Annual Review from Park Lodge

WAR ARTIST ensured that 2010 was a memorable year for Park Lodge Stables by winning a Group 3 race at Meydan, the awe-inspiring new racecourse in Dubai. This was a major achievement for any British stable but especially so for a small yard like Park Lodge. Sadly WAR ARTIST was transferred by his owner to be trained in France on his return from Dubai - a sad day for us but he gave us many memorable days and achieved our first success at Group 2 level. He came very close to gaining our first success at Group 1 level by finishing 2nd and 3rd in Group 1s whilst at Park Lodge.

The rest of the year was memorable for continued success both on the flat and over hurdles. Indeed the feature of 2010 was probably the emergence of the burgeoning dual purpose string at Park Lodge. KARKY SCHULTZ (sadly no longer with us) and TORRAN SOUND both won on the flat and over hurdles during 2010. WESTER ROSS won over hurdles at Uttoxeter and ran very consistently on the flat during the year. DOYENNE DREAM so very nearly won at Fakenham in November. Both she and IRON CONDOR look made for summer jumping as they both enjoy a sound surface. IRON CONDOR had a very good year on the polytrack at Kempton, winning twice and running several decent races in defeat. He also looks an exciting prospect for the turf on fast ground. GO SET GO has run three very encouraging races in National Hunt flat races and looks an exciting hurdling prospect for 2011. BAAN, at a senior age (8), has taken to hurdles like a duck to water and thoroughly enjoys jumping. SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD and MARKSBURY added to IRON CONDOR's fine polytrack season with victories at Lingfield.

Two year olds to note for 2011 include DENTON DANCER an unusually sharp looking son of Halling out of a winning American-bred sprinter, IRON BUTTERFLY a quality half-sister to AT THE MONEY and IRON CONDOR by Shirocco, CARIBBEAN ACE an attractive Red Clubs filly and two for later on, FULNEY a Dr. Fong filly from a useful middle-distance family and HESTON SOUND a fine, big Nayef colt with a dual-purpose future.

It was very sad to lose KARKY SCHULTZ at Newbury but his brave victory in a £10,000 handicap hurdle race at Taunton in February will be remembered forever. SCOTTISH STAR and WILY FOX have kicked off the 2011 season well with victories at Lingfield also in February. There is much to look forward to both on the Flat and National Hunt in the coming year.