Overcast this morning but a busy one with lots of horses working. Warren Marston and Lilly Pinchin both in to ride work and we worked Witness Protection, Debden Bank, Reve, Solstice Star, Cotswold Prince, Mozzaro, City Never Sleeps, Capricia, Big Nasty & Pinnacle Peak. We also worked Cul De Poule, Samtara, Capital Force and Cut and Run. The others just cantered.
We had a rare family weekend away and a new destination for us – in Port Isaac in North Cornwall. Absolutely stunning and very peaceful with plenty of sea air and coastal walks. The added bonus that the boys could see where the different parts of one of our favourite family programmes, Doc Martin, is filmed. A lovely weekend.
Whilst we were there Eclat Des Mottes ran at Fakenham under James Best and was jumping and travelling well until push came to shove and he faded quickly and tamely. He was checked out at the local vets (due to Covid 19 restrictions they were not allowed to scope him on the course) and nothing was found – indeed the vets reported that his scope was perfectly clean and went as far as to say that it was the first scope without a single trace of blood they’d seen for quite some time. Head scratching stuff. We’ve had a meeting today with all his owners and made a plan. Not too many more chances so we hope he changes his ways!
We returned from a long walk on Saturday to learn that David Parry had claimed Dariya from Charlie Longsdon after finishing 3rd in the Selling Hurdle at Stratford and did we want to train her – after apologising for interupting our holiday – not a problem with that sort of interruption at any time! A quick call to Charlie to find out about her, to my team at home to arrange collection and to Nessie Sweeting, Clerk of the Course at Stratford to finalise things and all sorted. She’s got a lovely pedigree, is a bonny mare and seems to have already settled in well. Hopefully we’ll have plenty of fun with her.
Sunday the team headed to Kempton Park again with James Best on both horses. Lord Condi was having his final run before the Sales on Thursday where we are dissolving his syndicate and we hoped for a good run as he has been in good form at home. Unfortunately he dwelt at the start and, despite being given a strong and determined ride by James, he was never really enjoying himself. Sorry to see him go but he’s won a bumper, over hurdles and over fences for us and not many horses do that in their careers.
Mr Mafia was next and a nervous passenger in the car as we headed home as Belinda doesn’t let anyone else ride him and adores him. A slight worry was that he’s had a hard season and always gives his all – therefore never has an easy race and the Handicapper never gives him chance either. Once again he gave his absolute all and jumped for fun but he struggles to outjump and dominate these better fields and was undoubtedly feeling the pinch of a long season. Disappointing for both Mafia and the Boggis Family that we didn’t manage to get his head in front over the summer – he was so unlucky to bump into a couple of properly handicapped horses on the up a few times but he’s given us all plenty of fun once again. He’ll go back to his winter 5* hotel with the Boggis’s later this week and we hope to see him back in the Spring. Such a bonny, easy horse to have around, it won’t be just Belinda that misses him here over the winter.
A busy admin day to day with Bookkeeper Deb Kedward in and also vet Jeremy Swan this afternoon. One runner at Hereford tomorrow – Ten Past Midnight – and plenty of horses schooling beforehand too.