Monday isn’t it?! My calendar confirms although everything on it has been crossed through sadly. News at 1pm gives us hope that racing may well re-start soon – fingers crossed.
Our horses always only do a quiet canter on a Monday – unless we are schooling which we obviously aren’t at the moment. However, I have been mowing and re-seeding paddocks and gallops and our schooling ground, which we moved to fresh ground last season, is in fabulous condition and I’m very pleased with the grass covering too. The recent rain has obviously helped. Lots of mowing to do and fortunately Freddie finished his schoolwork by lunchtime and mowed the grass mound at the front of the yard for me. He loves getting stuck into work out with me although is a little more reluctant to do his schoolwork with his mum!
Talking of schoolwork, it is unprecedented times and we are all muddling through and I really appreciate the difficult job teachers have – even more so at the moment. They too are working remotely, they have to set work that all can do but will stretch some yet so others won’t be overwhelmed. Belinda is in charge of schoolwork for both the boys and she too has been pretty stressed trying to ensure they aren’t stressed! I wonder if teachers realise how much, at this time, the children hang on their every word? Freddie’s work is set on an app which both he and Belinda receive and he submits it from there too and then the Teacher often replies. Be kind please Teachers – us parents aren’t trained either and most are juggling pretty full on lives as we are here. One Teacher they both know to be thicker skinned when receiving her comments however we were all blown away by an upbeat message from another Teacher today – so lovely and even if she changes the name and sends it to every single child, well done her. Made our day.
Animals are such wonderful creatures and they are certainly all keeping us going at the moment. All of you that have seen our recent footage of the horses on the gallops and holidaying in their paddocks will see how carefree our team are but the dogs and chickens are so much fun too. The boys are just waiting with their empty boxes until all 11 start laying….soon?!
I see that it is A P McCoy’s birthday today so a Happy Birthday to him but a really big Happy Birthday to one of Freddie’s great pony racing friends Richard Cook who is 13 today. Richard rides out for us regularly (before lockdown!) and is a talented rider and one to definitely look out for.
It’s always interesting to look back on what happened on this day last year and before as often there are very happy memories. On 4th May 2019 it was the first day of the season and Forecast got us off to the best start by winning under Richard Johnson at Uttoxeter. Tinged with sadness though as he was led up by Harley Cornock who did such a wonderful job with Forecast, who wasn’t easy but whom he made look easy. Going back to 2015 and Champion Court bounced back to form to win, also under Richard Johnson, but this time at Kempton Park. Good old Champ – thoroughly happy enjoying his retirement here currently on holiday with most of the rest of them.
I’m thrilled so many of you enjoyed the video I shared over the weekend. The full clip is on our Keighley Racing Ltd page on Facebook however there is a shorter version on Twitter. Freddie helped me with some of the drone flying and it was compiled from quite a few mornings on the gallops and mornings and evenings checking the horses in the fields over the last week but it was worth it to have so many lovely comments. Now onto the next one!