Branton Court Stud

It is fair to say that Steve Parkin has reimagined the man-with-a-van concept.  He was that once, until he turned the van that he drove himself into a fleet of lorries, and his business extended from warehouses and distribution to supporting some of Britain's biggest retailers in meeting their increasing online demands. Clipper Logistics has become a well-known name beyond the business pages, particularly among those who follow horse racing. Thirty years after the company was founded, Parkin sold Clipper to GXO Logistics in May 2022.  "How does a little...

Fitri Hay's dual nursery handicap second Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}--Beyond Desire {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}), notched a quickfire double at Chelmsford and Newbury earlier in the year and took a step up the ladder with a narrow verdict in Saturday's G3 Unibet Zero% Mission Sirenia S. at Kempton, his sixth straight start going six furlongs. With tasks made easier by the scratching of 'TDN Rising Star' Eben Shaddad (Calyx {GB}), Starlust went postward as the 2-1 second favourite and found a comfortable rhythm off the pace in sixth before...

Dalham Hall Stud resident Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when Karl Burke trainee Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}--Agnes Stewart {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}) made a winning debut going just under seven furlongs in Friday's Oakmere Homes Supporting Macmillan Fillies' Novice S. at Haydock. Tracking the leaders in third for the most part, the 9-4 favourite was angled into a clear lane approaching the quarter-mile marker and kept on strongly once launching her challenge entering the final furlong...

The all-grey silks of Steve Parkin's Clipper Logistics have become an increasingly familiar feature at racecourses over the last two decades, and the prolific owner recently added another string to his bow in becoming a breeder. His Yorkshire-based Branton Court Stud notched a major milestone on Wednesday when Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) scorched home in the G2 Queen Mary S. to provide Parkin with a first homebred group winner. "We started in racing 20 years ago and, through Joe Foley, I started a breeding operation," said Parkin. "[Dramatised] has come...

Making it two-for-two for the TDN Rising Stars in Royal Ascot's juvenile prizes, Clipper Logistics' Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}--Katie's Diamond {Fr}, by Turtle Bowl {Ire}) put up an impressive display in a fast time in Wednesday's G2 Queen Mary S. under an in-form Danny Tudhope. Handed the monicker after her dynamic four-length debut win at Newmarket Apr. 29, the filly that Karl Burke regards as the fastest he has had through his hands was backed into 5-2 favouritism and raced near the front line towards the stand's side early. Committed...