blog ninety two
Good Day Everyone,
“I train like I’ve never won, and I compete like I’ve never lost.”
That’s the standard. That’s the mindset. That’s the DCR way.
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A Winter to Remember – Dubai Delivers
It has been an excellent winter campaign for us in Dubai. All four horses we sent out not only paid their way but performed with real credit, and we were fortunate enough to add a few winners to the tally.
Beyond the results, Dubai continues to prove itself as a tremendous opportunity for our owners. The combination of top-class racing, outstanding facilities and warm winter sunshine makes it an attractive base during the colder months in the UK. We’ve been delighted to host many of our owners out there, and it’s something I’d strongly encourage others to experience. It certainly helps shorten the long winter.
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UK String – Rested and Ready
At home in the UK, we made a deliberate decision to rest around 90% of the string. A handful continued on the All-Weather, but the majority either enjoyed a proper break away or remained in light work, ticking over steadily through the winter.
They’ve come back looking fresh, strong and in fantastic condition, which is exactly what we aimed for. With spring just around the corner, there’s a real sense of excitement building.
The horses that remained in work have done extremely well:
• Baker Blue bolted up recently off a mark of 87 and is now rated 96. Having joined us off 83, he has already improved 13lbs and looks a horse with bigger targets ahead this summer. We’re very excited about what he might achieve.
• Riley Rocks, our first runner of the year, set the tone perfectly with a smart New Year’s Day victory. He’s a horse worth keeping an eye on, and we’ve kept him in light work while waiting for the return of turf racing.
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Over the Jumps
Our winter jumpers have flown the flag admirably.
Mahons Glory has been tremendously consistent, finishing second twice and, more notably, running a superb fourth in the Grand Sefton Chase and fifth in the Beecher Chase at Aintree Racecourse. He has a prep run planned in the coming days before heading to the Topham Chase.
Here Comes Georgie has also run with credit, finishing second and then producing a solid third last week.
We have a number of young jumpers learning their trade as well, and I’m confident we’ll have plenty of fun with them as we move into the spring.
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The Team Behind the Scenes
Operating successfully in both Dubai and the UK for nearly five months of the year requires a huge team effort. I feel incredibly fortunate to have built such a strong and dedicated team, both on the ground and in the office, across England and Dubai.
There is an enormous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Everyone has been outstanding this winter and we haven’t missed a beat. Considering we only started in the UK four years ago, it’s exciting to see how far we’ve come and the quality of people now working alongside us. The momentum is very much with us.
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Looking Ahead to Spring
We have a busy spring mapped out and the horses are looking magnificent at this stage. Like many, we’re looking forward to the conclusion of the Cheltenham Festival so we can fully turn our attention to turf racing on the Flat.
This weekend, Tailgunner Joe lines up in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas in Dubai. He caught the eye in the trial and won a strong handicap there last month. He still has a little to find on the figures, but he is improving steadily and thriving in his environment. I’m hopeful of a solid each-way performance.
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A Personal Reflection
In the past 24 hours, I’ve encountered two separate suicides — one directly in front of me on the motorway and another within the family of a staff member.
It’s a sobering reminder that we never truly know what someone else is going through. If you are feeling overwhelmed, alone or struggling with dark thoughts, please speak to someone. Reach out without fear of judgement. There is support available, and there is always hope — even when it doesn’t feel that way.
Our thoughts are with everyone battling privately and with the families who have lost loved ones.
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Supporting a Worthy Cause
Next week I’ll be travelling to Portrush to support Bob Champion’s outstanding charity, the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, at a Cheltenham Preview evening at Starion Bar (Wednesday 4 March).
It promises to be an enjoyable evening with a strong panel, plenty of insight and, importantly, funds raised for a fantastic cause. If you can attend, we would love to see you there.
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Growth, Investment & Opportunity
We’ve recently added another new lorry to the fleet, taking us to three in total. It’s another sign of the ambition and forward momentum within the yard. We are constantly striving to improve and to provide the best possible care and opportunity for our horses.
Sales season has been busy, and we continue to have exciting shares and opportunities available. I’ve already seen some very promising work from the youngsters at home. There is no better time to become involved with an ambitious and progressive Newmarket yard.
We are also actively seeking to partner with a forward-thinking, innovative company to sponsor the yard moving forward. With the right brand alignment, there is significant opportunity to grow together both in the UK and Dubai. If this could be of interest, please get in touch with the team.
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I’ll leave you with this:
“Knowing how to maintain inner peace is a luxury.”
Here’s to a successful spring ahead.
I look forward to winning with you soon