Hitting the till... and the goalpost

As nice as it is to see the horses running well and in the place money it's frustrating coming second as we have done with a few of the runners over the last few weeks. Most recently was Sail Home at Kempton, Adam Beschizza settled her well mid- division and stoked her up early to lead well inside the final furlong only to be pipped on the line by the half- brother to this years Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe winner! Also running well this week was Dolly Bay the day before also at Kempton. She has a lot of speed but hasn't been able to use it at the end of her races, but she tries her heart out and stuck her neck out to finish 3rd in a photo finish for second. Spirit of Sharjah ran that night too, he was returning from a summer break and used his electric turn of foot in the straight but was too far back to mount a challenge and with the 1 mile trip he was just going up and down on the spot in the last furlong. He may contest in a conditions race at Lingfield in the next few weeks and then hopefully will be on a plane to the Dubai Racing Carnival.

The boys in the field were up to their old tricks again this week, here's Sancho Panza (right) and Verona Bay fighting it out yesterday!

Next weeks runners consist of Entrance whose got 2 entries at Wolverhampton, depending on which race is weaker. In the main she's been quite consistent and is flying at home so should be hitting the till once again. Also in this week is The Ducking Stool at Kempton on Wednesday but it looks unlikely that she'll get in the race.

I must add that my daughter, Shelley, passed her driving test on Monday so anyone who wants to buy me a drink at the races I now have a designated driver!

Mud larks!

With a lot of the horses turned out and having a winter break at the minute it's been fun watching them lark around with each other and let off a bit of steam. Here's Automotive strutting his stuff to King Columbo (rug hanging off), Silver Alliance (grey) and Sancho Panza (right). Although it's not very fun scrapping the mud off them when they come in!



And Sand Repeal checking out the camera...



The week started off with Khajaaly running another game race in defeat at Wolverhampton. It was evident early on that they were going too slow as Khajaaly was pulling hard and from a wide draw he did well to finish a close up 5th. We didn't have anymore runners until Saturday when we took Emma's Gift to Lingfield, after travelling nicely on the rail she continued her run on the inside in the home straight but did not have enough room and had to be switched, she then ran on and made up alot of ground to finish second only beaten about half a length. It's frustrating enough when they get squeezed out but to see her finishing so well and not get there in time was heartbreaking, but at least she is running well and will pick up a race soon in her headgear which has made the transformation in her attitude recently.

We will not have any runners until Wednesday next week, but it's a day I've been anticipating for a while as Spirit Of Sharjah makes his return after a summer break at Kempton. He won a similar race last year, in that it was a Listed race, so we hope the time off has freshened him up. He seems to like the all- weather alot more than the turf, so his recent runs are probably best ignored. All going well this prep- race should secure him a place in Dubai in the next couple of months where we hope he will apprecitate the Tapeta. Also in that night at Kempton is Dolly Bay, we've finally found a race that she can get into and it's just a case of using her speed to her advantage as she has alot of early toe.

However, on a sadder note it was a bleak day last Wednesday when sprinter Premier League had to be put down due to a pelvic injury that meant no more could be done after months of recuperation. He did us proud earlier in the year when winning at Southwell and being placed multiple times throughout the year.

It's a pain trying to name

Well with the runners a bit thin on the ground this week I've been trying to think of some names for the babies. Which include the 2 year old Araafa colt, out of Mennetou (stable name Toby), the yearling Bertollini filly out of Zephrina and the other yearling filly by Tiger Hill. It's an exciting time but they are important decisions as most good horses have good names! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The runners that we did have this week did us proud. Emma's Gift ran a blinder to finish second in a competitive fillies handicap at Lingfield on Friday, the paper and betting had basically written her off but the first time headgear seemed to help her concentrate and we look forward to a fruitful winter campaign with her, although I was a bit disappointed that she still didn't even get a mention after the race. The next day we were back at Lingfield with Entrance, who despite being drawn 12 of 13, ran into third also overcoming a lot of trouble in running and the track seeming too sharp. However, it's pleasing to see her getting competitive after a few baffling runs through the season, she too will have plenty of options through the winter.

We shall take course specialist Khajaaly to Wolverhampton on Monday, where he will hopefully keep his never out of the first four record in tact, he likes time between his races and is in cracking form so were hopeful of another bold bid. Dolly Bay is entered for Wednesday at Kempton, but it is just a matter of whether she gets in or balloted out. Then on Friday Emma's Gift will be out quickly at Kempton, she has been struggling with the handicapper after being a useful 2 year old but she seems to have slipped down to a workable mark.

I don't suppose anyone heard Ross on At The Races the other night when they were showing racing from Meydan? Doing some presenting for Dubai Racing Channel, I missed it but apparently he sounded OK and even tipped the winner! At least I know he's earning his keep, won't be long until he can pay for a flight for me?!


Oh and another bit of photography from the kitchen window...

And the winner is...

Our popular Three to Follow competition has finally drawn to a close and it was a dead heat for the top spot..

1st= Richard Salmon (50)
=Shelley Birkett (50)

3rd- Adam Beschizza (42)

4th- Peter Darlington (39)

5th- Maureen Youngs (38)

6th- Martyn Clark (36)

3 on 33, 1 on 31, 4 on 26, 2 on 25, 2 on 23, 2 on 22, 3 on 21, 4 on 20, 1 on 18,1 0n 15, 1 on 8 and 1 0n 5.

The first and second prize money will be split between both winners (Richard if you could email your details to hoofbeatstours@aol.com your cash prize will be on its way!)

It was a fun and competitive competition which may carry on for next year if in enough demand! The horses that scored the most points were Bavarica (23), Sancho Panza (21) and Khajaaly (18).

End of another great flat season

The end of the flat season bowed out at Doncaster yesterday, which prompt me to remember the type of turf season we've had this year. I think the money spinner this season, although at a low level, was Red Hearts. A shrewed buy at the sales she won second time out, at the same time winning the £10,000 yearling bonus and then went on to be hugely consistent at her grade before going in again at Folkestone and winning prize money 8 out of her 10 runs, one of which was a close up 6th in Listed company at York.

But another crack filly, Emma's Gift (pictured) surprised us all by taking a conditions event at Ascot in April, breaking my maiden tag at the venue and beating some fancy colours in behind! So it's on and upwards as the all- weather season takes us through the latter months and will hopefully be another happy hunting ground for us this winter, most have been turned away at this time of year for a break, but a few select band of horses have been lined up for the winter campaign.


Talking of 'Emma' she will be only 1 of 2 runners this week, she'll contest in a handicap at Lingfield on Friday, she will race off a lower weight than she has been doing in handicaps and will hopefully make a bold bid. Also this week is Dolly Bay at Wolverhampton on the same day, optimistic of building on her lightly raced career so far.

Yesterday saw the return of our babies we sent off to be broken a few months ago and they have come back looking a lot fitter and more like racehorses. The Araafa 2 year old colt looks very strong and bulky, where as the yearling Tiger Hill filly looks light and is clearly ahead at this time of year. Another 2 year old filly by Araafa called Lea Valley came home with them too and no doubt will have a promising racing career ahead of her. Shares are still available in the Tiger Hill and Araafa colt, please see juliafeildenracing.com for more details!

New faces on the block

The Horses in Training Sale came and went this week and we had a bit of luck purchasing 2 promising horses for next year. Silver Alliance was bought out of the clearing out sale of Walter Swinburn's yard and with already 2 wins in his career he is sure to make waves for his new stable. Attain (pictured below) was an interesting buy as he is from Juddemonte Farms where we have had significant success buying out of over the years, the likes of Night Orbit, Rapid City, Bavarica and lots more have all had illustrious careers so hopefully this smart 2 year old colt by Dansili can join the list. Shares are available at £1,500 per 10th share and a monthly all inclusive fee of £180. His dam Achieve has bred three individual winners and he is the fourth foal, we hope to run him around Christmas time.

I thought I'd better write a line for dual purpose, old- timer Night Orbit who after a fabulous career winning on the flat turf, all- weather, hurdles and had multiple placings over fences started his new life as a riding horse in Soham this week where he can spend his senior years relaxing and filling another families life with joy. He was the ultimate school master at home leading schooling and teaching the young riders and young horses about the game.

We travelled to Nottingham on Wednesday and ended up in the winners enclosure twice out of the three runners. Sancho Panza ran his last race of the season finishing a gallant 3rd, they went 15 seconds slower than average which was a hindrance as he is a real stayer and did well to plug on into fourth. Sail Home ran well without being placed but the 1m 2f trip probably found her out of a little more toe, but Entrance impressed on her fast finishing 3rd. She has been a bit disappointing after her 40-1 success earlier in the year and hopefully she can time it better next time.

Next week we will again go to Nottingham this time with Automotive, he ran dismally on his reappearance after coming over from France but we are convinced a switch to turf from Wolverhampton last time will show his true colours as he has been impressing with his work at home. Also at that venue and day is Dolly Bay but the rain has come and gone against her as she would prefer ground like a road.

As the sun is struggling to rise early at this time of the year so I thought I'd impress you with my picture taking skills on the heath this week!

I almost had kittens!

It has been quite a busy week runner's wise, but my mind was occupied on Tuesday by the arrival of 4 feral kittens. A friend had found them and asked if I was willing to house them as their mother was run over and were left to fend for themselves at the tender age of about 6 weeks, they are still quite wild but this one didn't mind having his/ her photo taken!

Blackmore ran another puzzling run on Monday at Pontefract, when he seemed to travel much better but his jockey Paul Hanagan reported than he was unrideable due to his hanging. He's had back problems in the past but we cannot seem to find the reason now, I even blew off the dust off my riding boots yesterday to have a sit on him in a bit of work and he seemed very well physically, maybe the problem is in his head after his back issues.

We had a seaside trip to Yarmouth on Tuesday with Dolly Bay and Exopuntia. The former was racing for the first time in handicap company and seemed to struggle with the bit of give in the ground, but the latter, Exopuntia relished the conditions to come home a much improved 2nd. She's been a bit in and out this season but she runs best fresh and will hopefully have a lucrative all- weather season at Southwell.

Thursday saw Khajaaly back to the place he knows best, Wolverhampton. He has never been out of the first 4 in all his visits and he kept his record in tact when coming in 4th under Jimmy Quinn's substitute Paul Hanagan. They didn't seem to go a quick pace like he enjoys but will be back to regain his crown in the coming months.

Bavarica went to her favourite track, Newbury, on Saturday in the lady amateur rider's race under Shelley, but only managed 5th after travelling sweetly in behind she was left with daylight in the straight and could not throw down a challenge.

We managed to find a home for injury plagued Dakota Hues on Sunday. The 5 year old had only managed one visit to the racecourse, but he was finally sound enough for a lovely riding home in Lakenheath where we have sent other retired horses in the past.

Next week sees the start of the Horses in Training Sale at Tattersalls where I will be spending most of my time so I may send John off to the races. On Wednesday Sancho Panza will look to forward his consistent season and Sail Home may run in the amateur race if she gets some rain, Entrance is also entered in this race but being a 3 year old she is finding it hard to get in races with older horses due to the weight allowance. Bavarica may contest in a Listed race at Lingfield on Thursday, it is probably the last chance we'll get in going for the black type for her before she goes to stud and would be nice if she could bow out in style.