So frustrating. We awoke to quite a bit of snow and it made it difficult conditions for the team to get in and the first couple of lots were horrendous for the Team with driving snow. Thanks to them, once again, for getting them all out and helped along with hot sausages and plenty of doughnuts! Thankfully the gallops we have seem to stand up to all weathers and truly are all weather although I do need to spend more time in my Tractor!
I think the fact that the ground is quickly softening at Cheltenham is even more painful for us wanting decent ground for Back On The Lash because on the Wednesday last year it was a washout and we probably should never have run him. Also we’d all almost decided that, after a dry winter, The Festival would definitely be on good ground which Lash would have loved … but the weather gods seem to have decided that quite probably won’t happen. Shinji, in the bumper, would prefer better ground too. Sleepless nights ahead!
Hereford tomorrow is now off which is a shame as Roger & Yvonne Allsop’s Samtara was heading there under our Conditional Harry Atkins. Warwick is still on this Sunday and our Racing Club has two runners there – Ambassador and Forecast and Harry Atkins partners both so an exciting day for him.
We have spaces in our Racing Club which is a really fun club to be involved in where lifetime friends are made. We always have at least 2 horses on the go and I don’t think we’ve ever had a time when we have not had tickets available for those who want to go racing – if oversubscribed the Racecourses are often very helpful and we find a way of getting people a ticket. In addition, we have a Club picnic in the Summer, often at Worcester Racecourse and you also get an invite to our Owners’ Day in September. We have a Christmas Jumper gathering at the yard with mulled wine and mince pies and often many more gatherings too. We use the Racing Manager App where updates, videos and photos are shared and it’s really easy to use and makes our members feel a real part of a community. It’s just £500 a year and can be paid in a lump sum of £500 or monthly, by direct debit, at £42/month. Do get in touch to find out more.
On a much sadder note, there is a Memorial Service for our wonderful friend Jo Stainer on Thursday 23rd March at Preston on Stour Church then afterwards in the Village Hall. Everybody is welcome as we celebrate a life well lived and certainly to the full.