Hats off to Gloucestershire NHS who are flying through their Covid vaccine lists so much so that you don’t even have to be 50 to have yours here! Both Belinda and myself had our vaccines today and the whole process simply could not have been any smoother – huge thanks to all at the North Cotswold Hospital in Moreton in Marsh. Vicki Boyle-Atkins, who rides out here, also had hers today too – it must be a sign of the wealth of experience we have in our team that more of us have now had our 1st vaccines that have not! Not covid-related but Freddie also had a vaccination at school today – the HPV vaccination too which protects against a variety of cancers. Not so sleepy Cotswolds flying through the vaccinations!
Work day today and James Best, Warren Marston, Harry Stock and Patrick Cowley all in to work. We worked Reve, Brorson, Samtara, Eclat Des Mottes, Enforcement, Big Nasty, Dreamsundermyfeet, Mozzaro, Miss Antipova, Cul De Poule, Just A Diva and Back On The Lash on the carpet gallop and they all worked well in the sunshine.
So exciting that not only will owners be allowed back on the racecourse in April but we will be allowed to have visitors too. Thank you to everyone who has registered their interest via our Newsletter last Saturday to come and visit – we are working through you all and will be in touch in the next day or two. The first few slots are being booked up but there is plenty to go around, ensuring we stick to the rule of 6 outside. The Team are working harder than ever to not only ensure the horses want for nothing but also to tidy up around the yard so that it’s as smart as possible for welcoming all our owners back. Exciting times.
A year ago today and we had heard from Boris that we were being put into full lockdown. We made the decision to save our owners’ money immediately and all the horses in full training went out on an enforced early holiday and the owners received the first of many messages from us:
Good afternoon,
We are getting in touch with you to reassure you that your horse/s are well and are thoroughly enjoying this beautiful weather and are basking in the late March sunshine absolutely oblivious to the Lockdown we’ve all been put under.
As you may know, we are still allowed to exercise those horses in training, and all our team are allowed to come to work as normal so the horses are still being looked after and cared for in the manner to which they have become accustomed. Some horses were due their summer break, others who were going to have just one more run have gone out on their summer holidays early and we have a small bunch of horses still in training.
We are in regular touch with the National Trainers Federation who continue to work tirelessly on our behalf advising us what is best for our business, the team we employ and also you as our owners. We are keeping a close eye on any developments from the Government and also the BHA too.
By the 31st March, even if the BHA are no nearer advising us when they expect racing to recommence, we intend to make a decision as to what we do with the horses still in full training here and will be in touch with you before then.
As always, we are only at the end of the phone if you would like to speak to us before then.
Take care of yourselves,
With love and best wishes,
Back to 2021 and we’d like to offer our congratulations to friend and owner Zara Tindall and her husband Mike who welcomed their third baby and first boy, Lucas Phillip, into the world on Sunday evening. Knowing Zara she was probably back out on the yard working on Monday or Tuesday! Looking forward to meeting him and sending them all our love and best wishes.