Monday 16 December

It really is a sense of new beginnings all round - a first visit to Fergal O'Brein's very new facilities near Andoversford - and a first horse trained away from Fences Farm. Up until now all the horses that we have purchased have gone into training at Fences Farm, and this departure form that model has seen us send a gorgeous 3 yr old filly to Fergal O'Brien (Pictured Right). Fergal has recently moved from the top yard at Nigel Twiston Davies' Naunton yard, to a brand new yard just outside Andoversford, and on Friday I popped in there. It is still very much in the construction phase, but they are hoping to have it all completed in 4-6 weeks, and when it is done and dusted, it will be a superb facility. There are 3 barns and 80 boxes, with staff accommodation, office and owners room, and superb staff facilities. Having arrived in the dark and in what can only be described as a near hurricane, it was noticeable how sheltered the main yard is. Despite the very cold weather there was a warm welcome from Fergal, his partner Sally, and his business partner Chris Coley. There is never a lack of a laugh when Fergal, and his social media guru - Dr Simon are around! His horses are currently running out of their skins, and as you would expect they all look really well, as they were virtually blown up his 4 furlong all weather gallop. I was really pleased with Yauthym, our 3 yr old filly we have put in training with him. Conor Brace rode her in 2 routine canters, and despite being in an isolation yard for a few weeks, she did both canters very easily. We all agreed that she is a lovely filly, and with her pedigree she should be a filly to have a lot of fun with in juvenile hurdles. There is a share left for sale in Yauthym - who has been placed 7 times from 11 runs on the flat in France, at distances up to 1m5f, and on ground predominantly on the soft side of good. She is by Authorized, and is a half sister to a French Flat Listed winner, and a Cheltenham Festival winner. She is great value - and details are available on our For Sale Page. Of our other horses - Classic Ben is undergoing physio after his fall in Sandown. He is fundamentally OK, but a bit of a massage and manipulation is helping his recovery. Go Millie Go is an intended runner in Ludlow on Wednesday - a mares novices hurdle, that will qualify her to run in the EBF Final in Newbury in March, which will give us the option of having that as an end of season target. Molly Childers will head to Kempton Park on the 27th - for a mares handicap hurdle - a race she finished second in off of her current mark a couple of seasons ago. Our Bubba continues to recover from his latest little setback, as does Figarella Borget, who is back cantering. Land League is on a short period of light duties - a sort of mid winter break. Getaway Mixie has unfortunately had to head off to The Elms for another break. Understandably her owners the Tyringham Partnership have voted not to try with her again, and she is now looking for a new home. Rehoming horses in the depths of winter is never easy - and if is not possible to find her a forever home by the spring - there is the possibility that she could return to training for another group. New girl Blue Bikini is looking fantastic, and is really pleasing everyone at the Edmunds yard. The New Year is nearly upon us - and expect further news in terms of more horses. We will also be putting together another of our investment syndicates, that have proved so popular over the course of the previous 2 years. 2020 will see the end of our first venture, and will be well into selling the first offerings from our second and third groups - so we will be able to show firm figures and results - which so far have been excellent, and look to be very good going forward. Stay in touch if any of these are of interest!