Public Open Day

Open Day 2013

Saturday 9th November  10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Discover more about the world of horseracing at our annual open day.  Watch the horses on the gallops, meet the horses, the trainer and the staff to find out more about the racing lifestyle.

 

At Southfield Stables South Lane, Sutton Valence.  ME17 3AZ

 

Free admission.  No dogs.  Children under supervision only.

 

We look forward to seeing you.

Trip Rewarded

Kingscombe's long trip to Wolverhampton rewarded each way backers when he finished 3rd, under top weight, in a 1 mile handicap.  Available at 20/1 he was backed down to 12/1 before the off.  Under Seb Saunders he ran wide, out of the kickback, in 4th or 5th position for the majority of the race and he stayed on into 3rd place up the straight but was no match for the easy winner or the prominently ridden second being beaten 3 and a half lengths and 5 lengths.

Successful Open Day

It was Owners' Open Day at the stable today.  A good crowd turned out to see the horses, chat about experiences and partake of the excellent refreshments provided.  The horses were beautifully turned out and looked very well, thanks to the hard work of all the staff who mixed grooming and turn out with being waiters and waitresses, making sure no plate was empty or glass half full.  A presentation was made to the winners of the 2012/13 Three To Follow Competition and the 2013/14 competition was started. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable time.

 

A time for chat and a look round the yard.

Settling down to watch the horses parade.

 

Kingscombe parades.

Rowe Park makes a quick appearance before going to Wolverhampton to race.

 

 

 

Red Anchor parades.

Calm Before The Storm

The last few weeks have been fairly quiet but now the action begins again.  Staff are working hard to get the horses and stables ready for the Owners Open Day on Saturday (28th September) and the National Hunt horses are progressing nicely with their names appearing on the list of dates for possible entries, on the fridge door!  Indeed this afternoon Spirit Of Xaar makes a reappearance in a novice hurdle at Plumpton.

Peter Bows Out With Great Sum Raised

 

 

Peter Oppenheimer, aged 63, had his final competitive ride in today's Newmarket Town Plate.  With a large band of supporters present, and riding Knock Boy he finished out of the frame, but their efforts raised a fantastic sum, in excess of £3200, for Macmillan Cancer Support.  Peter trained really hard for this final effort and fully deserves to have raised so much for a deserving cause. Although he says that it is definitely his last attempt to finish in the first three, the bug might just get to him again next spring and you never know!

That's More Like It



Ladies Day at Fontwell (15/8/2013) seemed an appropriate occasion for She's Humble to show a big improvement in form.  Although a power cut meant no Tote, no chilled champagne, no hot coffee, no lift to the viewing box and no closed circuit television, Humble lifted the spirits with a display hinting at those of old.    Tackling a distance longer than she had ever tried before, she was jumped off by Conor Shoemark towards the back of midfield.  She was keen to race more prominently but was steadied in 5th for the first circuit.  She came close to being brought down by the favourite at the 6th fence but jumped well herself to keep in contention.  She moved up into 3rd place round the final bend and was still in that place over the last.  She could find no more and was overtaken a couple of yards from the line to finish 4th, but earned a little prize money for her owners.

Shane leads Humble in after finishing 4th.

Back And Backing

Shannon has returned from her scholarship period in South Africa and is back into the swing of things at Southfield.  She has been getting Rosemary's filly used to having someone on her back and progressed to sitting astride her at a walk.



 Sadly for us it seems likely that Shannon will soon return to South Africa, where she has been offered several jobs, though we are proud to have helped her on her career path.