We were so pleased to have world renowned Trainer Yogi Breisner in this morning to train the team with support from the British Horseracing Authority who are 100% behind encouraging not only staff retention but also horse welfare. Yogi simply blew us all away. He is such a superb trainer. He started by introducing himself to them all after watching them all canter around our Leisure Ride Carpet loop and discuss their general riding position and what he thinks they all should be aiming to achieve. They then schooled over hurdles on the loop and then we all went across to school over hurdles and fences on the grass. He is fascinating – I can’t speak more highly of him and he’ll be back again in the near future to train them all again.
John Gent was in to watch Lerichi Belle and was very impressed with Yogi. Will and Sara Kinsey and daughters Amber and Maggie were in to watch their youngster Big Nasty and to watch Yogi too. A wonderful morning and so fantastic to support and reward the team. Without them we simply couldn’t carry on and the more we can improve their skills and help them improve our horses, it can only improve the whole team and our results. Such a rewarding morning and such an important investment for us to make.
Last night we had supper at The Lion in Winchcombe with Chairman Jon Hughes and wife Jack and Mark Holland and Nicola. A really fun evening with delicious food and entertaining company.
A quiet few days without runners whilst we wait for suitable ground. Not long now until Cheltenham’s first meeting next week and a fixture that saw us win the opening race last season with Brillare Momento (Aidan Coleman) and finish the day with a memorable double when Harry Stock and Bobble Emerald survived a Stewards’ Enquiry to become Harry’s first Cheltenham winner on only his 2nd ride – a very special day.
Talking of Cheltenham winners. Yesterday marked the day 9 years earlier that we celebrated our 1st ever Cheltenham winner when Warren Marston partnered Andrew & Louise Jones’ Benbane Head to victory over hurdles. A day we’ll never forget and we were thrilled 5 years later when he bounced back from a tendon injury to win over fences under Conor Shoemark back at Cheltenham doubling up with Any Currency that day. Our local track has been so kind to us and we hope it will continue into this autumn.