Fell Standing Tall
A visit to the ever-growing stable of Roger Fell, also known as Nawton Racing, in the picturesque setting just outside Helmsley in the North Yorkshire Moors. Just over half an hour away from the town of Malton, this particular corner of North Yorkshire has become the home to two high profile names in the northern training ranks; Roger Fell and David O'Meara. Originally involved in horse racing as an owner, he tasted plenty of success throughout the years with Smarty Socks who won thirteen times including four at York and a valuable race at Ascot.
Fell would have a close partnership with David O'Meara and was a keen supporter of O'Meara in the infancy of his training career which involved a Group One win. As O'Meara left the premises of Arthington Barn Stables, it prompted Roger Fell to take out a license for his own in 2016 which is where the journey would begin. 
From an early stage, the training abilities of Fell would become apparent and he would be well known for his skills to reignite horse's enthusiasm and get them winning again. A particular example of this is Burnt Sugar, who arrived at the yard in 2017 fairly exposed, but Fell revitalised the son of Lope de Vega to win premier handicaps at Leopardstown, Ascot and Newmarket. A dream win at York's Ebor Festival in 2018 came courtesy of Tamreer which made the racing community sit up and take notice of the Fell name.
The stable's fortunes have gone from strength to strength with each passing year and 2022 was another highly successful year. There were numerous multiple winners throughout the stable and the likes of very classy import Marie's Diamond allowed the stable to be represented in Pattern class races both in Britain and abroad. 2023 has already started with promise and the upward trajectory of the stable looks set to continue. A growing yard with plenty of support from syndicates, Roger Fell also enjoys the thrill of ownership in his own colours. Popular handicapper Cockalorum has gone agonisingly close in top British handicaps such as the John Smith's Cup at York and the Chesterfield Cup at the Glorious Goodwood Festival. Fell also calls upon the services of leading jockeys on the Northern circuit to sit in the saddle of his runners. The likes of Jason Hart, Sam James and Ben Curtis have ridden many winners for the yard while last year's star apprentice Jonny Peate is also retained to the stable as he continues to impress onlookers. 

Nick Bradley Racing
The stable has retained a strong partnership with Nick Bradley Racing over the years and the first horse in the partnership would be Zihaam, best known for his love of Beverley racecourse. Particular highlights in recent times included Eldrickjones running a mighty race in the Coventry Stakes to finish second at Royal Ascot. The son of Cotai Glory would take his owners to major festivals throughout the summer of 2021, taking part in some of the highest quality juvenile races in the calendar. At all sorts of levels, success was found with the Nick Bradley and Roger Fell partnership courtesy of Shandy Star, Raydoun and The Twilight Lady. 
The roster of 2023 has grown further for the white and black army. A total of nine horses will take to the track for the Roger Fell stable including some previous winners and new arrivals ready to roll for the new season. With exciting prospects for both the flat and national hunt codes, owners can feel the excitement building as entries for races at the Cheltenham Festival and Lincoln Handicap have already been made. 
With thanks to Nick Bradley Racing for organising the stable visit and to Roger Fell and all the staff for hosting the guests on a lovely morning. 

Meet The Horses

Coltor
Sire: Free Eagle
Dam: Reclamation
Age: 6-Year-Old

Purchased in the October Horses In Training sales at Newmarket, Coltor was bought with the second week in March firmly in mind; the Cheltenham Festival. The dual purpose son of Free Eagle could be potential bargain at just £25,000 and he has won over plenty of new fans in such a short time. Coltor is bred to be smart on the flat as a half brother to the Group 3-placed filly Rhythmique, but improved for the switch to hurdles. Trained by the legendary Irishman Dermot Weld, Coltor was bound to have ability from the get-go. A win at Naas on his third start over obstacle set up a tilt at the Cheltenham Festival in which he performed with great credit by finishing fifth in the ultra-competitive Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle, catching the eye in a big way. Reverting to the flat, Coltor would pick up a premier handicap at the Galway Festival, a largely unsurprising winner at the meeting for his trainer. His form would begin to stall and he became inconsistent which led to the horse being offered at the Tattersalls sales in 2022. It was there where Nick Bradley swooped in at relocated Coltor to North Yorkshire.
After waiting patiently for the right kind of race, Coltor had a pipe-opener on the flat in which he finished third. It would lead to a trip to Scotland which saw a return to his best form. Racing over three miles and unfancied in the betting, Coltor would defy expectations by finishing a close runner up, closing on the winner all the way to the line. That performance qualified Coltor for the final of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and now all roads lead to the Cotswolds. A rare runner at the biggest festival in British jumps racing for the syndicate, excitement will be growing for everyone involved. 

Large Action
Sire: Iffraaj
Dam: Titian's Pride
Age: 7-Year-Old

Despite being bred for the flat, Large Action was slow to come to hand and found himself focussing on the national hunt game. A half brother to the listed race placed filly Rhea, Large Action has been suited to longer distances over obstacles. Showing promise without looking a world beater in his first three starts before failing to complete on his next two runs. A glimmer of hope was displayed in early 2022 where he lead to the last hurdle before falling when in contention for the win. Further frustrations would follow but on the first day of 2023, he would finally break through and arrive in the winners' circle. 
Racing at Musselburgh, usually a testing track with stiff fences, Large Action jumped really well on his chase debut. Spring heeled at most of the fences, it was a display that surprised pundits, punters and owners alike to win at 25-1 by thirteen lengths. Running well on both of his starts since, it appears that Large Action has found the sphere he enjoys most and could have more to offer throughout the rest of the year. 

Maggie's Tern
Sire: Bungle Inthejungle
Dam: Khayrat
Age: 3-Year-Old

A lightly raced and promising filly, hopes are high that a first win is around the corner. With a lot of speed in her pedigree courtesy of her sire Bungle Inthejungle, Maggie's Tern is also a half sister to the very useful handicapper Mont Ras, who won nine times for David O'Meara and held a highest rating of 107.  Making her debut at Haydock in July, a third place was full of promise after showing early speed. The winner of the race, Queen Me, would go on to finish runner-up in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York to boost that piece of form. On her next start, Maggie's Tern went down fighting at Leicester, beaten a neck by The Big Board. 
A trip to York for the Ebor Festival would follow as the Nick Bradley-owned filly took part in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. The seven furlong race is the richest maiden of the entire season and often provides a star of the future with plenty of well-bred newcomers. Finishing towards the rear, it would still rate as a decent effort over a new distance. Returning to York just two weeks later for a nursery, Maggie's Tern ran slightly below expectations and has been given time to develop.
Spending time away from the track over the winter will help the filly's natural progression between ages two and three. As her half-brother Mont Ras showed, the family progressed well as older horses so more can be hoped for with Maggie's Tern. 

Shandy Star
Sire: Cotai Glory
Dam: Nouvelle Nova
Age: 3-Year-Old 

A highly regarded filly who was kept very busy in her first season, but rewarded her connections with three wins and her fair share of prize money. The daughter of the speedy Cotai Glory, Shandy Star is a half sister to a listed placed juvenile in Italy. 
Making her debut in the first listed event of the season at York, the Marygate Fillies' Stakes at the Dante Festival, she was unsurpisingly sent off at big odds. Showing bright early speed, the inexperience soon showed and she weakened into a midfield position crossing the line. Her next start would show more of the potential as Shandy Star finished runner-up to The Platinum Queen, a filly who would go on to win the Prix de l'Abbaye and finish second in a Nunthorpe. 
During her eleven runs, Shandy Star showed a liking for the unique Pontefract track where she won twice including a conditions race to break her maiden. A precocious and consistent filly, she gave her owners a lot of fun in her first full season and there should be more to come from Shandy Star after a winter break and time to grow physically. 

Toshizou
Sire: Galileo
Dam: Remember You
Age: 5-Year-Old

Another purchase from the sales for Nick Bradley and a potentially exciting horse for the Roger Fell stable this year. Formerly trained in Ireland by Joseph O'Brien, Toshizou has been pencilled in for some high profile races already this season including the Lincoln Handicap on the first day of the turf season. The five-year-old is extremely well bred as a product of the Coolmore talent escalator. A son of the greatest stallion of all time, Galileo, he is a half brother to the speedy Southern Hills, winner of the 2019 Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. 
A record of just one win from eight starts may not have a glamorous look at first glance, but Toshizou has some very smart form in the book. Highly regarded enough to contest a conditions race on his three-year-old seasonal reappearance, he would finish fourth on that occasion but the winner would be a certain Kyprios, future Ascot Gold Cup winner and leading stayer. Toshizou also has form in large field handicaps, a regular sight in Ireland, which justifies his entry in the Lincoln where the hustle and bustle will come as no surprise to him. 

Zaphea
Sire: Dandy Man
Dam: Prem Ramya
Age: 2-Year-Old

A newcomer to the Nick Bradley Racing ranks and one with high hopes to be a sharp, speedy juvenile in the early part of the season in 2023. 
A good looking chestnut filly, Zaphea was already based at the Roger Fell stable for a previous owner, but a deal was made for her to join the syndicate. The fortunate turn of events could turn into a blessing in disguise as the early stable reports are very encouraging. On the gallops, she is quoted as being the quickest youngster in the stable and her fast work has been impressing many at the yard. 
Zaphea is a daughter of Dandy Man, a sire with plenty of speed in his progeny and a German dam Prem Ramya will introduce some stamina into the pedigree. With four winners from four offspring, it is hoped Zaphea can be the fifth winner for Prem Ramya and with plenty of races over five furlongs for juveniles, there should be plenty of options and excitement for those involved in this filly.  

Trabajo Detecho
Sire: Bated Breath
Dam: Grand Depart
Age: 3-Year-Old

Another runner for Nick Bradley Racing to improve gradually over the all-weather this winter, Trabajo Detecho gained a first win in January and has held his form well since. Meaning "right job" in Spanish, Trabajo Detecho is a son of high class sprinter Bated Breath and although the immediate family on the dam's side is modest, further back in the pedigree includes the crack American sprinter Belvoir Bay, winner of multiple Grade Ones. 
The initial start to his career suggested Trabajo Detecho was a longer term prospect for handicaps, finishing third on his third start. He seemed to have a habit of finishing sixth at Newcastle and Southwell. The Nick Bradley Racing outfit would enjoy an amazing start to 2023 as five individual horses won at least one race in January. Not one to be left out, Trabajo Detecho would join in on the celebrations and win his first race at Newcastle over six furlongs. His next two starts have been far from disgraced as the slow early pace didn't suit the keen going horse. 
With a first win under his belt, it is hoped Trabajo Detecho can continue his consistent ways at a modest level and run with credit each time for his owners.

Bedazzling
Sire: Exceed And Excel
Dam: Oziris
Age: 3-Year-Old

A filly who has been involved in Nick Bradley Racing syndicate since her debut, but is a new arrival at Nawton as a stable switch from George Boughey to Roger Fell is hoped to bring about some improvement. A first foal of Oziris, there is plenty of smart handicappers further back in the pedigree including the pair of 100+ rated Whazzat and Whazzis. The family tree of Bedazzling certainly dazzles with a long list of very smart horses as distant relatives. 
Starting life at racing's headquarters, Newmarket, Bedazzling took a while to learn her job but with experience, she gradually got closer and closer. 
A first career win took place at Chelmsford on her first start over six furlongs where she finished off well and looked to appreciate the extra furlong. Switching between distances, her form has been hit and miss recently and the idea of a switch up north to Yorkshire could freshen the filly up and bring some improvement. Her best form has come over six furlongs and there is potential for more at this trip or even further judging by her pedigree.

Apple Lily
Sire: Almanzor
Dam: Elusive Lily
Age: 3-Year-Old 

A new arrival to Yorkshire and so far an unknown quantity as she never raced for her previous trainer. 
By leading French sire Almanzor, winner of the French Derby and Champion Stakes in 2016, his progeny consistently hold ratings of 80 or over, keeping at an above average level. A half sister to the Group 3 placed filly Kilfrush Memories, there is a smart continental pedigree. Purchased at the Arqana Sales, Apple Lily was bought with the French bonus races for French-bred horses. Her stature is pleasing to the eye and it is clear why Nick Bradley was so keen on purchasing the filly.
Originally trained by the relatively new trainer Laura Vanska, Apple Lily failed to make the track as a two year old. The decision was made for the filly to swap croissants for crumpets and join the Roger Fell outfit in Yorkshire. 
There will be plenty of lost time to make up and with another winter for this good sized filly to develop into the finished product. She firmly goes into the "could be anything" category which makes her arrival even more exciting. 

Stable Visit Photos: