MORNING SPORTSFANS!!!
MORNING PEEPS!!!
With just over 2 weeks to go until the Cheltenham Festival, excitement is really starting to build. More entries have been made across the week so our owners have got a serious squad ready to go war😃😃😃
We’ve also been to the ‘Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale’ to look at potential new purchases🐎
Owners flock to 🐑Bourn
Jasmine 🥈 in Grade 2
Jukebox dances till Midnight 🏆
Catch up on what the team has been up to below 👇
Fehily Fantastic – family time
Noel, Tash, Nimah and Michael in Gougane Barra
Noel's professional go-kart driving career fell at the first
Giantsgrave at Newbury
On Tuesday we had both Giantsgrave and Major Fortune racing at Newbury, I was hosting there also so Amelia came along to help look after the owners.
First up was Giantsgrave, we felt we were losing him a little over the longer trip so we brought him back to two miles. He was in great stead and looking like he was in the running for a win when unfortunately he had a nasty fall at the last.
I ran down to the track to see how he was, after some initial treatment from the on course vet he thankfully managed to walk onto the horse ambulance and was taken straight to Donnington vets in Newbury. When it comes to welfare, they are a team we hold in high regard, after having treated and operated on a few of the syndicate horses in the past.
A few hours later, after thorough scans and x-rays Noel spoke to the surgeon, they found Giantsgrave to have a fracture in his C7 vertebra – which is located at the base of the neck.
The vet at Donnington said that in his experience these types of injuries can settle down over time and horses can make a full recovery. For the time being Giantsgrave will remain in horse ‘intensive care’ and the vets will continue to monitor him closely with continued x-rays and monitor for any changes.
At that stage the news was more positive than we had feared. After racing I went to see Giant at the vets and he seemed much more settled, he was eating, had been for a wee and despite him being on a lot of pain relief it was encouraging and positive to see.
On the way to racing at Kempton yesterday I called into see Giantsgrave at Donnington, it was great to see him and he is responding well to all the care and treatment he is receiving – he was thankful for the nice bag of carrots! All being well, Giantsgrave will be out of hospital towards the beginning of next week, he will go straight to Hagg Hill to be monitored and cared for under the watchful eye of Noel and Tash. Rehabilitation will start with one month’s box rest before another ultrasound and x-ray assessment.
A 'get well soon' picture to Giantsgrave from Henry
GIANTSGRAVE's owners with Harry Skelton
major fortune 2nd at newbury
Next up was Major Fortune. We were going back up in grade with him as the handicapper had his say after his recent win at Wincanton.
Dan and the team had been very happy with his work at home – we knew that if he turned up on the day we were in with a chance.
The plan was to take our time with him as that is how he likes to be ridden. Watching it down the back straight you could see Harry wasn’t holding onto much but he persisted to keep the bit up in his mouth.
Turning into the straight Harry was able to latch onto James Bowen who was in front of him going well. Major went in pursuit of the leader 2 out and Harry thought he would come back to him up the run-in but he didn’t and we stayed on to finish a galant 2nd.
We were still happy with the run, as he galloped all the way through the line and it was probably a career best performances to date. Hopefully we can find the right race for him over 3 miles or 3m 2f and try to get another win into him before the end of the season.
In terms of the number of wins Major Fortune is now level with our most successful syndicate horse, Love Envoi – so let’s hope we can add one more and see him take the lead!
As always hospitality at Newbury was first class. They look after the owners really well and it was lovely that they were able to go up to the winners’ box, enjoy a glass of champagne and watch the replay.
MAJOR FORTUNE's owners
happy birthday andrew miller
We always love to celebrate our owner’s birthdays, especially when it happens to fall on the same day that they have two runners at the same meeting!
Andrew Miller, an owner of both Giantsgrave and Major Fortune rocked up to Newbury Racecourse in true style, making every effort to shunt JP McManus off centre stage.
Rumour has it, Andrew gave Simon Caunce a nudge to put in an advanced ‘special request’ to the course to make sure the red carpet was freshly cleaned and hoovered for Andrew’s impending arrival.
All jokes aside, Andrew is a long standing owner with the syndicate and we love having him as part of the team.
From everyone here at Noel Fehily Racing we would like to wish Andrew a massive Happy Birthday!
Andrew Miller rocking up in style to Newbury on his birthday
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2026: ENTRIES
With just three weeks to go it is an exciting time for the whole team. Entries are in, plans are coming together and we’re looking forward to heading to the Cheltenham Festival with some lovely chances across the week.
Tuesday – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle & County Hurdle
- Baron Noir has two entries – the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Turners. Realistically we’re aiming for the Supreme but we’ll keep both options open and make a final decision closer to the time as Baron Noir’s form has been rock solid, he has beaten proper horses and his career form has consistently worked out well. On ratings we might look slightly mad going with a horse rated 130 in a Supreme but myself, Noel and Alan all feel he deserves his shot, given he has done nothing but progress and been genuine all season.
- Helnwein has an entry in the County Hurdle. We’ve had some brilliant days to date with him at Cheltenham and Ascot, we head into the Festival with a fresh horse and plenty to look forward to.
BARON NOIR and HELNWEIN
Wednesday – Arkle & Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
- Hansard is heading for the Arkle. He did fail the trot-up there previously but Gary’s vet has reassured us that if he remains as sound as he is now he’ll be absolutely fine to take on this race.
- Jackie Hobbs has an entry in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2). Love Envoi won this race for us in 2022 and Metkayina finished fifth last year so we would love to see Jackie target their legacy.
HANSARD and JACKIE HOBBS
Thursday – Plate Handicap Chase / Grand Annual & Turners
- Ryan’s Rocket holds entries in both the Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) and the Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase – both valuable £150,000 handicaps. Going to the Festival with him has been the plan all season. Noel has freshened him up and he’s been at Fergal’s for the past month in preparation. We’ll decide closer to the time which race will suit best, we’re very much looking forward to seeing him there.
- Hurricane Pat is 100% set for the Turners, his entry is in with Gary and his team being very pleased with his work at home.
RYAN'S ROCKET and HURRICANE PAT
Friday – Pertemps Final & Kim Muir / Ultima
- Ace Of Spades is entered in the Pertemps Final. He’s been a superstar for us from the start, despite needing to find another level to win at the Festival we know with Ace you he’ll give his absolute everything, he’s never far away and always runs his race.
- Insurrection has two entries – the Ultima Handicap Chase (open handicap) and the Kim Muir, which is a 0–145 capped amateur handicap chase. We’ve already spoken to Rob James as it would be great to have him on board claiming 7lb, he rode Baron Noir into victory last year at Punchestown. again, we’ll leave both options open and make a final decision closer to the week itself.
ACE OF SPADES and INSURRECTION
Friday – The Liberthine Mares’ Chase
- Jasmine Bliss has an entry in the ‘Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase’ on the Friday at the Cheltenham Festival. She has been a fantastic mare for us this season, finishing third at Kempton on her chasing debut before getting her head in front with a win at Huntingdon, then two weeks later she finished second in the Pendil novices’ chase gaining black type for the second time.
JASMINE BLISS
The horses are in great form and we’re hopeful of making more special Cheltenham Festival memories this year.
MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX DEBUT AT SOUTHWELL
A brilliant day was had at Southwell on Wednesday, after Midnight Jukebox rewarded his owners with a lovely performance and win on debut in the bumper.
We spent a pretty penny for this lad at The Cheltenham Festival Sale last year and have always held this lad in high regard all the way along. Credit must go to Noel as we had a few hiccups with him in the autumn and his fine judgement played a big part.
Huge thanks must also go to his owners for their trust and patience with us earlier this year.
In the race itself I loved the way Midnight Jukebox stuck his head out with an unbelievable attitude and the want in him to win. Johnny Burke reported that he travelled nicely and when he asked him to go his head dipped and off he went. A very straight forward horses.
A bumper at Aintree and Punchestown are now on the radar.
Press play to watch MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX's winners video!
Press play to watch Crossey's interview post Midnight Jukebox's win
Cheltenham sales Thursday and friday
Noel and David at the sales
melk Abbey life after racing
Melk Abbey was one of our syndicate horses we had a couple of years ago. This week we received an update photo from her owners and what a photo it is too. She is now thoroughly enjoying herself as the Hunt Master’s horse, with plenty of days out hedge hunting and loving life.
It is so lovely to see horses thriving after their racing careers, we keep in touch with all of them and receive regular updates on how they are progressing in their new roles.
MELK ABBEY out hunting
MILSTATT ABBEY AND QUEEN OF THE JUKEBOX HAVE AN AWAY DAY IN LAMBOURN
It was a lovely morning on Saturday in Lambourn, where we had a few owners of Millstatt Abbey (Eunice Williams, Ross and Julie Moreton-Ford) and Queenofthejukebox (Colin and Christine Gittins) come join us for a piece of work around the back of the hill.
Top Jockey Gavin Sheehan had a sit on Queenofthejukebox and the even better Jockey David Crosse had a sit on Millstatt Abbey.
We did a nice breeze around the back of the hill, nothing too strenuous as it was about having a nice day out. I was very pleased with the fillies who both looked exceptionally well – the pair are trained by Noel Williams.
After being out on the gallops, Eunice gave Noel a nice big bag of carrots for all the horses back at the yard, I then invited everyone back to my house, which is only a mile down the road. We enjoyed a nice cup of tea and slice of delicious banana and walnut cake that Eunice had very kindly brought with her. It was lovely to be able to show everyone around my new house before dashing off to Kempton.
Millstatt Abbey and Eunice Williams
Julie Moreton-Ford, Millstatt Abbey and Ross Moreton-Ford
Colin Gittins, Christine Gittins, Queenofthejukebox, Noel Williams and Gavin Sheehan
Noel Williams receiving a gift of carrots for the horses - thank you Eunice!
JASMINE BLISS AT KEMPTON
On Saturday afternoon we headed to Kempton where we had Jasmine Bliss running in the ‘Pendil Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)’.
Jasmine did not disgrace herself, she had a brilliant win last time out and jumped exceptionally on the day, which is her forte and ran a very good race.
Jax Junior, being a gelding is in a different league, so for Jasmine to stay on and finish second on the ratings is a great run and she picked up some serious prize money, around £16,000, plus some more black type for her owners.
We will now freshen her up and see what we do going forward into the springtime. I’m sure there will be plenty of options, she has had two quick races and two mighty runs – Jasmine Bliss has been a star of a mare so far.
JASMINE BLISS' owners
Next week…
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