Sergeant Troy (IRE), stable name "Troy", born on 17/2/2008 is by Aussie Rules (USA) out of Et Dona Ferentes (Green Desert).  He is a 16.1hh handsome dark grey gelding who was in training with R. Charlton, then George Baker and achieved one win (over 8 furlongs) from 14 starts on the flat. Troy then went briefly to flat trainer Jim Boyle at Epsom in May 2011 before arriving at our yard the following month.

Troy seems an inquisitive, friendly horse who is `easy to do', though a little accident prone! He has now recovered from his latest escapade at the end of 2012 (his head failed to dodge a hoof quickly enough in the field) and we're pleased to report that except for an impressive bump on the nose he has managed to retain his good looks.   He was rested for a few months to fill out before being retrained and brought into work, but a few of our most experienced customers now have the opportunity to ride him.

Champagne Mary (known as Mary May), a 16.1 hh bay thoroughbred mare, is by "Erhaab" out of "Nearly a Bay".  She was foaled on 24/4/2007 and joined us in August 2012. 

"Mary May" had a fairly short racing career - she was trained by RH York and raced only once and that was a 14 furlong bumper race at Fontwell in October 2010 where she was unplaced. She was subsequently retired following a tendon injury but following a few months R&R is ready to enjoy her new career with us.

"Mary May" is a well put together mare who settled in quickly and took a shine in the field to our other new boy "Troy". She was rested for several months but in Summer 2013 was retrained and is slowly being brought into work.  She is now available to our most experienced customers.  "Mary May" is still young but seems brave and forward going and we hope she will become a firm favourite. 

Go Johnny Go (IRE) (Stable name " Moonax"), by Moonax (IRE) out of The Helmet (IRE), is a another recent addition.  Moonax was born in March 2002 and owned and trained by  Colin Tizzard. Moonax raced at Wincanton, Taunton,  Exeter, Ascot, Newbury, and Haydock Park with jockeys Joe Tizzard, and Tom Scudamore amongst others, and got placed third on 3 occasions out of his 20 starts over jumps with total earnings of £2,200.

Moonax spent a couple of years in private hands before coming to us in April 2012. A handsome bright bay with a distinctive blaze, Moonax at 16h 2, is an inquisitive, friendly character, with great presence who is settling in well and is a dream to ride with lovely paces.  He is already proving a favourite of Ian’s, having excelled himself opening gates on our recent South Downs trips, and  local Surrey day rides, though he has yet to learn patience and that he is not in a walking race!

Stevedore (stable name "Jaffa"), a chestnut gelding, is by Docksider (USA) out of La Belle Katherine (USA) and was born on the 6 April 2001.  Trained by Jim Boyle at Epsom, Jaffa came to the yard direct from racing (ie. from the same stable as Fidi, Dotty and Kanga).

Jaffa raced on the flat 36 times in all, including 14 times on the all weather, and had 7 wins, 7 seconds and 1 third with total winnings of  £32,000. 

Jaffa was actually called Steve when he came but, due to the original Steve not wanting a double and his colouring being, well orange, he then became Jaffa. 

Jaffa is usually a reliable, gentle and well behaved ride for numerous people. He even came out hunting before Christmas and couldn’t really understand what all the fuss was about, it was all in a days work for him.

Crimsonwing (known as "Crimson") was born on the 29 March 2005. She raced 4 times on the flat, 5 on the all weather and 2 over hurdles. She got one third place.

Crimson arrived at the yard in January 2012.  As might be expected from her racing pedigree she is likely to become one of our string of horses able to provide customers with showjumping and X-country experience, but at the moment she is still a little young and  `fizzy' when she sees a jump.

Crimson at 15.3h is  very elegant and a great character who enjoys leading a ride, though she hasnt quite learnt the knack of standing still for more than a second at a time!  She has nice smooth paces, and whilst she is still only being ridden by our more experienced riders favourable reports suggest she will become a firm favorite along with the rest of the boys and the other lady on the yard.

Eden Star (known as "Eden"), by Soviet Star (USA) out of Gold Prospector (IRE) (Spectrum (IRE), was born on the 25 March 2002.  She was trained by D. Ivory and was a sprinter, racing 11 times on the flat and 10 on the all weather in 2004/5 when she managed a 1^st place, and 3 thirds all at either 5 or 6 furlongs.

Eden, a diminuitive 15.1h, has spent a few years out of racing, and arrived at the yard in Winter 2011.  She is a pretty, characterful mare with pony-like paces, who loves affection, and is enjoying being ridden by our more experienced riders.  She has already demonstrated  considerable talent over jumps, and despite her newness behaved beautifully when taken on one of our recent mid-week breaks to the South Downs.   

However, whilst Eden is obviously a lady we have to acknowledge that she will flirt quite outrageously with her stable neighbour Fidi when she’s in season!

Mr Wiseguy (stable name `Wiseguy’) is by Groom Dancer (USA) out of Tassagh Bridge(IRE). A 16.0hh bay thoroughbred, Wiseguy was born on 24/04/2003 and trained by G.C. Braverty and later by Even Williams.  Wiseguy raced on the flat 6 times, 4 on the all weather and did 9 races over hurdles.  He had one win and 3 thirds with total winnings of £4,961.

Wiseguy was well schooled before he arrived at the yard in 2010 and has demonstrated a flair both in flat lessons and in show jumping. 

As he hadn’t done a lot of hacking out with his previous owners hacking can still sometimes be a little bit exciting for him, and as for his experience hunting – who needs racing!  

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Guard of Honour (stable name `Sammy’) is a gelding by Broadsword (USA) out of Celestrial Bride.  A 17.2hh Dark Bay thoroughbred gelding he was born on 18/02/1992 and trained by Josh Gifford.  A big horse who didnt like tight tracks, Sammy raced twice in national hunt flat races, 7 times over hurdles and 14 over chase fences, mainly at 21/2 to 3 miles. He had 1 win and 2 seconds with total winnings  of £4,934.

Sammy is another gentle giant.  Over the years Sammy has been a popular choice for complete beginners to experienced riders, being very adaptable and easy going whether at the front, back or middle of a ride,  He has also done some cross country and is a very genuine horse. 

Kingswood Manor (stablemame `King’) is by Exodal (USA) out of Angelic Appeal,  A 16.2hh dark bay thoroughbred gelding he was born 24/04/1992. Initially trained by Richard O'Sullivan, King ran 3 races on the flat, 9 over hurdles, and 10 over chase fences.  He won twice, came second 2 times and third 4 times, with total winnings of £10,066.

King is an absolutely gorgeous horse to ride - he floats along and can jump and work nicely on the flat, out hacking or cross country.  Over the years he has been a fantastic ride for the not so experienced to the very experienced.  Due to a bit of wear and tear over the years he is used more lightly now to avoid him over doing it.

Bally's Heart (stable name `Hearty’) is by Ballacashtal (Can) out of Wilhemina Crusty.  A 16.1hh Bay Thoroughbred gelding he was born 09/05/1996 and raced over hurdles 5 times, but with no winnings.

Before coming to us Hearty had also done some dressage so he came as a well schooled boy. He then met Kanga and became a bit infatuated with him but due to his pleasant and generally easy going character he is now keeping the peace next to Earl.

Hearty is another very popular horse but due to being superstar lead horse for both Peter and Laurel it’s a very lucky client who gets him nowadays. Hearty is very well travelled having been on away days, beach rides and holidays and takes it all in his stride.

HopefulEarl (stable name `Earl’ is by Mister Lord out of Bay Star.  A 17.3hh Chestnut Thoroughbred gelding he was born 09/04/1991, and has run 12 times, and been placed on 4 occasions.

“Hopeful Earl” and company flagship, he is the biggest horse in the yard, and principally ridden by Ian.  Despite his advancing years (he celebrated his 21st birthday in April 2012) he remains magnificent, with beautiful paces.

When Gunner and he were next to each other they used to throw their buckets from one stable to the next and then when they were fed up the pair of them would throw them out onto the yard – Earl still throws his out when he’s had enough of it!

 Olimp (stable name `Oli) is Polish bred by Saphir (Ger) out of Olglerda (Pol).  A 16.3hh Liver Chestnut Thoroughbred gelding he was born on 15/021996 and raced 37 times on the flat, 1 on the all weather, and over hurdles 4 times when he had 8 wins, 10 seconds and 6 thirds. 

Oli has the most enormous stride which tends to have a love/hate following.  Oli is a funny character that can take some getting to know.  If he knows you and trusts you he is a real sweetie, but if he thinks you're worried about him then it worries him and he gets a bit insecure.  Oli has also discovered the secret to Po’s success and if his stable door is not tied up properly he likes to present himself in the yard at unexpected times. 

Stormy Fable (stable name `Fable’ is by Lafontaine (USA) out of Galeshula.  A Bay Thoroughbred  gelding born 25/06/1993 Fable obviously saved his talents for escorting people out in the Surrey countryside – he had 1 national hunt flat race, 4 over hurdles and 2 over chase fences with 1 point to point race, and no winnings. 

What Fable lacked in race ability he has more than made up for in popularity, consistency and hard work over the years.  He had the misfortune during one shooting season of having a dead pheasant from a high altitude hitting him on the head, but took it all in his stride.  You’d never guess Fable is nearly 20 now; he still looks amazing, with the power and speed of a horse years younger, and is lovely to ride in the sand school too - an all round superstar.

Dance on the Top (stable name `Dotty’) is by Caerleon (USA) out of Fern.  A 15.2hh Chestnut Thoroughbred gelding he was born 15/03/1998 and was trained by Jim Boyle at Epsom.

Dotty was a talented sprinter, racing 33 times on the flat and 10 times on the all weather, mainly between 8-10 furlongs.  He  won 6 races and was placed second 3 times and third 4 times, with winnings of £56,454.  He was ridden by former champion flat jockey Jamie Spencer amongst others. 

Dotty has many fans in the yard as he is such a fun bubbly pony type. Look out when he tries to eat, his little neck is too short so he has to stagger his front legs much like a giraffe!

Herodotus (stable name `H’) is by Zafonic (USA) out of Thalestria (Fr).  A 17.1hh bay thoroughbred gelding, `H' was born 7/3/1998 and was trained firsly by Clive Brittain and later by K. Cunningham-Brown.  He raced on the flat 31 times including 13 on the all weather and 3 over hurdles. He raced between 1 - 1 1/2 miles had 3 wins and 1 third, with total winnings of £35,806, but his racing talent proved somewhat erratic.

`H' can be a tricky character on the ground, he doesn’t mean to be but he sometimes gets a bit defensive about his space, his head, his legs, his tummy….....`H' is a lovely horse to ride being both well schooled and comfortable.  If you get past the sometimes very unappealing faces he really can be quite a softy.

Perfidious (stable name `Fidi’), by Lear Fan (USA) out of  Perfolia (USA) is a 15.2hh Bay Thoroughbred gelding.  Fidi was born 05/03/1998 and raced 61 times on the flat, including 30 times on the all weather, and achieved a respectable 6 wins, 13 seconds and 6 thirds with winnings of £40,276, doing best at distances of 10-12 furlongs. Trained by Jim Boyle he had the infamous Kieron Fallon ride him as well as many talented customers. 

Fidi is an extremely talented and, shall we say athletic, little person as well as being very beautiful.

Because I Can (stable name `Can Do’) is by Tragic Role (USA) out of Ketti.  A 16.0hh Brown Thoroughbred gelding born 18/03/1996, he had 2 national hunt flat starts, 2 over hurdles and point to pointed 6 times in which he won once and also came third. 

Cando is an extremely popular horse in summer and winter, but not necessarily by the same people – he has seasonal mood/control fluctuations!  In his stable Cando is one of the biggest time wasters and needs lots of cuddles – actually that applies to all of them really.

Kangarilla Road (stable name `Kanga’) is by Magic Ring (IRE) out of Kangra Valley.  A 16.2hh Dark Bay Thoroughbred gelding he was born 05/02/1999 and raced 31 times on the flat and twice on the all weather.  He had 4 wins, 2 seconds and 5 third places with winnings of £39,227. 

Kanga is I think (it’s sometimes a very close call with others for the top spot) Carrie’s all time favourite in the yard.  Ian also has commandeered him as his lead horse and uses him for beach rides, day rides, holidays and even took him hunting in Winter 2011/12  – I think its fair to say this was an unexpected and scary development but Kanga liked to prove us all wrong and when the rest of the group turned round fearing the worst had happened, Ian and Kanga came bobbing along in the most controlled manner probably ever seen on a hunting field!  The beauty of horses, always expect the unexpected!

Montoya  is by Kylain (USA) out of Saborinie.  A 15.3hh Irish bred Dark Bay Thoroughbred gelding he was born on 24/04/1999.

Montoya raced 12 times on the flat, 5 times on the all weather and 6 times over hurdles. He came second 3 times and third 5 times, with total winnings of £7,342.

Montoya is quirky, sharp, naughty and terrified of bunnies, squirrels and pheasants.  He is particularly talented at spinning on a sixpence and reversing far quicker than he goes forward (maybe that’s why he never came first in his races?).  He can also spot the above offending creatures from a mile away.  It’s still a bit of a mystery as to exactly why Montoya thinks that a bunny the size of one of his feet is going to kill him – but hey what do we know?  Having said that Montoya is a very kind horse, but he is still a bit of child and his boyish nature is always bubbling on the surface!