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So far Robert Thornton has created 198 blog entries.

Menaggio On Springs Round Plumpton To Make It 2/2 Over Fences 18/11/24

Menaggio was on springs round Plumpton today to make it 2/2 over fences. He put an impressive display when winning the Southern Cranes & Access Ltd Novices' Limited Handicap Chase over 2m3f by 11 lengths from Sea Invasion. Menaggio's jumping was exemplary, he was always travelling well behind the leader before mounting a challenged leaving the back straight. The moment Tom Cannon made that move the race was put to bed followed by 2 bold leaps at the 2nd last and last fences. Menaggio will have a little time now before his 3rd run as the horse is only a 5yo and still has making up to do. Alan King will let the horse progress naturally and there is improvement to come as the 2m3f would be his minimum trip, he is an exciting prospect.   

Menaggio On Springs Round Plumpton To Make It 2/2 Over Fences 18/11/242024-11-19T10:06:19+00:00

Menaggio Posts Impressive Debut Over Fences 21/10/24

AppleTree's up turn in luck continued this afternoon with Menaggio winning at Plumpton in the 3.55pm Nick Embiricos Memorial Handicap Chase over 2m3f for Alan King ridden By Tom Cannon. He beat War Lord by 9 lengths over a trip that would be his bare minimum. There were only 3 runners in the end but the race was still quite competitive, Menaggio jump very well for his chase debut although he got a little out paced down the hill, Tom did a great job holding him together and not panicking before using his stamina up the home straight. I feel he already had the second horse covered by the time they got to the last although a mistake by War Lord sealed the victory. We will see how Menaggio comes out of the race and what the handicapper does before we make a plan. 

Menaggio Posts Impressive Debut Over Fences 21/10/242024-10-22T09:44:09+01:00

King Al Tops Off The Week With A Debut Win AT Haydock 18/10/24

King Al tops off the week with a win at Haydock in the 1.45pm Racing To School British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes over 1m. King Al was a horse put to us by my old boss Alan King after he purchased him at the Guineas breeze up sale last spring. The 2yo son of Al Kazeem is a fine big horse with loads of scope so will male a nice 3yo prospect and he would not be depended on the heavy ground he encountered today. This result really caps the week off for all of us here at AppleTree and there could be more to come with Alaskan Gold running in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot tomorrow. He is a big price but on his best form would not be a million miles away.  

King Al Tops Off The Week With A Debut Win AT Haydock 18/10/242024-10-18T15:50:47+01:00

Book 2 600,000gns Sale Of Too Darn Hot Filly Brings A Flood Of Emotion 15/10/24

Too Darn Hot x Lola Paige filly sold on the Tuesday of Tattersalls Book 2 sale for 600,000gns. Please forgive the rather drab intro as I and the team really were/are speechless. A flood of emotion hit me like a sledge hammer as the gavel dropped at the amazing figure. The AppleTree bred filly out of our mare Lola Paige really is special, from day dot she has been a super star in looks and attitude. I said during interviews after the event I always thought she would make money but never dreamt she would realize what she did. Very special well-done needs to go to the team at home led by Stud Groom Agata Strzalkowska whos tireless input and hard work made this possible, backed up by Katie Reynolds and Hannah Faber. This sale is about so much more than the result itself, Paul Dunkley and his family have invested so much to get to this point I can't thank them enough. The filly was bought by Alex Elliot on behalf of Al Shaqab and Amo Racing but along with a big thank you to them I'd like to thank everyone who viewed and supported our filly over the cause of the sale. I would also like to wish the fillies new connections the very best of luck, this could be the start of something big for AppleTree and we luck forward to following the fillies career.

Book 2 600,000gns Sale Of Too Darn Hot Filly Brings A Flood Of Emotion 15/10/242024-11-19T10:08:31+00:00

Book 2 Tattersalls Sale 14/10/24

Autumn yearling sales are in full swing and after heading to Doncaster premier sales in August with ok results we now head to Tattersalls Book 2 with 1 offering. Although we only have 1 filly to offer, I am confident in saying we are very much in the situation of quality over quantity.  Lot 898 Too Darn Hot x Lola Paige filly yearling is a Princess, she walks, she is correct and has a great attitude. To back these credentials up she vets very well too. We will be travelling down to Tattersalls on Friday morning and our filly will be available to view from 8am Saturday morning so please come and have a look and be sure not to miss her going through the ring on Tuesday next week.

Book 2 Tattersalls Sale 14/10/242024-10-08T09:54:30+01:00

3 Away At Doncaster Premier Sale

AppleTree Stud managed to get our 3 offerings sold at Doncaster yearling sale although slightly disappointed with the results. First up was lot 103 an Ardad filly out of AppleTree's mare Sleepless, she was popular and a fine big strong filly and having made £26,000 there was profit in her. She went to a good school being bought by Robson Aguiar and we look forward to seeing her on the track early next year. Next up was lot 232 Palace Pier colt out of our good mare Astonishing. he made £68,000 so again there was a little profit there from his covering fee. He was bought by Tally Ho stud so we wait to see what they can make of him and we no doubt wait to see him at next years breeze up sales and hope he can enhance our mares page going forward. Our Last lot offered was lot 366 Lope Y Fernadez x Frequent colt who unfortunately only made £3,500 which was disappointing, he only cost AppleTree 5,000gns so although not the biggest lost I did expect him to make more. Granted he wasn't the prettiest but he moved very well and I thought this may push him to the £10,000 target. you win some you loose some with horses and we at AppleTree would like to offer all purchasers the very best of luck. Also a Very big thank you to all who came and took the time to viewed our horses, we look forward to seeing you in Newmarket.  

3 Away At Doncaster Premier Sale2024-09-06T11:49:58+01:00

3 Offerings From AppleTree For Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale 27th & 28th August

AppleTree Stud are offering 3 yearlings in the upcoming Doncaster Premier yearling sale 2 colts and a filly. First up is lot 103 Ardad x Sleepless bay filly, she is a big filly with plenty of size and substance to get on with. She had been very straight forward in her preparation and has a great temperament. Next up is lot 232 Palace Pier x  Astonishing chestnut colt, he is a flashy striking colt with a good pedigree behind him. He is a half to 3 stakes performers and out of AppleTrees top mare Astonishing. His half sister is an unraced filly named Rumba Numba in training with Roger Varian, she is pleasing in all her work and looks to have nice updates coming through in the future. AppleTrees last offering is lot 366  Lope Y Fernandez x Frequent bay colt, he was picked up at last December foal sale for 10,000gns. He moves impeccably and has a huge walk, with size and scope. Granted he may take a little time to come to hand but there is a race horse here. 

3 Offerings From AppleTree For Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale 27th & 28th August2024-09-04T11:31:56+01:00

Lunar Flies Home At Lingfield 04/06/24

Home Bred Lunar Shadow flew home at Lingfield tonight winning the Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap over 1m4f by 1/2 a length from Aiming High, given a usual strong ride by Hollie Doyle. This was Lunars 7th win of her career and fingers crossed there looks more to come. She won this off a career high mark and was possibly value for more the the winning distance suggested, Lunar got a little bit unbalanced off the bend but once Hollie got her on an even keel she powered out very well to the line. Lunar will probably be kept to the flat this season although she has won over hurdles she seems very much at home on the level.

Lunar Flies Home At Lingfield 04/06/242024-06-06T09:36:28+01:00

Last But Not Least Oasis Dream Filly Arrives 05/05/24

AppleTrees last foal arrived last night, a stunning Oasis Dream filly out of Absolute Blast. The new filly has a full sister in training with Roger Varian retained by AppleTree and reports are good so the future looks good for our new arrival and Mum. She is this fourth living foal from Absolute Blast being the dam of one winner and also Absolute Star who has been placed on 3 occasions from 3 starts.

Last But Not Least Oasis Dream Filly Arrives 05/05/242024-05-13T09:00:02+01:00

Astonishing Delivers a Cracking New Bay Colt 28/04/24

Astonishing (Galileo X Amazing Krisken) gave Apple Tree a cracking New Bay colt this evening and plenty to look forward too. She is the dam of 3 runners and they have all been stakes placed, Astonishing also has on the ground a flashy Place Pier yearling colt who will be offered for sale in the autumn, a 2yo filly by Too Darn Hot in training with Roger Varian and is visiting Baeed this season so exciting times ahead with the mare.

Astonishing Delivers a Cracking New Bay Colt 28/04/242024-04-29T09:21:31+01:00
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