Victor Dartnall Racing

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Victor Dartnall Racing proudly sponsored by the Hartnoll Hotel http://www.hartnollhotel.co.uk/
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Since Victor Dartnall began training 17 years ago he has rightly earned the reputation of a man who can nurture talent and produce a peak performance on the required day. Over the years he has handled some quality jumpers including Lord Sam, Giles Cross, Ambion Wood, Russian Trigger, Ace High, Exmoor Ranger, Lodge Lane and Richards Sundance. His training establishment at Higher Shutscombe near Bar

nstaple stands in 112 acres of rich and undulating North Devon grassland where facilities include grass and all-weather gallops, extensive schooling grounds, sand arenas, two horse walkers and turnout paddocks. The team at Higher Shutscombe always welcome existing and potential owners and those considering having a horse in training, can enjoy a stay in Devon at the delightful Hartnoll Hotel, courtesy of Victor Dartnall Racing, while they learn for themselves just what sets Victor apart.

27/07/2024

Shutscombe Dispersal Sale

The sale of all the farm and horse equipment including tractors and tack etc will take place next Tuesday July 30th at 10.30 am starting with the rugs and tack. The catalogue which will be updated right up to sale day can be seen on
https://www.stags.co.uk/articles/dispersal-sale-of-horse-racing-yard-to-include-2-tractors-trailers-implements-full-range-of-equestrian-equipment-and-tack
All lots can be viewed on Monday 29th July between 1.00pm to 4.00pm and on the morning of the sale from 8.00am onwards.
Please note that the larger machinery lots will be sold by live webcast allowing online bidding.

At the same time you will be able to view the TB mare and her yearling gelding and filly foal (see photo), both by the Connemara stallion Tulira Darog. Both youngsters are very well made and will make good sorts. I would sell the mare and foal together now or sell the foal in October at weaning. The mare is believed in foal again to the same stallion, and this will be confirmed very soon.
There is also an Appaloosa X Dartmoor 2 y o gelding which I’m told should make 13.2 hh.
All these youngsters are well handled and up to date with their vaccinations.
Anyone interested please contact Victor on 07974374272 or ask at the sales office on sale day.

27/07/2024

Shutscombe Dispersal Sale

The sale of all the farm and horse equipment including tractors and tack etc will take place next Tuesday July 30th at 10.30 am starting with the rugs and tack. The catalogue which will be updated right up to sale day can be seen on
https://www.stags.co.uk/articles/dispersal-sale-of-horse-racing-yard-to-include-2-tractors-trailers-implements-full-range-of-equestrian-equipment-and-tack.
All lots can be viewed on Monday 29th July between 1.00pm to 4.00pm and on the morning of the sale from 8.00am onwards.
Please note that the larger machinery lots will be sold by live webcast allowing online bidding.

At the same time you will be able to view the TB mare and her yearling gelding and filly foal (photo below), both by the Connemara stallion Tulira Darog. Both youngsters are very well made and will make good sorts. I would sell the mare and foal together now or sell the foal in October at weaning. The mare is believed in foal again to the same stallion, and this will be confirmed very soon.
There is also an Appaloosa X Dartmoor 2 y o gelding which I'm told should make 13.2 hh.
All these youngsters are well handled and up to date with their vaccinations.
Anyone interested please contact Victor on 07974374272 or ask at the sales office on sale day.

18/06/2024

Retirement Update

I have been overwhelmed by the kind wishes of so many people since I announced my retirement. It was especially nice to hear from so many old members of staff and previous owners.
I've been at Higher Shutscombe Farm for 30 years although in reality it doesn't feel as long as that.
It was a second job in life for me as the first was in farm management after I had graduated from Reading University with a degree in Agriculture. The first three years was spent as an assistant to Macer Gifford (the well known professional NH jockey) on his uncle's farm near Huntingdon. I then moved to Wiltshire to manage Temple Farm Rockley which was, at the time, a 2600 acre arable farm on the Marlborough Downs. I spent 21 years there working for two successful owners and in the latter years laid down the now defunct Barbury Point-To-Point course and the new grass gallops at Barbury Castle Stables which are now used very successfully by Alan King.
It was in 1994 that I made the decision to leave farm management and start a career in racehorse training.
Now is the right time for me to stop and horses have been leaving Shutscombe all week.

There are still 2 mares waiting to be sold on for a career outside racing - Please contact Victor on 07974374272 for more information.

03/06/2024

Horses For Sale

We have a selection of mares and geldings looking for their next chapter in life out of racing, All finished sound and injury free, nice rides and would suit any job. ROR, hunting, eventing , general riding horses. One, a multi-winning Handicap Chaser, could potentially go Point-To-Pointing. Sensible prices, good homes essential.
Please ring Victor on +44 7974 374272 for more information. Messages to this page will not be answered

03/06/2024

Retirement Beckons

EDIT: Victor thanks everyone for all the wonderful messages!

After 30 very enjoyable years in racehorse training, firstly as an amateur for 4 years and since 1998 as a licensed trainer, I have decided that now is the time to relinquish my license. After 25 years in farm management, racing was my second career, but it is now the time to take things a bit easier and spend time with my family. My crop of 11 grandchildren have already produced a highly qualified horse vet and an extremely exciting young amateur boxer and there are more to follow for sure!
Racing has dramatically changed over this period and the smaller yards have faced not only increased competition from the larger establishments, but also the current economic problems which affect every industry and have hit racing particularly hard e.g. wages and costs of fodder and bedding – the latter being particularly badly affected by last year’s poor harvest. To add ‘salt to the wounds’ shortage of labour, which has not been helped by Brexit, has made life even harder. There was a time when we could rely on local youngsters to learn their trade with us before moving on and also see more experienced people return to work for us in their local area. I am particularly proud of the start the yard has given to several young people not least Rachel Robbins (head girl for Willie Mullins) and Flo Willis (2nd travelling head girl for Paul Nicholls). Both have been in their current positions for several years.
Over the years we have been lucky to train some good horses including Lord Sam, Hawardeth, Exmoor Ranger, Karanja, Giles Cross, Ambion Wood, Russian Trigger, Admirals Secret and Run To Milan. In the short time that we were training Point-To-Pointers we had two National Champions in Butler John and Phar Too Touchy as well as Slievenamon Mist, Chilipour and King Torus – these horses won over 70 P2P and Hunter Chases between them.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed in so many ways over the years and all the owners who have supported the yard.

24/05/2024

Off To Uttoxeter

Native Moon runs at Uttoxeter on Sunday in his first run in a Handicap over three miles. I hope he will halt the recent bout of poor form for the yard - the horses have been somewhat under a cloud in the last few weeks, but hopefully our vet has found the cause and treated them accordingly and I hope he will put in a good performance.

Damia will run at Leicester on Tuesday, probably in the Handicap rather than the Claimer. She appears to be very well so I am looking forward to running her.

10/05/2024

Up To Haydock

Aurigny Mill runs in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock tomorrow which is the last major Handicap Hurdle for awhile. It is a short two miles on a flat course and the ground is currently good, good to soft which should suit him. He will have come on from his last run at Chepstow where he travelled well to the final flight when he hit a patch of heavy ground and he faded to finish fourth.

05/05/2024

A Busy Few Days

We have four runners this week, but unfortunately they are all at different meetings!

Today Arthalot makes his reappearance at Salisbury in the one mile six furlong Handicap having undergone wind surgery - it is well documented that the first run after surgery can be disappointing so we will have to see what happens.

Pride Of Paris goes back over hurdles tomorrow at Warwick tomorrow in the three mile one furlong Handicap Hurdle. His last run which was his first appearance over fences resulted in him striking into his heel on landing and unseating Alan Johns. He will make a lovely chaser in time, but it would be nice to end his season on a good note.

On Tuesday Native Moon runs in the three mile Handicap Hurdle at Ffos Las although the ground would not want to go to heavy. We won this race last year with Back Yourself and as it was with him this is Native Moon's first handicap race.

Damia goes to Kempton on Wednesday in the 46-52 seven furlong Handicap - this should be more to her liking than her last outing in the five and a half furlong at Bath as she is now settling much better in her races.

23/04/2024

Drying Ground At Taunton

We run Atjima in the two mile three furlong Handicap Hurdle at Taunton tomorrow and for the first time this season she should appreciate the good going although I wouldn't be surprised if it is quicker than described at the moment. She seems to be on very good terms with herself although it looks like it will be a slightly better contest than I would have hoped at 0-110 although at 90 she is well within the handicap.

Aurigny Mill may run at Chepstow on Friday in the 0-135 Handicap Hurdle if the ground doesn't become too quick for him.

Damia put in a solid performance at Bath last Friday to finish fifth beaten by two and a half lengths, but the trip appeared to be inadequate and in her current frame of mind she should stay seven furlongs.

Trevanion got very upset in the stalls at Kempton last Wednesday and damaged himself, but he appears to be responding well to treatment.

16/04/2024

Back To Kempton

Trevanion has his second run for the yard tomorrow in the seven furlong Novice at Kempton. He ran very well on his racecourse debut at the same course despite being slowly away and I hope he will show an improvement on that tomorrow.

Damia runs at Bath on Friday in the five and a half furlong Handicap and I hope she can built on her recent second at Lingfield.

We have two entries at Wincanton on Sunday: Tamarind Bay is entered in the National Hunt Flat Race and Atjima in the Military Riders Handicap Hurdle. To date we have been unable to find a jockey which begs the question of how many former or current military personnel are licensed to ride. In my view they shouldn't be holding such a race if there is a shortage of riders.

Native Moon put in a solid performance at Hereford to finish third to no less than a half brother to Altior who was winning his first race. Native Moon will now get his handicap mark which will open up many more options for him.

08/04/2024

A Good Run At Lingfield

Damia produced a good effort at Lingfield to finish second in the six furlong Handicap. She settled well in the early stages and she worked her way well through the field, but unfortunately the winner had already flown! This was a solid effort and hopefully she will get her nose in front before too long.

The going at Exeter on Sunday was far too heavy to run Native Moon and he now hopefully goes to Hereford next Sunday. Similarly Trevanion was not entered for Leicester as the course was waterlogged and I would not want to run him on heavy ground at this stage of his career.

Pride Of Paris is entered for his first chase at Taunton on Thursday where hopefully the ground won't be so testing as many of the other courses.

04/04/2024

Off To Lingfield

Damia runs in the six furlong Handicap at Lingfield tomorrow. Her last run was disappointing, but she boiled over at the start and pulled far too hard - tomorrow she has the hood back on and runs a furlong shorter. Her previous two runs for the yard were good and I'm hoping she will bounce back to form tomorrow.

Native Moon is entered at Exeter on Sunday, but I imagine the ground will be too soft for him.

Trevanion runs a week tomorrow at Leicester in a seven furlong Novice race subject to the ground not being too soft.

24/03/2024

Back To Exeter

Haldon Hill returns to Exeter tomorrow where he produced a solid performance last season to finish second. His two runs this season have been disappointing, but there have been reasons for this as we discovered he had muscle problems. He seems fit and well now so I am hopeful that he will give a good account of himself.

We are unlikely to have any other runners until the weekend when Aurigny Mill runs either at Haydock on Saturday or Plumpton on Sunday as more rain is forecast.

It didn't work out for Run To Milan at Newbury yesterday, principally because they omitted six fences due to low sun and the ground was drying out very fast. He is a soft to heavy ground horse and yesterday's conditions weren't that. Also horses running in handicaps are unlikely to go right through the season producing good performances without the Handicapper seeing this and increasing the weights to the point where it becomes too much - His weight was increased by five pounds for his last run at Exeter. Even though he hasn't won a race this season he has earned a nice lot of prize-money.

23/03/2024

Off To Newbury

Run To Milan runs in the Veterans Chase over three miles at Newbury this afternoon. Alan Johns has been claimed by Tim Vaughan so Fergus Gillard will take the ride. The ground is drying there although the going stick is showing it to be softer than the current going description. He is a horse who has always produced his best form at Exeter - his only run at Newbury was over three and a quarter miles which proved to be a bit too far for him and as it has turned out was 'mission impossible' as the winner was Corach Rambler!

Haldon Hill is declared for Monday at Exeter, but we will produce a further update on Sunday evening on next week's runners when we have a better idea of the going.

15/03/2024

Kempton On Saturday

We run Tamarind Bay at Kempton on Saturday where he made his racecourse debut in February to finish a very promising second in what looked like a useful race. This time the race is for four year olds only and the ground has dried a little to good to soft, good in places which may even suit him better than the soft to heavy ground last time. Providing he does not hot up and run too freely (this can happen on their second run) he should give a good account of himself.

Native Moon is back after a short break and runs at Exeter on Tuesday providing the ground isn't too soft. He ran a nice race on his last outing when he finished a close fourth and he should be better suited to the increased distance of two mile five furlongs.

Later in the week Trevanion follows up his debut performance at Kempton when he will be stepped up in trip to seven furlongs in a maiden at Southwell.

05/03/2024

Kempton Tomorrow

Damia has her first run for awhile in the seven furlong three year old Handicap at Kempton tomorrow. She has run twice for the yard before finishing fourth on both occasions and she appears to have matured a lot since the autumn so I am hoping that she will produce a good run.

Pride Of Paris' recent win at Fontwell has been franked by the runner up winning easily by eight lengths at Newbury last week, but this may come back to haunt us as we were put up five pounds anyway and there is a risk that the Handicapper may raise him again. He will go over fences now and will hopefully run at the end of the month on drier ground.

Devon Blue made a far better start to his racing career than the final finishing position suggests at Taunton last week. It was one of the fastest races of the day and they went a very strong gallop - he was able to lie right up with them until he got a little tired swinging into the home straight. Alan Johns nursed him home from that point as he is still very immature and needs to strengthen up as he is very big and was a late foal anyway. The race itself will have done him a lot of good as it was the first time on a racecourse.

25/02/2024

A Quiet Week Ahead

Our only runner this coming week will be the well-bred Devon Blue. He is a big National Hunt bred four year old by Vendangeur (who is a son of Galileo) out of a half sister to the black type performers Supreme Prince and Supreme Serenade. Devon Blue is also a half brother to the multiple chase winner Glenquin Castle. He is making his racecourse debut in the National Hunt flat race at Taunton on Thursday - He is very much a potential chaser in the making and not a Bumper horse, but it will do him a world of good to have a racecourse outing as this is, in my opinion, a major function of this type of race.

Further on our next two runners will be on the All-weather (thank goodness!) and will be Damia and Trevanion. The going at the moment is desperately heavy on the jumps tracks, particularly where they have had a lot of racing and hopefully the going will get better in two to three weeks time.

20/02/2024

Heavy Ground Again

We go to Exeter on Friday with Eye Candy - the ground is sure to be heavy as it is already soft and there is a lot more rain forecast. She ran very well at Wincanton on her racecourse debut when despite being impeded twice she finished running on strongly. This Juke Box Jury filly is quite small but she can gallop - Heidi Stevens will ride her and takes a useful seven pounds off.

Atjima went to Hereford last week and ran much better than appeared from the result as they had had an extra eleven millimetres of rain overnight which made the going testing. Even so she came there strongly two from home but the two mile five and a half furlongs in that ground proved just too far for her and she pulled up at the last fence. Better spring ground will suit her and I was particularly impressed with her renewed enthusiasm in the race and that her exuberant jumping had returned.

13/02/2024

Something To Look Forward To

Our three runners over this last weekend produced two very good performances and a disappointing run in the Betfair Hurdle.

On Friday Tamarind Bay produced a very good performance on his racecourse debut to finish second in a hotly contested National Hunt Flat Race. He hadn't even had a racecourse gallop as they are now virtually impossible to arrange and as a result the whole day was a new experience for him - He will definitely improve for this outing.

We went with high hopes with Aurigny Mill to Newbury for the Betfair Hurdle on Saturday - It all went wrong at the start with a lengthy delay whilst a horse had to be reshod and as a result several horses got upset. When they finally started he didn't settle and ran far too freely in the early stages. I believe the heavy ground also didn't help, but there will be another day for him.

Run To Milan produced yet another fine performance at Exeter on Sunday to finish second to a well handicapped horse in the Veterans Chase. In doing so he beat all the other fancied horses and his free front running style and bold jumping has gained him a lot of admirers.

Atjima runs at Hereford on Wednesday in a bid to regain her form. The mare schooled very well last week and seems to be enjoying her jumping again.

06/02/2024

Big Weekend Ahead

The weekend starts early with our young gelding Tamarind Bay having his first run in a National Hunt Flat Race at Kempton on Friday. This good looking four year old by the dual purpose sire Elusive Pimpernel has been doing some good work at home and it will be interesting to see how he performs on the racetrack.

On Saturday Aurigny Mill is heading for the Betfair Trophy (formally known as the Schweppes) - this is the most valuable Handicap Hurdle on the calendar and always takes a lot of winning. The long straights at Newbury and the inevitable strong early gallop will suit Aurigny Mill who is at his best when settled in early and produced over the last two flights.

On Sunday Run To Milan returns to Exeter for a valuable Veterans Chase which he won two years ago. He is very fresh and well and will be virtually bottom weight in this 0-150 chase - As he is not an overly big horse this light weight has to be to his advantage.

30/01/2024

A Good Result

Pride Of Paris had his first win at Fontwell on Sunday when winning the first division of the two mile five furlong Handicap Hurdle. It was a particularly good performance as the sharp track wouldn't really suit this long striding perspective chaser. Despite this once he hit the front he controlled matters and even though they quickened markedly over the last two flights he ran on strongly to prevail by a head.

He will now be schooled over fences with a view to having a couple of runs over them in the spring.

26/01/2024

Off To Fontwell

Pride Of Paris is one of our rare runners at Fontwell on Sunday - There was a time when we frequently used to travel there. He is very well in himself and is schooling well and we are all looking forward to his first run in a Handicap. Fergus Gillard takes the ride as Alan Johns is claimed to ride at Doncaster.

On Thursday Eye Candy runs in the Maiden National Hunt Flat Race at Wincanton and Gypsy Hill will try a longer trip for the first time in the Mares Novice Hurdle on the same card.

20/01/2024

We Try Again!

Recent abandonments have played havoc with our racing plans and this week has been a write-off as far as we are concerned. The weather is apparently getting milder so I am hopeful that racing next week will be able to go ahead.

Haldon Hill is entered in the three mile one furlong Handicap Chase at Warwick on Monday - this is further than he has ever run before, but there is no reason to suppose that he won't get the trip as he made all to win his Bumper at Exeter on soft ground.

Tamarind Bay will be declared for the National Hunt Flat race at Newbury on Tuesday - He is very forward for his age and is working extremely well at home. His dam Tempest River won the listed Mares Bumper at Aintree and was placed in a listed race at Cheltenham and won over hurdles and fences before retiring to stud. Tamarind Bay's sire is Elusive Pimpernel who was a high class two year old and he won a Group 3 race at York over seven furlongs and subsequently ran over distances up to one mile three and a half furlongs. He is now a prolific sire of winners under both codes.

16/01/2024

Pocket Too

This six year old gelding by Cannock Chase out of Dance A Daydream (a winner from a prolific Cheveley Park bloodline) had a good first season in National Hunt flat races being placed in all of the four he ran (Achieving a RPR of 92). He received a minor injury on his first run over hurdles at Aintree (due to the quicker ground) and has been given plenty of time to recover. He is a dual purpose prospect and is in training now and will hopefully run in March.

A half share in this consistent horse can be leased at £1140 per month (incl VAT) - Weatherby's costs are not included. Please contact Victor on 07974374272.

16/01/2024

Launch Of The Eastington Racing Club

We are very pleased to announce the launch of The Eastington Racing Club.

All for £36 per month (incl VAT). The current horses in the club which are all in our yard are: Sympathise, Damia and an un-named and unraced horse by Dark Angel.

All details can be found on the website: victordartnallracing.com (Horses for Sale page)

15/01/2024

Hopeful For Newbury

Haldon Hill has been declared for the three mile Handicap Chase at Newbury on Wednesday - the entire course has been protected from the frost by the covers so hopefully racing will go ahead. He is the outsider in the field, but I'm still hopeful as he is set to carry ten stone three pounds which will the first time he has run off such a light weight.

Prospects look less good for Tamarind Bay who is entered in the National Hunt Flat Race at Wincanton on Thursday as the track is partially frozen at the moment. This exciting Elusive Pimpernel gelding will be also entered for Newbury next week in case Wincanton is abandoned.

Last week Lhebayeb ran very well to finish third in the Maiden Hurdle at Taunton, being beaten by less than three lengths, having made a mistake at a crucial stage in the back straight. She did extremely well to recover and apart from that jumped very well for a novice. This dual purpose mare will be campaigned on the Flat again this summer, but she will be handicapped now over Hurdles and can swap codes should the right race come up.

07/01/2024

The Weather Threatens

Lhebayeb has her third run over hurdles tomorrow (Monday) at Taunton where she is favourite for the second division of the Maiden Hurdle - Unfortunately this is in doubt as the weather could intervene with an inspection scheduled for 8 a.m. as a frost is forecast. Her last run at Wincanton went very well as she hurdled more professionally and had some good form horses behind her.

On Tuesday Exeter must also be in doubt for the same reason even though the Chases have already been put back to later on the card as the Chase course gets less sun and is more likely to be affected by the frost. Haldon Hill is in great form and is entered in the 0-125 Handicap Chase. He is carrying bottom weight but is still in the Handicap and this will be lowest weight he has carried for a long time.

Damia will be entered next Sunday for a seven furlong Handicap at Lingfield.

28/12/2023

Good Day At Kempton

Aurigny Mill followed up his Wincanton success with a dominating victory in the 0-140 Handicap Hurdle at Kempton yesterday. Once again he came from last to first up the home straight to win going away - hands and heels only. He was in effect running off a ten pound higher mark than Wincanton as his jockey, Fergus Gillard, had ridden out his three pound claim. This victory will put Aurigny Mill at the bottom of the weights for some valuable Handicap Hurdles in the spring.

On Boxing Day Lhebayeb put in a pleasing performance in the Mares Novice Hurdle at Wincanton to finish a respectable fourth and in so doing showed a considerable improvement on her first run over hurdles at the same course. Her jumping was much slicker and she should progress from this run. Eye Candy had two bouts of severe interference in her first run in the Bumper on the same card. She did well to recover from this to finish seventh and only be beaten by 22 lengths and more importantly she finished full of running. She will probably return to Wincanton for a Mares Maiden National Hunt Flat Race in early February.

24/12/2023

Wincanton On Boxing Day

We run both Lhebayeb and Eye Candy at Wincanton on Tuesday.

Lhebayeb is having her second run over hurdles and the ground at the moment is good to soft which is better than her previous run over hurdles. Angus Cheleda takes the ride as Alan Johns is riding elsewhere. Angus who is one of Paul Nicholls' conditionals has previously had a couple of rides for the yard and he did win on Sweet Adare in a hurdle race at Wincanton awhile ago. He claims a useful five pounds allowance which will certainly help Lhebayeb. Eye Candy is a four year old filly by Juke Box Jury out of a well bred Supreme Leader mare who runs in the National Hunt Flat Race at the end of the card and will be ridden by our amateur Heidi Stevens. She is a small filly but she has some class and has been working well at home. She is owned by Dawn Fleming, a friend of our family, who owned Seabright - He was very successful and won nine out of his nineteen races.

Aurigny Mill runs in the 0-140 Handicap Hurdle at Kempton on Wednesday. He has come out of his last race very well and is now being pitched in a higher rated race, but has a reasonable racing weight.

Run To Milan ran a huge race in the three mile chase at Exeter last week when finishing second to a young chaser who was not only well handicapped but also half his age! Run To Milan is now referred to by the racecourse commentators as a legend at Exeter! Two of the opposition had beaten him in previous runs, but he reversed the placings with both of him in an impressive manner and grabbed the second prize of £4800.

20/12/2023

A Busy Day At Exeter On Thursday

Run To Milan tries again at Exeter in the three mile Handicap Chase. The ground is soft which will be to his liking so we are all hopeful of a good run.

Arthalot tries to redeem himself in the Amateur Riders Hurdle after his early exit at the third flight last time out. Heidi Stevens takes the ride.

Gypsy Hill has her first run over hurdles in the Maiden Hurdle on the same card. We are hopeful that she will put in an improved performance from when she ran in Bumpers as she has finally made up and grown into her large frame.

Finally we wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Address

Charles
Barnstaple
EX327PU

Telephone

+441598710280

Website

http://www.victordartnallracing.com/

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