It was a great honour to train Her Majesty The Queen and Lady Keswick a winner as Reach for the Moon won over hurdles at Worcester last week. With the luck being against him on his first few starts over hurdles (he returned lame after his hurdling debut, was too free on his second start, and was carried out by a loose horse on his next start) I have to say it was a huge relief that everything went smoothly. He showed his true colours and was very impressive. He should be able to defy a penalty in another novice hurdle before he goes up in class.
Reach for the Moon wins for Her Majesty The Queen.
Having won on his seasonal return, Donnie Azoff ran a similarly game race when 2nd at Uttoxeter. We tried to offset the 9lbs rise he got for winning, with Will’s 7lbs claim, but ultimately the extra weight told.
A new BHA initiative this season was to create a 3-week break from National Hunt racing through the first three weeks of August. Personally, I feel there is a need for a break in jump racing, but I’d prefer to see the season go through until the end of May (when the ground is still beautiful ‘spring ground’), and then have a 6-week gap between seasons. That way the stable staff can have a holiday then too, as currently the horses are all back in exercise now. The season could then begin mid-July, and we could have a series final in September for the better ground horses. Anyway, we took the opportunity to get away in the final week of July and have just come back from a lovely family holiday in Spain. Lucy’s parents kindly took their three children (and spouses) and all their grandchildren to a farmhouse in the hills of Southern Spain just outside the village of Gaucin, not far from Ronda. A very relaxing enjoyable time, and now we are recharged for the season ahead.
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