A busy couple of days. Yesterday the horses just cantered but we had three Charity riders in 1st lot with Alex Steedman joining Belinda in the quest for them both to get fit enough for their charity race at York in June and also Jasean Spraggett (Quevega) coming to ride out too. She has been lucky enough to be selected for the Cheltenham Charity race in a couple of weeks time in aid of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony Charity.
In fact we too are supporting the latter charity on Sunday at Andoversford Point to Point where Belinda, Jamie and Issy are lining up to race Camels over a furlong and a half against a team from Richard East’s RE Resourse Group, a team of Cheltenham Vets and a team from the Cotswold Hunt. In addition to camels and the obvious proper racing there is also pony racing and lots of activities for the family so if you are at a loose end on Sunday it is the place to go!
Whilst I was in a classroom learning about the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving (I was caught in January and have since upgraded to a handsfree system in my car) Jon Hughes was attending Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Sales. We were thrilled that Matt Houldsworth managed to pick up our first choice, who we thought would be well out of our prize bracket, a 2 year old Colt by Lawman out of Elodie for £30,000. Shares in him are available and more details of him will be on the website shortly. Do come and watch him on the gallops if you are interested – he’s got plenty of presence and we are absolutely thrilled to have him joining our team.
On that note though, as the flat team are expanding quite rapidly for the summer, we are keen to recruit a new member of staff who is light and experienced enough to ride flat horses. Accommodation provided and the chance to join a friendly and competitive team. Do get in touch if you think you may be who we are looking for.
Day one of Aintree today and Belinda and myself are going up. No runners so a chance to enjoy the racing and catch up with friends. Always such a fun meeting which seems more relaxed than Cheltenham. Also as we have owners in every day of Cheltenham on the gallops and plenty staying locally it seems a rollercoaster of very long days whereas Aintree is a bit less pressurized!
Glad to hear that Harley Cornock is back home after his operation and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Happy Birthday to Claire Hart who is celebrating her birthday with her first ride around the National Fences in today’s Foxhunters – good luck!