Like No Other
Last week was one that will be forever engrained in the memory of everyone that lived through it. The sad passing of the late Queen on Thursday afternoon affected all of us in one way or another - some of us surprisingly more than we would ever have imagined. Tears were shed by those that are never usually moved in that way, me included. Unexpected tears for a woman we had neither met nor knew, but real tears, tears of mourning for a Monarch who had sat as head of state of our country and the Commonwealth for 70 years, the only Monarch many of us have ever known.
Queen Elizabeth II gave her life to the crown, and it was possibly not until her passing this week, that we realised what an undertaking that was, and some of those tears shed this week were in appreciation of a life given to all of us. So many of us have been touched by her sad passing, which should not have been unexpected at 96 years of age and obviously in declining health, but a passing that came as a shock none the less. Her Majesty was like that book on the bedside table, that has been there for so long you cannot remember the book that was in it's place before it. Everyday it is there, somedays it is opened and read, comforting us as we drift off to sleep, other days it remains closed, but it is always there, silently in the dark, the cover you brush with a hand as you reach for the light or the alarm clock. A book that you know has an end, a finale, that with every page read comes ever closer., an inevitable conculsion, and one that when reached, and we close the book for the last time, leaves us with a sense of great joy at a story concluded, but at the same time a sense of great loss, as from here on, the cover on the bedside table will look and feel different. There will still be a book there, but with a different title - everything changes, but still it stays the same.
With the death of Her Majesty, racing has lost it's greatest patron and supporter, the horse has lost a great advocate and friend, and we all mourn her passing. RIP Your Majesty. Long live the King.
Monday was a quieter day, we put the finishing touches to the Yauthym sale. She is back at The Elms Stud, and will undergo all the health checks that are now required post Brexit, so that she can travel over to Ireland in the next few days. Also on Monday, the Jukebox Jury 3 yr old in with Jason Maguire went down the road to Tom George's woodchip gallop for his first away day, and his first piece fo faster work. He looked to do it well on the video that Jason sent, understandably, a little green and novicey first time up, but the penny dropped second time, and he was really quite impressive. Jason straight on the phone to say that he was impressed with him, and thinks he's a 'really nice horse' - exciting times for his owners, The Keysoe Partnership. In the afternoon we headed over to Cambridge, which is always a nice way to spend a few hours - with an early dinner in The Giggling Squid, a Thai Restaurant that had come reccommended. Situated in the building once occipied by Jamie Olivers restaurant , it is a gorgeous place for dinner, and the food and service was excellent. We had hoped for the Thai Tapas option - but this ends at 5.30, so had a couple of mixed courses, which were very good - pay it a visit - you won't leave hungry or dissappointed. Also on Monday afternoon we had a clients horse run in Perth, a third place, and the each way money landed.
Jukebox Jury really looks the part in his first faster piece of work.
Jukebox Jury gelding schooling later in the week.
Tuesday is work morning at Ravenswell Farm - good to see Volkovka striding out so well on the hill gallop. Her and Hidden Beauty didn't come back into work until August 1st, so are a month behind most of them, but both are in great form and moving great. One that is nearly ready to run, is Fortune Forever, who worked really well on Tuesday, and Ferg, and Neil will start to look for races for her now. She's a gorgeous filly, with a decent pedigree, and we are looking forward to seeing her out on the track for the first time. She will make her debut in a bumper in the next few weeks. Blue Bikini is also in the form of her life, after a frustrating second half to her season last term, she is really blossoming now, and will be ready to run in early October. She will start off in mares staying handicap hurdles. Mamoon Star is now doing plenty again after his wind op a couple of weeks ago, he too will be ready to run around mid October, and a decision will be made nearer the time as to where he starts off - having been a non runner due to the quick ground in what was planned to be his final run in a bumper in the spring, he has the option of starting off with a 'pipe opener' in that sphere or heading straight over hurdles. Down the road with Jason Maguire - Sunset Melody is still on the road back to full fitness, doing plenty of trotting and hack cantering in the arena. Jason is really happy with her. Intrepide Sud is still enjoying his holiday.
Volkovka pointing her toe
On Tuesday afternoon we headed up to Doncaster, ready for the Goffs UK September Sale on Wednesday. We spend a lot of time in Doncaster - there are better places to be honest, but we have managed to find a few nice places to eat up there - one fo them is just by the racecourse and sales complex - Whitby's Fish and Chip Restaurant. Possibly the biggest fish and chip shop in the world, and one that is well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in that neck of the woods.
Wednesday was sale day - and the appetite for horses continues to unabated - another strong trade. Not the biggest of catalogues, and the sale done and dusted just after 2.30pm. An early home!
Thursday morning, Olly Murphy got a lot of his winter horses schooled for the first time this season, and all went well. Lewis Stones gave Auditoria a pop up the hurdles and she seemed to show no ill effects from her fall in Perth last time out in the spring. She will start off in staying handicap hurdles, and depending how she goes there, she could switch up to novice chases this season. Tintagel Queen didn't need to school as she will start her life in bumpers, but she continues to go very nicely, and is doing plenty of work. Itchy Feet is a week or two behind the others, as he had a wind op in the summer - but he looks fantastic, and is really pleasing those that know him the best. He's such an exciting horse to have on the team! Our three clients horses in at Warren Chase are all in great order too. On Thursday afternoon the sad news about Her Majesty the Queen shocked the nation. Racing imeediately abandonded, along with a host of sporting events.
Auditoria Schooling under Lewis Stones
Itchy Feet and Izzy.
Friday we were up and about early, and up the motorway to the Bankhouse Stables of Donald McCain. Our first visit since we sent our homebred 3 yr old gelding 'Dean' up there. Donald has been really happy with him since he arrived, and he is a horse that he likes a lot - and you can see why. 'Dean' has always been a tough and hardy horse, and his antics every morning make everyone smile - he just loves life and wants to get on with everything. He loves hard work, and spends quite a bit of time throwing a few shapes - which he does with aplomb! Donald says he is the spitting image both in terms of colour, markings, physicality along with attitude as A Different KInd who notched a five timer for the yard last season. He looks to have all the attributes of being perfectly suited to the new national hunt juvenile hurdles that begin in October - shares are available with no capital cost, and at an all inclusive £25/week - so get in touch to secure yourself a share - he will be lots of fun this winter for sure!
Dean - Shares Available
Classic Ben looked good on the video that Stuart sent on Friday - although, on his own admission, his videoing skills leave a bit to be desired.
We welcomed a few new faces to NBR this week - including Ian and Ben who have taken shares in 'Dean', we wish them the best of luck with him - Ben has also purchased a share in 'Barry' our hombred Blue Bresil yearling, as he also wanted a longer term project that he could be involved with from as near to the start as possible. Being by the hottest sire around at the moment in Blue Bresil, Barry is a big, imposing youth, and he is a very exciting prospect! With all of our Partnerships now sold out - we have just a couple fo shares available in one or two of our bigger syndicates. 1/25 shares are available, with no capital outlay, and just an all inclusive £25/wk in Hidden Beauty (Fergal O'Brien (1)), Blue Bikini (Fergal O'Brien (2)), Tintagel Queen (Olly Murphy (2)), and Dean (Donald McCain (6)), Please get in touch to arrange a visit or book your place - nickbrownracing@gmail.com - 07909 518902.
Saturday we headed over to Huntingdon Rugby club for their first home game of the season - a perfectly observed 2 minute silence prior to kick off - but sadly a game that didn't make half time, and that had to be abandonded when the referee pulled a hamstring and couldn't continue. Not quite the result we had envisaged, but a good afternoon non the less. The evening was spent with friends - New Year plans in place, along with a sore head this morning.
Next week we will get over to The Elms, with a couple of visits planned, we will welcome the Molly Childers owners over to see her and her foal on Wednesday evening, and then get a look around all of the youngsters on Thursday morning.
On Saturday we have a big owners morning planned with Olly Murphy - if you have not let me know if you are coming please do - it looks like it will be a big turnout, and we will need numbers to plan the morning!
Plenty going on - see you next week!
