Michael Dods : Racehorse Trainer

Barney's Blog

  • 02-Apr-2025: Latest News from Denton Hall Stables the home of Michael Dods Racing
  • 26-Mar-2025: Stable apprentice Rhys Elliott rides out his 7lbs claim with 20th winner at Newcastle
  • 22-Mar-2025: Sixth winner of 2025 as Lord Abama wins at Newcastle under Sean Kirrane
  • 21-Mar-2025: King of Fury wins at Southwell on first run for the yard
  • 11-Mar-2025: Nelson Gay wins for the second time this season at Southwell
  • 04-Mar-2025: Gale Force Maya's first foal born at Byerley Stud - a colt by Pinatubo!
  • 01-Mar-2025: King's Crown goes in at Newcastle under Rhys Elliott for second win of the season
  • 27-Feb-2025: Happy 83rd birthday to Zuffolo's owner Roger Saunders. Have a great day, Roger!
  • 15-Feb-2025: Second winner of 2025 as Nelson Gay and Lewis Edmunds win at Southwell

Strange creatures these humans...


Barney McGrew : Ex Racehorse enjoying retirement

Morning all,

Well, everyone’s buzzing round here after that Jawwaal won at Ascot yesterday.
We love it when us northern yards go down there and put one over on the southerners.
Mind you, Jawwaal hasn’t been here for too long. He came up from Newmarket a year or so ago because he used to be trained by that John Gosden human. Imagine that - being a stablemate of Enable. Can’t be bad.
We thought he might be a bit stuck up (the Newmarket horses sometimes are) but Jawwaal’s a decent chap. Took a while to settle in but he’s proving himself now.
His owners, The Sekura Group, make very nice windows and doors, apparently, so if you need any, let me know and I’ll have a word. Nice people.

I was pleased to see that young un, Magisterium, get her second win on the dusty stuff at Newcastle last night. She’s a right little fighter that one. Got up right on the line, she did. I’ll tell her well done when I see her.

We also had a winner at Pontefract during the week with Dancin Boy, pictured below after winning at Redcar last year. I like Dancin Boy - always says hello when he passes my field on the way to the gallops. He's a gentleman.

Apparently, his owner, a nice human in a flat cap called Roger, only bought a racehorse because his golf handicap had gone to pot. I’ve asked around about this golf business and you’ll never believe what it’s all about. The humans get a bag of sticks and then try to hit a tiny ball into a hole a furlong or so away. They spend hours doing it, walk for miles, and get really upset with themselves if they lose their balls. What a bloody waste of time that is! You couldn’t make it up.
As I keep saying - strange creatures these humans.

Anyway, that’s all from me for another week. Let's hope we get some more winners next week. Take care everyone. Lots of love.

Barney McGrew : Ex Racehorse enjoying retirement