Latest news
All the latest news and events from John Best Racing.
Sun shines at Kempton
20 January 2007
Oasis Sun held on to take the 3.45 intercasino.co.uk Classified Stakes at Kempton today under a positive ride from Hayley Turner.
The Desert Sun filly broke well from an inside draw and was always prominent in the field, with the application of a visor seeming to help her as it had in her previous run, when she was third to the promising Zam Zammah.
Oasis Sun hit the lead inside the final two furlongs and held on to her advantage despite a late run by the fancied Indigo Dancer, winning by a head.
Undaunted Spirit posts creditable third
13 January 2007
Hurricane Spirit ran a brave race to finish third in the Rachel Perchard 40th Birthday Conditions Stakes at Lingfield today.
The race, his toughest test to date, saw him poorly off at the weights against his elders, and things didn't fall his way, with an outside draw forcing him to race three wide for the entire six furlong contest. The winner, short-priced favourite Areyoutalkingtome, enjoyed a more favourable run around the inside, but Hurricane Spirit ran on all the way and made up lengths in the straight to be denied second place by the shortest of margins.
Connections are pleased with the run, and trainer John Best believes the three-year-old colt will improve for a step up in trip, with the Listed Spring Cup over seven furlongs still firmly in his sights. Meanwhile, regular jockey Brett Doyle commented that he felt Hurricane Spirit would not have been beaten against horses of his own age, and that had today's race been a handicap, the colt would have been much better off at the weights.
Earlier on the card, debutant Woodygo - a half-brother to stable star Rising Cross - made a pleasing introduction to the track for owners G G Racing. Despite running green early on, he ran on well down the home straight, and John believes he will improve enormously for the experience.
Hurricane warning for Lingfield
8 January 2007
John Best's exciting three-year-old Hurricane Spirit is on course for a run this Saturday in a Conditions race at Lingfield that could boost his credentials for the 2,000 Guineas.
The Invincible Spirit colt, whose four-timer on the all-weather before Christmas included a record time in his Conditions win at Kempton, has been impressing connections on the gallops by "annihilating" all of John Best's other horses.
While the race has never before been won by a three-year-old, Hurricane Spirit will be in receipt of weight from his older rivals and will be ridden by his usual pilot, in-form all-weather jockey Brett Doyle.
New year, new website!
1 January 2007
Today marks the launch of John Best's new permanent website here at www.johnbestracing.com.
The new site includes all the news and features you've come to expect from John Best, such as his weekly blog, but also loads more information about his yard, his syndicates and his horses. And there's more to come - so you'll never need to look anywhere else for everything you need to know about John Best Racing.
The website has been designed and developed by Kent-based web design agency e-Motive Media, who also designed John Best's interim website as a short-term solution while this new and comprehensive site was under construction.
Hayley brings Hotchpotch home
30 December 2006
Hotchpotch took the 1.45 pontins.com Handicap (Div II) at Lingfield today under a positive ride from Hayley Turner.
Travelling well in midfield, Hotchpotch, in the colours of G G Racing, took up the running inside the final two furlongs and held on to take the race by a neck from the fast-finishing Midmaar.
The combination of John Best and Hayley Turner also took second place with King After earlier in the afternoon in the first division of the Lingfield handicap.
Hurricane makes it John's Best double
20 December 2006
Hurricane Spirit took Kempton by storm in foggy conditions this evening when winning the 5.20 Digibet Sports Betting Conditions Stakes in good style under Brett Doyle.
Stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time, the classy Invincible Spirit colt missed the break and was forced to play catch up, but quickened up off a strong pace to overtake the long-time leader Fares.
The win, taking the two-year-old's haul of victories to four, completed a cross-card double for John Best, who also had a winner at Lingfield with Mine The Balance earlier in the day.
Mine The Balance tips the scales
20 December 2006
Mine The Balance took the 12.30 pontinsbingo.com Handicap at Lingfield today under a handy ride from Brett Doyle.
John Best's three-year-old has long threatened to take a race after working well at home and today's victory vindicates his connections' confidence.
The Desert Style gelding is for sale and will provide an owner with a great deal of enjoyment at the races.
Hat trick for Hurricane Spirit
1 December 2006
John Best's exciting two-year-old Hurricane Spirit completed a hat-trick of wins at Lingfield Park today with a facile victory in the 2.25 Towergate Underwriting Nursery.
Giving away 11lbs to his closest rival, Hurricane Spirit was held up at the back of the field by Brett Doyle before striding easily to the front and extending clear of the three fillies in pursuit.
The winning margin was 3 1/2 lengths.
Hurricane Spirit blows away rivals
28 November 2006
Hurricane Spirit made it two wins from two at Lingfield Park today when taking the 1.20 Book Online For A £2 Discount Novice Stakes under Brett Doyle with plenty in hand.
The taking performance saw John Best's exciting two-year-old make light work of besting an 83-rated rival in Onenightinlisbon, despite an unsuitably small field and the necessity of making almost all the running.
The Invincible Spirit colt could return to Lingfield on Friday to contest another nursery, though John Best says he will only run him if he is 100%. While a run in Dubai is not out of the question, it is more likely that Hurricane Spirit will now be aimed at a Conditions race back at Lingfield in January before a possible tilt at the Spring Cup in 2007.
Another win for Hucking Hill
25 November 2006
Hucking Hill recorded his second win in ten days in the 4.50 digibet.com Nursery at Kempton today.
John Best's reliable gelding took the lead a furlong from home, winning by 1 1/4 lengths from Nou Camp. This is his third win for the Hucking Horses partnership, who have three other horses in training at John's Kent-based yard.
Hucking Hill has been raised 5lbs for his win, and is now likely to have a break for a few weeks before a possible run towards the end of December.
Hucking Hill takes Kempton nursery
15 November 2006
Hucking Hill posted his second win on the all-weather at Kempton today, drawing easily clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths after looking to have the race sewn up at the furlong pole.
John Best's tough and consistent City On A Hill gelding is part of Hucking Horses – an exciting syndicate that aims to offer its members the maximum racing with the minimum financial risk. Stablemate Hucking Hot was sold out of the yard to America, and recently won her first race there.
Hurricane Spirit wins Lingfield maiden
9 November 2006
John Best's promising two-year-old Hurricane Spirit made easy work of winning his maiden at Lingfield Park today.
The colt, a son of Invincible Spirit, had run well on his first outing at York in June, finishing behind top-class prospect Wi Dud, and took the E B F Median Auction Maiden Stakes comfortably under Brett Doyle.
New website launches
8 November 2006
John Best Racing's new website launched today, and you'll soon be able to find out everything you need to know about John, his training facilities, stable stars and triumphs.
The website, designed and built by Kent-based e-motive media, will develop and grow over the coming weeks, so keep coming back for new updates!