Out with the old (almost) and in with the new

It was the July Sales this week up at Tattersalls Sales and we had one entry this year with Blackmore, he's been a great old servant for us winning 4 times and only out of the placings 3 or 4 times in his 14 or so runs. It was a disappointment then when he only fetched 9,000 gns, we decided to sell him at the top of his game as that's when they're most valuable but he was in towards the end of the sale when most people had gone home. However, a replacement was found in the same sale with a 4 year old gelding called No Such Number, he's only had 3 runs (2nd last time out) and came from Juddmonte Farms, the type of horse we generally so well with (Blackmore was a Juddmonte cast off himself).

Too much rain this week meant the grass gallops were pretty soft so up the Cambridge Road they went. Below is the big horse Acer Diamonds just nudging his head infront of Omega Omega, a lightly raced filly who's only had two runs and will be one to watch over a distance when she's strengthened up, and Attain didn't do too much in 3rd, he's been a tough little horse but hasn't managed to get his head infront yet.

Sail Home and Emma's Gift (barely visible) matched strides over 1m, the latter has had some time off after a busy winter campaign and is ready to go when the ground dries out a little. Sail Home is also in great form after her recent 3rd last week.

New boy No Such Number

Just the three runners went racing this week all on the same day at Yarmouth. Verona Bay kicked things off trying headgear for the first time, but he still didn't seem too enthusiastic and perhaps a change of codes will see him concentrate a bit more. Then Lea Valley made a promising debut finishing 5th, I've always liked her and being so green would not of helped her cause. Then finally Exopuntia made her seasonal re-appearance and seemed to just need the run for fitness.

Quite a few runners this week, kicking off at Southwell on Tuesday night with Exopuntia returning to her favourite track and Omega Omega going for her third run. Then Thursday we have a Derby runner at Epsom! But only the ladies Derby which Sail Home and the in form The Ducking Stool are entered in, the going is quite soft at the moment so I doubt Sail Home will run in ground like that, however Attain ran a cracking race at the track before in testing ground and should go well in the last race. Finally Acer Diamonds runs at Pontefract on Friday, he has been quite an exciting prospect but has just failed to live up to expectations of late.



Recovering old servants Sancho Panza (foreground) and Spirit of Sharjah enjoy their dinner