Another busy Saturday morning with plenty of bacon sandwiches for all! Andrew Tinkler, Warren Marston, Harry Stock, Max Comley, Mark Caswell and John Nicholson were all in to ride out. We worked Buckle Street, Elzaam 2 year old, Miss Condi, Ask Alice, Ocean Eleven, Brass Monkey, Cottersrock, Cut & Run, The Kvilleken, and Twentyoneblackjack. All the rest cantered.
Harley Cornock was in with his mum Lynne to catch up with us and fill in some forms as he’s still on crutches and would much rather be back on a horse! Great to see him though and we hope he’s fully mended and back soon. Aurelie Wibaux returned to see us a year after she spent a few months here on work experience and she brought a gorgeous black lab puppy with her called Shadow. Fantastic to catch up with Ellie again.
Sheila Lindsay and daughter Fi Gamble were also in this morning to watch the new purchase they have bought into – Buckle Street. They are also coming to York to support him and Belinda a week today so exciting times.
Ian, Lorna & Evie Rawlings, who are in our Racing Club, were here and are also heading to York to support Team Buckle Street as is Tilly Jarrett who came up this morning.
Jon Hughes may as well have a bed in the Owners’ Room as he was here with us in a meeting yesterday afternoon when we met our Bookkeeper Carole (Happy Birthday for tomorrow!) and our Accountant Roger Downes and Jon was back up for 1st lot this morning. Work is moving swiftly on around the yard as the loop is widened to incorporate a schooling strip and the earth that is being dug up is going to make the mound larger and we’ll grade it so it is better for viewing too.
One runner tonight as Dr Dunraven has bruised his foot. Frustrating as his race looked winable but that’s horses sadly as we all know and luckily he has patient owners and we hope they will be rewarded soon. Spice Girl was sick during the Spring so has been given plenty of time to get over that. She has been going well at home and I think the track at Stratford and the ground should suit her. Champion Jockey Richard Johnson rides her for owners Richard Davies & Mark Holland.
Late morning young 8 year old jockey Freddie Fletcher brought his pony Tommy to ride up the gallops with Freddie on Bubbles and they had a brilliant time. Two Freddies to look out for in the future maybe!