The family
Both Barrels is out of the Midnight Legend mare Red Legend who ran just the once in a bumper for Zoe Davison in the 2013-14 season.
He is the 3rd foal of Red Legend following fillies by Arvico (2016) and Telescope in 2017. In 2021 she gave birth to a colt by Sans Frontieres.
The grand dam Haliguen Bay was unraced but is the half sister to Busy Henry who was placed in a couple of bumpers before winning a staying handicap hurdle for Jonjo O'Neill.
About the sire
The sturdy Saddler's Rock (bay h born 2008) was too backward as a
2 year old to race but had a fine first season on the racecourse as
a 3 year old when trained by John Oxx in Ireland.
He showed useful form in winning a couple of races before stepping
up to 2 miles and displaying top class staying form to win the
Doncaster Cup. He was rated 125 by Timeform at the end of that
season.
He raced for a further 3 seasons and whilst showing smart form he
didn't really scale the heights of that first season although he did
win the Goodwood Cup (Group 2), another 2 mile race, as a 4 year
old.
A third place in the Group 1 Irish St. Leger of 2013 was another
highlight.
Saddler's Rock was retired to stud at Beech Tree Stud in Somerset
in 2015 at a fee of £1,500.
His opportunities have been limited (4 winners from just 9 jumps
runners) and the winning bumper/hurdler Buckhorn Rocco,
with the Tizzards', would be his best to date.
Season 2023-24 outlook
Three placed efforts from just three runs was a very promising return in season 2022-23 for Both Barrels.
He looked quite green on racecourse debut at Ayr in November when
3rd to Largy Valley & Ewan's Kingston Bridge (a previous winner who
has won over hurdles since). He still looked in need of experience
on his next run at the beginning of February when 4th over the same
course & distance. The winner and third horse that day have won over
hurdles since.
Both Barrels saved his best for his final run at Kelso in March, a
£30,000 added event with 9 previous winners lining up. After leading
briefly turning for home, he kept on well to the line finishing in
3rd, beaten 3 lengths.
Both Barrels will be aimed at novice hurdles this season, and is one we're looking forward to.
Profile....
This Saddler's Rock gelding had been in pre-training prior to being
sent to us by owner Ann Marshall before the beginning of season
2021-22.
He was a bit further forward than most 3 year olds joining the yard, but 'Sid' suffered from "growing pains" so we backed off for a couple of months and prepared for a racecourse debut in the 2022-23 season.
Season | win | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | other | |
2022-23 | NH Flat | 2 | 1 | |||
2023-24 | Hurdles | 1 | 1 | 1 |