A fabulous day at Ludlow yesterday with Ollie & Irene Ryan and I was thrilled to see Reve back in the Winners’ Enclosure again. He looked a picture and we were really happy with his work at home and, after an unlucky run last time out at Stratford, he deserved a change of luck. Always prominent, Sean gave him a lovely ride and was always very positive with him over his fences and he really enjoyed himself out in front to eventually win by 2 lengths. Absolutely thrilled for owners Ollie & Irene as they are such huge supporters of our yard.
Great to see Richard Burton, who rode plenty of winners for us as an Amateur and who is one of Freddie’s Godfathers, has taken over as one of the Directors of Ludlow Racecourse from his father Robert recently. Good to catch up with him. Champion Court enjoyed his trip out too as a companion for Reve who is a bit stressy at times.
Yesterday’s win was our 25th of the season, 22% strike rate, just short of £150,000 in prize money, equal 10th on winners in the National Trainers’ Table and, at +£23.89 return to a £1 stake on all of our runners we have the second best return to a pound of any other Trainer in the top 50. Well done to the whole team – 6 months in and let’s keep it up for the rest of the season.
A busy morning here with Matthew Baker, Paul Davis and Richard & Judy Pullen all in to watch the horses on the gallops. The horses mostly just cantering although Back On The Lash, Mr Mafia and Talkischeap went for a hack around our ‘just about to be launched’ fun ride on the estate. Not surprisingly they absolutely loved it, as did Beth, Belinda and Vicki too – we hope lots of others will come and enjoy it as well and they will have the chance to also use our gallops (for an additional fee of course). Watch this space for more details…..