retiring in 2004.

Purevalue's career consisted of 38 runs under rules, winning nine times and collecting over £40,000 in prizemoney. He was a mainstay on the northern jumps circuit for many seasons, but he didn't like to travel south and of his nine wins the furthest south he ever won was Haydock Park and Market Rasen, draw a line between them two courses and he just didn't fire. Another of me bargain buys, he gave us a good return for the 3,800 guineas we paid for him.

Photo: Purevalue and Mark Nicolls jump the last at Wetherby in February 2001 alongside Cumbrian Challenge.

Stuffed

bay gelding (1992) by Clantime out of Puff Pastry

Owner: Early Morning Breakfast Syndicate

Races: 34 Wins: 5

A five times winner, Stuffed won almost £50,000 in his 34 starts.

Belisario

bay gelding (1994) by Distinctly North out of Bold Kate

Owner: Paul G Jacobs

Races: 18 Wins: 5

Belisario joined us in 2000, having formerly been trained by Neil Graham. Owner Paul Jacobs sent him up to Sheriff Hutton to join us after the 1998/1999 jumps season. We called him 'Billy', and he was an instant hit, a real favourite with the staff.

Like many a good National Hunt horse he had started his career in bumpers, winning at Market Rasen in 1998 and going on to be placed in a couple of novice hurdles.

On joining us he was unfortunately off the track for a year and a half, but after a lot of 'TLC' as they say, he was to return across at Wetherby in October 2000 to make his yard debut. Ridden by Paul Flynn he won 'thehorsesmouth.co.uk Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap' over 2m 7f, but after a fall next time out he was to be off the track for another year.

In December 2001 he began his chasing career, placing at Wetherby the day after Boxing Day. Another year on the sidelines followed, but he returned to West Yorkshire in January 2002 where Richie McGrath was the jockey to get him home in front in the 'Cloud 9 Fitness Studio At Wetherby Racecourse Novices' Chase'. For his troubles he got a nine pound hike in the weights, and after another placed run was to pile on another couple of pounds he scored at Doncaster, taking the 'Doncaster Racecourse Sponsorship Club Novices' Chase' over three miles in holding ground.

March 2004 saw Belisario head north to Newcastle, where he ran out a convincing winner for Colm McCormack. He'd been heavily beaten last time out, and the bookies dismissed him, but the 25/1 outsider defied his 113 rating to score what was to be his final victory.

On Boxing Day 2004 Belisario headed to Wetherby and was in contention before falling at the seventh fence. The following week he was to run what turned out to be his final race at Haydock Park, ridden by Tom Greenall. Held up at the rear, he took a crashing fall at the 12th fence, sustaining fatal injuries, his promising career being tragically and cruelly cut short. Losing a horse is always tough for everyone, but especially the staff who work with them every day and have such a sense of attachment, and of course that dreaded drive home with an empty horsebox, to a yard where a stable will remain unoccupied that evening. In a horrible coincidence, Billy's final race was 'The Last Fling Handicap Chase', a race named after Sue Smith's fourteen times winning chestnut who lost his life at Aintree in the 2002 Grand National.

Belisario was rated 122 at the end of his career. In his 11 starts after joining us he won four races and almost £20,000 in prizemoney.

Photo: Belisario wins off top weight at Wetherby, 27th October 2000

Meadowbank

bay gelding (1994) by Meadowbrook out of Polypodium

Owner: Lord Manton

Races: 16 Wins: 3

We purchased Meadowbank in August 1999 from the Doncaster Sales for £9,500, to run in the colours of Edward Shouler.

A huge unraced five year old built to jump fences, he was a half-brother to winners Petrea and Black Secret.

He ran three times over hurdles in the colours of Shouler, before being purchased by Lord Manton upon the death of Shouler. In the colors of Lord Manton he would win Point-to-Points at Charm Park and Duncombe Park ridden by his son, Major Milo Watson.

In November 2000 Meadowbank went novice chasing, finishing runner up at Wetherby and Newcastle before winning twice at Wetherby in January and February 2001. However, his next three runs would prove disappointing, falling once and being pulled up twice.

He would return to winning ways in November, back at Wetherby, where he won again over fences. A week later he took his chance in the Becher Chase at Aintree over the Grand National course but his race was cut short after falling at the second fence.

Meadowbank would not win again, running four times in the 2001/2 jumps season with two thirds to his name.

At his peak Meadowbank was rated 121. We thought a lot of him and he was touted as a possible Grand National horse, but we never got to see his full potential as he died in 2002, aged just eight.

Photo: Meadowbank at Wetherby

Pension Fund

bay gelding (1994) by Emperor Fountain out of Navarino Bay

Owner: Stephen J Curtis

Races: 75 Wins: 7

Pension Fund arrived in 1995 from Doncaster Sales as a yearling. He was a super horse to train as he went on any ground and won on anything from heavy to good to firm. He was a three times winner on our local track at York, and also won at Chester, Redcar, Beverley and Ripon. He did earn a handicap mark of 100 over hurdles but will be remembered as a flat horse. Pension Fund was retired in 2005 having earned over £85,000 in prizemoney.

Photo: Photo: Brian Lunn

Sandbaggedagain

bay gelding (1994) by Prince Daniel out of Paircullis

Owner: Mrs Hanbury, Mrs Burnett, Steve Hull, Lady Manton

Races: 45 Wins: 4

Sandbaggedagain was probably one of me best buys ever. He was a cheap 'oss, and he cost just £550 in cash from Doncaster Sales in October 1995 as a yearling.

I liked him from the moment I saw him and there wasn't a lot of competition to buy him as he didn't have a fancy pedigree but he moved nice and I knew there was a good 'oss in there. He showed consistency from the start and was placed in six of his eight two year old runs. He lost his maiden tag at York in '97, where he won the 'Racing Channel Median Auction Maiden Stakes' ridden by Gyles Parkin. The Post described the win as 'very cheeky'!

I knew he needed a good trip and stepped up to two miles he was an even better horse. In 1998 he won the Turmeric Handicap at Catterick over two miles ridden by Stan Finnamore. I knew he'd win that day, we'd won the same race the year before when Frankie Dettori jumped off that wonderful old warrior Hasta La Vista and the crowd went mad, all twenty five of them.

Sandbagged was progressing nicely and we found a nice race at Ascot for him and booked the legendary Mick Kinane. He didn't disappoint and he romped home to win the Brown Jack Handicap by four lengths.

Sandbagged's final career win came at Chester's Roodeye in September 1998 when John Lowe just held on by a short head, winning off a mark of 74.

He wasn't so good jumping though and never placed in seven starts, but he did enjoy his flat racing. Sadly Sandbagged died at the age of seven after a bad injury at Newcastle in 2001.

Not many £550 horses win at York and Ascot, and Sandbagged will be affectionately remembered as one of me best bargain buys. He won over £42,000 in his career and goes to show you don't always have to spend lots of money and buy fancy pedigrees to have a nice 'oss.

Photo: Sandbaggedagain at Sheepclose Farm, 1999

Dix Bay

bay gelding (1995) by Teenoso out of Cook's Lawn

Owner: N Wright, A Bairstow, Lord Daresbury

Races: 30 Wins: 3

Dix Bay joined us from Doncaster Sales in 1999. Bought as a four year old to go jumping, he was by the 1983 Derby winner Teenoso, whose progeny traditionally took a while to come to their best.

Initially running in the colours of Nick Wright & Andrew Bairstow, he went on to be owned by Lord Daresbury in his later career.

Dix Bay began his education in bumpers, winning at the fourth time of asking for Mark Nicolls at Market Rasen. Switched to hurdles he was a winner at Wetherby over an extended 19 furlongs for Tony Dobbin. Successive placed efforts saw him rise up the ratings, but he handled the weight.

He loved Wetherby, and racing off a mark of 109 in April 2002 he won the 'Siemens Handicap Hurdle' under Richie McGrath at the West Yorkshire track.

Saddled with a mark of 115 the logical next step was to go chasing, but he really didn't take to the bigger obstacles. First time over fences he unseated Gino Carenza.

Burdened with weight over hurdles and seemingly disliking jumping fences we ran him in a few claiming hurdles, where he managed a second at Huntingdon. Back handicapping, Wetherby seemed the logical place to revive his interest and he finished runner up off 108, beaten just a head and then again was second in a claiming hurdle at the same venue.

His best run over fences came at Catterick in January 2005, again finishing runner up.

In March 2005 Dix Bay lined up at Doncaster to contest the 'Sprotbrough Claiming Hurdle'. In with every chance and making headway he took a horrific fall at the third last, a fall which was tragically to claim the ten year old's life.

A regular ride for jockey Tom Greenall in his later career, Dix Bay won three of his 30 races in a career that spanned six seasons.

Photo: Dix Bay jumps the last on his way to victory at Wetherby, 11th January 2001

Super Nomad

bay gelding (1995) by Nomadic Way out of Super Sue

Owner: TA Hughes, B Hutchinson, D & S Dudley

Races: 52 Wins: 8

Super Nomad had family connections to one of my favourite racehorses that I ever trained. But for a steeplechaser, which was the direction in which Super Nomad's career was to progress, you might be surprised to learn the identity of his grandad. In 1976 I'd trained Lochnager to win every Group 1 sprint, and earn himself the title of 'champion sprinter'. He proved a successful stallion, and his progeny often prospered over trips beyond what you might expect from a sprinter. One of these progeny was Super Sue, whose stud record included the aforementioned Super Nomad.

I have always liked to train horses with a family history, and the prospect of Lochnager's grandson was very enticing.

Super Nomad's dam was of little account on the racecourse, but her son was a big stamp of a horse. His sire was Nomadic Way, an unusual entire winner of the 1992 Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and a top class jumps sire.

Put away to grow into his big frame, Super Nomad started his career at Catterick in the colours of Mr Hughes in January 1999 at the age of four. Running nicely he finished runner up at odds of 25/1 ridden by Alan Dempsey. His next four runs showed little, including his first attempts over timber at Wetherby and Newcastle.

Seamus Durack was the man to get Super Nomad off the mark and in December 1999 he won his first novice hurdle at Newcastle. A nice touch was landed on him that day, backed from 10-1 into 5-1, but he was all out at the end on the soft ground. The handicapper may have had an eye on the betting market that day, and he got clobbered with a rating of 103. Super Nomad was however defiant, unaware of the mark he'd been handed he was soon to win again and he opened his account for the year 2000 at the first time of asking. The market was correct again that day at Doncaster, when another nice touch was landed as Super Nomad was backed from 5-1 into 5-2 favourite. He won so easy that he walked over the line under Tony Dobbin.

Creeping up the weights, and each time proving he was getting better, Tony Dobbin was again the winning rider at Aintree in November. Rated 119 he had his share of weight and just held on by half a length to the rapidly closing Chief Minister.

We schooled Super Nomad over fences in the summer of 2001 and he jumped well. It was no surprise to see him win on his fencing debut at Kelso in November, Richie McGrath timing his run perfectly to take the lead in the home straight to score by a narrow margin. However, three weeks later on his second run over fences he took a crashing fall at Market Rasen. It seemed to dent his confidence a little, but he was back in the winner's circle at Newcastle the following February with a resounding win over two miles.

Super Nomad became a victim of his own success in 2002/3. After a change of ownership he was now running in the colours of Brian Hutchinson and David and Steven Dudley. The season started badly, an unplaced run at Wetherby on his seasonal debut when he was sent off favourite saw him trail in fifth of seven. This was followed by a fall at Newcastle and then being pulled up at Catterick. From then on consistency was the word, his form for the rest of the year reading 24223323 and the handicapper did not relent. Two further seconds in March 2004 saw him hiked to 121 by the time he was to take his chance over the Grand National fences in the Topham Chase in April.

Super Nomad arrived at Aintree with just ten stone and six pounds on his back, most of that in the shape of Alan Dempsey. He hated it. He was soon tailed off and by the time he'd reached the twelfth of the 29 fences, the Canal Turn, he all but stuck two fingers up at Alan and said he'd had enough by refusing. We tried him at Cheltenham two weeks later, which was also not to his liking as he trailed in under Tony Dobbin.

Super Nomad didn't win again, although he ran consistently and continued to pick up place prizemoney.

In 2006 his owners decided it was time for him to move on and give him the chance of a new career and he was sold at Ascot Sales, going into training with Lady Susan Brooke for her daughter to ride in hunter chases. He won twice for his new family, before retiring in 2009.

In all Super Nomad won six and was placed 23 times from 52 starts when trained here at Sheriff Hutton. I went on to train Super Nomad's half-sister, Super Sammy (by Mesleh), with whom I won three races.

Photo: Jane Bedford and proud owner Brian Hutchinson lead in Super Nomad.

Manzoni

bay gelding (1996) by Warrshan out of Arc Empress Jane

Owner: Bodfari Stud Ltd

Races: 30 Wins: 6

Manzoni was purchased from Tattersalls Autumn Sales in October 1998. He had been sold as a yearling for 23,000 guineas and sent to Geoff Lewis but had failed to win in four starts.

We picked him up for 6,500 guineas as a two year old. It was clear he needed a trip and he would be a much better horse as a three year old.

Manzoni ran in the light and dark blue colours of Bodfari Stud, for whom we trained several horses in the late 1990s including that lightning quick sprinter Bodfari Komaite.

Manzoni's first win came at Southwell on the all weather in July 1999. We put the blinkers on and they worked a treat, as he won nicely over a mile and a half ridden by stable jockey Terry Lucas.

He still needed further but had to wait til the following year for his next win, taking the 'Royal Scots Cup Handicap' at Musselburgh ridden by Paul Hanagan.

The following year Manzoni struck up a fantastic partnership with Sam Hitchcott. His winning streak started when he won two in a row within the space of five days, at Musselburgh and Redcar. A defeat at Beverley over an insufficient mile and a half was followed by two more in a row, at Musselburgh (1m 6f) and then over two miles running round in circles at the Roodeye, Chester. He won by seven lengths at Chester, which was the owner's home course, and deserved a good celebration.

Manzoni was retired in 2002. Off the track he was a champion destroyer of rugs. He will always be remembered for his bib which he wore to stop him indulging in his favourite and very expensive pastime. We still have a photo pinned to the tack room cupboard of Manzoni wearing his bib!

Photo: Manzoni runs in the 'Hull And East Riding Ferret Rescue Handicap' at Beverley, 31st July 2001

Sarangani

chestnut gelding (1996) by Polish Precedent out of Height of Folly

Owner: Mrs J Turpin

Races: 18 Wins: 2

One of the best horses that we have bought in the last two decades, Sarangani was purchased out of Ian Balding's yard from Tattersalls Horses in Training Sales in October 2001 as part of the late Robert Hitchins dispersal sale.

On 22nd April 2002 Sarangani won his first race for his new owner when he came home first at Ripon at rewarding odds of 33/1. He was ridden that day by Terry Lucas. Better was to come as he followed up in remarkable fashion winning a competitive York handicap with such ease that he never came off the bit. The winning margin said two lengths but it could have been 20 as he walked across the line under jockey Jamie Spencer.

The facile York win saw him rocket to the top of the ante post Ebor betting. Kept up to his work at home he was a regular work ride of the late Phil Greally.

In August he was sent off as one of the leading fancies for the Ebor Handicap at York. Going nicely catastrophe struck at the six furlong post as Jamie Spencer pulled him up. Sarangani had broken a leg and was sadly put down. Ironically the Ebor winner was Hugs Dancer, the horse that Sarangani had trounced last time out over course and distance. We will never know how good he might have been.

The year was to take a further tragic twist as in December 2002 jockey Phil Greally (pictured with Sarangani), died in an accident at the yard.

Sometimes racing can be so cruel. Rest In Peace Sarangani and Phil, reunited again.

Whatadeal

bay gelding (1996) by Then Again out of Close The Deal

Owner: Abbots Salford Caravan Park

Races: 12 Wins: 4

Whatadeal was bred by RS Cockerill of Cockerill Farms at Dunnington, York. His sire was Then Again, a multiple Group 2 winning miler. Whatadeal's dam was the Nicholas Bill mare Close The Deal, also bred by the Cockerills, who had twice been placed over sprint distances.

Whatadeal was not to enter training until he was four years old, given plenty of time to grow into his significant frame. Brought into the yard as a three year old he was to make his racecourse debut in April 2000 at Market Rasen in the colors of Abbots Salford Caravan Park, when he was twice placed in bumpers within the space of five days.

Given a summer break he returned to Market Rasen in September, this time winning under Mark Nicolls. After a battle with Sikasso in the home straight he was victorious by a head to take the 'BBC Radio Lincolnshire Standard National Hunt Flat Race'. A week later, again at Market Rasen, the same partnership ran out easy winners of the 'Pinewrap Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race'.

Jumping had always been the plan, but Whatadeal failed to complete on his first run over timber, and was beaten by 50 lengths on his second start.

However, he was to make amends at Catterick in November, when Russ Garrity got him home in front in the 'thehorsesmouth.co.uk 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle'. The punters had little faith, as he'd opened at 8-1 and drifted to 14-1 but he won in style.

Whatadeal was to win his fourth and final race in January 2001, Mark Nicolls piloting the 13-8 favourite home at Newcastle. The opening show had put him in at odds on, but again he had drifted. Whatadeal however didn't know of the punters' lack of faith in him and another tough performance saw him defeat Tony Dobbin and Schuh Venture by seven lengths.

Whatadeal's final start came at Wetherby in May 2001 before injury cut short his career and retirement followed.

His short career had produced four wins from just 12 starts, all of his wins coming in a remarkable six month period in the 2000/2001 season.

Photo: Whatadeal wins at Catterick in November 2000.

Elvington Boy

chestnut gelding (1997) by Emarati out of Catherine's Well

Owner: Mr & Mrs K Hodgson

Races: 37 Wins: 4

Another of Catherine's Well's progeny, Elvington Boy was an out and out sprinter. We knew him as 'Elvis'. His early form earned him a handicap mark of 81, and he won at Ripon in August '99. He also won at Musselburgh, again at Ripon and then at York in his four and five year old seasons. Unluckily he was just touched off by a short head in the 2002 Scottish Sprint Cup. He earned over £60,000 in win and place prizemoney. At home Elvington Boy was a regular work ride of the late Phil Greally.

Photo: Elvington Boy is galloped by the late Phil Greally in summer 2001.

Top Dirham

chestnut gelding (1998) by Night Shift out of Miller's Melody

Owner: Steve Hull

Races: 51 Wins: 7

Top Dirham was a striking chestnut gelding by Night Shift, foaled in 1998 and bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud. His name was a play on the phrase 'top dollar', with 'dirham' being the monetary unit of the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

Top Dirham's dam, Miller's Melody, showed nothing as a racehorse in five starts but she was a very different proposition in the paddocks. In her stud career she produced seven individual winners, winning a collective total of 24 races, including Listed winner Metaxas and later in her career nine times winner by Monsieur Bond, Reginald Claude.

Top Dirham had originally been purchased as a yearling for 110,000 gns and put into training with Sir Michael Stoute under the ownership of Saeed Suhail. Winning twice in six runs he was sent to Tattersalls July Sales in 2002 which is where we picked him up for a mere 14,500 gns. He was purchased to run in the purple silks of local owner Steve Hull.

Beaten a long way in his first two starts over trips that were to prove a little too far, he was brought back in distance for his next race and this proved to be his making. Running over a mile at Thirsk the following season he landed a nice touch, taking the 'Calverts Carpets Hanidcap' ridden by Dale Gibson. Later the same month he won the prestigious Carlisle Bell, where he was sent off 9/4 favourite, again ridden by Dale Gibson.

Burdened with plenty of weight he found the rest of the season tough but bounced back at Ayr in July 2004, defeating Vicious Warrior by a head when bravely winning the Giles Insurance Stakes. Sent off as the 3/1 favourite he was ridden by Kieren Fallon.

Top Dirham's final two victories came two years apart, at Doncaster in 2005 and Thirsk in 2007. His win at Thirsk where he hold on to defeat Apache Point by a head in the 'Rectangle Handicap' proved to be the last time he would grace the winners' enclosure. It came as a surprise to many as he won on soft ground having previously recorded all of his six wins on good to firm.

He ran his last race at Beverley in September 2007, finishing fifth. Top Dirham had been the perfect summer horse, coming to hand in May and winning only in the months of June and July, and in doing so had given his owner and trainer some fantastic days out. His final career record showed prizemoney of over £71,000 and seven wins from 51 starts.

Photo: Top Dirham rests in his box at New House Farm.

Emperor's Well

chestnut gelding (1999) by First Trump out of Catherine's Well

Owner: M W Easterby And K Hodgson

Races: 93 Wins: 7

Emperor's Well was foaled in 1999, a chestnut colt by First Trump out of Catherine's Well, whose story you may well have read elsewhere on these pages. He was a half-brother to Great St Wilfrid Handicap winner William's Well and multiple winning sprinter Elvington Boy. He was bred by myself and my good friend, the late Ken Hodgson who had owned the mare and also whose colours had been carried by many winners trained here including Westcourt Magic, Hasta La Vista and Jedi Knight.

As a two and three year old he remained a maiden. He'd made his two year old debut at Musselburgh in April 2001 and showed promise in three runs which resulted in a handicap mark of 70 but he couldn't get his head in front.

Emperor's Well had to wait until the September of his four year old career to taste success, when he won the 'Dewsbury Selling Handicap' at Pontefract over a mile. And did he win that day, romping home by six lengths ahead of Eric Alston's grand old warrior Rymer's Rascal in the hands of Richard Quinn. Despite his emphatic victory there was no bid for him at the post-race auction and so we brought him back home.

He was from a family that we knew improved with age and in September 2004 at the age of five he won twice in the space of six days, both races at Beverley and both ridden by Terry Lucas. But he had to wait for almost another year before he was to win again, back at his favourite track of Beverley. Emperor's loved the stiff finish and at odds of 7/2 he was back in the winners' enclosure ridden by Serena Brotherton. Serena is my favourite jockey, she has immense strength and will always give your horse a good ride and that's just what she did at Beverley that day. She timed it perfectly, leading all the way and coming home unchallenged.

Emperor's always had plenty of family connections and on 1st August 2006 he gave Joanna Mason her first ride as an amateur rider when he raced at Beverley. The pair finished second to my other horse Gala Sunday, with Serena riding the winner.

In 2007 Emperor's Well was eight years old when he reeled off another two straight wins, Paul Mulrennan got him home in front at Ripon and then in July my granddaughter Jacqueline Coward rode him to win at Beverley.

Emperor's Well's last win came at Thirsk in July 2008, when Paul Mulrennan won the TurfTV Handicap on him over a mile. He was to become a regular ride for Jacqueline and Joanna in amateur races and despite plenty of placed runs he was unable to win again. Tumbling down the ratings, he ran his last race at Redcar in September 2010 at the age of 11. At that point the decision was made to call time on his career.

In his ten season career he gave a lot of owners and jockeys plenty of fun. He had started his career in the red and blue colours of Mr and Mrs Hodgson and he signed off wearing the pink and black 'Hoof It' silks of Chubby Chandler and Lee Westwood, with four other owners in between!

In a career spanning 93 starts Emperor's Well won seven races and was placed 20 times, earning almost £38,000 in prizemoney.

Hills Of Gold

bay gelding (1999) by Danehill out of Valley Of Gold

Owner: G Hart, D Scott & G Sparkes

Races: 34 Wins: 5

A 2002 acquisition from the Tattersalls sales, Hills of Gold was previously trained by Barry Hills. A well bred horse from Gainsborough Stud Management Ltd he was previously owned by Maktoum Al Maktoum. Hills of Gold had only one eye, but he was a battler. He won four times for us, twice at Chester and at Ripon and Beverley, over trips of between seven furlongs and a mile. His career earnings were over £40,000. Hills of Gold died in 2006.

Photo: Hills Of Gold at Sheep Close Farm in 2004.

Marsh Run

bay mare (1999) by Presenting out of Madam Margeaux

Owner: Mrs M E Curtis and Lord Daresbury

Races: 24 Wins: 4

Marsh Run was a half sister to our winning hurdler Real Shady. She had lots of speed for a jumper, and won three bumpers including a Listed race at Sandown in 2004 ridden by Tom Greenall. Marsh Run went on any sort of ground, and her first win over hurdles came in soft ground at Carlisle in March 2005. Marsh Run was also placed over fences, achieving a mark of 110 before being retired to the paddocks, a valuable mare having gained black type.

Photo: Marsh Run at Sheep Close Farm

Moonlit Harbour

bay gelding (1999) by Bal Harbour out of Nuit de Lune

Owner: Steve Hull

Races: 11 Wins: 5

Moonlit Harbour ran 11 races for us, winning five and being placed four times. He started in bumpers and progressed to hurdles, winning off a mark of 120. Moonlit Harbour left the yard in 2004 after being sold at Doncaster.

Photo: Moonlit Harbour with jockey Gino Carenza, Jane Bedford and Steve Hull.

Ego Trip

bay gelding (2001) by Deploy out of Boulevard Rouge

Owner: K Hodgson & Mrs J Hodgson

Races: 32 Wins: 5

Ego Trip was bred by my good friend, the late Ken Hodgson. His dam, Boulevard Rouge, was purchased out of Mark Johnston's yard in 1998. She'd been placed, but she did little on the track after joining us. Despite her loss of form on the racecourse she was nicely bred and we had an eye on her for the paddocks.

Boulevard Rouge's first foal was born in 2001, by Irish Derby runner up Deploy. Ken named him 'Ego Trip', I forget where the name came from. Ego Trip was steady horse, unspectacular but the sort of horse that could spring a surprise, often popping up at long odds.

We started him at Beverley in May 2003, an early two year old. Terry rode him and he didn't show a lot, although five furlongs was always going to be on the sharp side for him. He went off at 50/1 and ran like a 50/1 shot. He finished a close third on his second outing, Gibbo riding him at Catterick, and after the race he said that he thought we had something. He was handed a mark of 65 when we entered him for a nursery at Ripon in August, but he showed little for the rest of 2003 and when he made his three year old debut at Newcastle he was running off just 54.

Ego Trip surprised us all back at Newcastle the following month, Gibbo rode him again and couldn't believe the difference! Sent off at 20-1 he came home in front, the trip being the same mile he'd flopped over last time. Stepped up to a mile and half he won again, this time at Thirsk. He maintained his love affair with the northern tracks, winning over 14 furlongs at Catterick. His Catterick victory was the only time he ever won when he was favourite.

By the end of his three year old career he'd recorded three wins and had become a 65-rated horse. He was also still an entire colt, although in January 2005 we decided to geld him as, like many an adolescent boy, he was showing a bit too much interest in the ladies and not paying attention to his real job!

Summer 2005 saw him win at Ripon for Paul Mulrennan. Then, after a quiet spell it was Adele Rothery who found the key to him in June 2006, before handing the reins over to future husband Paul Mulrennan at Southwell the following month. Paul went one better and finished second, beaten a head.

However, it took an older and experienced head to get Ego Trip home and Dale 'The Dictionary' Gibson was the man in the plate when the son of Deploy won his final race. He had had a little holiday and came back fresh after a three month break. Racing at Southwell in October 2006, Ego Trip this time won as he pleased in a five length rout. His form figures from his final three races read 321.

Ego Trip was retired in 2006. In a total of 32 races he had won five times and placed a further eight. He'd popped up at 20-1, 12-1, 10-1 and 9-1, he wasn't a horse to back that was for sure. But he did give us some good days out. He was a moderate horse, but won his share, and it's the unsung heroes that keep the racing yards ticking over. And of course, we do love to see a home bred winner!

Word Perfect

bay mare (2002) by Diktat out of Better Still

Owner: Mrs Jean Turpin

Races: 37 Wins: 5

Word Perfect was bred by her owner Mrs Turpin. She was a half-sister to winners Strong Hand and Snappy. Word Perfect won races at Ripon, Doncaster, Ayr and twice at Hamilton. She retired to the paddocks as a broodmare and became the dam of Perfect Pasture (13 wins) and Perfect Peak (2 wins).

Diavoleria

bay mare (2003) by Slip Anchor out of Markapen

Owner: Mrs A Blanchard

Races: 19 Wins: 5

A well related mare, Diavoleria's half brothers Cheer Us On and Oneforthenotebook both ran for us. Diavoleria made 19 starts for our stable, winning on her second outing in a Ludlow bumper. In early 2010 she reeled off a hat-trick of wins over hurdles, at Newcastle, Doncaster and Ayr. In her final three outings she was twice placed over fences at Hexham and a winner over the border at Kelso ridden by Denis O'Regan.

After racing Diavoleria stood as a broodmare and her best offspring was Graded winner Does He Know.

Soto

bay gelding (2003) by Averti out of Belle Of The Blues

Owner: Mr and Mrs Tinning

Races: 73 Wins: 4

Soto was bred by two of our owners, David Sugars and Bob Parker, by the speedy Averti. His dam Belle Of The Blues had shown nothing on the track in her two runs but went on to be a very successful broodmare and the dam of seven more winners. Her offspring had won 29 races between them as of June 2017. Soto was sent to Doncaster Sales in October 2004, where his owners bought him back for just 2,000 gns. It turned out to be a very good decision.

Soto was a dark bay gelding and showed speed from the start. In 2005 he won on his second racecourse outing on the all weather at Southwell. The same year Soto also had the distinction of running at 'Royal Ascot', without even leaving Yorkshire, when the Royal Ascot meeting was held on the Knavesmire due to refurbishment of the Berkshire course. He ran well and finished fifth in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, beaten just five lengths.

Despite running consistently and being placed many times it was another year until he was a winner again, taking the valuable 'Betfred Poker Sprint Series Final Handicap' at Newcastle.

The following year he was a winner at Yarmouth, not a course often associated with the Easterby yard, over 6 furlongs. However, he remained winless in 2008 and 2009 despite picking up plenty of prizemoney for finishing in the places.

Soto's final career victory came at Catterick in June 2010, where he ran out a convincing winner of the 'Pen Hill Handicap'.

Throughout his career he always went well for jockey Paul Mulrennan, who rode him to all of his four victories. He always ran his race and finished runner up 13 times in a total of 73 races. Soto was retired in 2010, having won over £40,000 in prizemoney.

Soto was rehomed in Scotland in the care of Gemma, who describes Soto as 'one of the family' and he is a healthy happy horse in his 'forever home'.

Thank you to Gemma for the photographs.

Photo: Soto at his home in Scotland

Provost

chestnut gelding (2004) by Danehill Dancer out of Dixielake

Owner: AG Black

Races: 38 Wins: 6

Provost started his career in the care of Mark Johnston. A son of Danehill Dancer out of winning Lake Coniston mare Dixieland he had cost 72,000 guineas as a yearling. He had run once unplaced at the age of two before winning as a three year old for Mark Johnston at Yarmouth. At the end of 2007 he was sent to the sales where I bought him for just 15,000 guineas.

Throughout his career here at Sheriff Hutton he would run in the red and blue silks of York-based estate agent and chartered surveyor Alan Black whose colours had been carried to multiple victories in recent years by Blessingindisguise and Middlethorpe.

The association with training racehorses for the Black family went back to 1961, the year I took out my licence. Alan's father George had been one of the very first owners here at New House Farm and the giant Nigarda had provided me with a winner at Beverley in the yard's maiden season of 1961. It was a victory that would remain in my memory for decades, and for the very wrong reasons. Shortly after the race George Black collapsed and died of a heart attack on the Westwood whilst giving an interview about the victory. Nigarda would go on and run in the name of his son Alan.

In 2008 Provost made his debut for his new owner and quite frankly he showed little, his rating steadily falling before finding his feet in October at Ayr when Paul Mulrennan got him home by a short head.

He was a winner again the following March at Southwell, a heavily backed favourite it was again Paul Mulrennan who landed the odds. It was to be another year before Provost would again taste success, Graham Gibbons getting him home in front on the polytrack at Wolverhampton. Later in the summer, over course and distance, Provost would land his fourth career victory, picking up a mere £1,433 first prize money in the second division of a Class 6 race.

It was at that point that Alan and I discussed the future plans for Provost. A true racing enthusiast, Alan has always taken a key role in planning the races for his horses. On days when we've sent runners all over the country I can tell you tales of Alan taking his own horse to the races and saddling it himself, but let's leave those for another time.

After much debate we decided to try Provost over hurdles and he schooled well, jumping seemed to be something he enjoyed. We looked through the local fixtures and we found a little race at Market Rasen.

In March 2011 Provost was sent off at odds of 50/1 on his jumps debut, finishing eighth of 12 runners. Despite being soundly beaten in three runs in novice company he was handed a mark of 95. At the time it seemed harsh, but in May Provost would win the "Albert Hill Commercials Amateur Riders' Novices' Handicap Hurdle" at Sedgefield in the hands of Mark Walford. He was handed a further seven pounds by the handicapper and a month later attempted to defy the weight back at Sedgefield. Jake Greenall took the ride.

Lining up at Sedgefield the field set out with Provost switched off at the back. Provost's participation was to be cut short and at the fourth hurdle the chestnut took a crashing and fatal fall. Just as we'd found Provost's true talent the dream was over and the seven year old had paid the ultimate price. Racing is a tough game and it wouldn't be the first or the last time that this wonderful owner would experience the loss of a beloved horse.

Provost's final career statistics showed six wins for 38 starts, but his owner will never know what his 100+ rated hurdler could have achieved had fate not dealt a cruel hand on that woeful day at Sedgefield.

Rear Admiral

bay gelding (2006) by Dushyantor out of Ciara's Charm

Owner: S Hollings & A Turton

Races: 29 Wins: 5

Rear Admiral started his career under rules before winning four Point-to-Points. He went on to win five times over hurdles and fences, success coming at Fakenham, Newcastle, Musselburgh, Perth and Catterick.

Rear Admiral's final win came at Perth in 2018. He was retired later that year after pulling up lame at Wetherby.

City Ground

bay gelding (2007) by Orientate out of Magnet

Owner: Miss S Brotherton / Steve Hull

Races: 41 Wins: 6

City Ground was a fantastic servant, winning six races in 41 starts including races on the turf and sand on the flat, and also over hurdles and fences. Four of his wins have come for Serena Brotherton. His final win for the yard came at Les Landes, Jersey, where he won a handicap. This win was Mick Easterby's first winner in Jersey in his long training career! City Ground spent his holidays at Serena's and left the yard in 2016.

Photo: Photo: Brian Lunn

Warlu Way

bay gelding (2007) by Sakhee out of Conspiracy

Owner: B Hoggarth, S Hollings & S Hull

Races: 45 Wins: 5

Warlu Way joined us from John Dunlop at the Tattersalls Horses in Training sales in October 2013. By Sakhee he was effective over middle distances. He won twice for us, his biggest win was at Carlisle in June 2014 when he was first home in the Cumberland Plate. Warlu Way was sold out of the yard in 2015 at Tattersalls to resume his racing career in Germany.

Photo: Warlu Way rests at home.

We'll Deal Again

bay gelding (2007) by Gentleman's Deal out of Emma Amour

Owner: Mr K Wreglesworth

Races: 54 Wins: 5

We'll Deal Again was bred by Keith Wreglesworth and owned by a fantastic group of lads at the yard.

He was sired by Gentleman's Deal, our impeccably bred Winter Derby winner who we stood at Norton Grove Stud. His dam was the Emarati mare Emma Amour, who was placed for James Fanshawe before running for our yard. She was a feisty one, and was retired in 2000. Emma Amour had six foals, two of whom were winners: Indecision (foaled 2005) was a winner at Redcar in 2007, whilst her 2003 offsping, the grey Paris House filly Looking North, had showed promise for trainer Peter Grayson, but died at the age of three.

We'll Deal Again was by far the best of Emma Amour's foals. We knew him as 'Dealy'. Foaled on 14th April 2007 he ran a very smart race on his two year old debut at Ripon in May 2009 when finishing runner up at odds of 66/1. After three runs he was rated 68 and ran consistently from this mark without winning.

In June 2010 We'll Deal Again was gelded but did not win as a three year old despite again a string of placed runs. As a two and three year old he had run 18 times and made the frame on nine occasions!

It was April 2011, as a four year old, that We'll Deal Again first tasted success. Over five furlongs at Newcastle he came home first in the 'Sendrig Construction Handicap' ridden by Paul Mulrennan. In August he was a winner again, ridden by Graham Gibbons at Leicester. It was a very easy win, by four lengths, and his handicap mark was raised ten pounds for his efforts.

It was another year before he was a winner again, again ridden by Graham Gibbons. On soft ground he took the 'Follow totepool On Facebook And Twitter Handicap', winning on the line. The same partnership won again in October at Wolverhampton. We'll Deal Again had won on fast ground, soft ground and now on the all weather. His winning mark of 75 was the highest handicap mark that he was to win off in his career.

In August 2014 Barry McHugh was to ride We'll Deal Again to his final career win. This time in heavy ground he was first home in the 0-85 'Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Handicap' over six furlongs. Raised five pounds he was to record two further placed efforts before being retired in May 2015.

His final career earnings were just short of £30,000, with five wins and 19 placings from 54 runs. He had won on ground from heavy to good to firm and also the all-weather. A proper fun horse who could cope with any surface on which he was asked to run.

Photo: We'll Deal Again at New House Farm

Alluring Star

bay mare (2008) by Gentleman's Deal out of Alustar

Owner: Jeff Hamer & Bernard Bargh

Races: 46 Wins: 7

Alluring Star was bred by our owners Jeff Hamer and Bernard Bargh, out of the winning Emarati mare Alustar who they had owned and raced.

Alustar was a proper home bred, being sired by our regally bred Winter Derby winner Gentleman's Deal, who we stood at Norton Grove Stud. Gentleman's Deal had been bought for a bargain price at the sales and sired many winners before being sold to stand in Russia.

Alluring Star's first wins came in 2011 when she won twice at Carlisle over the stiff seven furlongs on good to soft ground. She was unlucky in her next race at Chester, being hampered a furlong out which put paid to her chances, and she finished seventh. However, she was back to winning ways at Leicester later that month, winning the 'Grease Nights Handicap' over a mile ridden by James Sullivan, this time on good to firm.

Alluring Star ran consistently the following season but her next win was not to come until April 2013 when she scored at Beverley over an extended mile. She liked her stiff uphill finishes as she got her stamina from her sire.

In 2014 Alluring Star rattled up a hat-trick, winning at Catterick for Danielle Mooney, at Musselburgh for Graham Gibbons, and then again for Danielle at Nottingham. Alluring Star's win at Nottingham, where she took the 'See You On Tuesday 20th May Apprentice Training Series Handicap' over an extended mile, was to be her last win and she was now handicapped to the very best of her ability after her winning spree. 'Alluring' was also in foal to Dick Turpin and she ran her final race at Doncaster in July 2014, again ridden by Danielle, before heading for the paddocks.

Photo: Alluring Star, Danielle Mooney and Katie Midgley. Photo by Stephen Mooney.

Hot Spice

bay gelding (2008) by Kodiac out of Harlestone Lady

Owner: S Hull, D Swales, A Turton & J Blackburn

Races: 45 Wins: 5

Hot Spice joined us in 2012 from the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale. He had already won twice for John Dunlop. He won five times for us. Hot Spice was and an out and out stayer. He recorded wins at Haydock, Catterick, Doncaster, Thirsk, Leicester and Redcar. At his peak he was rated 80. Although he did not win over jumps he was given a mark of 102 after promising runs. Hot Spice was retired in 2016 after struggling with injury.

Photo: Hot Spice and Sarah Finch

Iceblast

bay gelding (2008) by Iceman out of Medici Princess

Owner: B Padgett

Races: 45 Wins: 5

Iceblast ran 45 times for the yard, winning twice at Thirsk and Wolverhampton and once at Catterick. He retired from racing in 2014.

Photo: Photo: Brian Lunn

Pitkin

bay gelding (2008) by Proclamation out of Princess Oberon

Owner: Steve Hull

Races: 27 Wins: 5

Pitkin was purchased from DBS Sales as a yearling in 2009. He was a dual winner as a juvenile, with two victories at Wolverhampton.

In 2012 Pitkin recorded a hat-trick winning at Carlisle, Pontefract, Catterick before resuming his career in Bahrain. He won his share of races and retired at the end of 2018, at which point he embarked upon a dressage career with Rosie Jessop.

He was a natural in his new discipline and after just a few months of retraining he was ready to compete. Pitkin is enjoying his new job and his owner tells us that the horse enjoys the competition again!

A big thank you to Allan Michael Smith who kindly provided us with the latest news on this wonderfully versatile horse.

Photo: Pitkin (with Rosie Jessop) doing his third dressage test in Bahrain after only five months of his last race. He is enjoying retirement from racing and is happy to still be competing. Photo: Allan Michael Smith.

Strong Man

bay gelding (2008) by Gentleman's Deal out of Strong Hand

Owner: Mr S Hollings & Mr P Easterby

Races: 52 Wins: 7

A homebred gelding in every respect as both his sire Gentleman's Deal and dam Strong Hand were winners for the yard. Strong Man was a seven times winner from 52 starts before he retired from racing. He now lives with Jo Croft, the daughter of racing co-owner Steve Hollings.

Photo: Janice exercises Strong Man up the hill

Thirteen Shivers

bay gelding (2008) by Iceman out of Thirteen Tricks

Owner: Keith Wreglesworth & Andre Fordham

Races: 25 Wins: 3

I bought Thirteen Shivers as a foal from Tattersalls Sales in November 2008. A nice looking sort consigned by Cheveley Park Stud he was knocked down for just 2,000 gns. By Iceman out of the mare Thirteen Tricks his name doesn't need much further explanation. He is the only offspring of his dam to win.

We turned him out in the fields to grow and brought him in the following summer to break in and train as a two year old to run in the colours of Keith Wreglesworth and his partners. You'll all be familiar with the colours having seen them more recently carried by their old stalwart Pivotman.

He made his debut at York in the Rous Selling Stakes, a good place to blood two year olds. Written off by the bookmakers he was sent off at 100/1 and ran a decent race. Building on the experience he was a winner on his third racecourse outing when he was first home in the 'Carlisle Living Maiden Auction Stakes' over six furlongs. The handicapper walloped him with a mark of 79 and he signed off for 2010 with a good run at York where he finished fifth.

Thirteen Shivers finished second and third in his first two races as a three year old, and at that point we decided to drop him back to the minimum trip. It was at the York May meeting where he scored his biggest career win. We entered him for the 'Ralph Raper Memorial Stakes' over five furlongs and booked David Nolan to ride. He ran a great race that day, hitting the front a furlong out and staying on well to collect the £6,000 first prize. That day he wore such a big noseband it looked like there was a sheep coming down the straight on the Knavesmire. It was a soggy day that but nobody really bothered about the rain, and I had me brolly anyhow. His connections were present and we did some celebrating that night. We went to Akbar's Curry House where we sang the Thirteen Shivers song. "There's only one Thirteen Shivers, only one Thirteen Shivers. Walking along, singing a song, walking in a Shivers wonderland."

Shivers was raised six pounds for his win, but he defied the burden and was a winner again at Ripon just a month later. Jimmy Sullivan rode him that day when he beat Indian Ballad by half a length, again staying on nicely and getting the six furlongs without any problem.

Raised another four pounds for his troubles he ran up a series of places at Haydock, York and Thirsk but he now seemed firmly in the grasp of the handicapper.

Thirteen Shivers ran just five times in 2012, managing one placed effort at Haydock, and was retired after three runs as a five year old.

Thirteen Shivers ran 25 times, winning three times and being placed a further seven. He earned just short of £23,000.

On The Hoof

grey gelding (2009) by Monsieur Bond out of Smart Hostess

Owner: A Chandler & L Westwood

Races: 32 Wins: 4

On The Hoof was purchased at Doncaster November Yearlings and HIT in 2010. He made his debut at Carlisle in June 2011. He won at Beverley in 2012 and later that season won three races in a row at Wolverhampton. In 2013/4 he was off the track for a year and a half after training problems and he would race five more times, his final outing being when beaten a short head at Wolverhampton in October 2014.

Towbee

bay gelding (2009) by Doyen out of Bow Bridge

Owner: Mrs A Jarvis (UK career)

Races: 31 Wins: 4

Towbee was bred by Mrs Jarvis, by Doyen out of her Listed winning mare Bow Bridge. He ran four times as a two year old, never finishing out of the first four.

As with many of Bow Bridge's offspring he improved as he got older, and as a three year old he won three times. He lost his maiden tag at Redcar, winning a five furlong handicap off a mark of 60 in the hands of James Sullivan. Later in the season he recorded wins at Beverley and Chester. Rapidly rising up the weights he was rated 83 after his Chester victory. His final win came at Thirsk in May 2013, at odds of 18-1 off a mark of 77, earning him a five pound rise back up the weights. Again James Sullivan was his winning partner.

The key to Towbee was soft ground. Bow Bridge, and her dam Bow Peep, had reputations as mudlarks and Towbee followed the family tradition. He won twice on soft ground and twice on good to soft.

Towbee ran his last race in the UK in 2014 at Leicester, where he finished second, before leaving these shores to resume his racing career in Israel.

'He always won' was how his owner summed up his career in Israel before he retired a few years ago. Towbee is now spending his retirement with Adnan where is regularly ridden and enjoying life in his wonderful home.

Adnan says "I love him so much!"

We'd like to thank Adnan for providing Towbee with such a great home in Israel, and for sending us these pictures of him enjoying the sunshine.

Up Ten Down Two

bay gelding (2009) by Hurricane Run out of Darabela

Owner: Mrs Christine Daurge

Races: 34 Wins: 4

Up Ten Down Two was a gentleman of a horse, and one of the most genuine in training. He was a winner over 1m 6f before a lengthy spell off the track of over three years. After a comeback run at Newcastle he repaid his trainer's faith by winning at Newcastle under a magnificent ride by Rachel Richardson to record his first victory in almost five years and followed up in style at Newcastle dropped back to 1m 4f. In 2018 Up Ten won at Wolverhampton for Joanna Mason. Up Ten Down Two died in 2019 having suffered a fatal injury on the racecourse.

Photo: Up Ten Down Two at York, September 2018

Be Lucky

chestnut mare (2010) by Kyllachy out of Spritzeria

Owner: The Sangster Family & M W Easterby

Races: 18 Wins: 4

Be Lucky ran for us 18 times, winning four and being placed six times. Her wins were all at six furlongs. She was at her best on fast ground and was a Pontefract specialist, winning three times at the West Yorkshire track and also once at Beverley. Be Lucky retired to the paddocks at the age of five, in 2015.

Aldreth

bay gelding (2011) by Champs Elysees out of Rowan Flower

Owner: A Morse & Stittenham Racing

Races: 51 Wins: 7

Aldreth is a gelding by Champs Elysees out of the Ashkalani mare Rowan Flower. He has had an unusual career path to staying handicaps as he was a three times point to point winner, recording victories at Easingwold, Charm Park and Sheriff Hutton.

Aldreth went back to running under rules at Newcastle in June 2016 and was victorious over two miles on his first start back and followed up at Musselburgh winning the Stobo Castle Ladies Day Cup. Aldreth won on the all weather at Chelmsford City in January 2017 over two miles, and back at the same track he was a winner again the following March.

Aldreth was retired and rehomed in October 2020.

Photo: Aldreth at York

Slingsby

bay gelding (2011) by Dutch Art out of Ballet Fame

Owner: S Hull, B Hoggarth & Mrs C Mason

Races: 39 Wins: 5

Slingsby had six runner up places to his name as a three year old, but got his head in front at Redcar in May 2015 in convincing style and did the same at Nottingham the following month. His first win of 2016 came at Newcastle in June when he won over his favourite trip of 6 furlongs for Graham Gibbons. He was a very popular winner back at Newcastle in October when he was our 50th winner of the season! His last win came in February 2016 on a Friday evening at Newcastle ridden by Nathan Evans.

Slingsby left the yard after being sold old at Tattersalls July Sale 2017 to Ajab Alkaadar for 3,000gns.

Tamayuz Magic

bay gelding (2011) by Tamayuz out of Anne Tudor

Owner: Mr & Mrs Tinning

Races: 38 Wins: 5

Tamayuz Magic joined us from Mark Johnston at Doncaster Autumn Horses in Training & Yearling Sales in 2013. He won his first race for us at Ripon in June 2014 in heavy ground and proved his versatility in September winning on good to firm ground at Beverley over a mile and a furlong for Joanna Mason. He was a winner at Newcastle in April 2015, and then at Thirsk in May 2016 for Nathan Evans. His biggest win came again at Thirsk in the mud and rain in September when he won the Hambleton Cup ridden by James Sullivan.

Tamayuz Magic left the yard in October 2017 to race in Kuwait after being sold at Tattersalls.

Photo: Tamayuz Magic goes to post at York

Heart Locket

bay mare (2012) by Champs Elysees out of Zante

Owner: Mr A Chandler

Wins: 2

A middle distance filly by Champs Elysees, she joined us from Roger Charlton. Heart Locket is a half sister to winners Top Offer and Kefalonia. Her dam Zante was a Listed winner for Sir Henry Cecil. She won at Bath as a three year old. Her first win for her new owners came at Lingfield Park in March 2016, where she won a handicap on the all weather. She was a winner again at Newcastle in November over a mile and a half for Paul Mulrennan. Heart Locket loves her racing and likes to bowl along with her ears pricked.

Photo: Heart Locket on the flat gallop

Black Grass

bay gelding (2013) by Monsieur Bond out of Alustar

Owner: T Dewhirst, L Folwell & S Hull

Races: 21 Wins: 5

Black Grass was foaled at Norton Grove Stud on 2nd April 2013. A son of Monsieur Bond, he was the latest in a long line of home bred winners out of the Emarati mare Alustar. Alustar had previously foaled nine times winner Know No Fear, seven times winner Alluring Star and sixteen times winner Thoughtsofstardom.

Black Grass was known at the yard as 'Ally', after his dam, and he quickly established himself as a yard favourite. He loved a cuddle, but unusually he didn't like polos!

Running in the colours of Steve Hull, Black Grass raced six times as a juvenile, his best placing being a third at Redcar in October 2015. Gelded in the Autumn of 2015, Black Grass headed for his winter break.

Like the rest of the family he was likely to be a better horse at two and three years old, and the expectations proved correct. In April 2016, and now wearing the colours of co-owner Linda Folwell, it was apprentice jockey Nathan Evans who was the pilot on board when Black Grass won his first race at Catterick. Following up a second placed effort a fortnight previous, he was sent off 3/1 co-favourite and hitting the front half a furlong out he stayed on nicely to beat Fumbo Jumbo by a length. After a short break Black Grass was to head back to Catterick, this time tackling good-firm ground in the Lionweld Kennedy Sprint Handicap. We knew the race well, having won it several times, notably by old favourite Blessingindisguise in 2002, the race that was to be Blessing's final victory.

The outcome at Catterick in June had a sense of deja-vu about it, as Nathan Evans and Black Grass defeated Fumbo Jumbo again by a length! However, tactics were a little different as the pair made all and held on at the post.

Redcar was the next stop and the hat-trick came up in style as Nathan Evans and Black Grass ran out ready winners over Tim Easterby's Midnight Malibu by three lengths. A six pound penalty did little to stop him and two days later the in-form sprinter clocked up a four timer at Wolverhampton. Cam Hardie was the rider on this occasion and the odds on favourite obliged again over the minimum distance.

Now rated 78, the bid for a five timer was foiled at Newcastle four days later, and after running at York Black Grass was given a break.

Black Grass made his 2017 debut at Ripon in April. In a thrilling finish he passed the post locked together with Foxtrot Knight, and the verdict took a while to declare. Scenes of jubilation were to follow and after a tense wait a dead-heat was announced to give yard apprentice Harrison Shaw his first winner. Rated 81 Black Grass ran respectably in defeat in his next few races with Harrison and Nathan Evans sharing the riding duties. In July 2017 Black Grass lined up in what was to be his last race, finishing ninth for Harrison Shaw.

Given a summer break, Black Grass was about to come back into work when an unexpected tragedy struck. Black Grass had unexpectedly died in his box. Black Grass will be sorely missed by his owner, to whom he had become a real favourite, and by the staff, especially Harrison Shaw who had ridden his first winner on 'Little Ally'.

His final career statistics showed 21 races, five wins and three places, earning over £23,000 prize-money.

Photo: Black Grass passes the post in what was to be his final race at York in July 2017

Swansway

chestnut gelding (2013) by Showcasing out of Spring Stroll

Owner: W H & Mrs J A Tinning

Races: 36 Wins: 2

Swansway was originally trained by Tom Dascombe. He was a winner at Newcastle in December for Nathan Evans. After a run of consistent efforts he recorded his second career win in July 2017 at Catterick ridden by William Milburn.

Photo: Sarah riding Swansway on the uphill gallop

Lou's Diamond

brown filly (2014) by Camacho out of Marthas Way

Owner: Mr K Wreglesworth & Mr D Scott

Races: 5 Wins: 1

One of the sweetest horses ever trained here, Lou's Diamond was an instant favourite with the staff even before she saw a racecourse.

She was by Camacho out of Martha's Way who had raced for the yard. A home-bred filly and a stunning looking girl, she was given the stable name 'Martha' after her dam.

Lou's Diamond started her racing career at York in May 2016, finishing last in a maiden race. Building on the experience, she finished fourth at Thirsk next time out, beaten just three lengths at odds of 50-1.

Two more runs followed, running respectably, before her all weather debut at Newcastle on the evening of 8th October in the Hadley Steel Framing Nursery Handicap. Ridden by Nathan Evans she got out smartly and made all, holding off the challengers to win by a short head at odds of 20-1 under the floodlights.

One of the most popular winners in a record breaking season for the yard, she looked the type to build on her success. As a two year old she'd proven all she needed to, and spent her winter break with us at the yard.

Coming back into training at the start of 2017, she was working nicely. However, in February 2017 disaster struck. During a routine gallop Lou's Diamond stumbled and fell. She bravely made it back the yard and the vet was called to look at the problem. A fractured shoulder was diagnosed, the break being so bad that she sadly was not going to survive.

Martha raced five times as a two year old and would have blossomed at three. Her final career stats showed one win from five starts, winning £3,100 prize-money. What they didn't show was how this filly had won the hearts of the staff during her all too brief career.

Photo: Craig Lidster giving Lou's Diamond a workout

Rolladice

chestnut gelding (2015) by Bated Breath out of Selkirk Sky

Owner: A Pollock & J Blackburn

Races: 10 Wins: 2

A striking chestnut gelding by Bated Breath out of Selkirk Sky. Rolladice won on his handicap debut at Nottingham in August 2018 ridden by Harrison Shaw. In October 2019 he was a winner at Catterick over seven furlongs at odds of 40/1. Rolladice was sold to race overseas in 2019.

Lady Lavinia

bay filly (2016) by Burwaaz out of El Molino Blanco

Owner: David Scott (UK)

Races: 19 Wins: 1

A beautiful bay filly by Burwaaz out of El Molino Blanco. Burwaaz was a very fast sprinter, placed in group company several times.

Lady Lavinia developed into a strong sort with a lovely nature. She had three socks, on exactly the same three legs as her sire, Burwaaz. She was foaled on Valentine's Day and had lovely markings with a teardrop shaped star. A good-looking filly, she often claimed the best turned out prize when she raced.

Lady Lavinia was our first two year old winner of the 2018 season when she romped home in a selling race at Redcar. At home she had sparkled and we couldn't figure out why she wasn't winning, until we stepped her up in trip. Her win made her the first winner for her dam El Molino Blanco and she was also the first ever winner for her sire Burwaaz.

Lady Lavinia was purchased by Gaëlle Gernay at the Tattersalls Autumn Sales in 2019 to race in Belgium. However, tragedy would strike and six weeks after arriving at her new home she was struck down with colic and died on 2nd December. Thank you to her wonderful owners for keeping us up to date with the former favourite. May she rest in peace.

Michael Easterby
New House Farm
Sheriff Hutton
York
UK, YO60 6TN

Tel: 01347 878368
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