Well yesterday was one of those frustrating days. With a different stroke of luck we could possibly have had two winners but it wasn’t to be and whilst desperately disappointing, all horses and jockeys returned safe and sound so things could have been far worse.
Reve and Pomme De Nuit were our first two runners in the Maiden Hurdle at Leicester. Reve thoroughly enjoyed himself out in front, jumping for fun under Tom Bellamy until he just clipped the top of the second last hurdle and fell. With the favourite falling early, we are sure we had the beating of the only other challenger but thankfully he’s A1 this morning and had a buck and a kick when turned out in his paddock. With him departing Pomme De Nuit was gifted 4th place. She’s been a little disappointing and the partnership are in discussion about where next to go with her.
Primogeniture was our next runner and Conor Shoemark gave him a good patient ride and we all were getting excited as he loomed up to the leaders, who had been under pressure for quite some time, at the last with a double handful. Sadly Primo had other ideas and not only managed to give away 1st place but threw away 2nd too in the short run in. Very frustrating and, whilst watching it Conor looked to have had it timed to perfection, he is frustrated and will leave him even longer next time – not an easy ride but we are determined to win with him soon!
Over at Wincanton Cotswold Prince (Harry Stock) ran in the bumper and found the ground a bit tacky and will need further and a jump in front of him. Huge thanks to David Bridgwater and his team for helping us out and taking Cotswold Prince to Wincanton – great when we can all help eachother out and it’s swings and roundabouts as we brought home a horse of Fergal O’Brien’s in the summer as their lorry had broken down at Worcester. There are lots of us in this area now and it’s good that we can all work together.
I can’t mention Cotswold Prince without mentioning Jasmin Richards, who looks after him and rides him out every day. After the racing there we heard from one of his owners that Jasmin was to be “complimented on her enthusiasm and behaviour with the owners. Lovely to listen to her…and she is a real asset for the yard” Well done Jasmin, so lovely to hear and dare I say we weren’t surprised as she is always smiling and is such a help in the yard too.
Rain and more rain this morning! Deb Butler in to ride out – great to have Deb back involved with us, she used to do all our clipping and ride out most days and had a horse in training here too. Before that we worked with Deb in our days at The Dukes. This morning, if it wasn’t enough to get soaking wet riding out two lots, she also helped with a bit of gardening around the yard so all the improvements are down to her!
The whole team were in Christmas spirit this morning – the christmas jumpers were out, Champion Court was dressed up and we were in full song….details to be revealed but all a bit of fun and well done to the team for fully embracing it all. Belinda provided the bribe of doughnuts and hot sausage rolls which all went down well.
It brightened up late morning so some of the horses went out in the field. Harry Greasby has been here for a couple of days of work experience after a few days in Newmarket too and his teacher, Mrs Brookes from Winchcombe School called in to see how he was getting on. She’s a racing fan too so she enjoyed having a look around and meeting the familiar equine faces.