We’ve so far survived Storm Ciara and thoughts with those in other parts of the country that have been hit hard – we were planning to go to Catterick today with Run A Rig in the bumper and their stable yard is apparently flooded so it’s off. The winds may have been too high anyway. Those on social media may have seen that at about 7pm on Saturday night I was worrying about my carpet gallop and jumped in the tractor to roll it down in case the rain washed it away or the storms blew it away! Thankfully that did the trick and it survived – it takes a huge expense to put down and maintain a gallop and obviously we are stuck without them so it was a Saturday night well spent!
We’ve not had runners since the mares ran at Doncaster last week. Brillare Momento has been such a special mare here with two Cheltenham wins amongst others but the signs have been there for a little while that she is falling out of love with racing. She even refused at the last after pulling up – a knocked down flat hurdle – something Sam Twiston-Davies said has never happened to him before! She’s a lovely looking mare so owner Ollie Ryan will now put her in foal and she is sure to breed some cracking offspring.
Lucky Circle ran in the last and is a mare Lee Moulson and friends took a punt with as she’d shown nothing on the flat but looked the size of a jumping mare. After struggling in novice hurdles she had a handicap mark and should have found life a lot easier but didn’t and Patrick Cowley reported she felt flat out all the way. There was talk about her wanting further but to me she didn’t stay on at all up the straight so I have my doubts so the partnership are drawing stumps with her.
On Friday David Bishop was in to watch Eclat Des Mottes on the gallops and Jan & Keith Salisbury were in to watch Cotswold Prince work. Matthew Baker was in to see his ever increasing string and, along with Paul Davis, we had a delicious lunch at the Coach & Horses in Longborough and then went onto see our yearlings at Batsford Stud. The Vareys were as welcoming as ever and it was also great to see their newly born foals and their stunning Stallions too. A beautiful set up where the job is done properly too.
Tilly Jarrett was here on Saturday morning watching the Racing Club horses and Black Prince too who was thoroughly spoilt with lots of carrots! Tilly is a local school teacher but is also a huge supporter here and we appreciate all she does to help us.
Hollie Watts, our new Assistant Trainer, is Clerk of the Course at Plumpton Racecourse today. We have no runners there. Back to her usual day job here tomorrow!