I think it fair to say that we are all completely over winter now!
Enough rain, wind and mud this year to last a good while & really longing for a few dry & sunny days.
Not to be this morning though as the wind is howling and rain battering onto the window as I type this!
Typing in our new office which is finally complete! Its great to on the yard with a view to the gallop one way & into the yard the other - concentration may be tricky!
Just got to sort out the organised chaos after two office moves in as many months! Getting there now, and only a few tescos' crates to sort out!
We have a a great run with the horses lately, but the nature of the beast always makes you think it can't last! I must be more optimistic!
Timons Tara made the long journey up to Catterick with a great chance in a tight little race - she finished third in a cat & mouse sort of race. Perhaps the race coming a bit soon for her. She was due to head off to Goffs sales but happily a change of plan sees her staying till the end of the season.
Taunton beckoned again for the in form Vocaliser, hard to believe he would manage to pull it off again even though the race looked his for the taking. Top effort from Matt & Jenny FitzGerald who flew back from Ireland especially for the race, and great to have Chris Dickin and daughter Nina on hand as well. Despite nearly fluffing his lines as the second down the back Vocaliser took it up two out and cruised into the lead. The long time leader fell at the last but Charlie sure he had him beaten anyway. Once in front Vocaliser rather sauntered up to the line - just doing enough to see off a late challenge, and won by 1/2 length! Very pleased to see the faller get up having been down for a good while.
Big celebrations from all Vocalisers' supporters and a BTO for Harriet T.
Winner number 10 for the season so far.
Southwell on Monday. Myroundorurs is a good ground horse, who had been keeping the vets in luxury for a good while last year. All dressed up and nowhere to go with a bog everywhere, so it was decided that he would have to take his chance in the mud. He has not been an easy horse - two gears - zero & flat out! However he has been a reformed character lately, and despite setting off in his customary lead, he was settled in front, jumped well and dug deep when joined two out. He finished third, which after 580 days off the track was a solid effort. Delighted for Andrew & Jane Nicholls who have been so patient with him.
Tara Well, back quite quickly after her lovely victory at Leicester did not quite see the trip out on the very soft going, but finished fourth, hard to be disappointed with her!
However apparently others - or another was very disappointed at losing his money & thought it OK to send James a horrible text. I was pretty mad about this & you may have seen a comment on our facebook page. Seems that plenty of others were disgusted with the lesser form of life who saw fit to send the text. Over 600 reactions and countless messages of support for James did rather restore our faith in human nature!
Kaddys Dream ran another super race back at Huntingdon to finish third - delighted with her and she is definatly one to keep an eye on - especially when fences come her way. Shaw racing have unexpectedly had a couple of spaces in her partnership - contact us or Shaw Racing if you are interested.
The bubble rather burst then with a couple of babies puling up at Towcester. Ground disgusting and in hindsight wished we had stayed at home with them. Both lovely fillies but both finding the combination of the Towcester hill and glue pot ground a bit too much. Both Belles Spirit (BTO for Frankie) & Lara Trot both jumped & travelled well till three out & there will be other days for them.
Mr Consistent - Dontminddboys (BTO for Poppy) also hated the ground but had his brave pants on and fought his way through it to finish a gallant second. 14 runs without being out of the first four. What a boy! He has it all - charm, good looks & consistency. Can't believe it but EPDS still have a few shares left in him - if you haven't already got one - get one! He is a solid fun horse owned by a lovely bunch of enthusiastic owners.
Getting groups together to celebrate a win is always a logistical nightmare, and as most of Vocalisers' owners are London based it made sense to get together there - that was before we were at two meetings and Harriet was away competing as well! However the impossible was achieved and after racing, we, along with Charlie, Fran and the two Harriets all managed to get onto the same train and arrive in London in time to meet up with The Songsters for a very enjoyable celebratory supper. we even managed not to miss the train home! Thank you Songsters it was a fun evening!
Big day on Saturday with Thomas Crapper back after a bad injury to his knee last April. Surgery, box rest, rehab, walking, more walking, plenty of clinging on when he was VERY fresh, saw him ready to run, but like Myroundorurs - no ground. We are hoping to go back to Newbury with him, and really wanted to get him to the track. As predicted he hated the ground, was a bit rusty over the first couple then jumped well, Charlie pulled up two out as he felt the job was done and no point in risking a fall to finish fifth or sixth. Another BTO for Harriet T, and happily Crappy fine after.
All runners fine after their runs - always a relief!
Also a big well done to Jack Quinlan for his super victory at Newbury on Saturday - well deserved.