Yesterday Herecomeshogan ran a solid race on his return from his winter break at Ludlow but, as I feared, needed the run and tired in the closing stages after being prominent all the way. He’s trotted up sound this morning and we’ll find another option for him over hurdles this month before going chasing in the new season next month.
Earlier in the day poor Foxy, my Assistant, suffered a horrible fall on the gallops when his tack slipped and, of course, with the ground so soft it wasn’t possible for the ambulance to get to him. (I was on my way to Ascot Racecourse with Freddie who was riding in a Pony Club Raceday and had to walk the course at 11am and Belinda was coming later with the pony as their race wasn’t until 5pm). So thankfully Belinda, our First Aider, was able to be with him, call 999 and she couldn’t speak more highly of the Ambulance crews (two arrived plus a First Responder) and how thoroughly they dealt with everything. It would have been much more straight forward had the ground been dry enough for an ambulance to drive down to him but, as they couldn’t, an Air Ambulance was their only option. Belinda said that they too were superb.
Foxy was flown in 10 minutes to the Oxford John Radcliffe and whilst he’s broken three ribs and his T12 in his back and is obviously so unlucky to have been so badly injured, however having been guilty of googling T12 injuries we remain hugely thankful that he’s not worse. The best news this afternoon was a phone call from Foxy who was in the car with wife Jo and on the way home. We wish him a speedy recovery – no doubt with the help of another wonderful charity, Racing Welfare who we are so fortunate to have supporting our workforce.
We plan to arrange a fund raising evening at some stage over the summer with proceeds going towards these two charities so we’ll share details as and when we have them.
Although paling into insignificance as our thoughts all day were with Foxy and hoping he was ok, Freddie had a fantastic race at Ascot, sitting in 3rd place until turning for home where he hit the front and went on to win comfortably on Gavin & Suzanne Hughes’ lovely pony Miss Millfield.
He’s having so much fun on her and learning so much. A day he’ll never forget – his first Ascot winner and a day we’ll never forget too but for obvious other reasons. Get well soon Foxy.