Denis Coakley's latest news...
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A very busy few days for the yard as we approach midsummer : ANOTHER WIN FOR GOLDEN PHASE !
16 June 2025
Last week Denis sent out his first two year old runner of the season, as the exciting chesnut colt Starlight Sami headed to Salisbury under Oisin Murphy. Christine Young's Earthlight colt performed really well on his racecourse debut, having to wait for a gap inside the final furlong to ease through into a very promising third, with Oisin regarding him as a nice horse in prospect.
Connie Moon ran a great race at Goodwood under Jack Doughty, moving up well from midfield to close on the leaders from three furlongs out, and she was right there entering the final furlong. She just missed out on second place at the line but this run has all the signs of her winning very soon. Up at Chester Barry's Boy had little chance of getting into the race from his 14 draw, and George Bass was obliged to race wide or wider still, so that he had to run half a furlong more than the rest and thus had no chance of getting involved this time. He is sure to have another winning day soon if things fall right in a suitable race.
At Bath on Saturday Sharma d'Amour was much too keen in the first quarter mile of a very slowly run mile race, and the inclement conditions did nothing for her chances as she battled home under Tyler Heard for a gallant fourth. She may drop back to seven furlongs or find an opportunity for another race with a genuinely run mile contest. As the repeated showers affected the going for the afternoon My Amibtion did not run and he will have to wait for another option as the sunny weather prevails in the coming days.
On Sunday at Salisbury Hoornblower was extremely unlucky, travelling through the race very well for Rossa Ryan, only to be shut out so that he was nearly brought down as the race entered its final stages. Rossa felt that he would have won if it wasn't for that incident, after which he was eased down some way back from the first three home. He deserves much better luck next time out and can win again. Hollie Doyle took the ride on Golden Phase, who she knows very well, and she produced a textbook ride from the outset to bring Golden Phase her fourth win, unchallenged by the end of ten furlongs. She was a little keen early, but Hollie took her forward and round the loop to establish a clear lead turning in. and perfect fractions saw her gallop away from a trailing field to take out the race emphatically by two lengths come the line. Fast ground is certainly to her liking, and West Ilsley Platinum as the owners were understandably delighted with another win for their daughter of Gustav Klimt.
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Start of June becomes a bit of a dampener all round
09 June 2025
Last Friday on the Oaks day card at Epsom Hollie Doyle reported that Tribal Rhythm was too far back in his race to get into things at all come the business end, and as with all races at the Derby meeting nobody was able to make up distance on the leaders in the prevailing ground. He had to make do with seventh on this occasion, closing in the final half furlong to be only four lengths back, but he will have to wait for another opportunity to secure a second win this year. At Bath on the evening card Sweet Sister wore a first time visor in her race, which seemed to light her up and she ran much too freely for the first mile under Nicola Currie, so that she emptied out quickly in the straight and she needs to drop the headgear and come back down in trip next time.
At Lingfield on Saturday evening, the 'weather warning' atrocious band of storms had reached Surrey by late afternoon, so that by the time of Party Island's race the ground had gone to heavy all over, which left him with no chance for a soaked Jack Callan, plugging away into fifth in a filthy race. He is bound to have better chances next time out.
Earlier last week the mare Definite Dream went up to Warwick with Jonny Burke as pilot and ran yet another fine race. Her hurdling was as good as ever and she travelled through the race very well indeed, just getting outstayed after a slight mistake at the second last, with three horses from top national hunt yards filling the frame. This was her first outing of the year after a substantial break, and she is sure to find a winning opportunity soon this summer.
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Misfortune for Miss Dubai at Windsor
04 June 2025
Miss Dubai went across to Windsor on Monday evening to race over an extended eleven furlongs. Travelling quite smoothly behind midfield, as the field fanned out from the elbow into the home straight the bit ran through the filly's mouth as she was switching left, and once Hollie Doyle saw that this had happened she eased her right down to pull her up. Hopefully she will have a much better run next time out, and be able to get onto the race track quite soon.
Welcome to Keeper’s Stables
Located on the Berkshire Downs in the famous racing village of West Ilsley, Keeper’s Stables is picturesque and tranquil racing yard with some of the finest and most famous gallops in the country, making it a fantastic place to have a horse in training. Pictured right is Miss Marjurie winning Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock 30th May 2015
Find out more about the yard and Denis Coakley…
Denis Coakley – Racehorse Trainer
Irishman Denis was born into racing, working with leading trainers around the world and he was a successful professional jockey before commencing his training career in 1999.
See our race entries and recent results…
A day with West Ilsley trainer Denis Coakley’ by Robin Oakley, The Spectator July 2014
Racehorse Ownership
Trainer Denis Coakley runs a small team with big ambitions, maximising the potential of each horse in the yard.
Find out more about racehorse ownership with Denis Coakley.
See “Horses for Sale“ page for current available shares.
There is an Owners’ Party held in October - If you are interested in racehorse ownership please contact us for an invitation. This year the yard will be taking part in the National Racehorse Week, opening the stables on Sunday 12th September 2021, from 12 noon until 3pm. This is an opportunity to wander around the yard and chat to Denis and others caring for the horses at Keeper’s Stables
Denis, Barbara and Charlie Coakley pictured here at the yard. Denis Coakley Racing is very much a family business.
Statistics……
Go to websites for Racing Post or At The Races for up to date statistics.
Contact us
Telephone:
01635 281622
Fax:
01635 281624
Mobile:
07768 658056
Email:
Keeper’s Stables
West Ilsley
Newbury
Berkshire
RG20 7AH
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @denisjcoakley
