Periodical
dECEMBER
2025
cARLENRIG
Winning at cHELTENHAM
13.12.25
Harry’s Introduction…
It has been a thoroughly rewarding month for our team, with the horses performing to a high standard across both National Hunt and Flat disciplines. A hat-trick of victories to close out 2025 provided a fitting end to the year, and there is plenty to look forward to as Carlenrig heads towards an exciting Cheltenham target, while Followcato has really found his stride with two impressive wins on the bounce.
On the flat Angel Gabriel joined the winning roll of honour among the two-year-olds when getting off the mark in fine style at Lingfield, and he promises to be an exciting prospect as a three-year-old.
As we move into 2026, attention naturally turns towards the forthcoming Flat season, where our strong cohort of two-year-olds are already making a positive impression at their respective training yards. George Boughey has found Oxbridge particularly impressive. I do encourage you to take a closer look at him in our ‘Horse In Focus’ section as there are only a couple of shares remaining.
We look forward to keeping you updated with further progress and news in the weeks ahead.
With my best wishes,
Harry Herbert
Chairman
HORSE IN FOCUS
This eye-catching Blue Point colt named Oxbridge, has quickly made a positive impression on his trainer, George Boughey. He entered full training earlier this month and has taken everything in his stride, he is certainly shaping as an exciting prospect.
On The Track
Our relatively modest National Hunt string has been making a significant impact on the track. Most notably, Carlenrig followed up his promising debut at Chepstow with a thrilling three-way photo finish, emerging victorious by a short head in the Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on the 13th of December.
Highclere owner experience: Carlenrig Cheltenham Cheer
The Cheltenham dream is always a possibility for those with an interest in National Hunt horses, but it often doesn’t survive an encounter with reality in the shape of hurdles, fences and the day-to-day challenges of keeping hurdlers and chasers fit and in form – not to mention the small question of genuine ability.
The Road to Lingfield Glory
Having attended a wonderful champagne picnic at York with Highclere in the summer of 2024 and seeing Aviemore win for my very close friend in Highclere colours at Ayr I decided that I would love to enter racehorse ownership. The first step was monitoring the Tattersalls yearling sales to see what yearlings Highclere were buying. Immediately a lovely Mehmas colt jumped off the page at me.
rolf’s ramblings
An indignant, no reason given, letter writer (unsigned) posted the following to Ian Balding at Kingsclere back in the early 1980s. Balding was then at the height of his powers. The letter said “You’re a useless trainer. If it hadn’t been for Mill Reef, Selkirk, Mrs Penny, Forest Flower, Glint of Gold, Diamond Shoal, Silver Fling, Silly Season nobody would have heard of you.”
Clodagh’s Recipe
New year new me - time to make some delicious Heritage Health Bread! Check out Clodagh’s delicious recipe in this month’s newsletter.
Taittinger Moment
This month Taittinger moment has been awarded to two members in recognition of their inspired naming of four of our 2yo’s. Congratulations to Susan Fielder, who came up with Verve (Blackbeard filly) and Endearment (Sea the Stars filly), and to Peter Stephens for suggesting Cavalier (Minzaal colt) and Chariots of Fire (St Mark’s Basilica colt).
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
This month on Where Are They Now we catch up with the lovely Blairgowrie, who is a striking son of Yeats. Trained by Nicky Henderson, Blairgowrie was a winner over hurdles and was placed in six of his eleven races over hurdles and fences.