Bringbackthebiff jumping in Ireland
Friday, 29 May 2009
Bringbackthebiff – where is he now?
When we knew Colombia was coming to Longspring, we started researching his better offspring to see what they were doing now. And it is always nice to have a pleasant surprise. Bringbackthebiff (7g Ellena Dawn by Drums of Time) was sold to Ireland in 2007 where he is steeeplechasing and he had already won a steeplechase there. Selling jumpers to Ireland is really selling coals to Newcastle! Before leaving NZ, Bringbackthebiff had 3 wins and was 2nd in the CJC New Zealand Cup Gr 2 in Nov 07.
The following was kindly sent by Mr O’Grady on our enquiry as to his whereabouts.
“Biff arrived in Ireland last May (2008). He was purchased by Robert Taite, uncle of the present owner, with the idea of trying to make him a top chaser in Ireland and Britain. He was rested after he arrived and then began schooling. He jumps beautifully and is physically a most taking individual.
His first start was in soft going on Nov 29th ’08 at Fairyhouse over 21 furlongs. The race was run in dreadful fog, we didn’t fancy the horse, and he took an unfortunate fall at the 10th fence.
His second start was on Dec14th ’08 at Navan on heavy going over 20 furlongs. He jumped and ran superbly but got headed close to home and finished second to a very good horse. … We ran him in a Grade 1 over 3 miles in his next start on Dec 28th at Leopardstown. He led them into the straight but then faded to 4th. We reckoned his wind was catching him.
I have had a horse from N.Z. before and found that it’s normal for them to take 12 months to acclimatize properly. I felt after Christmas the horse was gone off but being mid winter we continued on.
His next run was Feb14th ’09 at Gowran Park over 18 furlongs. He made all, jumped superbly and won by ¾ lengths. His owner always wanted him to run at Cheltenham, so his final start was there on March 10th in the Grade1 Arkle chase over 2 miles. His wind compromised him, he jumped great but ended up 15th.
We brought him home and had him operated on and he has rested since.
He is due to return in training in mid July and we hope he can fulfill his potential this season. You can see his races on www.attheraces.com and you can check photos of him on www.healyracing.ie.”
