The rain just won’t stop and although some courses are having too much (Market Rasen abandoned half way through the card yesterday) some, like Huntingdon are missing it therefore Rolling Clouds is now a non-runner there tomorrow. He is too nice a horse to risk and they are watering to maintain good ground and have missed all the rain. Frustrating for all.
Paul Davis, Belinda and Leigh & Sarah Powell were all at Ascot today manning our stall as part of their Ownership Weekend. Do call and see them tomorrow where Paul is manning it again with David Wasley too – we are so grateful for all the hard work that goes into these days.
Just A Deal made a solid start to his chasing career at Hereford under a sympathetic ride from Sean Bowen. He jumped for fun but unsurprisingly needed the run after so long off the track. We should have some fun with him.
Sean Bowen was in this morning and, with the help of Harry Atkins, we schooled a few including Pinnacle Peak, Duke of Luckley, Ben Buie, Miladygrace, Blazing Court, Bella Ciao, Breizh Alko, and Enforcement. Rich & Coot Lloyd, Jon Hughes and Matthew Baker were all in this morning to watch schooling and the horses on the gallops.
Yesterday Belinda and I took Mr Mafia back home to Peter & Jane Boggis’s Wiltshire base where their Olympic International Event Rider is also based. He’s one lucky horse to have such a 5* winter retreat to go home to! Although he turns 14 next year, he’ll come back here until he shows us he wants to put his slippers on and smoke his pipe! He has run disappointingly of late but the Handicapper has been harsh enough on him until his latest 4lbs drop and we’ll see how he is again on his preferred good ground in the sunshine! Peter Boggis treated us to a delicious home cooked lunch and it was wonderful to spend a few hours with him and his family.
On Wednesday we welcomed Foxtrot Racing Members who own shares in Pay The Woman, Witness Protection and Rolling Clouds and we had a really fun morning of food, fizz and watching horses on the gallops. Thanks to Dan Abraham for organising, Belinda for feeding and watering everyone and all the team for their extra hard work for ensuring the yard and horses looked great.
