Saturday 29th July 2023 - very few runners, but a good trip to Ireland.

We've had very few summer runners recently, with just four in the last two weeks.  I was delighted with the improvement that Climbing made when 2nd on his hurdling debut.  He was bred by the late Queen, and is part owned by Her Majesty Queen Camilla, in partnership with Sir Chips Keswick, and it's a great honour to have their support, so it was lovely to see Climbing run well to be 2nd at Stratford.  He wasn't beaten far, and should improve again. 

Climbing was 2nd on hurdling debut for HM The Queen.

I thought Coastal Sun ran well to be 3rd last weekend at Stratford, and a small race should come her way soon enough.  Whilst, Fortunate Fred was also 3rd, but looks in need of a step up in trip now.  That can't be said for Teeceethree who didn't quite get home over 3m at Worcester, and will drop back to 2m4 next time. 

 With the school holidays now upon us, we took the advantage of the lack of racing and took the children on a road trip to Ireland last week.  We were lucky enough to go around Coolmore, where we saw many of the top stallions including Australia, Camelot and No Nay Never all relaxing out in the paddocks.  It was fantastic to have the opportunity to go around their Museum and to see a taxidermy of Saddlers Wells! 

We also saw a few of our youngstock at Ballincurrig, and a few of the horses in pre training at Denis Leahy and Jimmy Kelly.  Whilst we had a morning on the gallops at Willie Mullins too – it was an educational holiday! 

Anyway, all is well back here, as the yard is filling up all the time with more winter horses coming back in.  Exciting times await…..