A Saturday of racing to forget

I'm sure many of you have heard or seen of the scenes at Newbury races on Saturday, it was a shocking, surreal sequence of events. It seems the horses had some sort of electric shock when walking over the grass in the paddock, perhaps something to do with the fact they have metal shoes on and have a metal bit in their mouth, which may explain why there we no people suffering the same horrendous trauma. Newbury have got a lot of pressure on their shoulders now to find some sort of explanation, but my condolences go out to everyone connected, every time we send a runner out we know the risk factor but no one could have predicted this.

However, on a lighter note I was pleased to see Always De One pick up a place on her first start over obstacles. Only one bad jump knocked the stuffing out of her and she was outclassed in the end, but a friend of mine that is going to start up training with a small team offered me some money for her, she was going to go to the sales this month anyway so it's nice to know she has gone to a nice home just around the corner. On Tuesday Entrance ran better seemingly for a huge step up in trip from around a mile to 1m 4f, it's risky trying this trip by bypassing the 1m 2f trip but sometimes they do run well and she's in again tomorrow over a slightly less distance- although it is a more competitive race. Beseech ran her best race on Friday coming 4th, she was finally able to have a clear run and a good ride by Cathy Gannon saw her convince us of her early ability, a step up perhaps to 2 miles should see her go closer, we also had Little Meadow that day but she is struggling at the moment and will fare better back at Brighton.

As for my well-being I am like a spring chicken bouncing around with no assistance from my walking sticks, although I suffer in the night from the swelling blowing up but no complaining as it is for the good in the long run. It's made easier also by taking trips up to the heath to see the horses exercising and two new ones that have just come back from being broken in, Canning Vale a little filly by Araafa and a cold by Della Francesca who was one of the two we bought whilst at the Deauville sales and who we are still selling shares in. I've had my apprentice riding him since his return and Adam says he feels like a three year old, he's so professional and should be something to look forward to, so hopefully he's proved right.