29th September 2012

Ben Brain has advised I hobday my 3 year old by Halling. It isn't great but I did sell a horse that had had the same operation for 90,000GBPs last year. If he's any good it won't make a whole difference, if he isn't any good it won't make any difference at all. I like him and he's shown me enough already to know he's worth doing.

All the horses had routine canters and then went out into the sunshine. Big Bad Bob yearling seriously dislikes being girthed but will have to get used to it - unless he goes and races in Mongolia.

This evening I spent some time mowing and would like to think that's the last time for a while. Tomorrow I have some members of the Pudlicote Partnership coming to see the horses, Charlie is in charge as Sholto is off for his second under 6's rugby match. Last week he scored a try and made a fantastic tackle hurling himself through mid air to grab the tag off the opposing teams player. I was very proud of him and he didn't winge too much when he got kicked in the teeth. I've already signed him up for the England squad!

Once rugby is over we are all meeting at Ben Cases Open Day. Sophie is taking Panda off to a party before joining us at Bens, Panda will miss out on a delicious lunch.

28th September 2012

A routine morning for the horses, all the 3 year olds and older horses went for canters and the flat yearlings went in the school. The 2 new arrivals were girthed for the first time and the Big Bad Bob yearling thought less of it than the Lawman. Big Bad Bob has spirit and plenty of it, he certainly threw some shapes.  We never know if they have been girthed before and one always has to presume not, for me putting the roller on for the first time is the most dangerous bit of the breaking process. Once the roller is accepted such giant strides are made by the day introducing a rider is straight forward enough in most cases.

Ben Brain is coming in to ride an older horse in the morning to listen to its wind. Ben is a fantastic wind surgeon and it helps that he can ride, although badly, to listen to it whilst galloping.

The paddocks are becoming mud baths, however, whilst the weather is still warm enough we will continue to turn the horses out.

I see that Aviddius Cassius it entered to run at Rosscommon on Monday in a bumper. He will love the ground and I am told Noel Meade is very pleased with him. I don't think he'll be seen at his best until he's running over a trip with fences in front of him. Noel knows what he is doing better than most and if thinks he suited by a bumper who am I to disagree.

27th September 2012

Connaught Sqaure and Knockdu worked well, Connaught Square has come on for his run and we need the rain to sod off as we now know there is no point in running in on anything worse than good ground. Knockdu will improve from his bit this morning and will be going to do his next bit on the grass in Lambourn.

Trouble Digger returned looking in fine shape, he has plenty of condition on him and I have something to train.  Ralph Becketts yearlings arrived too, both colts, 1 by Lawman the other Big Bad Bob.

Sadly, the sheets I removed from the barn showed positive to asbestos testing and I will now have to pay a small fortune to have it removed off site.

26th September 2012

Wellington boots are now part of the uniform and the rain has come down in torrents since 4 O'clock. It looks as if we have actually got away with very little in comparison to others. The floods up and down the country are devastating for the families and business suffering.

Charlie's feature in today's Racing Post has resulted in a few amusing, mickey taking texts directed at me.

All the horses had routine canters or went in the school to keep working on the flat.

Tomorrow the hounds are cubbing here and will cause major disruption to our morning, thankfully, it is only once a year and we will return to normality the following day. Sam is in, we will pull out first lot at 6.00 a.m instead of 6.35 a.m. Alice is going to take Silver for the mornings adventure and Sam and I will take Connaught Square and Knockdu for an away gallop. I had thought about using our grass,  having walked it this evening it is still too fast for Knockdu.

Trouble Digger is coming back in tomorrow having done his prep work with the owners, I think and hope he will improve from last year. Regular readers will know he has plenty of a crucial main ingredient called guts! He is entitled to improve having very little mileage on the clock and being such a big horse.

Ralph Beckett has been shopping in Ireland and 2 yearlings are arriving in the morning to be broken-in. I am told he tried for a few more but trade was strong.

As of Friday I have a new landlord, it has been a bit of a frantic day getting everything in order. I have some sheets which I removed off a barn 5 years ago. I am told that it isn't asbestos by numerous builders but have to prove it before it can be disposed off in the correct manner. I have a quote of 675 GBPs for the first 2 tonne and then 120 GBPs a tonne thereafter. I was then told it would cost me as much to get it tested. After a little research and the internet I have manged to get it tested for 10 GBPs and will have the results back tomorrow. Moral of the story, never trust a waste disposal firm!!!!

25th September 2012

What an improvement on the weather front, we could have been in a different country this morning when compared to yesterday. The horses are all back out in the paddock getting some freedom and relaxing. Connaught Square and Knockdu breezed along for their last 2 canters this morning, both appear to be in good shape, they will have an away trip on Thursday. I plan to walk our grass gallop tomorrow and it maybe we can work on that.

I have just witnessed the most bizarre thing on Attheraces, a man with a sponge and bucket soaking up water off the track at Folkstone. No one can accuse Folkstone of not going to any lengths to get the go ahead for racing. I havent watched any racing on television for sometime now, Mick Fitzgerald and Matt Chapman still have an amazing ability to fill time talking nonsense, a skill on its own.

24th September 2012

What a morning, 1.7 inches of rain in last 36 hours. I and all the other staff were soaked to the skin by 6.40 a.m, we pulled out 1st lot at 6.35 a.m. I can't remember being out in rain like it, it was coming off my helmet like water out of a tap. I am told that 2 local gallops have washed away, I just can't imagine how those trainers must feel. I get stressed enough by the fact that the drains around my barn can't cope, nothing in comparison to washed away gallops.  Flood warnings seem to in place all over the country and I heard on the radio that we are now going to be blown away by gale force winds. Racing in Fairyhouse has been delayed as the horses are getting frightened from the splash caused by the puddles!!

All the horses are fine, we have not turned them out over the weekend but kept them dry and warm in their stables. Tomorrow I hope to get them all back in the field during the day.

There has been some men renewing the water pipes across the farm for a couple of weeks now. For some amusement I will outline their daily routine for you:

8.45 a.m, arrive on site
9.10 a.m, get out of van, leg stretch and chat followed by
10.00 a.m, tea break
10.45 a.m, start work
12 noon, Lunch
1.15 p.m, (sometimes 1.30 p.m)  lunch finished and back to work
2. 15 p.m tea break
3.00 p.m (at the latest) pack up tools
3.15 p.m start van for drive home.

If they work for 4 hours in a day I'd say they've put in a good day, poor chaps must be exhausted. Some mug is paying these lazy b****rs.

Make sure you order your copy of the Racing Post for Wednesday as there will be an article published about Charlie and his horses.

22nd September 2012

It was a routine morning with the horses, Connaught Square and Knockdu were allowed to stretch their legs, apart from that it was routine canters for all or flat work in the school.

21st September 2012

Network Rouge is now cantering up the woodchip gallop, he is a lovely horse and I hope he has an engine. Billy Biscuit is so round it is like sitting on a table. Once he slims down he will be fine, he has a lovely action and I think he will come to hand quicker than anyone may imagine. He did plenty in his 3 year old career which will have stood him in good stead for the future. Alan Walker confirmed that his warts are dead, this is a huge relief, I have never seen anything like it, they are like poached eggs. If you imagine the yoke in an egg, that is the root and they are all working their way out. Alan says they will drop off and a very little scar will be left, all the healing is going on underneath them.

Knockdu did his first bit of work yesterday and has come through it very well, he will be aimed at a bumper when there is some decent ground. I have had a race in mind at Chepstow in early December, but the likelihood he will be ready before then if the rain comes. He won't be forced and will tell us when he is ready.

Seargent Thunder and Major Martin will be stepped up and I will aim one of them at the junior bumper in Warwick towards the end of November, again neither will be forced.

The rest of the babies will carry on doing routine canters and we'll let them tell us when they are ready to do more.

Connaught Square has come out of his run well and is Ludlow bound on 10th October. Hopefully, he will get firm ground there.

20th September 2012

Sam was in this morning, he rode 4 lots before heading back to his full time job with Hilary Parrott. Billy Biscuit behaved himself and we used Sam as test pilot, tomorrow I'll take over. Mr and Mrs Livsey were here to see their Proclamation filly, sadly, I had to tell them that I didn't hold much hope for her and that they should look to re-home her as a riding horse. I can not put my head on the pillow at night continuing to send bills when I know that she has no chance of becoming a racehorse. Honesty is always the best policy in this game and it pays off in the long run. Some owners accept it better than others. I have been honest with others in the past and never had another horse for them, however, I haven't seen their horses in the winners enclosure, so I am not too sure who the loser is!

Charlie was in the yard this morning with a Racing Post reporter. We can all look forward to reading all about his plans for his horses and the launch of his new book Switch.

This afternoon was spent at the computer organising paper work for syndicates etc.

Anthony Webber was in at evening stable and checked 7 horses backs over. 6 out of the 7 needed minor adjustments. Once evening stables were finished I headed off on the school run, I then dropped the kids back at home before going back to a parents evening. The joys of 3 children!

19th September 2012

Fiona Gordon was here to see her Clodovil filly. I have had horses for Fiona for a couple of years now and today was the first time we had actually met. It is always nice to put a face to a name and have a chat. Henry Candy is her first choice of trainer but he isn't too keen on all weather racing. The likelihood is her filly will learn her trade on it, I have suggested that she goes to Ralph Beckett. Ralph has had a lot of success with Clodovil progeny.

All the horses had routine canters and the yearlings are behaving well in the school. After Lunch I returned Ben Case's filly and collected a 4 year old by Presenting from his neighbour, the horse is called Billy Biscuit, he has suffered from warts and I have arranged for Alan Walker to come and give his opinion on them. Alan is known for his ability to treat warts and is a very good vet. His father Jack was my mothers vet, I can recall Jack and Alan making many visits in the 80's and polishing off at least one bottle of Whiskey around the kitchen table. Sadly, those days are gone and the pressures of day to day living have taken over. Billy Biscuit will be bought along slowly and we will make a decision what route to take in due course. He could be aimed straight at bumpers or start his education in the p2p field. Being by Presenting I wouldn't expect him to improve as he matures, Presenting's are slow maturing horses in my experience.

We are backing off Cestus as he has slight sore shins, another tester for us with young horses. I have asked advise from many people regarding sore shins and there appears to be no solution for them apart from time. It would also appear that they are unavoidable in many horses that are just prone to them. He will tick over for 6 weeks and won't be rushed under any circumstance. I have learnt that horses always repay you if your patient.

18th September 2012

All the horses had routine canters and we loose schooled Ben Case's filly. Once the horses were all ridden and turned out for the day I headed off to Shutford Stud. Shutford Stud is owned by Tim Rootes, Tim send me all his horses before they go into training. Tim also has some mares and produces yearlings with Keith Heart for the sales. Today we had a parade of yearlings destined for Newmarket sales before a fine lunch. The horses looked in great shape and I am sure they will sell well. It is always refreshing to escape for a few hours.

17th September 2012

A pretty routine morning, all the horses had canters and the yearlings are now riding around the school. What a shame for Camelot, it would have been great for racing had he won. I have read that the connections are sorry that they didn't run a pacemaker. It is always reassuring for me that greats such as Adien O 'Brien makes mistakes. I am not too sure whether or not it would have made the difference between winning and loosing. I just think the winner took 3 lengths out of him in a split second and fundamentally that cost him the race.

The weather seems to be turning, tonight is the first night all horses have a heavy rug on, it is also the first night for a long time that we have been able to rug them up at evening stables. Normally we have had to go back anywhere between 8pm and 10pm to rug up.

I notice that Nicky Henderson held his annual open day yesterday, a sign that all horses are now back in for the winner and the preparation starts in earnest.

15th September 2012

Charlie's book signing was good fun, considering everyone had to battle through the street fair there was an amazing turn out. Amusing speeches from Charlie and the editor went down well.

Tonight we are all off to a barbecue to celebrate Sholto's godmothers 40th birthday. We have opted out of camping as we have yet to invest in decent beds for out tent.

I watched Camelot this afternoon and was disappointed he didn't win, I always welcome champions in the sport and horses like Camelot get plenty of publicity in the national press raising the profile of racing.

All our horses are well and it was a routine morning as far as they went. This afternoon was spent mowing and I have welcomed the slow down of growth in the grass. Hopefully, there won't be too much mowing left this year. I did actually mow the lawns on Boxing day 2 years ago. I can't recall if they needed mowing, but pretty sure I was ducking out of some family get together.

14th September 2012

As predicted Connaught Square came out of his stable all guns blazing. The race doesn't appear to have taken too much out of him. Having had time to digest the run a little more I think he could have finished closer. He was dropped out as we didn't want him to race too free. He was taken wide in search of better ground and no better ground was found. I don't like bumper horses dropped out and seldom do I was bumper races where the winner comes from too far back. I like to them to race prominently and hold their position. In my mind position in a bumper is more important than in any other race. Hopefully, Charlie will agree and we will ride him much more up on the pace next time.

Nothing too exciting to report from the yard, all horses are in good shape, we will start to think about loose schooling all the 3 year olds.

Tonight I am off to a book signing by Charlie Brooks it is being held in our local market town. I may even spend sometime playing at the fair! We need a few more pets and gold fish will do for now. I am sure Charlie will have something to say to the organisers of the book signing as they clearly failed to realise that when the fair is on in Chipping Norton all roads are closed off!!!!

13th September 2012

Sam came in and rode out 4 quiet lots this morning. I have just had my schooling fences re-stuffed. The BHA insist that you have 1 plain fence and 1 open ditch. This is fine as we have 2 plain and 1 ditch. They also insist that the fences are to a certain height. I telephoned the BHA to find out what height they wanted them, after being put through to 4 different people finally the 5th person was able to tell me that they should be 4ft 3 inches. Any horseman will tell you that this is far too high for schooling over and it's another example of the total lack of understanding the people who make the rules have of National Hunt racing. As it happens, Charlie has no chasers so they will be cut to a size that is suitable for schooling over. Whilst the fence builders were here they also re-wrapped all the poles in my loose school. Previously I had them wrapped in sponge. The weather and the horses have managed to destroy that, we have now opted for carpet underlay which is covered in old curtain sides off lorries. They are far more satisfactory and I was pleased that the couple of horses we loose schooled this morning didn't take a 2nd look.

Connaught Square is fine after his run and he will start back tomorrow, he isn't the type of horse to benefit from more than 1 day off. He loves his work and I am sure he'll be full of himself tomorrow morning.

We had the mist sprayer out for the weekly disinfecting of the barn and outside stables today. All the horses are in good health and let's hope we can keep it that way.

12th September 2102

Connaught Square was found out by the rain, on arrival at Uttoxeter it was officially Good Good to Firm. By 3p.m is was changed to Good and by 5.25 it was officially Soft! not what we wanted, we think we have a top of the ground horse. Timmy said his body wanted to go faster than his legs could carry him as they were stuck in the ground. We will look for something for him in 3 weeks and hope that we find some fast ground. At least the courses will stop watering once the summer racing season is closed. They watered at Uttoxeter at 10 a.m this morning. Why, I have no idea, anyone making entries there was looking for fast ground. I now have some empathy with trainers that are always moaning about clerks of courses. The rain was out of their control but forecasts are very accurate now and I think they made the wrong decision in watering, many disgruntled trainers.........

11th September 2012

Connaught Sqaure had a blow on the all weather this morning and will spend tomorrow morning in the paddock until we leave for Uttoxeter. There are 15 odd runners and it could be a competitive contest. Plenty of horses are running for the first time so many unknowns. He is in good form and wont disgrace himself. Cestus is coming along nicely and we will bide our time with him and won't be rushing him anywhere.

Ben case's filly is perfect when she meets her obstacles on a good stride, but she does tend to hurl herself at them when she is wrong footed. We can help her sort that out and she'll be more accurate than Phil Taylor by the time she's spent a week or so here.

I must be going mad, I drive to Stow today to pickup some colours, forget what I went there for and drove home. I soon remembered what my purpose was and had to turn around to go and collect them. After 6 p.m I am finding out that being a father of 3 children involves offering a taxi service. This is fine at this time of year but in the winter they will have to walk, I am far too busy in the yard. I will buy them all a decent jacket and bobble hat.

9th September 2012

All the horses had routine canters and Cestus and the Halling gelding I bought at Doncaster May sales went swimming this afternoon. Connaught Square will run at Uttoxeter on Wednesday.

Once morning stables where all done and dusted I spent a short time with my bookkeeper and then one of the bank managers was here to see us. I then went to evening stables before heading to Highworth to collect some paper work. I feel as if my feet haven't touched the ground today.

Ralph Beckett sent me 2 yearlings to break-in from the Doncaster yearling sales last month, they are now long reining in full tack and we will sit on them at some point later in the week. One is by Holy Roman Emperor and the other Verglas. I see Ralph has a runner over hurdles tomorrow at Worcester. He is sure to have been schooled well !!!!!

I have signed up to a 30 day free trial of the Racing Post App which I am able to read at 5am whilst drinking a cup of tea. The App has full paper content and once you've worked your way around it it is very good and easy to use. It is cheaper than the hard copy and it maybe something I continue with. I doubt my children will ever buy a newspaper as I am sure it will all go digital in no time at all.

Tomorrow I have another frantic day..............

08th September 2012

A pleasing morning in the yard where everything went smoothly. Alice starts on Monday and will ride out 6 mornings a week, she will be a huge asset to the team here and I am looking forward to employing her.

Once everything was complete in the yard I headed of to Tim Curtis's farm to look at the 4 year old Presenting horse, he is an active mover and not over big, he has some furnishing off to do and will shape up into a very good looking model. Mr Curtis has agree ed to send him here in a fortnight and we will progress from there. Tim Curtis is a neighbour of Ben Case's and I swung by there to be given a delicious lunch by his wife Sarah, not only is Sarah his wife but also his secretary and far too pretty for Ben! Ben sent me home with a filly who needs to brush up her jumping skills and will now spend sometime in the loose school.

My children have gone fishing with their mother and some mates, I am now off to eat today's catch at their mates house. I hope to be back in time for X-factor as I have missed the last 2 weeks, thanks to Sky+ I have them all recorded and will speed watch them at some point. I am a sad addict of X-factor. However, I do not vote and am shocked that more people vote on the X-factor than in the General election! Another reminder of the state of the country and the vast majority of the people inhabiting it.

Tommorow I am off to Kent to look at another horse.

07th September 2012

Connaught Square came out of his box all guns blazing this morning and we are now considering Uttoxeter on Wednesday. He will have come on a lot for his gallop yesterday and I dont think it was fitness levels that caught him out. I just think he is stuffy and hadn't done anything serious while I had been away. We'll take it day by day and decide what we think is best for the horse on Monday. All the other horses have stepped up their work load and will carry on at that level for at least 2months before we start to increase their work load further.

The Kayf Tara filly that came to be broken in from Doncaster May sales has now started to learn to jump and she is a natural. Thanks to Simon Sweeting at Overbury Stud I've had a lot of Kayf Tara horses and havn't had one yet that isn't a natural jumper.

Tom Campbell was in this morning for a few routine vaccinations and to complete naming forms for the French horses. The French Gallop and the BHA don't make it easy and seem unable to share any records.

My lorry had a puncture yesterday and on inspection the tyre had split, over £200 later it now has a new tyre.

Tomoorow I have been invited to look at a Presenting gelding who may possibly come here to be evaluated before we decide what is best for the horse. The owner seems unsure whether to take him under rules or p2p him. Hopefully, we will be able to work it out between us.

6th September 2012

The Heythrop hounds where exercising around here this morning which caused a bit of excitement with a few of the horses. Charles Frampton, the new huntsman came into see me once the hounds had been taken home. I have met Charles previously shooting in Dorset and at a lunch party hosted by Ralph Beckett. I do not envy his job but am sure he will do well. He hunted the Portman hounds for many years and they have as big as country as any hunt in England. He won't have a problem crossing Heythrop country coming from there. I have had some great days in the Portman country and you need to be well mounted!

Connaugt Sqaure and Cestus worked, I need another week with Connaught Square and will by-pass Uttoxeter. Wanting another week is a pain as I either travel to Perth which is highly unlikely or I wait another 2-3 weeks for something closer to home. Charlie was in to ride out first lot and then watched the others work. Sam rode Connaught Square and I rode Cetsus. Cestus is coming to hand and I will look for a race for him in 2-3 weeks time. It is lovely to be back with the horses and going away has huge benefits. Not only do I feel a little rested it makes me realise how much I love doing what I do.

5th September 2012

The lads have done a sterling job in my absence and the yard has been running smoothly with no dramas. Sam is in tomorrow and we will work Connaught Sqaure.

I was very saddened to read about Lord Oaksey's death. He was a true gentleman and will be remembered for many things, not only his successful riding career but also as the founder of the Injured Jockeys Fund. I am sure Caruthers gave him one of his best days in racing when winning the Henesssey last year and it was a great shame he was unable to attend the race meeting through I'll health. I had the fortune of meeting him on several occasions and he was always delightful to talk to and extremely knowledgeable on many subjects.

1st September 2012

I am enjoying the sunshine yet my mind is constantly occupied with the horses. I am in constant contact with the yard and all is running smoothly, Charlie was in this morning to oversee the daily routine. Sam was in on Thursday and rode Connaught Square and Cestus, he was happy with both and Connaugt Square has an entry to run at Uttoxeter in 12 days time. He will work again on Thursday and we will go from there. There are a couple of races I have in mind for Cestus, Ffos Las and Huntington in the middle of October.

We are staying near Alvor on the Algarve, it is very hot and most of the day is spent either on the beach or by the swimming pool. We had a day trip to see performing dolphins which the kids enjoyed immensely. I bumped in to Robert Robertson of Distillery Stud, we had a nice lunch together, he has now gone back to the wet in Scotland.

I am now off to my sun bed and will update the blog as soon as I am home on Wednesday evening.