Thursday 17th August 2023 - three more winners before the two-week break....

I was thrilled that we managed to notch up three more winners at the start of August before the two-week break from NH racing in the UK. 

Abennig was given a very confident ride by our young conditional jockey, Will Featherstone, to win again this summer.  Having fallen last time out, it was lovely to see him jumping from fence to fence at Worcester, and he won in the style of a horse who can win again this autumn.  We weren’t far from having a double that day, as Sea the Clouds was beaten in the shadows of the winning post when running a career best when stepped up to 2m4.  He has been nudged up again in the handicap, but I hope he can gain compensation next time out.

Arbennig wins again.

I was delighted to see the recent wind operation work wonders as Bucko’s Boy won impressively under a lovely ride from Gavin at Bangor.  He isn’t the easiest of rides, but Gavin got the best out of him, and hopefully Bucko can continue to progress now.

Bucko's Boy winning at Bangor.

Guinness Affair improved his very impressive winning strike rate, when winning for the 6^th time from 9 career starts.  He put in an assured round of jumping to win with authority up at Market Rasen under Michael Nolan, who was riding as it was one of these races restricted to jockeys who had ridden less than 20 winners last season.  He gave him a nice ride, and it was lovely to see Guinness winning with his ears pricked.  He might be one we aim at the Grade 2 Rising Stars novice chase in the autumn.

Guinness Affair wins his third novice chase. 

With no racing last week, we took the children back to Suffolk for a few days.  We had a lovely time on the beach, on boats, on the tennis court, the golf courses and of course in the pool.  It was lovely for the children to have their cousins to play with, whilst we had a bit of free time too! Now we’re back in the thick of things at Folly House, as the winter horses are all cantering away again, and we’re building up to our annual owners drinks party where we will parade the horses too.  It’s not long now until autumn appears…..although it feels like its already here!