Caldwell Potter, the horse who thrust Sir Alex Ferguson into the record books earlier this year, is close to making his eagerly-awaited return to action.
Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, was part of a four-man syndicate that broke the world record for a National Hunt horse sold at a public auction when he went through the ring in February – they paid an astonishing £634,000 for the grey gelding.
Though that record, incredibly, has been broken twice since – first by Regent’s Stoll, who achieved a price of £660,000 in July, then by Palladium, who went for a staggering £1.2million October – the buzz around Caldwell Potter is huge and the appetite for racing fans to see him is immense.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, Caldwell Potter missed a number of engagements towards the end of the last jumps season, including a date at Aintree, as he had some niggling issues and needed to adapt to a different way of working after leaving Gordon Elliott’s stable in Ireland.
But Racing Confidential understands that the signs of late from Caldwell Potter have been encouraging and provided he continues to please, there are races at Newbury’s big Coral Gold Cup meeting at the end of the month that fit into his schedule.
Caldwell Potter (horse above, in 2023) is near to making his eagerly-awaited return to action
The horse broke the world record for a National Hunt horse sold at a public auction, bought by a four-man syndicate including former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (above)
Kalif Du Berlais, another horse for Ferguson’s syndicate, crashed out four fences from home at Carlisle on Monday after being touted as potentially the best novice chaser in Nicholls’s stable
The clamour to see Caldwell Potter is understandable. He was last seen in action on December 27 last year when obliterating a field of high-class novices in a Grade One race at Leopardstown and his rider that day, Jack Kennedy, felt he was partnering a machine.
Ferguson, who owns the six-year-old with long-standing allies John Hales, Ged Mason and Peter Done, hopes Caldwell Potter might be the one that goes onto win him a Cheltenham Gold Cup and wherever he turns up, he should be followed closely.
Nothing, however, can be taken for granted in racing and this point was proven once again to Ferguson at Carlisle on Monday. Kalif Du Berlais, another horse for his syndicate, has been touted as potentially the best novice chaser in Nicholls’s stable.
He looked immaculate in the paddock and jockey Harry Cobden had made the 320-mile trip from Somerset to partner the four-year-old. That journey would have felt even longer after Kalif Du Berlais crashed out four fences from home. He was taken back to Nicholls’ yard to recuperate.
Balding’s brilliant 2024
Andrew Balding enjoyed an incredible year, saddling the most winners of any trainer – 157 and counting – and pocketing more than £5million in prize money.
He is not sure whether a crack at the trainers’ championship next summer will be realistic but his yard is going to be boosted by the addition of two promising juveniles, who are being re-homed after Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement.
Jonquil was the horse everyone was talking about for Juddmonte early in the summer after winning his maiden at Sandown; he disappointed at Doncaster on his next run but there is clearly an engine inside and he will move to Kingsclere where Balding will have high aspirations for the colt.
Andrew Balding (right) has enjoyed a superb year, saddling the most winners of any trainer
The same is also true for a filly called Formal, who is owned by Cheveley Park Stud. She hated ground conditions on her last start at Newmarket but she retains potential and the leading owners hope the decision to send her to Balding will be beneficial. She will reappear in a 1000 Guineas trial.
In total, there are 12 Cheveley Park horses to re-distributed from Stoute’s yard. Archivist, a son of Dubawi who has yet to win in four races, has been allocated to William Haggas.
Chelmsford chaos
The British Horseracing Authority are continuing with their enquiries to determine what happened at Chelmsford when only the quick thinking of jockeys and officials prevented a catastrophe.
In the concluding race on Saturday evening’s card, the starting stalls were unable to removed from the course. For a split-second, it seemed like a disaster would unfold as the field turned for home and they seemed certain to career into the metal obstruction.
Mercifully, track officials were able to wave ‘stop race’ flags in time and the jockeys involved, including Sean Levey, Billy Loughnane and Rab Havlin, were able to apply the brakes just in time. All participants, human and equine, were unscathed.
That outcome, though, does not change the severity of the issue and the BHA launched a review on Monday morning to understand how the incident came about. They remain in discussion with officials from the track, which stages an eight-race card tomorrow.
Only the swift thinking of jockeys and officials prevented a disaster at Chelmsford on Saturday
Harry’s Cheltenham winner returns in superb form
One of the abiding memories of last season’s Cheltenham Festival was the image of an overjoyed Harry Redknapp, barely able to comprehend how the horse he owned that carries his name had bounded away with one of the most competitive handicaps.
Trained by Ben Pauling, whose string are in excellent form, Shakem Up’arry was an 8-1 winner of the Plate having previously won another good prize at the course on New Year’s Day. His last outing was in the Topham Chase at the Randox Grand National meeting when he finished down the field.
Pauling gave him the summer to recuperate from his exertions and he has come back in outstanding form, so much so that an ambitious tilt at the Coral Gold Cup on November 30 is being considered. The 10-year-old has the option of a race at Warwick but don’t be surprised if he goes to Newbury.
Greatwood Hurdle’s intriguing contender
Cheltenham’s November meeting, which starts on Friday, is always a pointer to the Festival in March and you would be advised this weekend to watch the Greatwood Hurdle, which occasionally provides a form line to the Champion Hurdle.
In particular, Dysart Enos is a fascinating contender. Fergal O’Brien, the mare’s excellent trainer, has always held her in the highest regard and if there is a candidate to emerge from this contest for the big one then it will be her. Racing Confidential understands her homework has been exemplary.
Dysart Enos (above) is a fascinating contender for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham
No jockey has ridden the northern course better than strong and adaptable Paul Mulrennan
Mulrennan deserves more praise
Jumps racing now takes priority but that does not mean achievements on the flat will go unnoticed and the efforts of Paul Mulrennan must be highlighted. He reached 100 winners for the year earlier this week at Newcastle and it is a fine personal reward.
No jockey has ridden the northern course better than Mulrennan, who ticks every box you would want: he is strong, a brilliant judge of pace, he knows form inside out and can adapt immediately no matter what the circumstances are in front of him. He should be getting more opportunities.
Joorabchian submits new offer
This column launched two weeks ago with news that Sir Michael Stoute’s Freemason Lodge yard was the subject of a bidding war and that story has escalated with Kia Joorabchian breaking cover to reveal he has submitted an offer for the historic site.
Football agent Kia Joorabchian has broken cover to reveal he has submitted an offer for Sir Michael Stoute’s Freemason Lodge yard in an effort to push Amo Racing to a new level
Joorabchian’s ambition to push Amo Racing to a new level, following their spectacular recruitment drive at the sales this year, is ferocious and the process is ongoing.
Nothing has been accepted yet and other parties are interested, including Wathnan Racing.
