Unseasonably warm and most of the horses have been out this weekend without rugs in the day and only a light turnout rug on overnight – crazy weather! No runners this weekend so a quiet weekend but they have all had a chilled out time in the paddocks.
Mr Mafia gave our Conditional Jockey Harry Atkins his first ride over fences at Fontwell on Friday and, despite eventually finishing tailed off, gave Harry a ride he’ll not forget in a hurry. Harry rode to orders and was very positive on Mr Mafia and he absolutely jumped for fun and was running a massive race for a long way. I know the ground was given as good but they were all finishing tired enough and I therefore think it was probably not as quick as he prefers and nowadays finds some of his rivals have much younger legs than him. They finished safe and sound though and I don’t think Harry will find many that will stand off outside the wings as well as Mafia did! Of course retirement isn’t far away for Mr Mafia but he’s still enjoying being in training and, as long as he keeps sound and the rain stays away, then there may be another opportunity for him.
Belinda and I had a long but fun day as we headed home from Fontwell and on to Foxtrot Racing’s Annual Party at Chesford Grange near Kenilworth. Team Foxtrot know how to party and we had an enjoyable night before leaving them to party the rest of the night away – we had work early the next day!!
Matthew Baker was in yesterday morning to watch Brianna Rose, Ballyvango, Spice Boy, Enforcement and Lost In The Mist and Paul Miller was in to watch Myfanwys Magic.
We’ve had Ryan Russell for ‘work experience’ for the past two weeks and he has been a really good help around the yard. His father Bob has bred Zestful, Massima Bella, an exciting unnamed Telescope mare as well as a few other youngsters we have in the yard and we hope that Ryan enjoyed his experience here and learnt a few things too. There’s always a space for him to come back if he wishes to!
Congratulations to former Head Girl Claire Hart and her partner Gareth who have welcomed Brody Ralph into the world on Tuesday weighing 6lbs. They are home and mother and son are doing well. A future jockey no doubt!
