A week in Wildcard Racing

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

A week that started at Redcar on April fools day, that ended in the sunshine at Aintree on Grand National day. That is the week that Wildcard Racing enjoyed in the first week in April.

Throwing Roses was our first runner this week in a 5 furlong Handicap at Redcar. This was her 1st run for the team and a real finding out mission. The ground was tacky and after showing early speed, she faded to the tail. The horse will be better suited by a longer trip, and racing on better ground, and the hope that after blowing away the cob webs she will improve.Here she is above enjoying the parade at Redcar, and the picture below shows the owners at Redcar enjoying the Wildcard experience with connections.After enjoying the Bank holiday fun at Redcar, it was time for our next runner to run in Aqueduct in America as Julius Geezer was bidding for further success for the American dream partnership. The race was a 30 thousand dollar claimer and the Geezer went off in the states at 10-1 on there tote. The horse was quick out the gates and got a good position just in behind the pace setter, before taking up the running coming out the back straight, down the stretch they came and the Geezer fought off all comers to win in gutsy fashion recording win number 7 for the season for WRS. Julius Geezer has now amassed more prize money in America than he did in this country throughout his racing career in Britain. This goes to show what an incredible achievement the American adventure has been for Wildcard Racing, and the whole team and the owners involved can be very proud of this horses efforts. The Geezer will continue racing in the states with much bigger prizes now his objective.The last part of a big week was the small matter of the unbeaten Dakar Run racing in the grade 2 Aintree Bumper. For Wildcard to be represented on Grand National day was huge for everyone. The horse has been a dream to be involved with and went to Aintree with all the hopes and dreams of everyone connected.The horse was partnered by Brian Hughes and went to post an 11-1 chance. The horse was very relaxed yesterday and went to post with confidence behind him.

The tapes went up and the race was off, settled towards the rear the horse travelled really well, following the favorite Tistory for most of the contest. Turning for home the horse began to come off the bridle but was still in close contention as the race heated up at the business end. Unfortunately for all his followers he was just unable to quicken up with the leaders but stayed on strongly to finish a gallant 5th beaten around 13 lengths.

The racing post analysis yesterday was held up; headway 3f out; ridden 2f out; kept on final furlong, nearest finish.

The paper stated Dakar Run came into this unbeaten and travelled strongly in midfield until asked to quicken off the final bend. He made some ground but his effort soon petered out.

The team was delighted, and the dream of having a runner at such a prestigious meeting was achieved. Dakar Run is a pleasure and having only raced 3 times, huge improvement can be expected as this 4 year old moves forward in his career.A special week in the Wildcard Racing adventure, and with future success on the horizon as the flat turf season really kicks into gear, a perfect time for people who want to live the dream to get involved.

American Dream Launch Day

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

Thursday morning 22nd November….. I am stood at Amy weavers yard looking at our American Dream Team with a great group of owners all involved in our Atlantic raiding party…..

The horses have been bought with America in mind carefully picked on form, ratings and attitude…. Amy like a proud mum showed of the new additions to the owners, around 20 of them in the yard. Lucky the weather was kind and the horses looked great in the winter haze….

1st out was the impressive looking Julius Geezer, a winner of the Lilly Agness at 2 and once rated 91… Bought from Tom Dascombe last week, he was a bit fresh and had only arrived at the yard the day before.. He looks like a colt, stood tall, coat shinning…. constantly on the move pulling the stable lass about… If he captures his 2yr old ability he could turn out to be a real star.

Next out we saw Marchwood, 2yr old now gelding… had been running with a small issue down there know in the racing world as a rigg ( google it) he ticks all the boxes, will get the allowance for being a maiden and will improve a lot for been gelded. He wont be running as soon as the others after his time off but is a major part of the team. He has a lot of speed and has been close of a few occasions in the UK so the American style will suit him down to the ground

Last out was Marford Missile he showed his true character when battling back to win at Kempton last time out… I cant tell you how pleased i was when i got the call to say we had claimed him…. Hats of to Amy!!!! He is rated 79 in the uk and i say if you can win a claimer her you will win one out there… he has the attitude, the ability and will reward his owners.

After the parade in the yard if was off to warren hill to watch the team work… All looked to be in good form and moving well…. Amy has just kept them ticking over and as fit as possible. Julius Geezer looking every inch the horse he can be, as he flew past us on his 1st trip up the hill….

It was great for the owners to get a sight if their horses before they ship out to Florida Gulf Stream park on Friday 30th November

After work gave the owners another chance to get up close and personal with the horse, polos and carrots all round… also a chance for them to ask Amy and myself questions… Its great to have so many people fully in tune with us and what we are trying to achieve.. This is a big deal and what we did last year with Deerslayer laid down the foundations… sending 3 over there shows we mean business… and have an amazing plan and vision

All the horses will go to Florida and by 5th December the 1st may be running… hit the ground running

After all the excitement it was off to the pub for a buffet and a few drinks… giving owners a chance to get to know each other and plan trips to USA….

It was a great and very successful day… and there is still a few % if you want to join us….

10% is £6900 to own 3 horses…. contact me on 07824 663096, visit www.wildcardracing.co.uk or email me on andrew.bonarius@btinternet.com

The end is near!!!!! Flat season Anyway

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

It’s been a quiet month …. Horses beginning to need a break… only had 3 runners in the Month, Our Grass team has now finished and our sole representative on the all-weather is ready…

Both Somethingboutmary and Henry Bee are heading down to Abbey Stud just outside Newmarket in Hoo… This stunning setting will give both horses a well-deserved break. Henry has been there before on his pre training program, Mick who looks after the horses has great knowledge having worked for Bill O’Gorman and Gerard Butler. They have big plans for the stud and have started to buy some really nice mares… including our mare Scillion who is in foal to Equiiano, due in Feb…

Somethingboutmary did not run well in her last race and a break looked long overdue for her… a chance to re-charge the batteries and grow… She is rated 70 on the AWT , Henry Bee has not been out since injuring himself at Thirsk after winning 2 on the bounce…. Looks to be growing pains and the fact that he has been in training over a year… we all need a break. Mick has a plan for him and will get Bee back buzzing ready for next season…

Bunce ran twice in October… Finishing 4^th at Southwell a great effort to say that the surface may not have suited, then he went on to finish 7^th at Catterick. We have a few ideas why we have not seen him get his head in front, he will get the winter off and will come back soon very well handicapped of 70 with plenty of room for improvement.

Siberian Belle has been taken out of training and will go to a new home very soon… a sweet filly with talent.. sadly we never saw her full potential. She won for is in August at Yarmouth… so the decision was made to take her out of training and start a fresh with a new yearling…

Woolfell Sovereign is back in work and will soon be back in action on the all-weather… rated 87 he won’t be running for small prizes.. we still have a long term plan but will see how the 1^st two races go, aiming at a race at southwell in December… he looks well and fired up. Let’s hope he can add to our impressive year by sticking his head in front….

we have added a 2yr old filly called Throwing Roses to our team for next year… Previous in training with Ollie Pears we have taken her on with aim of loosing her maiden tag next year… Still not decided on where she will be trained, she is currently in a field just outside Huby, eating Dr Grass and gowing…. She will be £500 all in for the year for 5% share staring in jan…. She will offer a bit of fun and hopfully reward owners with a win and a few good days out

This year has been our best to date and we still have 2 months of the all-weather to add to it…. Happy owners , Horse in form and a few nice bets landed. WRS will build on this and get bigger and better in 2013… The addition of some new horses including a possible star…. Watch this space

In other news …… 2 out of 3 horses have been bought for our American dream package… the Bang in form Marford Missile and Marchwood…. Both tick all the boxes and expect to see their noes crossing the wire in pole position…. One more horse to buy. Nothing was bought at Newmarkets HITS.. but we still have time and I have a list of horse I need to start ringing the trainers about… They will ship 1^st week in Dec and be running very soon after.

WRS had its day out at Pontefract on Monday 22nd October.. Massive turn out in our box… Thank you to all who attended … everyone had a great day, drinks bets and horses… including a few guests… Kevin Ryan called in for a beer and as did WRS favourite Freddie Tylicki who took time out to sign a few winning pics of him on Henry Bee for the owners… Sadly the weather was not brillient but i cant arrange everything

Our Calendar of events for 2013 is taking shape… looks like it will be Doncaster on Lincoln day…. WRS will have a box for the owners… a great start to hopefully a great season ahead

The American Dream – Launch

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

just over a year ago i replied to a tweet…..This tweet was to put Wildcard racing on the Global map.. this tweet would lead to an amazing adventure….. This tweet a year later would lead to a big step in to really putting WRS on the map……

watch Deerslayer winning here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlmEt-mh348&feature=plcp

So the tweet was simple @amyweaverracing Just claimed Deerslayer would anybody want a share…. I had experience of Deerslayer and little did i know at the time , what a good eye Amy weaver had for a horse and what amazing ideas she had…. I took a gamble did a deal with Amy deerslayer came to Wildcard racing…. sadly not many saw my vision of what a horse he was…. he ran a few times in England winning a claimer at lingfield but it was the call i had from Amy Weaver that set this whole adventure off….

Do you fancy sending Deerslayer to America…..you dont have to think about things like that, when i comes to horses and plans i am a yes man…. if you dont take the chance you will never know, if you fail at least you had the balls to try…..

So to cut a long story short Deerslayer did the business in America on Belmont night…. Amy weaver racing and Wildcard racing had gone global…. picking up $35,000 in the process.

The day after a plan was hatched , a plan to do it all again, bigger, better, more owners…. more people who think my Amy and myself…. people wanting something new… something Global. Not many people can say they are winning owners in the UK and USA… we can not many can say they won a claimer worth $32,000 we can…

So on Saturday October 13th the American dream was launched…. we thought if we are going to do this we do it properly… we had the sponsors box at Newmarket on future champions day. Food , drink, great views and to our delight people…. future owners, excited about our plans and our ideas…

After a bite to eat we let them in on our plans… 3 horses will go state side, £6900 all inc,,, 10% in the overall package, on a may look like a lot of money but when you work out that you will own 3 horses and run for prize money over $30,000…. there is def a pot of gold at the end… The uptake was amazing, people had caught the bug that Amy and myself have… the chance to live the dream, do something new…. take a chance. We proved in June that we have the knowledge and ability to send a horse 3000 miles and come back with the prize…

2 horses have already joined team Weaver/WRS Marchwood and Marford Missile.. both tick all the boxes and will def win races out stateside… there will be one more bought at the HITS sale at newmarket….. then off they go!!!!

Even if your not a shareholder i hope you follow our adventure on twitter and on my blogs…. share our passion our dream.

Its amazing what one tweet can do…… Think out side the box.

WRS June 2012

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

June gave WRS our biggest victory to date….. and put us on the global map. All thanks to Deerslayer and Amy Weaver..

Deerslayer – He finally did the business for wrs stateside, Rudy had found him the perfect race, a massive $33,000 pot…. race time in UK was 1220 am, I managed to stay up and cheer him home. Hitting the front 2f out he showed all his ability to hold off the late challenge. Deerslayer was claimed after the race for $20,000 and the plan was complete… Thanks to all involved.

Henry Bee- He continues to be a consistent performer but still that elusive win escapes him… We went to Redcar as fav in a poor maiden, this being his downfall as he was out on his own a long time and started to wander, getting caught close home. A few days ago we headed north to Musselburgh and bumped into a nice filly of Mark Johnston…. Was one of henrys best performances to date going down by a half a length….

Woolfall Sovereign – We have not had the ground to run him on in June, he was set to run at Thirsk until bad weather halted that

Siberian Belle – She has come down with an infection after being bitten, so has been in and out of action… won’t be long till we see her again on track.

Somethingboutmary - Races for novices are not easy to find, we found a perfect one at Newcastle, just 4 runners. Hot fav to beat, Mary prepped and ready to roll….. but our little diva of a filly decided that the stalls were not for her and refused to go in…. looking at the race we missed a golden opportunity. So she has been sent to Gary witherford http://www.garywitheford.co.uk/ to pass a stalls test and make sure this does not happen again. Gary has worked with the best so she is in good hands

The American Dream!!!!!

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

It all started in September 2011 a message from Newmarket based trainer Amy Weaver… Anyone interested in a share of Deerslayer…. Amy had just claimed him out of a race at wolves. He had been on my hit list since Dark lane had beat him in a photo finish at Kempton for wildcard Racing. I met up with Amy at Newmarket and a few possible owners and the deal was done…. The mighty Deerslayer had joined WRS.

He ran a few times in Handicaps for us never really getting home on the turf…. So the plan was put together to run him in a claimer at Lingfield. A hot contest featuring a well fancied runner from the Kevin Ryan Yard… Deerslayer bossed the race leading all the way and landing the prize. Was a massive bonus not being claimed and we had a master plan ready to unleash.

Amy had an idea to send him to race in America, he was American bred, loved the all-weather and strong as an ox…. we decided to get the plan rolling and aim for the Gravesend handicap at Aqueduct. I was registered as owner, Deerslayer had his jabs and before we knew it he was on a plan and on his way to NYC…… I could have flown business class for the amount his flight cost but that’s the pampered life of a though bred.

He settled in to his new American life well and was in great form ahead of his stab at the Gravesend handicap… sadly Deerslayer had a different plan…..

5 minutes to post…. everyone watching… expectation high….. then a message flashes up on screen Deerslayer Scratched. He had dumped his jockey going to post, crashed through the rails and into a shed destroying everything in his way….. For a short time it was touch and go if he would survive. He is a tuff cookie, great effort by the medical staff and Amy waver meant that in the morning he was still with us….. a bit battered and bruised but still with us…… Our American dream looked over

Amy stayed with him all Christmas and new year… keeping me up to date all the way. Deerslayer is the type of horse you would love to own and his never say die attitude came to light and he was back working in January. Amy had managed to sell 50% of him and we had covered our costs…. now the plan was to find the right race and sell the rest of him.

Deerslayer was prepped for a run over 7F, to my and Amy’s amazement as never looked like getting home over that distance but the American style suited him and entering the last furlong he was still in front, but the line did not come fast enough and we would have to wait to get a winner….. Deerslayer got done on the line.. so close!!!!!

we knew he could go one better so he was entered on Belmont stakes day… The race after the Belmont stakes… A $32,000 claimer. Was just down to Deerslayer now….

Amy booked her flight and headed off stateside, I had my rebull ready to keep me awake till 1220 am Sunday morning to cheer him home.

Gates opened, a slight stumble meant his usual front running style was put on hold… he sat 3rd round the bend, as they came in to the stretch Deerslayer picked up and in a matter of strides was in front…. hands and heels all the way, one quick flick of the whip and a challenger approached but it was never in danger…. Deerslayer had done it, we had landed the American dream, The thinking outside the box plan had worked… Not only were we a fair few thousand dollars richer but with the help of Amy Weaver WRS were on the world map.

I quick catch up with Amy after race was mission complete, Deerslayer had been claimed for $20,000 and was staying in aqueduct….. Job done….. on to the next one.

Its been the most amazing adventure, just shows what can happen when you put your mind to it, get the right horse, right trainer and a few owners who paid just £200 a month….Now we have a winner in the USA.

I am hungry for more and will be taking miss weaver out for a well-deserved bottle of champagne to discuss our future…. anything is possible at wildcard Racing!!!!!

York Evening Press 16/12/11 Deerslayer

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

Deerslayer hoping for success in Gravesend Handicap in New York

10:21am Friday 16th December 2011 in Horse racing

By Steve Carroll » Sports reporter

A YORK racing syndicate is hoping to grab a piece of US glory in the Big Apple this weekend.

Deerslayer, owned by city-based Wildcard Racing, runs in the $65,000 Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct, in New York, over six furlongs tomorrow.

The five-year-old, trained by Amy Weaver in Newmarket, has won six times in 15 starts this year and the Wildcard syndicate, which has owned the horse in October and also has horses with Richard Fahey and Kevin Ryan, are hoping he can shine on his American debut against five other sprinters. He will carry 8st 3lbs and will be ridden by Michael Luzzi.

Rule by Night is the 7-5 favourite to take victory but syndicate manager Andrew Bonarius, who lives in Huntington, is quietly confident that Deerslayer will make an impact.

“He has run four times and won once for us, at Lingfield in a claiming race on his last start,” he said. “We have taken him out there and it will probably be his last run for us. The plan is to sell him in America.

“We have gone for the prize money and for the chance to get Wildcard Racing broadcast over a wider spectrum.”

The race is named in honour of the early American racetrack sited near Coney Island, in Brooklyn, which was closed just over a hundred years ago. Once a Grade III event, the race is now ungraded and will be run for the 52nd time.

Famous horses to have won the contest include the prodigious sire Mr Prospector in 1974.

Bonarius added: “He was in quarantine for two days and he did his first piece of work yesterday. There are six people in the syndicate and he will be better handicapped out there than he is here.

“He is by Rahy, a famous American sire, and he was bought in America as a two-year-old. We think that dirt will suit him and we think he has a chance to nick it.”

The race will be shown on At The Races, Sky channel 415, at 8.37pm on Saturday

Deerslayer Crosses pond to give Gravesend handicap international feel

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Wildcard Racing Syndicate

Deerslayer Crosses Pond For Gravesend ‘Cap

By Jenny Kellner | December 14, 2011


Mike Luzzi
Photo by Adam Coglianese

Saturday’s 52nd running of the Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack takes on an international flavor as Newmarket-based Deerslayer makes his American debut against five other sprinters.

Owned by Andy Bonarius and trained by Amy Weaver, the 5-year-old gelded son of Rahy enters the Gravesend off a neck victory in claiming race at Lingfield. The win was his sixth of the year from 15 starts, all sprinting, with three coming on turf and three over an all-weather surface.

“The plan is to get him sold and for him to remain in America,” said Weaver, 30, who will be saddling her first American starter as a trainer. “He’s American-bred, and fetched $500,000 as a yearling. He handles dirt and Polytrack well and we chose this spot hoping he will take to American racing.”

Mike Luzzi has the mount on Deerslayer, 20-1 on the morning line under 115 pounds, from post position 3.

Favored at 7-5 in the six-furlong race is Gold Square’s Rule by Night, the 119-pound highweight whose lone victory in 2011 came in the Duck Dance overnight stakes at Belmont Park on October 9. Most recently fourth after setting the pace in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler going seven furlongs, Rule by Night is 3-1-0 from five starts at Aqueduct, including a 9 `/4-length victory in the 2010 Groovy.

Rule by Night will have Junior Alvarado aboard from post position 4.

Fourth behind Rule by Night in the Duck Dance was This Ones for Phil, who drew post position 5. The Duck Dance was the fourth start of the year for the 5-year-old gelding, who returned from a 14-month layoff in May to win an overnight stakes at Monmouth, after which he finished second in the Grade 2 True North Handicap presented by Emirates Airline at Belmont and sixth in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap.

The Rick Dutrow, Jr. trainee was listed at 2-1 on the morning line and will tote 118 pounds, including Jose Valdivia, Jr.

Frazil, who will be making his stakes debut in the Gravesend, enters the race off a pair of starter handicap victories. Owned and trained by Linda Rice, the 5-year-old gelding has fashioned a record of 5-3-1 from 11 starts at the Big A, all in starter handicap and allowance company.

Cornelio Velasquez rides Frazil, 6-1 on the morning line, from the outside.

Drawing post position 2 and carrying 113 pounds is Susanne Bobley’s Pretty Boy Freud, most recently third to Dr Disco in Aqueduct’s Vodka overnight stakes on December 4. The 5-year-old New York-bred gelding has one win in nine starts at the Big A, taking an optional claimer in December, 2009.

David Cohen will ride Pretty Boy Freud, 5-1 on the morning line.

Completing the field is the well-traveled Escrow Kid, most recently fourth in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap in his Aqueduct debut. Third in the James Marvin and sixth in the Grade 1 Forego behind Jackson Bend at Saratoga, the City Place gelding, 8-1 on the morning line, will be ridden by Oliver Castillo from the rail.

The field for the $65,000 Gravesend Handicap:

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	Odds
1	Escrow Kid (FL)	O Castillo	116	C Doran	8-1
2	Pretty Boy Freud (NY)	D Cohen	113	L O’Brien	5-1
3	Deerslayer (KY)	M J Luzzi	115	A Weaver	20-1
4	Rule by Night (KY)	J Alvarado	119	S M Asmussen	7-5
5	This Ones for Phil (FL)	J Valdivia, Jr.	118	R E Dutrow, Jr.	2-1
6	Frazil (KY)	C H Velasquez	115	L Rice

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