2025 Gold Cup

[Leman14]

Thanks for the reply.
The gold cup is only 1/2 a furlong further than Saturday
Id agree he wouldnt get to dictate, but hes unexposed as a stayer, ridden differrently with more confidence he stays you never know,
He gave weight to Lhomme presse Saturday he finished 4th in last years gold cup, with that weight reversal that could be stage star, maybe even better.

I'll stop now, thanks for your thoughts and good luck with him

Thanks.

To be fair - it's all about expectations.
Since the Turners win, he's not run with the same zest as before and had "seemed" to be on the decline.

Running him over 3m+ on Saturday was almost seen as a roll of the dice by Nicholls.
He seems to be very "glass half empty" kind of guy - ie. if you can't beat L'Homme Presse, then we can't beat Galopin Des Champs (I would imagine...)

I genuinely think that he's a Grade 2 horse... too high in the handicap and not good enough to win the top Grade 1's

(Plus, I can't go to Gold Cup Day this year.... so that probably sways my thinking )

[archie]

Yep still very much involved and I'm "OK" with it.

On the face of it - it was a good performance BUT, like the Turners, he was able to dictate the fractions up front, run at a crawl and inject some pace in the last half-mile or so.
It's was first effort over 3 miles and an extra 2 furlongs plus the fact that he's unlikely to be able to dictate a slow pace from the front - I wouldn't see him with any hope.

Whenever he is taken on for the lead - he gets swallowed up.

I would LOVE to own a Gold Cup runner, but it's a bit like when Pentland Hills ran in the Champion Hurdle....
He never really had much of a chance and as such, it wasn't a "memorable" experience.

I would argue that I'd remember Stage Star's handicap victories (and Turners victory) far longer than coming 8th in a Gold Cup.

(His record at Aintree isn't great BUT it's normally after running at Cheltenham and he runs better fresh)

Absolutely agree with this. We went to Kemboy's first Gold Cup full of hope and it was really deflating to see him baulked by Presenting Percy at the first. For his other runs in the race there wasn't much expectation and, admittedly partly because of superstition, I didn't attend. Other than that deflated feeling, I don't have much memory of the Gold Cup runs but I could happily talk you all the way through his wins in the Savills, Bowl and Irish and Punchestown Gold Cups.

Best of luck with Stage Star wherever the main man decides to run him.

[Quevega]

Not running in the Gold Cup and winning the Aintree Bowl is better than running unplaced in the Gold Cup and not winning the Bowl because you bottomed in the GC. Nicholls knows that is true via Clan Des Obeaux and it wouldn't be a million miles away from our experience with Kemboy.

You talk like he's a guaranteed winner of the Bowl.

[Quevega]

Yep still very much involved and I'm "OK" with it.

On the face of it - it was a good performance BUT, like the Turners, he was able to dictate the fractions up front, run at a crawl and inject some pace in the last half-mile or so.
It's was first effort over 3 miles and an extra 2 furlongs plus the fact that he's unlikely to be able to dictate a slow pace from the front - I wouldn't see him with any hope.

Whenever he is taken on for the lead - he gets swallowed up.

I would LOVE to own a Gold Cup runner, but it's a bit like when Pentland Hills ran in the Champion Hurdle....
He never really had much of a chance and as such, it wasn't a "memorable" experience.

I would argue that I'd remember Stage Star's handicap victories (and Turners victory) far longer than coming 8th in a Gold Cup.

(His record at Aintree isn't great BUT it's normally after running at Cheltenham and he runs better fresh)

You sound like you've been brainwashed by the Nicholls updates

Seriously though I can see that thought process and imagine many members would feel the same as it's such a large syndicate it's almost a betting club really, as so few will get the chance to experience the actual ownership side of things on a race day, anyway.

But Just on the point carnage made earlier which he tends to trot out every now and then.

Regards Nichols and his going after the prize money, and the races he thinks he can win, even though he loses far more races than he wins. etc etc

How much exactly has each member gained so far from Stage Stars exploits ??

If I had to guess - I'd imagine it's fuck all.
But not certain so thought I'd ask.

[Leman14]

You sound like you've been brainwashed by the Nicholls updates

Seriously though I can see that thought process and imagine many members would feel the same as it's such a large syndicate it's almost a betting club really, as so few will get the chance to experience the actual ownership side of things on a race day, anyway.

But Just on the point carnage made earlier which he tends to trot out every now and then.

Regards Nichols and his going after the prize money, and the races he thinks he can win, even though he loses far more races than he wins. etc etc

How much exactly has each member gained so far from Stage Stars exploits ??

If I had to guess - I'd imagine it's fuck all.
But not certain so thought I'd ask.

Being a horse owner at any level can't be about the money.... very, very rarely will a horse win you more than they cost to own.

My initial stake in Stage Star was between £50-60 and each annual renewal is about £20-25
The prize money certainly hasn't covered the outlay BUT it does tend to all-but cover the renewal stake.


However, being at the finishing line watching him win the Turners (and being there when Pentland Hills won the Triumph) was priceless.

Whilst it's only "Ownership" in it's loosest form, it has given me my best two days at Cheltenham... by far

[Quevega]

Being a horse owner at any level can't be about the money.... very, very rarely will a horse win you more than they cost to own.

My initial stake in Stage Star was between £50-60 and each annual renewal is about £20-25
The prize money certainly hasn't covered the outlay BUT it does tend to all-but cover the renewal stake.


However, being at the finishing line watching him win the Turners (and being there when Pentland Hills won the Triumph) was priceless.

Whilst it's only "Ownership" in it's loosest form, it has given me my best two days at Cheltenham... by far

Thanks
Don't know how many horses you've bought into but if it's just those 2 and one or two others then you've had it off.
From a day out and betting on them point of view anyway.

I've purchased an owners club membership once or twice as a gift for others but unfortunately they've never even got close to winning a seller. And ran as often as my namesake.

Didn't think prize money was a factor.

[Carnage at Taunton]

You sound like you've been brainwashed by the Nicholls updates

Seriously though I can see that thought process and imagine many members would feel the same as it's such a large syndicate it's almost a betting club really, as so few will get the chance to experience the actual ownership side of things on a race day, anyway.

But Just on the point carnage made earlier which he tends to trot out every now and then.

Regards Nichols and his going after the prize money, and the races he thinks he can win, even though he loses far more races than he wins. etc etc

How much exactly has each member gained so far from Stage Stars exploits ??

If I had to guess - I'd imagine it's fuck all.
But not certain so thought I'd ask.

Its more about how well he does re prize money with horses that maybe would not be expected to win as much.
I think its why he will skip the festival where others may not?
Its just a theory I trot out every now and then, if I feel it’s apt for the subject being discussed.

[Leman14]

Thanks
Don't know how many horses you've bought into but if it's just those 2 and one or two others then you've had it off.
From a day out and betting on them point of view anyway.

I've purchased an owners club membership once or twice as a gift for others but unfortunately they've never even got close to winning a seller. And ran as often as my namesake.

Didn't think prize money was a factor.

Thanks Q!

I have had others - but I'm fairly selective.

Given that my (racing) world revolves around Cheltenham, I've tended to go with horses that have the potential to be G1 animals and that are with the right trainers (Henderson and Nicholls, with Skelton and Pauling being under future consideration)

Some (like The Carpenter) showed promise, but has had injuries, Bond Broker (Novice hurdler) has an engine, but is quirky and needs good ground and Gillespie is a bumper horse with Nicholls who has the potential to be a Graded staying chaser. Whether it pans out like that though - is another thing.

I did also have Hacker De Places who won at Cheltenham, the same day as Stage Star a couple of years ago (not the festival)
He was never a G1 horse, but was always competitive in some decent handicaps.


Given the low monetary entry point - you can afford to have a few, but I never have more than 4 or 5 at any one time (Otherwise I'd have more than JP McManus!)

[Leman14]

As a side note - Owners Group horses have only won four Grade 1's

Stage Star x2
Pentland Hills x2

I've got a fairly good record

[robith]

Would be funny if other sports acted like racing does sometimes

"We've decided to skip Liverpool away and head straight to Southampton at home"

[YoungHustler]

Anyone else concerned on the wellbeing of Gerry Colombe? Not raced since the start of November as Gordon has not been happy with him and now will go straight to the Festival(as not entered at the DRF) which can't be the best prep. I'm starting to question if he will even turn up for the Gold Cup. I've got him in a mini book and now thinking of possibly cashing some of my stake.

[Liammet]

Anyone else concerned on the wellbeing of Gerry Colombe? Not raced since the start of November as Gordon has not been happy with him and now will go straight to the Festival(as not entered at the DRF) which can't be the best prep. I'm starting to question if he will even turn up for the Gold Cup. I've got him in a mini book and now thinking of possibly cashing some of my stake.

There’s a fair chance that Galopin de Champs could of emptied Gerry Colombe in last years Gold Cup

Just as he appeared to do to Bravemansgame the previous year Imo

[Lobos]

There’s a fair chance that Galopin de Champs could of emptied Gerry Colombe in last years Gold Cup

Just as he appeared to do to Bravemansgame the previous year Imo

Same v F2F last time at Leopardstown??

[Lobos]

Anyone else concerned on the wellbeing of Gerry Colombe? Not raced since the start of November as Gordon has not been happy with him and now will go straight to the Festival(as not entered at the DRF) which can't be the best prep. I'm starting to question if he will even turn up for the Gold Cup. I've got him in a mini book and now thinking of possibly cashing some of my stake.

Has to be a major concern

[Eggs]

There’s a fair chance that Galopin de Champs could of emptied Gerry Colombe in last years Gold Cup

Just as he appeared to do to Bravemansgame the previous year Imo

….but didn’t he win at Aintree afterwards? His record after a gap looks very decent.