News

Stable stalwart LITTLE BIG HORSE (left)
photo: Sweet Photography

Sheila Crow became the toast of the North West Area last season, following the success of Cappa Bleu in the Christie's Foxhunters at the Cheltenham Festival. In doing so she became the first trainer from the area to train the winner of the race.

To put the icing on the cake Cappa Bleu is owned by William and Angela Rucker who are very loyal owners in the yard. On asking Sheila what would be her goal now that she has won the Foxhunters at the Cheltenham, she replied, "You know, I would really like to win the race again."

The Area and former National champion rider Richard Burton will continue to ride the bulk of the stables horses, Jamie Jenkinson, who is in his second year with the yard, will continue to have rides, while Sheila's granddaughter Alice Walker will continue to ride Little Big Horse in Ladies Opens. Last season Alice emulated her mother Lucy (the National champion rider of 1989) and her grandmother Sheila Crow by riding her first winner at 16, and hopes are high that Alice's sister Sophie will continue the family tradition as she will be 16 in January 2010.

Crow will have about 20 horses in training for the new season from her Hadnall yard, and her comments are well worth noting. Her son Alistair has taken over the dark horse selection from his late father Edward. His comments will be listed on Rash Call.

RASH CALL
He is owned by William and Angela Rucker. Rash Call won his Maiden in Ireland very easily and clearly a very progressive sort, he is working very well at home and is the obvious choice for my dark horse selection.

COCKPIT LANE
He is a nice horse by Flemensfirth. It will be a case of seeing how he goes, after all he won a very good Maiden in Ireland. I hoping he will win his Points and then go Hunter Chasing later on in the season. He would probably go on most ground with the exception of extremes.

LITTLE BIG HORSE
He gave my granddaughter Alice her first winner on her very first ride at Bangor last season at 16, which made me very proud, then she won on him again at the same course. He will be Alice's ride again in Ladies Opens this season. He is a great horse to have in the yard, he might be getting on a bit now, but he has lost none of his passion for racing. He needs a bit of cut in the ground and should win his fair share of races this season.

GO FOR BUST
He will run in Mens Opens to start with and then hopefully we will campaign him in Hunter Chases later in the season. He is best on good ground.

ENTER PARADISE
He is by Moscow Society and is a lovely stamp of a horse. I expect him to win his Maiden then progress through his Points. He would need good ground.

MY FLORA
She is a lovely mare who will win her Maiden for sure. She will progress this season and is definitely one to note from our yard. She needs a bit of cut in the ground.

LILLY DE ROME
I certain that she will progress through the points this season, as she is working really well at home on the gallops. Hopefully she will have a good season.

FRESH FRUIT
She is a really good improving mare who won her Maiden last season. She will go on any ground with the exception of heavy.

UNOWATIMEEN
A nice edition to the yard who has good form under Rules; when he won at Market Rasen he beat the Queen's horse Barbers Shop. I will start him off in Point-to-Points and then go Hunter Chasing with him. He would go on any ground, there is no preference for him.

HOP OFF THE ROCK
He is a big horse who was not quite right last season; he had one or two problems that we have sorted out now. I expect him to win his Maiden and progress nicely through the season. He would prefer soft ground.

SWEDEN
He is really working well at home and will run in Point-to-Points to start with. I will aim him at the John Corbet Cup at Stratford, which is a race I have won previously with Lord Harry. He goes on any ground.

Back to Top