The TBA National Hunt Committee, chaired by Robert Waley-Cohen, has received a boost with the addition of two new members, Peter Hockenhull and Nick Luck.
Shade Oak Stud’s Peter Hockenhull
Hockenhull, who runs Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire with his wife Emma, stands six National Hunt stallions, including the stud’s stalwart Alflora, Galileo’s full-brother Black Sam Bellamy, Fairmix, Flying Legend, Grape Tree Road and Recharge.
Luck is a key member of the presenting team on both Channel 4 Racing and Racing UK whose family has bred and raced a number of successful jumpers.
With 2012/13 National Hunt season about to swing into top gear, the TBA has progressed several initiatives in support of jumps breeders. As part of the its mandate to improve the quality of British Bloodstock, the TBA’s National Hunt Committee has successfully campaigned for increased race opportunities for mares and fillies.
The TBA is supporting the following races to the end of 2012, with the improved mares’ programme featuring seven new Listed Novice Hurdles for mares, two of which are sponsored by the TBA.
- Wednesday, October 10 – TBA Mares-Only Novice Hurdle race at Towcester
- Thursday, October 25 – TBA Mares-Only Novice Hurdle Race at Ludlow
- Tuesday, November 13 – TBA Mares-Only NH Flat Race at Lingfield
- Thursday, November 22 – EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series at Wincanton
- Thursday, November 29 – TBA Mares-Only Novices’ Hurdle at Uttoxeter
- Saturday, December 1 – Mares’ Listed Novice Hurdle Race at Newbury
- Thursday, December 13 – EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series at Huntingdon
- Thursday, December 20 – EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series at Exeter
- Sunday, December 30 – TBA Fillies’ Maiden Hurdle at Doncaster
A now annual event in the TBA calendar is the parade of British-based National Hunt stallions at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting, which this year takes place on Friday, November 16.
