We close 2024 with 48 winners, and whilst it’s not our best year in numbers, it has been one of our most, if not the most, memorable to date. Here are some of our highlights:
The year got off to a fantastic start, with our first runner Backbyjet winning on New Year’s Day at Catterick. This was his first of his 4 wins of the year, with the other 3 wins at Hexham.
Anglers Crag who joined us in December 2023, knotched up his fourth concescutive win on 24th February, by taking out the prestigious ‘Betting.Bet Eider Handicap Steeple Chase’ at Newcastle.
In March, Butterfly Jasmine was our first 2 year old runner of the year and she made it a successful debut, in the colours of Brian Ellison Racing Club by winning a Newcastle maiden. A month later, Jayvee obliged, making it 2 from 2 for our juveniles.
In May, Terrorise got his first ever win, whilst The Dancing Poet, at the age of eight, got his first for the year.
June was simply fantastic! Perfect Part delighted us all, especially her owner Mr Keith Brown, when she won the valuable ‘Hilary Needler Trophy’ at his local track Beverley, at the massive odds of 125/1.
Tolstoy gave our 16 year old apprentice jockey, Shay Farmer his first winner, when winning at York. This was only Shay’s second ever race. The following day, Tolstoy was back in the same winners enclosure, but this time Ben Robinson was his jockey.
We had a cross card double with The Dancing Poet at Catterick and Freddy Robinson, at Beverley. This was Freddy’s first win on the flat, and it was very fitting that he was ridden by Ben Robinson, who’s son, he was named after.
Brian, was born in Newcastle in 1952 on what is known in the North East as ‘Plate Day.’ The Northumberland Plate, otherwise referred to as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby‘, is a race that Brian has coveted throughout his career. Finally, after over 20 years of trying, on the 29th June, Onesmoothoperator, under local jockey, Connor Beasley, fulfilled his lifetime ambition, when the pair won the great race in very impressive style. It was an emotional victory for us, and for Smoothie’s owner Patrick Boyle and his family, who are also fellow Geordies. The public response we got for winning was very overwhelming, and we were humbled by the lovely messages we recieved. It was one of the best and most memorable days ever!
Success continued through July, with Tolstoy gaining his hat trick win at York. Veterans, Dinons and The King of May also provided us with wins.
Our strike rate at the end of August was, at one point, the best in the Country, with 5 winners in a row, including Solar Biricz and Solar Bentley, who joined us earlier in the year.
In September, The Dancing Poet won his third race of the year, two of which were ridden by amateur jockey, Matt Brown who is a member of our valued team here at Spring Cottage Stables. Shortly after this victory, Matt was given the responsibity of accompanying Onesmoothoperator on a journey ‘Down Under’, to Australia, where Smoothie headed for his 2024 Melbourne Cup campaign.
Brian and I left our daughter Jessica, and the team to hold the fort, whilst we went to prepare Smoothie for a shot at the great race.
Captain Potter and Backbyjet were on the October winners board for the team at home, but the real pressure was in Australia, where upon his arrival in the country, Onesmoothoperator was well down the list in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup.
On 23rd October, Smoothie and jockey Craig Williams, blew us all away with an impressive win of the Group 3, Geelong Cup, a win, which secured his place in ‘The Race That Stops A Nation.‘ The global response to this victory was phenominal, and as with the win of the Plate, is something we will never forget.
Things didn’t go according to plan on the first Tuesday of November. Smoothie started the big race as one of the favourites but unfortunately, he didn’t get the best run. Despite this, he still succeeded in collecting substantial prize money for his 12th place. Overall, it was still a very successful trip, and an amazing experience just to be part of.
We would like to thank everyone who was part of this journey, and those who supported us along the way, especially Patrick, his wife, Andrea, as it could not have happened without them.
We finished the year with the 11th winner for Brian Ellison Racing Club, their 64th in total. Salsada’s win at Sedgefield on Boxing Day was a landmark for Brian, matching the late Denys Smith’s tally of 146.
We are now looking forward to 2025. Onesmoothoperator is making another trip, early in January, this time to Dubai, where he will stay for approximately 3 months. We also have several lovely looking 2 year olds to look forward too, along with some nice older horses.
We would once again like to thank our amazing team for their hard work and dedication, and our wonderful owners for their continued support.
Finally, may we wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.
Claire & Brian
