News

Harry Ryall – stable stars aplenty for 2024-25

  • Posted: Tuesday, 22nd October 2024
  • Author: Bob Bracher
  • Photo: Tim Holt

Harry Ryall, who is starting his third season as a point-to-point trainer based at Peckmoor Farm near Crewkerne Somerset, is seeking to improve on his two previous seasons when he trained five and eight winners, respectively. At an owners’ day he paraded his hopes for the new season which begins in the Wessex area on Sunday 19th November at Badbury Rings near Wimborne.

Previously the winner of the award for the trainer in the area with nine or fewer horses this new season he introduced a total of fifteen horses which he hopes will run from his yard for the new season. In view of the expansion his team, which previously consisted of himself and his usual jockey Robbie David, has now been bolstered by the arrival of Ruby Fisher- Barnett who has previously worked for Anthony Honeyball and more recently Henrietta Knight.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon supported by owners, family members and friends the horses showed themselves well as they were paraded in the yard outside the stable block.

Harry gave a commentary on all of the horses and his hopes and plans for them; -

Scoresby – The winner of three point to points last season after a disappointing run in two Hurdle races last autumn. He prefers better ground and having had a longer summer break he is likely to be seen at Milborne St Andrew in January, a course where he scored last season. Harry hopes that he will be good enough to take on Novice Hunter Chases in 2025.

Another Furlough – his stable star who gave him his first ever training victory at Badbury Rings and the winner of another three races last season including another at Badbury Rings. He was still in contention when falling at Cheltenham in May when last seen and since being back in work has had some extra showjumping schooling in the hope of improving his jumping. He is scheduled to make his seasonal debut at Badbury Rings in November with the hope that he will also be campaigned in Hunter Chases later in the season.  Another Furlough is pictured above surrounded by Harry and his team - Harry is standing to the left of Another Furlough, as you look at the picture.

Snap Fish – a 5-year-old gelding by Mahler, new to the yard having been bought by Harry at Doncaster in May for 15K following four starts in Irish point to points. One of these was when he was third only beaten just over two lengths by a horse who was then sold for 110K last February and was then placed in a Bumper for Gordon Elliott. He is scheduled to make his English debut at Badbury Rings in a Maiden in November. He will be running for a syndicate for which there are still shares available to purchase.

Posh Dude – the first progeny of the prolific Posh Totty, he ran well on his debut when second in a Bumper last season and finished the season by winning a Maiden at Cothelstone. He has strengthened following a summer break and will be aimed at Restricted races in the New Year as a start to his campaign.

Little Lennox – An unraced 4-year-old gelding by Linda’s Lad bought by one of his joint owners, Colin Bright, as a foal. He was due to make his debut at Charlton Horethorne last March but sustained a slight injury and the decision was made not to run him. It is hoped that he may start his career in a Bumper at Larkhill before Xmas.

My Lucky Star – She won for Harry at an early Larkhill meeting last season and was then placed in two subsequent outings. Bought by David Martin who used to own horses with the late Paul Barber such as Ask the Weatherman, for his grandson Will Higgs to ride as he starts his riding career. Harry hopes that the mare will race early in the season and become a good schoolmistress for Will.

Lady Kloppenheim – Had only one race - a bumper outing at Garthorpe in her first season for Harry but has come back in and showing good form. She is likely to start off in an early Maiden over 2m 4f and there are high hopes for her and her syndicate of owners.

Posh Chick – the second offspring out of Posh Totty by Jack Hobbs, this 3-year-old filly moves well and it is hoped will follow in the footsteps of her half-brother Posh Dude. Likely not to be seen until March next year in a Maiden.

Norton Hill – The winner of two Hurdle races at Hereford last season when trained by Anthony Honeyball he is owned by Jeremy and Sarah Barber and Anthony Norman. He did not jump fences when he ran under rules but is expected to be campaigned in Open races towards the end of January or early February. He looks an exciting prospect for the coming season.

Knockmoylan – The winner of three point to points when trained by Chris Barber in 2022 he sustained an injury at the beginning of 2023 and has been given plenty of time off to recover. He has only just arrived in the yard so is not expected to run until the spring.

Unnamed by Saddlers Rock - A 6-year-old gelding out of a Witness Box mare who won two Welsh point to points and was placed six times over Hurdles and in point to points. A big strong sort who, due to his size, has taken time to strengthen and has not long been in training. His initial work has been pleasing and is hoped that he will make his debut this season.

Shanroe Smooch – The winner of a Maiden in Ireland at the age of five he has principally been campaigned over Hurdles and Fences by Richenda Ford. Now at the age of eleven and in the ownership of Victoria Booth he will be running in Restricted races this coming season for his new stable, probably in the new year.

Unnamed by Jack Hobbs – a 3-year-old filly out of G For Ginger who won three Hurdle races for the late Tim Frost and was trained by Anthony Honeyball. She is a big scopey type and there will be no rush to get her onto the racecourse at this juncture.

Unnamed by Dartmouth – another 3-year-old filly out of a Fair Mix mare who won two Hurdle races for Nicky Henderson. Bought by Matthew Morton from the online platform Thoroughbid she is showing great promise at this early stage and looks an exciting prospect. Hopefully, she will take in a Bumper in the spring and if good enough take in the Exeter Bumper.

Unnamed by Walk in the Park – a 3-year-old filly out of a Westerner mare who was bought out of the ring at the store sales in Doncaster in May for a partnership. A half- sister to a winner for Chris Gorden she has been impressing Harry with her progress and adaptability and he hopes that she will run in spring next year. There are shares available for this filly.

Posh Dude shines in the Autumn sunshine, at Harry Ryall's Owners day       **photo Tim Holt