31st December 2013

All the 3 year olds went to the grass and yes, we did get wet again! Tomorrow's forecast is horrendous, I can't wait. I will be riding a couple of lots prior to moving the fences onto fresh ground and then strapping myself to the desk.

The link below gives a little more information on the Heythrop P2P and is a good example of what more and more hunts should be doing to entice a good crowd.

http://cocklebarrowraces.com/

Happy New Year.

30th December 2013

What a morning, any waterproofs that can keep out that amount of rain are worth treble what they sell for, typically Sam has the best leggings money can buy and was the only one with dry legs, his body however was soaked! I stayed relatively dry as did Alice but we had to ring Emma out. There is now lying water in all the tram lines around the farm and the land is now totally saturated. We are getting off lightly when compared to with what I have seen on the news.

The Open Day on Sunday at Cocklebarrow went very well, 5 horses cantered round at a decent pace. It was a very worth while exercise and some slight adjustments to the course will now happen as a result of doing so. It will be a fast and furious track, horses will have to jump and travel to win their races.

Today most horses cantered on the wood-chip, At Work Blue, Singlefarmpayment, Freddy Fox and an unnamed horse by Fruits of Love all schooled. Hopstrings is full of herself and is very pleased to be back in work.

Anthony Webber was here doing the horses backs, many needed tweaks one way or another.

28th December 2013

The Drinkymeister has come out of race in fine fettle. Saint Charles, Rebekah Rabbit, Susie Sheep and Freddy Fox all schooled over the fences, all the other 3 year olds all cantered on the grass and the babies went in the school.

Tomorrow we are taking a couple of older horses up to Cocklebarrow to help with the Open Day. We had planned to take 4 horses but I am just not happy to throw 3 year olds into that environment at this stage of their education. Luke Harvey is going to be there for Attheraces. He will apparently jump a few fences and canter round with a headcam. The weather forecast is good, I can think of no better way of spending a Sunday morning for anyone who wishes to come for a sneak preview. The action starts at 10 a.m and I would encourage you all to come and have a nose. There are many fantastic pubs locally where you can all go for a delicious lunch afterwards. Having walked it last year it is going to be a fantastic racecourse. I believe it will be better than some National Hunt courses, in fact many and can't wait to have a spin around it tomorrow.

27th December 2013

The Drinkymeister finished second, for whatever reasons he got far too far out of his ground on horrendous ground and finished like a train, another 100 yards and he'd have won. That's racing and we all have to accept the good and bad days. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. It was a miserable day at Chaddesley, even so I was surprised how small the crowd was. The weather certainly played its part and I am sure many just choose to stay at home to watch Sprinter Sacre.

We collected Hopstrings on the way home, she looks amazing and has done really well on her holiday. 

This morning we worked Chiquilline and Illicit Illusion. Illicit Illusion did his first bit since his run at Barbury. He will be aimed at Whitfield on 26th January. The others stayed on the woodchip and will be heading to the grass tomorrow.

26th December 2013

Yesterday was certainly amusing. We spent the day with my mother-in-law, brother-in-laws, sister-in-law and 8 children, the eldest being Tilly aged 9. The children behaved better than the adults excluding Sophie and I who didn't, for once have a crossed word. There were tantrums over presents, 2 romote control helicopters, although suppose to be unbreakable broke, one brother-in-law had more wine than his wife out of a particular bottle, a baby scribbled over a newly covered sofa, my brother-in-laws wife didn't like her present from her husband and made it very clear, he then told her that he didn't like his birthday present (which is 29th Dec)  and to finish off, a new CD player was broken by a child forcing the draw to close. All very amusing and I would think typical of many households. The horses were calling shortly after 5 P.M and I had to rush back to them. After which, I spent the evening building an Air Hockey Table and to my surprise I managed it without too much trouble. Thankfully, it is all over for another year and normality resumed today.

Today, without breakfast we finished up a bit earlier than normal. All apart from those that schooled cantered on the wood-chip. Saint Charles, The Drinkymeister, Rebekah Rabbit and Susie Sheep all schooled. The Drinkymeister runs tomorrow at Chaddesley Corbett, Sam will ride him. I am more than likely going to opt for the Non Rules Maiden but he has an entry in the other maiden too.

Charlie was around tonight to see the horses and have a chat, they are really coming to hand now and we have an exciting few moths in prospect.

Hopstrings will be collected from her holiday on the way back for the P2P tomorrow, the kids will be delighted and by all accounts she is ready to do some work.

I felt for Sam TD this afternoon as I thought he had won his race off the bottom bend only to completely miss the last hurdle. Had he jumped it I am not sure who would have won as he didn't seem to lose much momentum but surely it cost him the narrow margin he was beat. Sergeant Thunder was pulled out, I guess they didn't like the ground in spite of him winning for us on the soft.

24th December 2013

All the 3 year olds cantered on the grass, The Drinkymeister and Saint Charles schooled over 9 fences. Sam will be in tomorrow, he and I will be riding out.

The 3 year olds are starting to progress now and a few look exciting, others are more backward.

Sergeant Thunder is declared to run in the bumper at Wincanton on Boxing Day, he won a bumper at Ludlow last year.


Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

23rd December 2013

The rain stayed away for the early part of the morning, but since I've never seen so much, 10 minuets ago I could see out of the office window for it was lashing down so heavily. All the horses cantered on the wood-chip and the babies went in the school. Tomorrow schooling session will wait until later in the week, the ground will be wrecked after 4 or 5 horses and that is no ground to jump babies on. The Drinkymeister and Saint Charles will be the only 2 schooling. The rest will canter on the grass and have an easy day on Wednesday.

Gloucester won 12 - 6  against Worcester, it wasn't a great match but thoroughly enjoyable. I think I have been spoilt watching International rugby and club rugby, certainly at Gloucester is played at a much slower speed. The gulf between club and international rugby is vast.

Sam seems to have done all his Christmas shopping in Anne Summers, Charlotte is a lucky girl. This afternoon he mentioned that he was taking Alice's husband Christmas shopping. Alice could be in for a nice surprise!!

21st December 2013

What a foul morning and thankfully, the shortest day. We cantered 11 horses on the grass and all did it nicely. The horses that worked yesterday had an easy day otherwise apart from getting soaking wet the morning was pretty routine.

This afternoon the kids and I went to Burford Garden Center, had a bit of lunch and bought a few Christmas presents. Tomorrow Sholto and I are going to watch Gloucester play Worcester in Gloucester. Gloucester need to sharpen up and play more dynamic rugby. Last week they looked laboured and played totally uninspired rugby.

More rain forecast next week, Chaddesley Corbett will certainly be on the soft side. It was bottomless last year when Trouble Digger lead from start to finish, lets hope The Drinkymeister does the same.

20th December 2013

2 lots cantered on the wood-chip under moon light, we love full moons. We then took off for away gallops,  Thedrinkymeister and Saint Charles were the only intended workers but Chiquilline asked to come so he went on the lorry too, he just swung through behind the workers and has no doubt in his mind that he is the King! All went well, horses and jockeys had a lovely time.

This evening I've had an hour in the office catching up on paper work, Sophie and the kids went to Derbyshire this afternoon to meet their new cousin who was born a few days ago. They'll be home late so I've having a fry up and heading to bed. 4 A. M starts are too much!

19th December 2013

A long but a good day. Serena Brotherton was here last night on her way to a meeting in Newbury so she rode out 2 lots and Sam was here too. 8 horses cantered on the grass, the rest stayed on the wood-chip and the babies went in the school.

The Heythrop hounds meet at noon which fitted in very nicely for Johnny and I. We had a good charge about, jumped plenty and had a very good look at the new Heythrop P2P course. It looks in fantastic shape and I have no doubt in my mind it will be considered one of the best P2P course in the country.

After hunting it was back to the grind stone, in my absence the lads racked in the sides of the wood-chip gallop, tonight I spent some time levelling it before checking legs, fetching shaving and haylage round to the yard and feeding. Tom Campbell was here this evening for a few routine vaccinations and a chat.

Saint Charles and The Drinkymeister are going for an away gallop tomorrow so its an earlier start than normal.

18th December 2013

Instragramher ran her heart out on ground she would have hated and a trip that was too short, she has guts and that counts for an awful lot in my mind. She is only 3 and I think she'll give her owners some fun in the Spring Summer time if they choose to carry on with her.

All the horses stayed on the wood-chip and 2 schooled. Tomorrow a good few will canter on the grass.

17th December 2013

Tom Weston, James Ridley and James Martin were all here schooling this morning. 12 three year old schooled and I was again treading in. The ground has now opened up and this afternoon I spent 3 hours moving the fences and wings on to fresh ground. Tomorrow Saint Charles and The Drinkymeister will school. Saint Charles, The Drinkymeister and Chiquilline worked on the grass, all worked well. First time through I couldn't resist the temptation and jumped Chiquilline over a few fences. He loved it and thinks he's god at the moment. Yesterday he frog leaped all the way up the woodchip pulling my arms out, thankfully he wasn't quite so fresh this morning.

Tomorrow Instragramher runs in the junior bumper at Newbury, we didn't want the rain and I'm sure she will be a better summer ground horse.

16th December 2013

A routine Monday for the horses.

The entries at Chaddesley Corbett are incredible well over 200, The Drinkymeister will be aimed at one of the maidens.

Sam's younger brother Joe rode his first winner on Sunday at Wadebridge. Sam trained him and his mum and dad owned him. Congratulations to all the Drinkwaters, a real family affair.

Charlie popped in tonight and has named a couple of the fillies, Rebekah Rabbit and Susie Sheep! He is obviously a massive Peppa Pig fan or Scarlet his daughter must be. My kids want to know which horse will be named Pedro Pony. Although Peppa Pig is often on in this house I failed to know any of the names. After supper tonight I now know most! in fact it completely wrecked the viewing of a rugby international earlier in the year when it overrode my recording.

Andy Murray was in my mind the correct winner of Sports Personality Of The Year, Tony McCoy certainly deserved the recognition he got. The only thing that dragged the program down was the fuss that was made over Manchester United.

14th December 2013

Saint Charles, Instragramer, The Drinkymeister and Chiquilline swung through on the grass this morning. God willing, Saint Charles and Chiquilline will head to Cocklebarrow. The others stayed on the woodchip.

The New One certainly looks to have the makings of a Champion Hurdle winner, if he and My Tent Or Yours were to meet beforehand it would surely be a sell out.

Carl Evans has written a piece in Racingplus about the success of British Pointer graduates - quite how he has failed to include Full Shift I am not so sure and will be making sure he knows of my disappointment when I see him next. In fairness to Racingplus they are making a much better fist of reporting on British Point to Points, last year it was appalling. Signing Carl up to write a piece each week is a massive step in the right direction. I have known Carl over 20 years and no one knows the circuit or those involved in it better than him. They still have a way to go to match the Weekender but it appears as if they are really trying and for that we should be grateful, support them and buy the paper. The biggest disappointment to it all is it is published on a Saturday.

13th December 2013

The Drinkymeister and Cecile De Volanges schooled over 12 fences, both horses jumped well. The Drinkymeister will head to Chaddesley Corbett on the Friday after Christmas. The others all cantered on the woodchip.

We sat on the 2 babies that arrived the week before last,, both behaved beautifully and we will now move slowly on with them.

Jane Poulter was here to see Mateka who will soon be heading into training with Roger Charlton.

After lunch I went to see Hopstrings, she looks fantastic and will soon be back here, the kids will be delighted as she and Trouble Digger are their favourites. Sophie will have to put carrots back on the shopping list.

The sales at Cheltenham seem to be the norm. Harold Kirk paid £290,000 for a Scorpion gelding. I am pleased to own a yearling by him -  well he is nearly 2. I always believed he, as a sire, would come good. He will have covered plenty and some very good mares.

12th December 2013

Tessa Blazey dropped by to see Chiquilline, she was most disappointed to hear that he hasn't put a foot out of place since he came back! He will be aimed at a point-to-point somewhere before going Hunter Chasing.

The horses mostly stayed on the woodchip apart from 2 that worked on the grass. Instagramher has been entered to run in a 3 year old fillies bumper at Newbury next Saturday - lets hope the jockey gets beyond the furlong pole!

I watched The Peterborough Chase from Huntingdon this afternoon before getting back to some menial tasks. Barry Geraghty was at his finest, if anyone has ever doubted his ability as one of the best jockeys of any era watch the replay. I thought is was the best ride I've seen anyone give a horse since McCoy won on Witcha Lineman.

10th December 2013

A very busy schooling morning, Tom Weston, James Ridley and James Martin were all here to help. 14 horses schooled over regulation fences and all went well. It was the first time for many of them and they coped very well.

This afternoon was spent with Tim Curtis who very kindly bought me lunch in The Chequers, after which we looked at the Pudlicote Partnership horses. A very pleasurable afternoon before heading back to the grind stone.

9th December 2013

No better way to start the p2p season than with a winner, Illicitt Illusion won in spite of the race only being run over 2.5 mile and on fast but safe ground, he will come on mentally for that and it was just was the doctor ordered for the horse, he jumped from fence to fence and wasn't really ever out of his comfort zone, it will do his confidence the world of good. My target for him is now the Restricted race at Whitfield. He is the type, who, at this moment in time, will need plenty of space between races. Whitfield will be right up his street and it is worth waiting for.  A great result for the Drinkwater family - Sam's mum bought the horse at Doncaster in May and got a roasting when the bill appeared! Yesterday, all was forgiven and by all accounts there was a few sore heads this morning. Tom Weston gave him a smashing ride and carried out his orders to the letter. Tom is almost family as Sam has been going out with his sister (who must be a saint) for a long time. Sam and Charlotte are about to move into a house together. Poor Charlotte, she must be bonkers. Spare a thought for Sam who had to watch from the side lines. Can't split a winning combination now, even if your the owners son!

All the horses went up the woodchip and a couple loose schooled. Tomorrow all the 3 year olds will be schooling over the fences.

What I failed to comment on on Saturday in my blog was the pathetic fences at Aintree. It appeared that the top 3ft or more sits on a bench type frame about 12 inches off the ground. For me the National fences now offer no challenge at all, I didn't notice one horse even peck at Beeches and the riders hardly needed to slip their reins. The race is now a glorified handicap over easier fences than regulation ones. It is ruined and winning it will eventually mean nothing as the challenge no longer exists. Now the fences are as they are I can see the French trainers seriously targeting the big prize on offer. Of course you'll still get fallers, horses fall over hurdles. Shame on the authorities who have bowed far far too much to pressure from animal rights protesters. When an industry is being run by people in the street it is seriously a time to worry. Well that's my rant over but the Grand National is no longer very Grand.

7th December 2013

Illicit Illusion gets us underway with this years point-to-point season tomorrow at Barbury. After a great entry numerically I fear small fields with the fast ground.  He's fit, well and a light framed horse who won't mind the ground, Tom Weston rides.

Everything went on the woodchip this morning and a couple loose schooled.

A great day for Ben Case who scooped a 50K purse at Sandown with  Deep Trouble, he was here to brush up on his jumping and even if I say so myself he was fast and very efficient over his hurdles. Leighton Aspel had the gods looking down on him over the last hurdle, even so it was a remarkable horsemanship. He gave the horse a brilliant ride and I am delighted for Ben and his team, Ben is a big supporter of mine and nearly always has something here for one reason or another.

Baby Run, I suspect nearly had many reaching for the tissues, it was a great shame he ended up in the runners up spot but fought back to the line but sadly, didn't have enough left to get back past the winner. All in all a great days racing.

6th December 2013

A busy day being a man down. Sam has his foot back in a cast and has a hairline fracture in his ankle. It will be in a cast for 1 week only and then he starts the long road back to full recovery. I think a prolonged stay in Oaksey House could be in order if he wants to race ride this side of Easter.

Tom Sidall was here for the 1st time today doing a few teeth, Tom will do all the dentistry work here now as Anthony Tory is too busy and the last guy I used has apparently, chased a lady around the globe.

4 horses worked on the grass, nothing will be working on there again until we get some rain, we will be staying on the woodchip until then, its plenty fast enough.

Having read more about Gerard Butler's case it would appear that he seriously went over the line and it is, I suppose it is only fitting that he has been warned off for 5 years. Some may say it should have been life but in many ways it may as well be. If he decides to train again he will have to start from scratch and will, by many, be labelled.

Our resident Indian barber was in action tonight cutting mine and the farriers apprentice hair, he also gives a mean head massage before creaking necks back into place.

5th December 2013

It has been one of those days. It started very well, we were schooling the babies over the fences and all were doing it nicely considering it was their first time over regulation fences. Sam and I were doing it and all was well until we got on the 5th pair. Sam got a bang on his bad foot and Sophie had to take him to Cheltenham hospital. We hope it is just a nasty knock, there is reportedly, no damage to his pre-existing injury. X-rays were inconclusive due to swelling, it is now in a cast, Sam will be back there tomorrow to see his consultant. Sam is obviously hugely fed up and I am gutted. No matter what the outcome of tomorrow Sam will need more time for his foot to heal properly in order to be race riding fit. Tom Weston will ride his family horse on Sunday. I then got buried on the woodchip by a horse who has a switch, when it is turned on he operates, otherwise he's a grand horse. This evening a pallet of shaving fell off the pallet when I was bring them round to the barn and that just about capped the day.

I think a early night is in order.

4th December 2013

All the horses went on the woodchip, some will take their first steps onto the schooling ground tomorrow. The 2 babies belonging to Johnny and Liz Wills started in the lunge pen, both horses are fine and I foresee no problems with either.

Late morning I set off for another day on Johnny with the Heythrop, we had a great charge around jumped plenty some bigger things than others, one very good set of rails. Johnny is strong and I will sleep well tonight, I normally plan to pack up at 2nd horses but we stayed to the death tonight as we were having fun and Johnny has an away day a week on Saturday with the Cheshire. He will be tested up there, I haven't been up there for a good few years now but the last time I did go we jumped a fair few decent hedges.

Gerard Butler must be pretty sick, I know he's done wrong but to take a young mans livelihood away from him is pretty tough. I don't know what the answer is but I'd have thought banning him for 5 years basically finishes him.

3rd December 2013

It has been a productive day, all the horses stayed on the woodchip as the grass is plenty fast enough. I managed to get into my office late morning and spent until evening stables catching up on paper work.

Trouble Digger has gone home to recover from his tendon injury, his half brother by Grape Tree Road came to be broken-in as did a 2 year old filly by Kayf Tara. Tomorrow they will start the process.

Barbury Castle has attracted very good entries and it looks as if there will be some competitive racing. The ground will be a big concern for many and it could end up with small fields.

1st December 2013

Alice has a sore arse after being unseated at the weekend, apparently, she has a massive bruise on it but thankfully spared us the pleasure of seeing it no matter how many times Sam asked. I suggested that she let Sam rub some Arnica and Witch Hazel gel into it but that was suggested was thrown out too.

All the 3 year olds went up the woodchip before jumping in the school, most are now ready to progress onto the schooling ground and some will get out there this week. Sam managed to break a hinge on a stable door this morning, we won't tell him but it was on borrowed time. This afternoon my friendly man in the garage welded it for me and it is now back in situ. The little Yeats filly that came her to be broken-in and pre-trained left for Paul Webbers this morning and Ginger Fizz, a horse I know well as she did all her pre-training here before going into training with Ben Case a couple of years ago. She has come back for some loose schooling before going hurdling. Ben feels that an intense schooling program will help erase the indecision she shows at the obstacles.

Full Shift won like a good horse at Newcastle on Saturday, they'll be more to come from him. 2 mile would be plenty sharp enough for him. It reminds me of what I've always been told - good horses win over any trip. It was in fact a very good weekend for British point to point horses as I think 4 won either on Friday or Saturday. Sadly, there will be no marketing/advertising of the facts of any sorts unlike the Irish, who, rightly, shove it down our throats. I haven't looked but I am sure there would have plenty of Irish p2p winners behind the 4 English ones over the 2 days and its a great shame no one will help us to promote our p2p winners.

Yesterday we managed to get my trailer back on its feet but sadly, it has a few dents and broken panels as a result of turning over, baler twine and a few cable ties have put it back together until I get a chance to see to it properly. I used a smaller trailer late morning and all afternoon to clear up the mess the yearlings left behind them. They were all on deep litre in temporary stables outside. The place is tidy again. Tilly had a lovely birthday and if anyone is looking to get into a new business I suggest that you buy a pub in this immediate area. We were unable to get a table in any local pub, of which there are many and ended up going to Paxford.

I had planned to spend the evening doing paper work but having been up since 4.30 a.m I've had enough and will attack it tomorrow.