Harry was 7 yesterday and we entertained 30 children here for a sports party and early lunch and a great time was had by all! I joined in with the football and rounders and dad did a great job as referee. Mum and Mary Cull were busy cooking and Belinda was making sure it all ran smoothly – kids plus big open spaces, sunshine and food – all we needed!
Rick Allen called in late morning in amongst the children madness with some family and friends to see Sporty Yankee and have a catch up.
Belinda, myself, Dave & Mary Cull then left Freddie & Harry with my parents and headed for Southwell. Thady Quil ran a solid race to finish 4th back over hurdles. He’ll go back over fences next time and Andrew reported he probably wants the ground even quicker than yesterday. Paul Davis, who part owns Thady, runs our Racing Club, a few of our partnerships and is heavily involved in the yard managed to tick another thing off his bucket list as he’s always wanted to lead up a horse at the races. He proudly led up Thady yesterday and did a great job too! Is there anything that man can’t do well?! Delighted to assist with the bucket list and there are a few more we can help with too so are working on those however he did such a good job there will be plenty of more opportunities for leading up in the future!
The Kvilleken was next and he was well supported by enthusiastic members of our racing club. He clearly didn’t realise what efforts some had gone to to be there – Mick O’Gorman travelled across London via public transport, got a train to Newark and then a taxi to the course to be there to support him and, under James Nixon, he didn’t try very hard at all. Frustrating as he looked great and, for a horse who is hard to keep condition on, looks so well for him. Back to the drawing board a little with him.
Ask Alice ran in the bumper and ran a solid race to finish 6th – she jumps for fun and is bred to be better over obstacles so we’ll continue schooling her up and she’ll go hurdling now. A lovely stamp of a horse and a great attitude so hopefully she’ll give her owner/breeder Sarah Turner a lot of fun.
No runners today. Ross Hemming and his Leisure Ride Group team cracking on with widening our all weather loop next to the yard. Some more of the team back from holiday and a nice homebred youngster arriving shortly too plus a handful of horses back from their summer holidays. Exciting!