The Blog

Wednesday

To Tattersalls again yesterday morning. But the only thing I bought yesterday was breakfast. Not, sadly, a Saddlers Wells colt by the name of "Breakfast" - but the full English variety. Tattersalls' breakfast is of legendary status - and certainly tees you up for the day....

A couple of cheeky bids failing to hit the target - and then off to Southwell. Back to the scene of Excellerator's debut success - and this little star coming within a nose of adding to that victory. Frustrating - especially as she traded long odds-on in the photo. But great that she ends her season on a positive note and, with another Winter of growing and strengthening behind her, I hope that we will have a sprinter of some promise for next year.

Most observers on track were convinced that she had won - and some muttered to me that they were concerned about "shadows" on the photo print. But the photo clearly showed that there was daylight between her and the game winner, Rowe Park, and so, despite our hopes, the result was clearly correct and definitive.....

Back to Tattersalls in a minute. And then Nottingham. And then Sussex. Dads Service of Remembrance tomorrow - 2.00 at Chiddingfold Church for those of you who have been kind enough to ask for details. We will give him a proper send off..... 

October 26th

Tattersalls yesterday for Day One of the Horses-In-Training Sales. A sale which we have been particularly lucky at, several of our winners having been purchased here. And hopefully another will be added to that list after we bought Lot 232, Mawsem, an unraced Monsun 3-year-old consigned by Shadwell.

And George Baker and The Blue Dog coming home after the dispersal sale of the Findlay and Bloom consignment. And, remarkably, I was approached by a Mr Baker (middle name George) after GB's sale, expressing an interest in taking on half of the horse. Any other George Baker's out there interested in a share, however small, for this horse's 3-year-old career......?? A couple of you got in touch a while back. The horse GB will have a break now - with a few to a sprinting summer on good ground....

Stand In Flames running a much better race than at Brighton recently. And Kenyan Cat giving us much hope for next season with a third placing in the maiden at Leicester. She will improve physically and mentally - and now heads off to her Winter holidays at Owner David Botterill's farm giving him, co-owner John Guest and us much to look forward to next year....

Yarmouth and Southwell today. Excellerator back to the scene of her debut victory. She will remain in training next season - and it would be great to end her year on a positive note... 

Sunday 25th

To Towcester at very silly o'clock tomorrow morning to gallop a few - and then onto Newmarket and the Horses In Training Sales at Tattersalls....

Thrilled with Bugsys Boy yesterday at Stratford. He looked in trouble along the back straight, but stayed on very gamely to finish a highly creditable second. Looks like he has booked himself an outing, all being well, to Cheltenham on 15th November.

A fine dinner last night in The Plough at the bottom of Jonjo's gallops. The steak always delicious. Patrick and Valerie, Candida and I, and Tinks poring through the programme book. Plans made for the jumping team. Lets hope that many of them come to fruition...

And the chance to turn the mobile off today at Swinley Golf Course. I played appallingly. But a lovely afternoon to be on the course - walking off an enormous lunch...

An interesting tale in the Racing Post. Mondego the subject of a BHA investigation. I will, of course, be cooperating fully, and hope very much that the inquiry will be swift, and behind us soon. Nobody here has done anything wrong or stepped out of line as will be revealed in the weeks ahead...   

Saturday

Fakenham. Miles from anywhere - but an absolute delight when you arrive. Valerie and I driven there yesterday by my great friend, Jeremy Dougall, whose Oliver Sherwood trained Sprosser ran a fine race to be beaten a head in the staying chase....

None of us sure whether we took the direct route or the "alternative tourist" version across the Anglian flatlands - but, having spent two and a half days in the ring road systems of Peterborough and Wisbech, we eventually arrived at the track...

Now, the more observant of you may well have noticed that food on racecourses is one of my specialist subjects. In fact, if I ever have half a moment, I feel a book coming along.

Entering the Racecourse, one is immediately met by the smell of oven baked pizzas. 10 yards further on there are three stalls selling delicious local produce - Jeremy's car filled with pork pies and sausages (garlic and chilli my favourite) for the drive home. Which is probably sensible as on a journey of this magnitude it would be deeply irresponsible to head off without sufficient supplies...

And in The Owners and Trainers Bar (small, but seemingly never crowded), fresh rolls and cakes on offer. And a sizeable and well informed crowd around the course. The feel of a grown-up Point-to-Point. The ground on the fast side but in good nick. Robert Cooper similarly happy to be here for ATR - despite having left last Sunday to be here in time....

Thrilled with Shut The Bar. He tried his heart out but was just unable to get on terms with the odds-on winner in the last half mile. He will come on massively for this. A good beginning to his season. Poor Di Mitchell has had to travel to all four corners of the country to watch her horse (Kelso, Exeter, Catterick and Fakenham), but at least he always runs a race. In the interests of continuity and maintaining Di's travel-log, we will be looking for a little Novice Hurdle in Uzbechistan...

Mondego a non-runner at Wolverhampton. I was advised that the reason I should give was "other". A tale that may run and run..... 

October 22nd

Back on the road again.....

Brighton yesterday. Windswept. Chilly. The person /s who first walked onto this piece of Sussex Downland and thought that it was a decent spot for a Racecourse had  remarkable imagination. The course snaking across the top of the downs, high above the housing estates of suburban Brighton...

The architect of the Grandstand clearly given an optimistic remit concerning potential attendances. A vast stand, never remotely full. Was it ever? Perhaps it will be again. Perhaps if they introduced a few Maiden Hurdles - now that would be interesting...

The dwindling Barry Cope empire a great shame. Barry used to be seen on the vast majority of southern racecourses, but he has been marginalised in recent years. The best Racecourse food by a mile. He still hangs on in there at Fontwell (and Newbury..??), Plumpton and here at Brighton, tucked away deep under the stands. A salt beef sandwich, a bowl of cockles and a couple of Barney's deep-fried butterfly prawns - delicious....

Zazys Gift failing to cope with the undulations, Stand In Flames likewise, Iguacu running a fine comeback race to be fourth. And pleased with Heredias at Ludlow on his debut for us....

A cannonball run up to Kempton (obviously monitoring and obeying all speed restrictions) to arrive in time for the 7.50. Court Princess pleasing us again, Generata the opposite. A real madam to saddle, she dug her toes in at the stalls and refused to go in. She is not going to be a racehorse....

More motorway action today. Barney and Tallulah both in tow. Fakenham and downtown Dunstall. The former the more alluring - but a long way away. Barney and Tallulah can decide which way I head..... 

Thursday

A good evening at Kempton last night (if there can ever be such a thing at this soulless temple of betting shop fodder...) following on from a pretty average afternoon at Southwell...

Mile High Lad and The Blue Dog struggling in Nottinghamshire, Inconspicuous Miss and Kummel Excess both running well enough to be greeted in the Winners Enclosure as opposed to with the "also rans".....

And more runners aplenty today. Horseboxes heading to Ludlow, Brighton and Kempton. I will be taking in the seaside and a bit of betting shop fodder - which is a pity as I would have liked to be at Ludlow to see Heredias make his debut for Wayne Hennessey. A great pity that Wayne will be training with his Wolves team mates rather than being able to attend this delightful track - but a decent gathering of the clan Hennessey will be on hand to support. Quite a tough introduction - but Heredias will give us plenty of fun this Winter....

Each-way chances elsewhere - but I would more than settle for one winner by the time I settle down in front of this computer tomorrow morning....

The Horses In Training catalogue getting a decent thumbing through ahead of next week's Tatts sale. A sale that has been a very lucky one for us. I hope, obviously, that it is again....

October 21st

A decent afternoon at Lingfield....

For half a moment, I thought we were going to have our first "exacta" as Boho Chic and Romantic Queen charged forward to challenge off the home bend. But we were done by the outsider of the field swooping late and fast - but second and third by no means disgraced...

What was "disgraceful" was the Tote Swinger payment of £4.30 for our two horses. I did not have the bet - and only looked at it out of interest on the Racing Post site last night - but a ridiculous return like that merely emphasises the lack of interest there is in the Tote's "exotic" bets. They should stick to their core product...

Mondego becoming a little hero on the yard. A second win in four days. A masterful ride from Matthew Davies. As Matt returned to The Winner's Enclosure, I told him that "he is getting there"....

I do believe that he can go right to the top. He rides with flair and confidence. He is young, and will not always get it right, but the graph is on an upward curve. (Dont get too cocky, Matt, if you ever read this...??!!!)

And Barney Baker on hand to pick up the trophy, eat the free biscuits and back a winner or three. A good afternoon at the office

Tuesday

Back to Far Westfields after a few days in Sussex. Huge thanks again to so many of you who have sent letters and emails since Dad's death. Massively touching - and hugely appreciated. And for those of you who have asked via this particular forum, there will be a Service of Remembrance next Thursday, 29th October, at 2.00 O'Clock at Chiddingfold Church.

To Plumpton yesterday for The Moorcroft Charity Raceday. This charity does such an excellent job with the rehabilitation and retraining of racehorses - and yesterday's 10th anniversary lunch was well attended. John Francome, as auctioneer, eked every penny out of the various lots, which included a lease of 25% of Wingull for 6 months (well bid Blacksheep, you legend....).

Thankfully, Wingull ran a fine race to finish a close up 5th. Still a little weak and unfurnished, I am sure he can win over hurdles before he progresses to steeplechasing which is what he has been about since day one. A fine start to his season..

And an excellent start from Fairmile for us in a Novices' Hurdle that will turn out to have been a pretty decent contest. A mistake at the top of the hill at a crucial point did not help - but I was thrilled with his attitude and the fact that he ran all the way to the line. We will have a lot of fun through the Winter with this horse...

This raceday the anniversary of my only ride (and I use the term very very loosely) in a "race". Lining up at the start alongside Messrs Bill Smith, Richard Rowe, Luke Harvey, Steve Smith-Eccles as well as Alex Hammond (Quinn) and Alice Plunkett was an interesting moment. Especially as I am an utterly appalling horseman....

Paul Webber had told me to tuck the "keen" Brazil Or Bust in behind the others - which I duly did, until the field parted in front of me like the Dead Sea. Cue Simon Holt - "..and George Baker takes Brazil Or Bust to the front...."

Other way around, Simon. And then I am suddenly faced with the ultimate Novices dilemna. In front not  the plan - which way do I go at the top of the straight ??? Thankfully, I took the right course, nearly lost a stirrup on the top bend, swung wide allowing Alice up my inner (don't get too jealous, guys !!) - and she sailed on to victory on the stable's well-backed Redemption. I came last - a very long last. But Team Coolmore could not have bettered my team tactics.....

October 18th

Dad left us in the early hours of Friday morning. A mercifully short illness. And, I am sure, a great relief and release for him.

And I am sure he gave Matthew and Mondego a decent shove from behind to help them home at Wolverhampton on Friday night. I am also sure that he would have been surprised to read his name in the Racing Post report of the race. Not a paper that he spent much time studying.....!!??

Life goes on. And tomorrow we head to Plumpton for the Moorcroft Charity Day. A course where we have had our fair share of luck. I hope it continues.   

October 15th

Dad is not in a great way. But he is very peaceful and calm which is a great blessing. And it maybe the oldest cliche in the world, but he would absolutely insist that life carries on. And so plough on we will....

The horses, in the main, running well so far this week. Stand In Flames would have won, I am sure, at Leicester on Tuesday if the ground had remained soft. As it was, she was run off her little feet for most of the contest before staying on best of all. 7 furlongs on heavy - or further on better ground and I am sure she will be winning for us....

Phoenix Enforcer putting her Hereford "UR" behind her at Uttoxeter with a polished display of jumping. She stayed on into an encouraging 5th placing and we will be having a lot of fun with her on softer ground through the Winter - she is our next Sparkling Montjeu...

I was at Lingfield yesterday where Romantic Queen was very disappointing. I strongly fancied her returning to the allweather - but she ran too badly to be true. Back to the drawing board - which almost certainly means "back to Wolverhampton".....

A Ludlow - Downtown Dunstall double header today. Princess Soraya making her debut for us at the former, and then Inconspicuous Miss this evening on a track where she is already a dual winner...

Ludlow. A bastion of tweed and battered Trilby. I remember being there once when our future Monarch was due to open the new stand. The place was heaving. Wall to wall tweed of every hue. Hundreds of the local worthies who were not exactly regular racegoers had descended upon this delightful track to catch a glimpse of HRH....

But then the loudspeaker sprung into action and, to the accompaniement of an extraordinary mass groan, it was announced that HRH's Helicopter (to be referred to hence forward as HRHH) had turned around due to fog. Cue mass exit of tweed - before the second race....

I remember a Director of the course telling me mischievously that they should advertise a Royal visit more often to swell the gate takings. This might just catch on. "The Pope will be presenting the trophy for The Vatican Claimer at Southwell next week." "The President will be on hand to open the Obama Weighing Room at Hexham on Thursday." "Mrs Sarkozy will judge the best-turned out in the paddock before the Seller at Segefield." Or even "Gordon Brown will be at Bangor to oversee his fire sale of something called the Tote about which he clearly has nil understanding"........