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!
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