Haut De Gamme ran his heart out but couldn't strike a blow in his race. We have decided to retire this grand old servant. Well done Ginge - enjoy the rest!

26th Dec 06

Haut De Gamme ran flat at Wetherby and we probably ran him again too soon after Haydock.

17th Dec 06

Haut De Gamme ran well at Haydock but he doesn't truly get 3 miles and on testing ground, he didn't last home. He did though, jump with his usual zest and was given a super ride by PJ McDonald, finishing in 7th place.

19th Nov 06

Drama at Aintree, as we lost our jockey Graham Lee an hour before the race. Graham was stood down after a heavy fall but, thankfully, will be ok in a day or two. Richie McGrath took the ride and brought HDG home safely.  Haut De Gamme was disappointing though. He jumped ok but didn't really give his true running here. 

20th Oct 06

Haut De Gamme made a super re-appearance over hurdles at Aintree finishing 5th under top weight. The Becher Chase is next for him.

3rd Sep 06

Haut De Gamme parades at Wynbury:

Punchestown Friday 28st April

Haut De Gamme ran at Punchestown Friday 28 April in a 3m banks race , the Kildare Hunt Club steeplechase. Hating the dry ground, Ginge never really got into this and made uncharacteristic mistakes. He will have a well deserved break now. 

HAUT DE GAMME - GRAND NATIONAL 2006

Haut De Gamme is back safe and sound from his spin in the National. He gave Keith a huge thrill for 19 fences and looked to be going well as they set out on the second circuit. He fell at the 20th but has returned fit & healthy, bar the loss of a shoe and a few scratches.

Fantastic experience for all partners - well done Ginge!

Saturday 18 February Uttoxeter

 Haut De Gamme went in the £50K Singer and Friedlander Chase 2m6f. Ground conditions had looked like being suitable for all him but an overnight slight frost combined with sunshine made the ground sticky - his worst surface. A shower would have helped him. In the event he jumped well (bar the first!) and ran a good race to finish 5th. Grand National next for him and he will go there fresh and bouncing.

Saturday 14 January Warwick

Haut De Gamme took the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Wetherby. Amateur Gerard Tumelty enjoyed a smooth passage to win on Ginge's favourite rain softened ground. Fantastic "bonus" race for us as the main target is the Grand National.

  Boxing Day

Haut De Gamme ran in the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Wetherby. He ran well for a long way & looked set to take a hand in the finish before tiring two out. He finished 6th. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but perhaps this race was too soon after his Haydock race. In any case, he is 100% sound and will have a short break before we get him back chasing. Grand National still on the agenda!

Saturday 17th Dec

Haut De Gamme ran in the totescoop 6 handicap hurdle  at Haydock. This was a good quality race won in very fine style by Jazz D'Estruval. Haut De Gamme ran well and got yet another placed run , this time 3rd.Considering that the ground was tacky - his worst surface- this was a very creditable run. He jumped well in the main but made one mistake at third last.

Nov 20th

HAUT DE GAMME ran a great race at Aintree on Nov 20th in the Becher Chase, finishing 5th beaten under 3 lengths. Keith rode the horse patiently allowing his fantastic jumping to creep him into the race. He was just caught out for speed after the last and finished 5th in a blanket finish. Very exciting and very pleasing that he seemed to get the trip ok. Dreams of the JOHN SMITHS GRAND NATIONAL are now  realistic and so who knows...

29 Oct 2005  

 HAUT DE GAMME (2nd at Wetherby)   ran a fantastic race over hurdles today to finish 2nd at Wetherby. Patiently ridden he crept into the race on the final bend and was just held off. A great run and a sound prep for the Becher Chase at Aintree 20 Nov....

Timeform view:

HAUT DE GAMME (FR) made a really encouraging reappearance and probably should have made the winner fight harder, the rider seeming caught out by the turn of foot the winner showed from the last, after bringing Haut de Gamme with a steady run to dispute the lead on the bridle; he raced solely over fences last season, showing useful form, winning at Ayr and Kelso before finishing second in the Topham                

Haut schooling and then relaxing! 27 Sep 05

09 April 

Haut De Gamme was second in the Topham Trophy Chase at Aintree yesterday (25/1)!! He jumped brilliantly and was given another fantastic and patient ride by Keith Mercer. With the ground drying out fast, he didn't get his ideal conditions but excelled around the famous Grand National fences and was an unlucky one length 2nd to 50/1 winner Cregg House. All partners were there to see the climax to an absolutely fabulous season for this brave horse.

Well done Ginge!! 

Great pictures of Haut de Gamme at Aintree are available from  

06 March

HAUT DE GAMME WON AT KELSO YESTERDAY !!

Given another fantastic ride by Keith Mercer, Haut De Gamme beat a strong field, including odds on favourite Strong Resolve. The Racing Post sum it up nicely;

"Haut de Gamme now heads for the Topham Trophy at Aintree after he scored a convincing win over National hope Strong Resolve in the two-and-three-quarter mile handicap chase.

Ridden from off the pace by Keith Mercer, he travelled well and came through on the bridle after the last before being pushed clear to score by three and a half lengths. “He jumps for fun, and won a stack of cross-country when he was trained in France, so the race should be ideal for him,” said his trainer Ferdy Murphy.

  Haut De Gamme clears the last and forges clear!

Lots of partners were there to see and collected a huge trophy as well as a nice prize for this class C race. Well done to all!

19 Feb 2005  Uttoxeter

Haut De Gamme was unlucky in the 2m6f £50K Singer and Friedlander at Uttoxeter today. Going well and making a move forward, he ran into the back of Be My Royal who had made a bad mistake. Pulled up once his chance was gone, there will be other days for Haut De Gamme. Next target is the 2m5f Topham Chase at Aintree over the National fences.

04 Feb 2005 

Haut De Gamme ran an absolute blinder to finish 3rd at 16/1 in the class C handicap chase. He was giving away lumps of weight to the first two and finished clear of the rest. His jumping was a pure joy to watch. He is still entered in the Grand National but his next target will be the Singer and Friedlander £50K race at Uttoxeter Saturday 19 Feb.

28th Dec 04

Haut de Gamme ran very well to finish 3rd in a good, competitive race at Chepstow. Partners enjoyed the day and at 14/1, Gammy paid out nicely each way! He seems to run well fresh and will be given a few weeks off now.

18Dec 04

HAUT DE GAMME was very unfortunate in the 2m4f handicap chase at Newcastle  on Saturday 18th Dec. Keith Mercer said that he had a double handful when coming to challenge but the horse overjumped and stumbled badly on landing. Keith lost an iron and by the time the pair had recovered, the chance was gone. He travelled well and looked back to himself so the partners are will have a chance see him hopefully win again over Xmas.

CHEPSTOW 4 Dec 04

A slightly disappointing run when the ground had gone against him. Since Sep 4 he has been unlucky in the Kerry National, won at Ayr and been placed at Stratford and Cheltenham. He is entitled to a bad day at the office now and again!!

CHELTENHAM 12 Nov REPORT

After his fine win at Ayr, Gammy and the partners headed south to Cheltenham for a fantastic day out at the home of NH racing. Haut De Gamme ran a fantastic race today, finishing fourth at Cheltenham. Once again given a fabulous ride by Keith Mercer he came to challenge three out but his stamina just gave out on Cheltenhams steep hill. A fabulous day for the partners who enjoyed the thrill of Cheltenham as owners. What a day! What a week.

Ayr, 6 Nov; Gammy wins the races!

         6 Nov 2004

On rain softened ground at Ayr, Haut de Gamme was given a masterful ride by Keith Mercer to win the Handicap Chase at 5/1.

Travelling well throughout, he jumped superbly and went into the lead between the last two fences. With a steady, deliberate jump at the last he secured the money, leaving favourite Tollbrae 7 lengths back in second.

Superb performance by horse and jockey enjoyed by most of the 13 partners. Fabulous hospitality from Ayr racecourse ensured a good afternoon and evening.

Special mention to a young lady that has done lots and lots of prep work with Haut de Gamme; Helen Shepherd.

LISTOWEL KERRY NATIONAL REPORT:

22 September 04                                         

Haut de Gamme ran well for a long way at Listowel but was pulled up after being hampered 4 out. He sustained a nasty gash but should  recover quickly. He had jumped well and looked to be creeping into a position to contest  the minor placings when he met trouble. Paul was pleased with the performance to that point and there will most certainly be other big days for Haut de Gamme. Eight partners enjoyed the Kerry Hospitality!