Monday 19 July

Two stories caught the eye this morning - the first about Robert 'Choc' Thornton, who ruptured 3 ligaments in his knee last week when his mount put him through the wing at Newton Abbot. He has had grafts from his hamstring and patella to repair the damage and has been told that he will be out of action for at least 12 months, although like all jump jockeys he is aiming to be back in half that time. The other story involved top British based National Hunt Sire Kayf Tara, who met with an unfortunate incident in the covering shed when an unruly maiden mare kicked out and caught him on the end of the one thing that a stallion really doesn't want to be caught on!! (Come to that I don't suppose any chap wants to be caught there)!! So although Choc is in a bad way and we wish him a speedy recovery, he needs to look on the bright side as he could have been Kayf Tara!! Best wishes to Tom 'Messy' Messenger as well, he has suffered a nasty facial injury along with damaging his neck, also Jason Maguire who has fractured his lower leg and still awaits an operation. While we are on the subject, Tom Siddal has had an op on the back injury he sustained in the Grand National, but on a better note Warren Marston is on his way back and has started to ride out again. E Major entered at both Uttoxeter and Worcester this week. I went to see the youngsters at Michael and Fionas this weekend and they all look grand, along with Matty, and IB who are next door to one another again and both being good patients. Should get to see another horse or two this week, will keep you all posted.