Out there this morning. Very quiet. No traffic. Falling snow. A couple of shadowy figures outside the window here on the bottom yard. Tallulah has just ventured out. To muck out "Rubble". I hope her initial keenness does not wane....
Desperately sad news from Findon yesterday. Josh Gifford moving on. What a legend !! With many a tale to tell. A life fully lived.....
I was fortunate to meet Josh on several occasions. Often at the bar. At Fontwell. Or on the Golf Course. A huge twinkle in the eye. A warm smile. A toothy grin. Never without a word of encouragement.....
Nick, his son of whom he was so proud, is a great friend. As is his gorgeous wife Ruth. All our thoughts are with them and the rest of the family. Nick's sister Tina is riding in the Charity Race at the Cheltenham Festival alongside Candida. It would be very fitting if she were to win, or if Nick himself can train a winner at the meeting. Or at Aintree.......
Josh associated with so many good horses. But the tale of Aldaniti, entwined with Bob Champion's battle against the dreaded cancer, would not have been believed if it had not actually happened. A script writer coming up with this tale of a broken horse and a broken man winning the Grand National would have been laughed out of court. For being fanciful beyond belief......
But happen it did. And playing a large part in the battle to save the great race. Aldaniti came to a charity event close by home in Sussex to raise funds for "The Save The Grand National Appeal". Organised by my mother and I and others. Aldaniti, Josh Gifford, the Embiricos family and Bob Champion did not save the great race by themselves. But they were a massive impetus for a cause that could so easily have failed......
I have an article in my scrapbook. In which I am mentioned in the same sentence as Josh and that other legend of the turf Jimmy Fitzgerald. Praise of the highest order. Or so I thought at the time......
"Baker may be working very hard on his Jimmy Fitzgerald / Josh Gifford complexion......"
What an honour to be in the same league for something as these two great men.....!!!
Tallulah and Barney now sitting beside me for breakfast. "Write about me on your blog, Daddy !!" So I will. Tallulah cantered on Rubble for the first time in the dusk of yesterday evening. Both of them back for Half Term later today. I think Rubble will be busy.......
Darts last night. Butlers. Another of the great local sporting venues. A cup match. We came second. Which was no great surprise, certainly if the form book is anything to go by. Now in "The Plate". A winnable prize. Apparently. Off we head in the weeks to come in pursuit of some exciting plastic prizes....
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