Bay Dude ran well on his racecourse debut yesterday at Windsor and pleased Mark Allen his owner/breeder and the rest of the Born to Run Racing partnership. A baking hot day but he coped well and, apart from being a bit too free and keen early on, he was very professional and definitely showed us he has promise for the future. He’s A1 this morning and, along with the rest of the team in full training, spent the night out in the paddocks as it was +13 overnight and they love chilling out in their fields.
As usual with our runners, especially younger horses, those having their first runs or those that don’t travel very well, we send Harry’s trusted grey pony Arthur. Arthur is getting quite well known and has been as far as Hexham this season as well as a regular to Cheltenham and many, many other courses. We always ring ahead and book a stable for him (yesterday was far too hot for a pony to stay in the lorry so it was particularly important) – his vaccinations are up to date and he is passported. Sadly Windsor weren’t very happy to have a pony there yesterday and I have today contacted them to find out their position going forward with regards to a pony companion – I can understand it if they are full but yesterday they only filled 1/3rd of their stable yard. I await their response.
No runners until later in the week as Mr Mafia hasn’t been declared for Stratford tomorrow. A few more horses back from holidays and great to have our Assistant Trainer Foxy back after holiday too – a welcome return.
The farrier Nick Partridge in this morning but no physios as both Maggie Turner and Hannah Ashton are in later in the week. We have another work experience student here though – this time from The Cotswold School in Bourton on the Water and the niece of one of Belinda’s pony club friends Tamsin Devas. We hope Honor enjoys the week and hopefully learns something too!
It’s Racing Staff Week this week and plenty going on as I’ve mentioned in previous blogs. It’s such a great initiative to celebrate what fantastic staff we all have and that without them racing simply wouldn’t exist. We were lucky enough to be one of the yards successful in receiving a donation of £100 from the ROA towards a Team BBQ this week – I’ve even got an Apron to wear and look forward to cooking for the team later in the week. On Friday Harley rides Matravers in the Betfair Racing Staff Week Cup at Newton Abbot on Friday and he’s understandably very excited. The lucky winner receives a brand new saddle so there will be plenty of competition. He’s keen for more sponsorship and if you would like to sponsor him please do so HERE – all for Racing Welfare which is such a great cause.