Pedigree

Season 2021-22 outlook

A 2018 Sales purchase by TD9 Racing (John, Davie, Greg & Ian), she had a promising bumper season in 2019-20. We schooled Lady Villanelle over hurdles in the Spring of 2020, so prior to last season I knew she jumped well. And that was certainly the case on hurdles debut at Hexham in November '20 only needing to be pushed out by Callum Bewley for a comfortable success. She was not quite up to the same level a couple of months later at Musselburgh when finishing 3rd but a solid enough run nonetheless.
Unfortunately Lady Villanelle was pulled up next time and post-race was clearly showing the effects of ringworm which ravaged the yard in the second part of the season. She's had a good summer break and has come back into yard looking healthy and fresh. On close analysis of her form you could come to the conclusion that her opening BHA mark of OR106 may be a little high, but sometimes you just play with the hand your dealt. To begin with at any rate.
Just the type for the 'Go North' mares hurdle series through the winter.

Previously....
Upon the retirement of that gallant servant Hartforth - winner of 6 hurdles - in January 2018, syndicate member Ian Aitken hatched a plan with his son Greg and cousin (Wee) Davie Brown to accompany The Trainer and his regular group of stable associates to the 2018 Tatts Ire August NH Sales.
This was a sale that was extended to 3 days this year, which meant a catalogue of around 800 horses to ponder over with the aim of acquiring a horse, probably a 3 year old filly, that would provide a source of enjoyment from nurturing through initial education, spells out of training, summer grass, steady cantering and then onto the racecourse. And so it was, about halfway through Day 1 of the sale that fellow Dodlands owner John Mackin drew the group's attention to a 3 year old filly by Shantou. John may be a relative newcomer to racing, but has a mind for detail and he was impressed by the conformation and attitude of a son of Shantou that he watched a few months earlier at Kelso in February '18 - the smart chaser Shantou Flyer.
The Dodlands entourage were consulted and opinions considered. Ian and Greg were delighted when their bid for 'Hope' (for it was she) was successful, and transport was duly arranged to ship this well-made, not overbig filly across the Irish Sea to Hawick.
The subsequently named Lady Villanelle was one of the first of that year's purchases to be packaged off down to Gary Rutherford to complete her education and in mid October '18 she arrived back at the yard to join in with her new stable companions in morning exercise.
Lady Villanelle delighted connections when making her debut in a 2 mile NH Flat race at Kelso in February '20. Beaten just 4 lengths by Manorbank (subsequently sold for £80k) and 23 lengths clear of 3rd placed Sol de Mayo (sold for £25k), this was a debut performance of great credit. She may have run up a bit light next time when 4th at Newcastle in March but these runs will be sure to have set her up nicely for a hurdles campaign in 2020-21.