12th July 2014

All but 2 of this years bunch of 3 year olds are now riding around the school, another one will get there today but we'll not be rushing the other as he simply needs to grow in confidence before he comes out of the lunge pen. The Presenting horse we bought in Doncaster is now out and about on the farm as are the 2 that were sent from Goffs. The Derby sale horses will remain in the school for several weeks before they head out and about.

Hopstrings is declared to run tomorrow at Southwell, she has run very well there before yet finds herself up against a couple of horses who look very well handicapped, Jonjo's being the one in particular. Hopstrings, in my opinion is on the wrong side of the handicapper but naturally I like to be proved wrong. She's won one race and was consistently punished for standing in her stable. Handicappers aren't allowed to own horses but perhaps if they did they would have a better understanding of the difficulties trainers are faced with when it comes to the handicap system and placing horses, especially at this time of year.

Sholto and Panda finished school yesterday and Tilly finishes today, 8 weeks of additional stress ahead!

Tim Curtis and Jeremy Barber have been appointed on to the board of the point to point committee, Tim had Billy Biscuit in training with us, I am sure he'll bring plenty to the table. I know Jeremy from my riding days and again, am sure he will be a huge asset. I doubt there was 2 more suitable candidates in the country.

8th July 2014

I have failed miserably with postings on my blog of late and need to get back into the routine. There has been little of interest to report on a daily basis since we got back from The Derby Sale. All those are now riding around the lunge pen. Liam Treadwell has been helping us out backing the babies and has been doing a fantastic job. Robbie Dunne came in today to help and will continue to do so when he's not needed elsewhere. I can safely say they are the nicest bunch of horses we've had and I am very excited about more than one of them. We still haven't finished buying and will be heading to the August sale in Ireland in the hope of finding a few more. Our trip to Deauville was enjoyable and productive. I would recommend Deauville to anyone, its a beautiful place and well worth a visit for a short break. We bought one horse by Policy Maker, Paul Nicholls has his half brother, Virak, and I'm told thinks highly of him. He will have a chance to get over the ordeal of the sales and travelling before we start to ride him, he is broken and cantering already so we have time on our side with him.

The new yard is coming along, albeit slowly, the gallop is all but complete, tracks to and from it are now under construction and the ménage started to go in today. The BHA were here today to inspect the licenced premises and are very happy with what they saw, a few tweaks here and there and from what I understood the licence will be granted.

Hopstrings had a blow this morning in preparation for Sunday, she will have a handy weight if the top ones stay in and will run with credit. Liam will be back in the plate.

28th June 2014

All the horses arrived safely from Ireland, glancing back at last years prices emphasises that demand for horses across the board hasn't been so strong since 2006. All those who whinge on about price money (agreed it is appalling in some cases) don't really have a defence against their argument. The proof is in the pudding and I believe that people would race for nothing. Most owners aren't in it for prize money, they are in the sport for the love of it and the buzz they get from winning a race whether it be a p2p or a race under rules.

Max Ward and Hopstrings seem in great shape and the babies from Goffs are cantering around the school. On Monday the breaking-in process starts for the horses that we bought last week.

27th June 2014

A very tough week in Ireland at The Derby Sale, trade was incredibly strong but we did manage to buy 7. Lot 23 by King's Theatre, lot 24 by Scorpion, lot 67 by Flemensfirth, lot 82 by Fragrant Mix, lot 133 by Scorpion, lot 256 by Saint Des Saints and 364 by Yeats. All of which I am very pleased with. Market forces increased our over all spend on individual horses but I think we have done very well considering the strength in depth. On day 2 it was near on impossible to buy anything at a trade-mans price. Until production increases and the foals are on the ground we are faced with more of the same. The records of 2006 we're not quite surpassed this week but I have no doubt they could be next year. In total we now have 2 horses which arrived from Goffs, 1 from Doncaster and 7 from Tattersalls, a trip to France next week has been talked about but travel arrangements are yet to be made.

Very little to report from home, the babies are now riding around the school. Over the weekend I will be fetching in  Kelsey who will hopefully run in the autumn. Hopstrings and Max Ward are in fine fettle, I have races in mind for both of them within the next few weeks.

23rd June 2014

Sitting in Birmingham airport listening to constant call for passengers travelling to Corfu. I think I may have a fair idea who they are calling for!

I am heading to the Derby Sale, it is ridiculous to think that a year has passed and we are on the mission of restocking again.

The horses from Goffs are all now riding around the school and behaving themselves. On my return I will be fetching in the 2 four year olds we carried forward from last year. One is by Enrique the other Robin Des Champs. They are 2 lovely horses and just didn't make it last time. Neither had anything wrong with them, they were more backward than the others and we pulled stumps rather than run them on unsuitable ground.

19th June 2014

All the horses had quiet canters on the wood-chip and the babies were ridden around the lunge pen. All is well.

This afternoon I spent on a dumper truck taking wood-chip up to the new gallop. We have nearly finished the main part of the gallop but still have some drainage to put in on the top side. It will be a while yet before the horses move over, there is still plenty to do.

18th June 2014

Instagramher disappointed to say the least, I had hoped she was better than that. I hate making excuses for horses and am always surprised how many some trainer come up with.  However, Liam said she was squealing and kicking out at the start and our only hope is she is coming into season. She'll get one more chance to show us something, otherwise, she'll have to find another job. It costs a lot of money for owners to keep horses in training and I will not mislead anyone of our owners about a horses ability. I also have to sleep at night after sending out the bills.

Hopstrings and Max Ward have come out of their races in great form, Max will head to Market Rasen having gone up to 134. I think that is harsh enough and expected 132. We will wait another week or so before looking for another opportunity for Hopstrings who went down to 119 from 120. Thanks a real help!

Sholto won the long jump and 200 meters, Panda won the egg and spoon race. Tilly has her sports day in a couple of weeks and better keep the medals coming in.

Liam is helping us out through the summer and rode the 3 horses from Goffs. Another arrived from Ben Case yesterday. All behaved beautifully and will progress in the normal fashion.

16th June 2014

Max Ward and Hopstrings are fine after Friday night. Hopstrings is finding life a bit difficult and I am sure the handicapper will now drop her, if not I will be on the phone to him. Max Ward won well given he didn't jump with fluency and got squeezed up more than once. He has his own way of getting from one side to the other of a hurdle and it is painful to watch. Thankfully, he doesn't give away any ground and is in fact very economical.  We will see where we are with him regarding the handicapper tomorrow, if he keeps plenty of sparkle about him he will then be aimed at the summer hurdle at Market Rasen.

Instagramher runs tomorrow at Stratford, she has come on for her run at Worcester but still has a way to go yet.

The 2 horses we bought in Goffs were long-reined in full tack this morning and it won't be long before I ride them away. Both seem very amiable.

Sholto has his sports day tomorrow and is disappointed he ran so well in the heats as he is now in the top group and feels handicapped out of it all. He is furious that he didn't stop himself!

11th June 2014

Another very interesting day in Newmarket and a tour of the gallops. There are advantages of training in one of the centers, the main one being the facilities that are maintained and paid for by someone else other than you. The costs per month for the gallops is approximately 118 pounds, in my book that is very cheap and a massive saving for any trainer who has to look after their own gallops. The disadvantage in it all is that you have to slot in with everyone else - that would not suit me!

The trade at Goffs is incredible! We had a bid on one horse but he soon went past our budget, reading the results at the moment the clearance rate is in the region of 95 percent.

Hopstrings will run in the boys race at Aintree on Friday and Max Ward in the handicap. It was a toss up for both horses which races to opt for, only time will tell if we have made the right decisions.

10th June 2014

On Sunday I spent most of the day driving a 9 tonne dumper truck taking wood-chip onto the new gallop, when it started doing pirouettes down a very steep slippery hill after a rain shower I pulled stumps and went for a lye down! Not something I want to experience again and would opt to ride Robbie Rabbit over a line of open ditches in preference.

I am attending a seminar in Newmarket this week on various conditions in horses, today was all about the heart and lameness, all very interesting stuff and hugely educational.

Alice and Liam Treadwell are holding fort at home. It makes life so much easier when the yard is left in such capable hands.

Hopstrings and Max Ward will be heading to Aintree on Friday.

7th June 2014

Driving to the yard this morning was something else. Thunder and lightening coming from all angles followed by serious rain! By the time I got to Toddington the roads were bone dry and sun splitting the stones. We managed to get all the horses exercised before the rain hit Pudlicote around 11 A.M.

I have glanced at the entries for Max Ward and Hopstrings at Aintree on Friday, at first glance Max Ward will run in the Novice and Hopstrings in the mares race.  We won't have to make a decision until declarations by which time we'll know more about the likely opposition.

I couldn't wait to get home to watch the rugby and almost managed to get through the morning without hearing the rugby result. Any regular reader of this blog will know I'm a big fan and love my internationals. When talking to one of my owners I was asked why I wasn't watching it and informed of the score with about 5 minuets to play. I can't imagine anyone working with horses sitting down to watch the rugby at 8 a.m.! I've just watched it and it was a fantastic, exciting match with too many handling errors from both sides. Roll on next week and make a mental note to turn phone off!!!

6th June 2014

3 lorries managed to get up to the yard but sadly, the 4th failed miserably and caused such a fuzz that the rest were tipped at the neighbours farm. The men then had to resort to dumpers and a tractor and trailer to get the surface up to the buildings. It was most annoying as we have missed another day on the gallop when the weather was in our favour.

The dentist was in the yard this morning and sorted out 4 horses for us. Otherwise, it was another routine day for the horses.

Baton down the hatches apparently we are in for torrential storms tomorrow, after all it is June!

5th June 2014

A quiet enough day, all the horses had routine canters apart from the new Presenting horse who I rode in the school. I couldn't be happier with him and he will be joining a few others in the field at Sapness this weekend until I return from Ireland.

I have purchased 1000 tonne of the surface from Wolverhampton racecourse, the first 2 loads arrive tonight, it will be going on my all weather schooling ground, loose school, arena, lunge pen and rides to and from the gallop. It will also be going over the hard standing area in front of the yard. As a closet Eddie Stobart spotter I'm hugely excited to see what lorries arrive. Photos posted tomorrow and I will have to mark them off in my Eddie Stobart spotter book!!!!

4th June 2014

Liz Webster picked up her Apple Tree 2 year old who we broke-in and taught to jump, he will now be going into the field to mature over the summer before returning for another 6 weeks of education once the weather turns. Turns from what to what I don't know, we must have had 2 inches of rain today, it has been miserable and very depressing as it has yet again stopped any work on the new gallop.

Liam Treadwell was in this morning, he rode a few babies before schooling Instagramher over a few flights of hurdles. She will not be going to Worcester on Saturday due to the rain we've had. The ground has gone for her even if it stopped now.

3rd June 2014

Micheal Worcester's horses behaved beautifully, I rode the Robin Des champs filly who will be heading to Oliver Sherwood, she is lovely and very typical of his stock.

All the others had routine canters on the woodchip. Once the horses were all done and dusted I took 2 babies and Singlefarmpayment to Heather Haddock's, they won't be short of grass! I also bought Mafate fortin back to Sapness. I had to drag him in last week with puss in the ball of his heal, a long way from his heart and nothing a poultice couldn't sort out.

This afternoon was spent with Ed Hoddell who is doing all the work at Sapness, when you build a gallop on the side of a mountain getting to it was never going to be easy, cost effective and time efficient. We walked many routes and are still undecided as the best route but have ideas to sleep on.

If sthe rain stays away Instragramer May head to Worcester on Saturday before yet another party! That will be it for the year for me, socialising twice in the space of a week is just too much for me.

2nd June 2014

Into the 6th month of the year already! Soon be Christmas.

It was a busy weekend all in all. As most will know I am not too social and would much rather be with the horses than at parties. The wedding in Dorset was fun but the drive there and back was painful. I was slow to get moving on Sunday but had to ride out Cavite Epsilon.

Michael Worcester dropped off his 2 horses late morning today, tomorrow we will get the started, we will have to sit tight as they appear to be a little fresh!

Hopstrings will not go to Southwell tomorrow, instead she will wait for the 3.3 mile handicap at Aintree a week on Friday. Max Ward and Cavite Epsilon will also have entries there. Max Ward has come out of his last run in fine form and was bucking this morning.

30th May 2014

Alice and I got all the horses exercised. We are loose schooling a 2 year old by Apple Tree, and two 3 year old fillies by Kayf Tara and Black Sam Bellamy. All seem to very natural jumpers.

Cavite Epsilon, Max Ward and Hopstrings all have entries at Aintree a week on Friday. It will be a late night should they all go.

Last nights cloud burst was something else, we had water up to the air bricks on the house and a puddle resembling a lake outside our door last night. It all happened within an hour. There was an early morning inspection of the new gallop and I'm pleased to report that not a blade of wood-chip had moved. We have but serious drainage in at great expense but it appears to be money well spent. Many gallops, I'm sure would have been suffering this morning should they have experienced the weather we did last night.

Tomorrow afternoon we are heading to Dorset for a wedding. Dorset is one of my favourite counties, I went to Dorset to help with hay making one year and stayed there for 10 years.

Emma is off to the fracture clinic on Monday, I've suggested some vet wrap and some baler twine to tie her hand to the reins!

29th May 2014

Trea and Alan Newell were in to see Hopstrings and their 3 year old filly by Black Sam Bellamy. Hopstrings hasn't been declared for tomorrow as the ground has gone against her and we felt, although the conditions of the race were right for her it would just be a waste of a run on that ground. She is in at Southwell on Tuesday. The weather is forecast to improve and we will see where we are nearer the time.

Emma fell off this morning riding a baby and has fractured a bone in her hand, that is all we needed and are now a man down for a day or 2.

Michael Worcester who owned Mr Mulligan is kindly sending me 2 horses to pre-train, both of which are due to arrive on Monday.

The Presenting horse we bought at Doncaster is now riding away around the lunge pen and has a great way of going.

28th May 2014

Today is very special as Sophie and I have been married for 9 years and not had a crossed word! I bought her a lovely bunch of Lillies, 1 for each year and I was allowed sugar on my Strawberries.

Things are pretty quiet in the yard and tomorrow the steam cleaner will start its annual workout.

Max Ward is fine after yesterday and will soon be back in action. I think the rain has taken any chance of Hopstrings racing on Friday and she may well head to Southwell on Tuesday.

27th May 2014

The Presenting horse we bought in Doncaster has settled in and this morning I rode him around the lunge pen. He certainly doesn't lack size!

Hugh and Liz Webster were here to see their 2 year old by Apple Tree who is now done and dusted, he will spend the next 10 odd days learning to jump and then will head to the paddock for some well earned Spring grass.

Max Ward ran a very good race and was beaten by a horse of John Fergusons who could, on that performance be seen at Cheltenham next March, he was mightly impressive and I am told his dam, Pretuska  won a number of group 1's and he's by Monsun. Poor Max can't compete with that and must have felt seriously inferior. He was bright as a button afterwards and it won't be long before we look for another race for him. Sholto was disappointed Max was beaten but at least his hero AP rode the winner, Sam would have, apparently won on Max tonight!

The rain has certainly arrived and the A14 was closed due to flooding, depending on how much has fallen at Stratford will depend on Hopstrings participation on Friday.

23rd May 2014

Doncaster sales was very busy with a good trade at all levels, Love Manhattan sold and will, apparently stay p2ping. There were a couple of good sales for GB pointers and long may it continue. The demand for horses at all levels is incredible and until supply catches up with demand it will be very difficult for us.

We came home with only 1 horse, a 3 year old by Presenting. I had him on the lunge this morning and am very pleased with our purchase. Driving home was revolting, the rain hammered down for the first hour of the journey.

Cavite Epsilon will not be going to Uttoxeter, he will wait for another day. Max Ward is entered at Huntingdon on Tuesday and is a likely runner.

The stables have started to go in at Sapness and I spent a few hours this afternoon filling them with the plastic boards.

19th May 2014

Singlefarmpayment blew a gasket before the race began and in my experience it is symptomatic of his sire's progeny. Max Ward was exactly the same in his early days and we didn't even manage to get him to race in the Spring as a 4 year old. I have no doubt in my mine that Singlefarmpayment will win his races when he grows up physically and mentally. Sam said he got a great feel off him at Maisemore, yesterday he knew what was coming and it all got a bit too much for him. They had to circle at the start for 10 minuets which didn't help. He just didn't settle, few if any 4 years can win races travelling like that early on. He is now out in the field with At Work Bleu and has his shoes off.

There were more people at Stratford yesterday than at Aintree on Friday night and we all got home at a sensible hour.

Alice has taken the horses up to Doncaster this afternoon and I will be heading up there ASAP in the morning. Lunette was collected this morning and has gone back into training with Ralph Beckett who is having a great time of it of late. Next season starts in earnest on Thursday as we look to restock!

17th May 2014

Hopstrings ran her usual race, she is certainly a tough consistent  cookie, she will be very hard to place and win with given the handicapper had hit her too hard n my opinion, to raise any horse 18lbs on the back of her run at Chepstow was harsh to say the least. I think she will recover faster than Alice and I. It was a tortuous long day. We finally got home just after 1 a.m. The M6 is under going resurfacing through the night and a diversion was in place and many parts of it were down to one lane. I couldn't believe the number of cars and lorries on the road at midnight. I slept in the lorry for a few hours and then started to ride out. Alice had the morning off to recover. I think evening racing should be scrapped, especially looking at the size of the crowd at Aintree last night. I don't see who benefits from it.

Singlefarmpayment is running at Stratford tomorrow. I have an early start as I am off to sit on a 3 year old in Sussex.

15th May 2014

A routine morning for the horses. Kim Bailey picked up his 2 horses that have been here to learn to jump, both were very accurate in the finish and jumping will not be an issue for either.

I then had lunch with my bank manager - someone has to pay for the works below.

 

Black Mountains in the distance. The view from the top of the gallop.

14th May 2014

We have been experiencing difficulties with our internet connection hence, the lack of blogs.

There is little to report at this time of year, all the pointers are finished. We have a few to run under rules through the summer and next week the store sales begin gain - another year of torture worrying about how we will fare next season. There is no time for relaxation, as soon as last years crop are finished the next ones take over.

The new farm is coming together and the first load of wood-chip arrives tomorrow. I gave synthetic surfaces a lot of thought but kept coming back to wood-chip. My mind was made up to stick with wood-chip when I heard from a very good source that Aidan O'Brien has taken up his synthetic surfaces and gone back to wood-chip. As a result of doing so his fracture rate has plummeted.

If I'm not riding a horse I seem to have a paint brush in my hand...............

Hopstrings will go to Aintree on Friday and Singlefarmpayment to Stratford on Sunday.

10th May 2014

A very early start this morning, I left home shortly after 4 a.m. The 4 horses we took for an away gallop all worked nicely and we will now look for races for them. We may offer At Work Bleu at the May sale in Cheltenham, if he doesn't make his reserve, which will be sensible, we will have no problem running him. Singlefarmpayment may go to Stratford next weekend.

Hopstings has 2 entries at Aintree on Friday and is likely to run in the handicap over 3 miles if the rain stays away.

9th May 2014

Hopstrings was a non runner due to the change in ground.

All the horses had routine canters on the wood-chip and the babies were ridden in the school. This afternoon, I spent most of it mowing grass.

Tomorrow will be a very early start as we are taking 4 horses galloping. Cavite Epsilon will, I think go novice chasing.

08 May 2014

Instagramher was taken off her feet a little, we always knew she'd need further but had to start somewhere. She is in fine fettle this morning.

Hopstrings has been declared to run at Market Rasen tomorrow, we will have to have a rain check in the morning as they applied 10mm of water earlier in the week and could have had any amount of rain today.

All the horses had routine canters on the wood-chip this morning and the babies were ridden around the school.

Yesterday en route to Worcester I was filling up with fuel and noticed a cat on the parcel shelf in the car opposite me. On closer inspection it had a collar around its neck and a lead tied to something in the back of the car. I had a fair idea of the type of person who would treat a cat like a terrier and waited for the owner to return to the car. I wasn't disappointed and had made a fairly accurate guess of the type of person who takes their cat out and about. I also noted that it had its own litter tray behind the drivers seat! There certainly are some strange ones about.

I have ordered the wood-chip for the new gallop, things are progressing here but not at the speed I'd like.

6th May 2014

The Youmzain colt we had for breaking-in and pre-training has gone into training with Mick Channon today.

Mr Dinosaur was vetted and will soon be heading off to Somerset to catch up with his mate Simon Squirrel. Both horses have bright futures and couldn't have gone to a better hotel. We are obviously delighted to be selling horses into the leading trainers yards and can only hope that they progress and compete at the highest level.

This morning was busy, we had vets to deal with as well as getting all the horses exercised. Most had routine canters on the wood-chip. Instagramher and Love Manhattan jumped 6 hurdles. Instagramher is 50-1 on the Sporting Life website and is worth 50p each way at that price! She's very well, hurdles very accurately and tries her hardest at all times. It will be the first time she has raced on what we think will be her ground.

This afternoon I have spent in front of the computer and have one less thing to worry about now I have the paper work up to date. Now I have to repair the puncture in the lawnmower before the jungle outside takes over completely.

5th May 2014

We decided not to run At Work Bleu, the ground was apparently, rough and fast. Fast ground is unavoidable, rough ground isn't. We will now consider taking him down the bumper route.

Instragramer will take her chance at Worcester on Wednesday night. Hopstrings has an entry at Market Rasen on Friday.

There is little else to report and I feel a bit sad that the p2p season is coming to a close, only 15 days to go until the store sales start, how time flies!

3rd May 2014

Max Ward ran a cracking race last night at Bangor finishing second behind a horse highly regarded by Donald McCain. We will see how he comes out of the race but may consider letting him off for a while. I think he still needs time and is by no means fully furnished.

Liam Treadwell was in to school Instragramer this morning, she jumped very well and may go to Worcester on Wednesday night for a competitive mares maiden hurdle. We have to start somewhere.

I took a filly by Kayf Tara belonging to Jeff and Norma Harris back to Overbury Stud and bought 2 horses over to the paddocks at Sapness. It is a memorable day for us, having a horse or 2 to look at out of the window makes it an even more special place.

At Work Blue will head to Maisemore and is in fine shape, I gave him a quiet canter on the grass this morning and he's never been in better shape.

Paul Nicholls was in Lambourn this morning and popped in to see a few horses.

Hopstrings is in at Market Rasen on Friday night and will race over 3 miles which she appears to have been crying out for, the race on paper looks competitive but well within her graps.

01 May 2014

Sam texted a picture of a pint of beer early this morning. Oh I am glad to be here and not in Punchestown. We have concluded that Punchestown must be a lot nosier now he's there.

Alice, Emma and I got all the horses ridden and loose schooled two horses that arrived from Kim Bailey's yesterday, they will learn to jump before having their summer break.

Tomorrow we run Max Ward and have The Drinkymeister to compete with! May the best horse win............As the 2 horses that arrived yesterday belong to The Drinkymeister's owner we better think long and hard about where we finish tomorrow. Max is in great form so who knows.  Hopstrings beat their other horse at Chepstow last week. It maybe the last time they send me a horse.

Our satellite broadband is as good as an chocolate fireguard and spends most of the time logging out. I came home early in the hope of doing some paper work, between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. I've generated no more than a dozen invoices. The weekend could be spent in front of this bloody thing when I'm not riding out or moving horses around the countryside. I made an irate phone call to the installers of the satellite and told them to come and take it down before I covered it in lead shot. They appeased me and got it working momentarily. It is in danger of being blown to pieces unless it sharpens up.............

30th April 2014

We have finally got a internet connection without creating mobile hotspots with our phones or dongles. Instead we now have satellite  broadband via a very ugly and large disc on the side of the house!

Yesterday we worked. Joey Kanagroo, At Work Bleu, Instragramer, and Max Ward on the grass. Geoff and Norma Harris were here early doors to see their 2 youngsters, both of which have matured greatly. Tim Roots was here late morning to see Lunette who will soon be going into training. I then spent the afternoon mowing and strimming the grass.

This morning yesterday's workers had an easy day, Instragramer jumped in the school with Sam, the others had routine canters and the babies were all ridden around the lunge pen.

28th April 2014

Mr Dinosaur is in fine fettle after his run. This morning most horses cantered on the wood-chip, others were ridden in the school. Instragramer jumped in the school with Sam and At Work Bleu jumped 9 fences in preparation for Maisemore on bank holiday Monday. He will be our last p2p runner of the season and let's hope we can finish with a winner.

Sam is heading off to Punchestown so I dread to think what state he'll be in the following Monday!

We are now riding the Yeats and Black Sam Bellamy fillies and also the Apple Tree gelding. They have all behaved beautifully and will progess through the learning process as normal.

This afternoon, I got all the lawns mowed and met with the contractor who is doing the gallops etc near Ledbury. Things are progressing, yet a long way to go before it's all completed.

Max Ward is entered to run at Bangor on Friday night and that is the plan.

26th April 2014

Mr Dinosaur didn't disappoint and won very well. Sam gave him a smashing confident ride and said he was doing all his best work at the end and that he had so much in reserve it was unimaginable. He has a bright future and is a very good looking horse with a fabulous outlook on life.

Woodford is one of my favourite trackers, the fences have to be jumped and in my experience horses jump them beautifully. The ground was soft but beautifully produced and the groundsmen should be very proud of the racing surface they produced. I hung around to watch the last maiden as I have a particular interest in horses by Scorpion. I have 2 youngsters by him in the field and believe he is going to come good. He has had some undeserved bad press and his runners are delivering the goods. I'm certainly very positive about him as a sire. The horse won very nicely with plenty in hand.

25th April 2014

A wet and horrible day for the sales horses, selling horses is always stressful, selling horses in the pouring rain adds to the stress. The horses hate it and so do we.

It was a very strong sale and as always the best horses made plenty of money and the lesser ones were left behind. I was always on the back foot with Love Manhattan as he simply doesn't have a fashionable enough pedigree. I was astounded that Singlefarmpayment didn't sell, he was in and out of his box for 2 days and I thought there was plenty of interest in him. He probably just lacked substance and if you produce any horse at a premier sale with any fault you get punished. He's a racehorse alright but probably not a sales horse. We will now take him to the next stage and win a bumper with him!

Susie Sheep sold for 90,000 and will be trained by David Pipe. Robbie Rabbit made 70,000 and Nigel Hawke has him. Nigel is a very underrated trainer with patience, he's in a good hotel and will win his races for Nigel.

The ground at Woodford must be soft at best after today's rain. Mr Dinosaur is out of a Generous mare and I'd rather he was racing on good ground. He's very well and I'm extremely excited by him.

24th April 2014

Mr Dinosaur jumped 9 fences with Sam, I had to let him sit on him before Saturday! He did it nicely and I can't wait for Saturday.

Alice and I have been at the sales since late morning! all the right people saw our horses and we will now have to wait and see what happens.

23rd April 2014

A quiet morning for the horses, the 4 for the sales all had quiet canters as did most of them. Hopstrings thinks she's Dawn Run and was bouncing!

Emma sat on a couple of the babies after they had been long reined, Sam was seeing a surgeon for his foot. He has a bone that hasn't healed and will have it sorted during the summer, arthritis is already setting in and it is imperative he gets it sorted ASAP. All being well, he will only be needed for 2 more of ours, Mr Dinosaur on Saturday and At Work Bleu at Maisemore the following week. After that he can concentrate on his foot and Emma will become test pilot on the quiet ones and yours truly will have to dust off his boots for anything that appears unpredictable.

Term starts for the kids tomorrow, a joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apart from the bills!

22nd April 2014

Cavite Epsilon, Joey Kangaroo, Mr Dinosaur and Chiquilline went for an away gallop, Cavite Epsilon and Mr Dinosaur jumped 6 fences. Mr Dinosaur will run at Woodford on Saturday and I can't wait to see him in action. Cavite Epsilon will have entries at Bangor and Cheltenham.

All the others had quiet canters on the wood-chip or were long reined in the lunge pen this afternoon.

Love Manhattan and Robbie Rabbit will now be heading to Cheltenham sales on Friday and have been given wild card entries.

21st April 2014

It has been a very good weekend, Easter. Hopstrings ran her heart out and finished 2nd again, she doesn't deserve to be second so often as she tries harder than most.

Love Manhattan proved what we thought he would once he got some fast ground and won comfortably at Paxford, I am told that he he did it very well and jumped beautifully. He will now join Robbie Rabbit, Susie Sheep and Singlefarmpayment at the sales on Friday.

An early night is in order.

19th April 2014

Robbie Rabbit won at Chadessley and Sam can take all the credit, he's done all the schooling and believe me he's schooled plenty, I don't think he's anything more than a typical Flemensfirth, once he comes round he'll, like most of his progeny will die for you. He like many of them take time. Sam was patient and couldn't force him but got him there when it mattered, a very god ride from Sam. We could so no more at home and it wouldn't of mattered if we'd waited another month, he was always going to take a while to get into his stride. If he comes out of today in good spirits he is likely to have a wild card for the Cheltenhan sale on Friday, if not we will hold him until the May sale giving him time to get over his run.

I met Robert Chugg on the way out and went to have a cup of tea with him and see some yearlings. A visit to the Chugg's takes time, there are many lovely horses of all ages to see.

Tomorrow, I will be riding out Mondays runners and then walking Paxford, I hope the rain stays away and we can run Love Manhattan.

All the horses are well at home and the babies are behaving beautifully.

18th April 2014

Robbie Rabbit and Love Manhattan jumped 9 fences, Robbie Rabbit will take his chance at Chaddesley if the ground is safe. If the forecast rain arrived Love Manhattan will have to side step Paxford, he wants quick ground.

All the others had quiet canters on the wood-chip.

Our dentist was in and treated the new arrivals as well as a few who have been on the waiting list.

Have a happy Easter and enjoy the sunshine for now.

17th April 2014

Most of the horses had routine canters on the wood-chip, those that worked yesterday had a quiet day. The 3 babies that have just arrived were all girthed with the roller and all accepted it very well, I foresee no problems with anyone of them.

Sam added some more ventilation to my horse box with the forks on the tractor!

Robbie Rabbit is likely to go to Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday, Robert Chugg is in charge of the ground and tells me he'll be putting plenty of water on.

I failed to have a rant about the Hunter Chase at Chepstow, Cavite Epsilon was balloted out due to stabling, or rather lack of it. Why they can't think outside the box and make arrangements for a few to stay in the lorries I do not know. We all seem to manage at the p2p's. Instead they ended up with 9 runners and many disgruntled owners and trainers.

I finally managed to get my new phone switched on, it has only taken 2 weeks and numerous calls and emails to O2.

16th April 2014

Vodafone and Sky Televison are now in room 101, neither company sees to be able to carry out simple tasks in order to help their customers - they join Countrywide.

Mr Dinosaur, Love Manhattan, Instragramer and Joey Kangaroo all worked in Lambourn, our grass gallops are now too firm. Love manhattan and Mr Dinosaur jumped 6 fences and did it well.

The others cantered on the wood-chip or were ridden in the school. A 2 year old who's a full brother to Banderiantes arrived to be broken. He will start tomorrow and can do all his work along with the Yeats and Black Sam Bellamy fillies.

Max Ward is bouncing after Taunton and still waits for a handicap mark, how he hasn't been given a mark I do not know! I can now start moaning about the handicappers like many others seem to.

14 April 2014

Mr Dinosaur and Robbie Rabbit schooled at Andoversford this morning, Sam rode Robbie and I rode Mr Dinosaur. Both horses jumped very well. I am planing to send Robbie Rabbit to Kimble and Mr Dinosaur will head to Woodford.

Hopstrings will not run this week but will hopefully go to Chepstow for the fillies novice hurdle on Easter Monday. Love Manhattan will go to Paxford on the same day.

This afternoon I collected the 2 yearlings I bought in Ireland from Overbury and took them to their new owners near Tewkesbury. I also collect a 2 year old filly by Black Sam Bellamy from Trea Newell. She will be broken in and ridden around for 6 weeks before heading back to grass. Ben case dropped in a Yeats filly who will do the same.

12th April 2014

All the horses stayed on the wood-chip this morning and we loose schooled a couple. I fear the ground will go against us at Exeter for Cavite Epsilon, but we will have to wait and see.

Hopstrings is in at Cheltenham and Southwell next week, I will also be entering her for the mares novice hurdle at Chepstow the following week.

Henry Daly marked our card and he was bang on the money by all reports, the ground was apparently very dead and I'm pleased we didn't have a wasted trip. Sam got a horrendous fall and he tells me he himself bought 2 other horses down. Thankfully he is fine and lives to fight another day.

Saint Charles was stopped in his tracks when making a forward move and had to be switched out very wide by which time his race was over. He has now been on the go for just short of a year and it s a long journey to Ayr for a 4 year old who's been in training 11 months. Mr Henderson will know more about that than me and I am sure today's run was more to get some experience into him on safe ground before he heads to Ireland for a well deserved break. As anyone with any knowledge of dealing with young horses will know it can take horses 4 sometimes 5 runs before they even know what is expected of them. Max Ward is a prime example. He's had 5 runs and was still very green when winning at Taunton by 20 lengths earlier in the week. Sadly, there are many ignorant people in the p2p fraternity who think they are experts when in fact all they do is confirm their ignorance when commenting on something they understand little or nothing about. We will all see more of Saint Charles.

11th April 2013

Mr Dinosaur and Robbie Rabbit jumped 9 fences, Cavite Epsilon and Lunette worked on the grass. The others had quiet canters on the wood-chip.

We are hoping to run Cavite Epsilon at Exeter on Tuesday.

I have little to report really, many of the horses are on tick over for the next Brightwells sales and we have let a couple down as they are just need more time and will be out and about in the autumn.

Saint Charles runs tomorrow at Ayr.

10th April 2014

A quiet enough morning on the gallops and most had routine canters.

Max Ward won extremely well at Taunton, I think he has a lot more to come too. He is still unbelievably green given he has had 2 bumper runs and now 3 runs over hurdles. In time he will jump a fence and the owners are, I hope in for some fun with him. I just hope he is treated too harshly by the handicapper given what was behind him today.

There is little else to report. I will wait another week with Robbie Rabbit and possibly run Love Manhattan at Bitterley on Saturday.  I think he wants fast ground so we will make our final decision once I have spoken to Henry Daly who is clerk of the course. If he can't get it right, there is little hope for anyone else.

9th April 2014

I am struggling to hold on to anything including my office. the removals men are in and causing me additional stress.

Mr Dinosaur, Robbie Rabbit, Love Manhattan, Cavite Epsilon all jumped a few fences, it was the first time for Mr Dinosaur and he did it very well. Robbie Rabbit is a typical Flemensfirth and he is really starting to grow in confidence. This weekend may just come a bit too soon for him. Sam and I will make a decision on Friday. Max Ward jumped 6 hurdles and he too did it well, if anything he's too safe - hope I'm not tempting fate as he runs at Taunton tomorrow. Sam has stood himself down and Liam Treadwell rides him.

All the babies are now cantering quietly up the wood-chip and seem to be having fun. A loose one this morning added to the entertainment. Thankfully, horse and rider were unhurt.

Mr and Mrs Wills were here to see their Kayf Tara filly who I think is very nice, she's got size and scope and could be a perfect candidate for 3 year old fillies bumpers much later in the year.

This afternoon I moved all the fences onto fresh ground before meeting my accountant. As much as I like Len I could really have done without the news I received! Len has been doing my accounts for 20 odd years. I used to ride his horses, so we go back a long way and always have a good chat about the old, wild days!

8th April 2014

Mr Dinosaur, Hopstrings, Joey Kangaroo and Instagramher went for an away gallop. Mr Dinosaur will be aimed at Woodford. Hopstrings will have a couple of entries next week.

The catalogue for the next Brightwells sale is now on-line, Singlefarmpayment and Susie Sheep are entered.

Sholto has been pestering me for days to play football and I am now going to have a kick around. I can't keep telling him I'm too busy.

07 March 2014

A very good weekend with Simon Squirrel and Rebekah Rabbit winning.

This morning we school Cavite Epsilon and Robbie Rabbit, the later has an entry at Bitterley on Saturday. We will see where we are with him later in the week and take it from there.

Max Ward is highly likely to head to Taunton on Thursday. Hopstrings is coming back to herself and we will soon be looking for a race for her too.

05 April 2014

A brilliant brilliant  day, Simon Squirrel did as we expected and won the bumper comfortably at Chepstow. It was very encouraging to hear Liam Treadwell tell us there is so much more to come from him and that the penny was only dropping as he approached the line. Liam gave him a smashing ride.. Simon Squirrel has a bright future ahead of him. Freddy Fox also won at High Easter which was as pleasing.

This morning Robbie Rabbit and Mafate Fortin went for an away gallop and both horses pleased us. The others had quiet canters on the wood-chip and the babies also went up there.

4th March 2014

Simon Squirrel, At Work Bleu, Rebekah Rabbit, Love Manhattan, Max Ward and Hopstrings all breezed through on the grass this morning.

Simon Squirrel will run tomorrow at Chepstow.

We are in the process of packing up our house ready fro the removal men next week, well Sophie and her mother are. I am, conveniently, too tied up with horses and other commitments.

I haven't seen a race from Aintree today so am of to watching Racing Replay.

3rd April 2014

Robbie Rabbit and Love Manhantann jumped 12 fences. Robbie Rabit may head to Bitterley next weekend, if I don't run Love Manhattan at Barbury Castle he too may go to Bitterley. The other horses all cantered on the wood-chip. Tomorrow the weekend runners will breeze on the grass.

I wouldn't mind a days hunting in The Portman country on Warne, he is some leaper! I was also pleased to see that The New One won, I think he was very unlucky not to win the campion hurdle and Sam TD did a great job to get him to finish where he did.

2nd April 2014

Max Kendrick was in to have a pop on Freddy Fox, they jumped 9 fences beautifully and will be reunited at High Easter on Saturday. Sam led him on Rebekah Rabbit and then gave At Work Bleu a pop too. The others had quiet canters on the wood-chip or were ridden around the school.

Jollyallan has just won the bumper at Wincanton vey impressively, he arrived in my yard last year reportedly unbreakable! He was a challenge and I would have probably not agreed to have had him had Richard Barber not been the owner. One thing I will not do is attempt to repair other peoples damage. It takes a longtime to make a horse and only a minuet to ruin one. Repairing that damage is not always possible. It looks like we did a good job and Harry Fry has done a fantastic job in getting him to win 1st time out. I'd have a horse every day of the week that hasn't had contact with humans over a horse that has been started by the wrong person.

Chepstow has had a heap of rain and that will do for us thank you - no more required.

01 April 2014

I have made reference how time flies in this blog before, I simply can't believe it is April already. The days roll into weeks, weeks into months and months in to years, it just seems to fly by and I actually find it frightening. Sholto is 8 today, I should look up more often!

At Work Bleu and Rebekah Rabbit jumped a few fences in preparation for the weekends activities. Simon Squirrel has a ballot mark of 12 but should get a run, the race is 2nd preference to divide.

Freddy Fox is now under new ownership but will stay with me for his next run before moving to his new trainer. He is in at High Easter on Saturday and the plan is to run him there before handing him over.

There is some rain forecast and we will need it before the weekend.

31st March 2014

Singlefarmpayment kept the ball rolling and won yesterday at Maisemore. 3 winners over the weekend is always very pleasing. A great team effort. He jumped brilliantly, but ran very green around the home turn giving away plenty of ground, as soon as he straightened up he quicken clear like a good horse. I thought he was very impressive. It is very hard to enjoy the weekend as we should due to the injury to Illicit Illusion has sustained. He will certainly miss a year.

Susie Sheep seems to have come out of her very impressive win in good shape. She will have an easy day or 4 now while we decide where to go next.

At Work Bleu and Love Manhattan  are entered in the maiden at Barbury Castle on Sunday, At Work Bleu is the more likely runner. Rebekah Rabbit will run in the fillies maiden.

Simon Squirrel may run at Chepstow on Saturday in the bumper, Liam Treadwel has been booked. Liam is an under rated jockey who doesn't get enough rides.

29th March 2014

I am afraid I ran out of time to write a blog yesterday what with birthday celebrations and work load.

We started with the sparrows this morning to get everything done before heading off to Whitfield, which thankfully is only up the road. All the horses cantered on the wood-chip and the babies were ridden around the school.

Today was a very good day with a bad end. Susie Sheep, in Sholto's words "hammered them" she won by 36 lengths with a motionless jockey on her back. Illicit Illusion also won comfortably but sadly has broken down. He will certainly miss next season but is young enough, aged 6, to deserve another crack of the whip once he's had time to recover. We will not know the severity of the injury until we scan it on Monday. Tom Campbell has been booked and will be here at some stage to do so. It is just a great shame the day had to finish with that as it takes the gloss off what should be a fantastic day. I am very lucky that all my owners understand it happens, although it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. No horse deserves that and it only ever happens to the ones that try. Our dreams of the Intermediate final at Cheltenham are squashed.

Tomorrow we head to Maisemore with Singlefarmpayment who I expect to run a big race.

27th March 2014

Rebekah Rabbit, Kelsey, Singlefarmpayment, Lunette, Illicit Illusion, Mr Dinosaur, Mafate Fortin, and Susie Sheep did varying levels of work on the grass this morning. Cavite Epsilon lead Robbie Rabbit over 12 fences or more. The rest of the horses were either ridden on the wood-chip or in the school. Norma and Geoff Harris were here bright and breezy to see their 2 babies. Both of which have strengthen up since they last saw them.

After we had finished up for lunch I headed down to Ledbury to meet with the contactors who are doing all the work there. We changed a few things around and it is all coming together- a long way to go yet though. 

Geoff Bosley bought a full brother to Macarno over earlier in the week, we sold Macarno to David Pipe last year at Doncaster May sale. I know David is very pleased with Macarno although he hasn't yet won a race. This lad is every bit as nice and I am sure he will be well received at Doncaster in May.

26th March 2014

Sam and I took 2 horses for an away gallop after 1st lot. The others were cantered on the wood-chip and we rode the babies when we got back.

This afternoon apart from harrowing the gallop, checking legs and feeding I have been strapped to my desk doing paper work. I have made a fair dent in it and have had enough for today. I now have 2 screaming children to deal with.

We have yet again run out of oil so I am in for a cold bath just to cap the day off nicely.

25th March 2014

A normal frantic morning, the rain is back and belive it or not we needed it, it is amazing how quickly the ground dries up.

Most of the horses cantered on the wood-chip. Love Manhanttan, Susie Sheep and Robbie Rabbit all schooled. I rode Love Manhattan, below.

There's life in the old man yet, it is my birthday on Friday, Sam's half my age and I'm still having to ride all the dodge ones! I let Sam ride the easy ones - it makes my life a lot quieter.

Above is Sam on Robbie Rabbit, not too bad for the first time over regulation fences! Below is Susie Sheep and Sam who heads to Whitfield on Saturday. Sam does a great job schooling theses horses and deserves much of the credit along wit everyone else who works here.

24th March 2014

After the horses were seen to yesterday the kids and I went to see how things were going at the new farm. We won't need to go to any fairs this year as they can have as many rides as they like in the digger bucket! I'm not too sure who the biggest kid there was yesterday, possibly Ed the digger man who taught them all to jump in puddles a few weeks back.

The gallop has started to go in and it is all taking shape.

This morning all the horses cantered on the wood-chip, we loose schooled Kelsey, Joey Kangaroo and a horse Ben Case bought at the Festival Sale by Shantou. The babies were ridden around the school. This afternoon was spent repairing the schooling ground. The weekend runners will all have a jump tomorrow.

22nd March 2014

Apologise for no blog last night but after opening my post I decided to go to bed - just over 4 grand's worth of bills landed on my desk and they nailed the coffin last night!

Simon Squirrel, Robbie Rabbit, Kelsey, Susie Sheep,  Mr Dinosaur, Joey Kangaroo,  Mafate Fortin and Lunette either worked or cantered on the grass. The rest either cantered on the wood-chip or went in the school. A quick sandwich and then I took 2 unnamed horses to school around Siddington. Once they were safely back in their houses I went to collect the children from their grandmother as Sophie is away for the weekend. The chickens had a day of box rest, Tilly hung me on the phone to her mother, so I'm in trouble for that.

Susie Sheep will hopefully run at Whitfield next Saturday in the fillies maiden. The only thing that will stop her is firm ground, so I hope we get a drop of rain at times throughout the week. Illicit Illusion is in the intermediate race there too.

Singlefarmpayment may head to Masiemore on Sunday.

Boiled eggs on menu!

19th March 2014

Max Ward and Hopstrings jumped 9 hurdles this morning, Max Ward has been declared to run at Newbury tomorrow and Hopstrings is aiming for some black type there on Saturday. Both horse schooled beautifully. She is bottom weight and there is a chance she won't get in, although I am assured by the jockeys agent she will. Should she not get in she will go to Market Rasen on Sunday. The others all did a bit more work on the wood-chip. The babies went in the school. Sam has been doing a fantastic job with the troublesome filly and she has come a long way in a relatively short period of time.

Ginger Fizz won at Chepstow today and jumped with accuracy, which is very pleasing for all.

It is Panda's birthday tomorrow so I will have strict instructions from the birthday girl to get back from Newbury for a birthday tea. Panda is 6 tomorrow, the youngest in our family yet she seems to be the boss!

18th March 2014

The horses have been having an easy enough week. They either raced or worked over the weekend, their work load will start to increase again as of tomorrow.

The babies are all behaving well and have progressed to the school, they will be ridden around there for several weeks before either starting to have quiet canters or being sent back to the field.

Planning permission has been granted at the new farm and the digger started on the gallop today. Hallelujah!

17th March 2014

All of the horses had quiet canters after the weekends excertions, their work load will be increased as the week goes on. Freddy Fox has come out of his run in fine spirits, it won't be long before we look for another race for him!

Tom Campbell was in to trach wash Chiquilline and Hopstrings. Dissapointingly Chiquilline's isn't up to scratch and he will miss his engagement at Ludlow on Thursday. Hopstrings on the other hand has an almost perfect wash and will head to Newbury on Saturday. We are punching above our weight but the owners are keen to try and get black type so why shouldn't we give it a shot. Peter Carberry will ride taking 3 lbs off her back.

16th March 2014

A quiet day for many of the horses as we ran 3 on Saturday and worked 5 yesterday. The horses seem to have come out of their races well. They will all need bit of time before we think about options for them. Cavite Epsilon is likely to head for a maiden hunter chase.

Working horses on a Sunday isn't the norm, all the staff came in for which I am very grateful.

It will be a quiet enough week for most. Max Ward and Hopstrings have entries over the weekend, and Chiquilline  is in at Ludlow on Thursday. Tom Campbell will be here tomorrow to trach was Hopstrings and Chiquilline. Hopstrings is in a listed race at Newbury and will need to bring her A game to the table.

15th March 2014

Some very good racing today at Larkhill in the sunshine with great owners. Without doubt it is the best track in England. I would love to see an English vs Ireland competition there. We hit the crossbar twice, Freddy Fox was 2nd, the race was run in an incredibly quick time, 2 seconds faster than the Men's Open and 17 seconds faster than the other division. He was unlucky to run into what could possible be a very good horse trained by Heather Dalton. Heather's horses always deserve respect and she is no ones fool. I am delighted with Freddy Fox, we will see how he is in 5 weeks time and possibly look for another race. Cavite Epsilon showed himself to be the horse we always thought he was a ran a fantastic race behind one of Shelia Crows horses only being beaten a short head. Word on the street has it that Crow's horse is potentially a Fox Hunters horse for next year. Again, the Crow's are serious operators and if they think they have a good one they are probably right. I am delighted for Epsilon and his very patient owner who deserves some fun having waited for 3 years. Illicit Illusion ran very well on ground we knew he wouldn't like finishing 6th. Meetings were lost in June a couple of years ago so his ground may yet return!

It is yet another early start tomorrow as we are taking horses off galloping. I am now a taxi driver by night and off to collect Tilly from her mates house.

14th March 2014

The sale at Brightwells was a huge success and Brightwells should be congratulated for taking the risk in staging it at such a time. Many trainers and agents were very anti it and I think their reasons were very justifiable. However, a sale can only be judged on its results and yesterday's were incredible. I can only imagine the sale is here to stay, it wasn't so long ago that everyone was up in arms about a 4 day festival. If it were to revert back to 3 I am sure there would many grumbling. People, in general, don't like change as it induces fear of the unknown. Brightwells look after everyone so well they deserve support, the lunch they put on for all involved in the sale yesterday was second to none, all of their staff will do anything to help in anyway they can and they deserve the success they are getting.

Saint Charles made what he deserved to make £140,000, he is a smashing individual and won his race in very good style. Richard Rabbit sold very well for £55,000, I think he is heading to the field for a break which he will benefit hugely from. He still needs time to fill out his frame, grow and strengthen up. He did well to achieve what he has given his immaturity.

Freddy Fox, Cavite Epsilon and Illicit Illusion will go to Larkhill tomorrow.

Panda has just telephoned to say she doesn't want to stay at her mates as previously agreed so I have to run off and collect her. Have a good weekend and enjoy the sunshine, its been a  long time coming!

12th March 2014

It was an early start 4.30 to be precise, I was at the sales in Cheltenham just before 7 and the horses flew through their vettings. Both horses seem to have been well received by those who have already seen them, tomorrow will be the busy day.

I walked up to watch the racing but the crowds got to me so I went back to the sales complex and watched a couple more on a TV the size of a match box, better than nothing. A cheese burger and chips cost me 10.60 pence!

A few folk came to see the horses after racing and I have just returned home, done the gallop, fetched hay round and am soon off to bed.

11th March 2014

Tom Campbell our vet was here first thing to trach wash the weekend runners and Chiquilline. Chiquilline had an almost perfect wash and I can only but his poor performance down to the fence he took from the boards, it must have knocked the wind out of his sails as he blew hard and we are unable to find anything else to explain it. Cavite Epsilon and Freddy Fox are intended runners at Larkhill on Saturday. Illicit Illusion may also join them, I am yet to speak with his owners and way up options.

Cavite Epsilon, Freddy Fox, Singlefarmpayment and Bandeirantes jumped 9 fences and had a blow on the grass. All the other horses cantered on the wood-chip and the babies were ridden around the school.

I felt for Sam Twiston Davis, I think he was a very unlucky looser, had he had a clear run I think the result would have been different.

10th March 2014

Chiquilline ran too bad for it to be true, on Friday I couldn't hold one side of him on the wood-chip. We will be carrying out some tests tomorrow in the hope of finding something a miss. There were obviously no outward signs prior to the race of any sickness but it won't be the first time that a horse has gone into a race in what was perceived to be in fine form only for it to trach wash filthy the following day. I read our champion trainer experiencing a similar thing with one of his grade 1 horses a couple of months ago. The last horse I sent racing that didn't travel a yard was Proximo at Exeter 3 seasons ago. The following day his trach wash was filthy having been perfect 3 days prior to the run. To say I was disappointed yesterday would be an understatement. We will re-group and hope for happier times ahead with him.

Sam and I were up before the sparrows this morning as we took 2 horses for an away gallop. We will be starting early all week in the hope of enjoying Cheltenham as much as possible, the horses have to come first and the work still has to be done. Many races look even more competitive than usual, I think we are in for a real treat this week. Enjoy!

8th March 2014

If the senior squad can hammer the Welsh as did our under 20's last night it will be cause for celebration. 67 -7 was the result! I hope the Welsh enjoy Kingston Blount more than that!

This morning we were riding out under the stars as Sam had a ride in the 1st at Kingston Blount and Alice was riding her horse later in the day. I spent most of the morning telling Alice to slip her reins over the ditch. I am sure she left here feeling much more confident than when she arrived!

All the horses cantered on the wood-chip and the babies were ridden around the pen or school. I will be riding out 2 lots in the morning as I plan to work them on Monday and enjoy Cheltenham as much as possible from the comfort of my sofa. We will take stock and decide whether or not to start early each day of the festival. I will be with the sales horses on Wednesday and Thursday and no doubt spend most of the evening sat in traffic trying to get home.

Chiquilline had a small blow this morning and will head to Warwick tomorrow. How unfortunate that Warwick is clashing with the rugby match of the tournament. I don't expect a big crowd at the races.

7th March 2014

I can't believe I am now worrying about fast ground at Larkhill next weekend. Having made 5 entries and the weather forecast ahead it has to be a concern. This season seems to have been very difficult to plan, cancelled meeting, postponed meeting, bottomless ground and now the prospect of fast ground. It is not easy when things are going for you but even more difficult when faced with the aforementioned challenges.

All the horses cantered on the wood-chip this morning, some of the more backward ones jumped in the school with Sam and the 5 babies were ridden around the pen or school.

On paper, Chiquilline must have a right chance at Warwick on Sunday and for him the drying conditions will suit.

6th March 2014

Chiquilline and Bandeirantes jumped 9 fences, Chiquilline has to be the biggest clown when schooling at home, he's the oldest horse we have and behaved like an idiot. Thankfully, on the track he's mustard!

The workers from yesterday had an easy day, as did last weekends runners who are in fact having an easy week. Joey Kangaroo and Mr Dinosaur worked through on the grass. The babies were ridden around the lunge pen. We then set about raking in the sides of the gallop.

The rain returned at evening stables, I hope a few drops hit Larkhill and not Whitfield.

5th March 2014

A late finish for lunch as we took Simon Squirrel, Singlefarmpayment, Susie Sheep and Freddy Fox for an away gallop. The 4 horses worked well, it was the first away gallop for Singlefarmpayment and he just lacked the experience that the others have. Susie Sheep, Freddy Fox, Cavite Epsilon, Illicit Illusion and Bandeirantes all have entries at Larkhill on the 15th March. Cavite Epsilon will be fitted with some kind of head gear possibly check pieces or blinkers.

The other horses had quiet canters on the wood-chip and the babies were all ridden around the lunge pen. Our filly is coming round and if only she would allow herself the privilege, she's almost actually enjoying it.

Sam left Page 3 of The Sun strategically placed in the rear pocket of my passengers seat. Sholto had some entertaining reading on the way home form school and enquired why I had a picture of a naked woman in my car!

We are moving to the most stunning part of the country. Tilly out for a walk with her mother before parents evening.

4th March 2014

Max Ward seems to have come out of his race in fine shape as have the weekend runners. I note that Upton is now abandoned, it is very frustrating for us as we are having to race at tracks that I wouldn't normally consider for babies.  Lets hope Maisemore and a few other good tracks aren't lost to the weather. I believe, only when I see it, that the weather is set to improve. The first meeting at Maisemore last year was as bad as ground as I've seen for a long time, the horses were going in 8 inches or more in places and weren't getting through it, it was certainly tough going.

Trea Newell popped over this afternoon to see Hopstrings who was pencilled in for Huntingdon next Wednesday, we will now side step that and wait for some better ground. Chiquilline is in at Warwick and Leicester at the weekend and I am favouring Warwick at this stage. Both races are competitive and it will all depend on what turns up on the day. He's in good order and I'd be expecting a big run.

Whilst trying to be in 3 places at once this afternoon, I watched Sholto play rugby for his school, he scored 4 tries and is a very good runner with the ball in hand. He has County Cup games this weekend down in Bristol.

3rd March 2014

A mixed bag of results this weekend, Cavite Epsilon disappointed us as he just didn't turn up, whether or not it is a lack of match practice only time will tell. Rebekah Rabbit, by the jockey's own admission didn't get the best of rides finishing 2nd, in my opinion he just took it up too soon and it wasn't a case of him getting there to soon. Finally, Richard Rabbit won in impressive style with his ears pricked and Sam motionless on his back. He will now join Saint Charles at The Cheltenham Festival Sale next week.

Max Ward ran very well today, the main priority today with him was to get him to settle and learn to race. He pleased us and put up a very decent performance. If he can take his homework to the track he will give his owners some fun.

Alice went with Max this morning and Sam and I followed in the car.We still had all the babies to do when he lorry had to leave. How I'd ever manage without Alice doesn't bare thinking about. We have made real good progress with the troublesome filly and she is really starting to behave in a sensible fashion. She is in fact a very good looking individual and a very active type, patience will be the key to her.

1st March 2014

Rebekah Rabbit, Richard Rabbit and Cavite Epsilon had a small blow on the grass in preparation of tomorrows sport. I am feeling pressure and am sure to wake up every hour if I manage to sleep at all. I guess the day I don't feel like this is the day to pack the job up. It was an early start as Sam had a ride at The Beaufort and Alice went there too.

Once the horses were done and dusted for the morning I headed off to collect a new car, my beloved Subaru has now gone into semi retirement and will be used as a dog and shooting car. Although I am delighted to be travelling around in comfort saying goodbye to my Subaru was a bit sad. As much as it rattled and shock I loved it. It is not up to commuting from Ledbury everyday and we as a family will soon be moving that way. The horses will be moving sometime in the summer and I will make the daily commute back to the horses  until such time. I visited the new farm today and the buildings are starting to take shape but a digger hasn't started yet!

28th February 2014

A wet miserable day, we were spoilt for a day or 2 and now normal service has resumed. Thankfully, tomorrow looks better. The work I am having to put into the gallop in all the wet weather is ridiculous. Tonight it was only bad light that stopped me.

All bar 2 horses had quiet canters on the wood-chip the other 2 went to the grass. Sam and I backed 3 babies, a 2 year old by Kayf Tara and a Youmazain colt both behaved beautifully. The 3rd was a different ball game, she arrived with a  shocking reputation and her mother apparently, was the bitch from hell. Her daughter is similar. Sam made plenty of noise prior to getting on her, she walked around no problem at all and then the switch in her head was triggered and she deposited Sam into the ground. Luckily, a nose bleed was the worse he suffered. What she hadn't bargained for was Sam and I, neither of whom would be beaten. Eventually, she was walking and trotting around the lunge pen no bother at all. How she will start off tomorrow is anyone's guess but I assure you she will end up behaving by the time we've finished.

Apple Tree has a habit of playing with his top bolt. Sholto told me this evening that Apple Tree woke him up at 4 a.m. and that the other horses must be very tired as they couldn't possibly sleep with that din going on and that I should Crib Box the bolt!

27th February 2014

Drinkwater junior was in to help out and gain some experience. We schooled Singlefarmpayment, Love Manhattan, Rebekah Rabbit, Richard Rabbit, At Work Bleu and Cavite Epsilon. Hopstrings and Max Ward jumped 8 hurdles. All the horses jumped well. Rebekah Rabbit, Richard Rabbit and Cavite Epsilon will be going to Garthorpe in the hope the maiden divides on the day. Max Ward will run at Southwell on Monday in a 2.4 hurdle and Hopstrings is pencilled in at Huntingdon on the Wednesday of Cheltenham. Alice will be in charge at Huntingdon as I will be at the sale with Saint Charles who has come out of his race in great shape.

Chiquilline pulled my arms out this morning and we are aiming him at Warwick a week Sunday with  the Liverpool Foxhunters being his main target. I'm not sure if Tessa shares my intentions but she has thought about it previously.

If your ever thinking of applying for planning permission in Herefordshire make sure you do it when your young as the chances are you'll be in a wooden box by the time its granted.

26th February 2014

Illicit Illusion has come out of race well and we will now pencil in Whitfield on the 16th March.

This morning we worked Cavite Epsilon, Hopstrings and 2 4 year olds cantered through behind us. The others stayed on the wood-chip. The babies were long reined or went in the school.

I have my VAT return to do so am spending this evening in the office getting all the paper work up together.

There was no video at North Carlton as The Blankney Hunt couldn't afford to give the winning owners a free copy - I had no idea that gesture is compulsory?  They not only sold out of race cards but made the decision for us not to have the races filmed. They will be bleating that their p2p doesn't make any money -  it isn't difficult to see why. A very poorly run P2P that I will be hard pushed to support again in any shape or form. We put 60 pounds on the gate alone as I know of 6 people that came solely to watch our horse. Some Hunts do not help themselves and the sooner they are weeded out the better.

25th February 2014

Illicit Illusion finished 4th, for whatever reason he lost his position down the back second time and then ran on around the bottom bend to get himself back into the race. Had he of been able to hold his position down the back I think he'd have been very close.

This morning we worked Rebekah Rabbit, Max Ward, Richard Rabbit and Chiquilline, the rest cantered on the wood-chip.

24th February 2014

Yesterday was a long but very happy day, I rode out 3 lots before setting off to North Carlton where Saint Charles proved to be the horse we know his is. He has a touch of class and Sam gave him a super ride taking up the running 3 out, he went on to win hard held. He now has an entry in The Festival Sale at Cheltenham and I think he will be one of the stand out lots. He certainly deserves to be. His time yesterday was very quick and he beat a good horse of Waley-Cohen's by King's Theatre with his head in his chest.

Note to self - North Carlton is very sharp and choose the horses very carefully that you send there. The ground was Good to Firm, Firm in places! Cavite Epsilon stayed in the lorry park and will possibly run at Garthorpe next Sunday with Rebekah Rabbit.

Illicit Illusion runs tomorrow at Leicester, I hope it rains, after the few drying days we've had the ground has become very dead and tiring. He's in good shape and will put his best foot forward.

Simon Squirrel and Kelsey went for an away gallop this morning.

Liz and Hugh Webster were her to their horse by Apple Tree jump 6 fences, he is pencilled in at Larkhill on 16th March.

22nd February 2014

I will have to send Alice to Carlton on her own, listening to the Welsh boys will be painful! The French just didn't turn up last night and played appallingly. Sholto and his under 8's at Stow would have beaten them yesterday, so they've not a lot to brag about.

If Ireland turn over England this afternoon I will be too upset to do the blog.

Cavite Epsilon had another pop this morning with Sam, I had been riding him prior to this morning so Sam just got a feel of him. My fear is the ground will be too quick for him tomorrow and should that be the case he most certainly will not run. I will have a walk of the track and we will go from there. It is 1 week off 3 years since he last ran and won his maiden. Sam Waley-Cohen rode him on that occasion and his following ride was Long Run winning the Gold Cup. Saint Charles will love the good ground and is a certain runner. Cavite Epsilon, Rebekah Rabbit and Richard Rabbit all have entries at Garthorpe the following week, surely, they will divide their maiden at entry.

The horses are starting to really come to hand now and March will be a busy month.

21st February 2014

Cavite Epsilon, Saint Charles, Love Manhattan and Richard Rabbit all schooled. Cavite Epsilon and Saint Charles will run on Sunday at North Carlton. The others all had quiet canters on the wood-chip and the babies went in the school.

Norma and Geoff Harris were here to see their 2 babies, a filly by Kayf Tara and a colt by Youmazain. Both horses are progressing well and we will soon be riding them.

This afternoon I moved the fences onto fresh ground. Tom Campbell was here for a few routine injections and ate all our bread and chocolate so I had no lunch. Tonight, I will silence my phone light the fire and watch Wales hopefully get hammered by the French! I have a large Welsh following on this blog so a bit of stick always makes for good sport. Viva La France!

20th February 2014

Robbie Rabbit, Captain Emergency, Mr Dinosaur, Detective Potato, Rebekah Rabbit, Illicit Illusion and Kelsey all worked on the grass, well Mr Dinosaur and Detective Potato just cantered through. Rebekah Rabbit and Richard Rabbit will have entries at Garthorpe next weekend.

Sam (AP) Drinkwater spent the morning telling us that he was now a highly sought after jockey and would be flying in a helicopter from Lincoln to Fontwell. I have a friend who flies helicopters so made enquires for him. Sadly, due to air traffic control around Heathrow he would have to fly around the west side of London to get to Fontwell. As he only has 50 minuets and a journey time in the helicopter is 2.5 hours he will now stay in Lincoln and come home in the horsebox!

Below is a picture of Ellin's Tower who has been here for loose schooling. Sam in the saddle.

 

I forgot to upload a picture on Monday of Sholto taking Chiquilline for a lead out on Sunday after his Haydock run on the Saturday. We are on skeleton staff over the weekends and Sholto is always up for helping out. After he had finished dealing with Chiquilline I made him muck out 35 stables! He soon lost the hoodie!

 

 

19th February 2014

Alice and Emma rode out under the stars this morning as Alice went to Doncaster and Emma went to school her eventer. Once all the horses were ridden Sam and I took 2 for an away gallop. We worked an unnamed horse by Apple Tree and Max Ward. The temptation was too great so we jumped a few hurdles and fences whilst going about our business. Max Ward has an entry at Lingfield next Wednesday in a maiden hurdle and we 'll decide whether to run nearer the time. The unnamed Apple Tree has a pencil mark in the planner for Larkhill in a few weeks time.

Illicit Illusion has an entry at Leicester next week in a Maiden Hunter Chase, as much as I want him to win his Intermediate they are all being lost to the weather and he needs a run. Again, we will decide what to do nearer the time and Sam, I am sure will be fingering through the planner. Will Biddick has been booked to ride as Sam has chosen another in the race! Sam's dad owns the horse and he makes the decisions, NOT Sam! We both agreed that having Will will be a huge bonus.

I am able to stop kicking myself as the 3 mile maiden at North Carlton is for 8 year olds and over, if you have an 8 year old maiden you have problems !

Fiona Gordon was on the phone and is sending a Kyllachy filly to be broken-in, Mrs Gordon sends me one every year for which I am always grateful.

18th February 2014

Saint Charles and Cavite Epsilon will head to North Carlton on Sunday, Richard Rabbit worked well but I can't believe the race will divide and he will only benefit from being given another week or 2.

Rose Newell was here to look at Hopstrings and made a few tweaks to her back. DBS were here to see a couple of store horses heading to their May sale otherwise it was a pretty routine day.

17th February 2014

Freddy Fox hit the crossbar yesterday finishing 2nd 1/2 a length behind a horse with more experience. Sam had him in a great position throughout, he showed a little inexperience when they quicken down the back for the second time but after a little squeeze he was soon back in contention. Another 50 yards and he would have won as he was closing the gap with very stride after flying the last fence. Annoying as it is, it was a great run and he will be hard to beat next time.   He has come out of the race very well.

Chiquilline has also come out of his race in good order, I have pencilled in 9th March at Warwick for him.

On Sunday, Richard Rabbit, Saint Charles and Cavite Epsilon have entries at North Carlton. The short maiden only has 24 odd entries and I find it hard to believe they will divide on the day. I am kicking myself for not putting one in the 3 mile maiden. The ground is currently good and 2 of the aforementioned will certainly run should they work well this week. I will decide which maiden to take after they've galloped tomorrow. It maybe that the 2 of them get on the box in case they do divide - stranger things happen! The maiden at Badbury Rings is for 5 year olds and over, quite what that is achieving for anyone I don't know.

Heather Haddock and Neal Griffiths were here today to see Max Ward who may start in a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon in a couple of weeks time. This morning we schooled Richard Rabbit, Cavite Epsilon, Saint Charles and an unnamed horse by Apple Tree. The rest had canters on the wood-chip and some jumped in the school.

15th February 2014

I can't recall a worse night of weather, it really was something else and we, although on Cotswold brash are sodden, the water is lying in fields on hills. We are so wet it washed away part of my wood-chip gallop, which hasn't happened in 9 years. Thankfully, it was only a small area and I was soon able to put it back. If we had that weather on consecutive days and nights my gallop would be at the bottom of the hill. It simply can't take anymore.

A frantic morning getting everything done before setting off to Haydock. I've a great bunch of staff and they all worked their socks off to achieve what had to be done before we set off in appalling driving conditions. Riding out this morning was horrendous, the wind and rain cut us in half but we weren't to be beaten and all the horses cantered on the wood-chip.

Chiquilline ran a blinder over a trip that is too far for him at that level, there has been comments about the ground being his undoing but in my opinion it was the trip and not the ground. He handles soft ground and won his restricted on it. He collected his owner somewhere in the region of 900 pounds and would have struggled to do that winning a mid week Hunter Chase. We will always run into horses Hunter Chasing that deserve respect and may as well compete for decent prize money when its on offer. Sam gave him a lovely ride. No criticism of Sam at all but he just travelled into the race too soon bearing in mind we always had our doubts about the trip. Sam did the right thing and didn't disappoint him.

Freddy Fox has an engagement at Barbury Castle tomorrow and lets hope he can get his head in front to make a great weekend of things.

Knight of Noir won again at Wincanton today, another great advert for UK point to point horses.

14th February 2014

Valentines day so Sam produced a beautiful cake at breakfast for the girls! It looked as bad as it tasted by all accounts, stick to riding horses Sam, your good at that. I stuck to my toast. Drinkwater junior was in this morning, Joe is a lovely quiet rider and anyone who needs a novice rider should look no further. We schooled Saint Charles, Cavite Epsilon, Max Ward, Hopstrings, unnamed horse by Apple Tree and Chiquilline. Chiquilline only jumped 3 fences just to get his eye in for tomorrow's race at Haydock.I haven't looked as yet but if they have had the rain we have had today there must surely be an inspection. At one point this afternoon it was coming at us from every possible angle, including off the ground! I am sick of it but many others have temporarily lost their homes.

Sophie arrived at school today and after taking Tilly in she returned to the car to be told by the headmaster not to drive it that it had just deposited its oil all over the floor. 3 hours later the AA man confirmed it wasn't her oil and that she had merely parked on someone else's spillage. In the meantime I had let rip at the body repair company who fixed the car last week and my insurance company in no uncertain terms. If they were in any doubt where they stood with me they certainly knew by the time I had finished. I then had to ring them back before lunch and apologise! My premiums have no doubt increased!

13th February 2014

All the horses cantered on the wood-chip, At Work Bleu, Max Ward and unnamed horses by Apple Tree, Flemensfirth  and Robin Des Champs all jumped in the school with Sam.

Once the horses were all done up I headed to Ledbury to see what is going on at the new farm, it is obviously wet but the buildings are currently under repair. I meet a gentleman involved in approving the planning, he was very much a racing man and does not foresee any issues from his point of view. I also had a meeting with a water man who will be rigging up the already existing bore hole to supply water to the barn and house. The property is currently spring fed, although the current system has proved to be more than adequate I could not sleep at night not knowing that there is a back up in place should the spring fail for any reason.

12th February 2014

Chiquilline worked on the grass and may head to Haydock on Saturday. He has got to learn to settle if he's going to be competitive in Hunter chases, until he does that a he'll always be doing too much too soon.

A trainer told me today that he didn't know if he was running his horse on Saturday at Haydock and wouldn't know until Friday morning. I wonder how he manges to train them in the build up to a race if he doesn't know when they are likely to run? I am sure he does know but just far too bombastic to give a answer. You either plan to run or you don't.

The horses that worked on the grass yesterday all had a quiet walk, trot and hack canter on the wood-chip. Sam jumped At Work Bleu, unnamed horses by Apple Tree and Robin Des Champs in the school.

For once the gods were on our side and the heavens opened after we had finished riding out. I took my lorry in for its 12 week inspection, although, it has hardly left the place for 12 weeks.  VOSA and their ridiculous rules, everyone with a lorry has to be treated like a nerd in the herd as nowadays no one can't see past tick boxes. It is no wonder most trainers are now owning multiply 2 boxes. I hate them as the horses, in my opinion don't travel well in them. Well they never did in mine anyway.

Sophie's new car has broken down and she's been sat near Tewkesbury for a fair while waiting to be resucued. We are now the proud members of some motoring organisation that will save us when we break down. I just hope I'm not in a wooden box by the time they arrive!

11th February 2014

It has been a pillar to post day, I stepped foot in the house for 20 minuets for a cup of tea around 10 a.m. We took 4 lots to the grass in pouring rain and howling winds - not much fun for anyone. The upside was the horses all worked well. All we need now is some dry days and better ground. I can't foresee that happening in the near future!

Tom Campbell was in to trach wash Chiquilline , I now have to ring him to chat through the results, on first glance it looks very satisfactory.

When I finished for lunch at 2 p.m. I headed to Witney as I am sick of having soaking wet feet from 6.30 a.m.onwards, typically, they didn't have the boots I wanted in my size and I now have to suffer for a few more days while they are ordered. I then went to watch Sholto play rugby against Stow, they won 45 -15. Sholto scored 3 tries, it was then off to collect Panda from ballet before getting back to evening stables, chickens, ponies and cook supper. I should think I'm every woman's dream husband!

I'm off to bed after speaking to Tom.

10th February 2014

Cavite Epsilon, Love Manhattan, Freddy Fox and an unnamed 4 year old by Apple Tree all schooled over 12 fences a piece. The rest had quiet canters on the wood-chip.

We are aiming to run Freddy Fox at Barbury Castle this weekend, Illicit Illusion is in at Thorpe Lodge but an unlikely starter. Sam will be needed at Barbury and there is no chance of him doing the 2 meeting. Illicit Illusion is likely to go to Chaddesley the following weekend or wait for Garnons.

Panda is hassling me so I will have to make this short!

7th February 2014

It has been pointed out to me by Tilly that we are now in February, I have been listing my blogs as January!

Susie Sheep and Chiquilline had to miss their engagements at Larkhill today. We carried out some routine tests yesterday and they simply didn't come up to scratch.  They will have an easy week and some treatment. This morning all horses had quiet canters and the barn was fogged. 

This afternoon I took a trip to the new farm outside Ledbury, work on the barns has started. When we will ever get diggers on the land is anyone's guess. This weather is frustrating in more ways than one.