No time for a blog yesterday! Lots of people in yesterday morning – a very busy Saturday. Owner Paul Amour came in to watch his lovely mare Oscar World on the gallops and to see Ocean Eleven before he headed off to Chepstow as Paul had generously allowed Jamie to ride him in the Legends Charity Race that he won with Viking Mistress last year. I’ll quote Paul in his race summary in that ‘Jamie gave him a great ride and executed the plan perfectly’ and he ran a blinder to finish 4th in what turned out to be a much more competitive race than last year.
Simon and Katherine Prowting were in to see their Towcester Bumper Winner Raving Bonkers and bring goodies for all the team which was much appreciated by them. Always a very entertaining visit when Simon is about as he certainly embraces life and RB was also so pleased to see them and Simon spent plenty of time hugging him, which he loved, and feeding him carrots. He’s having a bit of an easy time of it since his win in the week as he is a big baby so he enjoyed another day out in the field. Simon and Katherine then kindly treated Belinda and the boys to lunch at The Plough at Ford where they cheered on Jamie on the TV!
Maggie Turner, our physio, brought new local resident Jo Handsworth in to see us and it was lovely to meet her. Georgia Keegan, who supplies us with our fabulous Back on Track products, brought her friend Louise in to see the horses and meet the team too. They’d had a fun stay at The Hollow Bottom on Friday night and were thrilled to meet Paul & Val Hughes son Chris (of Love Island fame!) and have a selfie!
Plenty of the horses did fast work and we had plenty of extra riders in – Andrew Tinkler and Warren Marston as usual on a fast work day but also Abi Stock, Ollie Garner and Mark Caswell and Freddie joined in too on Bubbles. We worked Buckle Street, Brillare Momento, My Lad Percy, Weyburn, Miss Condi, Whatalove, Mister Valentine, Bobble Emerald, Solstice Star, Spice Boy, Somewhere To Be, Viking Mistress, Miss Condi, Fairmount, Cottersrock, Oscar World and Lerichi Belle. Chris Stock, whose company Typecraft produce our fabulous brochures and all of our stationary and promotional literature, was also in to watch his children Harry Stock (our Conditional) and daughter Abi on the gallops.
Plenty of bacon sandwiches and champagne for all afterwards thanks to the wonderful help of Mary and Dave Cull who are a fabulous help and another important part of our fantastic team.
Ballymountain Boy heads to Chepstow today for the Persian War Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle under Andrew Tinkler. A big step up in class for him but he’s in fantastic form and arrives off the back of two wins over hurdles. The ground should suit and if he finds the improvement we dearly hope he will then he could be in the shake up for his lovely group of owners The Chameleons. Good luck Bally!