THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com  created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

The Downs Stables in 2005

IN JOSH'S FOOTSTEPS

Nick Gifford, Findon's trainer

Copyright Valerie Martin 2005

Nick had a comparatively quiet your in 2004 settling in as the new trainer at the Downs Stables in Findon following in his father's footsteps.   Always a hard act to follow.

The eight-year old Joly Bey was the only Findon horse in the 2005  Grand National, he was the only Sussex horse too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joly Bey

 

Just twenty-four years after Josh Gifford won the Grand National with Aldaniti, Nick, had Joly Bey carrying the hopes of his Downs Stables in Findon in April 2005. 

The Downs Stables 2005

 

There are some interesting snippets of info not usually mentioned by the racing and betting enthusiasts in the history of this now Findon based horse.   He was, in fact, a 21st birthday present from his parents to David Dunsdon (who is incidentally Nick's cousin) so it is quite a family affair.

Joly Bey was originally trained in France by Guillaume Macaire and then at 4-years old joined the Somerset trainer, Paul Nicholls.    He turned up at the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales a year later and cost the Dunsdons almost £250,000.  I guess he was bought with the Grand National in sight. 

In October 2004 in a hurdle race at Chepstow, Joly Bey finished fifth, and David was fined £200 by the stewards on the course after the suggestion that he was making insufficient effort on the straight during a race.

Nick with his sister, Kristina Cook the Downs Stables in Findon.

 

At home on the Findon downland, Joly Bey was known for his calm temperament when ridden each day by Nick's Head Girl, Melanie Baker.

I am told that at the Savoy Hotel in London earlier in 2005 for the launch of the Grand National handicap weights, Nick expressed himself delighted with the 10 st. 7lb. allotted to Joly Bey for the 2005 National.   Apparently, David vowed he will do the weight on the day at the beginning of  April— even if it meant resorting to using a less than small saddle.

Nick as you don't usually see him.

 

I caught up with Joly Bey out exercising in the snow amongst the sheep at the end of February 2005....

 

Preparations for THE DAY were soon underway and Joly Bey leisurely travelled up to Aintree the day before the race and stabled overnight at Haydock Park.    Haydock is only just along the road from Aintree as the crow flies and he hopefully sauntered fresh as a daisy into the Aintree arena for his Big Day with the eyes of everyone in Findon on him. 

Unfortunately it was not to be success for Findon in 2005.  

The following extract from the Argus tells all.....

 

Joly Bey can win National next year


Nick Gifford surveyed the post-race scene with a shrug and a steely resolve.

Because for Findon-based Gifford, son of legendary Aldaniti trainer Josh, the Grand National ain't nothing but a family thing.

Joly Bey, the jewel in the crown of Gifford's young and developing stable, may not have triumphed around Aintree's fabled obstacles but he completed the course and finished a creditable 14th.

Punters love to talk about trends and stats, course form and speed figures - and those with a prospector's eye on 2006 will discount Joly Bey at their peril.

"We'll certainly be back," said Gifford.

"The horse is only eight years old and it did superbly well to complete the course and the jockey gave him a great ride".

"I still think this horse is capable of winning the National. The legendary Ginger McCain thinks he's got a smashing chance and you can't argue with someone who has trained four National winners".

"This was the first time for horse, jockey and trainer and we'll only be better for next time."

Joly Bey's amateur jockey David Dunsdon, who was bought the horse for £240,000 by his millionaire father, ran a stalking race on his charge.

Despite his Aintree inexperience, he carefully avoided the carnage and moved to within striking distance five from home.

However, for those holding 16/1 on their slips, the expected surge never arrived and Dunsdon finished 69 lengths behind Ruby Walsh on winner and 7/1 favourite Hedgehunter.

"Despite all the advice I don't think anything could have prepared me for that," said Dunsdon, 22.

"Maybe the ground wasn't ideal but he still gave me a great ride. Obviously I was out there to win, not just to finish, but he's proven he can handle the course for the future."

And the sentiments of young trainer and rider were echoed by a wise old sage, watching knowingly from the paddock.

"I thought he jumped well," added Josh Gifford.

"I thought he may be a little short on experience but having a crack this year is only going to improve his chances next year".

"Hedgehunter fell at the last in 2004 and 12 months later he comes back and wins in impressive style."

So the dream is not over at Downs Stables, just on ice for another year.

 

Unfortunately, Joly Bey did not run after all and lived to run another day.

Having put Suzie and Katie safely on the lead so that they did not join in, I caught these on camera training on the Findon Gallops early on a Saturday morning in November 2005.

 

November 2005

 

November 2005

 

November 2005

 

November 2005

 

 

The view looking north west over the Findon Gallops.

This aerial photograph is by Grahame Algar of nearby Lancing in the summer of 2005 from his remotely piloted electric powered aircraft.

Continue if you would like to see the Nepcote Lodge Stables Photo Album.

 

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THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.

 

E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com