Tuesday, 18 July 2017 09:47

Belated Update

Apologies for such a long gap since the last blog. Its been a bit of a roller coaster of a month, and computer hours have been few.

This promises to be a long one to catch up!

Probably best to get the bad bit out of the way to start with.

Racing - as life, has its ups and downs, but it does seem in this game that the contrasts are extreme! Last blog was all of excitement of a winner, this one  is the horrible trauma of losing a much loved member of the team.

Garrahalish was the first horse that Charlie & I bought on our first shopping trip to Ireland, and has been a super horse to train for The Just 4 Fun partnership. A thoroughly all round nice guy - known at home as 'The Gorgeous One'!

He won 4 races and was rated as high as 135, before have a few niggly issues that have held up his progress. Those 'issues' behind him he was in great form heading up to Hexham, and we were confident of a big run. Sadly that was not to be, he uncharacteristically fell early in the race. The fall did not look too bad, but proved fatal for poor Gary when he fractured his neck.

Luckily Charlie Ok, but like the rest of the team devastated at the loss of this lovely horse. A long way home for Robin & Harriet T, his devoted lass, who deserves a medal for bravery.

Many commiserations to the Just 4 Fun group.

Trying to find another Gary always going to be a hard call, but a job that needed starting sooner rather than later. To that end Robin & I jumped on a plane for a quick day trip to view some likely candidates. The usual tear around Co Wexford at high speed resulted in one outstanding individual, and after a few days of 'discussion' the deal was done.

Cheers Delboy is a beautiful 4 year old by Golan, who has been second in a point to point, only beaten a neck. 

The next debate was how to get him home, along with Dancing Daffodil who has been at stud in Fermoy and is now in foal to Frozen Fire. Before we could get it sorted another likely candidate reared its rather handsome head, and there was another space on the lorry to fill.

Future Boy is a 5 year old by Beneficial who has also been second in a point to point, beaten three lengths by a horse that has now won three points. A very good effort, and a valid explanation for a disappointing run after. a horse with a super frame but quite a bit of filling in to do. Not worried about that - just a few square meals and some TLC required.

With three to collect it was decided that Harriet & I would go & collect them. Had not quite factored in the fact that there was only one day that it could be done so a very quick turn around on our return from an event at 7pm, saw us back on the road by 8.30 and on the 3.45 am ferry to Dublin! A Sunday tour around Ireland followed and saw us back at Rosslare for the 9pm boat, and back up the drive at home at 5.30 on Monday morning! 

Dancing Daffodil looking well, and very happy with the new additions.

Just 4 Fun here on Saturday to see their new boy, and delighted that they are very happy with him. A glass or two of bubbles raised to Gary, and a rather emotional get together, but good to see everyone and remember some great days and also look forward to the future with 'Del'

There are a couple of shares available in him so do get in touch if you would like to get involved in this really exciting youngster.

Future Boy is also for sale, and is great value, a real athletic sort and looks to have an exciting future.

Sunday saw more cooking at Dickin HQ - especially from chief BBQ chef Darren and lovely to see friends/owners here for a bit of a gathering,  a celebration of last season, and plans to be made for the coming.

Some big news coming shortly so watch this space!

On the home front everyone back in work, which is great to see. They have all summered really well, a few looking tubbier than others, but all happy and relaxed after a good summer break.

The team still finishing off their holidays but some healthy looking tans around, after some well earned beach time!

Not many runners, Bettalatethanneva put in a much improved performance at Worcester to be third under Tabitha Worsley, (Off for a short break now) and lovely to see Storming Harry back out at Kempton to run very creditably on his first run for two years.

Blog updates will now - hopefully return to normal on a weekly basis!

 

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