BLACK KETTLE. 18 February 2010. Robin Des Pres-Whistful Suzie. Owner-Tasker-Brown & Partners.
Black Kettle is by the French bred sire Robin Des Pres, out of a Eurobus mare, from the family of Saddler's Wells.He has had four different trainers to date, spending time in South Yorkshire, County Donegal, in Ireland, Mordon, near Sedgefield, and here in Middleham. Black Kettle began his racing career in the care of veteran trainer Ronald Thompson, running in three bumpers between July, and September 2015, showing a hint of ability, when a 14 lengths forth of six at Worcester, and earning a Racing Post Rating of 87.He raced on three further occasions for the Thompson yard, all in October, and all in novice hurdles, without getting competitive.
Black Kettle next showed up in Ireland in February 2017, when in the care of the Christian Delcros yard.After making no show on his handicap hurdle debut at Clonmel, he showed his first real form when finishing third in March at Down Royal, being beaten under six lengths, from a mark of 87.He raced a further four times until July, all in handicap hurdles, but never got involved.
Black Kettle was on the move again,this time being transferred to Rebecca Menzies in Durham, where in September he made his chase debut,finishing a very promising second at Sedgefield, under Brian Hughes.He was sent to Uttoxeter just over two weeks later, but hung badly from two out, to finish forth.It was decided that he needed wind surgery, and he was given a break.On his return at Catterick in February 2018, he weakened from three out, after a bad blunder, but showed more three weeks later at Sedgefield, when finishing third to Frankie Ballou, with his future stablemate Roxyfet in second place.Black Kettle finally got off the mark at Newcastle in April, making all over two miles in heavy ground, off a mark of 90.
He joined Micky over the Summer, and made his debut for us in December at Wetherby, trailing in last of the seven runners. He continued to struggle during his next three runs,until finding his first form for us at Hexham in May 2019, when finishing second to his now stablemate, Roxyfet. He was back at Hexham 10 days later, and once again finished second.He raced at the track again two weeks after that, but ran flat, suggesting he needed a break.On his return at Sedgefield in October he finished a solid third,and followed that up with an even better effort at the same track 18 days later, when going down by just 3/4 length, to finish third again.In December back at Hexham, he had to settle for second once more, but if he can continue to run consistently, another win will surely come his way.