Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a pleasant Christmas, mine just seemed like another Sunday as the horses still have to be looked after but I did get a nice dinner down at the father-in-laws surrounded by family and booze! Although it is nice not to be as busy, it is hard trying to train your horses when there are so many days when they can't be ridden, luckily I have got some good hardworking staff and have not missed too many riding out days.

With a lean spell of runners usually comes an overload the next week! On Wednesday we will send three to Kempton and one to Lingfield. At the former will be the great Spirit of Sharjah running quickly again after some time off. He was not disgraced and only beaten a couple of lengths by the winner last time, he would probably of needed it and the jockey was not hard on him, he has won round Kempton before and another exciting run is expected. Later on in the night will see Automotive and Lea Valley go head to head in the same race, at home I would definitely say that 'Mo' would finish way ahead of 'Lea' but both have been running disappointingly of late. Then over at Lingfield is in-form Sail Home, this is her time of year as she thrives on the all-weather tracks, she has been quite consistent of late and I would love to see her get her head infront once again as she is one of my favourites! The next runner isn't until Friday when The Ducking Stool makes an appearance again after a little break, her last few runs were a little flat so we gave her time and she seems right as rain again at home, if she is in any sort of form as she was in last year she should be there abouts once again.

Here's a few up coming runners being put through their paces..

Silver Alliance (grey) getting one over on Handheld

The Ducking Stool flying along side the blinkered Faraway Land



Lea Valley striding out ahead of Sail Home (nearest) and Automotive

There was an old face back this week when Al Reefa joined the string once again. We trained him as a two-year-old and he was always quite weak as he was so big. But now after 3 years off he is back in training working underneath owner Jerry.


We all had a little joke about The Ducking Stools new winter attire, I don't think she knows it is decorated with sheep, does wonders for the complexion though...