Beautiful here first thing and, although frosty, the sun was shining and there was no better place to be. Luckily we have our fabulous circular Leisure Ride loop by the yard that we can school on and so that is never held up. Tom Bellamy was in and we schooled Fairmount and Pirate Look.
Simon Nott from Star Sports Bet, who presented us with our winning prize at Towcester recently when Brillare Momento won well, was here this morning and watched the horses on the gallops before interviewing Belinda and me about life, racing and all things Cheltenham! Was a fun morning.
Three runners tomorrow so lots to sort on the racing front – Solstice Star, Buckle Street and Pomme De Nuit all at Ascot.
Freddie and Harry have had a great half term. They’ve hardly left the yard but love being in and around the horses and team and have had fun with young Harry Greasby who was in again to ride out. Horses, ponies, quad bikes and mud is all it takes to keep boys entertained and allow us to get on with some work!
Last night Belinda and I were invited to David and Janne Bishop’s Great Rissington home for supper with Bobble Emerald’s other owners Mike & Noreen Parker and Colin Bowkley to celebrate his Cheltenham win in October and all the fun we’ve had together spanning three horses over ten years and 15 winners between them. It was a wonderful evening, Janne is a superb cook and they are wonderful hosts and we’ve not laughed so much in a long time – from moths in beds to Mrs Pithers the cleaner to multi coloured pineapples – there wasn’t much that wasn’t discussed! A very special night with lovely people.
No runners today but yesterday Belinda & I bumped into an old point-to-point rival of hers (he’ll tell you the story!!) – Guy Disney who aims to retain his Royal Artillery crown at Sandown Park this afternoon. He won it last year on Rathlin Rose and they team up again today. He’s amazing as he lost his lower right leg when his vehicle in Afghanistan was hit by a rocket propelled grenade and is the first amputee to be granted a jockey’s licence again. You wouldn’t meet a more modest and popular person and we wish him lots of luck.