Laddies Poker Two

19/12/2007

Laddies Poker Two is in full work and is now nearly ready to run. Having watched her since she returned into training, I feel that there is no doubt that the time given to her in the late summer and autumn has allowed her a chance to mature. She looks more like the finished article and is completely over the niggling problems that she had.

“I’m looking to start her off on December 29th at Lingfield in a six-furlong maiden. I do feel that she will put up a bold show although I am always a little concerned with making predictions when it comes to horses having their racetrack debuts!

Jeremy Noseda

06/11/2007

Laddies Poker Two is ready to return to training following her rest period, and we are looking to prepare her for an all-weather debut.

Jeremy Noseda

19/09/2007

Goffs Million Report

Woke up at 05.30. It was pitch black and raining but that could not dampen my excitment of another eagerley-awaited day meeting fellow poker players!

I meet the Manchester posse at Manchester airport: "cresta", "realmadras", "mothy07", mike1088" & token Brummie "thered5".

We meet in the bar (which goes without saying), and soon it's time to get on the plane. We start to make our way out of the bar, at which point I notice "Emmerson" had left a full pint - the Gallagher brothers would be disgusted at a Manc leaving a pint!

The bar man shouted over to us "Excuse me sir you have left a full pint". I said to Emmerson "Dont look back in anger " Emmerson was annoyed but I said " You got to roll with it".

"realmadras" takes on the role of leader, and leads the way to the gate. We are walking for ten minutes & finally arrive at the gate....and there is not a soul in sight! Oops, "realmadras", lets try again....!

Finally we board for the 45 minute-long flight. Whilst flying the bets start: one of which was if somebody won the lottery which is 14 million to 1, if he won it again with the same numbers would it be the same odds of 14 million to 1 or combined odds?

We arrive at the hotel and head for breakfast. I could not believe my eyes as "mike1088" polished off 3 loaves with his full English breakfast. I'm surprised he did not ask for two fish as well...

A quick change now, and head to the bar for more drinks. "Emmerson" is there and I advise him to take his time with this one. " I will out-drink you, Jagger, don't you worry", he replies. The question is: will he?

I have a conversation in the bar with "thered5" and "63Jimboy". "thered5 says: "It was a great result for your boys winning against France". I can see "63Jimboy" looking bewidered. "thered5" says "Yes it was great goal" "63Jimboy" says: " I am English what are you talking about? I was in stitches on the floor - he thought "63Jimboy"'s Geordie accent was Scottish, bless. He probably thinks Ant & Dec are Scottish too!

It was great to meet a lot of new players like "heathers", "breastknight" and "Garethherb" et al.

We start the twenty minute drive to the Curragh, arrive and have a few more drinks followed by a nice meal. The racing commences and I could not even get a horse in the first three - I couldn't even pick my nose on the day! Oh well, at least other players had a number of winners.

Again the hospitality at the racecourse was superb with our every whim taken care off.

We then headed back to the hotel; another quick change before the poker kicks off.

The poker commences with a turbo-esque format because of the numbers I played two hands - the last of which I pushed with was A-Q of diamonds. MGR-Marios thinks for ages before calling with 7-7 which holds up.

Congratulations to "KayJay44" for winning the poker!

We had a cheeky little STT afterwards, and the winner of that was "Mickjagger1": well done, Sir!

We now head for the hotel bar and start to see the players now start to drop like flies with the effects of the drinks starting to kick in.

I come back from the bar again, AND see Emmerson fast asleep in his chair.

The words "I will out-drink you Jagger" from the start of the day come back to me. Pity I didn't have any money on it!

I eventually go to bed at 04.30 leaving me two hours sleep, and to their credit "heathers" & "63Jimboy" remain in the bar.

A huge thanks to Marios and Nigel for all their hard work in making it another wonderfull day.

Also may I state my case as the leading shareholder for the proposal on Laddies Poker II: It is unfortunate that the horwse has not been able to race this year however to their credit Ladbrokes have come up with a excellent proposal, so well done Ladbrokes.

Finally and most importantly, to my good mate "cresta": Our thoughts are with you, have a speedy and full recovery - from all your fellow poker players and mates at Ladbrokes.

Mickjagger1

11/09/2007,

As you will no doubt be aware, Laddies Poker Two will not feature on the turf in time to appear in our stated target race, the Goffs Million.

With her long term well being our top priority, it is the opinion of our trainer, Jeremy Noseda, that she should now be rested and ideally would be aimed towards a winter/spring all-weather campaign before heading back to the turf for the 2008 flat season. In his latest shareholder statement Jeremy reports on the results of a nuclear scan performed recently to assess her soundness -

"Laddies Poker Two has hot spots on her right hind stifle and hock, she also lit up on her left fore ankle and both shins. X-rays revealed no abnormalities so therefore it is clear, in our opinion, that these issues are very much related to immaturity.

I will give her a six week break now and hopefully have her back into full training in December with a view to possibly starting her on the all weather in the New Year so that we will at least have some action and a better idea of what she can do during the next turf season."

Given this set of circumstances it is our considered opinion, and that of Jeremy Noseda, that a sale at the end of the current season would yield little monetary value to shareholders, compounding the disappointment of a barren 2 year old campaign.

Therefore, we intend to keep Laddies Poker Two in training for her three year old campaign, extending all current shareholder agreements to cover the 2008 season in line with term 7 of the shareholder agreement. Importantly, Ladbrokes would support this initiative by covering all expenses related to keeping the horse in training and share all prize money and any proceeds from her sale in line with term 2 of the shareholder agreement.

Racehorse ownership is seldom straightforward however in operating this promotion it is our intention that you experience at least a little of the thrill of racehorse ownership, therefore we are pursuing this option as a gesture to a highly valued group of Ladbrokes Poker players who have always participated in the spirit of this promotion throughout a very difficult season. In effect this will give all shareholders a second season of ownership for free, during which we will hopefully see Laddies Poker Two reach her full potential. Jeremy Noseda retains a very high opinion of her and is in full support of our proposal.

We hope you are supportive of this initiative and as ever would welcome your views, via email to care@ladbrokespoker.com, before 16th September 2007. We will notify all shareholders of the outcome of this consultation by email before 28th September 2007.

Yours sincerely,

Ladbrokes Poker Team

06/09/2007

Ladbrokespoker.com is offering all Laddies Poker Two shareholders the opportunity to take part in a special invite only Freeroll on Friday 7th September. This freezeout will follow the regular Laddies Poker format, with the difference being that the top 27 places each receive a ticket to our exclusive day out at the Curragh in Ireland to watch the high-class Goffs Million race.

The winners’ package will include:

You can register to win a ticket to this fantastic day out in the Specials section of the lobby.

Note: Players are advised to only participate in the freeroll if they can attend the event themselves.

In the event that a player is not able to attend the event then the highest placed non-qualifier (e.g 28th) will be offered the place.

10/08/2007

Win a Hospitality Day at York!

Ladbrokespoker.com is offering all Laddies Poker Two shareholders the opportunity to take part in a special invite only Freeroll on Tuesday 14th August. This freezeout will follow the regular Laddies Poker format with the difference being the top 16 places each receive a ticket to our exclusive day out at York Racecourse on Tuesday 21st August.

The winners’ package will include:

You can register to win a ticket to this fantastic day out in the Specials section of the lobby.

01/08/2007

"Laddies Poker Two is now back doing two canters a day.

"We are progressing steadily with her and I would hope to give her a piece of work next week.

"Following a series of minor setbacks with the horse, it would need everything to go smoothly from this point on for her to meet her main objective - running in the Goffs Million in September."

Jermey Noseda

17/07/2007

"Following a half-speed, unfortunately the filly went lame on her right hind. We investigated this with x-rays and ultra-sound scans and were unable to find a clear reason for the lameness."

"Having given her a couple of weeks break followed by 10 days trotting, she has now returned to cantering."

"Hopefully, we will have some target race dates soon."

Jeremy Noseda

05/06/2007

"I am very happy with the filly's progress. She is in full work and I have been pleased with the last couple of pieces of fast exercise that she has done.

"She looks to have plenty of speed and hopefully will be ready to run in a five or six-furlong maiden at the end of June or the beginning of July."

Jeremy Noseda

Shareholder's trip to see Laddies Poker 2 25/05/2007

Here we go again with another exciting year in prospect with the Laddies Poker Two horse promotion; if it is half as good as last year's the shareholders are in for a wonderful year!

I set of in my Jag picking up "Mothy07" & "Realmadras" along the way. We then meet "banksoir" & "EMMERSON" at Knutsford services. "banksoir" is in his 'boy-racer' car with it's 19-inch alloys and all the inspector gadgets. We are supposed to be following each other, but he zooms out of the services at 0-70 in 3 seconds!

It was not long before I was in front of him and pulling away. In fact, we arrived at the hotel a full hour before "banksoir" and "EMMERSON" - they must have got lost! We check in and have plenty of time and decide to use the fabulous facilties the hotel has to to offer, including the sauna, jacuzzi and pool area.

"Realmadras" is the first out and jumps into the jaccuzi; I follow ten minutes later and see "Realmadras" sat in the jacuzzi with no jets or bubbles going. I observe him for a further five minutes, before "banksoir" arrives and presses the button for the jets to the jacuzzi - "Realmadras" had been sat in a hot tub with no jets for five minutes without realising!

After a quick change we were ready to visit the stables to see Laddies Poker 2 herself. Hats off to Ladbrokes: no stone is left unturned they had hired a Greg Raymer lookalike to drive the coach! He had some neck for sure, and before setting off he said "Are we all-in?"!

The journey was supposed to take 30 minutes, but we had been travelling for an hour and could see snow in the distance! We were well and truly lost - I knew Greg Raymer should have stuck to cards instead! Greg eventually got us there via a BP garage, Shell, Esso, Tesco and Morrisons petrol stations. I had shaven before setting off, but by the time Greg Raymer had finished taking us round the world I had a full-grown beard!

It was great to see the horse in the flesh; wannabe trainer "banksoir" told us how much definition she had and, coupled with a strong hind quarters, she would "definitely come on for her first run". If anybody needs any progress reports in future "banksoir" will be happy to give them in future...!

We were then given an extensive guide around the entire stables with all questions being answered by the very helpful staff who made us feel very welcome indeed.

Jeremy Noseda is hoping the first run will take place in around six weeks time if all goes according to plan; again we are in the hands of the gods and must pray for no setbacks to Laddies Poker II!

We then got back on to the coach and proceeded to Newmarket race course to enjoy Ladbokes superb hospitality, which started with a champagne reception followed by wonderful food and plenty of poker. Chinny asked where the bets were put on; I said "the waitress will do that for you" (he fell for it). The waitress looked at him in a completely bemused fashion when he asked!

The champion tipster competition was won by two very wise, astute and knowlegable gentlemen, namely "Zackbaz" and "Mickjagger1"!

Cash games were going on throughout the day, with plenty of examples of sick beats. "Dave23" calling down holds 6-4 off in a huge pot with 2nd pair against "Tony222" who holds an over-pair of aces. He hits a 6 on the river for two pairs!

I was holding pocket queens; two raisers and I stuck all my money in: £100 to be called by "Crazy99" with 8-9 hearts? You guessed it: he hit the flush on the river.

In the tournament, MGR-Marios is holding pocket aces. He raises, and is re-raised. MGR-Marios goes all in, and is called by the monster 4-6, flop comes 3-5-7...Just goes to show sick beats do not just occur online!

The tournament itself was won by "Behave", so congratulations to him, and very well played!

Once again it was a fabulous day out with the Ladbrokes hospitality second-to-none. It is always a pleasure meeting fellow shareholders, who are a great set of guys. A special mention to Marios Diamandi and Nigel Blower from Ladbrokes for all their hard work for making the day such a pleasureable one - much appreciated, gents.

Mickjagger1

10/05/2007

"Unfortunately, her shins were a little bit sore once again after she did a half-speed 10 days ago.

"She is back cantering now but, while this problem will become less severe as she matures, it has definitely been hindering progress.

"However, I do hope that over the next four to six weeks we will get a clear run at things with her."

Jeremey Noseda

GOFFS RAISE THE BAR AGAIN WITH GUINEAS INCENTIVE

The winners of the 2008 Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Million colts or fillies races will win a further €1,000,000 if they go on to victory in the Irish 1000 or 2000 Guineas in 2009.  At no additional cost to the owner, this exciting new development offers an incredible incentive for purchasers at the Goffs Million Sale in October.

The Goffs Million Races are the richest two year old races in Europe with guaranteed prize money of €3.2 million and a net first prize in each of €1,000,000.  The Guineas Bonus offers a potential fund of €5.2 million, and considering the exceptional quality of horses to emerge from Goffs Million Sale, it is a very legitimate incentive.  Miss Beatrix, winner of the race last year, together with Million Sale graduates Finsceal Beo and Major Cadeaux are all strong contenders for Guineas glory this year. 

The Goffs Million Sale has been an unprecedented success with average yearling price increasing by 34% and turnover by 173% since its inception in 2005.  The inaugural Million race day at the Curragh in September 2007 was a truly unique event which attracted a crowd of over ten thousand, second only in attendance to the Irish Derby.

Goffs Chairman Eimear Mulhern said “This thrilling new incentive represents a genuine opportunity for the owner to win not one but two million Euro at no extra cost”.

She added “We are delighted to continue our association with Bernard McNamara through his Parknasilla Hotel, set to become Europe’s leading luxury resort destination.”

Applications for the 2007 Goffs Million Sale close on the 7th May and vendors are asked to submit details of yearlings they wish to nominate to Goffs as early as possible. Laddies Poker II is, of course, still in the running for this.

Laddies Poker II provisionally entered into Totepool Trophy!

We are pleased to announce that Laddies Poker II has been provisionally entered into the Early Closing for The Totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar on Saturday, 6th October. It is a Class 1 Listed Race over six furlongs, and is open exclusively to 2-year olds.

Jeremy Noseda

24/04/2007

"Laddies Poker Two unfortunately continues to have a little bit of trouble with her shins. We have given her a 'working blister'. As a result, all of our plans will have to be moved back three weeks.

"This filly continues to progress physically and to develop into a good-looking individual with a lot of strength.

"We are just hoping this problem will resolve itself as she matures. I still feel she will have a good summer campaign."

Jeremy Noseda

10/04/07

“She has now done a couple of breezes and continues to please me. I am very happy with her progress.

“She looks in great order and displays a good attitude towards her exercise.

“We are picking up things gradually with her, moving into faster work.

"As long as everything continues to go smoothly, we can hopefully start her racing career off in mid-May.”

Jeremy Noseda

Terrific Interest In Goffs Million Races 2007

Following Laddies Poker's sterling effort in coming 4th last season, the build up to this year's Goffs Million races has begun!

A total of 297 entries remain in contention for the richest juvenile prize in European racing, The Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Millions, following this week’s first forfeit stage.  Two races will be held at the Curragh on Friday 14th September for graduates of the 2006 Goffs Million Sale, one exclusively for colts and another for fillies only, each worth a net prize of €1 million to the winner.  143 colts and 154 fillies still hold entries.  

It is early days yet, but among those entered is the Brendan Duke trained Sammy The Snake, winner of the opening two year old race of the season at The Curragh who was purchased at the Million Sale for just €30,000.  The list of entries contains a diverse range of owners, from new syndicates to the more established names, while the broad range of yearling prices start from as low as €12,000.

Since the introduction by Goffs of the Million concept in 2005, the sale’s turnover has increased by 173% and the average price by 34%.  The phenomenal success of this incentive has been further enhanced by the calibre of its graduates.  The winner of the inaugural Million race in 2006 was Group 1 winner Miss Beatrix, while Europe’s highest rated 2yo filly Finsceal Beo finished sixth in the Million before going on to a spectacular victory in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

Laddies Poker II is, of course, still in the running to qualify for the event this year.

27/03/07

"I mentioned in my last update that the filly had a touch of sore shins. Happily, I can report that this no longer seems to be the case.

We have stepped her back up to doing two canters on a daily basis and I’m very happy the progress that she is making.

We are going to do a half-speed with her in ten days time and start building up her training programme from there.

But as I say, I am pleased with how she is developing and am more than satisfied with her at this stage of her career."

Jeremy Noseda

12/03/07

"Physically, the filly has continued to thrive and strengthen.

However, we have had to move her back down to doing just one canter a day as she has had a touch of sore shins.

We will treat her over the next couple of weeks and she should be back in full exercise in the second half of this month."

Jeremy Noseda

13/02/07

"She continues to progress well and is now doing stronger canters on Warren Hill.

I'm hopeful that if she maintains her current rate of development, then it would be very possible that she could be on the racetrack by the early part of May. By mid-March, I'll be looking for her to do her first half-speed.

She continues to be a very willing filly. She gets on very with her lad Anthony Nowell, who is doing a good job with her as she progresses."

Jeremy Noseda

31/01/07

"She has progressed extremely well over the last month and I am very happy with the manner in which she is handling her initial training.

She is among a group of two-year-olds who are our most forward and if she continues to develop as she has done recently, then I would be hopeful of her becoming an early type of a juvenile."

Jeremy Noseda

04/01/07 - 1st 'Laddies Poker Two' stable update

“I am very positive about the filly (Laddies Poker Two), who has done nothing but please me since coming to us. She has been broken in and is now cantering on the Warren Hill polytrack - a training ground in Newmarket where my string do their routine exercise.

She is a strong type of filly and I have also been pleased with her attitude. She has a willing outlook and, all in all, she is doing well at Shalfleet.

She actually appears to be one of my more precocious horses. While it is still early days, as long as she continues to progress in a similar vein, I would hope that she could be ready to run fairly early on.

As I mentioned, though, it is only the start of January at present and there will be plenty of water under the bridge between now and when the Turf season gets underway. But granted our fair share of luck, I’m hopeful that she’ll be the type who we can get going with fairly early on the grass.”

Jeremy Noseda

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