Naming Days at Kevin Ryan’s

The excitement for the upcoming Flat season continues to build and owners in a couple of recently named fillies at Kevin Ryan’s Hambleton yard have more reason than most to look forward.

Our all-complimentary naming days at the stables are always events to remember as owners get together to meet as a syndicate for the first time and see their horse in action on the gallops.

With the weather in the Hambleton Hills much better than of late, there was a really positive feeling across the two separate naming morning's we held at Kevin's last week.

As ever, owners were greeted at Kevin's yard by the Hambleton team who welcomed owners into Hambleton lodge and directed them towards our mobile barista Rosie, who provided her usual selection of excellent warm drinks and tasty, finger-licking treats for owners to enjoy.

Once the horses were saddled up and the riders ready, owners headed onto Kevin's gallops to watch the action.

Our experienced and successful older horses, Ayr Silver Cup winner and Listed runner-up Magical Spirit, and last year’s multiple winner Sound Reason, led the young pretenders up the gallops before the assembled gallery of Kevin and their owners.

It came as little surprise to see both fillies behaving impeccably and showing a notably professional attitude to their work as they exercised at altitude in front of an impressed audience.

Of course, such professionally conditioned equine athletes is very much what we and our owners have come to expect of horses trained by Kevin, a master of his craft who's attention to detail is second to none.

With the exercise complete owners return to the yard to see their horses at closer quarters as Hambleton’s photographer, Louise Pollard, took those all-important naming day photos.

There was a great atmosphere throughout the days and plenty of laughter too, not least when Star Sound decided that the various owner handbags she came into close proximity with would make enjoyable chew toys!

Thankfully no lasting damage was done and owners headed down to the nearby award-winning Carpenter’s Arms for lunch. As ever, the catering at the Carpenter’s was of the highest order and made for the perfect location in which for owners to find out the racing name of their fillies.

The stars certainly aligned for Roger, an owner in a number of syndicates with Hambleton, and Peter, an owner of All About Freedom with David O’Meara, who successfully suggested the names Star Sound and Star Of Havana respectively.

Both winning names were toasted with champagne as owners relaxed and looked forward to the season ahead. These fillies look highly likely to be another couple of exciting youngsters for us to enjoy with Kevin and with the Flat season moving ever closer excitement is building all the time.

Attention now turns to another complimentary day for owners – our Owners’ Day at Doncaster’s Lincoln meeting as we get ready for what we hope and expect is going to be another exciting and very successful year of racing.

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