Image © Healy Racing
It was a remarkable weekend for the Pierce family as two former Blackhall graduates fought out the finish of a Grade 2 at Haydock before Lady Bam scored at Nenagh 24 hours later.
For Andy Pierce, watching Dalston Lad and Ubatuba finish first and second in the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle was a moment to savour.
“It was unreal, brilliant, a great day,” Pierce said. “We don’t have days like that too often. It’s just a pity the two of them had to bump into each other, but it was still great to see.
“Myself and Jillian [Pierce] were watching it at home in front of the fire. We were shouting and didn’t know which one to shout for.”
Dalston Lad ultimately came out on top, a result that carried added significance given the support the yard has received from connections.
“We were probably shouting a bit more for Dalston because Dan Skelton has him and he’s a good supporter of ours. We’d like to see any of them win though.”
A smart ride from Harry Skelton gives Dalston Lad the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle @haydockraces! pic.twitter.com/P5ajR1Muv2
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 14, 2026
While both horses showed ability during their time at Blackhall, Pierce admits one always stood out.
“Dalston Lad, we always thought plenty of him, but Ubatuba definitely. We had him down as one of the best horses we ever had, if not the best. He was something different all the way through. That wasn’t surprising what he did, to be honest with you. I think there’ll be more to come from him.”
The Haydock result inevitably brought comparisons with former Blackhall graduate and Grade 2 winner Alsa Mix, though Pierce feels the current pair possessed a different profile.
“Alsa Mix was totally different. She was a big, strong, powerful mare. She probably didn’t have the same class or pace as these two. They’d have had a bit more class about them.”
However, when asked about the best horse to pass through the yard, Pierce points to one who never even ran between the flags for them.
“There was another horse came out of the yard, he never point-to-pointed. A horse called Notlongtillmay. We sold him after a bit of work. He was probably the best one we had. He was second in a Grade 1 at Cheltenham and second in the Paddy Power there as well. We had him, but we sold him before he ran.”
For a yard operating in a sales-driven industry, seeing horses progress under Rules is not just satisfying — it is essential.
“It’s nearly more important than us winning a race ourselves,” Pierce admitted. “I’d be more nervous watching them run under Rules than I would be at a point-to-point. You’ve told these people what they’re like. You’ve put your neck on the line saying they’re good.
“If they don’t go on and do something, it’s hard to face into them again the next day at a sale. So when things like that happen, it’s great.”
Ubatuba in particular was a horse Pierce had made no secret about.
“I’d say I told the whole world about him for a long time. So it was great that he’s shown it anyway.”
The following afternoon, Lady Bam ensured the weekend would also yield success closer to home when opening her account at Nenagh.
“We kind of expected that the first day. She made a bad mistake early and was on the back foot after that. We probably rode her a bit wrong that day as well. We got everything right at Nenagh and she did what we hoped she would.”
The Getaway mare came out of the race in great form and is now en route to Friday’s Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale.
Pierce was unlucky not to complete a brace on Sunday when Dromahane maiden winner Sworn Duty finished runner-up in the mares’ winners-of-one contest. The six-year-old, who Pierce describes as a fun mare, now has the GAIN Mares’ Final pencilled in as her next target.
“She wasn’t really fit the first day she ran this year. She’d picked up a little injury in the autumn and we gave her plenty of time.
"She was only about 80% when she won. We said we’d map out Knockanard and if she ran well there, we might have a crack at the GAIN Mares’ Final. That’s the plan now.”
"She was only about 80% when she won. We said we’d map out Knockanard and if she ran well there, we might have a crack at the GAIN Mares’ Final. That’s the plan now.”
The Nenagh success was the yard’s fifth winner of the current campaign and, with approximately two-and-a-half months of the season still to run, Blackhall are firmly on course to surpass their 2023/24 tally of nine winners, which stands as their most successful season to date. The present term now has every chance of becoming their most productive yet.
Among those Pierce is particularly looking forward to is Different Story, another mare he holds in high regard and who is set to make her debut this weekend.
“She’s one we think an awful lot of. She’s been working up there with the rest of them and we’re hoping she’ll produce the goods. It’s always a bit of pressure when you talk about them beforehand, but we’re looking forward to seeing her run.”
Pierce currently has around 20 horses in training, having started the season with 27, with most who have run, already sold on. A team of ten four-year-olds is coming forward, though Pierce expects around half of them to make the track this spring.
“They’ll start to come out around the middle of March. A few of them are a bit backward and might be kept for the autumn.”
There has also been a shift in the riding arrangements this season, with the Staples brothers, long associated with the yard, moving on. Sean has headed to Australia, while Eoin has joined the professional ranks, but Blackhall have adapted well to the change
“When the lads left, we didn’t know how we’d survive without them. They were brilliant and two good riders you could put up every day and never worry.
“But Luke Murphy rang wanting to come, and James Coffey and Joey Dunne got in touch as well. In fairness to them, they haven’t let us down. We try to share the rides between the three of them.”
With graded performers flying the Blackhall flag and a fresh crop of youngsters ready to step forward, the Pierce operation is gathering momentum and could yet make this their best season to date.
With graded performers flying the Blackhall flag and a fresh crop of youngsters ready to step forward, the Pierce operation is gathering momentum and could yet make this their best season to date.
