ALDERBROOK LAD. 14 May 2006-Chestnut Gelding Alderbrook-Alone Tabankulu Owner-Ian Barran, Rita Butler and Gemma Hogg.
In our yard the Lad you almost certainly think would be the stable star would be Cornerstone Lad, but there is another Lad who has reasonable claims to dispute who in fact is the top Lad, because this elder statesman who reached the lofty rating of 144 in his younger days, who almost got killed on the streets of Middleham when running loose, who has had 68 races to date, and will race again this Summer as a fourteen year old, might just have a case for top billing.
It was thanks to our ex go to jump jockey turned very successful trainer Neil Mulholland who alerted Micky to the fact that Alderbrook Lad was up for sale. He was duly purchased at Doncaster Sales in November 2013 for £7000, he looked a bargain purchase then, and he certainly looks one now.
After an inauspicious start when falling at the first on his stable debut at Catterick, he soon hit back by winning his next two starts at that track both in heavy ground, although it would turn out over the years that he his best performances would actually be achieved on good ground. From an opening mark of 103 over fences, and in the space of just six months with three further wins, this time over hurdles, he found himself rated 140. Because of his ground preference summer jumping seemed the logical move, and because he loved to force the pace, Cartmel Racecourse which suits a bold front runner has become his second home. Taking advantage of a seventeen pounds lower mark over fences Alderbrook Lad won two in a row at Cartmel in May and June of 2015 making all on both occasions, and accumulating £20.000 in prize money, he finished that campaign with a rating of 144. He has returned to Cartmel a further seventeen times since, winning twice and being placed a further nine times
At the ripe old age of fourteen the plan is to return to Cartmel, circumstances permitting, but whether that happens or not, I'm sure you will agree he is a stable star.
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