Big day for Norris/Huntingdon purchases

We're really looking forward to a day's racing at Newbury on Saturday, not least because it's our home track but also because three Norris/Huntingdon purchases will be in action on a Group 1 race day. In the big race itself, the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, Hors De Combat (pictured below) will be lining up for owner Chris Van Hoorn and trainer James Fanshawe. William and I bought the son of Mount Nelson for Chris as a yearling and have been delighted to see him progress into a decent Group-class performer.

In the Listed Toronado Carnarvon Stakes, Desert Force will be representing Malih Al Basti and the Richard Hannon Stable. A Norris/Huntingdon foal pinhook, he's been a progressive colt for the team, with two wins at two and three, and it's great to see him taking his chance in stakes company. Another of our foal pinhooks, two-year-old Invincible Spirit colt Shalaa, makes his debut for the in-form John Gosden stable in the Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes and he will be racing in the colours of the day's sponsor, Al Shaqab Racing, so we hope that they have another decent horse on their hands from one of our drafts after Karar finished fourth in last weekend's Poule d'Essai des Poulains. It would be extra pleasing to see Shalaa run well as he was bred by our friends Aisling Kinane and Mark Gittins. Good luck to the horses of all connections – we look forward to cheering them home.