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December 2011

December has been relatively kind with the weather so far! Thank Goodness!

A couple of winners last week and horses running well. After a few disappointing runs at the end of November we ran some blood tests and found some of the horses were suffering with a low grade virus. On veterinary advice some were given medication and we eased off the galloping for a week or so. Thankfully the bugs seem to have gone and we are fit and healthy again.

Dermatologiste gave us a great win at Bangor. She at last had her favoured conditions of soft ground and a long trip. She was ridden by Paul Moloney, having a first ride for us. He was given plenty of advice from Andrew Thornton and Tom McClorey on how she should be ridden and he gave her a lovely ride.

Bohemian Rock followed up the next day at Towcester, winning for his loyal owners, Colin Flinton And Pat Persse. He was frustating last season finishing placed on several occasions so it was very pleasing to get his head in front. He was ridden by Tom Messenger.

The Ladaecion and Refusal both ran well enough in the week and with more experience should hopefully be winning soon. Whinstone Boy was very disappointing at Chepstow but was found to be lame behind the following day and was found to have sore muscles in his quarters. He is back working again now and should run again in the new year.

Morning Moment ran a bit flat at Doncaster, probably a shade too soon after his two great runs at Haydock previously. He is having a little break but is feeling very well as he bucked Miriam off on Saturday!

The Point-to-Pointers are doing more work now they are qualified and we may have a couple of runners at Chaddersley Corbett next week. Galway Jack went to Towcester racecourse on Friday and schooled with Break The Chain over fences. Both having their first sight of National Hunt fences and both jumped very well as far as we could see. It was snowing! Jonny and Andrew were happy with their respective horses and Break The Chain will be seen over fences shortly.

On the jockey front Jonny has had a couple of rides, finishing placed on both. Sam had his first ride of the season at Whitfield on Sunday and won on Briery Star for Sylvia Edmunds. He is on a high but poor Lutie had her first ride and parted company at the first fence. Luckily she and horse are fine and I told her this morning there is only one way to go and that is up!

Lets hope the weather stays kind and the horses keep well!

Finally a big thank you to all the staff in the yard for their hard work during the last year and hope you all enjoy success with your horses whether it be riding them or leading them up!

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a Happy New Year 

31st October 2011

The yard has been very busy during October, getting the winter horses fit and well schooled. It has been a difficult Autumn as the grass is still too firm to use for galloping and schooling. We have had to put the hurdles and fences on the all weather gallop to make sure the horses have done plenty of  jumping and our rotovated gallop has been very useful.

We have made a successful start to the winter with two winners last week.  Morning Moment won a competitive handicap chase at Haydock ridden by Tom Messenger. He made all the running and jumped superbly, winning by 3 lengths.  He may well go back to Haydock in three weeks time for a 0-130 handicap over 3 miles and 4 furlongs.

The following day Wherrimon won at Fontwell ridden by Andrew Thornton. He enjoyed the softer ground and longer trip and put in a much better jumping round. Andrew and Sam Davies Thomas have both worked very hard to get him to concentrate, giving him plenty of schooling.

Mayolynn and Break The Chain both had very satisfactory runs at Chepstow, jumping well, and will come on for their runs.

Refusal had his first run over hurdles at Uttoxeter and jumped well.  He has just got to learn to settle and relax. Tom McClorey has done a fantastic job with him at home as he was very headstrong when he arrived. He is due to run again at Warwick this week.

Polebrook has had a couple of runs over hurdles and is gaining in confidence with each run.  Oponce ran well first time out but struggled on the softer ground at Fontwell last week and may go point-to-pointing.

Miss Hilton (Full sister to Mr Plod) may have her first run at Towcester on Thursday and The Laodicean also holds an entry to have a first run over fences, but the course still needs some more rain. Whinstone Boy has an entry at Sandown on Saturday but will only run if the forcast rain appears.

The point-to-pointers are looking well and are cantering now. We took several hunting on Saturday but they can only go steady as the ground is still too firm to be doing too much.  I am sure the rain will come!

25th September 2011 - Open Day

Report by Carolyn Tanner

Pictures by Graftonwood

 

21st September 2011

Our Open Day on Sunday 25th September signifies the beginning of the winter jumps season. This week we have had professional jockeys Andrew Thornton, Tom Messenger and Adam Pogson in to do some schooling.

We plan to have our first runners in October when hopefully we will get some rain to ease the ground. The first runners are likely to be Earl Of Thomond, Wherrimon, Polebrook, Mayolynn, Oponce, The Laodicean, Break The Chain and Morning Moment. They have all been schooled over hurdles this week on the all weather as the grass is too firm.

Refusal has come to us from the flat and has taken to jumping well. He will run as soon as we are completely satisfied with his schooling.

Whinstone Boy will be ready to run in October but needs soft ground.

Global Domination is aiming for a bumper in November. He is showing a great attitude at home.