Coombelands Stables has some good horses for coming season

AIMING high for the new Flat season is Coombelands Stable at Pulborough, where trainer Amanda Perrett has a fine crop of older horses and some promising two-year-olds for her 2011 campaign.

Not only that, but some old faces will be at the yard from the era when Amanda’s father, Guy Harwood, sent out Dancing Brave to beat top horses of Europe.

After taking the 2000 Guineas, the Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Dancing Brave went on to win the Arc de Triomphe.

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“I’m thrilled that we have Julie Cooper back here running the office. She was here when Dad had Dancing Brave and she will be a tremendous asset to the team,” said Amanda.

“In addition, my father and I are delighted that David Oughton, who previously trained at Findon before going to Hong Kong, has joined us as Harwoods Racing Club Manager. David trained more than 500 winners in Hong Kong, including 31 Group races there, in Australia and England,” she added.

The Harwoods Racing Club is limited to 150 owners, who will share the thrills and excitement of racehorse ownership.

Amanda and her father viewed more than 1,000 yearlings at the sales in the autumn and selected two well bred colts, who will appear later this season running under the club’s banner.

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Rock Song, by Rock of Gibraltar was purchased at Tattersalls in Newmarket and True Prince, by Yes It’s True was bought at Keeneland in America.

David, who retained a home in Coolham throughout his time in Hong Kong, said: “They are two very nice individuals and they have started going through the gates and have been cantering since January They are doing well.

“I am enjoying the job with Harwoods. Since I came back from Hong Kong, I had been working with an IT company which deals with all racecourses here and in Dubai and Hong Kong.

“I am a Harwoods Garage customer and I have always had an affinity with cars, and my other passion is horse racing, so managing the Harwoods Racing Club is something I very much enjoy.”

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Amanda, who took over the reins from her father at Coombelands in 1996. She is assisted by her husband, Mark, a former jockey, in what is very much a partnership, and together they have trained more than 500 winners, including 19 Group winners in Europe.

Prospects are looking good for 2011 for the 60 horses in training at Coombelands contain some outstanding prospects for the coming Flat season, which opens at the weekend.

For full feature and to read about the prospects for the coming season, see West Sussex Gazette March 30

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