An absolutely frantic week – not enough hours – or days!
Very quiet on the runners front as heavy ground and lots of unsuitable races, but lots else going on.
Ireland on Tuesday for me to treat a lot of backs. Great fun to go to different yards, meet different riders – and all for £9.99 each way! Charlie over on Wednesday morning and it took him less time to fly from Birmingham than it took me to get from Monkstown (south Dublin) to the airport! Awful traffic, but got there in the end.
A rapid drive to Wexford followed and a usual whirlwind tour, looking at some nice, and some not so nice horses. Charlie rode the ones we liked, and we drove a lot of miles! Screeched back into the airport just in time for some alcoholic sustenance before catching the ten o’clock flight back. Exhausting but fun!
Cheltenham on Saturday for racing and the sales. Garrahalish hating the sticky dead ground and not really travelling like his usual self when another horse jumped into the back of him – knocked Gary sideways, and Charlie out of the side-door – game over, Gary had a nice school round the rest of the way and was none the worse for the outing. Nothing untoward showing up afterwards so we can only really put his slightly disappointing run down to the ground.
My great team showing their colours on Saturday, with Holly giving up half of her afternoon off to come and collect Gary from the races. I took him in the big lorry, but had to get back for the sales, so she saved me having to go back and forth so many times. Appreciated. Kelly doing the airport run too as I could not take Harriet – they are great and are happy to help out with anything. We could not manage without them.
We are currently looking for a new recruit to join us as our horse numbers are up, so if you can ride well and want to join a great team do give us a call.
The sales are always exciting and we had a couple to find. Our priority was to find a horse for the Point of Attack Partnership who so sadly lost their namesake a few weeks ago. Several of the members in attendance to have a look before and after racing, and we eventually managed to secure Get Involved a smart horse by Milan out of a Strong Gale mare. Already a winner of a point in Ireland he is a hugely exciting recruit for a lovely partnership who deserve a bit of luck. Also a lovely Kayf Tara called Some Finish, who has been placed pointing and is for sale.
Always great to have some new faces to make plans and dreams for, and particularly pleased with these two. Also nice to see so many of the Point of Attackers here on Sunday morning to wet their new baby’s head! A very good lunch with Gareth Conway, Lynne Tunnicliffe, Gerald and Sue Hart and Chris, Lou & Lucca Dickin (who thought they had come to a mad house for the weekend!)at the Blue Boar afterwards.
Also delighted to welcome Andrew and Jane Nicholls to the team, they have taken over ownership of Myroundorurs, a five year old that Charlie & I bought before Christmas, who has been third in a point and who is working well at home. We wish them the best of luck with what looks like a very nice type.
Also pleased that John & Margaret Cooper have bought a half share in The Lion Man to replace the irreplaceable Dancing Daffodil who is off to stud this time.
Robert Cockerall & Hazel West here on Tuesday to see Get Involved (whom they loved), and Brett Cahill and team here to see Presenting Paddy today. Good effort from all because the wind has been fair howling up here this week and its pretty cold. The horses happy to stay in today rather than go out for a wallow!
We are getting a really super bunch of horses up together now, and although the majority are relatively young, and will need some time before they are winning, it’s hugely exciting having so much young talent here.
Equally pleased to have Anti Cool off the sick list and back with a saddle on this week. Megan sitting pretty tight a few times as the lovely ‘Andy’ showed us just how pleased he is to be out again! Young Lou also back on the move again and also pleased to have Rachel off the sick list after fracturing her wrist before Christmas.