Barney's Blog
- 25-Apr-2024: Latest News from Denton Hall Stables the home of Michael Dods Racing
- 02-Apr-2024: Close Connection loses his maiden tag in the mud at Pontefract
- 25-Mar-2024: William Pyle gets Stallone up on the line for second Newcastle win of 2024
- 09-Mar-2024: Members of Denton Hall Racing and Dods Racing Club enjoy stable visit
- 01-Mar-2024: Abruzzo Mia and Sean Kirrane get March off to a flyer at Newcastle
- 25-Jan-2024: Marcello Si wins for the second time this year at Newcastle under Clifford Lee
- 17-Jan-2024: Stallone goes in at Newcastle under William Pyle for our third win of 2024
- 04-Jan-2024: 2024 gets off to cracking start as Marcello Si and Hale End land Newcastle double under Clifford Lee
Making a Mark on racing history
EVENING everyone. Hope you’ve had a canny week.
It’s been buzzing around Denton, what with racing being back. Seems to have gone really well by all accounts. All the horses that ran were full of how well organised it was, although a few said it was odd not having the humans shouting at them.
I’m just pleased to see the whipper-snappers having to earn their corn again. It’s all very well having a canter up the gallops but you’ve got to do it on the racecourse.
I was pleased to see Brunch winning. Strange name but he’s a nice enough young ‘un, always friendly, and I know the gaffer thinks he’s one to watch. He’s got a long way to go before he’s a celebrity like me, though.
Anyway, I’ve been doing a bit of digging into my family tree and it’s pretty interesting. My mum was called Success Story and she was lovely but no headline-grabber on the racecourse. It’s on dad’s side that my ancestry is so impressive.
My old fella was Mark of Esteem and he was a bit of a star. He started off being trained by Henry Cecil but got moved to Saeed bin Suroor when Henry had a bit of a fall-out with the owner, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Probably best not to rake over the coals after all these years but it was a right old barney. I love that word - 'Barney' - don't you?
Dad won the 1996 2,000 Guineas in a close finish from Even Top and Bijou D’Inde, and later won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot from the great Henry Cecil filly Bosra Sham. That was the day Frankie Dettori rode all seven winners, so dad certainly made his mark on history.
He was the best miler in Europe, retired with a Timeform rating of 137, and passed away in 2014. While he was at stud, he sired Derby winner Sir Percy.
My grandad – Mark of Esteem’s sire – was Darshaan, who won the Prix Du Jockey Club (the French Derby). My great-grandfather was Epsom Derby winner Shirley Heights, and my great-great-grandfather was none other than the legendary Mill Reef. They say he was one of the all-time greats.
So, there you are. Now you know where I came from. It’s all in the breeding, dahling.
Lots of love and stay safe,
