Monday 24th June 2024 - three more winners, and Royal Ascot.

With three more winners over the last few weeks, I am delighted that our small, select, summer team remain in top form.

Kitesurfer has always been a horse who has promised a lot at home, a great work horse who jumps slickly.  However, his form on the track through the winter hadn't been as inspiring.  Fresh from a break, and stepped up in trip, he showed a great turn of foot to get off the mark in the UK under a lovely ride from Gavin at Fontell.  I was thrilled that the Atkin's patience had been rewarded and hopefully there is a lot more to come from Kitesurfer through the summer. 

Kitesurfer wins on seasonal debut.

Bucko's Boy also won on his seasonal debut, again when stepped up in, once again under a confident ride by Gavin.  He jumped great and quickened up nicely to win going away from a competitive field.  He will now head to a valuable race at Uttoxeter at the weekend.

Buckos Boy wins for the sixth time for owner/ breeder Andy Ward. 

Another horse to win on seasonal debut was Donnie Azoff.  He put in a scintillating performance at Stratford last week, and faces a stiff hike in the handicap, so we’re chancing our arm, and sending him out over fences on Wednesday, where he will in effect be 9lbs ‘well in’. 

Donnie Azoff wins again at Stratford.

Sea the Clouds ran a belter to be 2^nd to Kitesurfer under a nice ride from our 10lbs conditional jockey, Will Featherstone.  He should improve for that run, and takes his chance at Newton Abbot again tomorrow.

 Of our other recent runners, Pisgah Pike ran a lovely race to be 4^th (only beaten a length!) on his comeback run post a colic operation.  That run should set him up nicely for a tilt at the Summer Hurdle in July, a race he won two years ago.  Value Added was third at Stratford in the colours of Her Majesty The Queen, and the Late Chips Keswick, whilst Reach for the Moon was 4^th at Worcester.  Beholden and Goose Man were 4^th at Fakenham earlier this month, and that run should set Goose Man up for a crack at the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter now.

Royal Ascot is always a highlight of the summer, and this year was no exception.  It was a wonderful week of racing, and it was lovely to see Lambourn runners perform with credit with winners for Ed Walker and Charlie Hills.  Lucy and I were extremely honoured and privileged to be invited to Windsor Castle for lunch on the Saturday, and to be included in the Royal Procession.  We shared a carriage with Willie and Jackie Mullins, which was great fun.  Needless to say, I was trying to pick his brain!  Let’s hope some of his magic can rub off on us….

Lucy and I were honoured to be included in the Royal Procession.