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#1
09-14-2010, 04:12 PM
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#2
09-16-2010, 07:01 PM
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YOUMZAIN TO STAR AHEAD OF LONGCHAMP AS THE FRENCH CAMERAS DESCEND ON WEST ILSLEY
The French Racing Channel arrive at West Ilsley next week to film a programme on Youmzain. It seems rather strange that a horse bred Ireland and trained at West Ilsley should be popular enough to the point that he's to feature in a programme on the other side of the Channel - but there you go. Mick can be a grouchy old git at times, but such is the subject matter that he's decided to give the French whatever they want. MRC, Hughesie and Youmzain have all set aside time for the camera crew, whilst we hope that they are able to decipher raw Wiltshire, although Mick has no worries on that score. "I've been polishing up my French especially for their arrival - they've always been able to understand me. I had some easily understood altercations with the French over Yasood and Parasol when they got thrown out of races they won at Longchamp and Deauville respectively, but I suppose I have a lot to be grateful to the French for. "Youmzain should have been given the Arc against Dylan Thomas - according to their rule book - but shirking away from that decision did us all a favour. Youmie would have been an Arc winner and would probably have been retired to stud a lot sooner. "OK, I'll come clean - he's not been "off" in the last three Arcs, we gave him an easy time just to get hold of the placed prize-money - it's this year's renewal we really want to win!* "This lot of French people come in peace next week and they're more than welcome. Anyone willing to give Youmzain credit and who realise what he's achieved is alright by me. "I just hope their health and safety awareness is up to scratch if they want to film him in his box." 
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#3
09-19-2010, 01:32 PM
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#4
09-29-2010, 06:20 AM
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YOUMZAIN COMPLETES FINAL WORK AHEAD OF SUNDAY
Youmzain finalised his preparation for the Arc by breezing up the Summer Ground under Sam Hitchcott this morning. Not much more to add to that really as he seldom exerts himself at home and we'd be worried if we ever saw anything spectacular. Ahead of flying out to the Goffs Orby Sales in Ireland, Mick declared himself more than happy with the outing. "I'm just relieved to be honest - he's done plenty of work already and if he's not fit now he never will be. It was just about getting him across the village to the Summer Ground for a change of scenery and coming home safe. So much can go wrong at any time but in the build up to big races all sorts of factors play on your mind. He's back in his box safe and sound now and he'll just canter away until Friday when he leaves for Paris. "Lesley White, as ever, will be taking him and he'll have Mister Hughie who I think will go well in the Abbaye for company. I can't wait now, it seems to have taken ages to get to this stage and you can sense everyone in the yard is getting excited. "He's in great heart and is the Arc's Yardstick, which he's been for the past two years now and I'm as confident as ever that he'll run another massive race." Video... http://mickchannon.tv/owner.php
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#6
10-02-2010, 11:44 AM
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#7
10-02-2010, 09:10 PM
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THE BIG DAY BECKONS AT LONGCHAMP
It's a bit like deja vu, except we actually HAVE done it before - same horse, same race, same place, same outcome. This could very well be the last time Youmzain is seen in public and it's quite weird really. Realistically, we'll probably be watching the Arc from the sidelines for quite some time before we have another runner in the race. To think, we've been turning up for the last three years hopeful of winning the thing! It's quite preposterous when you think about it. A thirty grand horse has taken us around the world and allowed us to wallow in the self pity and bask in the reflected glory of his great story. Agonising defeats (especially three of them) that have given people something to talk about wherever racing is a focus. Youmzain has provided endless talking points and caused plenty of arguments throughout his five years as a racehorse. He's made life fun. Whatever the outcome at Longchamp, Youmzain will give of his all and everyone in the yard must look back on the last few years with him and realise that he is quite probably the horse of a lifetime. West Ilsley was a byword for top level middle distance horses in the days of Major Hern, but we don't get many like that. Who does? Good Luck Youmie and thanks for everything. http://mickchannon.tv/news.php#757
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#9
10-03-2010, 11:09 AM
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Go to Channons site sometime... there are a ton of workouts. Very fun to watch!
* * * Good boy, Youmzain.
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#10
11-08-2010, 10:39 AM
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HE'S GONE - BUT WE WON'T FORGET HIM
YOUMZAIN headed for Normandy this evening and fittingly, Leslie White took on the responsibility as he left West Ilsley for the final time. He's set to stand at the Haras du Quesnay Stud and, without being overtly emotional about a racehorse, it's fair to say that all of us at West Ilsley, from Jaber and Mick to the lads that do the real hard graft, are incredibly proud of a huge talent and a notable individual. He was a hard bastard to get along with but never nasty. He was sound to the point of freakness and his ability, regardless of how others viewed his race record, was astonishing. It's a sad day to know you won't be nipped whilst walking past the feed barn, as any member of the team will tell you. His name plaque is on the wall of the classic row next to ZAFEEN and the the past greats like The Brigadier, Troy, Henbit, Bustino and Nashwan. Like them, he's a part of history now due to human inflicted sentimentality, but we hope a legacy is just beginning. Jaber is sending some of his top mares to see Youmzain next year and it would be great to have some of his progeny come back to his proper 'home' and try to emulate his feats on the racecourse. The list of credits in the YOUMZAIN story is endless. Leslie, Andy Larkin, Dave Bourton, Joe Tuite and Sam Hitch put up with him as a baby whilst Richard Quinn, Ted Durcan, Tony Culhane, Kieren Fallon, Richard Hills and, most of all Hughesy, deserve many thanks for their efforts aboard "The Peanut". Jaber and Mick will continue to work away, roll the dice and have a crack, but this is a tough game when you take on the big boys in the bloodstock world. YOUMZAIN allowed all of us to dream about having a go at them - the staff, the village, the family and friends from far and wide. We didn't succeed, but it was a magic time of hope and optimism. Sport is all about competition and ambition and YOUMZAIN gave us three years of incredible sport. You can't ask for more than that. http://mickchannon.tv/news.php#774 * * * Okay I just need to stop crying now. This is ridiculous. I can't even figure out if it's cause I'm happy or sad. Both I guess. Bye, Youmzain... champion and warrior. Always loved, never forgotten. Thank you for the fantastic memories.
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