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!
Friday, 30 May 2014
Thursday, 29 May 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
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.
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.
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
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.
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.
Friday, 23 May 2014
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.
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.
Monday, 19 May 2014
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!
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!
Saturday, 17 May 2014
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.
Singlefarmpayment is running at Stratford tomorrow. I have an early start as I am off to sit on a 3 year old in Sussex.
Thursday, 15 May 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
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.
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.
Saturday, 10 May 2014
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.
Hopstings has 2 entries at Aintree on Friday and is likely to run in the handicap over 3 miles if the rain stays away.
Friday, 9 May 2014
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.
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.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
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.
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.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
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.
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.
Monday, 5 May 2014
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!
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!
Saturday, 3 May 2014
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.
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.
Thursday, 1 May 2014
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.............
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.............
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