Observatory's lucky week!

Well the start of the flat season means it's almost the start of the covering season and this year we have two for the occasion. We tend to sell on our mares if they're good enough to become broodmares, but Bavarica and Bushy Dell have been fine servants over the years and are too close to our hearts to sell, with them winning 15 races between them and well over £120,000 in place and prize money they are well worth having them covered, even though both of them missing out on black type by one place. They both got covered by Observatory this week and we will know in the next couple of weeks if they're in foal, the anticipation will be even higher for Bushy as she proved unsuccessful after several visits to the same sire last year.

Bavarica winning again at Lingfield, this time under Toby Atkinson.

Bushy Dell winning in 2009 at Woverhampton under regular pilot Amy Baker.

We only had a brace of runners this week, but both proved unsuccessful. Dolly Bay had her last chance on Thursday at Wolverhampton when she produced another lack lustre effort, soon after the race a mutual decision was made with the owner that her racing days are over and she will return to the owners yard to be a riding horse. Khajally was back out after a short break at his favourite track, Wolverhampton, on Saturday night. He had us scratching our heads with his poor effort however he could never get his usual cover and perhaps prefers some heels to run at instead of in the open.

It could be an exciting week next week if Emma's Gift gets a chance to run in the winter derby on Saturday, we will just see what the race is like but if it is too hot then there is an idea handicap for her at Lingfield on Friday, also that day is Blackmore at the same venue, looking to keep up the good work. Tomorrow we have Automotive out to try sprinting for the first time, he has eluded us about what trip he wants so it will be a learning curve, but if he does take to it then it is a very winnable race.

I didn't manage to get any pictures of the work this week as I've been riding out due to Shelley being laid off, I did however capture these two having a quiet word... Blackmore (right) was showing off to Sancho Panza about how he would tackle the Cheltenham fences!