Rosanna Walter Symons
Following a relatively short winter break after winning a silver medal at the November 2013 World Pony Championships, preparations for the 2014 season are already well underway at Holbeton. Since the turn of the year Rosanna has had two new arrivals on the yard. Most notable is Donnerstern (Dodi), owned by Tracey Fletcher, who will be Rosanna’s top competition pony as she looks to qualify for the 2015 World Championships in Breda, Netherlands.
“I started feeding Dodi SUCCEED paste as soon as he joined us, and I have noticed a significant improvement in Dodi’s condition in this time.”
Dabernon Tiger Woods (Bailey), the pony that Rosanna took to the World Championships last year, is feeling rather well after his winter timeout and has started this year’s campaign in great stead. Rosanna is planning to keep competing Bailey this year and beyond, though perhaps not to the same level and intensity that he was at last season as Dodi now takes focus.
There are four selection events for the Breda World Championships. Only one falls in 2014 – the national event at Catton Hall, Derbyshire, in July. The other big event on the calendar this season will be the CAI2* at Sandringham, Norfolk, in June.
Dessie T Hughes
2014 began with a fantastic day for the Irish Trainer at Fairyhouse Race Course, Ratoath, Co. Meath in Ireland on the 1st of January. Lieutenant Colonel, the five-year-old Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding, won the New Year Maiden Hurdle by 14 lengths; while Off the Charts, another Gigginstown owned-horse won by one and a half lengths in the Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Hurdle.
In early February, Giantofaman provided another exciting win for Osborne Lodge, with a fantastic performance at Thurles. So far this season the Kildare-based trainer has had a remarkable 33 winners over hurdles, three wins over National Hunt and 17 chase winners; with eight placed National hunt, 58 placed over hurdles, and 28 chase placed.
Cheltenham Festival brought a few highs and lows. A most profound loss, Our Connor had to be put to down due to injuries incurred from an horrific fall during the Stan James Champion Hurdle. All of us at Freedom Health LLC would like to offer our sympathies to both trainer and owner for the loss of such a brave animal in the earliest stages of what looked to be such a promising career.
On a happier note, Guitar Pete and Apache Jack both ran extremely well at Cheltenham and came third on the final day in the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle and the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novice’s Hurdle respectively. Cheltenham was then followed by a terrific win by Thunder and Roses at Navan in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle.
Aintree saw the Osborne Lodge team triumph on the first day, with Guitar Pete winning his second Grade 1 hurdle as a four year old; being 1-¾ lengths clear of the runner-up. In the Grand National, Raz De Maree came home eighth out of 40 runners, where only 18 horses finished the notorious race.
Back on Irish soil, there were three more winners. Swift Marc won his handicap chase at Clonmel Racecourse, followed by Some Tikket and Lieutenant Colonel in the Grade B novice handicap chase and the Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires novice Hurdle respectively.
This is an exciting time for Osborne Lodge with Punchestown Festival just around the bend.
