A relatively quiet time runners wise as we are just gearing up with the jumpers, some of which will be ready to run in about 10 days time. We have had a couple of nice winners in Alakhan and even Stevie Gee consented to put his head in front. But the highlight was Stevie Thunder's gallant 2nd in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on Saturday. Drawn on the wrong side of the track he still managed a career best effort to finish 2nd in one of the biggest handicaps of the year. We can now look forward to the other big Autumn handicap, The Cesarewitch (8th October), where we hope for a bold showing from Gifted Leader.

Ian Williams Racing Open Day

Last weekend saw Dominion Stables open its doors to welcome faces old and new to our Open Day on Sunday 4th.

After the threat of rain the weather was kind and those invited all enjoyed meeting the horses and staff and taking a behind the scenes look from a farrier demonstration to the horses working on the gallops. After lunch, with the sun shining, Ian and Kevin talked the guests through the parade of horses.

There was also something for the kids (and big kids, Ian!) with the bucking brono ride! (Photo to follow!)

Ile De Re

A great day at Ascot where Ile De Re, having his first run for us, won the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap. Ridden by Yutaka Take he travelled well through the race and won by a comfortable length. We would love to have a crack at the Ebor with him for which he incurred a 4lb penalty, but he's not sure to get in. In any case he is a lovely horse who will contest some big staying handicaps before going jumping, where we fully expect him to take a high rank in the novice hurdling division.



"Dressed to Kill!" Kevin Frost at Ascot

Stevie Thunder

The highlight of the week was Stevie Thunder finally coming good when winning the Grants Whiskey Handicap on 29th July, by four and a half lengths. He was quite impressive in the way he destroyed the field. However the Handicapper took a dim view and raised him a whopping 10lbs. It's been very hardwork getting him to accept the stalls again after he decided he wasn't going to enter them again. A spell hurdling and a visit to "Yarmys" in Newmarket seems to have done the trick as he returned to his very best form, but he'll find life tough enough now racing off a mark of 88.

A quiet few weeks runners wise. The highlight being Carter winning the Claydon Horse Exercisers Novices' Hurdle at Stratford. He has been a tremendous servant since he arrived. Running ten times he has won four on the flat, two over hurdles, placed 2nd twice and 3rd once. His rating on the flat has gone from 49 to 82 and now rated 120 over hurdles. His owners, Stratford Bards Racing Club, always wanted a winner at their local track. Now they have had two.

Epernay was very unlucky just getting beat in two close finishes at Sandown and Newmarket. She is still a big baby and will continue to improve. She will now have a short break.

In the yard it has been getting busy with most of the jumpers coming back into training, so there's been a lot of shouting (from the horses!) whilst they are settling back in to their routine.

Although it's been a quiet couple of weeks with runners, it's been very busy here at the yard with all the boxes and yard steam cleaned, painted and running repairs done. The place now looks great and is ready for the influx of horses as all the jumpers who have been on holiday are all coming back in to get ready for the coming season.

The Boss has also had a very busy time at the sales where he purchased some really nice additions for the coming season.

TADABEER
Really nice 3 year old by Green Desert out of Perfect Plum. He's only had one run when he finished 4th in a decent looking Newmarket Maiden. He should win on the flat before hopefully making a cracking 3 yr old hurdler. He might have a trip to Galway if we find an owner for him in time.

UNEX PICASSO
Another good looking 3 year old by Galileo out of Ruff Shod. Placed in a couple of Maidens. He'll now be schooled ready for a hurdling campaign. Looking for an owner.

DARING INDIAN
Nice compact 3 year old by Zaminda out of Anasazi (by Sadlers Wells). He's half brother to Runaway, a Group 1 performer, who has won £218,567.79 in prize money. Kilo Alpha, a listed performer who ran in group rated earned £59,756.27 in prize money and Zonergem who has earned £75,619.25. This fellow has only run twice in a couple of maidens and was recommended to Ian via a contact in France. He too is looking for an owner.

FINE MOMENT
A big strapping 3 year old filly by Pivotal out of Elusive Quality. She is half sister to Veiled. She is out in the field for a short break then will come back into training middle of August. (Sold)

Epernay regained the winning thread in the Bet Totepool on All Irish Racing Fillies Handicap (Windsor Sat 25th June). Equipped with a set of blinkers for the first time she galloped on strongly to make it two wins and one second from three outings this year. She now looks ready for a slight step up in trip and hopefully she'll continue to improve.

Old favourite Keenans Future ran a terrific race in the Summer National, coming from a fair way back he stayed on strongly to finish an honorable fourth. Next year he'll have the Hunter Chasers at Cheltenham and Liverpool as his targets.

Princess Lexi & Jess Leeson - Pontefract 19th June
(photo courtesy of Mr Shaun Costello)

Sunday produced a really game performance from Princess Lexi as she galloped on strongly to win the Toteexacta Fillies Handicap. She has now won three races this season. She will now bid to make it four on Friday night at Chester.

Last week we also picked up two new exciting recruits in Jacqueline Quest, very kindly sent to us by Mr Noel Martin who also has Sam Sharp and Baddam with us. Jacqueline Quest was unlucky enough to be disqualified after winning last year's 1000 Guineas. Disappointing in her two starts this year and refusing to leave the stalls at Ascot in her last race. We will need to work a bit of magic with her but it is a very exciting challenge and she seems a lovely filly.

Also Ile De Re, very kindly sent to us by Mr Micheal Watt, after finishing sixth in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is a lovely type of horse who will be aimed at some nice middle distance handicaps, after which he could make up into a very nice hurdling recruit.

Friday 10th June
A great sight to see the old favourite Keenans Future come home in front in the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap Chase. Keenans has been a real stalwart for the yard. He has had his share of injuries so it was a delight to all to see him winning again. Cotillion finished 2nd in the Novice Hurdle on the same night.


Saturday 11th June
After running a shade disappointing at York the previous day, Gifted Leader came good in the Bet Totepool On All UK Racing Handicap. The good to soft ground seemed to suit him and he rattled up the hill to win by 2 lengths. He has now earned himself a short holiday. We will then train him with the Cesarewitch in mind.


Thursday 16th June
Lunar Promise did the business for us again in the Match Your Paddlock and Key Handicap at Beverley. Turning out again fairly quickly after his impressive comeback win he has now earnt himself an easy week or two.

Lunar Sparkle At Kempton

Lunar Promise returned from an absence of 893 days to bolt up under apprentice Ryan Clark at Kempton on Wednesday evening. A really good result for Richard Edwards, who on occasion has wondered if his horse was still alive let alone likely to make a comeback.

The Handicapper had given him a decent chance and is likely to put him up a good bit, so don't be suprised to see him take up one of his numerous entries under a penalty.