A few runners recently and mostly running well although not quite having the rub of the green. Zestful ran a great race at Market Rasen and Brian Hughes produced her at the perfect time half way up the run-in but she just got outstayed by her rival who got back in front in the dying strides. Frustrating but she’s such an exciting mare and we will undoubtedly have lots of fun with her next season after her summer holiday. Miss Antipova ran her heart out again on Monday at Southwell under a good ride from James Best and, turning for home, looked like it may be the day that she broke her maiden tag. However, it wasn’t to be and she was headed over the last and went down by 1 1/4 lengths. Surely her time will come soon.
We had our Racing Club here on Saturday for a visit and compulsory food & fizz! It’s such a fun Club with a lovely bunch of people and we have places available so do get in touch and come and visit us and find out for yourself – it’s a super way of getting much more up close & personal in the heart of a racing yard.
Peter Boggis was in too on Saturday to watch Mr Mafia who was partnered by Freddie in his fast work. Great to see Peter, as always.
Great to have Foxy back in to watch the horses on the gallops last Saturday and this morning too. A frustrating time for him as it’s a long road back to full fitness but he’s getting there and we can’t wait until he’s fit enough to return.
Belinda had a couple of runners at the weekend … and no 2nds! HRH The Princess Royal’s Pattern Cutter ran well at Dingley Point to Point on Saturday to finish 3rd under Sean O’Connor who is based with Dan Skelton and has been riding out here all week during his week off.
On Sunday we all went north to Haydock Park where Freddie rode his 5th winner of the season on Gavin Hughes’ stunning mare Miss Millfield, 5 years to the day that he rode his 1st pony race winner there. Such a friendly day of pony racing there and very well organised and good to see all different types of ponies & so many kids having lots of fun. Richard Johnson’s son Percy finished a good 2nd in his race whilst Warren Greatrex & Grahame McPherson both led up winners with Evie Greatrex & Eliza McPherson both winning their races. Thanks to everyone involved for making it such a good day.
Before the weekend Sean Bowen was in to school some of the horses along with Harry Atkins & Sean O’Connor and Freddie making his debut schooling over fences on the legend Mr Mafia too. I have shared the video of schooling on our various social media platforms but haven’t quite worked out how to do it on here!
We love hearing about horses that were in training here, for however long, and are enjoying life after racing. Talkischeap was only here briefly but his is a character that everyone loved and we are thrilled to hear that he has led his Team Chase Team, under Yvonne Goss, to win two weekends on the bounce recently and we had a super video of him turned out in grass up to his knees! Grade 2 Cheltenham winner for us, Creepy, is also Team Chasing with great success and two having quieter lives that we’ve heard from again recently are Black Prince who is absolutely adored by his owner, Paris, and also Sporty Yankee who absolutely wants for nothing in The Netherlands.
