On The Up

Finally I feel like we can safely say that things are improving here and the horses seem to have turned a corner, this week we ran Starfoot and John Biscuit and both ran very nice races, giving us hope that the horses are healthy and fit.

Star ran over fences for the first time at kempton, he jumped very well, hit a small flat spot and then galloped all the way to the line again, he was so happy with himself after the race and he came home and licked his feed bowl clean. He does have a few cuts that we are treating but hopefully he will be back out soon.

On Tuesday we ran JB at Huntingdon, he is a real rogue but still loves life and his work and actually ran a super race to finish 5th. Jack and him had a small rush of blood to the head and got to the front too soon, where JB thought he had won and was not impressed to find there were two more hurdles, so he ended up getting swamped on the home straight.

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We have Marmont entered for Sunday at Fontwell but I'm not sure if we will go, the race is a hot one and he isn't very well handicapped over hurdles, however it may have to do for now.

Last week I went to the sales and bought Miniature Daffodil, who was in training with Grace Harris on the flat before, he is a 3 year old and has won on the flat over a mile and 4, he has also been placed up to a mile and six, which bodes well for a bit of juvenile hurdling. So far we are delighted with him and started to teach him to jump yesterday, he was very honest and straightforward and shall be schooling over hurdles next week.

I have decided to set up a racing club with him for ladies only called #TheseGirlsCan (credit to Pam for the name!), I think that a lot of women love racing and would probably like to be involved in racing without knowing how and without it being male dominated.

The terms of the club are a year's ownership on a lease basis, a welcome pack, yard visits and socials up to 6 times a year, chance to go racing on a ballot and finally a share of any prize money won!

The cost is either £250 for a year or £25 a month, so please ladies share away to other ladies you think may be interested!

At the weekend we were galloping a couple on the grass and Helen, who takes photos for Mr Cole was up the top of the gallops. She very kindly took some pics of Mr F and Oscars leader with myself and Ash riding, I can't wait for her to come for a morning and take some more of the rest of the crew, here are a couple of her beautiful pictures, thank you Helen!

Yesterday I picked up a new horse for a lovely lady called Angela, who has never owned a racehorse before. Angela fell in love with the horse when he was stabled where she was living in Lambourn, he is called Bond Do Tigrao and ran a few times on the flat as a two year old. He is very big and beautifully made, not bred to go jumping but we shall see what he wants to do as we train him. Angela is also a healer, who works with horses and people.

Finally last week we said good bye to Ash after over two years working for us, she has decided to try various different things and we are really proud of how much she has learnt over the time she has worked for us. Ash will still be around to help out and we wish her all the best for the future!