Since stable star Spirit of Sharjah retired last August, we have been lacking a horse to represent us on Saturdays when most of the big races take place and at the bigger meetings. Rather than sit around complaining, we went out and bought a replacement for him and that horse is now ready to hit the track for us.
Luhaif (pictured, far right) may be a new face to the yard but he wasn't altogether unknown before joining us. He spent last winter racing in Dubai for Mick Channon and whilst out there, my son Ross was lucky enough to ride him out most days and got to know him well. It was never the intention to buy him but when he came up for sale in October, we had a look at him but thought we'd never be able to afford him. Luckily for us, he seemed to go unnoticed in the auction ring and we got him for a great price that was, most importantly, within budget.
Since joining us, Luhaif has been gelded and seems to have thrived for the change with an improved attitude to his work and a better action when he strides up the gallop. He's in a valuable handicap on Saturday at Lingfield with the aim of trying to get him qualified for the All-weather Championship finals day on Good Friday. He has some useful form in the past but is rated quite high as a result so the weekend will show us what kind of level he is at. I certainly hope he can land us a big race sometime through the year.
Julai Feilden's blog is an excellent read. If you are interested in trainer comments via their websites, blogs & twitter links then visit Horse Trainer Directory. It is a sister site to High Class Equine and brilliant free resource. Why search the Internet when one website leads to your favourite horse trainers.
Horse racing websites. In truth, race fans have never had it so good! Now I'm sure you have your favourites - from familiar big names with vast readership to those niches websites which specialise within their field. They might have a fraction of the traffic of their peers, but none the less they're outstanding in their knowledge, data & resources. The most important factor for me is that all these websites are basically free to use. In the days before the internet where would we have been? As High Class Equine specialise within two-year-old racing a few of our favourites will be of particular interest to our niche. Read more... because we want your input, too.
Racing Post & Sporting Life
These two website are probably the most recognised in the industry and very few punters would get by without their daily input. Whether you want race cards, data or resulst they are an excellent resource. Personally, I prefer the format of the Racing Post with regard to its race cards, although the Sporting Life seem to be much quicker off the mark with their results. Also, the latter show Racing UK (RUK) ace review free if you have an open an account with Sky Bookmakers. Both websites are excellent covering all sports & news. I really would be lost without these big guns.
At The Races
Another familiar name, this website is an offshoot of the racing channel featured on Sky 415. This website has race cards, results, and most importantly you can watch live racing and review past performances. A great database for dedicated race fans which means you can do away with the dvd recorder. Also, the ATR Tracker is a handy feature which allows you follow your chosen horses.
British 2yo Racing
A lot of punters may not have heard of this website but it is a cracking resource for those who follow the juveniles. They detail a wide variety of information and ideas to help you understand and analyse the 2yo season highlighting Paddock Reviews & Trainer targets. They also feature Articles, Picture Archive, A - Z of Sires from 2002 - 2012, Individual Trainer Reviews for nearly 700 Stables. Their 2002 - 2012 2yo Racing Review features a brilliant database, which really needs to be seen.
Horse Trainer Directory
This new website has burst onto the scene and a very useful portal to Flat & National Hunt Trainer Websites, Blogs & Twitter Links. It is very easy to navigate and useful to those who want to know the latest news straight from the horse's mouth. The Trainer Locator is ideal for potential owners to find a stable on their doorstep. It also feature every UK racecourse website and twitter link so you can keep up to date with the latest information. No need to bookmark individual websites with this great facility.
Now, I know what you are thinking...why has he only detailed 5 websites when the title says Top Ten Horse Racing Websites? Well, that's where you come into play. Please leave a comment highlighting your favourites and we will add the most popular to our list.
I know what you are thinking - Horse Trainer Directory is a bit of a mouthful. So it might be, but it's also a great free resource which saves you time. HTD is our latest website development and it has taken endless hours to get to this point. In truth it is a labour of love because it hardly earns a penny. However, if you need to find a trainer website, blog or twitter link then it could be the answer to your problem. I haven't seen a website easier to navigate or as comprehensive. It is a free portal with hundreds of links. Not only that, it has been well received by a number of horse trainers. Take a look at our testimonials. The whole purpose of this website is for it to be used. I have always appreciated the value of this information and the trainer blogs can be a gold mine of information. If you intend to bet on a horse, doesn't it make sense to take a look to see what the trainer has say? Click the banner - at the top of the page - and see for yourself. Better still tell a friend or write a line or two on your blog. We always return the favour and make no mistake the day will come when Horse Trainer Directory is synonymous with horse trainers big and small.
We have had a quiet season in the UK although we have had four winners and a good second in France and will continue to cross the channel for the good prize money on offer.
Carlton Blue could well go for the 6 1/2 f two year old race on the All Weather at Chantilly.
Keep The Dream has been slow to get his act together but should keep improving.
Intermix runs at Nottingham tomorrow, he is working well although he will make a better three year old as he is quite big.
Kuantan One has run with promise but will make a better three year old.
Serenata will run on the All Weather and looks like she will win at two.
Strawberry Jam may run at Nottingham on the 7th of November, he got off to a slow start, he is by Duke Or Marmalade.
Puteri Nur Laila was disappointing at Leicester, she should have won, she has been very unlucky.
Gifted Girl - although unlucky at Leicester when she was a close second, she would prefer faster ground and should go better on the All Weather.
Silverheels goes to the sales off the back of a good second at Deauville last week and should sell well.
Circumvent who does not really like it soft, is in at Newmarket on Saturday but may wait for a Listed race at Lingfield where he will get his ground.
We have assembled a nice bunch of yearling colts for sale they are all by sires that produce decent horses - Azamour, Bahamian Bounty, Cape Cross, Captain Rio, Fastnet Rock, Iffraaj, Piccolo, Mount Nelson.
All the prices and pedigrees are on the website with a video of each. Take a look at Paul Cole's website
All this information was found by using Horse Trainer Directory. What could you find?
It's all too easy to neglect information which is just waiting to be gleaned. Read Paul Cole's blog and then make sure you take a look at Horse Trainer Directory and smile in the knowledge you have found the home of hundreds of horse trainer websites, blogs & twitter links.
Carlton Blue has ran two disappointing races but continues to work well at home and we are putting the poor runs down to the soft ground.
Dance With Dragons is in good form and may contest a race at Chantilly.
Kalicamix, after his successes in Deauville may be sold to Hong Kong.
Bluegrass Blues race a good race at Newbury from a poor draw and everybody was pleased with his run.
Keep The Dream runs on Wednesday at Kempton, he has a poor draw but will probably need the race anyway.
Puteri Nur Laila runs at Folkestone tomorrow, she continues to work like a winner at home but has been disappointing on the course, blinkers have been fitted this time.
Don Libre has come out of his Kempton race well, we will probably keep him to that sort of race for the time being.
Kaiser Wilhelm runs today and is probably best watched.
Silverheels was disappointing at Newbury, he broke too well and ran far too free.
Hunt A Mistress and Joy to the World both finished 2nd last time out and are progressing well.
Circumvent ran well enough at Ayr to be 2nd in the Listed race despite the very soft ground. He is a fantastic horse and normally earns money where ever he runs.
The yearling sales are upon us and we have decided not to go to Goffs in Ireland as they have a greatly reduced catalogue which means because of the strength of the pound, they are selling the best horses at Newmarket. You also have the added cost of the transport from Ireland to Whatcombe. Having said that, 2 of 3 that we bought in Ireland last year have won and the other will win.
I noticed they had an all Arab race meeting at Newbury yesterday. The way things are going they will have an all Arab owners day in England soon. Lets hope there are a few gaps at the sales so that the indigenous population can get a look in!
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As they say, knowledge is power. Well, that's why Horse Trainer Directory makes a difference to your betting. Don't miss a trick by failing to use this brilliant, free resource. Read Paul Cole's Blog - which can be access by using HTD. Just consider, this is just one of hundreds of Horse Trainer Websites, Blogs & Twitter Links.
Paul Cole said: ''The weather is still affecting the horses performance but of course it is the same for everyone. The jump trainers should be cleaning up with these conditions. Carlton Blue runs at Epsom on Thursday if there is no more rain, he needs the fast ground. Composed who needs 7 furlongs may run at Newmarket on Saturday in the Nursery if he gets into the race. Dance with Dragons (Namid Colt still for sale) ran well last night at Windsor (4th ) he needs better ground and seven furlongs but he looks like a winner. Standing Bear runs at Warwick on thursday if it is not abandoned, he needs seven and it's anybodys guess what will go on the heavy there. Cut No Ice ran well at Newbury but would like faster ground. Don Libre is working well and will run when the ground is better. Velvet star has imporved with a tongue tie on at home and is probably well handicaped. Looking at the results from France, their prize monet for claimers are nearly the same money as our Listed races. Even if you halfed their prize money it would be better than ours. Without the Arabs, racing in the UK could collapse. At least the trainers at the top are ok but I think 70% of trainers must be losing money.''
