End of season review

Just how did we get on in 2015-16?

In the corresponding mid season review published in December last year, I made reference to the fact that from the start I held the view that this season would be of a transitional nature, as many of our successful handicappers over the last couple of seasons had reached the end of their careers, and they were replaced by young, mainly untried stock. As such, we were down in numbers by around 20% compared to season 2013-14 when we had 6 winners.

So, without looking at the statistics, I felt that we'd not done too badly. But let's see what the figures look like.

*statistics from 1st August 2015 - 31st July 2016
** placed runner in 1,2,3,4 where there is prize money

Lies, damned lies and statistics notwithstanding, we've achieved a placed - runner** ratio of 48% which, um, is a tremendous reflection on all the team members, vet and blacksmith services and of course our very loyal group of owners.

A big thank you to one and all. We're delighted!!!

It's increasingly confusing to determine a realistic split to the National Hunt season in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Eire, so I've chosen the season to be 1st August to 31st July. To some extent that matches the thinking of the BHA (Great Britain) race planning committee as the only discernable gap year-long in the jumps calendar is between 1st - 9th August, a whopping 10 days. Of course, all anoraks will use the formal end date of season 2015-16 as Sandown's Champions day of 23rd April.

While we're on the subject I'd like to see the following split :

• NH Jumps season running to 31st May
• NH Summer Jumps season 1st June - mid August (suitable weekend)
• No jumps fixtures mid August to mid September 
• NH Jumps season commencing mid September  (suitable Monday)

We tend not to have many horses in the yard for summer jumping from June to August, and start to bring horses back off the grass in a staggered fashion during August, and rarely have any runners before end of October. So yes, I've just imposed the Dodlands Steading jumps calendar on the rest of the country. Don't see any problem really?

Anyway, in the above statistics we sent out 5 winners the the period 2015-16, compared to the 14 total winners achieved over previous 2 seasons.
The winning horses to get a special mention are Ellistrin Belle (retired, broodmare), Champagne Agent (retired, equestrian eventer), Tomahawk Wood & Shades of Midnight. Indeed 'Shady' does deserve an extra special mention for not only racking up 2 wins but improving his BHA Rating a colossal 24lb from OR124 to OR148, in the process becoming the highest rated horse ever to be at Dodlands Steading. 'Shady' was also the joint top hurdler in Scotland - based upon RPRs - during the season alongside Ewart's Aristo du Plessis.

Our regular jockey Callum Whillans - no relation (eh? - ed) - had another fine season matching his tally of 2014-15 with 10 winners at a commendable strike rate of 13%. Callum will be based in the Borders next season and will be riding out regularly for us, which will be an added boost. There were numerous occasions last season when friends of the yard would comment upon one exceptional ride after another by Callum (Dubai Shen a couple of weeks ago for Brother Ali anyone?). He's been criminally underused but retains a high level of enthusiasm to match his professional approach and ability.

We're really excited about 2016-17 too, so keep your eyes peeled on our web-site for new acquisitions, and news of the returning stars of 2015-16.  

Shades of Midnight (Pinky) with two of the Potassium Partnership (Nick and Rory)