The Blog

November 29th

Hennessy Day - an iconic date in any National Hunt followers diary. I have been lucky enough to attend a few great ones with perhaps Burrough Hill Lad's massive weight carrying performance being the best. Peter O'Sullevan's commentary of Suny Bay's win (the "voice's" final call) another highlight....

And today we head to Newbury full of hope again. No runners - but a tiny slice of Harry Findlay's Scoop 6 syndicate, and the chance of landing the bonus today.  Harry has apparently sought and gained the collusion of the 6 other ticket holders (he had 2), and so we will have 8 horses running for us in the Hennessy.

A nice pot already landed - and this would be the icing on the cake. Not a life changing amount - but certainly enough to pay for a couple of battery-recharging days away......

A desperately difficult race to solve - but I guess 8 shots at the target puts us in with a reasonable shout.......

  

November 28th

Managed to complete the "Inside Information" module on the BHA website. An alarming moment at the end when I was informed that I needed 75% in the multiple choice questions. Some inspired punting saw me home with 83% - I kept thinking of some of the legendary Trainers who are being asked to complete this online test, and could not help but wonder at their sentiments towards it all....

I had better be careful (especially as, alarmingly, I have been informed of a couple of BHA readers of my inane witterings...), but, whilst it is of course critical that this great sport is kept as clean and transparent as possible, I cannot help feeling that this particular matter has been handled pretty heavy-handedly. This should all have been dealt with with a bit more discretion and tact - rather than ending up as a Racing Post lead story. The sledgehammer approach, to my mind, backfired, and created some ill-feeling and resentment that could so easily have been avoided ......

Off to Wolverhampton Racecourse in a second to work a few. Always an enlightening and slightly nerve wracking experience - plenty of potential for "burst bubbles".

And then a fascinating day in front of the computer dealing with invoices etc. At least there is some decent racing to watch in the background. No runners for us - but plenty of good sport on show.

A fellow Trainer told me the other day that he found it very difficult watching his friends win races. I am probably far too wet behind the ears and naive - but I would much rather see my mates win than people I have never met. I guess it is probably more difficult if one is languishing for weeks on the dreaded "cold list" (which will undoubtedly happen to us at some stage). But just right now I am cheering on my friend's winners - and specifically it has been great to see how well my ex-boss Paul Webber's horses have been going.

We are lucky to be training a yearling for a syndicate headed up by Bobby McAlpine - and his One Gulp looked superstar material when bolting up at Kempton Wednesday.      

November 27th

Having tempted fate yesterday morning, I guess I was lucky to get away with a stress-free journey to Wetherby and back....

And we came home with a Winner !! Well, somebody else's winner.......

Three Lions ran all right, but Albany was mighty impressive in landing the claimer hard-held. He has had his problems, but clearly has an engine, and there were apparently several claims in for him. My name came out of the hat - and I have just fed our new team member who has eaten up overnight and seems completely unfazed by his change of scenery. We will be looking to get him back on track pretty swiftly.

As I left Wetherby, I grabbed a pie and headed for the car. It was only when I took my first bite as I headed onto the A1 that I remembered my conversation of earlier in the day with Paul Alster, Racecourse commentator and Israeli racing guru. "On no account touch the pies......"

A couple of bites was enough - and I apologise to the fox who no doubt found the discarded "pie" in a South Yorkshire hedgerow last night. I hope his memories of his meal are better than mine.....

November 26th

Wetherby today. Another day, another Claimer.....

Three Lions has just headed down the drive to take on the M1. He runs in the first and has each-way claims. He is hardly likely to start improving at the age of 11 - and probably, at his age, deserves to decide whether to have a going day or otherwise. Let's hope that it is the former !!

I have always had a soft spot for Wetherby. I am about to tempt fate - but although a fair journey away, it never seems too much hassle to get to. Cue Motorway mayhem in a couple of hours time....

I remember sneaking up there one day when I should have been shouting down telephones in the City. There was a reasonable jackpot rollover and I had come up with a costly enough perm with a couple of mates in the pub the night before. I remember that we "banked" on one of Kim Bailey's (it ran in the famous Duffy / Mr Frisk colours and I want to call it Bertone but am not convinced...), and that the horse made a horrendous mistake at the end of the back straight before coming through to win.

We won the jackpot (as did several hundred other people) and I headed back down the A1 only marginally richer but having had a great day playing hooky from that annoying shouting down telephones work thing.....

I am beginning to sound like a tired old record - but if someone had told me back then that one day I would have runners etc etc etc blah blah blah...................

A few days later, I met Kim, who is now a great mate, for the first time at dinner in Lambourn with my wonderful and much missed friend Rose Nugent. I remember Kim being slightly bemused by the fact that I could recall every stride of his horse's victory. Dear Rose is one person who would be loving what we are doing right now - I am sure she is keeping a close eye on proceedings.......  

November 25th

Newmarket on a Siberian day knocks "chilly" into a cocked hat......

Bitterly cold for yesterday's one day Yearling Sale. But still most of the "faces" in evidence - and nothing of any quality sneaking under the radar. A good horse will always attract the right money in spite of the gloomy economic climate in which we are immersed.

Dinner with Ted and Gaynor Voute before we headed home - beautifully driven by my Darling Wife.

I feel very lucky to have started our business a year ago rather than today. At least we had a little time to get started before the Global financial meltdown - and now it is all about retrenchment and consolidation. We all know that the economy is cyclical and that we will sit in a bull market again one day - it just might take some time...

A new arrival yesterday in the shape of a 3-year-old Hawk Wing filly owned by Derek and Cheryl Holder - and the horsebox on the way to Lambourn right now to pick up another. Mick, our excellent builder, has been building a row of new stables at breakneck speed - they look fantastic, but will be filled by the weekend, and so Mick will be starting on the next tranche immediately.  

Every Racing Yard needs a Mick.....  

November 24th

A damp weekend - but, with the notable exception of Cashmere Ted yesterday, a weekend that went pretty well. Kick started by the fine win of Inconspicuous Miss on Friday night, we were back at Dunstall Park on Saturday night.

Clear Sailing would have gone very close but for fluffing the start, whilst Mile High Lad ran a race brimfull of promise on only his second run. Much sharper for his Southwell debut, this horse will come on again for this experience and is a grand prospect.

Waking yesterday morning to a bitterly cold Winter scene, Towcester did not immediately seem the most alluring of prospects - especially as our plan had been to picnic in the Car Park.....

Cashmere Ted is a crying shame. At home he is a racehorse - on the track he is not. This was the worst horse race that I have seen for a good while - but still he failed to get involved. He will make somebody a lovely hack or dressage horse - kind natured and gentle, but just without the fire in the belly to be a competitor on the Racecourse.

Thrilled with the run of Tish Too in the Bumper. This tough little filly travelled supremely well and Andrew thought he would win at the bottom of the hill, but she just flattened out on the run to the line. A respectable sixth is a good starting point - and we are all convinced that there is much more to come....

Away from our runners, the excitement of the weekend was being a part (albeit small...!!) of Harry Findlay's winning Scoop 6 syndicate. We had two of the eight winning tickets - a much needed injection of funds !! I was unable to watch the action and so was kept informed by text - very exciting as we headed into the last leg, Barney and I listening to the race on the phone and letting out a serious roar of delight as Duff powered clear.

H is trying through this week to pull the other winners together for the bonus race - if he succeeds, we will head to the Hennessy with 8 cracks at landing the bonus. What fun !!!!  

November 22nd

An excellent evening at the "Emerald and Ivy Ball" last night in Battersea Park last night. A massively well supported evening to raise money for Cancer research both here and in Ireland, hosted by Ronan Keating.

Myself with the draw of the night, seated between Magenta Devine (undoubtedly the best-named person I have sat next door to) and Alex Atkins whose "inspired" bidding performance almost single-handedly ensured that she underwrote the success of the evening. 

We had to slip away shortly after midnight - but a smooth journey home was scuppered by a closed M40. For once, though, my rather random Satnav played a blinder.....

And the evening kick-started in some style by listening to Inconspicuous Miss' victory at Wolverhampton. This horse has a real touch of class about her - and will improve massively as a 3-year-old. She is a very exciting prospect.... 

November 21st

Rawaabet ran a decent race at Market Rasen yesterday, looking to have every chance turning for home before just flattening out on the run to the line. A combination, I believe, of the step up in trip not being ideal - and the fact that he had had to really battle to prevail at Fontwell on Sunday.

Whatever, he is no longer our conundrum. He was claimed afterwards by a Mr Pye, about whom I know nothing. I hope that he provides him with a lot of fun. We had absolutely nil contact from the new owners - and so left the boy at Market Rasen well rugged up in our rugs and with plenty of water. It will be interesting to see if the rugs find their way back here....

When a horse is claimed off us, or vice versa, I always make a point of speaking to the new or previous connections. Everybody who enters in these races understands the possible consequences - and it is so much easier to be upfront and to discuss the horse's merits or otherwise. My view is that if we impart valuable information to new connections, I hope that the favour will be repaid if the boot is on the other foot. We will have to see whether Mr Pye feels the same way.....

One runner this evening at Wolverhampton. Inconspicuous Miss is a lovely filly with a bright future, and she will continue to progress as she grows up. I like her a lot, and hope that she will make up into a very decent 3-year-old.

To London tonight to join Dean and Alex Atkins' table at a charity ball for Cancer research - looking forward to a night in the big smoke, and I am sure it will be a suitably late one.....

And then home to unravel the Scoop 6. I am in a syndicate with a well-known professional team - we could certainly do with a nice touch to help pay for the stables that are being built as I write. Eight new ones nearly completed - another ten in the pipeline. Busy times.....     

November 20th

What a stark contrast - pitch black and bleak out there. But cricket action from down under and India on my televisions in the background. Australia being skittled by the Kiwis - bring on the Ashes......!!! 

A good day at our local track, Warwick, yesterday. Friendly King is a horse we bought cheaply at the Horses-In-Training Sales last year (an ex-Godolphin horse who did not fit with that regime). He had his quirks - but Pat put in an enormous amount of work with this son of King's Best and the horse gradually turned the corner.

His hurdling debut at Chepstow recently was only "quite" good - we knew he would probably need the run, but his novicey jumping was a surprise as he had been extensively schooled. Over the first few flights yesterday, his jumping was far from perfect, but he warmed to his task and under a masterful ride from Andrew he ran on very well to finish third.

A great feeling of relief above all else. His Owners (the James, Dean and Partners) have been massive supporters - and after the Chepstow run, we needed a massive improvement. And we got it in spades. A really promising run from a horse who will continue to improve both physically and mentally - he is only four, and has enormous potential......

The long trek east out over the Anglian steppes to Market Rasen today. Rawaabet goes in the claimer having stuck his head in front at exactly the right time at Fontwell on Sunday. He had a hard race that day - but seems fresh and well, has eaten everything that we have put in front of him and will take his chance.

A fantastic telephone call from the Racing Manager of one of the country's more prominent Owners yesterday - we are in the frame to be sent a horse which is hugely gratifying. We have made a decent start, and some pretty high-powered people are taking notice - but, as I keep telling myself, it is only a start. The feet are firmly rooted to the ground.............   

November 19th

Jungli - what a hero he is. As mentioned, this former top chaser with Paul Webber has taken on the onerous task of being my hack - poor lad. At an age when he imagined that he would be poddling gently around a Warwickshire field, he is in fact out and about with first lot....

But he is clearly enjoying his new role. Defying his age, he is by far the fastest trotter in the yard, and when we canter, we do so very much at the speed that he dictates for that given day. His only foible is an excited twist of the neck accompanied by a high-pitched squeal - and the occasional 360 degree spin.  Jane Starkey swears that he only does this little pivot in an anti-clockwise direction - we shall see.....

I am the most appalling horseman - but it is so much easier to guage the horse's fitness and wellbeing when one is riding home besides them as opposed to whizzing along on the quad or trying to keep up on foot. And, anyway, the craic and banter is all good fun....

Warwick today, where Friendly King has his second outing over hurdles. A fine horse with a big future, he is still learning at this game and we are just looking for progress from his Chepstow debut when he was a bit novicey over his hurdles.