Hitting the till... and the goalpost

As nice as it is to see the horses running well and in the place money it's frustrating coming second as we have done with a few of the runners over the last few weeks. Most recently was Sail Home at Kempton, Adam Beschizza settled her well mid- division and stoked her up early to lead well inside the final furlong only to be pipped on the line by the half- brother to this years Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe winner! Also running well this week was Dolly Bay the day before also at Kempton. She has a lot of speed but hasn't been able to use it at the end of her races, but she tries her heart out and stuck her neck out to finish 3rd in a photo finish for second. Spirit of Sharjah ran that night too, he was returning from a summer break and used his electric turn of foot in the straight but was too far back to mount a challenge and with the 1 mile trip he was just going up and down on the spot in the last furlong. He may contest in a conditions race at Lingfield in the next few weeks and then hopefully will be on a plane to the Dubai Racing Carnival.

The boys in the field were up to their old tricks again this week, here's Sancho Panza (right) and Verona Bay fighting it out yesterday!

Next weeks runners consist of Entrance whose got 2 entries at Wolverhampton, depending on which race is weaker. In the main she's been quite consistent and is flying at home so should be hitting the till once again. Also in this week is The Ducking Stool at Kempton on Wednesday but it looks unlikely that she'll get in the race.

I must add that my daughter, Shelley, passed her driving test on Monday so anyone who wants to buy me a drink at the races I now have a designated driver!

Mud larks!

With a lot of the horses turned out and having a winter break at the minute it's been fun watching them lark around with each other and let off a bit of steam. Here's Automotive strutting his stuff to King Columbo (rug hanging off), Silver Alliance (grey) and Sancho Panza (right). Although it's not very fun scrapping the mud off them when they come in!



And Sand Repeal checking out the camera...



The week started off with Khajaaly running another game race in defeat at Wolverhampton. It was evident early on that they were going too slow as Khajaaly was pulling hard and from a wide draw he did well to finish a close up 5th. We didn't have anymore runners until Saturday when we took Emma's Gift to Lingfield, after travelling nicely on the rail she continued her run on the inside in the home straight but did not have enough room and had to be switched, she then ran on and made up alot of ground to finish second only beaten about half a length. It's frustrating enough when they get squeezed out but to see her finishing so well and not get there in time was heartbreaking, but at least she is running well and will pick up a race soon in her headgear which has made the transformation in her attitude recently.

We will not have any runners until Wednesday next week, but it's a day I've been anticipating for a while as Spirit Of Sharjah makes his return after a summer break at Kempton. He won a similar race last year, in that it was a Listed race, so we hope the time off has freshened him up. He seems to like the all- weather alot more than the turf, so his recent runs are probably best ignored. All going well this prep- race should secure him a place in Dubai in the next couple of months where we hope he will apprecitate the Tapeta. Also in that night at Kempton is Dolly Bay, we've finally found a race that she can get into and it's just a case of using her speed to her advantage as she has alot of early toe.

However, on a sadder note it was a bleak day last Wednesday when sprinter Premier League had to be put down due to a pelvic injury that meant no more could be done after months of recuperation. He did us proud earlier in the year when winning at Southwell and being placed multiple times throughout the year.

It's a pain trying to name

Well with the runners a bit thin on the ground this week I've been trying to think of some names for the babies. Which include the 2 year old Araafa colt, out of Mennetou (stable name Toby), the yearling Bertollini filly out of Zephrina and the other yearling filly by Tiger Hill. It's an exciting time but they are important decisions as most good horses have good names! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The runners that we did have this week did us proud. Emma's Gift ran a blinder to finish second in a competitive fillies handicap at Lingfield on Friday, the paper and betting had basically written her off but the first time headgear seemed to help her concentrate and we look forward to a fruitful winter campaign with her, although I was a bit disappointed that she still didn't even get a mention after the race. The next day we were back at Lingfield with Entrance, who despite being drawn 12 of 13, ran into third also overcoming a lot of trouble in running and the track seeming too sharp. However, it's pleasing to see her getting competitive after a few baffling runs through the season, she too will have plenty of options through the winter.

We shall take course specialist Khajaaly to Wolverhampton on Monday, where he will hopefully keep his never out of the first four record in tact, he likes time between his races and is in cracking form so were hopeful of another bold bid. Dolly Bay is entered for Wednesday at Kempton, but it is just a matter of whether she gets in or balloted out. Then on Friday Emma's Gift will be out quickly at Kempton, she has been struggling with the handicapper after being a useful 2 year old but she seems to have slipped down to a workable mark.

I don't suppose anyone heard Ross on At The Races the other night when they were showing racing from Meydan? Doing some presenting for Dubai Racing Channel, I missed it but apparently he sounded OK and even tipped the winner! At least I know he's earning his keep, won't be long until he can pay for a flight for me?!


Oh and another bit of photography from the kitchen window...

And the winner is...

Our popular Three to Follow competition has finally drawn to a close and it was a dead heat for the top spot..

1st= Richard Salmon (50)
=Shelley Birkett (50)

3rd- Adam Beschizza (42)

4th- Peter Darlington (39)

5th- Maureen Youngs (38)

6th- Martyn Clark (36)

3 on 33, 1 on 31, 4 on 26, 2 on 25, 2 on 23, 2 on 22, 3 on 21, 4 on 20, 1 on 18,1 0n 15, 1 on 8 and 1 0n 5.

The first and second prize money will be split between both winners (Richard if you could email your details to hoofbeatstours@aol.com your cash prize will be on its way!)

It was a fun and competitive competition which may carry on for next year if in enough demand! The horses that scored the most points were Bavarica (23), Sancho Panza (21) and Khajaaly (18).

End of another great flat season

The end of the flat season bowed out at Doncaster yesterday, which prompt me to remember the type of turf season we've had this year. I think the money spinner this season, although at a low level, was Red Hearts. A shrewed buy at the sales she won second time out, at the same time winning the £10,000 yearling bonus and then went on to be hugely consistent at her grade before going in again at Folkestone and winning prize money 8 out of her 10 runs, one of which was a close up 6th in Listed company at York.

But another crack filly, Emma's Gift (pictured) surprised us all by taking a conditions event at Ascot in April, breaking my maiden tag at the venue and beating some fancy colours in behind! So it's on and upwards as the all- weather season takes us through the latter months and will hopefully be another happy hunting ground for us this winter, most have been turned away at this time of year for a break, but a few select band of horses have been lined up for the winter campaign.


Talking of 'Emma' she will be only 1 of 2 runners this week, she'll contest in a handicap at Lingfield on Friday, she will race off a lower weight than she has been doing in handicaps and will hopefully make a bold bid. Also this week is Dolly Bay at Wolverhampton on the same day, optimistic of building on her lightly raced career so far.

Yesterday saw the return of our babies we sent off to be broken a few months ago and they have come back looking a lot fitter and more like racehorses. The Araafa 2 year old colt looks very strong and bulky, where as the yearling Tiger Hill filly looks light and is clearly ahead at this time of year. Another 2 year old filly by Araafa called Lea Valley came home with them too and no doubt will have a promising racing career ahead of her. Shares are still available in the Tiger Hill and Araafa colt, please see juliafeildenracing.com for more details!