A very hectic few days so apologies for no blog over the weekend… Saturday was a fun but busy morning on the gallops in stunning sunshine and no surprise we had lots of visitors. Visitors included Jo Stainer, Jon & Jack Hughes, Paul Davis and Pip Frankish. The horses worked well and it was a relaxed morning with a great bunch of people with most staying to watch 2nd and 3rd lot too.
After an afternoon of watching sport We then went on to Claire Hardwick’s End of Season BBQ and it was fantastic to catch up with lots of familiar faces there and a fun time was had by all.
Yesterday was also busy as today is Harry’s 8th birthday and yesterday we had a football party for him in the morning (I did a stint in goal & my father was referee!) and he thoroughly enjoyed himself and won the Man of the Match (no fix at all!). Patrick Upton (youngest son of Guy & Sophia) won the golden boot for the most goals scored and the morning was rounded off with hotdogs & drinks in our Owners’ Room.
His day didn’t end there though…we all moved on to Stratford where we watched Jon & Jack Hughes’ Enforcement run in the first under Andrew Tinkler. He is a buzzy type and needs to learn to settle before he will get the trip of 2 miles. He faded again yesterday but settled much better and jumped well too so is hopefully learning. We had a Box and Stratford looked after us supremely well so thanks to them especially Wendy Rolleson and Abi Stock. Abi arranged for Children’s Entertainer ‘Mad Dom’ to come up to our box and entertain Harry – he was very loud but Harry absolutely loved it and some of his magic tricks were brilliant too. A larger than life character and highly recommended by Harry!
Football, racing, a magician and the World Cup Final on TV … what more could an 8 year old want?! The birthday boy has gone off to school today as their school don’t break up for summer until next week.
A crazy busy morning here with lots of the horses coming back into work. Farrier Nick Partridge flat out and physio Maggie Turner in too. We schooled Lord Condi (Harry Stock) and Lady Vitesse (Alfie Jordan) over hurdles on the loop and they jumped well. Howard and Sandra Fine called in to see Bay Dude as they were on their way home from the Cornbury Music Festival which sounded great fun. The plan is for him to run at Windsor next Monday and there is still a share available in him. He seems as tough as his wonderful mum Sky Calling who we had lots of success with.