I was thrilled with Weyburn’s impressive win yesterday at Southwell. His owners Martin Warren, Neville Statham and Bart Hellyer have been so patient with him and, since he sustained a tendon injury in the summer of 2016 they have only wanted what is best for him and have given him the vital time he needed. He got very tired on his comeback run last month so we knew he’d come on for that and were hopeful he was in very good shape at home. Andrew Tinkler gave him a very good tactical ride, keeping him on the rail and out of trouble and they won well.
That set the mood of the team off perfectly for our Christmas Party last night at The Hollow Bottom. As usual we were looked after superbly, the food was delicious and the service brilliant too. Thanks to Hugh Kelly & Charlie Pettigrew for providing us surprise entertainment in the form of Mark Walby who got lots of the team up singing and dancing especially Harley and also physio Maggie Turner and a great time was had by all.
If there were any sore heads this morning I certainly didn’t notice and a busy Monday morning with Nick Partridge, our farrier and Maggie Turner, our physio both in bright and early despite joining us all last night too.
A very social morning with lots of owners in to watch cantering and schooling – Andy Ash, Jo Stainer and Jon Hughes were all here and it was lovely to see them all and watch their horses and discuss running plans.
Kim Smith-Bingham called in late morning with a Christmas gift of fabulous Susan Rose Personalised China Mugs with our Racing Club/Partnership colours on them. Very thoughtful and thanks very much to him. He supplies us with Immunocean and the horses certainly seem to be running well on it.
Three runners at Ffos Las today – Fairmount (Andrew Tinkler) over hurdles for the second time and hoping to build on a solid enough start last time. Solstice Star is back over hurdles under Richard Johnson in a competitive looking hurdle but he should love the soft ground. He was found out in the sticky holding ground at Lingfield last time so we are hoping this is wetter and he can gallop through it. Finally Mister Valentine makes his racecourse debut in the concluding Bumper for The Lucky Seven Partnership which includes his breeder Chris Massey. He’s a lovely big horse who we hope will be strong enough to cope with the soft conditions as he works well on the grass at home but you never know until you run them. Harry Stock, who has ridden him lots at home, rides.