Latest News | Wednesday 8th January
Speaking Exclusively to OLBG, National Hunt Trainer Harry Derham reveals the upcoming targets and plans for some of his team in early 2025 from this interview in January 2025
Viyanni
Q: Viyanni made a lovely start to his hurdling career at Market Rasen not so long ago. What would be the plan with him going forward?
HD: “The plan would be to get a run somewhere. The one thing I'm keen not to do is run him on really testing ground - that would not play to his strengths.
“He jumped very well at Rasen. We wanted to run in the Chatteris Fen but that's off.
“Kempton is still an option on Saturday (11th January) but I'll probably wait for a bit of nicer ground. I think that would just suit him better”.
Jasmine Bliss
Q: Jasmine Bliss was another one that had entries this weekend, are you just looking to get another run into her?
HD: “ Yeah, we’re keen to run her again before we go to the Jane Seymour (Grade 2 at Sandown, 13th February). That's a big target for this season in February.
“She could run Monday (13th January) or Tuesday (14th January). When somewheres on, she'll run.
“She's in great nick”.
Joker De Mai
Q: Joker De Mai has made a start in the hunt chaser division - what's the long term plan with him going forward?
HD: “Long term plan this season is the Aintree fox hunters.
“Obviously, he’s twice winner round Auteuil over fences and we actually had it in our mind since his first novice hurdle at Newbury last year. We just thought an intermediate trip over those fences..
“Now, he obviously has to qualify and things have to go right between now and then, but, if we can get him qualified, which I'd be optimistic we can with a horse of his rating, then I'd like to get him to Aintree in really good condition”.
Noahsgreatrainbow
Q: Noahsgreatrainbow is as a horse you've always said has loads of potential; it didn't go to plan at Sandown, did anything come to light then, and what’s the plan for him going forward?
HD: “So he bled - there was actually a few of my horses at the time that bled, I really can’t believe it was coincidence, I think a few of them weren't quite right. However, in every test we did, we couldn't find a problem with them. However, I think there must have been an underlying issue somewhere.
“He's back now and he's ready to go.
“I don't really want to run him on desperately testing ground, just because he bled last time out. I think he coped with soft ground. In fact, he did finish second in a heavy ground listed bumper, so goes on soft, but I just would love to be able to run him on a bit of nice ground.
“He's in good nick, as I say looks really well and when we find a bit of good soft ground, then we'll get him out”.
Slugger
Q: Slugger was a lovely winner for you on New Year's Day at Musselburgh. Tell us about him and his plans going forward?
HD: “He's been amazing really.
“He started off 112 for me this season and he’s now rated 130.
“I think he's one of those horses that have just gone on a bit of a roll, bit of confidence and we've obviously changed riding tactics with him and ridden him more prominently, which he seems to love and I think he relaxes better.
Q: He was a tad keen before?
HD: “Yeah he was, and I sometimes look at keen horses and think, well if they're keen to be in front, maybe if they were in front they might settle; now this doesn't always work, as Any Biscuits has proved a few times, but it seems to work with Slugger.
“We’re now giving him a little rest and we're going to aim for the Morebattle Hurdle on the 1st of March, it’s a huge prize I think £120,000 pounds total prize fund. All of his owners are in the North of England.
“Two miles, he's a winner around Kelso, in his early life. It will be a massive step up in class, but he's rated 130 now, so he’s good enough to go and take his chance, but he's been absolutely fabulous.
“It'd be nice if he kept continuing to improve”.
Lanzarote Hurdle Entries
Q: What are your plans for the Lanzarote Hurdle and who do you plan on entering?
HD: “I think probably Dargiannini and Il Va De Soi.
“Dargiannini, I was delighted he ran really well last time out.
“Struggling to just get him back after a long layoff.
“He'd just been a bit out of form, but last time out was much better. Now, I would love it if the ground was good to soft for him, but I think we will take our chance.
“He's not getting any younger and it's an enormous prize.
“Il Va De Soi, he ran really well at Cheltenham in November. Ground conditions will suit him, I think he likes a bit of soft ground.
“It's a bit of a step into the unknown with him, whether we know whether he's quite good enough or not for that race, I don't know, but, I just think he's worth a shot in a race like that. He's a quirky horse and I think he's got a big performance in him.
“I think we'll probably wait with Nordic Tiger. I don't think heavy ground around there is the right thing for him”.
New horses from Joseph O’Brien
Q: Finally, you've got two new horses in the yard from Joseph O'Brien's. One of them looks like he would continue as a flat horse. Is that something that you're looking to get into in the future?
HD: “So, One Horse Town is the horse in question, he finished third in two Dundalk maidens.
“It is, to be honest, I've got a lot of really lovely National Hunt horses and owners, and none of them have a huge appetite for summer jumping, which is totally fine, but it does mean that my business in the summer is quite quiet.
“So, a few flat horses I thought wouldn't go amiss. This horse was for sale and he's got a nice profile.
“He's going to start next week on the 16th at Chelmsford.
“Turn and Finish, finished second in a Cork three year old hurdle on Hilly Way day.
“Just like his profile; juvenile rated around 120. Fred Winter, obviously is the main objective, he will have a run before.
“If we went to a maiden, you have 1 or 2 options, you can run him in a good race and see how you get on, or you could just run him in a maiden juvenile somewhere and try and get some confidence.
“That decision is yet to be made, but he's a really nice horse and hopefully we will get to the Fred Winter”.
Video Updates
Check back regularly to find the latest update from Harry Derham, or check out the videos directly on your YouTube App
4th December | Harry and Paige on Givemefive's chances at Fairyhouse
27th November 2024 | Newbury, Newcastle and Fighting Fifth preview
13th November 2024 | Preparations for the November Meeting & more!
Background
Harry Derham began his career as a jockey in the horse racing industry, spending three years in the saddle and securing 50 wins. One of his notable achievements during this time was a victory at the Cheltenham Festival in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle in 2013 aboard the horse Salubrious.
Success at The Festival for Harry with Salubrious
Despite his success as a jockey, Harry realised his true passion lay not in racing from the saddle but in training racehorses. This realisation led him to retrain at Paul Nicholls' renowned stable.
🏇 From Jockey to Trainer: Harry Derham's Winning Journey! 🏆
At Nicholls' Ditcheat stable, Harry quickly became an integral part of the team, initially taking on the role of Pupil Assistant and later advancing to Assistant Trainer. Over six years in this role, Harry worked tirelessly alongside Paul Nicholls, contributing to the stable's impressive achievements, including winning the trainers' championship three times and finishing as runner-up on three occasions.
Harry's relentless work ethic, drive to succeed, and expanding knowledge of racehorses have laid a strong foundation for his training pursuits.
Harry Derham Racing
Harry Derham Racing was established with a clear mission: to compete in top National Hunt races while offering horse owners a remarkable experience on and off the racecourse. Harry's dedication and the high standards he set during his time with Paul Nicholls are evident in every aspect of his business.
The training facility focuses on developing top-quality racehorses and maintaining excellent communication with owners.
Harry Derham Racing - Upper Farm Stables
Business Set-up
The success of Harry Derham Racing is supported by a team that shares Harry's ambition and determination to excel. The team is comprised of talented and motivated individuals who are aligned with Harry's goals. They are committed to preparing horses in the yard and under their care for success and ensuring owners are well-informed and involved in the training process.
Harry's training techniques are rooted in his years of experience, emphasising a rigorous regimen tailored to each horse's needs to maximise performance and potential.
The Team at Upper Farm
References and Further Reading
If you would like to know ore about Harry Derham Racing, the Olbg Racing club and more, here are some link and information you may find interesting
Newbury Racecourse - OLBG Owners Club
