Three In Two

Last week was fun. Monday and Tuesday were spent back at base in the office, and on Wednesday we packed the cases and hit the road, firstly heading north up to Doncaster for the Goffs UK sale that was taking place on Thursday. Although the catalogue was a poor one in the main, and the turn out of buyers was less than the usual, it was still a good day, and our time spent there was certainly not wasted. Being in Doncaster, I was not able to be in Ludlow, where Yauthym was running in a 2m handicap hurdle. It was a competitive little heat, but Yauthym had plenty going for her and she was backed into favouritism. Sadly she put in a below par effort. Paddy had decided to be very positive with her, but she was never really travelling, and didn't jump with any fluency either. Finishing fifth in the end, and registering her worst form figures since her hurdling debut. She seems fine after the run, and Fergal and the team will do checks on her over the course of the next few days. She has always been so consistant since we have had her, that a below par run is a bit of a shock - but we will have to forgive her one below par effort and move on. We will sit down and discuss a plan for her when the vets have concluded their tests. 

 After the sale in Doncaster we headed straight  down to Cheltenham which was to be where we would be staying for a couple of nights. Great to be able to be back at The Kilkeney Inn, near Andoversford, a great pub/restaurant kept by really good friends, Kev and Jules Hanks. We have not been able to stay there since the pandemic struck the country, and as it where we base ourselves for the majority of the meetings at Cheltenham, it was so good to be back there. The Kilkeney is also perfectly placed for yard visits, and in the two days down there we got to all three of the yards where we currently have horses. An early start on Friday morning, in to Ravenswell Farm before 7.00 to see the team with Fergal O'Brien. A quiet first lot - but things got significantly busier 2nd lot, with folks piling in from everywhere to see the horses on their way to Cheltenham's first meeting of the season, and the first that crowds have been allowed back to since March 2020. It was good to see a fair few of Volkovka's owners, who were doing just that, and they got to see her do a sparkiling piece of work with Imperial Alcazar. Volkovka has really improved physically from last season, and we could be in for some serious fun this term, especially if her home work is reflected on the track. Third lot, and the crowd grew even bigger - with a coach load arriving for a stable visit - again - all on their way to the races. The team at Ravenswell are so accomodating that this latest influx of people was taken completely in their stride, and after chatting (for some time) to 82 yr old Joan from Warwick, it was clear what the opportunity to visit a yard like Ravenswell meant to everyone on the coach. It was terrific to see! Third lot we saw Blue Bikini and Hidden Beauty work. Three times round the circular gallop, and twice up the hill. Blue Bikini looked a little under par, and was not entered for a race that was a possibilty for her next week. They will see how she is next week and go from there. Hidden Beauty on the other hand was very impressive in her work. Paired with Silver Hallmark, she worked very well, and will make her debut in a bumper next month - we are all very much looking forward to seeing her on the track.

After a coffee, and the obligatory slice of cake it was off down the road to Jason Maguire's where we have 'Betty' the Westerner filly in pre training, and Mamoon Star, who is having a bit of down time before heading back to Fergal for him to prep him for his next race in a couple of months. Betty had had a couple of days off, as she had developed a little reaction on a wither which needed a bit of rest, and Mamoon Star was being ridden by Lois when I arrived - just flat work, circles and figure of eights, in all three paces to keep him supple and in shape. Everyone that has anything to do with this young horse,loves him, and Lois said that what he can do at just the tender age of three is amazing, and he is simply a natural athlete! Add her to his fan club! The Soldier Of Fortune filly is also with Jason, and is still in the field, but now that the weather has broken, she will soon head back to her stable and beign her life as a racehorse proper. She will be joined by Tintagel Queen, who will be back with Jason at the same time, and they will both do their 'secondary school' together.

A quick change, and then it was on to Cheltenham for the racing. A glorious day - again, great to catch up with so many people, and see so many happy faces!

Saturday morning another day, another yard - this time that of Kim Baileys - to see Queenohearts and meet up with one of her current owners, and one of her former owners too! QOH has been with Kim a few weeks now, and is having a course of intense ulcer treatment as she was found to be suffering very badly with them. A mare that has always been unfurnished and spare, we had expected her to be suffering with them when she was gastroscoped in January, and were a little shocked when we got the results to say that although she had ulcers, they were not performance inhibiting. The signs are that the treatment is working - she is absolutely blooming- she is in fantastic order, a real shine on her coat, and everyone that knows her, and has seen her, is amazed at how she looks! They are really getting to know her now, and Kim and Matt have changed a couple of things in her regime, which have suited her really well, and she is in fantastic order. The vet has kept a close eye on her leg issues, and he has told the team where they need to be at what stage, and although her seasonal debut will not be as soon as we had thought in the summer - we are all very much looking forward to seeing her on the track!

The races again in the afternoon, and most of our trainers represented with runners. A double for Fergal, and a winner for KIm, with a horse part owned by David Shuttle, a member of the Lavendon Partnership who own Classic Ben. I know David is an avid reader of this ramblig prose - so well done David!! Classic Ben is another we are looking forward to seeing on the track. I got the chance to chat to all of his owners last week - which was lovely, and everyone is keen to get back on the track, and enjoying going racing with him. Go Millie Go is fine after her run in Fakenham. At the Elms, Barry the foal is really well, the mild and sunny autumn to date has suited all the youngsters, and they are lovng life. Our man in France looked at a few yearlings for us at the October yearling sales in Deauville, but we didn't add to the squad.