Sad week for popular horses

It was an eventful week with runners and work in the yard. Firstly, Sail Home and Believe In Me both ran on Thursday, the former at Newbury where she ran a cracking race last time, however the rain came too soon and she ran disappointingly, although it would be unfair to expect her to carry top weight in that ground. Then the two-year-old filly ran at Yarmouth, she had been dropped down in class into a selling race, which suited her as she was able to get to the front, she doesn't like passing horses so we thought if she leads then maybe the others will help her along abit. They did, until the last furlong when she just got run out of a place and finished 4th. It was a delightful display from her and nice to see her show enthusiasm for the game.

The only runner left for the week was Tiger's Home at Lingfield, another two-year-old filly, she was having her third ever run. We thought a drop back to the minimum trip would help her finish better in the ground but she too was run out of things in the last furlong or so to finish 3rd.

With all the routine stuff going on this week, it was a sad and unusual day on Saturday when one of the popular horses in the yard Argante Claudius broke down on the gallops and unfortunately had to be put down. We very rarely have fatalities in the yard so it is a hard blow when we do, he was an unraced gelding who was quite close to having his first run, he'd had a previous operation on one of his joints and that was what inevitably let him down. Another injury this week came for Generous Genella who after having a year off through a tendon injury last year has now suffered a fracture in her hind quarters. The good news is we have caught it quite early so recovery time will not be as long, but its frustrating, especially for her owners who have waited so long to get her right.

However, the show must go on and the sun came out to greet us on the Cambridge road polytrack on Saturday. Attain (foreground) runs on Friday at Goodwood, he has been unlucky not to win yet but everyday he is growing and filling out, she should handle to track after loving Epsom a few runs ago and should be in with a shout if all goes well. Exopuntia (background) runs the same day at Newmarket, she's had a little break and goes well fresh.

Canning Vale and Kampai (foreground) are both fit and ready to run. The later has just got over a little viral infection but seems back to health now and should be making her debut for us in the next few weeks.

Omega Omega has come back well after making her debut at Lingfield last week, she seems wiser for the run and will be competitive once going handicapping.

The sick, lame and lazy were out in the sunshine this week. From left to right- Khajally is recovering well after his leg operation, he is just doing light exercise at the minute to strengthen the leg, the un-named Phoenix Reach colt who has just come back from being broken in, Automotive getting fit after his tendon injury and Faraway Land out in her bright blinkers has come back after a short break.

A few pictures I took today...

Emma's Gift relaxing in the field.



Sail Home, Entrance and Emma's Gift having a chat.




Tiger's Home enjoying a well deserved turn out after her quick runs.




Broodmare Bushy Dell is getting bigger everyday.




The Phoenix Reach colt playing up to the camera.




The Ducking Stool taking a well deserved nap after her win last week.




Poor Cathy had to have an operation to stop her getting pregnant again! She has wear this collar which unfortunately doesn't fit through her cat flap!



Along with Attain and Exopuntia we have The Ducking Stool who runs tomorrow at Warwick, she will love this softer ground and looks a sure fire winner if she's in any form like she was last week.