Friday 21st August 2015

I must apologise for not updating this blog over the last month. Although we’ve not had many summer runners, I am pleased we've added another winner to our seasonal tally as Agenor bolted up at Bangor this afternoon. He was pretty smart on the flat in Germany, but didn't take well to gelding and it's taken a long time to get him right. I was disappointed with his run at Newton Abbot last week as he looked a bit lethargic, so we put a pair of blinkers on and it has made the difference. Brendan rode him very well, and the change of tactics worked to our advantage.

Agenor puts in a fine leap on route to winning his maiden.

Of our other recent runners I was disappointed with Detroit Blues who ran at Worcester earlier in the week, although I kick myself for running on the softer ground really….! We know he wants better ground, but as the race didn’t look that competitive and he had half acted on it at Uttoxeter in similar circumstances, I felt it was a gamble worth taking - which in hindsight was a wrong decision.

Mollyanna made her debut for us having been purchased by The Duchess of Cornwall and David Brownlow after winning a mares novice hurdle at Sligo earlier this summer. We ran her with a penalty and she had every chance at the last but just faded to finish 5th. I think she would prefer softer ground, stepping up in trip and going over fences, so we’ll wait for the autumn where there are more options for her.

So although we’re still quiet on the racecourse at this time of year, we have been pretty busy back at home as the horses have been coming in thick and fast, the finishing touches have been going into the new barn, the sales season has been continuing and we also managed to have a week away in Scotland as well…

Lucy and I tend to try to take a week off to head up to Scotland for a weeks fishing. This year was no different and with the car packed with children, dogs, fishing kit etc, we set off via Shropshire for my cousins wedding. We had a fantastic week away to relax and re charge the batteries for the season ahead. Although there wasn't much time to relax, as there were plenty of fish in the river.

Lettie and Harry fishing in the Loch

Lucy with her fish beside the river

Of the horses that are nearing a run Breaking Bits, Shockingtimes and Miss Tiger Lily are three horses that are coming back from significant injuries. They are schooling and working twice a week at the moment, and I'm chuffed with how they are progressing. All three are previous winners, and all three look to remain capable of getting back to winning ways. I'd hope they'll be ready to run later in August or early September.

Another new arrival this month is a 5 year old gelding called Zadok. He has a lovely pedigree being by Nayef out of a useful flat mare, he is the half brother to a black type hurdler. He was in training with James Fanshawe on the flat but never got to the track due to a few niggles, but they always thought a bit of him. He’s had plenty of time off now, and I hope we can get him right, and keep him right, as he could be another decent horse for us this season.

So everything is really gearing up now for the winter season, and I couldn't be more excited as we do look to have built a great team of both horses and staff……the dream begins once more.