Bob Bracher visits Will Biddick and talks horses
On New Year’s Eve I visited Will at his yard at Queen Camel just off the recently opened section of the A303 in Somerset. The visit coincided with his recent milestone of riding 600 point to point winners at Larkhill but this was an opportunity to talk to him about the horses he plans to run from his stable during the season and the hopes he has for them. At the end of the visit he watched surrounded by a number of his staff the final National Hunt race of the year at Warwick a 2 mile Bumper race. The reason was that the horse in question he particularly wanted to watch was No Drama This End .
Bought by Will at Goffs July 2023 sale for 26K Euros as a 3 year old store for himself and Geoffrey Brown he had made a tremendous impression when winning a Maiden at Badbury Rings last February and was then sold to Paul Nicholls at the Cheltenham Sale the following month for £160K. The race at Warwick was his first run under Rules and the manner of his victory under Harry Cobden was to say the least breath taking. With his new trainer now considering much higher targets Will hopes that within his stable there may be others who he purchased last summer who may be able to progress to a similar level and advertise his talents on the purchase and training of young horses.
Will began his tour with his two recognized stable stars starting with Macklin.
Owned by John Studd he has been a model of consistency for Will since arriving from France. The winner to date of five point to points and a Hunter Chase at Taunton last season he met his only defeat at the hands of Ihandaya at Chaddesley Corbett when ridden by Gina Andrews in a Ladies race. This was no disgrace and it is hoped that he will start his season at Milborne St Andrew. Will explained that ‘ he loves the top of the ground and this is key to him’ He may run in Ladies races and Will did not rule out the return to Hunter Chases for him
Mr Glass – Unbeaten in his two outings last season at Chipley Park and Charlton Horethorne he is likely to be seen at Chipley again at the end of the month. Owned by Paul Nicholls and John Gane he will be partnered by Olive Nicholls this season and if he can remain sound this classy individual can give her some great rides in 2025.
It’s a Diamond. A 6 year old Diamond Boy gelding who won a Maiden for John Dawson at Dalton Park last season and was then sold for £20K at Cheltenham in April to Geoffrey Brown. Began his career with Will at Larkhill last month when falling at the third last in a hot Restricted race. Will described him as ‘ a lovely horse ‘ and was ‘100% after his mishap’ and has been schooled since. He hopes that he will progress through the ranks this season.
A 4 year old gelding by Maxios out of an El Conquistador mare who has already produced 6 individual winners bought by Will at the Derby Sales in Ireland . He is also in the ownership of Geoffrey Brown . He is likely to have a racecourse gallop after racing takes place at Chipley with plans to be formulated after this.
A 4 year old gelding by Shirocco out of a Gold Well mare called Sailingtobyzantium who was a winning Hurdler. Bought at the Doncaster May store sale by Will for owners Terry Hamlin, Martin Dare and John Snook he is related to the prolific winner Keeper Hill and further down the pedigree to Make A Stand. He is another for whom plans are yet to be decided.
Sienna Earth. A five-year-old Masked Marvel mare owned by the Pendil Partnership. She made her debut for Will at Larkhill last month and was still leading when unseating him at the second last in a 2 and a half Maiden race. Will describes her as ‘very straightforward who jumps well’. She has been schooled since her last race and plans are to aim her for a return to Larkhill on 18th January. Her dam Pique Rock won three point to points and three races under Rules for Henry Daly.
Il Pino – A seven-year-old gelding by Coastal Path who put up a tremendous performance when finishing third behind Grace A Vous Enki and Time Leader in the Mixed Open race at the last Larkhill meeting. An impressive winner of his only previous point to point for Will when winning at Chaddesley Corbett in December 2023 he was then transferred to Paul Nicholls and won a Novice Hurdle at Wincanton. His only other race under rules was a 4th at Kempton and the decision was made to give this very lightly raced individual another season in the point-to-point arena. Will believes that he will act on any going and will benefit from more experience. Owned by the Pendil Partnership he is one to follow for 2025..
Lassue – owned by Rupert Nuttall (Will’s father-in-law) and bred by Rupert’s mother Sue Maude from the mare Annie Fleetwood who won three Chases and a Hurdle. Successful for Rupert in a Maiden at Cothelstone under Jack Andrews she was then sold and raced for Fergal O’Brien and won 2 Hurdle races for him. Bought back by Rupert after her National Hunt career ended she is likely to be seen later in the season
Lascar Collonges - An unraced 4 year old gelding by Blek bought by Will at the Derby Sales in Ireland. He is related to numerous winners in France including Heros Collonges placed in the Welsh Grand National. He is in the ownership of Will and Anthony Norman. He is another for whom plans have yet to be determined.
An unraced 4 year old gelding by Great Pretender who is related to the prolific Hitman. He is likely to be going to Chipley after racing before any plans are made about his future.
Goosey Lucy – A five-year-old Cloudings mare owned by Chris Sprake. A half sister to Spin The Coin who won at Hurdle race at Musselburgh for Donald McCain she was due to make her debut at Wadebridge but did not take up this option.
Far Out West – Already has had two outings this season and finished runner up on her last outing at Larkhill. Would have run at the abandoned meeting last week and will be seen again shortly. Owned by the Hot Toddie partnership she ran several times in Ireland before moving to Will’s yard. She is related to Crystal Moon the winner of two races for Alan King.
A Maxios four year old gelding called Uncle Bob bought by Peter Inch to run in point to points. Will describes him as ‘ a good jumper’ and it is hoped that he will be ready to make his debut in February
Good Boy Eric. A home bred five year old gelding by Bollin Eric owned and bred by Steve and Brenda Bowditch out of a Halling mare. A winner of the 2 and a half Maiden at the last Larkhill meeting when ridden by Fred Phillipson- Stow he is another who is likely to be seen again on 18th January in the Restricted race. Described by Will as ‘ uncomplicated’ and appreciative of better ground he looks a progressive sort
Southfield Scope – The second of the two winners at the last Larkhill meeting when completing Fred’s first riding double. A home bred of Angela Yeoman’s he has had all sorts of injuries but overcame these to put in an impressive performance in his victory. A half-brother to the evergreen Southfield Theatre he was described by his trainer as ‘ quirky’ but ‘talented’. Another who would have run at the abandoned Larkhill Racing Club meeting and the intention had then been to take him to Chipley for the Restricted race.
A 4-year-old filly by Walk In The Park out of Miss Bob’s Worth bought by Will at the Derby Sales last year. Owned by Will and Anthony Norman she is out of a full sister to Bob’s Worth who has already bred several point-to-point winners. Will advised that ‘she is jumping well’ and is looking forward to running her this season.
A 4-year-old gelding by Pethers Moon out of She’s The One who won races for Paul Nicholls. Owned by Will he described him as ‘uncomplicated’ and ‘a neat jumper’. Likely to be seen to start with in a Bumper before progressing to fences.