All but 2 of this years bunch of 3 year olds are now riding around the school, another one will get there today but we'll not be rushing the other as he simply needs to grow in confidence before he comes out of the lunge pen. The Presenting horse we bought in Doncaster is now out and about on the farm as are the 2 that were sent from Goffs. The Derby sale horses will remain in the school for several weeks before they head out and about.
Hopstrings is declared to run tomorrow at Southwell, she has run very well there before yet finds herself up against a couple of horses who look very well handicapped, Jonjo's being the one in particular. Hopstrings, in my opinion is on the wrong side of the handicapper but naturally I like to be proved wrong. She's won one race and was consistently punished for standing in her stable. Handicappers aren't allowed to own horses but perhaps if they did they would have a better understanding of the difficulties trainers are faced with when it comes to the handicap system and placing horses, especially at this time of year.
Sholto and Panda finished school yesterday and Tilly finishes today, 8 weeks of additional stress ahead!
Tim Curtis and Jeremy Barber have been appointed on to the board of the point to point committee, Tim had Billy Biscuit in training with us, I am sure he'll bring plenty to the table. I know Jeremy from my riding days and again, am sure he will be a huge asset. I doubt there was 2 more suitable candidates in the country.
Friday, 11 July 2014
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
8th July 2014
I have failed miserably with postings on my blog of late and need to get back into the routine. There has been little of interest to report on a daily basis since we got back from The Derby Sale. All those are now riding around the lunge pen. Liam Treadwell has been helping us out backing the babies and has been doing a fantastic job. Robbie Dunne came in today to help and will continue to do so when he's not needed elsewhere. I can safely say they are the nicest bunch of horses we've had and I am very excited about more than one of them. We still haven't finished buying and will be heading to the August sale in Ireland in the hope of finding a few more. Our trip to Deauville was enjoyable and productive. I would recommend Deauville to anyone, its a beautiful place and well worth a visit for a short break. We bought one horse by Policy Maker, Paul Nicholls has his half brother, Virak, and I'm told thinks highly of him. He will have a chance to get over the ordeal of the sales and travelling before we start to ride him, he is broken and cantering already so we have time on our side with him.
The new yard is coming along, albeit slowly, the gallop is all but complete, tracks to and from it are now under construction and the ménage started to go in today. The BHA were here today to inspect the licenced premises and are very happy with what they saw, a few tweaks here and there and from what I understood the licence will be granted.
Hopstrings had a blow this morning in preparation for Sunday, she will have a handy weight if the top ones stay in and will run with credit. Liam will be back in the plate.
The new yard is coming along, albeit slowly, the gallop is all but complete, tracks to and from it are now under construction and the ménage started to go in today. The BHA were here today to inspect the licenced premises and are very happy with what they saw, a few tweaks here and there and from what I understood the licence will be granted.
Hopstrings had a blow this morning in preparation for Sunday, she will have a handy weight if the top ones stay in and will run with credit. Liam will be back in the plate.
Saturday, 28 June 2014
28th June 2014
All the horses arrived safely from Ireland, glancing back at last years prices emphasises that demand for horses across the board hasn't been so strong since 2006. All those who whinge on about price money (agreed it is appalling in some cases) don't really have a defence against their argument. The proof is in the pudding and I believe that people would race for nothing. Most owners aren't in it for prize money, they are in the sport for the love of it and the buzz they get from winning a race whether it be a p2p or a race under rules.
Max Ward and Hopstrings seem in great shape and the babies from Goffs are cantering around the school. On Monday the breaking-in process starts for the horses that we bought last week.
Max Ward and Hopstrings seem in great shape and the babies from Goffs are cantering around the school. On Monday the breaking-in process starts for the horses that we bought last week.
Friday, 27 June 2014
27th June 2014
A very tough week in Ireland at The Derby Sale, trade was incredibly strong but we did manage to buy 7. Lot 23 by King's Theatre, lot 24 by Scorpion, lot 67 by Flemensfirth, lot 82 by Fragrant Mix, lot 133 by Scorpion, lot 256 by Saint Des Saints and 364 by Yeats. All of which I am very pleased with. Market forces increased our over all spend on individual horses but I think we have done very well considering the strength in depth. On day 2 it was near on impossible to buy anything at a trade-mans price. Until production increases and the foals are on the ground we are faced with more of the same. The records of 2006 we're not quite surpassed this week but I have no doubt they could be next year. In total we now have 2 horses which arrived from Goffs, 1 from Doncaster and 7 from Tattersalls, a trip to France next week has been talked about but travel arrangements are yet to be made.
Very little to report from home, the babies are now riding around the school. Over the weekend I will be fetching in Kelsey who will hopefully run in the autumn. Hopstrings and Max Ward are in fine fettle, I have races in mind for both of them within the next few weeks.
Very little to report from home, the babies are now riding around the school. Over the weekend I will be fetching in Kelsey who will hopefully run in the autumn. Hopstrings and Max Ward are in fine fettle, I have races in mind for both of them within the next few weeks.
Sunday, 22 June 2014
23rd June 2014
Sitting in Birmingham airport listening to constant call for passengers travelling to Corfu. I think I may have a fair idea who they are calling for!
I am heading to the Derby Sale, it is ridiculous to think that a year has passed and we are on the mission of restocking again.
The horses from Goffs are all now riding around the school and behaving themselves. On my return I will be fetching in the 2 four year olds we carried forward from last year. One is by Enrique the other Robin Des Champs. They are 2 lovely horses and just didn't make it last time. Neither had anything wrong with them, they were more backward than the others and we pulled stumps rather than run them on unsuitable ground.
I am heading to the Derby Sale, it is ridiculous to think that a year has passed and we are on the mission of restocking again.
The horses from Goffs are all now riding around the school and behaving themselves. On my return I will be fetching in the 2 four year olds we carried forward from last year. One is by Enrique the other Robin Des Champs. They are 2 lovely horses and just didn't make it last time. Neither had anything wrong with them, they were more backward than the others and we pulled stumps rather than run them on unsuitable ground.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
19th June 2014
All the horses had quiet canters on the wood-chip and the babies were ridden around the lunge pen. All is well.
This afternoon I spent on a dumper truck taking wood-chip up to the new gallop. We have nearly finished the main part of the gallop but still have some drainage to put in on the top side. It will be a while yet before the horses move over, there is still plenty to do.
This afternoon I spent on a dumper truck taking wood-chip up to the new gallop. We have nearly finished the main part of the gallop but still have some drainage to put in on the top side. It will be a while yet before the horses move over, there is still plenty to do.
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
18th June 2014
Instagramher disappointed to say the least, I had hoped she was better than that. I hate making excuses for horses and am always surprised how many some trainer come up with. However, Liam said she was squealing and kicking out at the start and our only hope is she is coming into season. She'll get one more chance to show us something, otherwise, she'll have to find another job. It costs a lot of money for owners to keep horses in training and I will not mislead anyone of our owners about a horses ability. I also have to sleep at night after sending out the bills.
Hopstrings and Max Ward have come out of their races in great form, Max will head to Market Rasen having gone up to 134. I think that is harsh enough and expected 132. We will wait another week or so before looking for another opportunity for Hopstrings who went down to 119 from 120. Thanks a real help!
Sholto won the long jump and 200 meters, Panda won the egg and spoon race. Tilly has her sports day in a couple of weeks and better keep the medals coming in.
Liam is helping us out through the summer and rode the 3 horses from Goffs. Another arrived from Ben Case yesterday. All behaved beautifully and will progress in the normal fashion.
Hopstrings and Max Ward have come out of their races in great form, Max will head to Market Rasen having gone up to 134. I think that is harsh enough and expected 132. We will wait another week or so before looking for another opportunity for Hopstrings who went down to 119 from 120. Thanks a real help!
Sholto won the long jump and 200 meters, Panda won the egg and spoon race. Tilly has her sports day in a couple of weeks and better keep the medals coming in.
Liam is helping us out through the summer and rode the 3 horses from Goffs. Another arrived from Ben Case yesterday. All behaved beautifully and will progress in the normal fashion.
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