Michael Dods : Racehorse Trainer

Barney's Blog

  • 29-Oct-2025: Latest News from Denton Hall Stables the home of Michael Dods Racing
  • 09-Oct-2025: Woven wins at Ayr to bring up the 40-winner mark for 2025
  • 09-Oct-2025: Northern Brave opens his account in fine style at Ayr under Paul Mulrennan
  • 06-Oct-2025: Arkenstaar wins for the third in 2025 - this time at Pontefract
  • 03-Oct-2025: Call Me Betty wins for second time this season, landing Newcastle handicap in good style
  • 30-Sep-2025: Count Palatine makes it two Ayr winners in two days for owner Anne Elliott
  • 29-Sep-2025: Arkenstaar makes it seven wins at Hamilton
  • 13-Sep-2025: Sanbona goes in at Musselburgh to make it two wins this season
  • 09-Sep-2025: Magistery makes all under Paul Mulrennan to land Carlisle nursery
  • 08-Sep-2025: Sixth career win for Zuffolo at Newcastle under Paul Mulrennan
  • 03-Sep-2025: Late flourish gives Arkenstaar a sixth win at Hamilton

Strange creatures these humans...


Barney McGrew : Ex Racehorse enjoying retirement

Morning all,

Well, everyone’s buzzing round here after that Jawwaal won at Ascot yesterday.
We love it when us northern yards go down there and put one over on the southerners.
Mind you, Jawwaal hasn’t been here for too long. He came up from Newmarket a year or so ago because he used to be trained by that John Gosden human. Imagine that - being a stablemate of Enable. Can’t be bad.
We thought he might be a bit stuck up (the Newmarket horses sometimes are) but Jawwaal’s a decent chap. Took a while to settle in but he’s proving himself now.
His owners, The Sekura Group, make very nice windows and doors, apparently, so if you need any, let me know and I’ll have a word. Nice people.

I was pleased to see that young un, Magisterium, get her second win on the dusty stuff at Newcastle last night. She’s a right little fighter that one. Got up right on the line, she did. I’ll tell her well done when I see her.

We also had a winner at Pontefract during the week with Dancin Boy, pictured below after winning at Redcar last year. I like Dancin Boy - always says hello when he passes my field on the way to the gallops. He's a gentleman.

Apparently, his owner, a nice human in a flat cap called Roger, only bought a racehorse because his golf handicap had gone to pot. I’ve asked around about this golf business and you’ll never believe what it’s all about. The humans get a bag of sticks and then try to hit a tiny ball into a hole a furlong or so away. They spend hours doing it, walk for miles, and get really upset with themselves if they lose their balls. What a bloody waste of time that is! You couldn’t make it up.
As I keep saying - strange creatures these humans.

Anyway, that’s all from me for another week. Let's hope we get some more winners next week. Take care everyone. Lots of love.

Barney McGrew : Ex Racehorse enjoying retirement