The forecast thunder and lightening didn’t materilise this morning which was frustrating as we had originally planned for a few owners to come and join us today and every forecast we looked there was no way it was missing us so we re-scheduled. The only owners that were able to check the weather before leaving were Alan and Anna Varey from Batsford Stud as they are less than 5 minutes away. Therefore they were our only visitors this morning and it was fabulous to see them both.
Vicki Atkins has been riding their mare, Miss Antipova, since she came back from her summer holiday with Alan & Anna and she gets on really well with her as she can be a bit buzzy. We are so pleased with how she is going.
Miranda Theobald chanced the weather too as it was the only day she could come in to ride out and she was here 2nd lot and rode Cotswold Prince. Miranda used to work for David Nicholson in Condicote with Deb Butler, who is now an owner with us as well as riding out daily, and Miranda used to look out for Belinda when she was first riding out for The Duke so it was great to have all three of them back together today over 30 years later!
It was also great to have our ex Assistant Trainer, Foxy, in again to ride out. He was in for three lots and rode Capital Force, Reve and Solstice Star.
The team have worked really hard this week in hot temperatures sometimes starting at 5am to get the horses out before the hottest part of the day. It really is stunning that early in the morning watching the sun rise as the horses canter up the gallops. We are very fortunate to live where we are and do what we do.
What a sad week for racing though with such dreadful news of the losses of jockey Liam Treadwell and also Rose Patterson, Chair of Aintree Racecourse – thoughts with all their family and friends.
More heartwarming news yesterday and congratulations to owners Keith and Jan Salisbury who celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary! They are very enthusiastic members of Team Keighley and we send them all of our warm wishes and cannot wait to welcome them both back to the yard soon hopefully.
Our youngest son Harry has returned to school for the week and has absolutely loved it. Hats off to all concerned for their hard work in getting them back. Not sure Freddie will want to go back to senior school in September though and, he’s so useful here, I’m not sure I want him to go back!!! On this afternoon last year they were both enjoying their favourite school afternoon – Sports Day. Won’t it be great when we can get back to normal again.
So excited to have plenty of entries for next week – jump racing returns! We cannot wait and hope by then that things will change and at least a few owners per horse will be allowed to come racing….fingers crossed.