In search of new talent we have been attending many of the weekend Irish point to points and yesterday a group of us were at Bartlemy near Cork. Pictured are Scu, me, Oli, Jamie, Derek and Lea, note the much needed waterproofs and wellies.
We have a couple of horses who have worked hard this winter and they are showing the effects in their races; Vertigo (pictured), Hey Listen and Bescot Springs have all won for us this season, Bescot three times, Vertigo twice and Hey Listen once, and they
Morning Time flattered to deceive as he made up ground quickly and looked very competitive until fading after the last at Carlisle, coming fourth. There is something that is stopping him in his races and we will investigate further.
It was pretty fast ground at Kelso yesterday and when Pulpitarian found it too quick we took out our other two runners who really need good to soft. We have had such a dry month and there are plenty of other opportunities for the young horses.
Some of our stables have security cameras in them, allowing us to track what the horses are doing all day and night. In the run up to the National I spent many hours watching Arthur and it was really interesting to see how much time he spent lying down sl
We are heading into a quiet few weeks for the horses on the yard, with just thirty horses left in for a summer campaign. The others are either turned out here or a couple go home to their owners. In training the horses get daily turnout so heading to the
A satisfactory comeback run for Seven Devils who traveled and jumped well and looked very competitive until the top of the home straight when a lack of a recent run told. He stayed on again after the last fence and this was a solid run. He is pictured aft
The very dry past month has been welcome for our relaxation but not for the grass growing nor racecourse going. We have quite a few horses turned out through the day but only a handful who stay out at night as well as there is just not enough goodness in
We are not quite at the end of the season and we are looking to have more winners in the next few weeks, however, our mind is also turning to next season and to keeping the supply of quality horses in the yard.
Today was a day to catch up. The past week has been like a whirlwind with so many emotions. I am still in awe of Arthur and Derek and our team behind them, including the wonderful Golf Widows, who have helped me achieve my lifetime ambition of winning the
No winners but a good day at Kelso in the company of a happy crowd. I was so taken aback at the number of people who lined the rails to see One For Arthur parade with Mark. Arthur was on his toes and loves his new celebrity status.
One For Arthur had his official homecoming this morning with a tremendous crowd of people to see him. He is turning into a natural showman and loved the attention. He certainly had plenty of it, and it was very touching to see everyone here to admire him,
Imjoeking ran a super race over the National fences in the Topham Chase, leading and jumping wonderfully until crumpling on landing five out. He is fine, and we cannot wait to bring him back here next December.
Mumgos Debut got his chasing career back on track with a nice win over two and a half miles this afternoon. He is a little awkward at some of his fences but this win will have done his confidence a lot of good and he should be able to keep the progress go
A good morning schooling at Kilduff with One For Arthur, Imjoeking, Miss Joeking and Ryalex jumping the chase fences and Sky Khan, Rising Marienbard, and Spoils Of War jumping the hurdles.
Scu and I were back over in Ireland today at the Castletown Geoghegan point to point. The going was very sticky and as a result there were some tired horses, and a number of weary falls at the last fence. However, we saw a couple who although they did not