I don’t think we all could love Mr Mafia more than we do! An emotional voicemail this morning from owner Peter Boggis summed up what we are all feeling – he has given us all so much fun and is a lovely horse too, a total star.
He absolutely jumped for fun yesterday under another superb ride from the Champion Jockey Richard Johnson. The Sky Sports team seemed to enjoy the fact that I mentioned beforehand that I thought Richard had gone a little bit too quick last time out – he agreed when I was dropped in it by Mick Fitzgerald! He’s only human after all but yesterday he was better than ever and they are a partnership made for each other over fences. As the commentary mentioned the last time down the back ‘Mr Mafia had them strung out all over Devon’ and he didn’t miss a beat grinding them all into submission to everyone’s delight especially an emotional Peter Boggis!
It was a first lead up for Beth Whittle and a special mention to my Head Girl Jasmin who looks after him and adores him but was holding the fort back at home with Assistant Trainer Foxy on paternal leave with his new baby William.
Mr Mafia is A1 this morning, eaten up, trotted up sound and is now out in the field for the weekend. What an absolute dude he is winning four times under Harry Stock over hurdles last summer and three times over fences under Richard Johnson this summer. He may now head to the Cross Country races at Cheltenham – another Any Currency? Just imagine?!….
Bobble Emerald was running a huge race too under Leighton Aspell, jumping and travelling well out in front but unfortunately got struck into quite nastily and we think that is why he stopped quickly turning for home. He will be ok but he was very lucky. The team have dressed it and will keep a close eye on it. He deserves a bit of luck soon as he’s been a great horse for the yard too. Two old favourites there yesterday.
A busy morning this morning with lots of additional riders in to ride out. Successful pony racing jockeys Fern O’Brien, Richard Cook and Harry Atkins all in to ride out. All three of them ride well and are polite young people so the future looks bright for racing as they all are currently keen to have careers as jockeys and I’d not bet against any of them achieving their dream. We also had Mark Caswell, Abbie Myers and Jelly O’Brien riding out and we worked Big Nasty, Miss Antipova, Primogeniture, Witness Protection, Ballymountain Boy, Solstice Star, Sarasota Star, Capricia, Dreamsundermyfeet and Robsam. Lots more cantered and some just went for a walk and trot.
Pete Deffains called in to see Back on the Lash and watch the horses work on the gallops – a stunning morning and it was great to catch up with Pete.
Zoe & Abi Stock called in today with cake which was very popular! Two runners tomorrow at Plumpton – Enforcement and Gold Mountain. More on their chances tomorrow. A day full of sport on tv today…..!