The weather is certainly changing with a frost this morning but it produced stunning views albeit cold here. We had the Martin Keighley Racing Partnerships gathering today and over 20 of the various partnerships enjoying a morning on the gallops. They were very pleased to come back to our new improved Owners’ Room for hot sausage rolls, croissants, hot drinks and plenty of champagne!
Brendan Merriman brought his family up to watch Ben Buie on the gallops and enjoyed joining in with the partnerships and seeing Ben afterwards in his stable. They also delivered their colours, chosen by his daughters, as Ben is running in them this year which is very exciting for them all.
The horses cantered on our circular loop then headed across to our main gallop and did one or two canters up there. We had a few extra riders in this morning including young lads Harry Atkins, aged 14, and Richard Cook, aged 12.
Yesterday Tyrone Hanlon was here first lot to watch Debden Bank work and was pleased with how he’s going – he’s due to run again soon and it was great to catch up with Tyrone. Chris Dee was in to watch the horses and also Bloodstock Agent son Charlie who rode a couple of lots. It’s always great to also see Mike & Mella Wright who were also in to see Dreamsundermyfeet and Mozarro.
We also had lots of the Forecast partnership of owners run by Dan Abraham in yesterday and they watched him on the gallops before also retreating to our Owners’ Room for lots of refreshments and a discussion about his season ahead and the various options open to him. He’s such a versatile horse and so we discussed runs over hurdles, going chasing and even sending him on the flat so it was a great catch up with them all.
Deb Butler, who is not only an owner here but also clips and rides out, is also part of a Bristol University Study into Racehorse Welfare which we have been part of and we had a meeting with her and Mathilde Valechon yesterday which was so interesting. Racehorse Welfare is so important and vital to the continuation of our sport. We look forward to helping them as much as we can in the future too.
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Good luck to our smallest team members tonight – Freddie & Blackie who are off to Bury Farm in Leighton Buzzard for their final Shetland Race before Olympia next month. Freddie has been poorly much of this week with the horrible cold that I think we have all had in various strains over the past 10 days so will hopefully bounce back enough before tonight as he’s desperate to go.