It is always an early start on race days as I like to do all the medicals and make up any evening feeds before we leave. After 2 quick lots we headed off to Folkestone, it's a long way from Chipping Norton! I had gone down there thinking that Cavite Gamma would run a competitive race. Having run routine tests that showed him to be in good health we were hopeful that he'd show us he was the horse we once thought he was. Anyhow he was hugely disappointing and Sam Drinkwater said he was always holding onto nothing and as soon as he asked him to move up into the race he emptied. I have no explanation for his poor performance and think that we have come to the end of the road with him. Charlie is not interested in handicapping him as that is not Charlie's policy. He wants to train horses to prove and sell on. Gamma is a huge disappointment as we really thought he was a machine. Everything he does at home is hugely impressive but sadly it's a different story on the racecourse.
I am so lucky to work with Charlie as he has seen it all before and knows only too well how horses make one look stupid. I couldn't imagine trying to explain everything to an owner who doesn't understand the difficulties trainers are faced with on a daily basis.
It can only get better!
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
30th January 2012
17.5 mm of rain last week. I am rather sad and my prayers where answered at Christmas when I got a rain gauge from Panda, my youngest daughter.
The horses were all rather fresh with it being Monday morning. I always like to them behaving like that on a Monday as it's a good sign of their well being.
Today was pretty much routine without too much to report. Michelle Hayward was in to massage one horse.
Andrew Robertson QC is staying over night as he decided at 3 O'clock this afternoon that he would come to Folkestone tomorrow to watch Cavite Gamma run. Andrew specialises in "murder" cases, he also lead the prosecution in the Darwin canoe case. I've known Andrew for a good few years now, having met him at a party. I encouraged him into part ownership of a racehorse. He now has a small share in plenty!
Cavite Gamma's race looks as if there it at least 2 to beat, Nicky Henderson's being the one I fear most.
The horses were all rather fresh with it being Monday morning. I always like to them behaving like that on a Monday as it's a good sign of their well being.
Today was pretty much routine without too much to report. Michelle Hayward was in to massage one horse.
Andrew Robertson QC is staying over night as he decided at 3 O'clock this afternoon that he would come to Folkestone tomorrow to watch Cavite Gamma run. Andrew specialises in "murder" cases, he also lead the prosecution in the Darwin canoe case. I've known Andrew for a good few years now, having met him at a party. I encouraged him into part ownership of a racehorse. He now has a small share in plenty!
Cavite Gamma's race looks as if there it at least 2 to beat, Nicky Henderson's being the one I fear most.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
29th January 2012
A lye in this morning, I don't get up until 6.30, on Sunday I feed round at 7 instead of 5.30 as in the week. I rode out Cavite Gamma and popped him over 6 flights of hurdles before cantering 7 furlongs on the grass gallop. He'll have a light canter tomorrow before he runs on Tuesday. Charlie has a 3 year old by Ballingary on his farm and he's managed to give himself a nasty cut low down on his near hind. I went over and helped clean up the wound and left his groom with 5 days of antibiotic.
Sophie, all the kids and I went to have lunch with Ralph and Izzy Beckett. I first met Ralph when he was assistant to Peter Walwyn, we ended up sharing a cottage in Ashbury for 6 years. That cottage could tell many stories! Ralph is a very good friend and is Sholto's godfather. I remember early on when Ralph started training, he took on Windsor House Stables when Peter Walwyn retired. Ralph came home for lunch, put his head in his hands on the kitchen table and asked me " what the F**K have I done", another owner had decided to place his horse with another trainer rather than leave it with Ralph. I tried to reassure him that he'd be fine and that he had to expect that and not to take it personally. He now trains over 100 horses and owns his training facilities.
I remember that afternoon with fondness, Ralph has done incredibly well and deserves all the success he has. He is fantastic with his owners and works very hard. His ratio of winners to runners is always high and to me there is no better gauge of a trainer than that statistic. Ralph was one of the first people to give me a leg-up when I set up my business and I'll always be grateful to him for that support in the early days. With the current economic climate Ralph doesn't buy as many yearlings as he used to on spec. It was nothing for him to buy 15-20 yearlings on spec and he'd send a large number of them to me to be broken- in.
I've just made some entires for Tweseldown and Larkhill but the weather could scupper them all. The forecast I've seen looks as if it's going to get very cold towards the end of the week.
Sophie, all the kids and I went to have lunch with Ralph and Izzy Beckett. I first met Ralph when he was assistant to Peter Walwyn, we ended up sharing a cottage in Ashbury for 6 years. That cottage could tell many stories! Ralph is a very good friend and is Sholto's godfather. I remember early on when Ralph started training, he took on Windsor House Stables when Peter Walwyn retired. Ralph came home for lunch, put his head in his hands on the kitchen table and asked me " what the F**K have I done", another owner had decided to place his horse with another trainer rather than leave it with Ralph. I tried to reassure him that he'd be fine and that he had to expect that and not to take it personally. He now trains over 100 horses and owns his training facilities.
I remember that afternoon with fondness, Ralph has done incredibly well and deserves all the success he has. He is fantastic with his owners and works very hard. His ratio of winners to runners is always high and to me there is no better gauge of a trainer than that statistic. Ralph was one of the first people to give me a leg-up when I set up my business and I'll always be grateful to him for that support in the early days. With the current economic climate Ralph doesn't buy as many yearlings as he used to on spec. It was nothing for him to buy 15-20 yearlings on spec and he'd send a large number of them to me to be broken- in.
I've just made some entires for Tweseldown and Larkhill but the weather could scupper them all. The forecast I've seen looks as if it's going to get very cold towards the end of the week.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
28th January 2012
An early start, 6 lots and off to Cheltenham for the sale. Tom Campbell was in to trach wash Charlie's runner on Tuesday. The wash is clean so it's all systems go for Cavite Gamma on Tuesday at Folkestone. I'll pop him over a few hurdles in the morning and that will be him. He's a very clean winded horse and doesn't need a blow before his races. He's fit and I hope he proves to be the horse we once thought he was. We've had genuine excuse for him after his last 2 runs.
Sadly the filly didn't sell and there was no bid for her, it is so hard to move these little horses on and I feel for the owners, they don't even cover the stallion fees let alone costs they incur from birth to 4 years old. Brightwells do a fantastic job at the sales and their team of staff are helpful beyond the call of duty. They lay on a fantastic lunch for all the vendors, potential purchasers and any grooms. They are a fine example to other companies some of which forget who is keeping them employed.
Paul Webber bought lot 10 by Oscar. I've bought him home as Paul has asked me to have him for a few days just to see what he's like. I always enjoy the sales, although it makes for a longer day than normal it is nice to catch up with people and see some friendly faces. The industry we work in is pretty special in that way.
Sophie, my wife has joined a choir and has attended two rehearsals, she's practiced plenty around the house but has now lost her voice, my live has suddenly become much more peaceful!!!!!! Sophie is an amazing singer and I am looking forward to seeing her in the concert in a few weeks time.
Sadly the filly didn't sell and there was no bid for her, it is so hard to move these little horses on and I feel for the owners, they don't even cover the stallion fees let alone costs they incur from birth to 4 years old. Brightwells do a fantastic job at the sales and their team of staff are helpful beyond the call of duty. They lay on a fantastic lunch for all the vendors, potential purchasers and any grooms. They are a fine example to other companies some of which forget who is keeping them employed.
Paul Webber bought lot 10 by Oscar. I've bought him home as Paul has asked me to have him for a few days just to see what he's like. I always enjoy the sales, although it makes for a longer day than normal it is nice to catch up with people and see some friendly faces. The industry we work in is pretty special in that way.
Sophie, my wife has joined a choir and has attended two rehearsals, she's practiced plenty around the house but has now lost her voice, my live has suddenly become much more peaceful!!!!!! Sophie is an amazing singer and I am looking forward to seeing her in the concert in a few weeks time.
Friday, 27 January 2012
27th January 2012
It has been a relentless day. I rode 6 lots out before taking the Kayf Tara filly to Cheltenham for her vetting. She sailed through and I left James in Cheltenham over night to look after her. James will breeze her in the morning and i'll rush back there as soon as I finished riding out in the morning.
Michelle Hayward came in this morning to massage 2 horses that get a little tight. They do not suffer from tying- up and their muscle enzymes as well within the normal parameters. I have tried various treatments for this type of problem and Michelle certainly helps them more than most, I am also a fan of magnetic rugs and both horses live in them. When she starts treating a new horse I have her every other day for a week and if I see a noticeable change for the better she then treats them twice weekly. I would recommend Michelle to anyone.
On route back from Cheltenham I dropped in at the vets and picked up my young horse who responded to the drugs really well. He'll have an easy week before we start getting him back into full again.
When I came home I put a race on Attheraces website. Sholto my 5 year old son told me who won and who was second before they had gone a furlong, he had watched the race live. I thanked him for this infomation and said I was in fact interested in a horse named Megastyle. I pointed the horse out and he then told me that the jockey fell off once they turned for home. I must admit I doubted him as it was a bumper. However he was spot on!!!! He then went and watched his idol AP McCoy (the champ, as he calls him) win the grand national on Don't Push It for the hundredth time. If anyone wants to know where a horse finished in that race I am sure he'll be able to tell you. He wrote a get well soon card to the champ when he broke his ribs a few weeks ago. In return he received a signed photo of Don't Push It. I think the photo went to school today and is now in his bed. I was totally touched my AP's kindness and thought it was a lovely thing for him to do. He certainly made Sholti a happy boy. Sholto tells me that all he wants to do is be a jockey and can't wait to start pony racing. I'll soon need to repair the arm of the sofa if he continues belting it with a garden cane every day after school.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Phillip Hobbs trainer file on line on Racing UK. I believe that one can learn so much from listening to people like Mr Hobbs. It was reassuring to know that great trainers like him suffer with the same problems as the lesser ones and that in fact he too makes the same mistakes as I have done with certain horses.
Michelle Hayward came in this morning to massage 2 horses that get a little tight. They do not suffer from tying- up and their muscle enzymes as well within the normal parameters. I have tried various treatments for this type of problem and Michelle certainly helps them more than most, I am also a fan of magnetic rugs and both horses live in them. When she starts treating a new horse I have her every other day for a week and if I see a noticeable change for the better she then treats them twice weekly. I would recommend Michelle to anyone.
On route back from Cheltenham I dropped in at the vets and picked up my young horse who responded to the drugs really well. He'll have an easy week before we start getting him back into full again.
When I came home I put a race on Attheraces website. Sholto my 5 year old son told me who won and who was second before they had gone a furlong, he had watched the race live. I thanked him for this infomation and said I was in fact interested in a horse named Megastyle. I pointed the horse out and he then told me that the jockey fell off once they turned for home. I must admit I doubted him as it was a bumper. However he was spot on!!!! He then went and watched his idol AP McCoy (the champ, as he calls him) win the grand national on Don't Push It for the hundredth time. If anyone wants to know where a horse finished in that race I am sure he'll be able to tell you. He wrote a get well soon card to the champ when he broke his ribs a few weeks ago. In return he received a signed photo of Don't Push It. I think the photo went to school today and is now in his bed. I was totally touched my AP's kindness and thought it was a lovely thing for him to do. He certainly made Sholti a happy boy. Sholto tells me that all he wants to do is be a jockey and can't wait to start pony racing. I'll soon need to repair the arm of the sofa if he continues belting it with a garden cane every day after school.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Phillip Hobbs trainer file on line on Racing UK. I believe that one can learn so much from listening to people like Mr Hobbs. It was reassuring to know that great trainers like him suffer with the same problems as the lesser ones and that in fact he too makes the same mistakes as I have done with certain horses.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
26th January 2012
A busy morning schooling all the babies. Sam Drinkwater was in as he is every Tuesday and Thursday. Cavite Gamma schooled over hurdles again and seems to be an absolute natural. He did plenty in our loose school last year before we turned him away. I believe as a graduate of Captian Charles Radclyffe that there is no substitute for loose schooling. The horses learn what to do without someone touching their mouths or getting them unbalanced. If a loose school is used correctly one can teach them to shorten and also to have a cut at a fence. They learn all of that in addition they become very quick on their feet.
All the horses jumped really well this morning and as they say, "jumping is the name of the game".
I always check round before I go to bed and last night I wasn't happy with a young horse, he hadn't touched his evening feed and was looking very sad in himself. The vet was called and he thinks he has a gut infection. He adminstered some drugs in the hope that he would be back to himself this morning. This morning he was comfortable and his temperature was normal. Although he appeared comfortable I wasn't happy with him, so I loaded him up in to the lorry and took him in to the vets. He can be constantly monitored and they can run some tests on him. The reports I've received since he was dropped off are good and there is every chance I'll pick him back up later on this afternoon. you can never be too careful with stomach problems and colic is the number one killer of horses.
Evening stables will be routine.
Tomorrow I'm taking a nice filly by Kayf Tara to the Cheltenham breeze- up sales. She belongs to Mr Sumner who is the father of Lady Wellesley of Marston Stud.
All the horses jumped really well this morning and as they say, "jumping is the name of the game".
I always check round before I go to bed and last night I wasn't happy with a young horse, he hadn't touched his evening feed and was looking very sad in himself. The vet was called and he thinks he has a gut infection. He adminstered some drugs in the hope that he would be back to himself this morning. This morning he was comfortable and his temperature was normal. Although he appeared comfortable I wasn't happy with him, so I loaded him up in to the lorry and took him in to the vets. He can be constantly monitored and they can run some tests on him. The reports I've received since he was dropped off are good and there is every chance I'll pick him back up later on this afternoon. you can never be too careful with stomach problems and colic is the number one killer of horses.
Evening stables will be routine.
Tomorrow I'm taking a nice filly by Kayf Tara to the Cheltenham breeze- up sales. She belongs to Mr Sumner who is the father of Lady Wellesley of Marston Stud.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
25th January 2012
Tilly's godmother Serena Brotherton, 5 times ladies amateur champion jockey stayed last night en route to a meeting in East Garston. I put her to good use and she managed to get 3 out before she left for the meeting. Serena has been a good friend for many years now and spends her professional life working for Langley's as a probate solicitor in York. She tells me that they are now specialising in equine disputes which she is heading up.
All the horses cantered this morning and seemed fresh and well.
Cavite Gamma has an entry for Folkestone on Tuesday in a novice hurdle over 2miles. Sam Drinkwater will ride him, Sam has been in 2 mornings a week since October and he deserves a chance. Sam works hard and I hope we can give him a few chances on the track.
At evening stables Kim Bailey, Bruce Robbins and Mike Campell came over to see Supreme Asset a 4 year old by Beneficial. He is owned by the Lucky Bin Syndicate. Bruce runs the syndicate and they are certainly very successful with their operation. kim Bailey and Donald McCain train for them.
We also disinfected the stables and barn, I have a mist blower, it sprays a heavy mist up in to the eaves of the barn killing we hope, any unwanted bugs and bacteria.
I sent off all the naming forms for our young horses that we bought in June at The Derby Sale, I hope that we'll run the first of them at Barbury Castle in a fortnight.. Harris a 5 year old by Beneficial will also run at Barbury. I think he'll run in the 2.5 mile maiden and the other in the 3 mile maiden.
All the horses cantered this morning and seemed fresh and well.
Cavite Gamma has an entry for Folkestone on Tuesday in a novice hurdle over 2miles. Sam Drinkwater will ride him, Sam has been in 2 mornings a week since October and he deserves a chance. Sam works hard and I hope we can give him a few chances on the track.
At evening stables Kim Bailey, Bruce Robbins and Mike Campell came over to see Supreme Asset a 4 year old by Beneficial. He is owned by the Lucky Bin Syndicate. Bruce runs the syndicate and they are certainly very successful with their operation. kim Bailey and Donald McCain train for them.
We also disinfected the stables and barn, I have a mist blower, it sprays a heavy mist up in to the eaves of the barn killing we hope, any unwanted bugs and bacteria.
I sent off all the naming forms for our young horses that we bought in June at The Derby Sale, I hope that we'll run the first of them at Barbury Castle in a fortnight.. Harris a 5 year old by Beneficial will also run at Barbury. I think he'll run in the 2.5 mile maiden and the other in the 3 mile maiden.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
24 January 2012
We woke up to heavy rain which persisted until about 11.30. As we were galloping at Towcester yesterday we rode everything on Sunday morning before we left for the P2P. All the staff worked the weekend so today we've adopted the Sunday routine. Everything goes on the walker for a minimum of 30 minuets whilst their stables are mucked out and other jobs are completed. All the horses seem to have come out of yesterdays work really well. They all ate up last night and their legs handle beautifully.
I received a trail pallet of cardboard bedding this morning, bedding and the payroll are my 2 biggest expenses. Wages are unavoidable but if I can find a cheaper alternative to shavings that doesn't compromise the horses in anyway at all I'm all for it. I am always totally shocked when I go to some other yards and see the horses bed compromises of a few rubber mats tossed on the floor with a scattering of shavings. I'd rather not have horses if the business can't afford to look after them to a high standard. We feed 1st cut seed haylage to everything and the horses have an above average amount of bedding under them. Young horses spend a huge amount of time lying down as they are growing. I like to see them lying down and I wouldn't want to sleep on a cold damp floor.
Once the yard was finished this morning I took a horse over to Paul Webbers yard to swim for a week or so. He's only a young horse who's been busy so I'd like to give him a break from ridden work whilst maintaining his fitness. Paul has an amazing set up and a swimming pool that is second to none.
Panda our youngest daughter is now at school for the whole day on a Tuesday so I may even enjoy a race or 2 on Attheraces this afternoon before heading back to do evening stables.
I received a trail pallet of cardboard bedding this morning, bedding and the payroll are my 2 biggest expenses. Wages are unavoidable but if I can find a cheaper alternative to shavings that doesn't compromise the horses in anyway at all I'm all for it. I am always totally shocked when I go to some other yards and see the horses bed compromises of a few rubber mats tossed on the floor with a scattering of shavings. I'd rather not have horses if the business can't afford to look after them to a high standard. We feed 1st cut seed haylage to everything and the horses have an above average amount of bedding under them. Young horses spend a huge amount of time lying down as they are growing. I like to see them lying down and I wouldn't want to sleep on a cold damp floor.
Once the yard was finished this morning I took a horse over to Paul Webbers yard to swim for a week or so. He's only a young horse who's been busy so I'd like to give him a break from ridden work whilst maintaining his fitness. Paul has an amazing set up and a swimming pool that is second to none.
Panda our youngest daughter is now at school for the whole day on a Tuesday so I may even enjoy a race or 2 on Attheraces this afternoon before heading back to do evening stables.
Monday, 23 January 2012
23 January 2012
We took 6 horses to Towcester this morning and I'm relieved that I don't have to get up at 4am every morning. Charlie Brooks and Rita Gallagher came to watch and we all left feeling rather upbeat. A few of Charlie's horses have been suffering with a viral infection. It only came to light after Beckhani and Proximo disappointed over the festive period. We saw no signs of any problems prior to their races, they were eating and working really well and looked amazing in their coats. However once put under the strain of a race they just struggled. Charlie's vet Tom Campbell soon got his finger on the problem and we are now all clear. The horses are in great nick and Chiqilline won really well at the Heythrop P2P yesterday. I am really pleased for the owner Tessa Blazey and I think there is more to come. If all goes to plan he'll head to Barbury Castle for his restricted in 3 weeks time.
I have invested in an IPad and have good intentions to write a few lines about the horses and our day each night.
I have invested in an IPad and have good intentions to write a few lines about the horses and our day each night.
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