Well I finally made it out of hospital on Tuesday after my operation went wrong and I couldn't feel my leg. Great to know when my doctor told me that he's done hundreds of operations and this has never happened, just my luck! But he gave me two walking sticks and sent me home which was a relief. I'm only limited to some office work and trips to the heath but it needed to be done and hopefully I'll be back on top of a horse again in no time.
Sunny Spells was our only runner for the week and impressed us by his faultless jumping. Although he needed the run for education and fitness he showed some real promise just fading out for the last mile or so. Whilst on the subject of jumping we've been schooling up the maiden filly Always De One who makes her debut over the sticks on Wednesday. She's a bit of a madam at home and has a mind of her own sometimes, but she's been schooling upsides Night Orbit and sometimes out jumping him so hopefully if she sets her mind to it she may break her maiden tag. We've done it before with Baggsy so we can definitely find a race for her!
Also this week on Thursday comes the return of Sail Home. After winning last time at the greatest of ease she has since come back and is going better than ever at home, she has really come on for the run and loves the racing game, another brilliant run is surely on the cards. People were very keen on owning her after her win and she has now sold out, so well done to you lucky owners who got in quick! Adam Beschizza has his first ride on her since returning from America for a working holiday, ready to pick up from where he left off last season. He has still got his 5lb claim in hand so another productive season ahead for the talented lad.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Going under the knife
I finally had my operation to have a new porcelain hip inserted in my right side. It's been a constant pain for ages and I can't wait to get back riding out. Oh and yes, I am still running the yard but from my phone in the hospital bed, your allowed to send and receive texts! But hopefully a few more days strapped up and they'll let me take my first tentative steps with my new asset, although I have a feeling the other one will need doing soon as well!
Following a few disappointing runs from the ultra- game mare Bushy Dell it has been decided through myself and her owner, Dick Creese, that we shall retire her and let her enjoy her new career as a broodmare. She's been a brilliant yardstick, winning 4 times from the ages of 3-5 and running creditably in a Listed race at Windsor in 2009. She's booked a date with Observatory so hopefully we can see her progeny lighting up the racecourse. We also hope on day to see 'Bushy' galloping about the field with her foal along with Bavarica who may call it a day at the end of the year ( but nothing is set in stone to please still keep an eye on her in amateur races!), but we hope to secure a covering with Three Valleys- surely 2 future champions in the waiting!
Monday saw the re-appearance of Night Orbit over fences. Although well supported in the betting he found it difficult to get his feet out of the sticky ground, along with a mistake at the first he just carried on the race in a bit of a sulk. Little Meadow failed to hit the till as she has been recently and the step up in trip clearly wasn't the answer.
We've got no runners this week (phew!), however Sunday sees the return of our apprentice, another champion in waiting Adam Beschizza, from a stint on America through the winter. He's also managed to be involved in a Jockey's Challenge race run at Pisa racecourse at the end of February, people are beginning to notice his talents and I hope to see him continue his upward curve.
Following a few disappointing runs from the ultra- game mare Bushy Dell it has been decided through myself and her owner, Dick Creese, that we shall retire her and let her enjoy her new career as a broodmare. She's been a brilliant yardstick, winning 4 times from the ages of 3-5 and running creditably in a Listed race at Windsor in 2009. She's booked a date with Observatory so hopefully we can see her progeny lighting up the racecourse. We also hope on day to see 'Bushy' galloping about the field with her foal along with Bavarica who may call it a day at the end of the year ( but nothing is set in stone to please still keep an eye on her in amateur races!), but we hope to secure a covering with Three Valleys- surely 2 future champions in the waiting!
Monday saw the re-appearance of Night Orbit over fences. Although well supported in the betting he found it difficult to get his feet out of the sticky ground, along with a mistake at the first he just carried on the race in a bit of a sulk. Little Meadow failed to hit the till as she has been recently and the step up in trip clearly wasn't the answer.
We've got no runners this week (phew!), however Sunday sees the return of our apprentice, another champion in waiting Adam Beschizza, from a stint on America through the winter. He's also managed to be involved in a Jockey's Challenge race run at Pisa racecourse at the end of February, people are beginning to notice his talents and I hope to see him continue his upward curve.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Off The Mark
Everyone finally got to see what I've been raving about on Thursday when Sail Home dually obliged at only the second time of asking for us, she has always show real promise since I bought her from the sales in October and it was just a matter of time before she picked up a race, she also sailed home to be our first winner of the year. I am now putting her out there for syndication so make sure you don't miss out as I've already been bombarded with share reservations and there is only a couple left. She is a lovely big filly and I would be looking to run her in a few Listed events before the year is up. We nearly landed a double that day as Exopuntia ran a creditable race in 2nd, although she ran a little flat today which probably due to the quick runs but she may be dropped a little in the handicap and be better off next time.
Now all the ice and snow has disappeared we are able to start riding a few of them who have had a break through the winter. Blackmore, Sancho Panza, Emmiline Pankhurst, Generous Genella and Emma's Gift have all appreciated a little time off and are bucking & kicking and keeping their riders on edge! I'm especially looking forward to the fillies (Emma, Emmiline and Genella) as visually they are much bigger now and have filled into their frames. Emma's Gift was a brilliant 2 year old, having her best day at Royal Ascot coming 5th in the Albany Stakes, if she can train on then she will be a real exciting prospect. Blackmore and Sancho Panza are the star stayers of the yard both winning fashionably last year.We've found the key to both of them now and are to be noted when in long distance races next year, you never know we may have a dark horse for the Cesarewitch this year!
Along with Exopuntia today we had Beseech who is not the most straight forward to train and finished down the field. She's had a few niggily problems but before that we thought she would turn out really nice, although not all hope is lost as with each run she seems to be finding her stride and improving so I hope she can pick up a race some time soon. Also this week we have the grand old horse Night Orbit running at Fakenham tomorrow. I've been itching to get him back over the chase fences and judging by the way he's been jumping at home I think he is too! Little Meadow represents us at Kempton on Wednesday. She's so consistent but always finds one or two a little bit better, so to squeeze that extra bit of improvement out of her we are going to try a longer distance than usual with her. It would be nice to see her get her head in front at last because she tries her heart out every time.
Now all the ice and snow has disappeared we are able to start riding a few of them who have had a break through the winter. Blackmore, Sancho Panza, Emmiline Pankhurst, Generous Genella and Emma's Gift have all appreciated a little time off and are bucking & kicking and keeping their riders on edge! I'm especially looking forward to the fillies (Emma, Emmiline and Genella) as visually they are much bigger now and have filled into their frames. Emma's Gift was a brilliant 2 year old, having her best day at Royal Ascot coming 5th in the Albany Stakes, if she can train on then she will be a real exciting prospect. Blackmore and Sancho Panza are the star stayers of the yard both winning fashionably last year.We've found the key to both of them now and are to be noted when in long distance races next year, you never know we may have a dark horse for the Cesarewitch this year!
Along with Exopuntia today we had Beseech who is not the most straight forward to train and finished down the field. She's had a few niggily problems but before that we thought she would turn out really nice, although not all hope is lost as with each run she seems to be finding her stride and improving so I hope she can pick up a race some time soon. Also this week we have the grand old horse Night Orbit running at Fakenham tomorrow. I've been itching to get him back over the chase fences and judging by the way he's been jumping at home I think he is too! Little Meadow represents us at Kempton on Wednesday. She's so consistent but always finds one or two a little bit better, so to squeeze that extra bit of improvement out of her we are going to try a longer distance than usual with her. It would be nice to see her get her head in front at last because she tries her heart out every time.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Good to be back
I hope everyone had a good time celebrating New Year at the weekend. I celebrated it in Dubai with my son and daughter whilst watching fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, Ross decided it wasn't a good idea to go too near the Burj as it would be too busy, so we were forced to settle on some metal pipes with some locals, at least we did it how the Arabs do it! We had a relaxing and interesting time in Dubai, it's a surreal place with sights like Meydan races, Atlantis and Palm Beach. I wanted to stay out there for longer than a week but I had to wave goodbye to Ross and it was back to reality when I had to go racing at Kempton the day after I got back!
There ran Bushy Dell and Little Meadow who both ran pleasing and will hopefully keep up with the consistency of the runners of late. Also, while we were away we had two good runs from both Exopuntia (2nd) and Sail Home (2nd)- although not winning it's nice to see them hitting the till.
This week the 3 yearlings, well now technically they are 2 year olds, (2 French colts and a filly from Palantation Stud) still to be broken in were sent off to Freckenham to start the process and begin their journey as racehorses. Our 4th yearling, Acer Diamonds, is back home, cantering and impressing us with his professionalism and progression.
As for runners next week, we have Baggsy at Towcester on Monday. Oh how I wish she could follow up her recent course and distance win, but I have a feeling it was a flash in the pan, although it is a small field so hopefully she can run into a place. Talking of jumpers, when we schooled Baggsy this week, along with Night Orbit over fences, Always De One had her belated second try at jumping (first time round she had a jolly good time turning up the Links Golf Course after depositing Ross into the wings!) this time in the hands of jump jockey Mattie Batchelor who reported that she was 'very impressive' and that we are not allowed to run her in a Selling Hurdle as she is better than that, which gives us some hope of winning some sort of race with her. Also this week we have Sail Home and Exopuntia venturing to Southwell again to try and get us off the mark for the New Year, both have good chances.
There ran Bushy Dell and Little Meadow who both ran pleasing and will hopefully keep up with the consistency of the runners of late. Also, while we were away we had two good runs from both Exopuntia (2nd) and Sail Home (2nd)- although not winning it's nice to see them hitting the till.
This week the 3 yearlings, well now technically they are 2 year olds, (2 French colts and a filly from Palantation Stud) still to be broken in were sent off to Freckenham to start the process and begin their journey as racehorses. Our 4th yearling, Acer Diamonds, is back home, cantering and impressing us with his professionalism and progression.
As for runners next week, we have Baggsy at Towcester on Monday. Oh how I wish she could follow up her recent course and distance win, but I have a feeling it was a flash in the pan, although it is a small field so hopefully she can run into a place. Talking of jumpers, when we schooled Baggsy this week, along with Night Orbit over fences, Always De One had her belated second try at jumping (first time round she had a jolly good time turning up the Links Golf Course after depositing Ross into the wings!) this time in the hands of jump jockey Mattie Batchelor who reported that she was 'very impressive' and that we are not allowed to run her in a Selling Hurdle as she is better than that, which gives us some hope of winning some sort of race with her. Also this week we have Sail Home and Exopuntia venturing to Southwell again to try and get us off the mark for the New Year, both have good chances.
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