In my part of Somerset our version of the Cheltenham Festival is the Mendip Farmers’ Point to Point held at Ston Easton. Well, it’s not quite that standard but to the amateur observer like me it is just as much fun.
The first of six races starts at 12.30pm and these are followed by two pony races for younger riders aged between nine and 15.
These pony races are a relatively recent innovation at point to points which provide interest and excitement for families and are a firm favourite with the crowds, rounding off the day’s racing in an informal, yet competitive and thoroughly enjoyable manner.
However, what astounds me about all point to points - the Mendip Farmers’ event is no exception - is the huge amount of work put in to make this one-day event such a great success.
There is so much to be organised, ranging from the health and safety involving doctors, ambulances and paramedics to making sure the appropriate bar licences have been secured. And that is before the course has been built, marquees erected, hospitality sorted, stewards and car parking arranged, tickets printed, trade stands set up, etc.
The list of tasks seems endless and without the generous support of many local businesses and individuals who sponsor aspects of the event, and of course all the time given freely by the committee, it would simply not be affordable.
But the racing is what it is all about and over the years the Mendip community has had its successes both locally and nationally.
For instance during the 1970s, Max Churches produced top horses, such as Rich Rose and Panmure, both of which won hunterchases, while in 1988, Mendip girl Jenny Litson, daughter of successful point to point owner Bill Gooden, achieved her goal of becoming Champion Ladies Jockey.
In recent years, more success has been seen with horses such as Double Silk, Earthmover and Double Thriller. All three set course records at the Mendip Farmers’ Point to Point, reached the top of the hunterchasing field and progressed to the higher reaches of National Hunt racing.
So, why not come along on Sunday and join the fun? There will be good quality horse racing, bookies, the Tote, bars, trade stands and a great atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy and all at a very reasonable cost for a family day’s entertainment.
James Stephen MRICS FAAV
Partner
Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor, Wells
T: 01749 683381
E: james.stephen@carterjonas.co.uk
A property blog written and authored by our specialist blogging team, discussing all and any matter relating to the residential, rural and commercial property markets.
Showing posts with label horse racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horse racing. Show all posts
Monday, 16 March 2015
Monday, 1 December 2014
Catch me if you can
Last Friday I considered myself beyond privileged to meet the racing legend Frankel, my hero horse. It was a magical day made possible by the wonderful Jim Power who, not only was the Stud Groom for Banstead Manor Stud for many years but also, significantly, brought Frankel into the world. Frankel, the progeny of Galileo and Kind, was foaled at the stud on 11 Feburary 2008. In chocolate terms, my day with Jim Power and Frankel and, later, at the Newmarket Foal Sales was like winning the golden ticket for the Willy Wonka Factory. I was in horsey heaven.
I asked Jim when Frankel started to stand out amongst the crowd and he described him as "a lovely natured foal who owned the paddock”. He has described him as a “straightforward yet sensitive horse, with a slight air of arrogance about him - really top class racehorses often have that character.”
On Friday, Jim was quick to spot the high earners of the day as the fluffy foals were led around the paddock including top selling foal, son of Sea The Stars, purchased by Shadwell for 450,000 guineas.
Frankel raced 14 races and won all of them. Owned by Prince Khallid Abdullah, he is the first horse to be Champion at two, three and four-years old as well being crowned the Cartier Horse of the Year for two successive years in 2011 and 2012.
Frankel’s unquestionable supremacy translated into the exceptional prices achieved when his first two foals were sold: the first in June 2014 for £1.15m, whilst the second broke Irish records a week ago when it sold for 1.8m Euros (about £1.45million).
Yes, so much is down to the dam as well as the stallion, and Ireland’s success was much owing to the talent of the filly’s mother, Finsceal Beo (‘Living Legend’ in English) who won The 1,000 Guineas in 2007.
But what does this have to do with the residential sales market? Friday - my amazing day – was, surprisingly, a slow day for Frankel’s foals. The TV cameras were poised, the hype had been mounting, but out of his four foals due to be sold, the first was withdrawn following an over-excited jig in his stable and the following three did not meet their reserve prices, albeit one was subsequently sold to a privately increased bid.
I asked Jim Power what would happen to these adorable un-sold off-spring? How could they have not sold, despite their parentage and the amazing selling skills of three, non-stop-incentivising-supremely-knowledgeable auctioneers?
The talent was there, the genes were excellent, what more could one want? I truly felt for the owners and the auctioneers. It was no different to how I feel when I have launched an exceptional house to the market but I don’t find the buyer immediately, despite knowing the quality of what I am selling and promoting it with absolute gusto.
Jim’s answer was that the owners would probably wait until the Yearling Sales to re-present Frankel’s offspring to the market in order to achieve their deserved sum.
This is the property market too.
There are absolutely beautiful houses which have been brought to the market this autumn but have failed to sell. This isn’t down to their quality, however. Ask any estate agent (who really knows their salt) and the resolute answer to the question of “when is the best time to buy?” is: “NOW!”
We’re not saying this because we’re keen to get Christmas sales up, it’s because for a fourth year in a row we have not experienced the autumn market we were expecting.
We are in a new cycle. January and February are now key selling months.
January takes off at a gallop following the Christmas family ‘get-togethers’. Country Life, Rightmove & Zoopla report an annual peak of website hits in the latter part of Christmas Day. Decisions are made around the roast turkey and crackers and the newly-focused buyers want immediacy. They do not want to wait until the daffodils come out before a house is launched to the market.
This is why NOW is the right time to buy. Like Frankel’s unsold foals, look at what is out there now - don’t let the great and the brilliant pass you by - your ideal house may have already been withdrawn from the market only to be launched to the market in a few months time for a higher price. Call your agent now to discuss what is currently ‘hidden’ from the market. Vendors are more likely to consider genuine and unambitious offers this side of Christmas before the starting gates open in January. Unlike the retail market, you are likely to find your better purchase deal in the run up to Christmas - if you are waiting for the January sales you need not apply.
Finally, in estate agency, we often hear the expression “if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be” – this expression frustrates me more than any other. If you want something don’t let it lie in the hand of fate - go for it. If you want a house - don’t hang about. Don’t be reserved in showing your agent your keenness to buy. It is your enthusiasm that gives us confidence in you and your genuineness which we, in turn, convey to our vendors. Enthusiasm also puts you at the top of our contact list for our ‘discreet’ properties which we are lining up for early 2015.
So, whilst I’m throwing fate out of the equation with my previous paragraph, I have noted something interesting: Frankel was born on 11 February 2008; his first foal was born on 11 January 2014 and our racing hero was trained by the legendary trainer, Henry Cecil, who was born on 11 January 1943.
Noticed anything? Apparently number 11 is considered to represent the Master Teacher which is believed to be an inspirational guiding light - someone who is highly charged, very powerful and leads the world.
I asked Jim when Frankel started to stand out amongst the crowd and he described him as "a lovely natured foal who owned the paddock”. He has described him as a “straightforward yet sensitive horse, with a slight air of arrogance about him - really top class racehorses often have that character.”
On Friday, Jim was quick to spot the high earners of the day as the fluffy foals were led around the paddock including top selling foal, son of Sea The Stars, purchased by Shadwell for 450,000 guineas.
Frankel raced 14 races and won all of them. Owned by Prince Khallid Abdullah, he is the first horse to be Champion at two, three and four-years old as well being crowned the Cartier Horse of the Year for two successive years in 2011 and 2012.
Frankel’s unquestionable supremacy translated into the exceptional prices achieved when his first two foals were sold: the first in June 2014 for £1.15m, whilst the second broke Irish records a week ago when it sold for 1.8m Euros (about £1.45million).
Yes, so much is down to the dam as well as the stallion, and Ireland’s success was much owing to the talent of the filly’s mother, Finsceal Beo (‘Living Legend’ in English) who won The 1,000 Guineas in 2007.
But what does this have to do with the residential sales market? Friday - my amazing day – was, surprisingly, a slow day for Frankel’s foals. The TV cameras were poised, the hype had been mounting, but out of his four foals due to be sold, the first was withdrawn following an over-excited jig in his stable and the following three did not meet their reserve prices, albeit one was subsequently sold to a privately increased bid.
I asked Jim Power what would happen to these adorable un-sold off-spring? How could they have not sold, despite their parentage and the amazing selling skills of three, non-stop-incentivising-supremely-knowledgeable auctioneers?
The talent was there, the genes were excellent, what more could one want? I truly felt for the owners and the auctioneers. It was no different to how I feel when I have launched an exceptional house to the market but I don’t find the buyer immediately, despite knowing the quality of what I am selling and promoting it with absolute gusto.
Jim’s answer was that the owners would probably wait until the Yearling Sales to re-present Frankel’s offspring to the market in order to achieve their deserved sum.
This is the property market too.
There are absolutely beautiful houses which have been brought to the market this autumn but have failed to sell. This isn’t down to their quality, however. Ask any estate agent (who really knows their salt) and the resolute answer to the question of “when is the best time to buy?” is: “NOW!”
We’re not saying this because we’re keen to get Christmas sales up, it’s because for a fourth year in a row we have not experienced the autumn market we were expecting.
We are in a new cycle. January and February are now key selling months.
January takes off at a gallop following the Christmas family ‘get-togethers’. Country Life, Rightmove & Zoopla report an annual peak of website hits in the latter part of Christmas Day. Decisions are made around the roast turkey and crackers and the newly-focused buyers want immediacy. They do not want to wait until the daffodils come out before a house is launched to the market.
This is why NOW is the right time to buy. Like Frankel’s unsold foals, look at what is out there now - don’t let the great and the brilliant pass you by - your ideal house may have already been withdrawn from the market only to be launched to the market in a few months time for a higher price. Call your agent now to discuss what is currently ‘hidden’ from the market. Vendors are more likely to consider genuine and unambitious offers this side of Christmas before the starting gates open in January. Unlike the retail market, you are likely to find your better purchase deal in the run up to Christmas - if you are waiting for the January sales you need not apply.
Finally, in estate agency, we often hear the expression “if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be” – this expression frustrates me more than any other. If you want something don’t let it lie in the hand of fate - go for it. If you want a house - don’t hang about. Don’t be reserved in showing your agent your keenness to buy. It is your enthusiasm that gives us confidence in you and your genuineness which we, in turn, convey to our vendors. Enthusiasm also puts you at the top of our contact list for our ‘discreet’ properties which we are lining up for early 2015.
So, whilst I’m throwing fate out of the equation with my previous paragraph, I have noted something interesting: Frankel was born on 11 February 2008; his first foal was born on 11 January 2014 and our racing hero was trained by the legendary trainer, Henry Cecil, who was born on 11 January 1943.
Noticed anything? Apparently number 11 is considered to represent the Master Teacher which is believed to be an inspirational guiding light - someone who is highly charged, very powerful and leads the world.
Caroline Edwards
Partner
Residential Sales, Long Melford
T: 01787 888622
E: caroline.edwards@carterjonas.co.uk
Monday, 17 March 2014
What's next after the Cheltenham Gold Cup...
As the cheers from the “Gold Cup” crowds at the Cheltenham Festival start to fade, all eyes turn to the next great event in the horse racing calendar – no not the Grand National but Mendip Farmer’s Point to Point.
OK this is a slight exaggeration but this Sunday sees our local point to Point run at Ston Easton. Clearly it is not quite up to Cheltenham standard but it is an opportunity for you to experience horse racing on your doorstep with a friendly atmosphere where horse racing enthusiasts mix happily alongside those who have simply come for a fun family day out.
Anyone who hasn’t been before really should come along to experience the race course excitement. There is the pre-race anticipation as the horses are walked around the parade ring, then placing your bets at the bookies followed by the race itself and then drowning your sorrows or spending your winnings at the bar! For those who do not want to lose their money at the bookies they can always invest it more with more certainty at the trade stands while children can play on the various rides and other attractions. So there is entertainment laid on for the whole family.
However to enjoy the day to its full it is interesting to understand that the sport of steeplechasing has a long history spanning over centuries. The first Steeplechase ever was run between the villages of Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork in 1752 when Mr. Blake challenged his neighbour, Mr. O'Callaghan, to race across country between Buttevant and Doneraile churches or from “point-to-point”. In the four and a half mile race they jumped stone walls, ditches and hedges and by keeping the steeple of the church in sight, both riders could see their finishing point, hence the term steeplechasing.
In the following 100 years or so the sport caught on more widely and in the 1880s a formal racecourse was established on Mendip at Rudge. In 1931, the course was moved approximately a mile to Nedge, the well-known ridge of land laying to the south of Chewton Mendip. Races were held here until 1991 when they moved to near the Castle of Comfort and finally to Ston Easton in 1999, returning to almost where it all began, nearly 130 years ago.
Over the years the Mendip community has shown great success in producing top horses in the field of Point to Pointing, progressing onto hunterchasing and National Hunt racing. During the 1970’s, local farmer Max Churches produced top horses such as Rich Rose and Panmure, both of whom won hunterchases. In more recent years, we have seen horses such as Double Silk, Earthmover and Double Thriller, all of whom reached the top of the hunterchasing field, progressing into the higher reaches of National Hunt racing.
So why not come along to enjoy the excitement of the races in a friendly and informal atmosphere which is steeped in rural tradition.
OK this is a slight exaggeration but this Sunday sees our local point to Point run at Ston Easton. Clearly it is not quite up to Cheltenham standard but it is an opportunity for you to experience horse racing on your doorstep with a friendly atmosphere where horse racing enthusiasts mix happily alongside those who have simply come for a fun family day out.
Anyone who hasn’t been before really should come along to experience the race course excitement. There is the pre-race anticipation as the horses are walked around the parade ring, then placing your bets at the bookies followed by the race itself and then drowning your sorrows or spending your winnings at the bar! For those who do not want to lose their money at the bookies they can always invest it more with more certainty at the trade stands while children can play on the various rides and other attractions. So there is entertainment laid on for the whole family.
However to enjoy the day to its full it is interesting to understand that the sport of steeplechasing has a long history spanning over centuries. The first Steeplechase ever was run between the villages of Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork in 1752 when Mr. Blake challenged his neighbour, Mr. O'Callaghan, to race across country between Buttevant and Doneraile churches or from “point-to-point”. In the four and a half mile race they jumped stone walls, ditches and hedges and by keeping the steeple of the church in sight, both riders could see their finishing point, hence the term steeplechasing.
In the following 100 years or so the sport caught on more widely and in the 1880s a formal racecourse was established on Mendip at Rudge. In 1931, the course was moved approximately a mile to Nedge, the well-known ridge of land laying to the south of Chewton Mendip. Races were held here until 1991 when they moved to near the Castle of Comfort and finally to Ston Easton in 1999, returning to almost where it all began, nearly 130 years ago.
Over the years the Mendip community has shown great success in producing top horses in the field of Point to Pointing, progressing onto hunterchasing and National Hunt racing. During the 1970’s, local farmer Max Churches produced top horses such as Rich Rose and Panmure, both of whom won hunterchases. In more recent years, we have seen horses such as Double Silk, Earthmover and Double Thriller, all of whom reached the top of the hunterchasing field, progressing into the higher reaches of National Hunt racing.
So why not come along to enjoy the excitement of the races in a friendly and informal atmosphere which is steeped in rural tradition.
James Stephen MRICS FAAV
Partner
Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor, Wells
T: 01749 683381
E: james.stephen@carterjonas.co.uk
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