Laddies Poker

Here are the articles written by 'Laddies Poker' majority shareholder - alias 'Mickjagger1' and the 2006 Stable Updates from Jeremy Noseda:

The Trip to Ireland - 19/09/2006

Here we go again, I am starting to feel like the real Mick Jagger here with this jet set lifestyle! We are off to watch Laddies Poker in its big race at the Curragh in Dublin today. Getting the horse here and competing under the time restrictions has been such a tremendous achievement by everyone concerned.

We start our journey with the short trip to Manchester Airport at 5.30am or so I thought! Doris is driving, oh sorry I mean ‘only1herbie’ is driving. To say he was driving slowly would be an understatement, we are in the first lane on the motorway and a man walks past us on the hard shoulder with a petrol can we are driving that slow! lol.

Finally we arrive at the airport. It took us that long to get here, it is now daylight. Thank you Doris! lol. Our flight from Manchester to Dublin is only 35 minutes in duration. However just before we are due to board the plane ‘Salmonoysta’ trundles up with three WHSmith bags full of magazines…oh bless he is doing the full holiday bit, he is so excited! lol.

Having arrived at Dublin Airport, Haley (‘Cresta’) keeps us enthralled with his intellectual conversation regarding how we would rate the airport on a scale of 1-10. Yawn Yawn - needless to say he did not get an answer.

En-route to the hotel, ‘realmadras’ mentions the topic of smoking in Ireland and the fact it is now banned in all pubs and bars. For banter purposes, I then add to the debate that it is now also illegal to smoke in the street and point out the fact they have people patrolling the streets giving on the spot fines if you are caught. This is obviously not true, but I just wanted to throw my fishing rod out for a bite! And within seconds, ‘Kinglarsson’ is biting - "really?" she says. This continues for a further five minutes with Lorna convinced there are smoking patrols! Doh! lol.

We arrive and check-in at the hotel. Its time to get ready for the main event of the day and in preparation we have the customary SSS (****, shower and a shave) before beginning the journey to the Curragh racetrack.

Once at the racetrack, we are shown to our marquee, it was directly next door to where all the Ryder Cup WAG’s (players wife’s and girlfriends) and paparazzi were. Apparently the first thing they asked for was ‘TEE’! And the fact they were positioned next to us was a total surprise as we presumed they ‘WOOD’ be a ‘FAIRWAY’ away! I know these jokes are a bit ‘ROUGH’ so I will call it a ‘DRAW’! lol. It is getting ever closer to the big race and ‘Jagger’ and ‘Banksoir’ are asked to do a TV appearance for At The Races, due to the fact they are the major shareholders. ‘Jagger’ is like a rabbit in the headlights and has started drama school since! Lol. ‘Banksoir’ was a natural though, taking on the trainers role and mentioning stiff 7 furlongs etc etc.

We go into the centre of the parade ring with all the jockeys and owners prior to the race. The nerves are now starting to tingle with such enormous prize money at stake. I have my picture taken with our jockey. ‘Realmadras ‘spots Frankie Dettorie and shouts "Hey Frankie, Do you remember me?" Frankie then poses for a photo.

The horses start to make their way into the stalls, which has me dreaming of the possibility of Laddies Poker actually winning and the fact I would personally stand to make £35,000 in prize money. But seriously, the expectations of the shareholders was that if it finished mid field, it would be a tremendous achievement. This is taking into account the calibre of the other horses and the strict time restraints in which the horse has had to prepare.

The waiting is over and the race finally begins. The field of 28 runners splits into two groups with Laddies Poker on the right hand side. With 4 furlongs left the race starts to take shape, Laddies Poker is right up there at the head of the field, the shareholders are all together shouting and screaming encouragement. "Go on!" The horses kick on and Laddies Poker is staying with them, "Go on Laddies" "Go on Laddies" "Go on Laddies!"

Miss Beatrix, the eventual winner was never in doubt. However there was very little separating the remaining placings, with Laddies Poker finishing a very very creditable 5th. All the shareholders are jumping up and down in jubilation, what a moment to treasure. Laddies Poker had run beyond anyone’s expectations and proved that he will mature into a top-class racehorse. It’s just a pity the horse has to be sold.

After a great days entertainment, we head back to the hotel in high spirits and enjoy our evening meal. Trying his very best to ruin this, ‘thered5’ jumps on his soap box ranting about how he fails to understand how anybody can cover their dinner in salt before tasting the actual food! Yawn yawn! lol.

Poker in the evening and yet more bad beats occur. This weeks winner was Haley (‘Cresta’), so his first prize was a headscarf and sarong! He looked lovely in them! lol.

In reflection, the overall promotion of giving poker players/shareholders the opportunity to experience the trials and tribulations of becoming a racehorse owner, coupled with the wonderful hospitality on offer, has proven to be a major success.

I have met many fellow shareholders at various stages of this promotion and now class many of these people as very good friends. The experience has been truly memorable. On behalf of all the shareholders, we would like to thank the trainer Jeremy Noseda and all his staff for their hard work in preparing Laddies Poker.

And finally we would like to thank Ladbrokes and in particular Andrew Dymock for running an excellent promotion, which at times has proved very difficult when working with such short timelines. All your hard work has been greatly appreciated by all the shareholders. Many thanks.

Alias: ‘Mickjagger1’.

A Day At Kempton Park - 8/9/06

Kempton Park awaits with bated breath, how would the day unfold and more importantly how would Laddies Poker perform?

We start the long journey, all five of us from Manchester travel down together in the same car, including Haley, sorry I mean Cresta! The banter had already started and it is only 9.00am!

We arrive at our hotel at 10.00am; it is set in acres of land including three golf courses, 9 floodlit tennis courts, gymnasium and an outside swimming pool.

We check into the main part of the hotel or should I say the country manor, which is the sort of complex in which a international football team would stay! Our room would be ready after the races so I will come back to that shortly.

Once arriving at the racetrack, we make our way to the box which is overlooking the winning post. The champagne is flowing and big Jimmy Saville style cigars are being smoked! lol.

The anticipation and nerves start to jangle as the Laddies Poker race approaches. We go into the owners enclosure & then into the centre of the parade ring…we are Big Time! lol.

Laddies Poker has filled out since the last race two weeks ago, but other horses are further forward in their development. So the race begins…Laddies Poker misses the break and is last out of the stalls. The race starts to unfold coming round the bend, Laddies Poker starts to go through the field with an excellent finishing speed finishing a creditable fourth.

From the evidence so far, Laddies Poker is clearly growing stronger by the day and certainly left us all with the impression that this horse will definitely win races in the future.

The day’s racing carries on with food and drink flowing. Ultimately the banter continues, with alias ‘wellboytoyxx’ now being known as Bez from The Happy Mondays (i'm not twisting your mellons man)! lol.

The races have finish now and back to our country manor. We check in and I request the boy band suite being the major shareholder! I go to my room or so I thought!

It was actually a house with a downstairs and upstairs set in it's own grounds! ‘Realmadras’ came to look round and I can't repeat what he said but my response was ‘when you are the major shareholder all this could be your's!’ lol.

We had a delicious three course meal, washed down with a glass of wine or two! ‘Thered5’ then went onto explain the fact there are three different types of grape (yawn yawn) lol. So if you are ever playing on the same table as ‘thered5’ please ask him to explain the difference in grapes! lol.

Now onto the poker…this was held in an old library within the hotel, the setting was amazing!

The tournament consisted of two tables, in which one was loose and one very tight. Eventually its all down to the final table, the blinds are 600/1200, time to make moves, I sense weakness and push all in with ace ten. I am then called with king ten. Flop comes seven ace two, surely cannot be beat now! Turn shows king – nnnnoooo, river card comes king nnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooo! There were a number of incidents similar to this, which serve as ideal evidence that bad beats occur not just in online play.

‘Realmadras’ went on to win the poker so a big congratulations to him even though he is a Man City supporter!

Being at Kempton to monitor the progress and notable improvement of Laddies Poker gave us all tremendous encouragement for future races.

The hospitality package was second to none with everything you needed taken care of. Future promotions offering hospitality or shares is something I would definitely and strongly recommend to anyone. It’s a great day out and a great experience.

Meeting the fellow shareholders was the best part of the day for me - what a superb set of people, of which I have made some very good friends.

May I thank Andrew Dymock & Ladbrokes for all their hard work and making the day a success on behalf of all the shareholders."

Alias: ‘Mickjagger1’.

Post Kempton Report - 7/9/06

Laddies Poker put up an encouraging display at Kempton today on what was his second racecourse start.

Having missed the break and again showing signs of greenness, he picked up once he was in the clear down the home straight and finished well to end up fourth.

So, he shaped with promise and will be suited by a mile and can only continue to improve.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable Update - 5/9/06

Laddies Poker returns to the track this Wednesday - September 6 - when he will contest a seven-furlong median auction maiden at Kempton Park.

He simply hated the soft ground at Newmarket on his debut on August 25 but Wednesday's race is on the polytrack, which should be fine for him.

He is in a field of 14 and has been drawn four. Tom Queally will take the ride on him again.

As to how we expect him to perform, I am approaching the race with an open mind. But we are certainly hopeful that he will be able to improve on his first start."

Jeremy Noseda

Stable Update - 29/8/06

Laddies Poker made his debut at Newmarket on 25th August, running in a seven-furlong maiden. His finishing position (10th of 13) does not, I feel, reflect his ability.

Firstly, we had to push him hard to get him there for this first race. In an ideal situation we would have liked to have had another three or four weeks before his debut. Also, my horses usually need the experience first time out.

On the day, yes, he did run green but primarily he hated the ground. He could never find his balance and just didn’t travel on the surface.

More positively, he has taken his race well and has come back nice and relaxed. The plan now is that we will attempt to run him back in another two weeks."

Jeremy Noseda

Stable Update - 15/8/06

I'm pleased to report that we are intending to enter Laddies Poker for a maiden at Newmarket on August 25.

He continues to make pleasing progress. While we need everything to run for us, I am very hopeful that we will have him ready to make his racecourse debut on the July Course a week on Friday.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable Update - 8/8/06

LADDIES Poker is making good progress. Although he remains quite a backward individual, I do feel that we are on schedule to be running him in a seven-furlong maiden towards the end of this month.

His possible targets are races at Leicester and Newmarket on August 23 and 25 respectively. However, I would add that we do need things to continue to go well for us so that we can stay on course.

Stable Update - 26/7/06

LADDIES POKER has now done four half-speeds and he is making steady and satisfactory progress each week.

The main concern I have with him at present is that he is still a little bit immature and is not completely ready for fast work.

Therefore, I am just having to push him a little at this stage in order to try and have him on a racetrack for the latter part of August.

If we can achieve that target of running him towards the end of August and then have another race in September, then the objective of the Goffs Million is still a possibility.

Jeremy Noseda

2000 Guineas Weekend - mickjagger1 - 7/6/06

I looked forward to a superb weekend, playing poker live, which i have no experience of. Would i play like a Muppet? lol

The poker commenced, my nerves tingling, please dont let me go out first. I was on the table where all the action was, getting monsters like 7 2 o s, how frustrating. 169219 soon doubled up, did i just see a tell? He puffed his cheeks before betting. 169219 puffs his cheeks again & enters an all in with pocket aces & storms into a massive chip lead, could he be caught? Hooray i get a hand j q suited, i raise, fold fold then it comes to 169219 he puffs his cheeks re raises - nnnnooooo he's got another monster i fold. Mikelowrey goes out before his wife how embarrasing even though it was with pocket qq lol. I have a monster - pocket aces, how should I play them? I put in a small raise, my guest west_bank looks at me seriously, i'm preying silently go all in please please. He utters the words all in with ak - yes yes yes, i turn my pocket aces over and i cannot repeat what he said lol. Fortunately they held up to double me up.

Final table arrives, Tunners gets very low on chips and has to start making plays. He goes all in with pocket 2's, they stand up & he goes onto double a couple of more times. He is playing well. Now i am lowest stack. Next hand iv'e made the decision i have to go all in, the next hand comes and i get 5 2 os, omg here goes i'm all in to my relief everyone folds. Numbers are now down to six, blind are massive so enter the crapshoot phase. Call call , i see an opportunity to steal a huge pot, i go all in with a 9 suited. I here the words i did not want to hear, then it is kinglarrsons turn. Lorna utters the words sh*t & asks if i want a call? I try to remain composed & say confidently, of course i want a call but underneath i was saying no no no kinglarssson had played a very tight game & I knew Lorna would have me beat. Minutes go by and this pot could decide who wins the tournament. Kinglarsson eventually folds muttering to herself. Cards are flipped i'm facing k 7 os, a king hits the flop, turn card comes it's no help to me, only an ace can save me on the river, the river comes please please please be kind - it's an ace ty god lol. Kinglarsson then has her head in her hands saying nnnoooooooooooo. What did you fold? a q - she would of trebled up & been chip leader but was talked out of it to my relief. Heads up come which did not last long against my good friend Tunners.

Crucial hand, both all in and he had me dominated. I needed a 4 on the river to hit a straight. I started singing Justin Timberlake cry me a river lol, river came and you guessed it, a 4, i was happy but apologised for a huge slice of luck. I fortunately went onto win against a very resilent Tunners giving me my 5th share making me the leading shareholder.

On the Saturday we went to the stables and had a guided tour of the stables which was fascinating to see and then off to Warren Hill to see 'Laddies Poker' out on the gallops, with a question and answer session. We also took plenty of photos to remember the day and found the staff to be very accomadating & friendly.

Now onto Newmarket to see the 2000 Guineas. We were situated in the middle of the racecourse in a marquee, drink was flowing in abundance with as much food as you wanted which promted bigadz to have a table of cream cakes to himself lol.

Two guests have gone on to win 2 shares each since, which are west_bank & thefugitive congratulations guys.

The best part of the weekend for me was meeting fellow players face to face. Since the weekend we have become even stronger friends enhancing the excellent poker community on Ladbrokes. Finally may i thank Ladbrokes for a trully wonderfull experence which i will never forget & the staff could not have been more helpfull. Thanks for a first class weekend...

Alias: 'Mickjagger1'

Stable Update - 3/5/06

I really am very pleased with Laddies Poker's progress since I last provided a report. Over the last two or three weeks he has done very well.

Having gone through a growing phase, he is now filling out into his frame and is beginning to carry more muscle.

At present, he is doing two canters on Warren Hill. He is taking his exercise well, doing everything comfortably.

I just hope that we have gone through the growth stage now and can keep moving forward over the next six weeks.

That would allow us to have him progressing into fast work in July.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable Update - 4/4/06

Laddies Poker has been through a growth stage and became a bit weak. But he now seems to be getting his strength back and next week will rejoin the main bunch of two-year-olds that are doing two canters each day.

I hope that he will continue to strengthen up so that we can step up his training in the second half of May.

The aim is to have him on the racetrack in late July or early August so that we can give him at least a couple of races before hopefully having a tilt at the Goffs Million in September.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 15/3/06

Laddies Poker has gone through a growth stage, recently. However, he seems to have levelled off again and I am happy with him.

Although we have eased him back to doing just one canter on Warren Hill each day, I feel that within a couple of weeks he will resume with two canters.

He will, most probably, go through another stage of growth at some point between now and mid-summer.

But as long as we can have him in good order by early June, it will allow us to have a proper preparation as we work towards his main target - the Goffs Million in September.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 22/2/06

LADDIES POKER has started to go through something of a growth spurt. He has gone up behind a little bit since the middle of February.

As a result, we wouldn't want to increase the tempo of his training at the moment while he is having this growth phase.

However, he continues to canter up Warren Hill on a daily basis and I'm pleased with how he is progressing.

In the longer term, it would be ideal for him to have a few of these growth stages over the next two or three months.

This would give us the best opportunity of preparing him for a campaign through the summer with his main target being the Goffs Million race at The Curragh on September 19.

I will give you further updates on Laddies Poker through March.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 31/1/06

LADDIES POKER's daily routine at the moment sees him trotting for a mile-and-a-half followed by a five-furlong canter up Warren Hill.

He continues to handle his exercise well and very comfortably. As I've mentioned on a couple of previous occasions, his attitude has been excellent and that remains the case.

We are starting to get to a point where we can consider moving him on to a higher level of exercise. Indeed, if he'd been an earlier foal we would be thinking about such a step right now.

But as comparatively late foal - he was born in May - we feel it is prudent to consolidate at the moment before we ask him to do a little more in about four weeks' time.

I will update you in February as to how he progresses.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 11/1/06

I continue to be very pleased with the progress of Laddies Poker. Personally, I find a lot of yearlings can go slightly backwards following the Sales. This regression can further occur during the breaking-in procedure and then the switch into a new environment and training regime.

It is, of course, a stressful time for a horse but this colt has done nothing but move forward since we bought him at the start of last autumn. He now canters up Warren Hill each day and handles his exercise very comfortably. He is a well-mannered horse with a good attitude to life in general.

As a May foal he is a late type compared to others. The climate of the Goffs Sale triggered by the upturn in the market - enhanced by the Million race - meant we had to take a bit of a chance.

But the disadvantage of him being a late foal is being eradicated by the way he has developed. So far, so good - I'm happy with him.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 20/12/05

Laddies Poker continues to please me with his progress. He now does two four-furlong canters each morning on Newmarket Heath.

He goes out as one of a 14-strong group of yearling colts, who canter in single file.

The next step for him will be to introducing him to cantering on Warren Hill - a well-known and much used exercise ground here in Newmarket. He and his fellow yearlings will go on to do much of their routine exercise in the future on its polytrack surface.

He has done everything that has been asked of him so far. Overall, he is a happy horse with a great attitude towards life...he is a real solid citizen.

I look forward to giving you further news of his development early in the New Year.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 20/11/05

I'm pleased to report that Laddies Poker has settled in well since joining us at Shalfleet from Hare Park Stud where he was broken in. Overall, I'm thrilled with his progress since the Goffs Million Sale where we purchased him. He's now cantering on the Heath here in Newmarket. I often find that with yearlings who have gone through the breaking-in procedure, they are inclined to take a backward step. However, he has done nothing but go forward since he went to the auction. As I've mentioned before, he has a lovely temperament, which makes our job easier. He also has a nice fluency to his action. I will update you all again ahead of Christmas and provide an insight into what his current exercise regime entails.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 2/11/05

As we edge towards the end of November, I am happy to report that Laddies Poker continues to show us all the right signs. I'm delighted with the horse's progress. He has been fully broken in now. He will enjoy a first canter in about a month's time - so that will be around December 3rd. I can report that he's done nothing but improve since coming to Newmarket. I've been extremely happy with the horse's temperament - he's got a great attitude towards to his work. He is also a fluent mover. I look forward to further updating you at the start of December after he has cantered for the first time.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 15/10/05

Laddies Poker is now ridden and is trotting everyday. I am delighted with his progress since the sale, he has done very well physically and is a good mover with a great attitude.

Jeremy Noseda

Stable update - 25/9/05

Laddies Poker has settled in well in his new environment at Hare Park Stud just outside Newmarket and he looks very well in himself. He is now being driven on long reins and has been rollered. This is the process which helps the horse get used to having a saddle and girth. I am very happy with his progress at this stage and hopefully we will be putting a rider on him for the first time towards the end of October.

Jeremy Noseda

Letter from Jeremy Noseda - 31/7/05

Firstly, may I start by saying how delighted I am to have this opportunity to train this colt on your behalf.

What attracted us to him at the Goffs Million Sale was his size and substance. He struck me as an individual with plenty of scope for physical improvement and looks as if he will fill out into a strong individual. There was much to like about the way he walked, as well – he appears to be athletic. I was also very happy with him from a pedigree point of view in that he’s by Stravinsky, a stallion with whom I’ve had a lot of a luck with, including Balmont, a Group 1 and Group 2 winner as a two-year-old. Another Stravinsky colt with whom we’ve had some success is Soldiers Tale who is a Group 3 winner and capable of winning at an even higher level.

Assessing the pedigree from the dam’s side, Lady In Waiting was a stakes’ calibre filly and has already produced three winners from her five foals on the ground. One of her progeny was a full sister by Stravinsky who won as a two-year-old and was placed in Listed company in the same campaign.

Granted the slice of luck you always need in racing, I feel we should have a two-year-old who will be ready to run in July over six furlongs. That will give us two-and-a-half months to get a couple of wins under her belt before having a tilt at the Goffs Million Race at the end of September.

Laddies Poker is currently at Hare Park stud in Newmarket where I break in all my yearlings. This procedure will take approximately six weeks to complete and then after that, he will head to my Shalfleet yard here on the Bury Road.

I look forward to updating you with his progress in the very near future.

Jeremy Noseda