We had Harry Bannister here on Friday morning to ride 3 lots before he went to Bangor. Both his parents came down to watch, it all went swimmingly for a Friday 13th! Unfortunately for Harry his ride at Bangor for Mick Easterby looked rather slow.
Noel Fehily came in to ride work on Saturday. He rode Scepticism who did a nice piece of work. All being well and the ground is okay he will run in the Juvenile Hurdle at Plumpton on Sunday. Western King is fresh and well and should hopefully run at Uttoxeter on Sunday, however if it goes too soft he wont run.
I went to a birthday drinks party at Kim Meehans on Saturday night followed by dinner at my neighbour trainer Mike Blanchards.
We are trying our best to get things up to scratch in time for the open day, there has been plenty of lawn mowing, fence painting and gravel laying which are putting the finishing touches nicely to the yard.We have had a lot of rain in the last two days, the ground is certainly turning. We have even unpacked the light weight exercise sheets for the horses this week.
Elmore Back looks in tremendous form, he looks a stronger bigger horse this season. How I still have a quarter share left available in him I do not know! Attimo looks in good order, he is an impressive looking horse and goes about his job well. Shockingtimes has also impressed me this year. He is going up the gallops well and looks comfortable and happy. A marked improvement from last season after his surgery for a kissing spine.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Thursday, 12 September 2013
12.09.13
We had the first of the Red Letter Days last Saturday. A father and his two Daughters joined us for breakfast and a trip up the gallops. It was an entertaining morning as Mark Grant and Noel Fehily were also riding out.
On Sunday we had a drinks party at the Sports Club in Lambourn for Jimmy and Sandra Nolan and Malcolm Bentinck for their retirement from Wickes. Wickes have been the saddlers in Lambourn for the last century! They have now been taken over by a new couple, it is great to see it carrying on as it is great for the community and us trainers.
I rode Sands Cove on Monday morning and really liked him. It is very frustrating that he is ready to run but I can't run him until I find an owner for him. He has won a bumper, hurdle and his first chase and he is only six years old, he acts on any ground and should be running right now to then continue running in Novices Chases for the rest of the season. He should win first time out and then hopefully the aim is Cheltenham in October. (see picture below of him schooling this morning-Horse on the right)
I had an owner on Monday looking at Area Access who won his last point-to-point in Ireland, until I watched the DVD of him winning his race I hadn't realised what a nice horse he is. He made all and jumped like a cat, he is green at home so I can only see improvement in him. So we need to find a nice owner for him as well!
All the horses that had the summer off are now cantering away twice up the bank a day. They are about 2 weeks off doing their firsts bit of work. Greyfriars Drummer came back on Monday from Peasebrook Equine where he has been having rehab. He is moving like a dream which is great testament to them.
On Tuesday we had 10 lorry loads of gravel turn up, it really has set the new yard off. The flower pots have also been planted up by Rose's mother Jackie who has done a great job.
Topically -I am delighted to read in the Racing Post today that there was 'nothing sinister' about the consignment of 124 different equine medicines seized by government officials in Newmarket last month!
Friday, 6 September 2013
06.09.13
It has been a fairly quiet week, although it has been constructive.So I have taken the time to catch up with owners. I had a very good dinner at The French Horn in Sonning last night with Sue Welch. It was a night of great company and excellent food.
We haven't had any runners this week and with only one jump meeting on this week it has been relatively quiet for everybody. I should expect Western King to run again in a couple of weeks as he seems to have come out of his race very well. Victor Leudorum is very perky and is enjoying having an easier week. Scepticism will do a piece of work tomorrow and I will assess his fitness from after his wind -op. He worked well on Wednesday so I would expect him to have come on from that and I should be able to consider entering him up shortly.
We had a bit of rain this morning but nothing like forecast, it has hardly made a difference and now it has warmed up again and I can see bright blue sky from my office window.
The BHA seem to have accepted the proposal to race at Lingfield and Musselburgh on Good Friday, this puts the Lambourn and Middleham Open Days at risk, organisers are already saying they will not stage the open days if there is racing on Good Friday. Quite honestly I think the general public would rather go to the open days than go to either of those meetings. I am all in favour of having the open day regardless of whether they have racing or not. I think it is a very important date as it raises money for Stable Lads Welfare. It is another example of bookmakers and racecourses running our industry. I should think it wont be long before we have racing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
We haven't had any runners this week and with only one jump meeting on this week it has been relatively quiet for everybody. I should expect Western King to run again in a couple of weeks as he seems to have come out of his race very well. Victor Leudorum is very perky and is enjoying having an easier week. Scepticism will do a piece of work tomorrow and I will assess his fitness from after his wind -op. He worked well on Wednesday so I would expect him to have come on from that and I should be able to consider entering him up shortly.
We had a bit of rain this morning but nothing like forecast, it has hardly made a difference and now it has warmed up again and I can see bright blue sky from my office window.
The BHA seem to have accepted the proposal to race at Lingfield and Musselburgh on Good Friday, this puts the Lambourn and Middleham Open Days at risk, organisers are already saying they will not stage the open days if there is racing on Good Friday. Quite honestly I think the general public would rather go to the open days than go to either of those meetings. I am all in favour of having the open day regardless of whether they have racing or not. I think it is a very important date as it raises money for Stable Lads Welfare. It is another example of bookmakers and racecourses running our industry. I should think it wont be long before we have racing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
03.09.13
I had a busy weekend cooking supper for 8 people on Saturday night. I had David Batten from Tattersalls staying with me, he also has a few shares in some horses at Neardown. It was a very late night and the food was all eaten so well done Mary Berry!
On Sunday I trained 3 winners! Lilly and Pig both won their classes at the Lambourn dog show and Western King made all and won a h'cap chase at Newton Abbot under an inspired ride by Noel Fehily. To put the icing on the cake it was and ROA £5k bonus race, so he won almost £10k in prize money which is a nice Sunday treat for the owners.
On Monday I took my daughter Matilda for her first day at St Edwards in Oxford, there were 142 new arrivals starting Teddys yesterday, as the Headmaster gave his speech I was working out that is 4.5 million in school fees for the first year paid up front.We are now looking at turning Neardown in to a prep school!
On Sunday I trained 3 winners! Lilly and Pig both won their classes at the Lambourn dog show and Western King made all and won a h'cap chase at Newton Abbot under an inspired ride by Noel Fehily. To put the icing on the cake it was and ROA £5k bonus race, so he won almost £10k in prize money which is a nice Sunday treat for the owners.
On Monday I took my daughter Matilda for her first day at St Edwards in Oxford, there were 142 new arrivals starting Teddys yesterday, as the Headmaster gave his speech I was working out that is 4.5 million in school fees for the first year paid up front.We are now looking at turning Neardown in to a prep school!
Thursday, 29 August 2013
29.08.13
Victor Leudorum ran yesterday, he ran his race but was giving to much weight away - a stone and ten to the winner. Not being a very big horse he struggled under 11-12. However he ran well and I was pleased with him. Hopefully the h'capper will drop him a bit now.
I had Jill Mayo round today to look at her horses and have a spot of lunch at home. The bank manager also came over for a good meeting this afternoon, luckily for me he was in very good form!
I had dinner with James Doyles' mother last night who told me he had got the job with Juddmonte, an excellent retainer for a good up and coming young jockey.
I had Jill Mayo round today to look at her horses and have a spot of lunch at home. The bank manager also came over for a good meeting this afternoon, luckily for me he was in very good form!
I had dinner with James Doyles' mother last night who told me he had got the job with Juddmonte, an excellent retainer for a good up and coming young jockey.
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
27.08.2013
I had a busy weekend having 10 people for lunch on Sunday and 6 people for lunch yesterday - my cooking has improved no end!
Yazdi ran yesterday at Bangor, he was disappointing and will be entered at the sales. I am glad I didn't pay 430,000gns for him as that as what he cost as a yearling! If anyone want a polo pony give me a ring...
Victor Leudorum runs at Worcester tomorrow, it does concern me he has top weight as he is not the biggest horse in the world but he is tough and should run well.
Yazdi ran yesterday at Bangor, he was disappointing and will be entered at the sales. I am glad I didn't pay 430,000gns for him as that as what he cost as a yearling! If anyone want a polo pony give me a ring...
Victor Leudorum runs at Worcester tomorrow, it does concern me he has top weight as he is not the biggest horse in the world but he is tough and should run well.
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Wednesday 21.08.13
I am now sporting the most expensive sun tan I have ever had after being in St Tropez for 4 days! We had a lovely stay with Nigel and Ros Kempner and were definitely seen in all the right places!
Victor Leudorum won a nice race at Worcester last week. He beat a horse of Paul Nicholls, unfortunately the handicapper put him up 7lb for doing so which will make life a bit more difficult for him. He has come out of his race very well and may win another one soon.
Scepticism has had a small wind operation since his last run, I was disappointed with him and couldn't explain it as he shows so much at home so I hope this might make a difference to him finishing his races. He should be ready to run again in the middle of September.
Yazdi is ready to run and is likely to go to Bangor on Monday, otherwise we may look at a race or two on the flat for him. He is in good form at home.
Noel was quite pleased with Western Kings run at Worcester the other day, he just said that they went to quick for him. He will continue to run in the right company.
We have only got 3/4 to run until the main batch of horses are ready so we will probably have a fairly quiet September.
Most of the horses started cantering today, they will progressively do more over the next two weeks. But to start with they are each doing one canter up the bank each morning. Everyone is holding on to their neck straps tightly, it was rather a hair raising experience this morning!
We are trying to buy a few horses still, I have been to Germany and been in contact with a French agent but I cant seem to find anything nice enough to fill an order I have. I will be keeping a look out and may take another trip across the water soon as the prices seem fairer in Germany.
Victor Leudorum won a nice race at Worcester last week. He beat a horse of Paul Nicholls, unfortunately the handicapper put him up 7lb for doing so which will make life a bit more difficult for him. He has come out of his race very well and may win another one soon.
Scepticism has had a small wind operation since his last run, I was disappointed with him and couldn't explain it as he shows so much at home so I hope this might make a difference to him finishing his races. He should be ready to run again in the middle of September.
Yazdi is ready to run and is likely to go to Bangor on Monday, otherwise we may look at a race or two on the flat for him. He is in good form at home.
Noel was quite pleased with Western Kings run at Worcester the other day, he just said that they went to quick for him. He will continue to run in the right company.
We have only got 3/4 to run until the main batch of horses are ready so we will probably have a fairly quiet September.
Most of the horses started cantering today, they will progressively do more over the next two weeks. But to start with they are each doing one canter up the bank each morning. Everyone is holding on to their neck straps tightly, it was rather a hair raising experience this morning!
We are trying to buy a few horses still, I have been to Germany and been in contact with a French agent but I cant seem to find anything nice enough to fill an order I have. I will be keeping a look out and may take another trip across the water soon as the prices seem fairer in Germany.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)