Steve Taplin Racing

Archive for the ‘Partnership Horses For 2014’ Category

2014 will go down as a great year for our Partnership.  Both of our horses won and in Kickboxer we had a horse rated 101 that was placed in a listed event at Ascot on top of winning three races in his own right.  He’s a tenacious little street fighter that never gives up and, having been sold at Tattersalls for 120,000 Guineas, we wish his new owners Good Luck and look forward to seeing him racing in Dubai this winter.

Chilworth Bells may not have been in the same league as Kickboxer, but he still won for us at Thirsk and we got a lot of pleasure out of seeing him get his nose in front.  He’s a genuine horse that can win more races for his new connections.

Kickboxer’s wins at Haydock Park, Ripon and Leicester, along with his placings at York, Ascot and Chester, were the highlights of a profitable year for us.  So it’s a big “Well Done and Thank You” to our trainer Mick Channon and our winning jockeys – Willy Twiston-Davies, Charlie Bishop, Luke Morris and Graham Gibbons.

The first race at Ascot on Saturday was a Listed event over five furlongs and it looked like being a very big ask for Kickboxer.  The Bookies had him as a 10-1 shot, but he shrugged that off with a very commendable display to finish second.

Jockey Sam Hitchcott and Kickboxer after finishing second in the Listed Rous Stakes at Ascot.

Chilworth Bells, under a forceful ride from Graham Gibbons, won for us at Thirsk on the 17th September to give us our fourth win of the season.  He led for most of the way and held on despite the close attentions of three opponents.  Both of our 2014 runners have now won.

Kickboxer’s victory in the class 2, 5f race at Haydock Park on the 6th September against older horses was another eye  opener in what is turning out to be a banner year for us.  Both Channel 4 and Racing UK televised the event and Yours Truly tried his best to sound knowledgeable (a difficult task) for my interview with Nick Luck.

Kickboxer won by two lengths and trainer Mick Channon was full of praise for the horse.

“What a star he’s become. He’s so tough, so game and so honest that you can’t say enough about him. I put him into the syndicate at the start of the year because he’s the type of horse that would be running plenty and would give them a lot of fun.  Now he’s turned in to a genuine Saturday horse and I couldn’t be happier although I wouldn’t have predicted he’d improve as much as he has. He’s run away from the likes of Borderlescott and Inxile off a mark of 93 and there’s no doubting his ability now. More than anything it’s his courage that makes things happen for him. He goes in any ground and always tries his best and although he’s not the biggest, he’s got a massive heart. I couldn’t speak any higher of him. We had him out in the paddock yesterday and he was so lively we had to bring him in before he did some harm to himself! He’s a super little lad and a pleasure to train.”

Chilworth Bells ran a close second in his race at Catterick on Friday the 15th August.  Ridden by Joe Fanning, he showed enough to suggest he’ll win a race for us this season, perhaps once he steps up to a mile.  Kickboxer ran in a valuable class 2 handicap at Newmarket and equipped himself well, finishing 6th of the 12 runners.

CHILWORTH BELLS (JOE FANNING UP)

Kickboxer is having a well earned rest for a few weeks but we have a new recruit to keep us busy throughout August and beyond.  The 2-y-o gelding Chilworth Bells will be contesting 2-y-o handicaps and maidens over 7 furlongs and a mile.  He’s a chestnut by Sixties Icon out of Five Bells and will probably appreciate the step up in trip to a mile.

Kickboxer followed up his gallant third in a big handicap at York with a win at Ripon on the 18th June.  The racing journalists and TV presenters were quick to lavish praise on him as he sauntered home over 2 lengths clear of the field.  He’s in great form and likely to be racing in the top sprint handicaps from now on.  So now we can dream of even bigger things for our “Braveheart”!

Talk about a tough nut!  Kickboxer lives up to his name every time he runs.  He’s an absolute joy to own and we can look forward to some more great days out with him this year.

Here are some of the partners enjoying the winning celebrations after Kickboxer won at Leicester on Bank Holiday Monday. What a cracking little horse he is. Well done to Mick Channon, Willy Twiston-Davies and all the staff at West Ilsley.

Kickboxer was third of the 19 runners in a tough, York handicap yesterday.  He’s not very big – but he’s all heart.  He tries his very best every time and once again we were all very happy with his run.

Kickboxer was second at Chester’s May meeting, beaten only three quarters of a length, with the third horse 6 lengths back.  What a braveheart he is.  We’re looking forward to his next race at York now.