Tuesday 5 July

Birthdays, I find are always a bit of a double edged sword - on the one hand they are a good excuse for a bit of revelry (that box was ticked) on the other hand you are a year nearer your grave! At least I know that when my 'big day' comes around every year, the following Monday will see the arrival of the winter horses back to Fences Farm after their summer break! Yesterday was no exception - Grey Bobby and the new 4 year old by Exit To Nowhere were both collected from Michael and Fionas where they have summered well. Colebrooke and Ogee have both been cantering for a week now, and I was really pleased to see Colebrooke school on Saturday morning - he looks an absolute natural! He seems to love his jumping! I am sure his new owners will be thrilled when they see him again on Saturday! Omaruru is also back at Fences Farm after summering at Ann and Colin Garratts Ringtail Farm. He has had his breathing operation, and has come out of it well. When his wound has healed he will start his pre training (in approx 1 week).Omaruru is now sold out, and I can't wait to see him in action again this winter! Kikos remains in great form and it is all systems go to Market Rasen on Saturday 16th July. I have not been able to update this page since our 'epic' cricket match on Thursday 23rd June. We had a fantastic night - many thanks to Eversholt CC, and Alan Garratt who's idea it was and who arranged the event! Thanks to all who played, including our jockeys, Sam ' I could have cried' Jones, and Mark 'it went that way' Bradburne who gave up their time to turm out for the Nick Brown Racing XI. Judging by the feedback I have received, the evening went very well - a cheque for £200 will be heading off to Racing Welfare - thanks on their behalf. The match is one that we hope to repeat in years to come, although Mike Cox may not be so keen to pull on the whites again after pulling his hamstring and headbutting the sightscreen in one valiant effort to save a boundary. I must confess that things became a little hazy towards the end of the match for your correspondant (the beer went down well) but it seems we lost by 1 run, after our 12th batsman was out for the second time!! A great night! Thanks again to Eversholt CC, Alan Garratt, and all of those who turned out for both sides!