bANLAOCH: BETTER YEATS THAN NEVER?

Just a wee heads up here folks...it's probably best to read the middle column (next one along/down) first and then come back to here....I mean I'll never know if you just crack on reading this one first, but honestly it's just your own time you're wasting if you don't follow instructions.....

Right so above you'll see Banlaoch's father, who as discussed has proved to be quite the ladies man in his life after racing and although he may not feel the need to give his numerous girlfriends flowers, I feel the need to give Yeats some of his own due to the outrageous CV he compiled whilst being one of the world's top long distance thoroughbreds on the flat. 

Between 2005-2009, Yeats was pretty much unbeatable over 2+ miles and won the Ascot Gold Cup a quite incredible 4 years on the spin with a Coronation Cup and Goodwood Cup thrown in over this period for good measure. 

Strong, tough and incredibly determined in a finish, Yeats has passed these qualities down to many of his progeny with 338 winners from 626 runners and the winner of a Grand National and multiple Cheltenham winners too.... So let's hope Banloach is well and truly a daddy's girl!

By now I'm hoping as humble but dashing readers you could indeed write this initial 'meet our new horse' paragraph. However as you've done incredibly to stick with things to this point and certainly deserve both a polo mint and possibly even a carrot, I'll save you the trouble and crack on....

So while not exactly telling tales out of school, I should let you all know that in the world of thoroughbred racing, the lobster model or monogamy with a solo partner for life doesn't really apply and so those male horses who prove themselves on the track as bonified champs, will spend their retirement 'entertaining' numerous mares with sound family trees of their own in the hope that their offspring will follow in their parents hoof-steps and keep the winning vibe going...

So in the hope that genetics once again prove themselves to be a decent guide to success on the racecourse, Banlaoch can happily watch an episode of "Who do you think you are?" with extreme pride....

In Irish, Banlaoch means female warrior or heroine, which I'm sure you agree fits well. In terms of correct pronunciation, by coincidence I was speaking with an eminent Irish scholar yesterday who assured me that it should be Ban-lay-ock - with the emphasis on the ock bit - but I'm happy to stand corrected!

So after behaving yourselves you've read the right column in the right order so now all that remains is to take a quick peak at this bit....all sound ok?

Yes it takes two to tango in the horse world too and so a little over 5 years ago, Yeats met Ciannte (above) and the horse we now know as Banlaoch was born soon after.....

Also trained by Stuart ,Ciannte had a short but very successful career in National Hunt circles winning a 3mile Point to Point at Largy before finding the winners enclosure with bumper win over 2 miles at Perth. In fact all 3 of her starts under rules saw her placed and it is this aptitude for speed from her bumpers and stamina via her point win that offers genuine optimism that Banlaoch has the pedigree in place to make a decent fist of being a racehorse!

Ciannte has had 2 other kiddywinkles by Yeats (although they both appear keen to remain free to see other people) and while neither of these two have tasted success under rules, The Sad Shepherd has won a point to point and is now showing a consistent level of form in the UK albeit at a low enough level.. so here's hoping it's very much a case of 3rd time lucky with this Mum & Dad combo with Banlaoch!