National Hunt trainer Ruth Jefferson sits down to discuss the latest happenings at Newstead Cottage Stables, exclusively with kwiff.
Ruth Jefferson: Newstead Cottage Update, March 7th 2025
Ruth Jefferson: Hashtag Boum
It is horrible to say that we lost Hashtag last weekend when running at Ayr. She gets a little out-paced in races whenever they would quick up, and she had begun to struggle a little as the tempo raised down the back. Jamie (Hamilton) was very patient with her however, and let her catch her breath and she was getting a second wind, and probably given her running style would have run onto finish second or third, when coming down at the second last.
We thought she might have been winded at first, because nobody on course moved at first. But when we got there and the vets assessed her she damaged her spinal cord and euthanasia was the only option. She was a great little horse and we’ll miss her dearly. It’s really sad for connections, who also lost Kerryhill the week prior.
Ruth Jefferson: Kerryhill
Kerry was found to be lame after disappointing last month at Haydock, and his knees had got even worse. He had a chip in them after winning at Doncaster last January, which is why we gave him the rest of the season off. He was a little sore when running poorly on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock but otherwise was fine. After missing Warwick and Cheltenham, we went to Haydock again (alongside stablemate Sounds Russian) and he never really went a yard.
The x-rays showed that, unfortunately, the quality of the bone in the knee had decreased at an alarming rate. Whilst he (Kerry) may have made a riding horse, rehoming a horse with a chronic is far from ideal. It’s been a horrible few weeks for all at the yard, and the job doesn’t get any easier.
You almost ‘humanize’ them at times – they become almost like a colleague – and very much a part of the yard, especially when it’s a small team like ours. We were thinking he could potentially be a Grade 1 horse this time last year but his knees just got gradually worse since his first surgery after Doncaster.
Ruth Jefferson: Autumn Return
We needed that winner on Tuesday and, whilst it doesn’t make up for the loss of the other two horses, it was a nice boost for the yard. I thought Jamie had almost hit the front too soon on Autumn Return but she knuckled down well to score at Market Rasen. She’s won 8 times for us, 3 from her 6 starts over fences, and is a real star for Drew and Alisa Russell.
Ruth Jefferson: Lavida Avida
They have ‘The Diva’ as she’s known in the yard running at Ayr on Saturday and I think she goes there with a good chance. Lavida Avida was a good second last time out at Market Rasen, when second behind the progressive Miss Cynthia, with the winner following-up by finishing second in listed company last week at Doncaster.
Brian is riding at Sandown and with Jamie riding for Mark Walford we’ve relied on the services of 5lb Conditional Charlie Maggs, who was due to have his first ride for us the other week. Him and his twin have done well at Donald’s, and his claim will off-set the handicapper’s 3lb rise at the weights.
Please note that the information provided in this Ruth Jefferson Morebatle Hurdle Day article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
