Thursday 26th August

New Horses for Sale

If you're keen to get involved with a horse who is already accustomed to the rigours of racing, look no further than Clanbrooke's existing `Influential Miss' Partnership. We currently have 25% available in our 5YO Pat Carey-trained Carnegie mare, a veteran of 15 career starts for 2 wins and 5 placings ($40K prizemoney). Shares are offered at $4,400 per 10% share - more information can be seen here. She is currently in full work at Mornington and not far from racing.

We also have two new horses to be trained by Aquanita's Trent Pennuto at Caulfield. The first, a Secret Savings 4YO mare, `Veiled', is offered at $2595 per 10% share and in full work with Trent at Caulfield now; "...already a city placed winner from only 4 starts. The mare looks to be a complete professional who needed time. A good walker with plenty of potential," Dean Humphries.
See further details here.

The second, a 4YO Dash For Cash mare, `Penny Run Fast,' is offered at $1950 per 10% share, is currently unraced and also in full work with Trent; "...how could you go wrong with a filly by Dash? From a good producing dam, this mare was a stand-out among the unraced stock at the sale. Not likely to get a mare with this pedigree at this sort of price anywhere in the country," Dean Humphries. See further details of this lovely grey mare here.

Tuesday 9th August

Allanthus kicks it off for Clanbrooke

It had been almost 12 months to the day since Allanthus had recorded a win. However, last Friday on the synthetic turf at Geelong, Allanthus arrived to win. He didn't merely cross the line first. He streeted the field, led by 10 lengths on the turn, and even slowed to a trot before crossing the line 1.5L ahead of the rest. Allanthus' prizemoney now stands at over $115K - not too bad for a $22K purchase. Allanthus will likely return to Geelong later this week where the track is always `good,' and, with any luck, give it another red hot go. 

Sunday 1st August

A New Racing Year

Thursday 1st July

Newsletter - July 2010

The Aquanita stable has set a frenetic winning pace this season, led by one of Clanbrooke's founding trainers – Trent Pennuto. Representing 3 of Clanbrooke’s 25 wins for the 2009/10 season to date, Trent’s 3YO Strategic mare `Mayneda Strategy’ is also ranked in the Top 20 (17) 3YO’s in Victoria, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tony Vasil’s G2 winning Carrara (11) and Caulfield Guineas winner Starspangledbanner (5) - not bad for a $10K speculative purchase. Mayneda’s 3^rd win on 6^th June was particularly memorable for Clanbrooke as it was also our 25^th winner for the season – one better than our 2008/09 tally of 24.

At Caulfield headquarters however, it is Aquanita’s Robert Smerdon who is posting his own record-breaking season, notching 40 metropolitan winners to date, an improvement on his 2007/08 tally of 38. Enjoying terrific success at this year’s Warnambool Carnival where he took out the Galleywood with versatile racehorse `Black and Bent’ who has since recorded his 6^th successive win, a weekend rarely passes without another Smerdon success story. Both he and Tony Vasil boast a 50% 1^st-4^th strike rate (Trent’s stands at a staggering 72% from a much smaller band of runners!), and the Aquanita team is certainly proving to be a formidable one in 2010. Our Show a Heart colt will be arriving at Caulfield a little later this year, to be guided by Robert’s experienced hand. We still have a few shares remaining for those who want to join forces with this record-breaking trainer.

In other trainer news, we are pleased that Brian Jenkins has returned from his 3 month break and his brand new Pearcedale property should be ready for residents around Christmas time.  We now eagerly anticipate a return to racing for many of his charges including the imminent return of stalwarts Allanthus, Devil’s Mountain, Rescheduled and Schwarzer. Whitbread Lass will also be making her second appearance in the next week and Star of Pisa (Galileo x Laelene) should debut in the early Spring.

Horses to watch this quarter include our WA-based Bianconi mare, `Bianco Magic,’ who went shin-sore after her first run but is now ready to resume for trainer Simon Miller (of Aquanita). Given plenty of time to mature, this 3YO is bursting at the seams and should race before her birthday. In Melbourne, we are eagerly anticipating the debut of 2 other 3YO’s, our 2008 Melbourne Premier purchase and now Robert Smerdon-trained `Leg Room,’ as well as our Sydney Classic scoop, the Pat Carey-trained `Viking Miss.’ Both should grace the racetrack for the first time over the coming weeks.

It was with a little sadness that the decision was made only this week to return our 4YO Carnegie x Kaystar mare `Galaxy Guide’ to her owner after the third unexplained lacklustre run in succession. It was felt, unanimously, that the mare had lost her desire to race and it was simply not prudent to continue. A terrific rapport has developed amongst owners and trainer Russell Cameron throughout Galaxy’s 2 year career, and we hope we can find a suitable replacement so that the fun may continue. Thanks to everyone for a great ride.

Other recent stable retirements include our lovely grey lady, `Invincible Belle,’ retired to a less taxing employment at the local pony club following a string of underwhelming performances both on and off the track. `Temple Dancer’, a nicely bred Danehill Dancer mare, was also retired and sold to a Partnership Member when she failed to live up to expectations. 

Instead of auctioning our own share for charity this year, Clanbrooke recently donated a share in our 2YO Bianconi x Magic Blue filly, `Magiconni,’ to a Charity Auction for Ronald McDonald House in Albury. The auction raised $4300 for the charity, the share won by local Albury businessman Gordon Douglas. We wish Gordon the best of luck with the share and remind him that recipients of our charity shares have enjoyed moderate success over the years (remember Arapaho Miss G1).

Whilst we may have one more month to try and bolster our win tally, July heralds the start of the new financial year – and, with that, a special offer for existing Clanbrooke owners. For the month of July, introduce a friend and receive one month’s training FREE. A list of shares currently available is attached with further details available on our website. As always, we have a variety of shares to suit all budgets, locations and trainer preferences. Dean is always happy to discuss any of our offerings further so feel free to contact the office on 9540 0317.

For those who have been unable to catch up with fellow owners trackside this year, we will soon be sending out details of a late winter get-together for all Clanbrooke owners.  Details are currently being finalised but pencil Friday, 27^th August in your diaries.

Finally, work is progressing well behind the scenes on our new website. As Dean contemplates `tweeting,’ our design team are confident that we will be presenting an innovative, informative website in the near future.

Clanbrooke Racing

Wednesday 30th June

Aquanita Open Morning

Clanbrooke Racing along with Aquanita Racing will be holding an Open Morning at the Aquanita stables at Caulfield on Saturday June 10^th 2010.

 Please take this opportunity to come and visit your horse, listen to the latest updates from the trainers, have a walk through the stables and catch up with Dean and the other owners. The morning starts at 8.00am thus allowing plenty of time for those who will be heading to the Flemington races later in the day. There will be a barbeque breakfast – sausage sizzle – on offer so please let us know if you will be attending for catering purposes. Phone Judy on 9540 0317 or email by Tuesday 6^th July 2010.

 The Aquanita stables are located at 120 Neerim Road, Glenhuntly – we look forward to seeing you there.

Wednesday 9th June

New Authority to Sign

Dear Members,

This is a copy of an email forwarded to all owners last week requiring owners to complete the new Racing Victoria Authorisation Form.

RISA has recently updated much of the documentation used in the registration and ownership of horses. Though the out-dated forms are still able to be used at this stage,  we thought it would be advisable to update our own systems to bring us in line with the new forms now being used by RISA.

Could all owners please print and complete the above form and return to:

Clanbrooke Racing
PO Box 6024
Vermont South
Victoria 3133

Or scan the completed form and send via return email to judy@clanbrooke.com

Please note that to meet the standards set by RISA we require:-
- a separate form for each individual owner
- a separate form for each individual horse
– if you have part ownership in 6 horses then you need to complete the form 6 times (1 for each horse)

The Nominated Agent is Dean Humphries – phone (03)9540 0317.

Bank account details are not a necessity, neither are phone numbers nor email addresses.

We also ask that you sign the Authority Declaration in all areas. Signatures are required in both the Authority Declaration and the Owner’s Declaration.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me either by return email or on 9540 0317.

Kind regards
Judy

Thursday 3rd June

Change of Date for Russell Cameron Open Day

There has been a change of date for the Open Day at Russell Cameron’s stables at Flemington. The original date of Sunday 4th July has now been put back a week to Sunday 11th July. Further details will be posted on this page as soon as they come to hand.

Tuesday 1st June

Upcoming Open Mornings

Brian Jenkins@Cranbourne
Clanbrooke Racing and Brian Jenkins will host an Open Morning at Brian’s stables on Saturday 19th June, kicking off at 11am. Please write this date in your diary and take the opportunity to see your horse up close and personal as well as meet with Brian, his team as well as all the other owners. (Directions will be emailed to owners closer to the date.)

Please email judy@clanbrooke.com by 11th June if you plan to attend.
Members as well as non-members welcome.


Russell Cameron @ Flemington
Clanbrooke Racing and Russell Cameron will host an Open Morning on Sunday 4th July at Russell’s stables at Flemington (time to be confirmed). Please note this date in your diary and take the opportunity to see Galaxy Guide up close and personal as well as meet with the Russell and his team and all the other owners.

Dean and Russell purchased a Dalzao filly at the recent sales. She will be en route from the paddock to the breakers and will also be paraded that day.

Please email judy@clanbrooke.com by 24th June.
Members as well as non-members welcome.

Monday 31st May

Record number of winners

Last Thursday Mayneda Strategy owners celebrated their first `true' win (her maiden was won on protest), whilst Clanbrooke celebrated our 24th winner for the season, equalling our total number of winners for 2008/09. Winning by 1/2 a length with jockey Chris Symons on board, it shouldn't be long before we see her in town.

Mayneda's win capped off a terrific couple of weeks for the stable that began on 17th May. Temple Dancer is a horse originally purchased by Dean at the Melbourne Premier Sale in 2008. By Danehill Dancer, the filly was purchased off the back of our 2007 Oaks win with a similarly bred filly. Expectations were subsequently high for Temple Dancer but her racetrack performances failed to validate her potential. After 4 disappointing runs - and a couple of stern warnings from stewards regarding her barrier manners - Members elected to send her to Brian Cox in Albury, primarily for a change of environment. On 17th May, Temple Dancer fronted at Albury for her first run for Brian. Surprising everyone except perhaps Brian himself, Temple Dancer simply walked into the stalls, jumped well, and proceeded to win her maiden. A terrific turnaround for the horse - and another example of Brian's innate ability to transform a horse's career.

Tuesday 18th May

Member email notice

We have been alerted by a couple of clients who have not been receiving updates via email. If you believe you are also in this category, would you please email us at – dean@clanbrooke.com or judy@clanbrooke.com – so we can cross-check our mailing lists and if there is a problem, correct it quickly.

 At the same time, whilst the website has now been restored following our hosting problems, the Members Page will remain inactive for some time as we have taken the opportunity to have a major re-vamp of the Page that necessitates some detailed programming. We are looking to change the basis of the page from an individual horse-focused to a member-focused interface whereby members will be able to log in only once to view information on all of their horses. Unfortunately it will take time but we believe we will end up with a better product.

Saturday 15th May

Website disruption

We apologies for any inconvenience caused as a result of the disruption to our website over the past couple of weeks.

We are working as quickly as we can to resolve these issues.


Thank you for your understanding through this difficult period.

Clanbrooke Racing.

Thursday 16th April

Change of time Sunday

Please note that the Open Morning at Pat Carey's Mornington stables will now kick off at 9:15am this coming Sunday, 18th April.

See you there.

A New Addition

On 29th March, 2010, Brooke and Jason welcomed `Ava Grace' into the world, weighing a tiny 2.2kg. Both Brooke and Ava are doing well.

Thanks to our trainers, clients and friends for your kind thoughts, flowers and gifts at this time.

Wednesday 15th April

Technical Difficulties resolved

Due to difficulties with the server that hosts our website, we have been unable to make changes to this site recently. The issue has now been rectified and we thank you for your patience during this time.

However, as we are about to be transferred to a new server, the issue will recur at some point over the coming week or two. Please note that in times of such difficulties, Clanbrooke will email all updates and other relevant information to Members.

Wednesday 24th March

Pat Carey Open Day

Clanbrooke racing along with P G Carey Racing will be hosting a Pleasant Sunday Morning at the racing stables of Pat Carey on Sunday, 18th April. Current owners, please make note of the date in your diary.

Take this opportunity to meet with Pat and hear him give a brief talk on your horse as well as some of the other horses in his stable. For owners who have been inquiring about the opportunity to take some photos there will be time made available for you to do so.

Prospective owners also welcome - please email the office to advise attendance.

More information will be published (including kick off time) once plans are finalized.

Friday 19th March

Skystreamers' Pay Day

Skystreamer became Clanbrooke's 21st winner for the season tonight, defeating Honour the Force (2nd) and Dabba Dancer (3rd) by 1.5 and 3.25 lengths respectively. This takes his total earnings to $93,305 and gives him 3 solid wins over 2200m - 2500m. His future is certainly looking bright.

Thanks to all Members who attended the Aquanita Twilight Members evening prior to the race tonight. It is always a great chance to speak with your trainer one on one and, of course, catch up with fellow Members.

For Members with horses in other stables, stay tuned for Open Day dates and times, to be published on this page shortly.

Sunday 7th March

Great Player breaks Maiden

The Grant Craven trained Great Player won with a leg in the air on Sunday, thrashing his nearest rival (Voodoo Child) by 8 lengths at Stoney Creek in heavy conditions. Members will be looking forward to the next test for this horse, we will keep you posted.

Monday 1st March

Inglis Melbourne Premier Open Day

Thank you to all members who attended the Inglis Premier Open Day on Sunday 28th February. We had a larger than expected turnout of members who mostly had a great day of eating, drinking and scrutinizing prospective winners from this years' Inglis sales at Oaklands Junction.

Clanbrooke returned with a number of purchases that will be listed soon on our website. Sires include Show a Heart, Elvstroem, Delzao as well as boom first season sire Churchill Downs.

Saturday 27th February

Skystreamer kicks back in big win

Tony Vasil continued his great run with Skystreamer at Geelong with a gutsy win over 2400m today. Skystreamer and jockey Alan Spiteri cut the corner around the home bend to take a slender lead in the straight. However it looked as though it would be short lived, as he was inundated by a wall of horses. To his credit, he kicked and fought back, taking victory in the last stride for the line in what was a most impressive victory. He will go on to Moonee Valley next week.

Monday 8th February

5 winners for Clanbrooke in January

Whilst summer is heating up, children have now returned to school and work must resume. Everyone is back on deck at Clanbrooke to celebrate a terrific start to the year with 5 winners in January and 4 in only 18 days. We are currently boasting the best strike rate we have had in years with over 16% winners and over 35% placegetters. A conscious business decision last year to reduce the number of horses in our stable by speeding up the attrition rate according to ability (or lack thereof) does appear to have been the correct one. It is heartening to cast an eye over our list of upcoming runners in the knowledge that almost all will be considered an each way chance on the day.

When it comes to recent winners, Astronomo certainly seems to have turned the corner since being re-purchased in the middle of 2009 by Trent Pennuto (currently Aquanita foreman) in conjunction with Clanbrooke, when frustrated owners elected to dissolve the Partnership. Although, the nicely bred Galileo gelding had been plagued with various issues as a young horse, it appeared unlikely that any trainer would be able to elicit consistent performances from him. However, Trent seems to have found a way to extract the best from this boy and, given his recent back- to-back wins, grander plans may be in the wings a little down the track.

It was almost 2 years to the day since a bone chip operation stalled Schwarzer's career when he fronted at Cranbourne on 20^th December for a 1000m pipe opener. Owners were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief when jockey Roger Booth eased him over the line. It took only another 3 starts before he was to salute for the 4^th time in his career, this time at Mornington over 1522m on 22^nd January. Although booked on the float that was headed for the paddock prior to the race, recent rain enabled us to keep him going a little longer. If the rain gods are kind towards the end of the week, it may yet be another night to celebrate when Schwarzer fronts at the Valley Friday night over 1600m.

Skystreamer's run at Geelong on 27^th January was highly anticipated by all connections. This preparation, trainer Tony Vasil embarked on a `staying' program with the gelding and the race at Geelong was only Skystreamer's 2nd attempt over 2000m, this time on a larger, more suitable track. Whilst his lead-in form had been solid (4 runs for 3 x 3^rds), his maiden win continued to elude him. However, the large track and more ground proved a winning combination. Skystreamer broke his maiden comfortably and seemed to be looking for even more ground - and more ground he shall have before requiring a break.

Many of our trainers are in NZ this week attending the NZ Premier Sales that kicked off yesterday. Sales results have been strong thus far with familiar sires featuring. The top price of $1m was paid yesterday by Singapore based Jayven See for a colt by current leading 2^nd season sire Fastnet Rock. Our own Fastnet Rock filly, Whitbred Lass, is set to return to work shortly and, if broader results are anything to heed, she should be a filly to reckon with.

Finally, keep an eye on our `Shares for Sale' page over the coming weeks if you are in the market for a new venture. With sales in full swing across the Southern hemisphere, we will be listing some new acquisitions shortly.