Equinties - Hester investor?

Gm Equinauts

There was a blow-up on Racing Twitter last week over clocks and eyes.

It was boring tbf but in this particular argument, I sided with the eyes.

Clocks and timing in races are, in my view, completely pointless. There are just too many variables throwing validity out the window; conditions and crap jockeys with broken (head) clocks are right up there.

Ground, for me, is the single most important thing when looking at a race. Why? If it’s quick, only quick ground horses will win and if it’s slop, only slow ground horses will win. It’s very basic stuff but we seem to be the only ones of Racing Twitter to give two shits about blood.

It’s not by fluke that Young Blood has been such a huge success.

You might argue that that makes pedigree the most important thing, and you’d be right, but ground is where you can build the betting edge according to pedigree.

Yesterday’s Young Blood featured two fast ground horses at Carlisle. At 9am yesterday it was rock hard going, all descriptions firm. When I watched the races back on replay (didn’t have my phone on me all day), they were running in a rainstorm and the description went soft.

We had no chance and I’d normally have tweeted to change the selections according to ground but I’m away and couldn’t… that’s my bad.

I was butt hurt yesterday and that’s not even to mention the Balding horses.

I was nearly sick - I hope some of you reading this momentarily let the chimp out to back them, because I didn’t.

Anyway, let’s dive in.

MERCH

Merch store pending!

We received a test sample (the one I’ve been wearing all weekend) and we’re not quite happy with it. We want the merch to be perfect, so you’ll have to wait a bit longer max

BGP FANTASY LEAGUE COMP

We’ve been hyping up the TOTE’s new Fantasy game since we found it. Why? Simply because there is nothing else out there now which can help people cage the betting chimp while maintaining an emotional interest in the big races of the day.

People bet way too much and the Fantasy allows you to get limited risk on, fill your brain up with the dope it craves and still be in the mix for a big win.

If we hit 250 stables, top of the BGP private league get’s a new ‘GM’ cap.

HEADLINE ROUND UP

Murphy spends quarter of a mili

As horses circle to line up for the first jump of the Hickstead Derby, the commentator (often Steve ‘golden tonsils’ Wilde) will announce the horses name, who the rider is and lastly, who owns the horse. This of course, if for the benefit of the crowd and those watching on TV because, let’s be honest, to the untrained eye they all look the f@cking same.

One of the horses in the jump-off final was called DUBLON, ridden by William Funnell and owned by Barbera Hester.

‘Barbera Hester, I know that name…’ I thought. She’s the money behind the Olly Murphy yard, owner of BREWIN’UPASTORM et al. She obviously loves anything horsey.

Reading up on Barbera, her story is fascinating. Moved from Canada to the City to pursue an investment banking career. Obviously having earned a fortune, she now uses her new found wealth to feed her passion for horses, a passion sparked by her late grandfather he gave her a black and white picture book of the Grand National when she a little girl.

Barbera Hester now regularly enjoys all equine sport - she hunts, supports her local trainer Olly Murphy with very expensive horses and also keeps a small stable of very smart show jumpers… so smart they’re able to compete in the pinnacle of the sport; the Hickstead Derby.

My feeling is Barbera could quite possibly the funding behind the recent Olly Murphy’s recent spending spree. He’s just splashed £250k on a Doctor Dino gelding.

Although Murphy has spent in the past without success, this one could be his big breakthrough as this lad is a half-brother to DOUVAN and JONBON, a famous family line we’re all very much aware of.

Olly’s father, Aiden, said after the purchase: "He has a brilliant attitude, I’ve seen him each day he’s been here and he’s never turned a hair in all that time. He looks magnificent and is just a gorgeous horse.”

Elsewhere, Paul Nicholls picked up three new purchases for Ditcheat.

More: 'He looks magnificent' - battle royal for €250,000 half-brother to Douvan and Jonbon at Derby Sale | Racing Post

WAIPIR-oh, he’s gone

Last week’s Hampton Court winner, WAIPIRO, is off to Hong Kong to continue his career, Ed Walker confirmed yesterday.

The impressive winner, who got close to MILITARY ORDER at Lingfield, is off to the place where his half-brother, WAIKUKU, won multiple Gr1s including a shock win over GOKDEN SIXTY.

Walker, although he appreciates training for The Sui Family, said: “It's obviously sad and disappointing for my team but we had a few great days with him, for which we are very grateful.

“If he didn’t tick all the right boxes then he would stay here, like STORMY ANTARCTIC, who needed cut in the ground and would not have been suited by Hong Kong, which is why he stayed and did great things for us.”

Good luck, WAIPIRO!

The Young Shark attacks

And finally, Paddy Hanlon, son to John ‘The Shark’ Hanlon, won his first professional race yesterday at Worcester Racecourse.

The 16-year-old guided CHEF D’ETAT to victory in the Worcester bumper at odds of 4/6 as The Shark sent over a team of two over to the track with his other one placing.

Huge congrats for the team - what a special moment!

RISK ON

11.35 MASO BASTIE

Top weight and short at 11/8 but should be short for a reason. He’s clear on ratings and clearly has that Galileo attitude. Bumped into a Boughey horse who ran well at Royal Ascot. Should take all the beating today.

12.35 TERWADA.

Message for this one and top on ratings. Oisin could have a good day.

15.20 LATTAM and 20.15 ALHAMBRA

Shaggas half singles and double. ALGAMBRA well bred and should be better than this lot otherwise an incredible waste of money and LATTAM is bringing Royal Ascot form. Double pays 7’s.