A few days since my last blog and a busy few days too. We were at Salisbury on Saturday night with Enforcement and Bay Dude. Enforcement was running in the Amateur Flat Race and we knew that the distance was at least 1/2 a mile too short but it was all there was available for Amateurs and we were keen to give Ash Hark, who works for us, a ride as he deserved a chance. He thoroughly enjoyed it and looked tidy on him too but as expected they didn’t trouble the leaders. Ash returned with a smile and it gave Enforcement another day out and more experience so thanks to Jon and Jack Hughes for letting Ash ride him.
Our other runner was Bay Dude who had been to Windsor the previous Monday only for a senior jockey to decide at the start he was too buzzy and somehow managed to get him withdrawn. A huge waste of money for his owners, Born To Run Racing, and a huge waste of time for them and us too – disappointing and let’s hope he returns his riding fee to them. On Saturday we secured the services of a 3lb claimer, Aaron Jones, and he seemed a good lad. Bay Dude was settled to post, great in the stalls as always, and ran a really solid race to finish 4th. Aaron was very positive about him, he too could not believe that he was withdrawn last Monday and he felt he had a great attitude and can give us some fun.
No runners since then but we have had plenty of torrential rain so the whole place looks a lot less yellow! More horses in, more staff back in from their holidays – exciting times ahead.
Yesterday John and Claire Abernethy were here to see their superstar Mr Mafia who is enjoying a holiday since his four wins and great 3rd recently. They collected their hand painted Stratford Trophy which had arrived in the week and was painted in their colours. Part-owner Peter Boggis ordered one in his colours too which is also stunning so thank you very much to Stratford as they are trophies to treasure.