More owners in this morning as the mornings get more autumnal and always great to see them. David Maughan was in first and second lot to watch his horse Black Panther who is nearing a run. It will be David’s first runner so fingers crossed! Freddie, his usual work rider, has had to go back to school today so will miss riding him and Solstice Star but he’s got years ahead of him to ride out! Both him & Harry seem to have gone back without fuss today so a relief for us all!
The Wooster Family here 2nd lot and daughter Katie rode out too! Don’t worry we don’t just let anyone’s daughter ride out, we did our homework and found out that Katie is a very established rider having ridden out for Lawney Hill and also Lorna Fowler in Ireland. She looked to really enjoy herself as did all the family and it’s always fabulous to welcome their happy faces to the yard! Absolutely nothing to do with the fabulous goodies they brought for us, the boys and the whole team – human and equine! Thanks Woosters!
Yesterday our two runners at Uttoxeter, Miss Antipova and City Never Sleeps (Roller), made their chasing debuts and, whilst not troubling the judge, pleased us all. James Best gave them both his customary educational ride and ensured they both had an enjoyable experience whilst also ensuring that in the latter stages they were there if good enough. Both, as most of ours have been doing, needed the runs and so faded late on but will come on for the runs, weren’t knocked around when beaten and, most importantly, are both A1 today. Paul Davis, who helps us run our Racing Club, was racing at Uttoxeter and our newest Racing Club Member, Caroline Evans, was having her first trip and Paul received this lovely message last night:
“Many thanks indeed for organising such a great afternoon out – we both enjoyed it so much – Roller was a good boy and looked terrific – I will look at all the excerpts later. It was so nice to meet you and Martin as well. I have not enjoyed myself so much for a long time and we had a lovely afternoon tea as well. Really loved it all.“
Thrilled to hear that from Caroline especially as the racing experience isn’t the same at the moment but great that tracks are making an effort and it is appreciated by those that attend. There are still spaces in our Racing Club and with Enforcement’s 2nd placing last week at Bangor, City Never Sleeps sure to come on for that run yesterday and Be Thankful having just had a wind operation and due to be back on the track next month, it’s exciting times especially with most tracks making more effort to look after the owners who are so important to our sport.
Some horses on some days just don’t deserve to be beaten and on Tuesday at Newton Abbot was one such occasion. Mr Mafia was given a superb ride from the front by 5x Champion Jockey Richard Johnson. Lots wanted to make the running but he outjumped them all at the first and continued to do so for much of the race. As Matt Chapman said “he was deadly”! Unfortunately he just bumped into one that was on a going day for once and his fate looked to be sealed as he tired jumping the second last. He’s an absolute warrior and just does not know when he is beaten and they finished a long way ahead of the 3rd horse. So many people at Newton Abbot came up to me afterwards saying how he so deserved to win. We all think the absolute world of him and yes he does deserve to win soon!
Raving Bonkers is one who has no luck at all. He was running a really good race under James Best but just clipped the 3rd last and all but fell. He gave James no chance at all of staying in the saddle and it seems harsh to have gone down as an unseated rider. Both were fine though. Just very frustrated with him and for him and his owners and Deb here who does such a good job on him at home.