31st December 2012

A late post as we have all been to The Cinderella Pantomime in Chipping Norton Theatre, it was very entertaining. The fat woman behind me couldn't control her excitement and entered into the real spirit of things. I always get the screaming child on flights too!!!

All the horses had routine canters, we have backed off them over the last few weeks. They are all  fresh and seem in good health. We will be increasing the tempo mid January, at which point there will be much more to report.

Happy New Year to all.

29th December 2012

Trouble Digger seems fine after yesterdays exertions.

We made an executive decision this morning and didn't stop for a cup of tea, the rain was forecast for mid morning and we had the guts of the horses ridden before yet more horrendous rain arrived. All horses had routine canters, tomorrow Sam is coming in, Billy Biscuit and Full Shift will school over the fences. Billy Biscuit has an entry at Larkhill next Sunday, we won't decide whether to run until later in the week.

I rang Simon Classie this morning as he is in constant contact with John Kettley, apparently, there is no let up with the rain. No cold fronts on the horizon, I am told until cold fronts appear we can expect nothing to change. Simon told me John Kettley  mentioned that we may get a couple of dry days in March!!!  

28th December 2012

Trouble Digger beat 17 rivals in The Restricted and mud at Chaddesley Corbett, Sam gave him a great ride from the front and had a bit in the tank pulling up. He ran up very light last year and I have been very careful to leave a bit to work on this time around, with that in mind he will come on for the run and some serious fun could be had with him now we know he handles the soft. He has matured mentally and physically a year on. We may consider a Hunters Chase at Warwick on 24th January, he's entitled to be and is tired tonight, it will all depend on how he comes out of today, Warwick may come a week too soon. He has a nasty over-reach on his near fore and the farrier was here tonight to put his shoe back on. Any reader of my blog will know all about Trouble Digger, he'd die for you and that counts for a lot in this game and wins races. He's a joy to have in the yard and is in fact is a very good work horse. 

Back In Focus won in Ireland today, a great update for Medieval Gateway, a half brother I have here by Shantou. He will be waiting for some better ground before making his debut in a P2P somewhere. This weather is holding us up and we will be aiming to have a good few ready when it eventually dries up a bit. If we get a some dry days between now and  26th January Larkhill  may be a starting point for Billy Biscuit, the others are more likely to be aimed somewhere in February when there are more races for 4 year olds.

27th December 2012

Christmas is over for another year, FANTASTIC!

Today we were very much back into full routine. Sam was in, Billy Biscuit jumps some poles in the school and Trouble Digger jumped 6 fences. Trouble Digger is heading to Chaddesley Corbett tomorrow. All the other horses had a couple of canters having had a easy 2 days. The babies were ridden in the school, all horses were pleased to be back into their routine. This evening I fogged the barn and stables with the mister and feel better for doing so.

Yesterday, I managed to watch a couple of races by nipping out of lunch. Sam Waley-Cohen shut up his doubters yet again, I for one am delighted for him. He has ridden me a couple of winners and you wouldn't meet a more down to earth guy. I remember one day giving him a few quid and then watched him fly off in a helicopter, I thought perhaps it should have been the other way around having given him a double on the card.  Not only is he a more than capable jockey he is also a very successful business man, juggling the two can't be easy and the shape he keeps himself in is admirable. He shows no signs of tiredness yesterday and to get Long Run going again after the last was a testament to his capabilities.

24th December 2012

A normal day - soaked to the skin by 7.30 a.m! this rain is serious and very boring. It looks like Boxing Day racing will be a wash out which is a huge shame. Boxing Day is one of the best days racing of the year, it is a chance for young lads and lesser horses to get opportunities. There will be many disappointed 7lb claimers.

All our horses had routine canters this morning, Trouble Digger will be the only horse ridden tomorrow and the others will have a leg stretch on the walker.

We had a swap around of horses today from Overbury Stud, 3 babies went back and a 3 year old Grape Tree Road gelding that we let down for a couple of months returned. He may well be aimed at a P2P in the Spring.

This evening, if anything like the last 2 years will be spent wrapping stocking fillers. Sophie has been incredibly generous on the credit card so I can't afford to sit still for more than 1 afternoon! She has also been amazing organising everything with little or no help from me. Mother-in-laws tomorrow, Trouble Digger needs a very long ride in the countryside and evening stables starts very sharply at 4p.m!!!!!!

Have a very Happy Christmas, it will be business as usual this end on Thursday.

22nd December 2012

A few lots out before shooting. What a fab day, considering how wet it was the birds flew amazingly well. I had a good day firing straightish powder, I managed a left and right of partridge and pheasant. I have previously hit a left and right of Canadian geese on Ralph Beckett's father-in-laws farm near Milton Keynes but today was my first on partridge and pheasant. A very special thing for a once or twice a year shooter. Johnny Wills also told me a joke about nuts and chins which I am afraid is not suitable for this blog. I will certainly be passing it on when in suitable company.

Due to the filthy weather we shoot through and had a late lunch, sadly, I had to rush mine and get back for evening stable. All the horses are well and I will be on my knees asking for the rain to stop. It has become ridiculous. They say, be careful what you ask for!!!! Our prayers of last year are now being answered.

Tomorrow after the horses are seen to I am dutifully taking the children to see their Great Grandmother who is nearing the big 100 years of age, about 3 or 4 years to go I think. Up until a few years ago she used to ride her bike to the village shop daily and it is only failing eyesight that stops her now. She would physically still be able for it and continues to be out most days gallivanting about. I'll take them all for lunch before heading back for evening stables. Until this weather calms down the horses will remain on tick over. I am very happy with where they all are fitness wise and will soon be getting very frustrated that we can't get on with some intensive schooling.

21st December 2012

I rode a few out before heading off for a days hunting with the Ledbury. As with most of the country it is sodden and the hedges were even bigger than normal. My first horse has lost his confidence after a bad experience last week when out with someone else. He deposited me on to the top of one hedge, thankfully, I manged to hold on to him as I was able to use him as my tractor. He kindly pulled me out, thorns removed form under finger nails and on we went over it. At the next hedge he ran out into the ditch on take off side with me still on his back, well sort of, he was lying down in it and I was half on and half off. Enough was enough so I went for my second horse who was electric. We jumped plenty of big hedges and few sets of good rails, a fun day was had. The Tweenhills meet is a must for anyone who likes to get their blood up.

Tiqris ran at Ascot today finishing 3rd, obviously, I'm disappointed he didn't win but it looks as if he has been beaten by 2 more than average horses, for them to quicken away as they did in that ground was very impressive. Tiqris will certainly be winning his races.

The Harkaway Club have bought the start time forward to 10.30 on Friday as they foresee a 10 race card, if the rain arrives as forecast the meeting surely has to be in doubt. Billy Biscuit won't run and I need to talk things through with Trouble Diggers owners before any decision is made about whether  or not we run him.

20th December 2012

Thanks to the help of Sam we were able to get routine canters into all the horses before I set of to Olympia with Sophie and the children. The horses are all in good fettle.

Olympia was a lovely afternoon out and I would recommend it to anyone. The showjumping class was won by Ben Maher a British rider. He was the last to go in the jump off, which made for a very exciting finish. A French man was 1st to go and set a huge target for the remaining riders who I felt didn't really have a stab at it and were fighting for the minor places. Ben Maher and a USA rider were the only 2 riders who looked as if they had any intention.  The other shows involving dogs and carriage driving made excellent veiwing and we all throughly enjoyed it.

19th December 2012

An easy day for those that worked away yesterday, all seem to have come out of it well and will have a light canter tomorrow. From noon onwards today it has rained non stop, I had planned to school a few tomorrow morning but a going inspection will be required.

All the other horses had routine canters and the babies went in the school. A horse named Mickey won at Ludlow today, she is a filly by Kayf Tara, owned by Mr Sumner, Marston Stud. I broke, pre- trained and breezed her last December. Mr Sumner was looking for 5,000 at the breeze up sale, she was lead out with no bid at all. He was tentatively offered 3,000 after the auction but I encouraged him to put her into training. She has never run a bad race and now has some breeding prospects, I am delighted for him, a top owner who is a pleasure to deal with.

The Weatherbys pt-pt site has finally got round to loading all the in running comments and full results on their site, not before time! However the loss of publicity through the Weekender dropping pt-pt coverage is disastrous and I'd be very interested to know who balls it up, I wouldn't want them on my payroll.

18th December 2012

The 3 horses we took for an away gallop pleased me, they worked over a straight mile and 1 furlong. All others either went for routine canters or into the loose school for more jumping practise. It was one of those mornings when I wondered if we would ever get through it all. By the time we did I had to turn around and ride Glens Boy for the second time, he is a huge horse who has just receovered form a soft pallet operation and will take some getting fit. He goes out twice a day and hack canters for miles.

The entries at Chaddesley Corbett are huge and I can see a 10 race card by the time they divide a few. Thankfully, Trouble Digger is in the 2nd race so he will get the best of the ground. I have expressed my concerns previously about maidens racing on the worse ground at the end of the day. Of course I want the best ground for my horses which are predominately maidens, however it makes sense for many reasons. A maiden jumping out of cut up bottomless ground does nothing for their confidence, it is also so much harder for them, resulting in more fallers and the horses in general getting a much harder race than need be. NOT an ideal introduction  to racing. Maidens on the whole, mind and a few others excluded are the future of the sport, in my mind they should get the best of the ground. Billy Biscuit could end up racing on ground that has been galloped over by 150 horses, this alone would stop me running him. Sometimes a little commmom sense would prevail!

Sholto and Panda have gone with their mother to the Heythrop carol service, Tilly has stayed at home with me to help at evening stables. She has been preparing for a Wizard of Oz performance on Friday afternoon and says she has sung enough for one day.

17th December 2012

The Compton Place colt that was here to be broken-in went into training with Ralph Beckett today and he dropped off Lunette, a 2 year old filly that I broke and pre-trained for Tim Rootes before she went to Ralph. She has come back here to be allowed to mature. She is a gorgeous filly and disappointed in her races. We will be using an overground scope on her to see if we can find out any reason for her not finishing her races other than immaturity.

Billy Biscuit, Trouble Digger and Full Shift are all heading off for an away gallop tomorrow so it is an even earlier start than normal.  My alarm will ring at 4.15 a.m - the joys.........! I can't see Billy Biscuit running at Chaddesley as we all think he wants some decent ground, it will be good to soft at best.

I have a rather spoiling week ahead. On Thursday we are going to Olympia horse show, thankfully it doesn't start until 12.30p.m so I'll get plenty done before we leave. Sam will be in and we will school a few before I leave. On Friday I have  very kindly been invited to hunt with the Ledbury by David Redvers and on Saturday John Wills, Trouble Diggers owner has generously asked me to shoot. Invitations appear to be like London buses. I do nothing all year and then it all comes at once, rather good really.

15th December 2012

Sam and I schooled Billy Biscuit, Trouble Digger, Full Shift, Frankenstorm, Knight of Noir and Vazaro Delafayette. I was very pleased with the last 4 as that was their first time over the full size fences, all did it well. The other horses all had routine canters and the babies were all ridden in the school. Sam then very kindly stayed to help me repair the ground on the schooling field. I am sure his dedication will pay off, we have a bunch of young horses that any trainer would love to have in their yard. All being well we will run some of the 3 coming 4 year olds in early February.

14th December 2012

If anyone tries to tell me weather patterns aren't changing.........absolutely drenched this morning! All horses had routine canters and all the babies were ridden in the school, temperatures increased overnight and the school and lunge pen are now back in use. Well, they were this morning, tomorrow the lunge pen will resemble a duck pond. My make shift drainage system seems to have held up and no water has come through the barn.

This evening we did our fortnightly fogging of the stables and barn which always make me feel better. I will be making entries for Trouble Digger and Billy Biscuit at Chaddesley Corbett this evening. They close on Monday at noon, 11 days before the event. Last year I failed to take this on board and missed one, as it happened it didn't matter as I wouldn't have run him anyhow.

Malt Master, a horse I sold for £155,000 finished second in his first novice chase today at Bangor, he has some decent form on soft ground and won his bumper at Doncaster in the soft, however, he has so much speed I can't believe that soft ground is his preferred going. Watch out for him if he gets some decent ground next time. I'd love to know what AP's post race analysis were.

13th December 2012

As long as we've had a few dry days before hand wood-chip is by far the best surface when a freeze arrives, we can belt away. It just doesn't hold the water like synthetic gallops. My school and lunge pen are like blocks of ice. A few years ago I heard the trainers in Newmarket were doing their best to get one reinstated in Newmarket, I read they believed it was the closest all weather surface to grass.

All our horses had routine canters this morning. Sam was here and will be back on Saturday to help us school - weather permitting, the radio tells me that the country is going to be hit by high winds and torrential rain.

A good day for ex English pointers, Marshal Zhukov and Buck's Bond both winning at Taunton. Although Marshal Zhukov failed to win a p2p he still started his trade in p2p's in the UK. He has now won 3 races under rules, perhaps are p2p's are more competitive than some would lead you to believe. What publicity will the UK p2p's get, NONE!!!! I know that there is a least one person trying to help us raise the profile of English p2p participants, sadly, I expect he is pushing water up hill. If we aren't careful p2p's in the UK will become no more than a gymkhana. Losing the publicity in the Weekender is hugely damaging to the sport and someone should be held to account for their appalling negotiating skills.

12th December 2012

A cold day for sure, thankfully no wind. No problem with our all weather gallop and the horses were all worked as normal. I then went to watch Tilly in her school carol service, Tilly was the only one chosen from her class to join a select few of older children to sing a few carols on their own. She did extremely well and I am a very proud father.  Tilly obviously takes after her mother and can hold a tune, something I am not too accomplished at!

I was rather annoyed to read one p2p journalist has decided that Knockdhu won't be racing again, I wrote in my blog that he won't race again for me, not that his racing days were finished. He won't be the first horse to recover form such a injury and go on to race again. He won't race for me as any horse I have a financial interest in is sales bound, trying to sell him with a pre-existing injury would not be easy. For me the risk to reward isn't a viable option. It is a huge sadness and once we have accessed his injury we may then look to re-home him with someone that wants to take him on in the hope that he will race again, that is what he is breed for.

Isn't it sad after so many fantastic days together that Kauto Star leaving Ditcheat has caused bitterness between the owner and trainer. Clearly, from what Paul Nicholls said in the press he was pretty put out. As Paul mentioned, the horse is owned by Clive Smith and he calls the shots, yet he obviously thinks differently! Of course it is sad for them all at Ditcheat, I can empathise with them about much lesser horses than Kauto Star that haven't been with me for anything like the time Kauto has been with them. Surely they should support and help with the owners choice. As for his staff tweeting their opinions I thought that was a step too far. I am sure Laura Collett will look after him and do what is best for the horse, if Paul hasn't burnt his bridges he may find his wish comes true and that the horse ends up back at Ditcheat.

11 December 2012

A busy day with one thing or another. I have just walked in the house at 8.00p.m having left it at 5.30a.m. All horses had routine canters. Schooling was ruined by the frost and it doesn't appear that we will get another chance to school until Saturday.

We have sought many opinions about Knockdhu's injury, it would appear that he has every chance of racing again and the injury should be consider no different than a horse getting a leg. My biggest worry is whether or not he will ever let himself down again after such a bad experience, the pain must have been horrendous. Time is on our side and no decision has to be made today, he will not be racing until next autumn at the earliest and I would say that is very wishful thinking.

10th December 2012

The p2p season got off to what  appeared to be a great start yesterday until I saw Sam dismount after pulling up. Knockdhu won a very competitive 2.5 mile maiden at Barbury Castle. He slipped the tendon off his hock pulling up and won't race again for me. He will have 3 months box rest here before heading up to Distillery Stud to spend at least  9 months either in a barn or field. I own in him partnership with Robert Robinson and this is of course devastating. I have had him for well over 2 years. I broke him in and then did a deal with Robert when he was led out of Doncaster May sales unsold. Forget the fact that we have lost a sales horse and potential income for our respective businesses, we have lost a horse and that hurts more than anything. Injuries to any horse are particularly hard to deal with. I live and breath these horses every day of the year and feel very sad for those involved and especially sad for the horse. He had bags of potential and on the back of what we saw yesterday could very easily have competed at an above average level. Sam gave him a smashing ride and deserves as much credit as anyone for yesterdays performance. He was seriously hampered after the 6th fence which cost him a lot of ground, Sam didn't panic, eased back into the race and rode him brilliantly. Naturally, everyone in the yard is very down today.

The horses remain on tick over until Christmas is over, so until that point there will be little to report. Tomorrow Sam will be in at lunch time, Billy Biscuit and Trouble Digger will school.

8th December 2012

The horses are taking it easy apart for a few, Billy Biscuit and Trouble Digger will remain in full work with a view to going to Chaddesley Corbett over Christmas. Neither will go if the ground is soft. Having watched the bumper from Wetherby I am delighted Major Martin stayed in his box, it was certainly the right decision. One horse took a false step and un-shipped his rider and another nearly did the same. 3 year olds that are genuine National Hunt horses raced on ground like that need a year to recover in my mind. 

The exhaust fell off my ageing car this morning so I was unable to get to Barbury to walk the course, I made a few phone calls and am told that the ground is good to soft and they've had a beautiful day today. Cloud cover must be due as the temperature is forecast no lower than 3 degrees tonight. Knockdhu will run. My car will be in dock this week for a new clutch and exhaust. I am rather fond of it and can't bring myself to go into further debt by getting a new one. It has 164,000 miles on the clock and needs to make 200,000 at least!

It was lovely to see Sam TD making such a fuss of Hello Bud, all to often I see horses winning top flight races and the jockeys don't even bother to give them a pat. It was heart warming stuff. Tonight we have a house full of friends coming pointing tomorrow and I am cook! Steak baked potatoes and salad.

7th December 2012

All horses had routine canters except Knockdhu who jumped 9 fences in preparation for Sunday. It was a serious North wind and I am a great believer in avoiding galloping horses into a cold wind.

This afternoon we went to watch Sholto in a carol service, his future would not appear to be in a choir, he looked most unamused, thankfully, much to my relief he's much more at home with a rugby ball in his hand.

There is little to report on the horse front and all seem well, they will tick over now until after Xmas when we will start them all back in full work and look for some races for them.

6th December 2012

Knockdhu had a blow on the all weather accompanied by Trouble Digger, he will school tomorrow as the ground over at the fences was frozen this morning. If the weather forecast is correct we will have no problem by late morning tomorrow. The ground where I have the baby fences was fresh and the frost had not got into it at all. Therefore, Sam and I schooled Ballingary, Robin Des Champs, Frankenstorm, Network Rouge, Knight of Noir and Kayf Tara filly. All the babies were ridden in the school and others had routine canters.

If the weather forecast doesn't change between now and the weekend I would hold every hope that Barbury Castle will be on. I will walk the course on Saturday afternoon.

Darrel Jacob must be really disappointed after mistaking the winning line at Wincanton today and I feel he has been punished too severely. It was a genuine mistake and a couple of days off would have been sufficient. It appears that the punishment doesn't fit the crime and the enforced holiday is only to appease the punters. I know how he must feel, I went the wrong side of a marker one day and still won only to be disqualified, I could have fitted into a match box that day.

Anthony Webber was here this evening to follow up those he wasn't entirely happy with last time and he sorted a few others too.

I went to Panda's Christmas play this afternoon which was very good, I even had a tear in my eye at one stage, she looked so sweet and did really well. I remember Tilly's first play and that too was a tear jerking moment. Tomorrow Sholto is singing so I'll be there to listen to that too.

5th December 2012

Major Martin won't be going to Wetherby, I have friends who live next to the course and I'm not pulling the guts out of him by running on bottomless ground. They'll be other days, he's only 3 years old and we will wait.

The horses that galloped on the grass yesterday either loose schooled or had a light canter, Network Rouge, Frankenstorm, Kayf Tara Filly, Medieval Gateway, Robin Des Champs, Max Ward and Virtuoso Rouge loose schooled.

The baby fences are now on the grass, I put the wings up this afternoon in the hope that we can jump them tomorrow, I think the frost may kill that idea.

When you consider an athlete would get an automatic 2 year ban Frankie Dettori in my mind has got off lightly.  He is the spearhead of flat racing and his behaviour is damaging to the sport especially as so many idolise him. In my wildest dreams I can't imagine AP behaving in such a manner.

4th December 2012

Full Shift, Knight of Noir, Trouble Digger, Robin Des Champs, Sargent Thunder and Frankenstorm all worked on the grass. I was pleased with them all. Major Martin, Billy Biscuit and Knockdhu all started to have a light canter again after Saturday. The others had routine canters apart from Max Ward who is still loose schooling when the frost allows.

Glens Boy has returned from having his soft palate done, he went in yesterday. He has previously been hobdayed and under goes a soft palate operation each year. He'll be on the walker for a week, light canters for 2 weeks after and then back into full work.

Tim Easterby is apparently running his horse at Wetherby, I watched him win at Haydock last time and he was impressive. The ground is still soft with heavy patches. I am undecided as whether or not we will travel.

3rd December 2012

Luke Morgan came in to ride a few out, Luke is an old mate who was a very good p2p rider, he rode over 100 winners. He has been living locally for years and we have spoken about him riding out for 3 years now, this morning was the first time we actually got round to organising it. He will be a huge help to us schooling the babies and will ride out when he can. He has just landed a job heading the Strutt and Parker Country team.

All horses had routine canters, those that galloped away on Saturday just went for a quiet hack about the place. Billy Biscuit has come out of it well and I am keen to take him to Chaddesley if the ground is decent. Major Martin and Kncokdhu seem fine too. Major Martin's race looks hot on papers with many entries from trainers that need huge respect. John Ferguson has an entry, the likelihood is it will be a very well bred flat horse. The vet will be here on Wednesday to trach wash Knockdhu and Major Martin, it is a routine procedure we carry out before any horse runs. Last year we took a horse to Exeter, he had shown no signs of illness, he looked great, was working well and licking his feed bowl clean every night. He ran a stinker, we trach washed him the day after and it was filthy, hence the precautionary trach wash of runners now. It is another cost but a lot cheaper than transporting horses to the races to disappoint.

I have named my Shantou gelding Medieval Gateway.

Sholto won the sand crab again at rugby yesterday, he is a good little player and like many fathers I have huge expectations of him. England vs The All Blacks game was outstanding, what a stepping stone into the 6 Nations. We beat them everywhere, especially up front, a great game to watch, lets hope they take it forward and win the Grand Slam.

1st December 2012

Happy Birthday Tilly who is 8 today.We are shortly going to be having a birthday cake, Tilly has had some mates here this afternoon. Thankfully, I have escaped this unbearable noise by being at work all day.

Knight of Noir, Full Shift, Trouble Digger, Kayf Tara Filly, Frankestorm, Glens Boy, Robin Des Champs and Virtuoso Rouge all worked on the woodchip. Knockdhu, Billy Biscuit and Major Martin all went for an away gallop. I am pleased with all the horses, they all were I want them for the time of year. Knockdhu will have an entry for the 2.5 mile maiden at Barbury and Major Martin will be entered for the junior bumper at Wetherby today week. Nothing will be set in stone until we see how they come out of today. Billy Biscuit will be ticked over with a very close eye on the weather, he may go to Chaddesley Corbett with Trouble Digger, ground depending.

Network Rouge will have his shoe back on on Monday as he is now fine having had the puss released form his hind foot.

I have the joy of sky + and the rugby to watch. The sooner all these kids bugger off the sooner I get to watch it. Sholto has a rugby match tomorrow so I'll be up nice and early to get the work done before taking him.

30th November 2012

I had a fantastic day yesterday shooting in Yorkshire, the sun shone on a cold and frosty morning and it was glorious. The birds flew straighter than my powder but I did manage to hold my own and shoot reasonable well.

This morning was back to normal, Sam and I schooled the 3 years olds over the baby fences. I will move them hopefully on Sunday afternoon to the schooling ground and we will get them all going over them on Monday. By Thursday many of them will be ready for the regulation fences. All the others had routine canters. Network Rouge has puss in his hind foot which was released by the farrier this afternoon, he missed todays schooling session.

We backed the Medicean and Bertolini fillies in their stable and both seem to be sweet enough. All the other babies were ridden around the lunge pen. Next week they will move on into the school for a few weeks before heading back to the cold and wet paddocks.

I was delighted to see Harry Fry won the bumper at Newbury yesterday with an English p2p winner. Only to be expected, but not one ounce of promotion for our sport in the Racing Post. I suggested success boxes in the results but was told there was no funding. Poor, I feel!

Another boutique sale of proven horses is held at Newbury tomorrow after racing, I am sure trade will be strong as it was at Brightwells a few weeks ago and the demand for proven horses continues.

Tomorrow, we are taking Major Martin, Billy Biscuit and Knockdhu for an away gallop. The cold snap isn't forecast to be too severe so we may get to run a couple next weekend.

27th November 2012

All horses had routine canters on the woodchip, we haven't even attempted to use the grass this week as it takes no imagination to know what it would be like.

We have finally managed to dig our hole big enough to submerge the water pump, which is now pumping away the water from the back of the barn. Hopefully, no more frightening bedding bills next month. 1,125.00 pounds of shaving used in 10 days. Wish I hadn't worked it out!!!! There are many people much worse off, homes up and down the country have been wrecked. If the predicted frosts arrive racing next week much be in doubt too. We have plans for Major Martin next Saturday at Wetherby.

There will be no blogs now until Friday night. I am off to dust my gun off as it is having its annual outing in Yorkshire on Thursday. I will leave tomorrow after lunch retuning after shooting on Thursday. I doubt there will be much straight powder!! The horses are being left in Alice's very capable hands so I can relax and enjoy the day.

26th November 2012

Owners, vets, farriers, a mate on a shovel and Sam were all here this morning making for a frantic time, we got through it all in the end. The rain has caused a few problems for me, we emptied 5 stables 3 times last week at a cost of 60.00 pounds / stable, daily. I thought the drains just couldn't cope and water was coming into the back of the barn. Yesterday I dug a huge ditch along the back of the barn only for it to fill very quickly when I reach the other end. I had unearthed what appeared to be a leaking pipe, however after further digging today we have unearthed a collapsed land drain. As a temporary measure we have now dug a big hole and placed a pump in it. The pump is very temperamental, tomorrow once the horses are finished I will have to make the hole bigger to accommodate the pump properly. It will then require some professional efforts to rectify the land drain.

On a much more positive note, Sam and I jumped all the 3 year olds over my newly acquired baby fences which they all jumped beautifully. I have only just come in the door so am off for a cup of tea and to watch the replay of Chiquilline who ran at Ludlow today finishing 3rd.

24th November 2012

Full Shift, Knockdhu, Robin Des Champs, Trouble Digger all worked on the woodchip. Sadly, Whitfield has been cancelled so Knockdhu and Trouble Digger will have to wait. Knockdhu will be aimed at the 2.5 mile maiden at Barbury Castle, I will have to speak with Trouble Diggers owners and may wait for Chaddesley Corbett for him. I am not to sure about the track at Barbury for a horse that has had previous leg issues. Billy Biscuit will wait for better ground. I only made my entries this afternoon for Whitfield but am pleased to read that they will be refunded.

We loose schooled a few that I felt need their confidence reinforced, the others had routine canters.

Sophie has taken Tilly and a friend to the ballet in Birmingham for Tilly's birthday. All those owners and trainers that moan about a 30 pound entry for a p2p should try and send 2 kids accompanied by an adult to the ballet, you could train a horse for a week for the price of it, and make entries for the year. I get very angry about this complaint in the p2p world and if we want it we have to pay for it. The work that goes into staging a p2p is huge, most of which is done by volunteers. The fact is it costs money and those participating need to be willing to pay for it. So typical of the Great British public to think they are entitled to everything for nothing.

The fire is alight, England are about to play South Africa on sky + and I have a cup of tea. Have a pleasant wet weekend. I for one am pleased this week is over.

23rd November 2012

Kayf Tara filly, Frankenstorm, Virtuoso Rouge, Network Rouge, Robin Des Champs, Max Ward, Full Shift ( Ballingary)  and Knight Of Noir (Winged Love) all loose schooled. It was very interesting to see how they had taken yesterday's schooling over hurdles. Most of them had really taken it on board and others clearly near their confidence reinforced. Last night I went to collect 2 baby fences from Buckingham. We will ride them all over them in the arena before we take them onto the schooling ground. The baby fences will be a huge bonus to us.

All the other horses had routine canters. We sat on 2 year olds, 2 by Kayf Tara, a Beat All, a Black Sam Bellamy and a Compton Place and Nayef yearlings all in their stables. They all accepted everything very well and they will move into the lunge pen as soon as it resembles a lunge pen again rather than a duck pond. The rain has eased for 24 hours but the forecast is horrible again for tomorrow.

Anthony Webber was here to follow up on all those he saw a fortnight ago, the runners will be seen again before next weekend. He doesn't charge for follow up visits, he really offers a fantastic service.

Every time we get a niggling problem I think the world has ended but how must Noel Meade feel after losing such a good horse in Go Native. It just goes to show how fragile racehorses are. The horse was apparently having a routine canter before breaking his hind leg. It doesn't matter whether it is a good horse or bad horse, it is just very sad when these things happen. We are all to good at blaming ourselves for problems, yet some things are way beyond our control. I would be beating myself up believing that he was overloading his hind leg due to another undiagnosed issue. The fact is these things happen.

 

22nd November 2012

The 4 horses that worked yesterday had an easy day today, They have all come out of the gallop well and we will hope for some decent ground next weekend. The wind here today is serious and will certainly help the ground to dry out. I will enter Knockdhu, Trouble Digger and Billy Biscuit for Whitfield. Knockdhu and Trouble Digger will run if the ground is acceptable, Billy Biscuit may wait. All the land below us is under water as the river had burst its banks.

We schooled the 3 year olds over hurdles, not all of them were pretty but we got them over the other side a good few times. They must have jumped well over 250 obstacles each, yet putting a hurdle in front of them causes them all sorts of worries. I am sure they will be more accurate next time once they've had time to digest this mornings efforts. I have ordered 3 baby fences as I think they will be some what more inviting for them than a hurdle. In the meantime my fence builder will lend me some until mind are built. Tomorrow I hope to go and collect them.

21 November 2012

Major Martin, Trouble Digger, Knockdhu and Billy Biscuit all worked on my neighbours all weather. It is a gallop I know well and I am able to get a fair assessment of where I am with them. All grass gallops were closed and I like to get them in the box for an away gallop, even if it means travelling only 3 miles.  I am happy with them all, they will all come on for the gallop.

My rain gauge was overflowing this evening and it was fairly wild today. Local towns are closed due to flooding and hunting was like riding in the Ocavango Delta without the cocern of being jumped on by a lion! It was hugely disappointing as I had been looking forward to the hedges around Little Compton and Kitebrook. We jumped 1 decent hedge and a few nasty hunt jumps. When I got home I had 2 inches of water swilling around in my boots, soaked to the skin and blue with the cold. I cancelled my second horse and headed for the bath at 1.30 p.m. I doubt they carried on much longer anyhow. The badgers homes must be flooded as I have never seen so many in day light.

I see that Black Forest Lodge give their ground as Good to Soft, with some of the worse floods reported in Devon I find that hard to believe. It is so frustrating having the horses ready to rumble and now faced with horrendous ground conditions, unless these biblical weather fronts clear off we'll be struggling to run anything this side of Christmas.

20th November 2012

Ballingary, Knight Of Noir, Frankenstorm, Shantou gelding, Kayf Tara Filly, Robin Des Champs, Virtuoso Rouge all went to the grass, I had planned to back off a few of these but they are so well we thought we'd keep at them and see where we are mid December. If they continue to take the work we may a run a few in January. I have no problems with Milborne St Andrew and have ridden there myself. It is a fine track but often soft ground. Richard Barber tends to farm it, but we may go and try and beat him on his home soil. Thrope Lodge, I am told is also a good track, I haven't been there. Larkhill have failed to frame a single race for 4 year olds, as the premier track in the UK I think it is a great shame.

Shantou is a half brother to Back In Focus who won again in Ireland over the weekend - a huge update for him!

Everdon Brook won agian today at Fakenham, he is a horse I had here to help with his jumping, he certainly jumped well today. I struggle with the Yogi Brisener school of thought and what I have seen of his techniques, think that they interfere with the horse too much. In my opinion, teaching a racehorse to jump is very different than teaching an eventer. Captain Radcliffe would have gone ballistic had he seen hands being rasied off their withers, let alone held 6 inches above them going into the wings of a fence. I can vouch first hand that he was a master shot with the long-tom and the jockey would have felt it!

19th November 2012

Routine canters for most. Trouble Digger, Billy Biscuit, Glens Boy and Knockdhu jumped 9 fences. Liz Wills was here to see Trouble Digger school, all jumped well. Some will now be heading for an away gallop on Wednesday. It was busy morning, the farrier was in as was Anthony Tory. Anthony did 8 horses teeth and is supporting Movember, to say it doesn't suit him would be an understatement.

The results from Brightwells sale on Friday night bode well for us, there is no sign of anyone letting up when form horses are offered for sale. Roger Brookhouse spent £750,000 and he is the owner of Tiqris. Lets hope Tiqris delivers and Mr Brookhouse comes back for a few more.

This afternoon I treaded in the schooling ground and at evening stables we misted the barn with disinfectant, as always I feel rather satisfied when this job is completed.

Ralph Beckett and I had planned a days hunting on Wednesday with the Heythrop. Ralph has had to pull out due to work commitments so I may head on as planned. The lure of hedges in the Wednesday country is too great to resist.

17th November 2012

Ballingary, Robin Des Champs, Kinght of Noir (Winged Love), Frankenstrom (Darsi), Shantou and Virtuoso Rouge all went to the grass. We may think about running one or two of them in January so we'll press on with them until Christmas and then see where we are. Trouble Digger has a blow on the woodchip and will be on the box for an away gallop on Tuesday, as will Billy Biscuit, Knockdhu and Major Martin.

My yard man has decided to leave after 5 years as he has been offered a job as a work rider  - think he maybe looking for his job back in a day or 2. Sadly, it has already been filled and a new guy starts on Monday.

It was a good day for us as Donald McCain won the 1st and the last race at Uttoxeter with horses that have been through the yard, Supreme Asset and Up And Go. I broke them both and taught Supreme Asset to jump, we schooled over fences as there was talk possibly of him going pointing, he certainly jumped well today. Up And Go came here to be broken and we messed around with him as a 2 year old.

16th November 2012

Connaught Square is fine after his run, he ate up and was full of himself this morning.

Billy Biscuit, Glens Boy, Major Martin and Knockdhu all went to the grass, I had a sit on Billy Biscuit and am very pleased with him. We will get some in the lorry next week and go for an away gallop, hopefully on Tuesday. All the others had routine canters on the wood-chip. More rain forecast next week - not really required!

This afternoon Patrick Milmo and his wife called in to see their Notnowcato yearling colt. Thankfully, they appear happy with their purchase. Patrick bought him with Ed Dunlops help and he will train him, he'll be here until March/April time.

The 3 year olds are well forward and I'll be backing off them now until after Christmas, we will concentrate mainly on their schooling and give them all a chance to grow again. I don't think young horses can work hard and grow at the same time, I have proven this to myself time after time.

Last night a Bertolini filly arrived to be broken-in before she heads into training with Gary Moore next Spring.

15th November 2012

All the 3 year olds jumped in the school this morning, they all jumped with great enthusiasm and will head out on to the schooling ground next week. The others all had routine canters before we headed off to Ludlow.

Connuaght Sqaure ran really well, given a lovely ride by Sam finishing second. He was beaten by a horse that has been Hunt Balls work companion. Connaught Square has done nothing but improve with each run and I am sure he is still on an upward curve. I will look at the sales dates and the chances are he will head to the next one. Rather satifying, an Irish p2p winner was along way behind him.

It was a good day out and I bumped in to The Blazeys who own Chiquilline, the reports were good and he has settled in with Richard Lee, he could be seen on the racecourse in a couple of weeks. I am sure he'll pay his way and give them all a lot of fun.

14th November 2012

An easy day for those that went to the grass yesterday. Network Rouge and the Shantou 4 year old went to the grass today. Connaught Square had a blow on the all weather and is heading to Ludlow tomorrow.

A Medicean filly arrived from Shutford Stud and seems sweet, I'll get her started tomorrow. Sam is in in the morning, we will get all the 3 year olds jumping in the arena again.

Frankie must feel totally ashamed of himself and what a same for the racing industry. As a role model for so many - not a good example!

13 November 2012

Glens Boy, Major Martin, Trouble Digger, Max Ward (Milan 3 yr old), Billy Biscuit, Winged Love 3 yr old, Kayf Tara Filly, Laveron 3 yr old, Robin Des Champs, Darsi 3 yr old, Knockdhu and Ballingary 3 yr old all went to the grass. Tomorrow Network Rouge and Shantou 3 yr old will go over there. It is a long slog of a day when we take 3 lots to the grass gallops and I was still riding around the school after 1 p.m. After which I had to start on 7 youngsters which are here to break-in. To say it has been a long day would be an understatement. Corners can't be cut in this job and I am a firm believer in the expression "you get out what you put in".

Robin Des Champs foals were in demand in Ireland yesterday and 3 of the top 5 lots were sired by him. Our lad looks very good value and I wouldn't swap him. I rode him on the grass this morning and am very pleased with him - I hadn't sat on him for 4 weeks. I also rode Max Ward the 3 year old by Milan, he has come on a lot too. 2 weeks on Sunday and it all gets under way for us - I can't wait.

Tomorrow, a filly arrives from Shutford Stud to be broken-in, she will stay here for sometime as Tim Rootes the owner is never in a rush and tends to leave his horses here for all the pre-training, we can get them up to race fitness and charge considerably less than most higher profile trainers.

12th November 2012

Routine canters for most. Billy Biscuit and Glens Boy jumped 6 fences. Had I has realised how wet the schooling ground has become I would have waited a  day or 2.

I received a text from Johnson White - assistant trainer to Phillip Hobbs, Tiqris is entered in the bumper at Cheltenham on Sunday, they must think as much of him as we did. I hope he lives up to expectations and delivers. It would be fab to have produced a Cheltenham winner. I may even go and watch him after Sholto has finished his rugby training.

Connaught Square will head to Ludlow on Thursday, he is in good nick, he will be bounced out in the hope that he settles in front.

Ralph Beckett gave us a fantastic lunch yesterday and I hope he has sold all the yearlings he paraded. It was great to see some old mates. Geoffrey Pooley was in attendance, Geoffrey has been a friend for a long time and we have enjoyed some great times together mostly on the ski slopes or in public houses! He is always at the forefront of any trouble and is famous for being arrested for throwing oranges at David Blane when he decided to lock himself in a glass box suspended from a crane in London.

10th November 2012

Connaught Square worked on our grass, he is most likely to go to Ludlow on Thursday. He should get his ground. I would imagine it will be less competitive than the maiden bumper at Taunton where the big boys are sure to run something decent. He is also at Newcastle - we won't be going there but will watch with interest as Charlie sold Up And Go as a store in Doncaster. Apparently, he is a machine and Charlie regrets it on a regular basis.

All the others had routine canters on the woodchip. There is nothing too much for the 3 year olds in January so we are in no major panic to start upping the anti with their work. They are all doing plenty anyhow and we will concentrate on their schooling for a few weeks.

This morning I started the 2 horses that arrived from Whitsbury Stud yesterday, a filly by Nayef and a colt by Compton Place. Both seem fine.

I was pressured into going to Stow last night and was relieved to see that rugby club humour hasn't changed. It was a fun evening and I bailed out at 10.30 p.m.

Sophie blames me when the children swear - guilty! I blame Sophie when Tilly aged 7 constantly asks me for cash! She has certainly learnt something from her mother.

Sholto will miss his rugby training tomorrow as we are all off to Ralph Beckett's for a parade of yearlings followed by lunch.

9th November 2012

Trouble Digger and Knockdhu worked and jumped 8 fences. Both pleased me and we are on target to run them both at Whitfield. Knockdhu will be having no more than an educational run, if he's good enough to win he can do. He will not be knocked about under any circumstances. He still has a lot of maturing to do. Trouble Digger has hopefully a long season in front of him and he won't be fully wound up either.

We then jumped all the 3 year olds over poles in the school, they will all do that a few more times before heading out onto the schooling ground. All jumped well.

Billy Biscuit and Glens Boy jumped 8 hurdles and 9 fences. Glens Boy is a handicapper and Billy Biscuit did it well. He'll get plenty more schooling before he runs.

This evening I disinfected the stables and barn with my mister - always very satisfying.

I am suffering from man flu and feel dreadful so I have bailed out of supper at the rugby club and am off to bed.

8th November 2012

Robin Des Champs, Connaught Square, Shantou, Billy Biscuit, Glens Boy, Laveron, Major Martin, Darsi, Winged Love, Kayf Tara Filly, Ballingary and Milan 3 year old all went to the grass and did varying degrees of work. I am pleased with all. If he keeps eating and taking his work Major Martin may head to Newcastle for a 3 year old bumper just before Christmas. There is also a Maiden Bumper there which Connaught Sqaure will be entered in at the end of next week, he will also have an entry in a maiden bumper at Taunton next week too. If we don't get some dry weather he won't be going anywhere. The forecast looks to be in his favour at the moment.

This afternoon I went to watch Tilly do her first Cross Country running at St Hughes prep school near Faringdon. She laboured a bit mid race but ran her heart out when I went out on to the course to encourage her, she really enjoyed it, as did I. Kitebrook were not the worse.

The Weekender has dropped it's coverage on P2Ps which is of course very sad and hugely disappointing for the sport in general. Before long everything will be digital anyhow.

Sam and I are taking 2 older horses away for a gallop first thing, on our return we will ride the 3 year olds over some poles in the school. 

7th November 2012

A relatively easy day for those that had their backs looked at yesterday and all went for quiet canters. I have a full brother to Megastar in at the moment.  He has come to broken-in and ridden around for 6 weeks prior to going back to the paddocks. He is a giant, I don't think I've seen a 2 year old that is so big. He will hopefully be as good as Megastar. Megastar lost his way a bit after winning the Liverpool bumper but he's still young enough and could easily bag another big prize somewhere.

Tomorrow we will be working horses on our grass, the last 2 days have been great drying days and the ground is perfect.

I've received an email saying my planner has been dispatched and tomorrow evening I shall enjoy seeing what races I shall pencil in my mind for some of the horses.

06 November 2012

Connaught Square, Robin Des Champs, Kayf Tara 3 year old, Darsi 3 year old, Trouble Digger, Knockdhu, Winged Love 3 year old, Major Martin, Glens Boy, Ballingary 3 year old and Billy Biscuit worked on the all weather. I am pleased with them all and we'll just keep bringing them along slowly. The P2P planner should be with me early next week or even the end of this and I will start to pencil in some options for them all. I think the 3 year olds are more forward this year due only to the weather.

Anthony Webber was here to go over all the backs of the horses and he treated 14 of them. Only one of them required no treatment. Anthony is one of the best in the business and I have every faith in his work. Many of them are charlatans. He was taught by the legend Ronnie Longford. It is something I do at regular intervals and I believe that it is money very well spent. If I have any doubt about any he is my first call, sometimes before the vet.

What a great day for Kings Theatre, Cue Card, Theatre Guide and Banjaxed Girl in Ireland. Billy Biscuit's grand dam was a full sister to the grand dam of Theatre Guide - it all helps. Banjaxed Girl is a filly that I broke-in, she was one of the slowest mental developers I have ever known but she is some racehorse. Her form speaks for itself. Cue Card is a great example of a horse that has now learnt to race. I often worry about our horses running too free. I have learnt that the cause of it is more by inexperience rather than bad training. Training on hills doesn't help this either, we are all going too fast too soon to get the work into them. With the weather as it is, this year we should be able to overcome this to some degree, we will be able to do so much more on the longer grass gallop. I wish I had a field full of 2 year olds by Kings Theatre.

5th Novemebr 2012

What a day yesterday, 0.75 of an inch of rain in 24 hours. To say it was wet would be an understatement! Sholto's rugby was cancelled - no wonder the youth of today are so soft! We would have been running around in skins 35 years ago, how teaching has changed, not all for the better.

The planned away gallops have fallen through as the gallops are too wet and the owner obvioulsy doesn't want them destroyed. I may try and arrange something else and have my thinking cap on.

All horses had routine canters on the wood-chip this morning, I put Sam off until Wednesday as the schooling ground would have been sodden. Mondays are always more of a slog than normal as the horses are only skipped out on Sundays, on Monday the beds take some sorting.

Ralph Beckett sent his lorry for 3 more yearlings this morning, it will be back tomorrow for the last 3.

3rd November 2012

All the horses stayed on the wood-chip this morning, I am "filling them up" as next week there will be some away gallops - well, swinging canters. We are keen to capitalise on the current ground conditions and it is all great experience to get the youngsters in the lorry and away for something different. They also have plenty of time to think about it afterwards as the 3 year olds are still some way off racing. Sam will be here at some point on Monday and we will school some of the pre-Christmas runners.

Any doubts I had about Trouble Digger's well being were soon squashed this morning as I watched him tank up the all weather with him in complete control of his jockey. He took the jockey for a ride rather than the jockey taking him. I never worry about older horses doing such a thing and actually think it does them no harm at all, it is important horses are happy in their work and if that means taking the piss out of one or two riders on the odd occasion then so be it. Had it of happened on one of the youngsters the chances are that someone would have been in Heathrow tonight looking for a flight to India or Ukraine.

What an amazing days racing, some real talent coming through the ranks, sadly, they the lions share of it seems to be in Somerset. It gets a bit boring listening to Paul Nicholls by Christmas. As I am now a firm watcher of ATR and RUK their program is so full of races from all meeting I won't have to listen to him quite so much. We all know he is a brilliant trainer and handles the quality horses amazingly. Sam works full time for Hilary Parrot and has played a huge part with Wayward Prince, I was delighted for him that he ran so well in The Charlie Hall, finishing second behind a very good horse indeed. All credit goes to Sam.

The first 3 Hunters Certificates were sent off to the owners this morning for signing - pressure builds by the day. The day I don't get wound up by the anticipation of it all will be the day I quit. Sadly, for my staff I show my fear and worry by roaring at them for any imperfections. All bar Alice have now been here for 3-5 years and know me too well. Dogs and bites come to mind! Alice is a god send, she knows her job and is a huge asset to the team.

2nd November 2012

Routine canters for most on the woodchip. All the horses that have been stepping up on the work front seem to be taking it well. I couldn't be happier with them all.

Ralph Beckett is sending his lorry up for 9 O'clock in the morning to take the first batch of yearlings home. Three horses will arrive from Overbury Stud mid morning, filling the stables that have been vacated. Ralph's Kodiac and Dandy Man were ridden in the school for the first time today and both behaved well.

Next week we will start to ride some of the 3 year olds over some poles in the school before progressing to the schooling ground. I am a big fan of schooling and will school the horses on Mondays and Thursdays most, if not every week.

My bookeeper was here all day yesterday and the end result is rather depressing, the cost of bedding, feed and staff has become crippling. If I went on Dragons Den I would not be holding my breath for investment!

1st Novemeber 2102

Network Rouge, Darsi 3 year old, Shantou 3 year old, Kayf Tara 3 year old filly, Virtuoso Rouge, Robin Des Champs 3 year old all went and cantered quietly through on the grass twice.

Glens Boy and Knockdhu schooled, I rode Glens Boy and Sam Knockdhu. As you may expect I made Sam look very moderate and untidy!

Tim Curtis was here to watch his Presenting gelding, Billy Biscuit canter through on the grass 3 times with Ballingary and Major Martin. We are in agreement that we will start Billy off in a p2p. I have the Barbury Castle and Chaddesley Corbett meetings in December as possible starting places. He won't want soft ground and won't be forced to either race, he will be the judge and if he keeps taking his work as well as he is he could easily be ready in time for Barbury. I'd have loved to have started him at Whitfield but I would have to force him and I don't do that with any of them. Charlie, my assistant and Chis Palmer, Charlie's assistant were also over seeing everything this morning. Major Martin may be aimed at a 3 year old bumper before Christmas if he keeps progressing.

This afternoon was satisfying in the sense that I got silly jobs done, new light bulbs from Chipping Norton, filled the tractor and lorry with diesel and treaded in the schooling fences. Tom Campbell was here to see how Sergeant Thunder's hobday has healed, it has healed and he will start back tomorrow.

Trouble Digger seems fine today, his temperature is now normal and he has eaten up all day, he will have a light canter tomorrow.

Thank goodness Kauto Star has been retired in one piece, nothing worse than seeing greats like him being pulled up.

31st October 2012

An easy day for all those that went to the grass yesterday, other had routine canters or were ridden around the school.

I was saddened to read about Fergie Sutherland's death, Sophie and I know his daughter Rosie very well, she is in fact godmother to Panda. He was a great horseman and I remember Imperial Calls Gold Cup as if it were yesterday, Conor O'Dwyer who rode him was a fantastic jockey and in my mind one of the best.

This afternoon was spent back in front of the computer, typical of the end of the month.

Tomorrow, Glens Boy will now lead Knockdhu schooling, Trouble Digger wasn't as bright as normal this morning and has a slightly raised temperature, he will be on the easy list until it returns to normal. He had his head firmly in the feed pot this evening so I don't think there is too much wrong with him. On the back of this we will be monitoring all the horses more closely than normal and anything that doesn't lick its feed bowl clean will have its temperature taken.

30th October 2012

Connaught Square, Winged Love, Shantou, Kayf Tara Filly, Sergent Thunder, Network Rouge, Ballingary, Robin Des Champs, Virtuoso Rouge, Darsi, Trouble Digger, Billy Biscuit, Gelns Boy and Knockdhu all went to the grass. It is a huge bonus to be able to get on it at this time of year, this time last year it was like a road and we hardly used it at all. I expect I could count the times we used it last year on one hand. We've already been on it half a dozen times this year. All the legs feel great tonight and it remains an exciting time of year.

Once morning stables were all done and dusted Peter and I went and put the fences out. Trouble Digger and Knockdhu will be schooling on Thursday. I then spent the rests of the afternoon on my computer doing paper work.

I have appealed against the decision not to allow the name Yousaybolt and wait in anticipation to see if they will allow it.

29th October 2012

A routine morning for most horses, Sergey rode Notnowcato, Dandy Man and the Kodiac colts in the lunge pen, all were well behaved.

I reserved the name Yousaybolt for my Milan gelding only for it to be thrown out after further checks. Apparently, Usain Bolt has already been reserved and the BHA think Yousaybolt is too similar. Very annoying for me as I thought it was a great name. I would question whether or not Usain Bolt ever is used, permission from the man himself will have to be granted. Maybe Clare Balding knows Usain Bolt and could contact him, for the man in the street it would not be an easy task.

It has been a day of little disappointments, The Revenue won't allow our partnership to enter into an EIS. We are scuppered by the racing aspect of our operation and were hoping to get some tax relief on our investment. They clearly know that most owners of racehorses lose money and it would open a whole new can of worms if they were seen to be giving tax relief on such investments. I think school fees and costs incurred by owning racehorses should get tax relief. After all, children are the future of this country.

These are all minor irritations, the horses are well and there is plenty to look forward to.

27th October 2012

All the horses did varying degrees of work on the woodchip. We were cantering into a very cold north wind so some didn't do as much as I may have liked.

We sat on the Dandy Man, Kodiac and Notnowcato colts in their stables. Dandy Man is fairly handy with his front legs, Notnowcato is very nervous and the Kodiac seems straight forward.

I have mixed views with the new Channel 4 racing team. I have known Clare Balding for years as she used to ride in p2ps when I did. What I know of her she is a very nice person, on television I find her overpowering. There is no doubt she is extremely knowledgeable and obviously exceptional at her job, I just don't like listening to her. I've never liked Alastair Down, he is too smug for my liking and I am pleased I won't have to watch or listen to him anymore. I took an immediate disliking to him after he wrote about Red Marauder Grand National. Since, I have struggled to read anything he has written. As for John Francome, he choose not to be considered for the new team, this is a great loss in my mind. He is always worth listening to and I shall miss him. Clare Balding is very pleased with Clare Balding and Nick Luck is very pleased with Nick Luck, I shall be watching RUK and ATR. I have no feeling towards Big Mac, the betting side of things has never really interested me.

Tomorrow, is the horses day off. I shall be mucking out and putting various horses on the walker before heading off with Sholto to rugby training, after which we are all going out to lunch at my sisters house.

26th October 2012

Network Rouge, the apple of my eye, not only is he by a great sire I am the only one to have ridden him. He is pretty sharp and it would be easy for someone to drive him mad, if anyone is going to do so it will be me.

Double Trigger and Connaught Square had their easy day, Billy Biscuit, Knockdhu loose schooled and Glens Boy had to keep grafting, he is too heavy and takes his work very well.  When compared to younger horses all trainers are harder on the older ones, they know what it is all about and it can they take a bit more work to get them ready.

The team in full cry, half term is on us and it was all hands on deck. Thankfully, only Panda is sitting down and none of the horses.

 Billy Biscuit makes a lovely shape!

Shantou thinks he knows it all after 5 days in the loose school.

Tomorrow, it is back to the gallop, a few of the horses are starting to lose their concentration and think they know more than they do. We will now pick and choose which ones we go back in there with, others will start to jump with jockeys on their backs.

All the yearlings are behaving, all but 3 are now hacking around the arena. Double Trigger and Knockdhu had hair cuts. This evening we did our fortnightly fogging of the barn. All the horses have to vacate their stables and I go in and blast the place out with my petrol powered mister. A irreplaceable machine.

25th October 2012

The power has been off for the last couple of hours hence the late posting.

Trouble Digger, Knockdhu, Billy Biscuit, Glens Boy and Connaught Square went to the grass. It is great cantering these horses on the grass fantasising what you may be sat on. I rode Trouble Digger and he is flying it. All the others are going well and I can't wait for the P2Ps to get started. Any regular reader will know we hope to have our first runners at Whitfield.

Sam was in this morning and stayed on to watch all the 3 year olds loose school, he was very excited by the time he left and he sure has a nice bunch of horses to ride this coming season. Most if not all of ours will start in P2Ps. Charlie and I are trying to produce horses for the future. It is all well and good throwing them in at the deep end and targeting bumpers. I have no doubt some are going to be good enough to take that route, however, when doing so you have to train them so much harder and that isn't always the best policy when trying to produce horses for the future.

Charlie Oakshot telephoned today to book in a filly by Nayef and a colt by Exceed and Excel. It is always nice to be asked to have horses for someone like Charlie, he is hugely respected in the bloodstock world and it can only be good for my business to be given the opportunity to work for people like Charlie.

24th October 2012

Charlie and Chris Palmer were here to see all the babies in the loose school. They are all natural jumpers and there isn't one I would be afraid to drive on into a open ditch. Plenty of schooling to look forward to. This is one of the most exciting time of year as we are starting to see them really developing and strengthening up. Just hope one or two of them have Rolls Royce engines!

Antony Tory was here to do 7 sets of teeth. It has been a typical busy day there isn't much to report. I have a heap of paper work to get through this evening and need to get stuck into it.

Sam is here tomorrow, once we've finished riding we will be going to the grass gallop to put the fences out.

23 October 2012

Above, Major Martin went in the loose school as did all the other 3 year olds bought in Doncaster or Ireland in the spring. As you can see we don't start them over anything too big to begin with, as the week progresses the height is raised and in fills are placed under the poles.

Above, pictures of Vazaro Delafayette, this is the 3 year old by Robin Des Champs. He isn't bending his back too well in the top picture, again by the end of the week he will be making a much better shape. He's a lovely horse and needs time.

These pictures are of the Shantou 4 year old, he remains unnamed as yet. The loose school is an absolute wonderful facility and the horses love it. In 6 years I have only had 1 horse who disliked it, he did dislike most things though.

Trouble Digger, Billy Biscuit, Glens Boy and Knockdhu went to the grass for 3 canters. Knockdhu will go to Whitfield for the maiden and Trouble Digger may take his chance in the restricted.

All the yearlings were ridden around the lunge pen or the school, the last 3 arrivals were long reined in full tack. We will think about sitting on them early part of next week.

A horse I sold named Theatrical Star ran a great race at Exeter today finishing 3rd in his first start over fences. Jo Tizzard gave him a smashing ride and he is one to watch next time. Jo wasn't hard on him and he will surely come on heaps for the experince.

I have just read on Bailey's Blog that Kim has a shooting lesson tomorrow, I am clearly doing something wrong and Kim needs no lessons, he is a hell of a shot. I stood besides him a couple of years back and didn't see him miss much, if anything.

22nd October 2012

Virtuoso Rouge, Vazaro Delafayette, Network Rouge, Billy Biscuit, Major Martin, Knockdhu,  Shantou 4 year old, Ballingary 3 year old, Darsi 3 year old and Winged Love 3 year old all had their first day in the loose school. All seem to be natural and willing jumpers. Knockdhu has done plenty of it before and is very accurate, they never forget.

Sergey rode the Proud Citizen and the Bushranger colts in the lunge pen and they both behaved well. The colt by High Chaparral is typical of his sire and an absolute playboy, he has no malice in him at all but thinks it is great fun to rear, he unseated Sergey this morning.

I received an email last night from a young lad looking for rides and have copied it below. I thought my punctuation and spelling was bad!

My name is ............. I am looking for work I will be pointing this season and I would like to know If you had any work available to increase my experience both on the ground and on horse back I have ridden for a few trainers before such as ............. it has been a dream of mine to run my own horses and now I'm going to ride them but I want to give them as good a ride as hopefully they will give me I obviously am offering my grafting hands around the yard and my up most respected at all time I don't know how this would work with you or if indeed it Is something you are interested in but as I am going to have my licence to ride my own horses I am willing to race ride any horses free of charge to help out both my self with extra time in the saddle and your self with a free jockey I really would love the opportunity to ride for you at home and at the race track please contact me if you have anything available it would be much appreciated or if you know anyone that might be


Many thanks

It is extremely kind of him to be willing to race ride my horses free of charge!! When I stared out like many others we would have walked the length and breath of the country to get a ride..........I used to drive a round trip of 130 miles every Saturday and Sunday riding out and schooling for John Porter in the hope that I may get a ride. If I was lucky John gave me a fiver towards petrol every fortnight. I am not sure who is guiding the young lads today but they have no chance of making a go of it they approach it like this, I find it all rather depressing that no one is helping these lads and teaching them the right way to go about things. Give credit where it is due, he should be complimented for trying his best and for making contact with owners and trainers. His letter however, doesn't send the right messages. Sam has been riding out here once a week, some lunchtimes and some Sundays for 2 years, he's never had payment and as a result now has 15 point to pointers to ride.

20th October 2012

Double Trouble, Billy Biscuit, Gelns Boy, Knockdhu and the Ballingary 3 year went back to the grass and cantered through 2 or 3 times. All horses felt well. The others had routine canters on the woodchip or went into the school.

The yearlings that arrived yesterday were long reined with a roller, some approved more than others. Sergey sat on the Proud Citizen and the Bushranger colts in their stables, neither of them did anything wrong.

Watching Frankel was very emotional, not only is he the best racehorse ever to walk the whole story of Sir Henry Cecil suffering with cancer makes it all the more great. He really is a genius and his handling of Frankel has been something else. The racing from Cheltenham was competitive and got the season off in good style. We ran a horse there last year in the bumper and the ground was rock hard, to get soft ground for the meeting was a huge bonus and the number of runners was testament to it. Cavite Beta, a horse we sold to Alan Potts ran well finishing 4th.

Tomorrow Venetia Williams is popping in to see some horses on her way to Kempton.

19th October 2012

A routine morning for the horses, most cantered and Connaught Square stretched his legs last time up. All of the horses that went to the grass yesterday seem fine and it is interesting to see how it affects them mentally, it gives them something to think about and it is all part of the growing up process.

Tomorrow, Ballingary, Trouble Digger, Glens Boy, Knockdhu and Billy Biscuit will go back over there, the ground is so good it seems silly not to use it when we can. Ballingary's owners will be there to watch him.

A colt by Dandy Man and another by Kodiac arrived this morning, tomorrow a Notnowcato colt arrives. He has been bought by Patrick Milmo QC who sat in the big Kieran Fallon legal case some years back. I can't remember if he prosecuted him or represented him. I have had 3 if not 4 horses for Mr Milmo, he is a great owner, who much to my amusement always asks me if I remember him.

Sholto has spent the evening watching the racing replays on RUK from Cheltenham, he has beaten and pushed the equicizer into submission, it now needs a day or two off to recover.

18th October 2012

The dreams started this morning, Billy Biscuit, Major Martin, Trouble Digger, Glens Boy, Knockdhu and 3 year olds by Kayf Tara, Robin Des Champs, Ballingary, Winged Love and Laveron all went over to the grass for a couple of quiet canters. The ground was beautiful and all horses enjoyed themselves. None were pressed into doing anything other than canters, however, you get a feel of them and I was very pleased with the ones I rode. Sam, Alice and Sergey were also pleased with their lots. Sadly, not all will be stars - the dream is still alive for all of them and they are currently all unbeaten!!! Trea and Alan Newell were here to watch their Kayf Tara filly and seemed happy with her progress. The plan will be to aim her at a mares only maiden, I am very much looking forward to the planner being published so I can get some mental targets for all of them.

Now we have reached this stage of the year getting out of bed is easier than normal, there is so much to look forward to, it's great, on mornings like this morning I wouldn't swap anything.

Paul Nicholls was interviewed on Racing UK this afternoon and spoke highly of the benefits of educating horses in the p2p field. I like him are not sure why more people don't do it with big backward 4 and 5 year olds. I am convinced the trends will change back to how they once were, 4 and 5 year olds educated in the p2p field will be sort after. It is all well and good racing 3 and 4 year olds but to compete under rules for many of them is too big an ask and they break or their hearts are broken. Due to bloodlines and pressures of training at such a young age the thoroughbred is becoming very fragile.

17th October 2012

Charlie was in and rode out 2 lots, most horses had routine canters. 2 yearlings arrived, 1 by Bushranger the other is by Proud Citizen. Sergey sat on the yearling by High Chaparral and he behaved beautifully.

I took Knockdhu over to the grass and let him lob up there once. The ground is safe and we will take a heap over there tomorrow, they will all canter through quietly. It is always amazing how much they come on from just going over there and having a few quiet canters. I am setting next week aside and all the 3 year olds will spend it loose schooling.

When I was riding Knockdhu back from the grass a rather unruly whippet decided it would be fun to chase after me and bite his heels. The owner was some 400 metres away whistling at the dog. It was clearly totally out of control and never been disciplined in its life. I walked the horse in circles growling at the dog and waited for her to catch up to retrieve it. She then gave it a doggy treat. Much to her disgust I suggested that she gave it a bloody good hiding and no more treats! Any animal without manners is dangerous and people who don't understand them shouldn't have them.

We are in 2 minds whether or not to run Connaught Square in another bumper, we certainly won't hurdle him as we will want to leave that option for his next owner. There is a maiden bumper at Taunton in early November and that maybe his next port of call before the Cheltenham sales.

16th October 2012

Routine canters for most of the horses. I lent over Ralph Beckett's High Chaparral yearling and will sit on him in the stable tomorrow. Sam has been asked to ride for Ralph on Thursday at Uttoxeter, he is riding a horse named Its A Privilege. The horse was here for some loose schooling sometime ago and Sam did a lot of the work on him. Another example of making your own luck. He looked like he was going to win last time he ran, it will be great for Sam if he can get his head in front.

Valley Queen won at Windsor yesterday, she is another horse I pre-trained for Verity Bourne. The Racing Post failed to put my success box in today's paper, it is always annoying when this happens and they claim my request to add her to my list was in their junk mail box. Anyway, by way of compensating me they will give me my next one FOC. Lets hope it is used on Its A Privilege.

The clippers are now starting to work overtime and we are making in roads into breaking the back of them. A Black Sam Bellamy filly arrived today, she has terrible mud fever and we will have to get that under control be fore we do much with her. Peroxide is the only thing I know that kills the bacteria that causes it. Tomorrow another yearling arrives form the Newmarket sales, the yard is nearly at full capacity. I am yet to turn any horse away and have in the past housed 50 horses at anyone time, I have always been told and worked on the basis that there are 24 hours in a day and busy people make time.

15 October 2012

Being Monday all the horses had 2 canters, Charlie was in to see his lot. Deep Trouble has returned to his trainer, I shall look forward to watching him run, he is a smashing horse by a Shantou, a sire who is becoming more popular. He too is by Alleged, the same sire as Flemensfirth, with these blood lines they are tricky customers but good racehorses.

I was very saddened to read on the Racing Post App last night of the loss of Jack Bowlby, his father Micheal supplies me with all my haylage and shavings. Jack was only 16 and at Cheltenham college, he had his whole life ahead of him and his death is a tradgey. My thoughts are with his family.

The whole world seems to be heading to Ascot at the weekend to watch Frankel, it really will be a sell out and a fantastic day for racing as a whole.

13th October 2012

All the horses had canters, a 3 year old by Ballingary went a little faster. Aiden Murphy was passing and dropped in for a chat. It is always interesting talking to people like Aiden as you can get a feel of what is happening in the National Hunt bloodstock world. He was very complimentary about horses being produced in the English point-to-points. It was nice to hear him say that Tiqris and Avidiuss Cassius wouldn't have made a penny more had they won Irish p2p's. We touched on the subject of pedigrees and it is clear that if they have the pedigree and have won an English p2p they are very attractive to buyers, without the pedigree, they will struggle and you are then forced to go one step further and take your chance in a bumper. To have a p2p win under your belt is a bonus. We as many of you know will be starting most of ours in the English p2p's.

The High Chaparral colt arrived late last night, he is a smashing individual and so he should be at a cost of 75,000 GBPs. I hope he is a good one as it would be great for Ralph to have something to compete on the big stage with. He proved what a good trainer he is with Look Here, I am sure given the horses he will be back in the winners enclosure with another Group 1 winner. His statistics are always year on year impressive when you look at winners to runners.

12th October 2012

A typical day, all the horses had routine canters and are in good health. The penny has started to drop for Deep Trouble, he is trained by Ben Case and came here for some loose schooling. He was prone to coming up from anywhere, he now pops and has a cut at the fences and no more can be asked from him. He will be sent back to his trainer on Monday.

I see that David Redvers bought a yearling for 2.5 million, the trade at the October yearling sales has been incredible and I just can't get my head around the sums of money paid for theses horses. The Green Monkey is the best example, 16.5 million dollars and couldn't get out the way of his own shadow.

I am waiting for a High Chaparral yearling to arrive and it should be here in the next hour or 2.

This evening we had all the horses out of their stables and misted the barn with disinfectant. It is something I do every 10 days and it has proved to be a very good exercise, every trainer in the country should have a machine like mine and carry out this routinely. It is expensive to do and costs me £50.00 each time. However, if the horses remain healthy it is a small price to pay. 1 trach wash is over £60.00, we do trach wash the runners if in any doubt or there has been something in the yard giving a cough. I am always nervous of vets, it is all too easy to fall into the trap of the vets training the horses. If they look well, eat well and no outward signs of ill health the vet should be kept as far away as possible.

11th October 2012

Connaught Square didn't disgrace himself, he ran too free but kept at it and there is no doubt he will win his races.

This morning a few of the youngsters stepped up their work load. Knockdhu and a 3 year old by Ballingary did a nice bit on our woodchip. Knockdhu will be aimed at Barbury Castle early December, we have been deciding whether or not to start in bumpers, he is well ahead of the game fitness wise and I will now back off him for a few weeks. He did plenty of schooling last year so he has that in the bank too. I had planned to take him to Towcester today but felt the ground was too fast. The timing of it suits, if he can get his head in front at Barbury we can offer him at the sales, if he doesn't make his reserve we will then go straight to bumpers.

A High Chaparral colt will be arriving from the Newmarket sales tomorrow and I see the million pound barrier was passed yesterday. It is mind blowing that this type of money is paid for horses.

9th October 2012

My feed has gone up 70p / bag in the space of 2 months, an increase to running costs of just under £2,000 a year. These price increases may seem insignificant to readers of this blog but it adds more pressure on small businesses like mine, what with haylage and bedding costs increases I should think I am looking at annual overall increase in running costs of circa £5,000. I am trying to do everything possible to keep my clients and encourage people into ownership of racehorses. It gets to a point where the business can not carry such costs, they ultimately have to be factored in and passed on to the owners.  Currently margins are tight and people do not have the diposable income they may have had some years ago. I do not feel that the time is right to increase my prices, in the short term I will have to accept it and carry them.

Connaught Square will run at Towcester tomorrow and it doesn't look like an easy contest. Nicky Henderson's horse is the main danger, Lawney Hill has a filly getting heaps of weight with a 10lb claimer riding. The filly hasn't been out of the placings in 3 runs. Connaught Square is in good shape and will run up to his mark.

This morning we started the clippers up, Billy Biscuit, the Laveron and Shantou geldings all had a hair cut.

Melvin Haughley telephoned to book in a Black Sam Bellamy filly, she will be broken in and ridden around for 6 weeks before heading back to the paddocks. She will be on her way down from Kelso at some point next week. I am a fan of Black Sam Bellamy and he throws very good looking horses.

Glancing at the Newmarket sales results on line, this years million pound yearling has yet to be led through the ring in Newmarket.

8th October 2012

It certainly seems like October has arrived, a wet, cold and miserable day. We had a busy morning, the farrier was in and shod a good few and Anthony Tory was here doing the teeth on 12 of them. Most horses had routine canters. Connaught Sqaure had a blow in preparation for Towcester on Wednesday. The ground is currently good to firm, good in places. I find that hard to believe with all the rain we have had, as the crow flies we aren't too far away from Towcester. He's in good nick and the vet will be here in the morning to take a precautionary trachea wash.

If the ground is safe Knockhdu will work at Towcester on Thursday.

6th October 2012

Glens Boy went quietly around the school and is a fine looking horse, his form isn't too bad either with an official rating of 119. All the horses had routine canters and Connaught Square did his last 3/4 bit of work before Towcester. The forecast is in our favour and little rain is forecast, he should get fast ground. We had just over 1 inch of rain in the last 48 hours. A few of The fields along the river are under water, it never surprises me how little rain it takes to cause floods around here. When it rains so hard as it has done of late the rain just runs off the high ground rather than being absorbed.

At 6.30 A.M an Intikhab colt arrived in the yard from Goffs yearling sales, he has been bought by Ralph Beckett and we will break him in. Trade at the yearling sales so far seems to be mind blowingly strong and value looks hard to find. The best of them is still to come and it must all kick off in Newmarket next week. How many yearlings, if any will hit the million?

Big days racing tomorrow with the highlight being The Arc.

Sophie and the kids have gone to watch Angelia Ballerina in Swindon tonight, I have no supper so am off to get an Indian take away. Tomorrow Sholto continues in his quest to be spotted by Stuart Lancaster and will be rugby training at Stow.

5th October 2012

It is flat out from flag drop in the yard at the moment with more horses arriving tomorrow. A great complaint. Jay a local girl is starting on Monday and will ride out 3 lots each morning, this will be a huge help. The horses coats are now turning and the clippers will be starting next week. Most people I speak to have already started to clip a few, we keep our horses very well rugged and are always at least a couple of week later to start than most. The fact they are still being tuned out hasn't helped, if you put heavy rugs on they sweat, so light turn out rugs are still the order of the day.

I rode the Shantou gelding today and he is cold backed, once he's moved off and settled he seems fine. He is 4 and will struggle to make the racetrack in his 4 year old career. We have decided to claim off Connaught Square, Sam will ride him. Sam is as good as any claimer out there and always tries his best.  I hope the rain stops, we had a fair drop last night and at 2 O'clock this morning it woke me up. The ground at Towcester is currently good to firm, I should think it is now good at worse. Connaught Square must have fast ground.

Glens Boy arrived, he is smashing looking horse, I am sure he can win a few staying chases for us.