2011

Thurloe’s older horses Beaumont’s Party and Grumeti were sold at Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale for 120,000 gns and 100,000 gns respectively – a nice return for their successful syndicates.

A fine year for Thurloe Thoroughbreds was complemented by INDIAN MIST – a winner by 8 lengths, and two above average 2 year olds, purchased as yearlings by ourselves. RESPONSIVE was an easy winner at Bath ahead of solid performances at grade 1 tracks earning a Raceform rating of 91.

Even better was SPIRITUAL STAR, who won a Newmarket maiden on the bridle by 6 lengths. Ridden as he was, he was unable to step up in the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes, although his BHA rating shot up to 109. Thurloe have sold a 50% share and the colt will race on in their colours until Glorious Goodwood 2012, before heading for Hong Kong.

SELF CENTRED duly won her maiden at Chester easing down by 4 lengths, thus by securing her future paddock value. She too stays in training.

Robert Barnett’s good season continued with his home bred 3 year old filly LAY TIME comfortably winning a maiden at Newmarket, before gaining big black type with a cosy success in The Fortune Stakes (Listed) at Sandown. This earned her a BHA rating of 109 and she stays in training with Andrew Balding as a four year old and she will be aiming high.

BEST TERMS extended her unbeaten run when, defying a 3lb penalty, she won The Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes (Gr.2), maintaining a relentless gallop to score by 2 lengths. She was subsequentally sent off favourite for The Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr.1), but was plainly ‘over the top’. However, she ended the season on a BHA rating of 115 and will resume her career for Richard Hannon in 2012, although she must learn to settle.

The highlight of Royal Ascot for us was the gritty performance of BEST TERMS in winning The Queen Mary Stakes (Gr.2). This unbeaten 2 year old filly was bred and owned by Robert Barnett, to whom we act as Stud and Racing Managers, at Fair Winter Farm.
 
Our only other representative at the royal meeting was Self Centred, who ran with enormous credit to finish third in the  Chesham Stakes (Listed) - thereby earning some valuable 'black type' on only her second start. This filly was bought by us as a yearling for Bunny Roberts for 32,000 gns and looks sure to progress.
 
Another to gain 'black type' recently was Robert Barnett's 3 year old filly Moment Of Time in The Ballymacoll Stud Stakes at Newbury.
 
Thurloe Thoroughbreds have had something of a purple patch, with 6 winners, all purchased by ourselves, in 3 weeks :

GRUMETI won at handicaps at Haydock and at Sandown and has been raised from 65 to 81 by the handicapper.
 
BEAUMONT'S PARTY has also been raised significantly (76 to 91), having won twice in 3 days, before running 4th in a Class 2 handicap at Epsom on Oaks Day.
 
KING FERDINAND overcame the worst draw and traffic problems to win a Class 4 sprint handicap at Chester.
 
GOLDEN ARIA, who had beaten subsequent Listed winners Timepiece and Gertrude Belle at Newmarket as a 2 year old, and missed her 3 year old season due to injury, recovered her early promise by winning a Class 4 handicap at Salisbury.
 
Sadly, Golden Aria died a few days ago, suffering a brain haemorrhage following a routine canter at Richard Hannon's.
 
Having cruised to a comfortable Gr.2 victory in Dubai in January,  PRESVIS - a 15,000 gns foal purchase - confirmed his status as one of the world's leading turf horses, by winning the Gr.1 Dubai Duty Free at Meydan on 26th March. His Total Prize Money now stands at £4,280,181.

It is to be hoped that this success heralds a bright turf season ahead for the agency, which looks to be represented by some promising two year olds including Spiritual Star, Rock Of Monet, Responsive, Pashan Garh and Self Centred.