30th June 2012

It's very nice to be back and to see all the horses. The lads have done a great job in my absence and all is in order. 3 of our new horses are safely tucked up in their boxes and the others are due in first thing Monday morning. I have already managed to put myself under pressure and started to worry about selling them next April!

29th June 2012

It has been a hugely successful trip to Ireland. The last few nights when I've shut my eyes to go to sleep, all I can see is horses walking and trotting up in front of me. The days are long and when you put so much into it it is draining. Anyhow, it is all worth it and if I wasn't doing it I would miss it terribly. Most of the consignors accepted that we wanted to scope the horse before bidding on it and those that didn't we simply didn't bid..

Today we bought 3 more horses. The first was lot number 268, he looks sharp and the type one would hope that you could get straight on with. We then bought lot number 351, this fella is by Winged Love, he is very athletic and I have no doubt he is a racehorse. Once we'd bought him I had a moment of panic as I couldn't believe that no one else was there for him. It would appear that Winged Love horses are not considered to be sales horses but are racehorses. As we are looking for the latter I am very happy. We then bought a Robin des Champs lot number 459. He is a smasher and again one would hope that we can get straight on with him.

Although my children and wife drive me mad I have missed them and am looking forward to getting home tomorrow. Actually, not sure I am. My accountant is coming for supper to discuss the finances. He may not be too impressed with this week's work!

28th June 2012

A busy successful day, we managed to buy 2 horses another by Milan, on of my favourite sire with Flemensfirths. He was lot 169. We also bought lot 183 by Laveron. We saw that horse in Ireland a few weeks ago and we bought him for considerable less money than we had been asked for on our previous visit to Ireland.

There is a great buzz around the sales complex and trade is very strong. As always The nice horses are very difficult to buy. We hope to buy a few more tomorrow but we'll just have to see.

27th June 2012

A very quick post tonight as I'm just about to go through the horses we are interested in with the vet. We have stirred up some consignors by having the vet here. A few have objected and not allowed him to do his job. If we are going to be paying 30,000 for a horse surely we are entitled to carry out our own work.

Ah well, they have to get over it!

26th May 2012

Anyone who has experienced working the sales will know how hard it is, there are 500 horses to get through. Some of course will be of no interest on paper and they can be eliminated at an early stage. However there are many that need to be viewed and it takes time. I started looking at horses at 8.30 this morning and have made a dent in day 1 horses. Tomorrow I need to finish day 1's horses before moving on to day 2's. I have learnt that you can not pitch up at the sales expecting to buy horses successfully if you haven't done your homework and planned correctly. Although it is a long slog and hard work it is also great fun and very enjoyable. There are some wonderful characters in the bloodstock world who all have a story to tell.

I was saddened and shocked to hear about Cambell Gillies, he was a rider I had seen and always thought what a talent he was. His death, reportedly in a swimming accident in Corfu is a tragedy and my thoughts go out to his family. He was only 21 years old and certainly had a very bright and successful career in front of him.

25th May 2012

I had a busy morning, Tim Rootes was over to see his Tefilo filly who will now go into training in in a fortnight.

On Sunday I rode the 3 year old by Grape Tree Road, he is up for a free lease or the owner will spilt 50% of the costs with another party. He is a nice horse who will either start in point to points or run in a 3 year old bumper before Chirstmas. It will be a case of seeing how he progresses before we make any decision. I think he is the type of horse who could give someone a bit of fun. What I like most about him is that he tries and in my book that counts for a lot. I will post his pedigree on my blog page and anyone who may be interested please get in touch.

Once morning stables where completed I made my way over to Ireland to start viewing the horses for the sale at the end of the week.

23rd June 2012

All the horses are fine and went for their usual exercise. Once morning stables were finished I came down to my office and went through a few hings with my bookkeeper before heading out to lunch. A friend of Sophie's was having a lunch party to celebrate her birthday.

Black Caviar's jockey gave me heart palpitations I couldn't believe what I was seeing and it so easily could have gone horribly wrong. Thankfully it didn't and she is amazing, to have won 22 races at that grade beating colts, geldings and fillies in doing so is an amazing feat. I think if she were mine I have to send her to the paddocks. She is heavier than Denman and stands at 16.2, she must me some unit and I would love to see her in the flesh. Anyway, she is great for racing and champions like her and Frankel only do the industry good.

I came back for evening stables and then watched England play South Africa on Sky Plus the England rugby squad are exciting for the future. They have lost some key player to injury and played a very young squad to draw the final match in the series. Sadly South Africa won the series. The autumn tests are something to look forward to. I haven't seen New Zealand play of late but am told they are unbeatable at present and are playing the game at an incredible speed.

Tomorrow I've some owners coming at 8 to see their horse on the gallops before meeting the syndicate members to discus what we are planning to do at The Derby sale next week.

22nd June 2012

Sophie has complained about my barber for years, today I went to Sophie's and the children hairdresser. Spending 30 minutes talking about hair products is not on my list of favourite conversation topics. I could have paid for 2 haircuts with my barber but do have a very smart haircut for the privilege.

All the horses seem to be well and the rain has been blown north of us. It is unbeleiveable the amount of rain that has fallen in the North West.

I am a big fan of Kim Bailey's blog. He usually writes off with a joke. Today it is hilarious, espically the man who has golf clubs on the tube. Seriously appeals to my sense of humour...........well worth a read.............

21st June 2012

The rain forecast is yet to arrive. Mr and Mrs Newell were her to see their Kayf Tara filly, she was bought at Doncaster May sales and is now backed and riding around the school. They were happy with what they have bought and pleased with the way she has progressed.

Sergey rode Juliet White's Generous filly over a few jumps in the school and she absolutely loves jumping. Sergey has ridden showjumping for Ukraine and it a nice quiet rider over an obstacle. He knows if he should touch their mouths I am likely to pull him off the horse and beat him! The way horses jump in the school after a session of loose schooling you would think they've been jumping all their lives. The picture below will vouch for that. Sorry about the quality but my phone has limited capabilities.






My accountant is due at lunchtime so I may have to be on sucide watch for a day or two until I recover!!!!

20 June 2012

It was such a beautiful morning I decided to take some photos with my phone, hence the poor quality. The sun was splitting the stones and the only noises I could hear were the birds and a light aircraft flying overhead. My Rambling Rector rose is flowering and it really was a tranquil moment as I rode a 3 year old around the school. There is nothing better than seeing happy horses in the field. They all get ridden and then have a nice warm shower before going out into the paddock for the day. Anyone who says horse racing is cruel should pop round some day and see the 5 star treatment they get. They better make the most of it today as tomorrow is forecast to be a washout.

England won ugly last night but winning is what counts in my book and it doesn't matter how ugly it is as long as no one breaks the rules. I want go on about whip rules but until they place the horse last whip rules will continue to be broken. I know some horses will struggle to win but they will be in a minority and we have to do what is best for racing in general. However, when the public start dictating what can and can't be done in any organisation it is a sad state of affairs. I transgress away from such a lovely morning.........

19th June 2012

A routine day with sunshine! Royal Ascot was not a disappointment and Frankel was awesome! The presenters tell us that he is the best racehorse ever to be seen. I am certainly not in a position to argue and think it is a privilege to be around to see him. He absolutely trounced the opposition and as Willie Carson mentioned to bring the 2nd horse level he would have to carry 22lbs more. That it itself is mind blowing. Henry Cecil is certainly someone who I have huge respect for and admire him for what he has achieved throughout his life. To fall upon hard times and see numbers of horses in his yard drop from 150 to 35 almost overnight and then to build it back to where it is today is a admirable to say the least.

I am just settling down to watch England beat Ukraine before making the quarter finals. I have surprised myself and really enjoyed the tournament. Let's hope England can progress further and lift the country a bit.

18th June 2012

1 inch of rain in Pudlicote last week.

Yesterday was Fathers day and I spent the first part of it with all my children. Once I'd done morning stables Tilly, Sholti, Panda and I went to the Country Fair run by the Heythrop Hunt. It was held on the farm owned by Johnny Wills where the new Heythrop point-to-point will be.

We were one of the first to arrive. Tilly and Sholto had a spin on the Go-carts before the three of them played havoc on the bouncy castle. I struck a deal with them that once they had had a few rides we had to walk the point-to-point course before any sweets were bought!!

No one will have any business taking a slow horse there and it certainly has the potential to be one of the best tracks around. It will be left handed and a flat galloping track. It is on free draining soil so the ground will never become too soft. There will be no excuses for horse or rider when racing does take place there and I would imagine the best horse will generally win.

Yesterday Country Fair was in aid of The Eloise and Katie Plunkett Memorial Trust, Eloise and Katie both lost their lives to different forms of cancer at a ridiculously young age, if anyone would like to know more about the trust please visit the website, www.eloiseandkatie.com. In 2005 I ran the London Marathon in aid of The Trust and Katharine House Hospice. In total I raised in excess of £20,000 to be split between the two charities. It is something I am very proud of. Katharine House Hospice is also a charity close to my heart as both by parents spent their last few days in the Adderbury Hospice. It is the most amazing place and people are able to retain some small bit of dignity in their dying days. Again if anyone would like to know more about Katharine House please visit their website www.katharinehouse.co.uk. If you are feeling kind spirited donations can be made through both websites. I can not remember the exact figures it costs to fund Katharine House on a daily basis but it is mind blowing and no matter how small donations are they all count and make a huge difference to people's lives.

I am constantly feeling guilty that I don't ring my owners often enough and am off to ring a couple now.

16th June 2012

Patrick and Juliet White came to see their Generous filly loose schooling. There is no substitute for loose schooling in my mind. I will now start to ride her over some show jumps in the school before she is turned away for a break.

All the other horses had routine exercise and seem in good shape.

Umberleigh, the last point to point of the season had to be abandoned due to water logging. It must be a first. The many times I've been there the ground is normally like the road. On one occassion the late John Dufosee and I had a race. We were both being towed by cars on the end of a rope as if we where on water skis, we were in fact on our feet. John took an almighty fall and suffered very painful grass burns. The parties at Umberleigh used to be second to none. I have never tried barefoot water skiing or grass skiing since!

15th June 2012

Today once the horses were ridden and turned out for the day I headed off to the Swindon side of Cirencester to collect a new horse. This horse doesn't eat, need mucking out, drink or need riding out. Sholto has beaten it to within an inch of its life and it hasn't complained once. I have been looking to buy the kids an equicizer for a good few months, I think it will be cheaper in the long run. One sofa is wrecked already. I now predict that one child will be on the equicizer and another on the arm of the sofa. Panda has already suggested that I buy another equicizer so that they can race. Second hand equicizer are very rare and I was lucky to find this one. James will be posted off to Oaksey House for a few lessons with Noel Fehily later in the year, he can then return home and teach the children how to ride it correctly.

England play Sween tonight. Sergey will be very sad tomorrow as Ukraine are currently 2 goals down to France.

14th June 2012

A typical day at the yard, all the horses were exercised before being turn out for the day. Once the barn was empty we carried out our fortnightly routine disenfection with the mister.

The trade at Goffs looks particularly strong, how that bodes for The Derby Sale I don't know.

I have had a week of misery with computers and mobile telephones, our Internet was down for 48 hours and it only makes one realise how we all depend on it so much. My phone refused to allow me to hear incoming speech intermittently. I persevered with it for about 2 months in the hope that it would fix itself. Yesterday I finally ran out of patience and ordered a replacement. I then the spent early part of this evening trying to download all the information on it onto my computer before putting it onto the new phone. I am a very patient man and the task was completed without any swearing!!

13th June 2012

We rode all the babies in the school this morning and all went well. The Halling gelding got a rude awakening, he tends to think he is in charge. Little did he know that I was on his back!

A Compton Place filly arrived from Hughie Morrrison's, she'll be started back slowly and we'll increase her work gradually.

I exchanged text messages with Tessa Blazey this afternoon and she tells me Chiquilline is getting on the large size and has had to have his paddock reduced in size. He loves his food and I shouldnt think he lifts his head up for much.

I haven't had a chance to look at the sales results from Goffs, I hope many orders have been filled giving us a chance to buy some at The Derby Sale in a couple of weeks time.

11th June 2012

1.8 inches of rain in Pudlicote last week.

Another wet day riding out and soaked to the skin by 8 a.m. The 3 year olds from Doncaster sales are now backed and riding around the lunge pen. I wouldn't swap any of them and couldn't be happier with them. In the past I've come home from the sales and looked at the horses we've bought or had bought for us and thought, Oh My God what have we got, how did we manage to buy that! It is a steep learning curb and there's no better way to learn than with your own money.

The rain just didn't let up today, by 2.30 p.m I decided to get the lads back and to bring all the horses in early. They were well rugged up and it wasn't cold so I am sure they where happy out. As a result of bring them in early we did evening stables and finished in time to watch France get hammered by England. I am not really a football fan but enjoy watching my country play any sport.

9th June 2012

A pretty routine day. Breakfast was spent taking Tilly to a pony day near Great Rollright. Ollie, her pony behaved well until he decided that he was peckish. When bending down to fill his mouth with grass Tilly was deposited on the floor. I must teach her to slip her reins, I remember the same thing happening to me at Kingston Blount, the only difference being my horse pecked on landing and pulled me straight off over its ears. I was very quick in learning the importance of slipping reins.

We rode all the new 3 year olds around the lunge pen this morning and no one was unseated, they all behaved beautifully.

Sholto has gone to the Chadlington Beer Festival with his cousin and they are yet to return home. It is very concerning as he is only 6 years old and his cousin is 4 or 5 !!

8th June 2012

By 7 O'clock this morning I was soaked to the skin and remained that way until 12.30.

All the horses where ridden before I started to deal with the youngsters, all of which are behaving beautifully.

Charlie and I are now putting together next years syndicate. The plan as always is to buy in June and sell no later than May the following year. Obviously, the best laid plans don't always come off, each year we have had to carry one horse over. We won't finalise the number of horses we buy until we know the number of people involved. If any readers would like to join it is 25,000GBPs / share with no further bills.

7th June 2012

A wet morning riding out prior to leaving for Ascot sales. Cavite Gamma sold for 1600GBPs, a loss of somewhere in the region of 50,000GBPs. They can't all be champions and we have to take the odd hit all to often. The good ones carry the bad and it emphasises the importance of having a number of horses to stand any chance of making the job pay. It is too easy to forget the fun aspect of owning racehorses when it comes to being commercial. I think life would be very boring for many people without racehorses. There are many worse ways of losing money!

Ben Case very kindly sent me another horse to break-in, it is a 3 year old by Definite Article. Ben would have done a good job starting him off and we will familiarise ourselves with him before backing him at the end of next week. I am not too sure what Ben has in mind for the horse but I expect he'll be let down for a bit once we've ridden him around for a month.

Hughie Morrison rang to ask me to pre-train a filly that I broke-in for him last year. She will be pre-trained here and have a winter campaign on the flat.

6th June 2012

Ant Tory was here this morning sorting out the new horses teeth. He also did a couple of others that where due their 6 month treatment. I try and get them done as soon as possible as there is nothing worse for a horse than having the bit catching its wolf teeth. The farrier was also here so the morning was slightly fuller than they have been of late.

Tomorrow I'll be riding a few early lots before heading off to Ascot sales with Cavite Gamma, I hope he finds a good home as I certainly can't make a racehorse of him, maybe someone else can.

Fat Sam is coming in on Tuesday and we'll get the new horses backed, James is on holiday and it is important to get the right man on board first off, I'll then have to take over on day 2. None of them look as if they will prove to be too difficult. We are so spoilt now, the horses are so well prepped for the sales they are sick to death of lunging and need to be challenged a little more by introducing a rider. Horses used to arrive at the Captains with heir manes down to their knees completely un-handled. We could spend a week trying to catch the damn thing and another week getting a bridle on it. Thankfully those days are gone - well there is the odd exception!

5th June 2012

The 3 stores that we bought last week and the Kayf Tara filly are now long reining in full tack. I already have a race in mind for the Flemensfirth, I think he may take a run this year. If he takes his work as I expect him to he'll be aimed at the 3 year old bumper over 1 mile 6 furlongs at Warwick in November, he won't be forced. Proximo finished 3rd behind the New One in the race last year. The season has only just finished and I can't wait to get going again. I do need to recharge my battery though and have planned a week long holiday in Portugal at the end of August before we get serious.............

Yesterday afternoon was spent at a cancer charity garden party near Little Rissington, raffle tickets where £25.oo and sadly we aren't heading to Sri Lanka for 14 days. It was a lovely afternoon and I am sure a lot of money was raised for a worthy cause. The evening was spent in front of the telly watching the music festival at Buckingham Palace and I thought Stevie Wonder made Paul McCartney look like he should be singing on some dirty cruise ship. The queen looked as if she would agreed too. I was also surprised to see David Cameron conducting the National Anthem at the end!

2nd June 2012

I lunged and girthed all the new horses, the Halling gelding certainly hadn't experienced it before and threw a few shapes! I generally only use a roller for one or two days and then get them in full tack and use 2 long reins. I am very happy with the 3 of ours and the Kayf Tara filly that also came back to be broken-in is behaving well. I don't see any issues arising with any of them.

I thought The Derby was fantastic, I'd certainly heard enough about the Balding family by the end of it and would have liked to have been told more about the other participants other than Bonfire and Camelot.

The Jubilee weekend holds many excitements in store, a village party in Chilson. Luckily the horses don't celebrate the jubilee and will need all my attention!!

01 June 2012

An exhausting but exciting few days. Doncaster sales was successful and I bought 3 horses. Lot 605, a Halling gelding was the first, we paid £20,000 for him, he's out of a Sharrood mare who won 2 hurdle races, she's had 10 foals, 6 runners and 6 winners. I like him and thought he'd make a bit more than that. He will run for my syndicate which is made up of ex British Airways pilots. QC's and solicitors. I then bought lot 667 a Milan gelding, he's a first foal out of a Rudimentary mare, he will run for Charlie's syndicate. Last but not least loy 679, a Flemensfirth gelding out of a very good race mare in Miss Emer a Be My Native mare, he is for my syndicate and he may even run at 3, only time will tell but he's sharp. They will all be broken in immediately and progress from there. I am having a holiday at the end of August and they will have a holiday too. I believe firmly that theses horses have no chance of making the racecourse if they are thrown into a field and forgotten about for 2 months. Here they get the best of both worlds as they are worked and turned out until the weather gets too cold or wet.


I couldn't be happier with the 3 I bought and Charlie was over to see his this morning and was very pleased with what he saw. He may let me lose again..........

I also attempted to buy 6 others but they made more money than I had valued them at.

Supper and bed for me now, exhausted!!!!!!