Displaying items by tag: Towcester

Friday, 16 May 2014 00:00

No Pause For Breath

No pause for breath from one season to the next these days, and after the excitement of Sandown it was a change of code two days later and Storming Harry  making his debut at Windsor. A son of Miss Pebbles who we trained back in the day, and a very exciting day for Nigel & Jenny Thick who bred SH. A lovely introduction for him, he behaved perfectly and ran a nice race to be fourth.

Another making a debut - this time over hurdles was Spurned Girl, another homebred - this time by the Hitchman family. SG had had some runs on the flat, and I think it fair to say that she had not covered herself in glory! She came with a few 'issues' and all credit to Malcolm who has quietly put up with her tantrums, and persuaded her that civilised behaviour is best! SG did not put a foot out of place at the track, and ran a decent race, jumping really well and seeming to enjoy the experience. She will come on for the run.

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Monday, 27 January 2014 00:00

Rain, rain and for good measure a bit more rain!

Rain, rain and for good measure a bit more rain! Several meetings off already this week, and heavy everywhere that is on.

A pretty quite week on the runners front with only Badgers Cove & Restless Harry out this week.  Badgers Cove to Southwell on Wednesday, in ground that he certainly did not relish. He made hard work of it, but looked as if he was hating the bog! A few very untypical jumping errors did not help, although turning in and hot on the heels of the leader I thought we might get there. Unfortunately the leader kept finding a bit and  try as he might Charlie could just not rein him in. A good second though, and the third horse 28 lengths behind him. Better ground will help next time.

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Friday, 25 April 2014 00:00

Proud Days and Busy Times

A proud day for the yard the other day at Newbury races when Malcom, who has been with us for a year now went to collect his award for Student of the Year at the British Racing School. The Twelve Club present the award every year to the best male and female student. I am not sure how many students would pass through in a year, but its a lot, and for Malcom to win the overall prize is a huge accolade for him. His family also came to see him receive his prize, and enjoy a day at the races - many congratulations in order.

Another big day for a member of the team yesterday when Holly Rooney went for what proved to be her final X ray on the femur she broke so badly back in October. The team at the Walsgrave happy with the leg now and signed her off! Happy days.

A really busy Easter weekend for us, Haydock on Saturday, with Kitegen and Garrahalish. Kitegen ran a blinder to finish second in a race run 8 seconds faster than average. Only small he jumps like a bunny, and Charlie came in full of praise for him. Garrahalish who also jumps brilliantly sadly was completely mugged by a faller early in the race - tripping him up and ejecting poor Charlie into outer space. Happily both were OK - Gary a bit stiff for a couple of days, but no lasting damage. Very Annoying as the race turned into a real staying contest which he would have loved.

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Tuesday, 15 April 2014 00:00

Ramblings

Where to start this weeks ramblings?? Priority I think must be given to our landlord Nic Allen who completed the London Marathon on Sunday in a very respectable time. To do the race at all leaves me in awe (knees would definitely not permit!) but to do it having had a week in bed with a stomach infection is something else. So huge congratulation to Nic who has been raising money for Cancer Research.

Personally feeling as if I have run a marathon or two this morning, but I think its just a case of 'Lorry Lag'. Robin and I set off in 'Precious' (big lorry) on Friday night and caught the 2.45am ferry to Rosslare from Pembroke - nice! Then drove to Cork to watch Harriet compete on Saturday and Sunday, then back to pick up three new horses in Wexford on Sunday evening. All going well until we pulled into Sean Doyle's yard, dropped the ramp, walked back around to the front of the lorry to see water pouring out of a pipe in the engine - not nice! Finding a mechanic in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday evening was a complete non starter, but the lads at the yard came up trumps, and John (not an official mechanic, but soon turned into one!) and Mr Doyle senior saved the day by fixing offending water pipe, whilst we all retreated to the pub! An extra night in the lorry, and then a nervous run to the ferry early yesterday morning with everything crossed that the mending would hold up at least enough to get us back over the water followed. All was well though and the mend held up with no problems even with the four hour drive back from Pembroke. Very glad to see the end of our drive, and very glad to get into my own bed last night!

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