19th October

I managed to get my hot tub going again, after about a year of not having it and it is the most amazing release following accident as it gets me moving again, so I sit in it every night with a glass of white wine, and I must say, I feel a lot better afterwards!!

On Friday Will Stuart came to stay, who is a great old friend of mine.

We worked a few horses on Saturday and had George and Rachel Bromfield for breakfast as Red Letter Day guests. I took them on the gallops to watch some horses working – George certainly knew a lot about form.

We had three runners at Market Rasen – Le Legro finished 3^rd, but I am fairly sure that I ran him too soon as he didn’t want to make the running. Then we had Morney Wing in a fairly competitive race – he finished 6^th for The Steeplechasers. The jockey said he wants a more galloping track and softer ground. Bridal Suite was our third runner, but I am not sure how hard he tried and I think he needs a pair of blinkers on to hopefully sharpen him up.

Morney Wing in the paddock at Market Rasen (taken by Bruce & Lesley Stevens)

Morney Wing in the paddock at Market Rasen (taken by Bruce & Lesley Stevens)

On Sunday we ran Cody Wyoming at Kempton and he ran a blinder; he jumped really well and finished 2^nd, beaten just half a length. On the back of that run, we should have some fun with Cody this year. A lot of the syndicate were there and I think they all enjoyed themselves, judging by their very supportive emails.

The horses are running well on the whole and we are getting to the cross bar, without the ball going in.

We have entries on Thursday at Ludlow and Southwell, we also have Quebec in at Cheltenham on Friday and Seventh Sky there on Saturday.

Runners & Schooling

On Tuesday, Baltic Storm ran a nice race at Huntingdon. He was 3^rd in his first hurdle race to a decent horse of John Ferguson’s, but I think he wants dropping back to 2 miles as he was a bit keen. Dragon City ran OK - he will be more competitive when we can get him in a handicap.

Baltic Storm

Dragon City

We worked a few up the back of the hill on Wednesday morning. Le Legro worked very well, as did My Anchor and Dukes Den.

Nimbus Gale ran at Worcester yesterday – he jumped round well enough, but came back with a nasty cut, which I hope he won’t be off for too long with.

Murray Mount having some down time after his excellent 2nd at Chepstow:

Murray Mount

We schooled quite a few horses this morning – Gavin Sheehan and Harry Bannister came in to help. We schooled To Begin over fences for the first time today - he was very good. Morney Wing had his last schooling session before he possibly runs on Saturday. We also schooled Expedite and Ephraim around the sand ring, with a lead from Mr Big – they both jumped beautifully. Expedite is a nice young bumper horse that we had last season and Ephraim is a group 3 winner who we have recently bought over from Germany. He is a really nice looking sort.

We have no runners today. The next ones will be on Saturday and Sunday; more than likely at Market Rasen and Kempton, but we could do with a drop of rain…

On a different note, I am very pleased to be sending all this kit back to Swindon Hospital!!! Let me know if anyone is in need of it (or looking to make a few bob at a car boot sale)!

The Proclamation 3yo filly is coming along nicely.. She is cantering away and seems a very nice, straightforward sort. She is for sale!

Proclamation 3yo filly - FOR SALE

Capatosta (USA) schooling over fences for the first time:

Lots of 2nds!

The horses worked well on Wednesday and we had a nice horse called Quebec running at Towcester. He ran a nice race and finished 4^th but he didn’t like the track and needs a flat course. Noel said there is a good handicap win in him on a flat track.

My sister Victoria came to stay on Wednesday night. We schooled two lots on Thursday – Gavin Sheehan was in and we sent Aspasius to Gary Moore’s as he is going to have a little flat campaign as we feel he is still too weak for hurdling at the moment.

We ran Gowanauthat at Worcester – he ran a really nice race for his first time over fences and managed to finish 2^nd.

I am managing to get out onto the gallops, but am still in a fair amount of pain.

We ran Seventh Sky at Newton Abbot in a very hot race, but he pulled up because he is still not fit enough. We got him in early from the field, we took him to Kempton racecourse for a gallop, and we have worked him very hard, so he is possibly not quite letting himself down. He may need one more run before he peaks at full fitness, but we are definitely not letting the grass grow under his feet!!!!

We had happy hour at the Malt Shovel with the lads on Friday and then dinner afterwards with Terry Simmons, Andy and Emily Stone, who were all staying there. The Malt is working really well and has been packed most evenings, which is really great news and everyone is very happy!

We took Terry, Andy and Emily on the gallops on Saturday morning, along with 4 Red Letter Day’s. We ran Murray Mount at Chepstow, who ran a very good race, finishing 2^nd to a very good horse of Nicky Henderson’s.

My sister Victoria went home on Saturday evening and I had supper with Andy and Emily Stone at the Malt.

We rode four horses out on Sunday morning and I then went to Hen Knight’s book launch, which was absolutely chocker block! We then had a very nice lunch at home with Martin and Nicole Myers and watched Capatosta’s race at Chepstow. Capatosta ran in his first hurdle race and pulled up – I think he is very weak still, but Noel says he will make a very nice horse for next year. He will probably want further too.

I went to the physio this morning at Oaksey house and they said that I was probably two weeks too soon, so they couldn’t do anything for me. In fact they said I was actually doing very well not to be in bed!!!

We have two nice horses running at Huntingdon today – Baltic Storm and Dragon City. Nimbus Gale runs at Worcester tomorrow.

Getting busier runners wise....

A fellow called Nick China came to visit on Friday - we went to lunch at The Malt Shovel with Nick Gaselee who he seemed to know quite well

The Malt Shovel opened the day before and it has been a roaring success. There were literally people queueing to get in on the Thursday night and as I negotiated the terms, I am delighted that it is going so well for Luke Davies and his father John.

John Francome came to pick me up on Friday night and we went down to The Malt for a very quick one as John doesn’t drink.

We had Red Letter Days here on Saturday and unfortunately Katya was ill, so I had to draft in Kim Meehan to help cook me breakfast and ferry me around the gallops.

A friend of mine called Tony Stapleton picked me up to take me to Fontwell as Le Legro was running for The Neardowners. He ran a really nice race, and if he had just jumped a little bit quicker, he would have won, but as it happened, he finished 2^nd. Noel Fehily liked him and said he should win next time! Don’t forget there are still 3 shares available in him, along with the two others in the syndicate, and they look very good value at this time.

When I got back from the races I was absolutely exhausted, so I don’t think I’ll be going racing again for a while, or at least until I am off these crutches!

We were meant to have three runners on Sunday, but the ground was too firm at Kelso, so poor old Seventh Sky was driven up to Kelso and back to no avail. Aspasius finished 4^th in his first Juvenile Hurdle race for Paul Mott, but he is clearly too weak to get the trip right now, so we are planning a flat campaign with him now, and then he will hopefully go jumping next season. Victor Leudorum ran quite well at Uttoxeter – he blew the cobwebs away and should improve from the race.

On Monday we had our Monday Lunch Club down at the Malt Shovel. We had a very good turnout, although the chairman is currently residing in Great Western Hospital right now – Evelyn Faber, so we hope he is out soon!

To Begin ran at Market Rasen and he ran with far more promise as he didn’t bleed and finished 4^th. He will hopefully improve from there.

I managed to see all the horses out this morning and we are planning to run Quebec tomorrow at Towcester. We are starting to run a few horses at long last and we have some nice entries at the weekend – Seventh Sky will either run at Newton Abbot or Chepstow, Morney Wing is in at Chepstow, as is Capatosta and Murray Mount.

The horses are certainly coming to themselves and I hope we find a few winners in the next couple of runs!!!

Racing UK, Airpur Desbois & My new wheels!!!!

I managed to see my horses on the gallops for the first time on Monday as I was driven up to see them and it worked quite well, although going over any bumps was quite an unpleasant experience!

We had a very busy Monday club at home - we had probably 11 people for lunch. I am taking quite a lot of morphine right now, which does make me quite drowsy, so I do tend to go to sleep rather quickly, although the only time I do not sleep is at night time, when I go to bed!

I have had a lot of visitors in to see me this week, which has been nice and I have received a very nice book in the post from Paul Mott, called “Horseback riding for Dummies”, which I have to say I found quite amusing.

Racing UK came round on Wednesday to film our 3^rd lot working on the gallops and I think they were quite impressed with what they saw.

I had a massive bonus on Wednesday evening when I was loaned a Mobility Scooter, which I hope is going to make my life an awful lot easier and certainly Lilly’s. Lilly has had always hated exercise, so she thinks all her Christmas’s have come at once, as of course, she thinks the scooter was sent for her. She has become very fat lately and whilst I know it is a very good acquisition for myself, I am not sure that the same applies to her.

I managed to watch two lots schooling this morning. We had James Davies in to help schooling. They all jumped really well.

We have got our first lot of decent entries for this weekend, which include; Seventh Sky at Kelso, Le Legro at Fontwell, Aspasius at Huntingdon and Victor Leudorum at Uttoxeter. It will be nice to get a bit of action!

We ran Airpur Desbois at Chepstow yesterday and I must say, he ran very well in his first handicap, and on the back of that, we should be able to place him to win a race quite soon.

I would like to thank you all again for my cards and best wishes, and while it is going to take quite a long time to recover, it is definitely going the right way. I still can’t quite work out how I got so many injuries in one fall off a hunter!

Monday 28th September

Here is to a brand new start this week - the sun is shining, I am on the road to recovery and I even managed to get up to the gallops to watch my horses cantering on second lot. I must say they all look extremely well and I am looking forward to a fair few runners over the next two weeks.

Monday club is going to be at Neardown today as I think it would be pushing me a bit too much to go out to a restaurant to lunch, especially as I am still in my pyjamas!! (which seems to be amusing all the staff!)!!

I am being beautifully looked after by all the animals when Katya isn't there and I am looking forward to a good catch up with all the Lambourn news over a bowl of soup and some crusty bread today! Katya is being a very good Florence Nightingale, but I think I testing her patience somewhat, and I must say she looked very happy to be very happy riding out second lot this morning, rather than looking after me!!!

Sureness ran disappointingly at Market Rasen on Saturday. I think it is time for her to have a break so that we can reassess the situation. Airpur Desbois has an entry at Chepstow on Wednesday and Le Legro has an entry at Warwick on Thursday.

Below are two video's of the horses working up the back of the hill on Saturday:

Schooling youngsters, a few runners and unwanted Hospital admissions!!!!

I went to see my Bank Manager at Barclays to negotiate a new interest rate on my mortgage. When I told him what I wanted, he said it was impossible, to which I replied "I have already got it with another bank”, so I will now be having a new Bank Manager and I must say, it is about time!

The horses are coming on well. I have been riding out two lots most mornings this week. We schooled 20 horses on Thursday (see video’s below) – it was a real eye opener as I hadn’t seen a few of them jump before. Noel Fehily, Gavin Sheehan and James Davies came in to help with the schooling morning, along with our in house jockeys Tommy Dowling and Shane Harte. I must say it was a very good morning and they all looked superb!

Baltic Storm, Victor Leudorum, Le Legro & My Anchor

Cody Wyoming

Dragon City & Aspasius

Morney Wing, Elmore Back, Bridal Suite

Seventh Sky, Royal Redemption, Gowanauthat, Nimbus Gale

Some Kinda Lama, Quebec, Murray Mount, Capatosta

Charlie Nugent and Will Stuart came to stay on Thursday night. We had a wine tasting evening at The Malt Shovel to decide what type of wine they might serve. The Malt Shovel is all coming together very well now and I am looking forward to it opening.

We had a new hall window put in on Friday as the last one was a coloured glass thing, which I had actually become quite attached to. However when the new one went in, I was quite surprised as it is stunning and lets in a lot more light; we are very happy with it!

Matty went to pick up my new hunter Ronnie and when he arrived I must say I was a little disappointed, as he was a bit "cobby" for more liking.

We had Andy Stone and Bridget, and Sarah Holcroft to stay on Friday night. Katya cooked a very nice dinner for us and we had a lovely evening all together.

Saturday was a very busy day for all at Neardown – we had five Red Letter Day’s plus another six people for breakfast. We had owners all morning and then twenty people for 4^th lot. Gavin Sheehan and Harry Bannister came in to ride work up the “back of the hill” which was a great help. The Steeplechaser’s horses looked very well (Quebec, Some Kinda Lama and Morney Wing), as did The Neardowners’. The one that stood out to me was Le Legro (IRE) who has got his first entry next week. There are still a couple of shares available in this syndicate and I would advise anyone who is interested to move quite quickly.

We then had a box at Newbury for the syndicates and watched some good flat racing, followed by watching Madness in concert, who were very entertaining. Johnny Seth Smith and his girlfriend Colette came to stay that night, so it was a very sociable but lovely few days!

On Sunday we got some horses out as a friend of Andy’s wanted to see The Neardowners horses. After they left, I thought it would be a good idea to get on my new hunter Ronnie. Katya put him on the walker, I then led him into the ring and got a leg up off Johnny whilst Katya held his head, but before I could get my feet into the irons, he took off with me and I came off after he had bolted. I was then taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon in an ambulance.

Having had a scan, the Doctors found that I had fractured three ribs, my pubic ramus and somewhere else in my pelvis, and my shoulder had dislocated. It now looks like one of Luke Harvey’s shoulders!!

I had quite a few injuries as a jockey, but I don’t think I have ever been in so much pain!

Having spent six days in Great Western Hospital, I have managed to get home, although I am not very mobile and am still having an awful lot of morphine. Hopefully I will be on the mend fairly quickly and we can all move on again! I had plenty of people come in to visit me at the hospital which was very nice and I am very grateful for all the well wishes that I have received. Not being able to get about is very frustrating, but I am hopefully getting a mobility scooter which should make my life a little easier and more interesting. I am delighted to be back at home and have my first decent meal cooked by Katya! I don’t honestly know how hospitals can make food taste as bad as it does!

We had a runner at Worcester yesterday – a horse called Murray Mount, who was having his first run over hurdles this season for Mark Hitchcroft and was ridden by James Davies. He is a little bit backward and has taken time to come to himself, but he jumped better and has improved from his last performance – he is definitely learning the job!!

Sureness runs at Market Rasen today. She just hasn’t had her ground all season – she wants fast ground, but as the summer has been so disappointing, she just hasn’t been able to run on her ideal ground. However if it stays good today, she should run well for Paul Mott under Gavin Sheehan.

We took Seventh Sky to Kempton yesterday to stretch his legs before his first run – Tom Scudamore rode him for us and he went really nicely.

I am currently sitting in a high backed arm chair which gives me some relief, and if I am not in sitting in this, I have to be lying in bed!

Tess took these striking photo's of the horses cantering along "the short" in the early morning sun: