6th December 2012

Exhausted - the charity race at Wincanton today was great fun, but there is a huge gap between training horses, and race riding them.... I gave up race riding 4 years ago now, and it is amazing how you forget how fit these jockeys need to be.  However, I was chuffed to bits with Jamesson today as he finished 5th staying on all the way up the home straight.  The poor chap broke a bone in his back in March of this year, and it is all credit to the team at home, and to the horse himself that he is back on the track so soon.  I was keen to give him a 'racecourse gallop' before he runs at Fontwell on Boxing Day, and this seemed the perfect opportunity.  There were 12 of us riding today, and some of the lads set a crazy gallop up front, so I sat off the pace, and then picked them off up the straight - I felt like Jamie Spencer (although I probably looked like John Wayne!!).  I must thank everyone who sponsored me today - it was a very worthwhile cause as the stable lads and lasses really do work every hour god sends to put the show on the road.

The Photo Shoot beforehand

In the paddock

  Passing horses up the straight

Staying on well

Coming back in 

Happy Connections

Lettie supporting her father

The supporters club

We run Graduation Night and Jammy tomorrow at Exeter.  Graduation Night was hammered by the handicapper for winning 3 on the bounce last season, but he is back down to his last winning mark, he has been crying out to step up in trip, and he is in terrific form, but my one concern is the ground.  Jammy is a lovely young horse, who is related to plenty of winners - I like him a lot, and think he has a bright future, but we will find out a lot more about him tomorrow.