Alan, Lawney and Joe Hill staged an open day for owners and friends at their yard in Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire, yesterday, when untapped potential was the theme of the parade.
Few could be more exciting in that regard than Coolagh Park, a seven-year-old son of leading French sire Kapgarde. Coolagh Park ran just once last season but put up a remarkable performance when powering home 50 lengths clear of the runner-up in a maiden race at Horseheath. Second home Arctic Oscar won two of his next three races, while the third, Go Go Geronimo, went on to win three point-to-points and finish runner-up in two quality hunters’ chases.
Coolagh Park picked up an injury that required box rest following his victory, and was roughed off when firm ground prevailed in the spring, but he is clearly held in high regard by Alan, who finished runner-up to Tom Ellis in last season’s Foran Equine trainers’ championship.
Coolagh Park, who blitzed his rivals when winning a Horseheath maiden last season
Other interesting prospects who were paraded included four-year-old Purple Empora (a son of stallion Famous Name), who finished second to Britain’s top-rated four-year-old pointer, Byorderofthecourt, at Mollington on his sole run. Five-year-old Our Brother John (Yeats) finished third in an Irish point-to-point before joining the Hills’ yard, and then made a winning British debut in a maiden race at Holnicote. In common with several horses in the yard, shares in Our Brother John are available – details on the Hills’ website.
Our Brother John, who won at Holnicote when making his debut for the yard
Horses who are new to the yard include six-year-old Goleirihem (Shirocco), who was placed in Irish points and for Olly Murphy’s yard under Rules, and has the profile of a horse who can win a maiden race. A longer-term prospect, Paul Manate (Manatee), is a tall, striking grey three-year-old who should be ready to run next spring.
Paul Manate, a three-year-old who could be seen in action next spring
Among older horses who should win races next season are Mighty Stowaway, who finished third in last season’s Cheltenham Festival Hunters’ Chase when trained by Gordon Elliott, Normofthenorth, who made a winning hunters’ chase debut at Fakenham, and the enigmatic Hawkhurst, who may be a little too cute at times, but has amassed 16 wins and 16 places from 39 starts in point-to-points.
Normofthenorth with Izzie Marshall, who rode him to victory at Fakenham
The yard’s oldest horse, Sir Mangan, is likely to win a race or two despite rising 15.With a handsome head and a coat that shone he looked magnificent.