As 2019 draws to a close its time to take a look back at what I feel has been a very good year here at AppleTree Stud. The numbers are not huge but this is very much a farm in its infancy, 8 wins from 43 runners on the flat and 1 win from 1 run over jumps. 13 of the 43 runners have been placed giving a first 4 finish percentage of just under 50%. A stat that I am particularly pleased with is our homebred horses are performing to a level that is well above average. We are currently 3 individual winners from 6 foals of racing age, 2 of the 6 that haven't won are Far Rockaway and Gold Maze (Golden Horn x Astonishing). Far Rockaway has looked capable being placed twice from 3 starts and Gold Maze has shown a decent level without winning being placed 3rd in the Group 2 Beresford stakes at the Curragh, he also holds an Irish Derby entry. The 3 winners have come from what looks like our foundation mare Midnight Thoughts, her offspring have done well and also look progressive, the only thing she is missing is a Stakes performer which looks immanent after Tomorrow's Dream's win on Friday and Three Weeks now residing in the care of Doug Watson in Dubai. more.....

Blacko made his GB debut a winning one this afternoon at Taunton in the Annual Membership 2020 Available Today Juvenile Hurdle. He travelled and jumped smoothly throughout the contest under Tom Bellamy to challenge going down to 2 out, a slight mistake at the last was no big deal as he went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths from the favorite Zoffee. Blacko won with a bit up his sleeve as he was a little green from the back of the last which probably caused the mistake. We will now look at trying to win with a penalty and as discussed he is qualified for NH novices races which may mean his penalty is cancelled out by the weight for age allowance. It was also a pleasure to have Tom Bellamy aboard as I have known the Bellamy's for the best part of 25 years. A great result and tremendous to be able to support Tom in his new role at Alan's.

Blacko makes his GB debut this afternoon at Taunton in the 2m½f (2m104y) Annual Membership 2020 Available Today Juvenile Hurdle (Class 4) (3yo) at 12.45pm. He was bought by AppleTree on the recommendation of my old boss Alan King and we are very much looking forward to the race. It looks a fair contest with the Philip Hobbs trained Zoffee heading the market. Zoffee finished second behind another Alan King inmate Lord Lamington (Grade 2 Placed since) on his first start over hurdles at Market Rasen so Alan should have a good line through the form. There are also others to be respected and this is by no means a 2 horse race. Having said all this Blacko has pleased in everything he has done at home, he gives the impression he'll keep galloping and has schooled with accuracy and zest. Tom Bellamy takes the ride.

We had a great day at Wolverhampton yesterday with Tomorrow's Dream (Oasis Dream x Midnight Thoughts) winning her maiden 2.25pm on her second start and Far Rockaway (Frankel x Darinza) producing another solid effort to finishing second in the 3pm. Tomorrow's Dream Broke very well to sit upside in front, she travelled smoothly and had enough gears when ask by Tom Marquand turning in to put the race to bed winning by a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths from the Mark Johnston trained Mountain Brave. She will get further than 6f as we progress through 2020 and will most likely have a little break now to wait for the turf season. The result was another pedigree update for Appletree's Broodmare Midnight Thoughts who is now 3 winners from 3 foals of racing age. We Just need the black type to come but it will in time and Midnight Thoughts is turning in to one of our foundation mares her at Appletree. We were hoping for the same result in the 3pm but alas Far Rockaway finished second in what look on paper a very hot race for the time of year. She broke well but did not have the early pace to hold her position and was sat further back than ideal. The winner had first run on her on the bend and she was beaten 5 lengths by the Harry Dunlop trained Pride of America. Hind sight is a wonderful thing as it was probably the wrong idea to come back in trip after her Chelmsford run but we live and learn and there were limited options through December. It was a shame not to get Far Rockaway a win at 2 but I'm certain she will be a winner in the near future and there is a race for her in a couple of weeks back up in trip.

It is a first for Appletree Stud today, having 2 runners on the same card at Wolves this afternoon and they both have live chances. At 2.25pm Tomorrow's Dream (Oasis Dream x Midnight Thoughts) runs in the 6f (6f20y) Ladbrokes "Play 1-2-Free" On Football Fillies' Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 5) (2yo). Tomorrow's Dream comes here of the back of an excellent debut run at Newcastle where she finished staying on 5th over the same trip. She is sure to improve for that experience as William Haggas horses often do and although she will get further next season William felt she had enough speed to run her again over 6f, she is also against her own sex. The draw is slightly against her as she is drawn 9 so will need to break sharply. Then it is the turn of Far Rockaway (Frankel x Darinza) at 3pm in the 1m½f (1m142y) Ladbrokes Football Acca Boosty Novice Stakes (Class 5) (2yo). Far Rockaway has a tough task against the colts and 2 very well bred individuals, Tenbury Wells a $1,600,000 yearling trained by John Gosden and Tolmount a Dubawi colt trained by Charlie Appleby. We are hoping that Far Rockaway's experience will catch her protagonist flat footed. She is drawn a more favorable 6 and although she comes back in trip from her last run William feels she has improved. We are dreaming of having Appletree's first double to close the year on a high, 2 important pedigree updates and Tom Marquand takes the ride on both fillies.

It is with great anticipation Tomorrow's Dream (Oasis Dream x Midnight Thoughts) runs on Monday at Newcastle in the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Maiden Stakes (Class 5) (2yo) over 6 furlongs. She is the third foal of our mare Midnight Thoughts who is 2 winners from 2 runners and Tomorrow's Dream has been suggesting that she carries ability just like her 2 half brothers Three Weeks rated 90 and Funny Man rated 83. Tomorrow's Dream has shown a little more speed than her brothers hence why William Haggas is starting over 6f, it is a reasonably stiff 6 though and she is sure to get further as 3yo. Her work has been good and we expect a big run although whatever she does she will improve off the back of this debut.

Far Rockaway (Frankel x Darinza) couldn't quite get her head in front at Chelmsford in the 3.25pm Extra Places At totesport.com Novice Stakes, she broke well and Tom Marquand got a perfect position on the inside rail just behind the pace sitting 4th or 5th. Having settled and travelled well for the majority of the race she came off the bridle at around the 4 poll for a few strides through greenness. The winner Colonize arguably got first run on her as she was green again before straightening up for the line. Far Rockaway saw out the trip well from there to finish a 1/2 length 2nd. It was a great 2nd run and her greenness showed there is still plenty to come from the filly. Darinza, Far Rockaways dam is being offered for sale in the December Mares sale at Tattersalls on Wednesday 4th of December lot no 1930. Darinza is in foal to the exciting Sea The Moon L.S.D 19/04/19 and is unfortunately for sale to help balance the books. so if you would like to buy a mare in foal to a sire on the up and imminent pedigree updates coming, please come and see us in the further paddock, stable 472. She will be available for viewing at Tattersalls from 01/12/19.

Far Rockaway (Frankel x Darinza) is Declared For the Extra Places At totesport.com Novice Stakes 1m2f (Plus 10 Race) (Class 4) (2yo) 3.25pm at Chelmsford tomorrow afternoon and the vibes are good. Drawn in stall 7, we are looking for Far Rockaway to build on her promising debut when she stayed on well over 7f to finish 5th at the same venue. The filly will wear the hood again to keep her settled but the step up to 1m2f will certainly help and both William Haggas and I think she will appreciate the test. There were options to go over a mile, but we feel the trip will get the best out of her at this stage and she is sure to get further in time. The race is very competitive which you would expect at this time of year with so many trainers looking to get there later 2yo's out for experience and owner breeders like ourselves looking for a 2yo win for our pedigrees. We expect her to go very close! Tom Marquand kindly takes the ride again which is another plus being he rode the filly first timeout, besides being one of the rising stars of the weighing room.