Wishing you a sunny Christmas

Hello from Dubai!
We arrived here safe and sound (the plane even landed early!) on Thursday and so has Spirit of Sharjah who flew in a day after us.
He has really settled in well and the change of scenery seems to have perked him up. You have to give the horses a couple of easy days when they first arrive so he just had a trot with Ross this morning (below) and can do a normal canter on the Meydan racecourse tomorrow.
We are in the same barn as this year's Royal Ascot winner Prohibit and two of last year's stars of the Dubai Carnival - Steele Tango & Monsieur Joe. As we're all British, the craic is great and I hope some of their class rubs off on us!

The weather here is amazing but it is surprising how chilly it is in the mornings before the sun gets into action. Saying that, it's still a fair bit warmer than home!
We went to Meydan races on Thursday to see Ross in action working for the TV and although the place is very impressive, it does lack atmosphere partly because you can't have a bet so it's hard to get involved.
Saying that, we had an amazing Christmas dinner there today with a massive spread of all kinds of food. I managed to fill my sweet tooth as well!

If all is well, Spirit will have his first run on January 5th and can hopefully get our first international runner off to a flying start.


John is running things back at home and we've got a few runners this week to keep him busy. Exopuntia didn't have a great draw on her last run but she's back at her beloved Southwell on Tuesday and is becoming well handicapped now.
Blackmore is at the same track two days later but it will be his debut there. Shane Kelly said after he rode him last time that the track will suit him and I hope so because he is coming right back to form.
On the same day Canning Vale goes to Kempton. She needs this third run to get a handicap rating her her work at home has really improved and I hope she can land a place in what is likely to be a weak race.
Khajaaly rounds off the year on Friday at Wolverhampton. He has a great record there but is rated the highest he has ever been. However, with a bit of luck, he could make the frame.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and a terrific New Year. We're looking forward to big things with some really excting horses strutting their stuff in 2012. Hope you can join us!

Christmas comes early

Seeing as Shelley and I will not be in the country when everyone else is celebrating Christmas, we thought we'd have a mini one today with me, John, Shelley, Poppy, Adam and Tony (John's dad). It's nice as well to let off a bit of steam after coming back from racing and as I'm writing this the festivities are kicking off.

It's been a frustrating week runners wise as all have returned to the winners enclosure but not the spot that means the most. Blackmore and Automotive were sent to Kempton on Wednesday, 'Blacky' was out quickly after last time but still only managed fourth, however his jockey came back with some useful information that it might be a good idea to run him at Southwell as he is just the horse to suit the deep surface. Then in the next race 'Mo' turned it on to come home 2nd, he'd been working brilliant before hand and he showed us what we'd hoped he'd show, although when asked for that final flourish to go on and win the jockey reported that his wind was letting him down, so maybe a tongue- tie next time out will do the trick. Saturday saw Entrance and Spirit of Sharjah arrive at Lingfield. The former ran another good race to finish 3rd, she's very in and out with her runs and just needs everything to fall right for her, she's come back well after that run and will contest in an amateur race at Wolverhampton tomorrow. 'Spirit' ran a much improved race after his last run by coming in 4th only beaten about half a length by the winner. He has his own ideas about how he should be ridden and when the jockey gave him a few reminders he was not having any of it combined with him hitting the front a furlong out he decided it was not his day. Emma's Gift ran today (Sunday) at Kempton and we yet again hit the till when she came home 2nd. The blinkers seem to have revitalised her of late and she put up another good performance despite not having a clear run well inside the final furlong.

This may well be the last blog for a few weeks as Shelley and I are jetting off to join Ross in Dubai on Wednesday. Spirit of Sharjah was invited over to race at Meydan so he will also be joining us later in the week. It's a tremendous opportunity to have the chance to run a horse out in Dubai and Spirit has been an absolute jem for us down the years. He's not getting any younger so we thought we'll take the chance, he's in great form and fit from his recent runs, we also have a little confidence that he'll love the Tapeta polytrack out there.

So with it only being John to juggle everything we've tried to minimise the runners while we're away. It'll only be Entrance running this week and then be quiet over Christmas, so John can have a less busy time on his own, although he's got 20 odd horses to keep him company!

FLOOD HITS HARRATON!

We had an unusual beginning to Thursday morning when a pipe had burst in the field next to us causing havoc. John initially noticed the sound of water when feeding early on so he took a torch out to discover a river literally running down the side of the hedgerow and depositing in the hay barn, destroying bails of straw, shavings and hay. We had a dribble of water in the yard and house throughout the day so I dread to think what the rest of the village ended up with. Although, Rolo (below) enjoyed a little paddle and tried to figure out how to save the day!

Amongst the mayhem we had quite a few runners this week. Kicking off with Blackmore at Kemton on Thursday, he ran better than of late but still below his best, they went a moderate gallop which would not have suited him and probably did well to come in 4th. The next day we arrived at Wolverhampton with Dolly Bay and The Ducking Stool. They both put in poor efforts with the former being quite well supported in the market after a decent run last time, she seems to be one who has to have things fall right. 'Ducky' would have been the one that I fancied more at her price but after trying a range of distances I think around 1m 2f is her ideal as that's the best race she's run when tried at that trip. The week ended with a trip to Southwell on Saturday, Exopuntia is another who has to have things fall right for her and after blowing the start her race was over. It is especially difficult at this track as they go quick from the word go, she was not enjoying her race so they jockey was not too hard on her. Sail Home also that day ran another encouraging race in 4th, however they seem to have a little more toe and would be better with a step up in trip so she can use her stamina.

I spoke too soon on the names front for my babies, as a letter from the BHA confirmed when letting me know I can not have Sir Toby Belch for the Araafa colt as there is already a Toby Belch so it might cause some confusion, although I like Tobermory Bay for him. Also Homewood Bound is not available for the Tiger Hill yearling as there is also a similar name, so back to the drawing board it is , name suggestions would be appreciated.

Next week Blackmore is in again at Kempton on Wednesday hoping for a better account, Automotive runs that day and at that meeting. Who is probably now crossed off every ones 'certainty' lists after that dismal first run for us, but he has been working with Spirit Of Sharjah and there's not alot in it, but none of that matters if he can't produce it on the racecourse like last time.

Babies driving us crazy!

For most people this tis the season to be jolly, but for us this tis the season to be rounding up the yearlings as they begin their life as a racehorse. The Bertollini yearling came back after being broken in this week and she is a beauty! When we sent her away she was small and stocky, but now she has grown about a hand and looks more like a 2 year old colt than a yearling filly. We are really pleased with her and I will try and get a few pictures of her being ridden to show you what I'm raving about.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who got in touch about my plee to name the other babies. After narrowing them down and checking to see what names were available we're come up with this. For the Araafa colt, out of Mennetou we've named him Sir Toby Belch, after a fat, drunkard character in Twelfth Night. Not because he is a fat drunkard but because his stable name is Toby and he is rather boisterous and stocky! For the Tiger Hill filly her name is Homewood Bound and the Bertollini filly is now Believe In Me, a name suggestion from a blog reader.

Another filly we have acquired at the recent sales is Faraway Land, another Juddemonte cast- off that I think will do for Bavarica's replacement (if that's possible!). However, she looks more like a chaser than a unraced 3 year old!

We only had 2 runners this week with The Ducking Stool running at Kempton on Wednesday, she was taking a needed drop down in trip, but raced too freely and will do better for more cover, although she ran well to plug on for 5th. We had high hopes for Entrance on Friday night at Wolverhampton but it all went to pot the minute the stalls opened. She reared up leaving the stalls and her race was over, but did well to run past a few to finish mid- division.

Next week Blackmore will head to Kempton on Thursday, bidding to defeat his back issues he has been plagued with, he has so much ability but has been hanging in his races due to a re- occurring back injury. The next day we have 2 runners at Wolverhampton in The Ducking Stool and Dolly Bay, but it's just a case of finding races that they can both get in with their handicap marks so low at the minute. Also that day is Exopuntia at her beloved Southwell, the deep surface really suits her and together with some decent efforts of late she should be spot on, as well as having plenty of time between her races which helps.

It was a sad scene on Saturday as we said farewell to King Columbo as he ventured for pastures new. 'Columbo' won 2 races and placed plenty of times, but towards the end of his career he developed in to a bit of a character and had to be delivered late in his races as he would pull up in front. However on his last run the arthritis in his knees signaled retirement as he fractured a bone in his knee, he made a full recovery but we thought we'd call it a day. He was a favourite in the yard, especially with my daughter Shelley who partnered him at the races on a few occasions and made sure he went to the best home possible!