Firstly apologies for the lack of blogging this week, I have been at the sales since Monday. It has been a busy three days at Newmarket. I have bought four horses from Tattersalls and one from Mario Hofer in Germany.
I will put pictures and details of the new horses on the website shortly. One of the horses I bought is a gorgeous Galileo called Portmonarch from David Lanigans', He is for John Heron who owns Seventh Sky. He will be gelded tomorrow as apparently he is a bit of boy!
The other four are very well bought, they are substantial types and look as though they will do a job.
I am on the way to Stratford where we have Who Owns Me running in his first Novice Chase, he jumps very well and the track should suit but it is a competitive race and he is high enough in the handicap. Area Access is running in his first race for us, he is a point to point winner in Ireland so this will be his first novice hurdle. He goes well at home and the ground should suit him, this race should give me more of an idea about him.
Mark Grant and James Davies came in to school 1st and 2d Lot this morning. We got most horses out jumping, Greyfriars Drummer, Airmens Friends and Low Gales all had their first pop since their injuries. I am pleased with the way Lord Of House, Duke Of Monmouth, Stoney Silence and Attimo all jumped as they all have entries next week. Elmore Back was particularly impressive, he is very quick and clever over hurdles which I hoped pleased one of his owners Bill Brindle who came in to watch him school.
Thursday 31 October 2013
Friday 25 October 2013
25.10.13
On Wednesday we had Harry Bannister in to ride work on his 3 horses. They all worked well for him and look especially well.
Attimo worked well with Fine Parchment up Back of the Hill, he will get his first entry next week. The plan will be to head to Sandown with Fine Parchment in the first week of November. Who Owns Me and Duke Of Monmouth are coming on nicely, although neither of them are particularly speedy they both impress me with their workman like attitude and 100% effort.
Shockingtimes and Western King had a nice breeze up in preparation for their runs. We are getting close to running the majority of the winter jumpers now.
Thursday Noel and Mark came in to school. We schooled 6 horses and Mr Big lead as usual. They all jumped beautifully. Who Owns Me, Duke Of Monmouth and Lord Of House are jumping fences really well, and I am confident about their novice chasing debuts.
Yesterday I drove my 2 children to Southwell. On the way there we passed a Go Karting track, I told them that if we had a winner we would stop on the way back. Shockingtimes was given a confident ride by Mark Grant, and absolutely sluiced up. It is the first time we have had the horse right in two years due to a back operation for Kissing Spine last December. He rightly rewarded the patience of his owners as Simon Beccle won so much money on him that the Tote couldn't pay him out all in one go!
We then drove home and stopped at the Go Karts, where I listened to Western King running at Ludlow. On the commentary he was quite well back and losing ground so I had my doubts but he stayed on and won in a flourish. It was a good day in the office which got better when I beat both my children on the Go Karting circuit, so you could count that as a Treble!
Lucinda Green stayed last night as she was riding out Sprinter Sacre this morning. Before she headed over to Hendersons I put her on Mr Big so she could she what a proper horse felt like to make her comparisons!
I have entered Who Owns Me in a Novice H'Cap Chase at Stratford on Thursday and also a new horse Area Access in the Maiden Hurdle.
Attimo worked well with Fine Parchment up Back of the Hill, he will get his first entry next week. The plan will be to head to Sandown with Fine Parchment in the first week of November. Who Owns Me and Duke Of Monmouth are coming on nicely, although neither of them are particularly speedy they both impress me with their workman like attitude and 100% effort.
Shockingtimes and Western King had a nice breeze up in preparation for their runs. We are getting close to running the majority of the winter jumpers now.
Thursday Noel and Mark came in to school. We schooled 6 horses and Mr Big lead as usual. They all jumped beautifully. Who Owns Me, Duke Of Monmouth and Lord Of House are jumping fences really well, and I am confident about their novice chasing debuts.
Yesterday I drove my 2 children to Southwell. On the way there we passed a Go Karting track, I told them that if we had a winner we would stop on the way back. Shockingtimes was given a confident ride by Mark Grant, and absolutely sluiced up. It is the first time we have had the horse right in two years due to a back operation for Kissing Spine last December. He rightly rewarded the patience of his owners as Simon Beccle won so much money on him that the Tote couldn't pay him out all in one go!
We then drove home and stopped at the Go Karts, where I listened to Western King running at Ludlow. On the commentary he was quite well back and losing ground so I had my doubts but he stayed on and won in a flourish. It was a good day in the office which got better when I beat both my children on the Go Karting circuit, so you could count that as a Treble!
Lucinda Green stayed last night as she was riding out Sprinter Sacre this morning. Before she headed over to Hendersons I put her on Mr Big so she could she what a proper horse felt like to make her comparisons!
I have entered Who Owns Me in a Novice H'Cap Chase at Stratford on Thursday and also a new horse Area Access in the Maiden Hurdle.
Monday 21 October 2013
21.10.13
Veronica Thorneloe came round on Friday afternoon. She liked the look of Sands Cove so much so that she has purchased a 1/4 share in him. Having won the Military Gold Cup for John and Veronica it is nice to have them into another horse.
We had a busy morning on Saturday. 1st lot worked on my gallop and they all seemed to work very well, especially Stoney Silence and Area Access. Area Access has sharpen up a lot, I will start to look for a nice National Hunt novice hurdle for him over 2m4f to 2m 5f.
Airmens Friend and Low Gales are coming on, they did a nice bit of work together. They are both still a bit behind the others due to us taking our time with them after their injuries last year, but they look very well and are catching up.
2nd lot went up Back of the Hill. Plum Stone worked really well with Always Smiling. It was Plum Stones very first piece of work, I was impressed with how nicely she went. Latelo and Lord of House worked nicely together. It was frustrating having to watch the racing on TV on Saturday and not be amongst the action, but the horses are coming on and we should start making some entries next week.
It was a good work day and I was happy with all the horses.
We took Western King to Kempton yesterday, only to see the heavens open and the going change so we bought him home again.
Planning the week ahead I am hoping to run Shockingtimes at Fontwell on Wednesday, Western King at Ludlow on Thursday and Victor Leudorum at Fakenham on Friday, but looking at the weather forecast I suspect the ground will have gone for WK and VL.
We had a busy morning on Saturday. 1st lot worked on my gallop and they all seemed to work very well, especially Stoney Silence and Area Access. Area Access has sharpen up a lot, I will start to look for a nice National Hunt novice hurdle for him over 2m4f to 2m 5f.
Airmens Friend and Low Gales are coming on, they did a nice bit of work together. They are both still a bit behind the others due to us taking our time with them after their injuries last year, but they look very well and are catching up.
2nd lot went up Back of the Hill. Plum Stone worked really well with Always Smiling. It was Plum Stones very first piece of work, I was impressed with how nicely she went. Latelo and Lord of House worked nicely together. It was frustrating having to watch the racing on TV on Saturday and not be amongst the action, but the horses are coming on and we should start making some entries next week.
It was a good work day and I was happy with all the horses.
We took Western King to Kempton yesterday, only to see the heavens open and the going change so we bought him home again.
Planning the week ahead I am hoping to run Shockingtimes at Fontwell on Wednesday, Western King at Ludlow on Thursday and Victor Leudorum at Fakenham on Friday, but looking at the weather forecast I suspect the ground will have gone for WK and VL.
Thursday 17 October 2013
Schooling Videos 17.10.13
We had a schooling session this morning with 5 jockeys in, Noel Fehily, Mark Grant, Dave Crosse, Harry Bannister and Ben Ffrench-Davis. The first 5 schooled very well. Mr Big lead Lord of House and Shockingtimes and then Duke of Monmouth and Champagne N Caviar followed.
We then schooled 3 over hurdles, Mr Big lead Area Access followed by Attimo and Stoney Silence. All 3 jumped very well, they are improving each week.
Who Owns Me schooled over fences well, however he stumbled on landing but came away unscathed.
Always Smiling was lead by Western King over the hurdles, giving Western King a little jolly before his next run. The mare jumped well and wont take much more getting fit so I will look for a nice Mares Novice Hurdle for her shortly.
I am glad I did not run Shockingtimes today, I was unsure of running him over 3miles first time out and wanted to give one more school and another piece of work to get him ready so I decided to wait. Standing Ovation won the race very nicely so I think I made the right choice! He has a few entries next week, the most likely option looks to be Fontwell on Wednesday in the 2m 6f h'cap chase.
We then schooled 3 over hurdles, Mr Big lead Area Access followed by Attimo and Stoney Silence. All 3 jumped very well, they are improving each week.
Who Owns Me schooled over fences well, however he stumbled on landing but came away unscathed.
Always Smiling was lead by Western King over the hurdles, giving Western King a little jolly before his next run. The mare jumped well and wont take much more getting fit so I will look for a nice Mares Novice Hurdle for her shortly.
I am glad I did not run Shockingtimes today, I was unsure of running him over 3miles first time out and wanted to give one more school and another piece of work to get him ready so I decided to wait. Standing Ovation won the race very nicely so I think I made the right choice! He has a few entries next week, the most likely option looks to be Fontwell on Wednesday in the 2m 6f h'cap chase.
Wednesday 16 October 2013
16.10.13
We started clipping horses on Tuesday. Anita is doing a very good job, she is quick and efficient and they all look very smart. It is nice to get their coats off as you can see that they are getting fitter.
Later on Tuesday we had John Francome round for supper, he was in very good form and it was a good old catch up.
This morning we worked a lot of horses. Lord of House worked with Fine Parchment up back of the hill, they both did a nice piece of work and are only a couple of weeks off a run. Lord Of House is a bigger horse again this year, he had a wind operation 6 weeks ago so I hope this will ease his breathing difficulties that became apparent at the end of last season. I took a look at the race program for Fine Parchment this morning and there looks to be a nice race at Sandown for him at the beginning of November.
Area Access showed me a bit more this morning when he worked with Greyfriars Drummer. He does seem very green but is getting stronger in himself and improving with it. Stoney Silence went well up back of the hill, the penny seemed to drop with him this morning, he was more focused and put in a good piece of work.
Champagne N Caviar did a nice bit of work up the bank, he is a big horse with a long stride. I am not sure how much he effort he ever puts in but is still improving in fitness and is where I want him at this stage.
The grass gallops up on Mandown have also now been opened, a few strings were out and about on the them today, it wont be long before we start going up the grass but I would prefer some more rain first!
Later on Tuesday we had John Francome round for supper, he was in very good form and it was a good old catch up.
This morning we worked a lot of horses. Lord of House worked with Fine Parchment up back of the hill, they both did a nice piece of work and are only a couple of weeks off a run. Lord Of House is a bigger horse again this year, he had a wind operation 6 weeks ago so I hope this will ease his breathing difficulties that became apparent at the end of last season. I took a look at the race program for Fine Parchment this morning and there looks to be a nice race at Sandown for him at the beginning of November.
Area Access showed me a bit more this morning when he worked with Greyfriars Drummer. He does seem very green but is getting stronger in himself and improving with it. Stoney Silence went well up back of the hill, the penny seemed to drop with him this morning, he was more focused and put in a good piece of work.
Champagne N Caviar did a nice bit of work up the bank, he is a big horse with a long stride. I am not sure how much he effort he ever puts in but is still improving in fitness and is where I want him at this stage.
The grass gallops up on Mandown have also now been opened, a few strings were out and about on the them today, it wont be long before we start going up the grass but I would prefer some more rain first!
Monday 14 October 2013
14.10.13
We had a good work morning on Saturday, all the horses are coming to the fore. We had Tony Stapleton, Bryan and Philippa Burrough and Marie Ellis in, along with 2 red letters Pam and John Walsh in to watch second lot on Back of The Hill. Duke of Monmouth worked well along with Stoney Silence. Shockingtimes worked very well and is not far off a run. Who Owns Me and Attimo seem fairly forward.
I ran Scepticism again at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening, it was apparent very quickly that I had run him a week to soon. He ran very flat but has come back none the worse. He will have an easy week then we will see what he is like before stepping up his work again.
I went to Tim Fitzgerald O'Connors 70th Birthday drinks party yesterday followed by Sunday lunch with Katya at the Star at Sparsholt. We got back just in time to watch the Pardubice, which I won in 1995 on Its A Snip. Sam Wahley-Cohen came in last week to ride out as he wanted to get the benefit of my wisdom regarding the race! I was then very surprised to see Sam fall off not only going down to post but then unfortunately come off again in the race at a fence called 'Snake Pit'! Only 6 of the 22 runners got round so maybe I should have another go!
I rode Greyfriars Drummer this morning and I was amazed how well he was in himself. Low Gales and Airmens Friend are on their way back from injury so they did a few more weeks on the roads than the others,however they did their first bit of work on Saturday and seemed to be fresh and well this morning on the gallops.
Low Gales
I ran Scepticism again at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening, it was apparent very quickly that I had run him a week to soon. He ran very flat but has come back none the worse. He will have an easy week then we will see what he is like before stepping up his work again.
I went to Tim Fitzgerald O'Connors 70th Birthday drinks party yesterday followed by Sunday lunch with Katya at the Star at Sparsholt. We got back just in time to watch the Pardubice, which I won in 1995 on Its A Snip. Sam Wahley-Cohen came in last week to ride out as he wanted to get the benefit of my wisdom regarding the race! I was then very surprised to see Sam fall off not only going down to post but then unfortunately come off again in the race at a fence called 'Snake Pit'! Only 6 of the 22 runners got round so maybe I should have another go!
I rode Greyfriars Drummer this morning and I was amazed how well he was in himself. Low Gales and Airmens Friend are on their way back from injury so they did a few more weeks on the roads than the others,however they did their first bit of work on Saturday and seemed to be fresh and well this morning on the gallops.
Friday 11 October 2013
11.10.13 Pictures
2nd Lot up Back of the Hill this morning.
Left to Right - Lord of House, Latelo, Greyfriars Drummer, Area Access
Left to Right - Lord of House, Latelo, Greyfriars Drummer, Area Access
Thursday 10 October 2013
10.10.13
We schooled 6 horses this morning. We had Ben on lead horse Mr Big, and Jockeys Mark Grant and James Banks in. Shockingtimes and Duke of Monmouth both schooled over fences together, they both jumped superbly. We then schooled Attimo and Stoney Silence together over hurdles, they both jumped well and were very fresh both bucking a lot! The 3rd pair were Lord of House & Champagne N Caviar, whilst swapping over the jockeys the former double barrelled me but luckily he only got a glance off at my hand otherwise I would not be writing this blog! Luckily they both went well, Lord of House jumped especially well and should be an exciting addition to the novice chasing ranks.
Wednesday 9 October 2013
09.10.13
A plan was hatched at the Monday Lunch Club in the Malt Shovel, the MLC secretary Mikael Magnusson told me that Scepticism has a dirt horse pedigree being by Elusive Quality. He said that after our win with him we must take him out to the Breeders Cup! So we have made a plan to go out to America with our own chef who is also going to ride the horse! That is if we don't sell him in the meantime. He has been entered again at Wolverhampton on Saturday night although he has gone up 3lb for his win he has a 4lb 3yo allowance so he will effectively be running off a lesser mark than last week.
I rode Duke Of Monmouth on Tuesday who tried to buck me off twice, he seems in great spirits. I then rode Lord Of House 2nd lot, he is also very fresh right now.
We worked most of the yard this morning. There were a couple that stood out for me; Shockingtimes seems a bit further ahead than the others so is looking to be one of our earlier runners. Mark Grant rode Latelo and liked him a lot, he still lacks in fitness but seems sure to win a bumper. Attimo went very well too.
Victor Leudorum is entered on Saturday at Cheptsow and Sunday at Ffos Las, Sunday looks the most likely option for him and Noel is available to ride him. He also now holds an entry for Huntingdon on Tuesday in case the race doesn't cut up how I would like it to on Sunday. I decided not to run Western King tomorrow as didn't think it was a suitable contest for him, he is unlikely to run on Sunday as he is just out of the h'cap so I will look to find another race for him. Kempton on the 20th could be an option.
I rode Duke Of Monmouth on Tuesday who tried to buck me off twice, he seems in great spirits. I then rode Lord Of House 2nd lot, he is also very fresh right now.
We worked most of the yard this morning. There were a couple that stood out for me; Shockingtimes seems a bit further ahead than the others so is looking to be one of our earlier runners. Mark Grant rode Latelo and liked him a lot, he still lacks in fitness but seems sure to win a bumper. Attimo went very well too.
Victor Leudorum is entered on Saturday at Cheptsow and Sunday at Ffos Las, Sunday looks the most likely option for him and Noel is available to ride him. He also now holds an entry for Huntingdon on Tuesday in case the race doesn't cut up how I would like it to on Sunday. I decided not to run Western King tomorrow as didn't think it was a suitable contest for him, he is unlikely to run on Sunday as he is just out of the h'cap so I will look to find another race for him. Kempton on the 20th could be an option.
Monday 7 October 2013
07.10.13
I had lunch in a box in Ascot on Friday courtesy of Paynes Hicks Beech, it was a lovely day being entertained by a good friend of mine and owner Simon Beccle who works for them. The winners were hard to come by as the races were nearly all handicaps and none of the favourites won!
I then had six people round for supper that night, Katya did a great job cooking for everyone and it was a very good evening.
We worked most of the horses on Saturday, the main lot of horse are all starting to come on now. Attimo and Stoney Silence worked very well together on the bank, they are two promising young horses. The prospective novice chasers Who Owns Me and Duke of Monmouth showed me the correct signs for this time of year. On the back of the hill gallop Lord of House and Shockingtimes stepped up the pace a bit for the first time this year and look really well.
I let William my son mow the lawn that afternoon, he managed to break the mower and also took a brick out of my new patio! I then did something in the afternoon that I never thought I would do..I thought it would be the lowest point of my training career in that I went to Wolverhampton for an evening meeting on a Saturday to watch a horse I trained and part own run in a flat race on the All Weather. Simon drove Marie and myself to the racecourse but I have to say after the shock of driving through the town itself it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated!
When the Jockey came into the parade ring I thought I recognised him, it turned out that he is the chef at our local pub! When he asked me for my orders I very nearly said I would have a prawn cocktail and a medium steak! It all turned out well in the end, Josh gave Scepticism a good ride and he won by a neck. I am very keen to keep my 100% strike rate at Wolverhampton so I doubt I will be running anything else there again!
On Sunday we went to the RAC club at Epsom to have lunch with Judy and Michael Maynard and friends, it was a very jolly affair and we also managed to watch the Arc.
This morning I rode Champagne N Caviar 1st lot, he felt very good. I rode Latelo 2nd lot, he surprises me every time I ride, he is getting stronger and stronger and I think he could be very good. Attimo is in very good order, his half brother Altano won a Group 1 at Longchamp yesterday so I cant understand how we still have some shares available in him - he must be worth a fortune now!
Western King is entered on Thursday and Sunday, I will take a look at the races over the next 24 hours and decide where to go with him. He looks well and still has a lovely summer coat.
I then had six people round for supper that night, Katya did a great job cooking for everyone and it was a very good evening.
We worked most of the horses on Saturday, the main lot of horse are all starting to come on now. Attimo and Stoney Silence worked very well together on the bank, they are two promising young horses. The prospective novice chasers Who Owns Me and Duke of Monmouth showed me the correct signs for this time of year. On the back of the hill gallop Lord of House and Shockingtimes stepped up the pace a bit for the first time this year and look really well.
I let William my son mow the lawn that afternoon, he managed to break the mower and also took a brick out of my new patio! I then did something in the afternoon that I never thought I would do..I thought it would be the lowest point of my training career in that I went to Wolverhampton for an evening meeting on a Saturday to watch a horse I trained and part own run in a flat race on the All Weather. Simon drove Marie and myself to the racecourse but I have to say after the shock of driving through the town itself it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated!
When the Jockey came into the parade ring I thought I recognised him, it turned out that he is the chef at our local pub! When he asked me for my orders I very nearly said I would have a prawn cocktail and a medium steak! It all turned out well in the end, Josh gave Scepticism a good ride and he won by a neck. I am very keen to keep my 100% strike rate at Wolverhampton so I doubt I will be running anything else there again!
On Sunday we went to the RAC club at Epsom to have lunch with Judy and Michael Maynard and friends, it was a very jolly affair and we also managed to watch the Arc.
This morning I rode Champagne N Caviar 1st lot, he felt very good. I rode Latelo 2nd lot, he surprises me every time I ride, he is getting stronger and stronger and I think he could be very good. Attimo is in very good order, his half brother Altano won a Group 1 at Longchamp yesterday so I cant understand how we still have some shares available in him - he must be worth a fortune now!
Western King is entered on Thursday and Sunday, I will take a look at the races over the next 24 hours and decide where to go with him. He looks well and still has a lovely summer coat.
Thursday 3 October 2013
Schooling Videos 03.10.13
Mr Big leading Noel on Stoney Silence and Mark on Attimo
Always Smiling (Mark) leading Area Access (Noel)
Who Owns Me (Mark) leading Champagne N Caviar (Noel)
03.10.13
The marquee finally went down on Tuesday morning and everyone's hangovers finally subsided! However my Jeep then broke down which is always a nightmare as it is invaluable for going up and down the gallops every morning.
On Wednesday morning we stepped up the work with the horses, most of them did there first half speed upsides. It all went to plan with the horses being where I want them at this time of year. We had 3 Red Letter Days for breakfast who said they really enjoyed seeing them work. I gave two pounds to Len Robinson to buy me a lottery ticket for this Saturday. I will wait with anticipation to see what happens!
The Jeep arrived back on Wednesday afternoon, thank god it was not in the garage for any longer!
This morning we schooled 6 horses on the grass for the first time this year. Noel Fehily and Mark Grant both came in and Ben Ffrench-Davis led the younger horses on Mr Big. They all jumped beautifully. Who Owns Me was very fresh and jumped like a stag which is promising as it only his second time schooling over the fences on the grass, he was paired up with Champagne N Caviar who jumped them nicely. Stoney Silence and Attimo where given a lead by Mr Big, it was nice to see them putting some bucks in and feeling well. Always Smiling and Area Access schooled well over the hurdles.
We then put Scepticism through the stalls, my new assistant (!) Katya Pilkington let the gates go so quickly that she almost got my head lad knocked over - I think she may have put him off for life and he is an ex stalls handler!
On Wednesday morning we stepped up the work with the horses, most of them did there first half speed upsides. It all went to plan with the horses being where I want them at this time of year. We had 3 Red Letter Days for breakfast who said they really enjoyed seeing them work. I gave two pounds to Len Robinson to buy me a lottery ticket for this Saturday. I will wait with anticipation to see what happens!
The Jeep arrived back on Wednesday afternoon, thank god it was not in the garage for any longer!
This morning we schooled 6 horses on the grass for the first time this year. Noel Fehily and Mark Grant both came in and Ben Ffrench-Davis led the younger horses on Mr Big. They all jumped beautifully. Who Owns Me was very fresh and jumped like a stag which is promising as it only his second time schooling over the fences on the grass, he was paired up with Champagne N Caviar who jumped them nicely. Stoney Silence and Attimo where given a lead by Mr Big, it was nice to see them putting some bucks in and feeling well. Always Smiling and Area Access schooled well over the hurdles.
Videos to Follow
We then put Scepticism through the stalls, my new assistant (!) Katya Pilkington let the gates go so quickly that she almost got my head lad knocked over - I think she may have put him off for life and he is an ex stalls handler!
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