Cowboy Cooper

Cowboy Cooper (IRE) : 2016 bay gelding
Owner : Bill Aitchison

Pedigree

                                                                      Fraam
                                        Frammassone
                                                                      Iberian Dancer
Cowboy Cooper (IRE)
2016 bay gelding
                                                                      High Rise
                                        Ball Park
                                                                      Catch Ball

The family

This gelding is the 3rd foal out of the unraced High-Rise mare Ball Park. Her first progeny to appear was Moe's Tavern, trained by Shark Hanlon who was 2nd on his sole run in an Irish Point in March 2019.
Ball Park has since had more full siblings to Cowboy Cooper:

Cawthorne Cracker (g born 2019) now a 3-time winner over hurdles
filly (born 2021)
another filly born in 2022.

The second dam was quite an accomplished race mare. Rated at a peak of 134+ by Timeform and one of the best staying novices of 2000-01, the tough Catch Ball added a couple of flat wins to her 4 hurdle victories.
She gained black type when runner up a Grade 2 Fairyhouse hurdle.
As a broodmare she had bred 3 winners under rules, the best of whom has been Tb Broke Her, winner of 2 hurdles and 2 chases.

About the sire

The racing career of Frammassone (bay horse born 2005) is nothing short of astonishing! He raced in Italy for his entire career, starting out on the flat as a 2 year old winning a couple of minor races over a mile. His 3 starts as a 3 year old yielded a sole second place in a mile handicap at Rome.
Reasons for the (masterstroke) switch to jumps are unknown but Frammassone raced 18 times over hurdles, winning 14 and placed 3 times. These victories not only included numerous Listed events but also 3 Grade 1 Hurdles.
Retired to Park House Stud in Ireland in 2013, Frammassone was marketed mainly as a Sports Horse Stallion but did also cover a handful of broodmares with a National Hunt background.
And from this small selection, his early results are remarkable, with as at the start of the 24-25 season he has more than 50% winner to runner ratio with Irish Grade B Chase winner Gabby's Cross his best so far. From 2024 he stands at Tensbury Wells Stud for a fee of £1,000.

Form Summary

Season 2024-25 outlook
In the frame in 6 of his 8 races last season (taking into account the extension into May), Cowboy Cooper delighted his connections on a late Spring '24 evening at Perth racecourse when breaking his duck. He won the 3 mile handicap chase in convincing style, well ridden by Craig Nichol.
The form of that race has been franked by follow up wins by the 4th, 6th & 7th horses.

Realistically, Bill Aitchison's 8 yr olds gelding has been operating in Class 5 events but such form analysis does give hope for a continuing competitive season ahead.
So, trying to avoid deep ground, Cowboy Cooper will be seen in small handicap chases over 3 miles this season.

Profile....
Cowboy Cooper is a strong gelding, coming in at 16.1hh.

By way of Tattersalls Ireland, via the English Midlands, this son of Frammassone landed at Dodlands Steading in the early months on 2020.
It was during the 3rd day of the 2019 Tatts Ireland NH August Store Sales that Bart Ryan-Beswick and his bloodstock agent Marcus Collie contacted Callum to have a look at a prospective purchase. It was this Frammassone gelding, and Callum caught the auctioneer's attention and, via the mobile, the gelding was knocked down to Beswick Brothers/Mr Collie.

Transferred into stable ownership, Cowboy Cooper had a couple of runs in bumpers for experience in season 2021-22 before embarking on a full season of hurdling in 22-23. During which, after 3 runs in novice hurdles to qualify for a handicap mark, Cowboy Copper reached a place in a handicap hurdle at Hexham in late March '23. This was at a fairly modest level but gave the yard a little bit of promise but he was probably over-the-top when 6th at Perth at the end of April next time.

In his 8 races in season 2023-24, Cowboy Cooper started favourite 5 times! Placed 6 times, with a switch to fences at the turn of the year Cowboy Cooper had a couple of below par performances before the Spring air seemed to brighten him up. May being a particularly good month for the gelding as he followed up a runner up spot at Hexham in a 3 mile handicap chase with a fine win in a similar contest at Perth, carrying the colours of Bill Aitchison.

Season		win	2nd	3rd	4th	other
2021-22	NH Flat					2
2022-23	Hurdles				1	4
2023-24	Hurdles			2
2023-24	Chases		1	2		2
2024-25	Chases	1	1
	Hurdles				1

Current Season Form

11 February 25 Ayr : 3m Handicap Chase (Class 5 0-100) OR85 soft 13 ran (Craig Nichol) - 1st (won by 1¾l)

Soon led, mistake 12th, faced challenge from 4 out, headed 3 out, rallied and led again 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on run-in, gamely

A super win on a return to fences for Cowboy Cooper, up 7lb from his win in May. His outing last month over hurdles had certainly blown away a few cobwebs and he relished making the pace here, jumping economically and producing an excellent finish on the run-in.

20 January 25 Ayr : 2m 5½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR 81 soft (good to soft places) 14 ran (Craig Nichol) - 4th (btn 19¾l)

Led, headed 3 out and ridden, weakened approaching last

Cowboy Cooper ran a fine race on a comeback after 7 months off. He showed his well being by setting the pace, and jumped a few quite "big" early on but only weakened after 2 out. He should benefit in fitness terms for this.

15 May 24 Perth : 3m Handicap Chase (Class 5 0-100) OR 78 good to soft 8 ran (Craig Nichol) - 1st (won by 5l)

Prominent, led after 4th, pushed along after 3 out and kept on stoutly, ridden run-in

At the 16th time of asking, Cowboy Cooper wins. He's been showing improving form this Spring and seemed well suited to good to soft conditions right from his early days on the racecourse. He'll be given a break during the Summer, and will go up a few pounds but all to look forward next Autumn.

4 May 24 Hexham : 3m Handicap Chase (Class 5 0-100) OR 74 good to soft 11 ran (Craig Nichol) - 2nd (beaten 1½l)

Prominent, keen when led 3rd, joined 15th, headed before 3 out, chased leader after 2 out, stayed on after last, kept on but always held near finish

Yet again, Cowboy Cooper found one with that little bit of extra pace from 2 out.

Previous Season Form

22 April 24 Hexham : 3m Handicap Chase (Class 5 0-100) OR 79 heavy 10 ran (Craig Nichol) - 3rd (beaten 20l)

Led briefly early, remained prominent, left in front twelfth, headed 3 out, weakened from home turn

Cowboy Cooper certainly bumped into an unexposed one here, with Torosay showing vastly improved form to win this chase. Cowboy Cooper matched strides until about 2 out but that effort to its toll in the closing stages.

8 March 24 Ayr : 3m Handicap Chase (Class 5 0-100) OR79 good to soft 7 ran (Henry Brooke) - 6th (beaten 52l)

In touch, took closer order briefly second, slow fourth, not fluent thirteenth, ridden 4 out, soon beaten

Cowboy Cooper was not seen at his best here

13 February 24 Ayr : 3m Handicap Chase (Class 5 0-105) OR79 heavy 9 ran (Craig Nichol) - 7th (beaten 10l)

Chased leading group on outer, hit 6th, pecked 11th, headway approaching 13th, bad mistake, driven 4 out, left behind

We're inclined to put this disappointing effort down to the testing ground. Recent rainfall had changed the going to heavy and he's shown before that this is just too testing for him

11 January 24 Catterick 3m 1f Novices Handicap Chase (Class 5 0-100) OR79 soft 11 ran (Henry Brooke) - 3rd (beaten 4¼l)

In rear, raced wide, not always fluent, outpaced entering back straight, rallied from home turn.

Not bad! He stayed on very pleasingly and if he sharpens up his jumping, he should find a similar race within his capabilities.

13 December 23 Hexham : 2m 7½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR 81 heavy 6 ran (Craig Nichol) - 3rd (beaten 19l)

Tracked leader, 3rd and ridden approaching last, weakened run-in

There was no catching 17 length the winner (Nicky Martin's My Last Oscar) with You Say Its Over & Cowboy Cooper again filling the minor placings. Our lad was probably unsuited by the extremely testing conditions or just maybe this 3 miles is at the extremity of his stamina.

10 November 23 Hexham : 2m 7½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR 81 heavy 8 ran (Craig Nichol) - 3rd (beaten 2¼l)

Disputed lead till took it up 4 out, ridden along after 2 out, headed before last, kept on but no extra run-in

Cowboy Cooper has run well here on his reappearance following 6 months off. Starting favourite and trying a new trip, he just about saw this out with maybe the lack of a previous run this season accounting for having no extra over the last. One to look forward to over fences.

28 April 23 Perth : 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle (Class 5 0-105) OR 84 soft 12 ran (Sean Bowen) - 6th (beaten 10¼l)

Prominent in chasing group, prominent 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened gradually from 2 out

Passed beaten horses from the last but in all honesty ran to a similar level as previous race.

28 March 23 Hexham : 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle (Class 5 0-105) OR 87 heavy 10 ran (Craig Nichol) - 4th (beaten 17¼l)

In mid div, effort after 3 out, not fluent next and soon ridden, never able to close in on leader thereafter

First handicap for Cowboy Cooper and a step up in trip by an extra half mile. Threatened to join leading group at the bottom of the back straight but an untidy jump 2 out just about put an end to that challenge. Not one to give up on, he may be suited by a sounder surface.

29 December 22 Kelso : 2m Novice Hurdle (Class 4) heavy 8 ran (Craig Nichol) - 5th (beaten 44l)

Held up in rear, effort after 4 out, never able to challenge

The first three in this race were much better on the day and Cowboy Cooper raced in the second bunch. Should now qualify for a handicap mark.

16 November 22 Hexham : 2m Novice Hurdle (Class 4) soft 10 ran (Craig Nichol) - 6th (beaten 41l)

In rear, effort to close 2 out (usual 3 out) to join chasing pack to the clear winner, weakened last

Not that an auspicious run from Cowboy Cooper who now needs one further completed effort over hurdles for a handicap mark.

29 October 22 Ayr : 2m Novice Hurdle (Class 4) good to soft 6 ran (Henry Brooke) - 5th (beaten 15¾l)

Raced in rear but in touch, jumped big on occasion, outpaced and ridden after 4 out, mistake 2 out, kept on run-in

Cowboy Cooper has never been quick to pick up new techniques as his novicey jumping exemplified here but this was still a pleasing run. Although outpaced turning for home, he did stay on in pleasing fashion. It may take a couple of runs for the penny to fully drop......

10 March 22 Ayr : 2m 1f NH Flat Race (Class 5) good to soft 8 ran (Bruce Lynn (5)) - 6th (beaten 19¼l)

Raced in midfield on outer, a bit free, ridden 2f out but never able to trouble leaders

Cowboy Cooper was still a bit green here, running after an absence of 4 months on from his debut. He'll continue to improve for racing experience

16 November 21 Ayr : 2m NH Flat Race (Class 5) good to soft 14 ran (C Nichol) - 7th (beaten 16¼l)

Midfield, not quicken 3f out, some headway final furlong, finished well

This was quite a nice run on debut from Cowboy Cooper who was fairly green when the leaders set off for home soon after entering the home straight. Craig pulled him stands side and on the better ground he flew home in the final furlong. Promising and will do better.