Harry Derham Racing has firmly established itself as one of Britain’s most exciting young National Hunt yards.
After a highly promising debut campaign, the team built further momentum in their second full season, recording 57 winners and earning nearly £650,000 in prize money.
With a host of new recruits, the 78 boxes at Upper Farm Stables are close to capacity and hopes are high.
Harry Derham caught up with his yard sponsor OLBG to go through the plans for some of his team.
You can follow their progress through the season by opting in to the free Harry Derham Racing newsletter HERE
Juvenile Hurdlers
Juvenile hurdlers have been a strong point of ours, and hopefully, we'll see more progression from them this season. I think the junior programme is brilliant, I think the sooner they're jumping, the better.
One Horse Town
One Horse Town
Three-year-old gelding Threat (sire) × Almost Always (dam)
Owner: The Jo Cool Syndicate
Two-time wide-margin winner in juvenile hurdles already this season. Flat rating 72.
I decided to give him a break this summer after he won his second juvenile hurdle easily with a penalty. The plan is to run him straight in the Wensleydale Hurdle at Wetherby on the 31st of October. This race will help us find out where he sits: is he good enough to run in some of those better early-season juveniles. He likes the top of the ground and loves jumping.
Gallivanted
Gallivanted
Three-year-old gelding. Galiway x Fedya
Bathurst-Norman, Ramsay & Tufnell
Three time runner on the flat up to 1m4f. 70,000 GNS Tattersalls July sale. Flat rating 79.
He is by Galiway, and we looked at his dam’s form (winning on soft ground in France) and thought he should cope with soft ground. He's finding life quite tough adjusting to National Hunt training, so I'm not going to rush him. He could be out before Christmas, but won't be much before then, when the ground is soft. He has a good attitude towards jumping, and he’s big enough to do well
Siorai
Siorai and Harry Derham
Three-year-old filly. Masar x Na Greine
Mundy Groundwork Ltd
Ran 3 times on the flat up to 1m4f. 52,000 GNS Tattersalls July sale. Flat rating 72.
She's quite raw and needs plenty of time and development. She has schooled very well and loves to jump. We won't see her until after Christmas, as I am not in a massive rush. She is a nice mare and well worth following when she starts
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Bumpers
Lots of National Hunt horses now are going through the Irish point-to-point system. It’s a great education for them. They get taught well and do lots and lots of jumping. We have bought some really good-looking, athletic horses this year, and hopefully, we’ll have lots of good horses coming from the point-to-point ranks
Julio Coolio
Julio Coolio
Four-year-old filly. Crystal Ocean x Miss Bailly
OLBG Racing (Julio Coolio Club)
Well bred half sister to Romeo Coolio and the yard’s six time winner Ascending Lark. Bought privately before she ran in a point to point for the yard’s sponsor OLBG
She's a half sister to Ascending Lark, and Miss Bailly is an amazing broodmare. She's only four, and Ascending Lark didn't start winning over hurdles until she was six, so I'm not rushing her. She looks talented, does everything nicely, and jumps great. I suspect we are leaning towards a mares' bumper this side of Christmas for her debut
Julio Coolio is in a one horse club with 100 memberships. Members pay a monthly subscription and receive a share in prize money along with regular updates, yard visits and access to owners badges on racedays. If this type of involvement would suit you then please email racing@olbg.com to express your interest.
Cristal d’Estruval
Cristal d’Estruval
Four-year-old gelding. Crystal Ocean x Aurore D’Estruval
Barratt Racing
A point to point winner at Lisronagh Feb 25. Topped Cheltenham Festival sale at £400,000.
I think he's an absolute supermodel - a very good-looking, compact, neat, good-quality horse. His jumping is fantastic, and he ran a very good time when he won his point-to-point. I haven't decided if he'll start in a bumper or a novice hurdle yet, as he hasn't done any faster work. He won't want good ground, so we'll bring him along slowly. I might start him in a bumper at Christmas time
The Burren Man
The Burren Man
Four-year-old gelding. Maxios x Ryme Bere
Smash Racing
A point to point runner-up at Dromahane April 25. €180,000 Goffs Punchestown sale in May
He is an absolutely enormous, big horse, unlike GiveMeFive (same owners). I think a more galloping track on slow ground would be his type of job. He is quite raw and will definitely want some time, so he won't be busy this year. He schooled the other day and jumped beautifully
Clondaw Park
Four-year-old filly. Walk In The Park x Zamani
Mrs Ceri Fell
A point to point winner at Lisronagh Feb 25. £320,000 purchase Cheltenham Festival Sale.
I was very impressed by what she did in her point-to-point in very deep ground. She has enormous ability and looks classy. She schooled brilliantly, but we are yet to decide if she runs in a bumper or a hurdle this year, as she is still quite raw
Lake Tiberias
Lake Tiberias
Five-year-old gelding. Diamond Boy x Sea of Galilee
Burkes and Syders
Unraced half brother to Ahorsewithnoname.
He is an interesting horse; not overly impressive at home, but always just 'there'. He is going to run in a bumper at Chepstow in October. I suspect he will just have one run in a bumper and then go straight novice hurdling
Lasko Des Obeaux
Lasko Des Obeaux
Four-year-old gelding. Bathyrhon x Shifra
Martin Broughton & Friends
A point to point runner up at Monksgrange Mar 25. £120,000 at the Aintree sale April 25
I think he was beaten by quite a good horse that's gone to Gordon Elliot... We loved this lad and we thought that if he'd run in a lot of point to points, he would have probably been a winner. He’s my kind of horse: athletic, good quality, and not massive. I love what I see so far and I'm getting very positive vibes. He'll start around mid-November, probably at two miles, but I think he'll end up staying further for sure.
Lover Desbois
Four year-old gelding. Beaumec De Houelle x Rose Hever
Heart Of The South Racing
Bought as a store for £45,000 at the May 24 Goffs Spring Store Sales
He has a lot of ability, goes really well on the gallops, is a great mover, and a good-looking horse. However, his schooling hasn't been fabulous at the moment, and he needs a little bit of growing up as he is quite immature. If he’s not ready for jumping this season, the Goffs £100k Bumper at Newbury is there as a nice incentive for the spring
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Novice Hurdlers
We've got quite a young team of horses at the moment. I hope this year a lot of them will reward us for having given them time. Novice hurdling is an exciting time of a horse's life and our job is to maximize their ability this season
Madame Luna
Madame Luna
Four-year-old filly. Sea The Moon x Madame
Daniel Macaulitffe & Anoj Don
Two from two in junior national hunt hurdles last season. Rated 109.
She was just ready enough to start when she went to Fakenham and she learned on the job and then she won nicely at Wetherby... The lovely thing about the new rules is she has no penalty in a novice hurdle. She will start in a mares' novice hurdle mid-November, wanting a cut in the ground. Her owners would love to get her black type. She is brilliant at jumping and saves her class for the track.
Le Frimeur
Le Frimeur
Four-year-old gelding. Gemix x Ty Perrinne
Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede
A point to point winner at Nenagh in March
He won his point-to-point impressively. He'll go novice hurdling. He looks like he has a soft ground action and is a blank canvas. He will start around mid-November/December when there's a proper cut in the ground. I hope he turns into a very exciting chaser one day, as he is a beautiful looking horse
Ignore The Door
Ignore the Door
Five-year-old gelding. Walk In The Park x Maifitz’s Madonna
Mr and Mrs R Norman
A point to point winner at Monksgrange Mar 25
Just needs a bit of cut in the ground but ready to run. He is a nice staying horse, probably a chaser. That could happen sooner rather than later.
Park Talk
Park Talk
Five-year-old gelding. Walk In The Park x Nova Cyngi
Mr Andy Mitchell
A point to point winner at Taylorstown April 25. Half brother to Dodging Bullets.
Shaped well for a long way at Fontwell Park. Wasn't as fit as I was anticipating which was my mistake not his. But he jumped great and he'll do much better next time out.
Kiwi Rush
Kiwi Rush
Five-year-old gelding. Mahler x Don’t Forsit
Smash GC Racing
A NHF winner at Kelso in February. £85,000 at Tattersalls Cheltenham May sale, 2024.
Two really good runs in the spring. He's a big horse and a lovely jumper; I felt giving him another year would do him good because of his stature. I'll probably start him at two and a half miles. I think he'll end up being progressive and is one worth following; maybe he's an EBF final type horse. He's got a lovely attitude.. He'll stay well. Just a really likable horse, well worth a follow
Korkoran
Korkoran
Five-year-old gelding. No Risk At All x Kotkieglote
Barratt Racing
PTP winner bought for £240,000 at the Tatts Chelt Feb sale Feb 24.
He jumps great, and I think he'll stay well, but he will want soft ground. Last year was a bit of a dead year; he had Grade 4 ulcers and he was just quite an immature horse. We'll see the best of him going straight novice hurdling this season, as he'll be a much better horse with a hurdle in front of him.
Spreadsheet Guru
Spreadsheet Guru
Five-year-old gelding. Diamond Boy x Timo
D & D Armstrong Ltd
Runner up in a class 2 NHF race at Ayr in April
I thought that was a pretty good run on the day (NHF at Ayr in April). He schooled really nicely hurdling. He’s a lovely, laid-back horse and I suspect he’ll end up over two and a half miles. He won't run until there is a bit of cut in the ground, probably mid-November. He absolutely loves the game, jumps well and is a real joy to have around the place.
Katie’s Melody
Katies Melody
Five-year-old mare. Flemensfirth x Little Dil
Mr Nick Meyer and Mr Jonathan Gregory
A point to point winner at Lingstown Mar 25 and NHF runner up at Tipperary in May
Nice pedigree. I really like her toughness and gallop; she stayed on powerfully in her bumper. She will go straight novice hurdling, probably starting at two and a half miles and she wants soft ground. I have the EBF Mares' Novice Final at Newbury in March as a potential end-of-season goal
Mossy Fen Road
Mossy Fen Road
Five-year- old gelding. Flemensfirth x Molly Duffy
Barratt Racing
A private purchase after winning his point to point at Ballyragget Mar 24. Impressive winner on debut in a NHF race at Wetherby before running in the Aintree Grand National bumper.
He's a proper soft ground horse. I'm looking forward to him going novice hurdling. Running him at Aintree did him the world of good mentally, as he realised that the world didn't revolve around him. I'm aiming to have him ready by the end of November, but he won't run until the ground is deep.
Jackie Hobbs
Jackie Hobbs
Five-year-old mare. Jack Hobbs x Miss Milborne
Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates
Winner of her sole point to point and two time winner of NHF races, ran in the Mares bumper at the Aintree Grand National Meeting.
She'll go novice hurdling, potentially starting around early November. I think she is well above average and capable of winning a couple of mares' hurdle races. Running in a listed race wouldn't surprise me. She has schooled well and I am keen to get her started this season.
Jem’s Lilly
Jem's Lilly
Five-year-old mare. Walk In The Park x Mystic Masie
Mr Will Watt
Two time runner in NHF races including runner up at Punchestown on debut, Jan 25
I like what I've seen so far; she's a very good jumper. That Punchestown run was good. She needs proper cut in the ground. She'll start in a maiden hurdle around mid-November or December. I think she will end up staying further, probably over two and a half miles
Klub De Reve
Klub de Reve
Five-year-old gelding. Fly With Me x Silouette De Reve
Cheerio Partnership
Winner of a point to point at Stradbally May 24, third in second NHF race last season.
He was very nervy last season, so we gave him time. I'm working back from the EBF Final at Sandown. He jumps great, and he'll start in a novice or maiden hurdle at two miles around the end of October/early November. He travels well and is one to look forward to.
Jackpot Cauveliere
Jackpot Cauveliere
Six-year-old gelding. Kamsin x Senanque
Burke and Syder
A point to point winner at Lingstown Nov 24. £100,000 for SRB Crawford at Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale Nov 24
He's a no-nonsense, tough, lovely laid-back horse; essentially he sleeps, eats, and trains. He'll go straight hurdling, and I love the way he jumps. He is definitely a stayer. He'll start in a soft ground, two and a half mile maiden hurdle somewhere when there's plenty of give in the ground. I look at him as potentially a Welsh National type horse one day.
Queensbury Boy
Queensbury Boy
Six-year-old gelding. Doyen x Queens Wild
David Maxwell
Winner of a point to point, NHF and two novice hurdles.
He had to have a breathing operation last winter. He won his two novice hurdles nicely and then went to Punchestown where I thought he would run a little better. Since his first run over hurdles in March, the plan's been the Persian war. He's got some experience which can help in that race and then he will be off to the David Maxwell dispersal, which will be a shame, but he's been fab for us and hopefully he can go and run a really nice race.
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Hurdlers
Viyanni
Viyanni
Four-year-old gelding. Almanzor x Viyana
OLBG Racing Club
Aga Khan bred, bought privately from the Jimmy Murtagh stable for the OLBG Racing club which is run to support Harry Derham Racing. Two time juvenile hurdle winner last season and impressive third to Lulamba and Mondo Man at Ascot in January. Missed the Fred Winter with a minor setback.
The plan is to go to the Gerry Fielden Hurdle at Newbury. The best is yet to come; he’s a talented horse. His long-term future is likely in decent three-mile hurdles, but I won't rush him this year. I could easily see him running in the Lanzarote Hurdle in January if the ground is suitable.”
You can follow Viyanni and two other horses in training with Harry Derham Racing for just £10 per month per horse with the OLBG Racing Club. As well as weekly emails packed full of news, you’ll get access to yard visits, draws for owners badges and a calendar of exclusive events.
Aviemore
Aviemore
Four-year-old gelding. Kodiac x Raincall
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing
Four time winner, twice on the flat and twice over hurdles. Flat rating 84. Hurdle rating 122.
He is heading to Chepstow for a four-year-old handicap hurdle. I gave him a spin on the flat because he improved so much last season, hoping a run would help him. I think he will improve for two and a half miles at some stage this season.
Filibustering
Filibustering
Four-year-old gelding. Postponed x Mystique
Dr Veronica Ferguson
Winner on the flat and over hurdles before running in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree. Purchased for 68,000 GNS at Tatts Oct 24. Flat rating 75.
He's a novice until the 1st of December. I'd like to get a bit more experience into him. We went to Aintree because he was good the first time out and you're only a juvenile once in your life and we just thought it was worth a go... I think he's quite a useful horse. I'd like to think he could end up in some decent handicap hurdles. He might be a type for the Challenger series which Brentford Hope and Givemefive have won for us. He'll start off in novice hurdles with soft ground and hopefully keep progressing.
Dramatic Encore
Dramatic Encore
Five-year-old mare. Walk In The Park x Lyrical Theatre
The Dominae
Hurdle winner purchased for £65,000 at the Goffs Aintree sales April 24. Rated 115
I like her. I don't think we've seen the best of this quirky mare yet, but she loves her jumping. She will probably go for the Richard Barber Memorial Mares' Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton. I think she is quite well treated off 116, and there is a good bit more to come from her
Ascending Lark
Ascending Lark
Seven-year-old mare. Great Pretender x Miss Bailly
Mr Will Watt
Half sister to Romeo Coolio (and the stable's new recruit Julio Coolio) who has won 6 races in a row for the yard including a listed handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. Rated 137.
We are going to stick to hurdles. The plan is a Grade 2 Mares' Hurdle at Ascot in the middle of January. That race will tell us if she is good enough for the Mares' Hurdle (at Cheltenham) or if she's just a handicapper. I won't rush her; she usually gets better as the season progresses. I personally think she's still progressing because when she won at Punchestown she came from a long way back, flew home, and actually in the end won with her ears pricked.
Man At Work
Man at Work
Seven-year-old gelding. Workforce x Shockalocka Baby
Prof Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew
Joining the yard this season having been with David Pipe. Lightly raced, one time winner over hurdles. Rated 124.
He clearly had a lot of ability (beating Gray Dawning) long ago, but he has suffered a lot of problems. We are bringing him along very quietly and need to be patient. The realistic aim this season is just to try and get him back to the track, although that is not a given
Washington
Washington
Nine-year-old gelding. Westerner x Present Leader
Burkes and Syders
Joined the yard from Paul Nicholls last season having last won in 2022. Won first time out for Harry Derham before completing the yard’s biggest win at Fairyhouse in December. Rated 128
He gave us our biggest win in Ireland, but 10 pounds made life difficult after that. He owes us nothing, but he is going to stay in two-mile hurdling, though we might step him up in trip at some stage this season. He is tough, genuine, and honest. He wants the top of the ground now, so we’ll start him off at Chepstow, as the ground was too deep for him at Newbury last year. He's tough, genuine, he's going to start off at Chepstow, he wants top of the ground now... He's a little star. If they all if they all did what he did, we'd be all right
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Novice Chasers
Lario
Lario
Six-year-old gelding. Nutan x Larmina
OLBG Racing Club
Winner on the flat in Germany and over hurdles in Britain before being bought privately for The OLBG Racing Club which is run to support Harry Derham Racing. Placed 5 times for current connections, rated 124.
Chasing often helps horses who travel really well over hurdles and don't quite see out the trip. There are 12 jumps in a two-mile chase, compared to eight in a hurdle, and that will definitely help Lario. He has the size and scope to do well over fences. I'm hoping that chasing brings out improvement, as I don't think we’ve seen the best of him yet. Could start at Chepstow on the 5th of November.
You can follow Lario and two other horses in training with Harry Derham Racing for just £10 per month per horse with the OLBG Racing Club. As well as weekly emails packed full of news, you’ll get access to yard visits, draws for owners badges and a calendar of exclusive events.
Jus De Citron
Jus de Citron
Six-year-old gelding. Saint Des Saints x Rapide I
Edward Ware Esq
Won on his debut for the yard in a Novice Hurdle at Doncaster and finished third on only other run last season. Rated 117.
He suffered a pretty bad setback last season and now has five screws in his cannon bone. He is back cantering quietly, and we are aiming for his return after Christmas. He is a really good jumper, and I am looking forward to him going chasing. I think on decent ground, he can make up into a nice handicap chase prospect.
Norn Iron
Norn Iron
Seven-year-old gelding. Soldier of Fortune x Coco Des Champs
Mr Paul Kelly
One win and three runner up spots last season to progress to a handicap mark of 118.
He is absolutely going chasing this season. He was always a correct jumper of hurdles, so I think chasing will bring out some improvement. Since front-running suited him in his last race, maybe that will be his tactic over fences. He probably won't run before Newbury at the end of November/early December in a novice handicap chase
Queens Gamble
Queens Gamble
Seven-year-old mare. Getaway x Gambling Girl
Frost and Galvin
Two time NHF winner and three time hurdle winner including a listed mares novice race. Ran twice at the Cheltenham Festival (23 Champion Bumper, 25 Mares Hurdle). Rated 134.
She's had a wretched summer involving two bouts of very bad colic. It was looking exceedingly unlikely she was going to get back, so it’s great to have her back. She is a talented mare and is going to go chasing this season. We are yet to school her as she is currently further behind in her preparation.
Brentford Hope
Brentford Hope
Eight-year-old gelding. Camelot x Miss Raven
The Optimists
One time antepost favourite for the Derby, 3 time winner on the flat and 5 time winner over hurdles. Runner up to Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January. Rated 139 over hurdles. 100 on the flat.
Brentford Hope is in good nick, we just need the ground to be right. We are going to give novice chasing a go and if that doesn't work out we can return to hurdles.
Chasers
Teddy Blue
Teddy Blue
Seven-year-old gelding. Sea The Moon x Tickle Me Blue
Hale Sargent Evans Clifton
Joined the yard at the start of last season having previously won on the flat and over hurdles (lastly in April 23). Won handicap chases off marks of 121 & 127. Now rated 131.
He's a bit of a quirky customer, and placing him off his rating (131) is tough. He might start at the valuable two-mile chase at Ascot on November 1st. We aim there because he enjoys quicker ground, which that meeting often provides. I suspect he’ll end up running over a little bit further than two miles at some stage this season.
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Follow the Journey
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