What a fabulous week of racing at Royal Ascot and so many superb performances. Thrilled for Ryan Moore to be crowned top jockey for the ninth time after riding seven winners and four seconds, fabulous. Belinda & I went again on Friday and got a lift there with Jon & Jack Hughes where sadly the fairytale wasn’t to be for their previously unbeaten El Caballo but he’s home safely which is always the most important thing.
It was so hot so I was very grateful to the relaxing of the dress code for men! It was great to catch up again with so many lovely friends, very spoilt in Phil Cunningham & Richard Spencer’s Box and also viewing Ascot from the other side – in the stunning Winning Post Garden Chalets with Chris & Jo Massey. Such a fun day although a delayed train meant we missed the Reading connection and an hour delay but huge thanks to Paul Davis’s taxi service adapting to the later time!
Saturday couldn’t have been more different – a chilly morning but lots of visitors here which we always love. Paul Davis & Jon Hughes were in along with Matthew Baker and also Mike & Mella Wright too – a fun morning watch the horses work. On Saturday evening we had 19mm of rain and although Worcester didn’t have quite as much as that, it wasn’t going to be ideal for Windy Cove so she heads today to Southwell instead. She was declared on Saturday morning in case the forecast was correct as a back up.
Yesterday a mostly relaxing Fathers’ Day – spoilt by my boys and F1 on in the evening – perfect! A stunning sky last night ….
Heading to Southwell then with Windy Cove under Sean Bowen hoping to follow up her exciting win at Warwick recently for the Morgan Family and Nicki Clifford. She’s in great form and, whilst she surely won’t quite have the run of the race again this time, we are hopeful she’ll go close again. Duke of Luckley doesn’t now run.
Tomorrow we head to Newton Abbot with Ben Buie and Mr Mafia, both partnered by Sean Bowen. Ben Buie will appreciate the quicker ground and Mr Mafia, who won so well last time, is again in great form and loves it at Newton Abbot but it’s a small but competitive field. Good luck to the connections of both.