Rain? What Rain?! We managed to miss all the rain that was in the area last night frustratingly – Chairman Jon Hughes was in all morning and reported about 5 hours of rain in Hawling just 15 minutes from here and my Assistant, Foxy, reported a few floods driving in past The Plough at Ford – again 5/10 minutes away.
Never mind, thankfully we are fortunate to have carpet gallops which have had another re-waxing from our sponsors Leisure Ride Group this week so aren’t dusty and are riding as well as ever.
Chris, Zoe and Abi Stock were in 2nd lot to watch their 4 year old ‘Fame and Glory’ filly “Finnick Glory” on the gallops and, as always, it was lovely to see them.
James Fairrie was in third lot to watch Ben Buie and Dr Dunraven and another of Ben Buie’s owners, Brendan Merriman, was also in with his daughters to watch Ben and the rest of the team on the gallops. Whilst with us the draw for who is to have their colours on Ben Buie for this coming season took place and the lucky owner is…….. Paul Davis and they are pretty lucky colours most lately winning a few times on Buckle Street. It’s a great idea and gives every owner a chance of watching their colours in action – very special.
This evening we are in action on the flat at Salisbury. Ash Hark, who works so hard here, rides Enforcement in the Amateur Riders race – the first race on the card. The trip is too short for him but Ash deserves a ride and our Chairman & his wife, Jon & Jack Hughes, were keen to support him and reward his commitment and dedication and these races are few and far between for Amateurs.
Bay Dude runs later on in the card and is partnered by Aaron Jones. Earlier in the week we had a disaster at Windsor with him when his jockey that day surprisingly decided not to ride him having got to post (and not even got run away with). We are therefore hopeful that Aaron gives him as nice a ride as George Wood did on his racecourse debut and Bay Dude has an enjoyable experience and runs well.
We had a fabulous evening last night with Jo Stainer and Sue Mulraine celebrating Jo’s birthday at their house near Stratford on Avon. Fortunately for them the forecast thunderstorms missed them too so we could enjoy a balmy summer evening in their garden. A really fun evening with Jo sportingly changing into our present of a ‘wee willie winky’ nightshirt and hat …. following quite a few stories from Jo in the past that he collects his Racing Post in his jim jams at weekends! Good times and, due to lack of a babysitter, the boys had to come too but thankfully were very well behaved. Unfortunately they enjoyed themselves far too much and will no doubt want to always come!