2009 Review

2009 has been a fantastic year for Faringdon Place on the track. To date we have had 87 winners; among those a Classic winner, a Classic placed horse, three Royal Ascot winners to make Barry top trainer at that meeting, 3000 career wins for Barry, 150 winners at Chester and 300 winners at Newmarket for Barry and numerous promising two year olds for us to look forward to over the winter.

March

Brer Rabbit was our first winner on 2nd March, and she was followed by seven more that month. The highlight was Prime Defender's win in the Cammidge Trophy (Listed), along with Tastahil's win the the Doncaster Shield.

April

This was a landmark month in more ways than one way for Barry. On 7th April Chapter and Verse got his head in front in the High Rise Median Auction Stakes to give Barry his 3000th career win, and just over a week later on the 15th April Redwood's win in the Feilden Stakes (Listed) gave Barry his 300th winner at Newmarket. Among the other fourteen winners that month were future Jersey winner Quqba who triumphed in the Free Handicap (Listed), Above Average who passed the post first in the Sandown Classic Trial (Group 3) and High Heeled who trounced some smart colts in the Dubai Duty Free Golf Conditions Stakes.

May

The winners just kept coming with eleven in May. The highlight without a doubt was the fabulous Ghanaati who pulverised her opponents in the 1000 Guineas. She had always been held in the highest regard by Barry, who commented at lunch on the day of the race he would be disappointed if she didn't win. Her work all spring had been exemplary, including an impressive racecourse gallop at Newmarket during the Craven Meeting where she went slightly under the radar as Rainbow View and Serious Attitude were also working that day. A very close second in the highlight stakes was Daraahem's win the Chester Cup at Barry's beloved Chester. This win also marked Barry's 150th winner at Chester - perfect timing. Tastahil and Alyarf flew the flag for the yard later in the month, both winning listed races. 

June

There may have only been eight winners in June, but three of them were at Royal Ascot and helped crown Barry top trainer at the meeting, a first for the master of Faringdon Place. The meeting was a roller coaster of emotions for everyone involved as Barry was in hospital at the time fighting blood poisoning. The brilliant Ghanaati headed the team with her course record breaking win in the Coronation Stakes, tough little Ouqba fought his way to a win in the Jersey Stakes, and not to be out done stable stalwart Giganticus weaved his way through in the Buckingham Palace Stakes to triumph. Huzzah must also get a mention as his brave second in the Hunt Cup secured the top trainer award. 

Ascot wasn't the only highlight this month. High Heeled ran a marvellous race to finish third in the Oaks giving us all a huge thrill. Everyone connected with the yard had their fingers crossed for rain, and although there wasn't a lot the ground had enough give in it for her to finish close to two superstar fillies Midday and Sariska. 

July

Fanjura began the month with the first of his three consequtive wins and he was followed by ten more winners during July. High Heeled got a well deserved listed win at York in the EBF Lyric Stakes, and future Group 3 winner Sent From Heaven made her debut with a facile win at Kempton. Our Dream Queen made a little bit of history when she became the first flat winner at FFos Las.

August

Thirteen winners were sent out from the yard in August. They were headed by Sent From Heaven who was supremely tough when winning the Berry Brothers and Rudd Prestige Stakes (Group 3). Khattaab made a very impressive debut at Haydock, winning by seven lengths and he is one to look forward to next year. Another lovely two year old, Sunraider, also broke his maiden this month at Windsor.

September

The ultra tough Swilly Ferry was the stable's star of September. He had been on the go from the first day of the season, but this didn't stop him winning the extremely valuable Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 Stakes. Apart from Swilly there were nine other winners in September.

October

The horses were still running well into October where we had another ten winners. High Heeled showed everyone exactly what she was capable of when trotting up in the Group 3 St Simon Stakes, beating Tastahil by six lengths. Za Za Zoom won her maiden at Windsor and then went on to run second in the Radley Stakes (Listed). Tamaathul and Rashad both won in the style of nice colts who we are looking forward to seeing on the track next year.

Ghanaati left the yard this month. She very definitely had a presence about her and you knew when she was around. She was an incredible athlete with a huge stride, and we were very lucky to have her with us.

November

To date there have been no winners in November and the yard is very much winding down after a long season. There may be a couple of more two year old winners but the curtain has pretty much been drawn on 2009. It has been a great year.