UK Horse Racing Tips

After an enforced abstinence from two-year-old horse racing over the winter months, a hunger for knowledge and insight leads to the sweetest thoughts of making this year another winning season.

The beauty of betting two-year-old horses is that you get such a mixed bag. It’s similar to walking round a sweet shop – there is always something to catch your eye. But why pick and choose when you can have a selection. With debutantes galore, experienced juveniles searching for their elusive first win, dark horses and precocious types that run every other week, there is something for everyone. The only thing you need to worry about is dodging the equine equivalent of the coffee cream.

It’s true that many punters avoid betting two year olds because they can seem rather daunting or just plain mysterious. You search for ten minutes trying to work out where the form has gone only to realise the horse is making its racecourse bow. OK. So you nearly swallowed that gobstopper.

It’s natural to be a little wary at first. However, it’s often those factors that make for very profitable betting angles. With just a little knowledge, insight and touch of lady luck you can gain an edge over the bookmakers.

This month we are giving a mixed bag of promising two year olds. In fact, we have a real assortment for you to enjoy with speculative bets, debutantes, a juvenile which cost a king’s ransom, an early precocious type and one or two dark horses to add to the fun.

(by Jason Coote)

Ones to watch:

Andrew Balding
ROBIN HOOD U S A (USA)
A chestnut colt by Mr Greeley out of the mare Fashion Cat is worth noting. This juvenile born in February cost over £130,000, an expensive purchase for E. N. Kronfeld who has houses a few juveniles with Balding over the last few seasons. Balding has done well with his two-year-olds in recent years and they are always worth noting on their second start, as juveniles often improve with racing and placed to win after their racecourse bow. This is one of more expensive youngsters in the stable and connections will be hoping this American-bred has ability.

Michael Bell
MOHEDIAN LADY (IRE)
A trainer always high on our list for his juveniles talents, this bay filly by Hurricane Run cost an impressive £240,000. Just having her second birthday in April, this Irish-bred bay filly by the Group-placed mare Amathia is owned by Mrs Olivia Hoare. Breeding suggests that this juvenile will be seen later in the season with sire and mare seen at their best over a distance. Bell has a string of some 50 two-year-olds this season and such a capable trainer will no doubt be looking forward to this individual starting her career.

Henry Cecil
LATE TELEGRAPH (IRE)
A February colt by Montjeu by the mare Bywayofthestars with a price tag of £320,000. Owned by Thomas Barr, a familiar name in racing with horses in many stables including Michael Jarvis, Henry Candy, John Gosden & Mark Johnston to name a few. This is an interesting newcomer. Cecil’s fortunes have changed for the better in recent years and he always nurtures his two-year-olds. This youngster could well be in the limelight this year.

Mick Channon
STELLA POINT (IRE)
With a huge string of 80-plus two-year-olds it is little wonder Channon has the potential to unearth a talented juvenile. Jon & Julia Aisbitt have had a number of horses trained at West Ilsley and this March foal is one of the more expensive juveniles at just under £140,000. If she takes after her mare, Venturi, a Group 3 winner, this will be money well spent.

Paul Cole
END OR BEGINNING
Few owners have the money to purchase juveniles like Mrs Fitri Hay. In the last few seasons she has made a new allegiance with Cole (and Tom Tate) and it is only a matter of time before a talented two-year-old comes to light. With a least 5 juveniles costing over £100,000 alone at Whatcombe Estate, the above-mentioned bay colt at £330,000 makes much appeal. This juvenile may have been born on April fools day but connections will be hoping this youngster’s ability is for real. By Sadlers Wells out of the talented mare Smart ‘n Noble, this America-bred could well feature in this year’s dream team for Mrs Hay. Other two-year-olds with Cole include: Already Basking, Argocat, Diamond Penny, Flodden, Ready Solace, Strategic Bid & Tinkertown.

Tom Dascombe
MILLENNIUM STAR (IRE)
Dascombe has become one of the most recognised trainers of two-year-olds over the last few seasons and his move to Manor House Stables has seen a further increase to his string to about 60 juveniles. This bay filly is worth noting as one of the expensive youngsters at £210,000. Her mare, Diamonaka, was twice placed in Group class when trained by F. Boutin in France. Owner Andrew Tinkler has invested much in his two-year-old old string this season, especially with Michael Dods. Dascombe can often have his juveniles primed to run a big race on debut, however, Millennium Star is most likely to be seen later in the season.

Sir Michael Stoute
HAYMANA (IRE)
A trainer who needs little introduction – Freemason Lodge is the home of many a talented juvenile and this year will be no exception. Hamdan Al Maktoum purchased this bay filly for £650,000. A February filly by Pivotal out of an Irish mare Briolette, Stoute will be looking forward to this juvenile. A dab hand training fillies, Haymana will certainly need to be something special to begin to pay back this hefty price tag. With over 60 juveniles stabled at Freemason Lodge, and the majority costing six-figure sums, it is no surprise why this talented trainer captures the imagination and consistently attains the level of success most can only dream.

Thanks to all of those taking advantage of the horse racing tips offer. In answer to emails received, there are still someplaces available. So if you want to get involved in the flat racing season from a selective betting / tips perspective, this is a good opportunity to do so. Thanks.

Horsely Brook Farm, Lichfield, is the headquarters of the talented Ed McMahon stables. Very much from the same mould of his father, few trainers have a more professional approach or eye for detail.

McMahan is an adept trainer of two-year-olds – with approximately 15 colts & fillies each season. His youngsters make an early start to their racing careers running from April and keeping busy until October. In the last five seasons he has total prize winnings in the region of £350,000. Many of his best juveniles are seen early season and capable sorts. Statistics reveal a general win rate of 18% and win and place of 50%. In recent years, debutants have featured slightly lower percentages but still illustrating that runners are capable of winning on their racecourse bow, often at fancy odds. McMahon is particularly good at placing horses on their second start, making the most of their experience and primed for a determined effort. Many of these candidates are well-backed individuals, especially when owned by John Fretwell. He has also done very well for owner R L Bedding with talents such as Noble Storm & Rainbow Mirage. In addition, juveniles in their own colours have the knack of winning.

McMahon is a very interesting trainer for punters as many of his juveniles feature a winning level of ability. With many runners being allegeable for auction events, often cherry picked with these capable types before racing at a higher level. Although horses struggle to win beyond Stakes class, Chin Wag & In Uniform contested Group events in recent years, while others raced at Listed level – Vauquelin & Aalsmeer both just failing to land the spoils with narrow losses.

Ed McMahon is a very consistent trainer and it is easy to see why money often follows his better two-year-olds. However, it is intriguing that a number of horses still win at speculative odds and he is worth a punt at any price when juveniles are competing at a lower level. On reviewing The Horses in Training 2010 publication, this year’s string of juveniles seems somewhat depleted, which would be a shame for such a polished trainer. However, there is little doubt that McMahon will have his share of winners this new Flat campaign and a certainly a trainer to follow.