The team keeps expanding

I can sleep very well at night now that I know just outside my bedroom window is a yard full of horses, all of which are capable of doing themselves proud this year - as some have done already. The yard is in a very healthy position numerically with a horse poking out of every stable door but all these horses need to be given the best care and attention so finding the right staff is always difficult, as many yards are currently experiencing with the nationwide staff shortage. Luckily things haven't been too bad here at Harraton Stud and we were fortunate enough to have a pair of great riders join us earlier in the year, both of whom you may have already met working away in the yard.
Liam is a lovely, quiet rider and has had masses of experience at some of the best yards in the country, as well as gaining experience in Dubai and New Zealand. He has now decided the time is right to race ride and I'm delighted to have him as my 7lb apprentice. He will be a valuable asset in the apprentice-only races and we're just waiting for the BHA to issue his licence before he can show the world what he has got!

Liam

Chloe has joined us fresh from the British Racing School in Newmarket and she is already far above the usual standard of their graduates. She goes about her job very professionally and has fitted into the team very well. Alongside Caitlin, Ross, Mark, Poppy, John and the rest of the staff, I feel I have a great mix of riders and personalities who should bring out the best in the horses. Now you've been introduced, don't be afraid to say hello!

Chloe

Unfortunately we couldn't make it a winning week again last week with Dark Diamond missing his race with an infection and Dakota City not having the race run to suit him at Lingfield on Saturday. Undeterred, we look ahead to this coming week with a handful of runners.
Starting on Thursday at Chelmsford, Serendib's Glory visits a racetrack again after her debut late last year. I haven't rushed her along as she has needed time to fill her chunky frame but her homework is improving nicely. She will need this experience again but she is one to bear in mind for handicaps later in the season.

Serendib's Glory (Adam) & Veeraya (Ross)

Also on Thursday, Limerick Lord goes back to Southwell. He raced too keenly last time and had little left at the finish so we will try to ride him a bit more patiently this time and save his energy for the end. He is still on a mark I think he can win off and we know he likes the track.
Incidentally, a 10% share has now become available in Limerick Lord. If you are looking for a good, fun horse who will give you plenty of days out and excitement over the course of the year then look no further. If you are interested and would like to find out more, please email on juliafeilden@aol.com

Limerick Lord

Anyone who says that claiming races are for bad horses has clearly been asleep for the past 10 years as nowadays they are extremely competitive and you need a talented horse to win one. It is not uncommon to see horse rated in the high 80s running in a claimer and because they are usually of a veteran age, connections can put them in for a low price safe in the knowledge no one will buy the horse yet it is weighted to win. I've had Vastly entered in a couple of these races but there is always a couple of highly-rated horses in there who, at the weights, you have no chance beating. He is entered at Wolverhampton on Friday and I might have to run him just because there are no other suitable races.

Vastly (Tess)

Rounding off the week will be Veeraya at Lingfield on Saturday. He usually runs his best when fresh so the recent break has done him no harm and he is actually galloping very well at home. He is hard to predict and doesn't win very often but it wouldn't surprise me if he was in the prize money.