Glorious weather so far this week and definitely getting busier on the visitors front which is great. After months and weeks of watching their horses via our videos it must be lovely for our owners to see them in the flesh again and mornings like this morning are hard to beat.
We welcomed David Parry, John & Claire Abernethy, Mike & Mella Wright, Jon Hughes and Paul Davis into the yard and they all looked to thoroughly enjoy their morning. Well represented, therefore, from the North West, Buckinghamshire and Devon!
James Best was in all morning and we also had Warren Marston in to ride work too. A very satisfying work morning with plenty working including Eclat Des Mottes, Capital Force, Reve, Digger, City Never Sleeps, Beneagles, Ben Buie, Sarasota Star, Solstice Star, Black Panther, Mozzaro, Ten Past Midnight, Dreamsundermyfeet, Robsam, Miss Antipova, Kazontherazz, Found On, Be Thankful, Capricia and Pinnacle Peak. Some of the rest cantered whilst some are just coming back into work.
Yesterday Sammy Martin, NAF’s Racing Manager and Will Humphries from TopSpec both called in to see us and have a catch up on how they can help keep the team in top form. Whilst we still have a couple of team members furloughed, their usefulness with horses wasn’t lost on Belinda who got them both helping her and the team turn out the last few horses into the furthest field! Good sports!
Cotswold Prince has been declared for Uttoxeter on Thursday and we may have runners at Newton Abbot on Friday.
It’s looking hopeful that more owners will be allowed onto the racecourses soon so fingers crossed as it does need to be soon for all our sakes. Safety first, obviously, but owners do need to feel valued.
Thanks so much to Newton Abbot who so thoughtfully sent a lovely photo of Gold Mountain, who was 2nd at their last meeting, and a fabulous covering letter from Pat Masterston, their Managing Director. It not only thanked Jim Burley and Jon Hughes for running him at Newton Abbot but also for keeping him in training during these tough times. A well worded and thoughtful letter than went a long, long way. Was much appreciated. Thanks to Southwell Racecourse too for sending a super photo of Lord Condi’s win to his owners along with a USB Memory Stick of the race that he won there last week. Speedy delivery and again much appreciated. Let’s hope we will be receiving many more winning photos in the next weeks and months but that all our owners can watch in person too very soon.