A fine morning and after so much unsettled weather we need a "window" to make the haylage, I have decided to trust the forecast and have pressed the button to mow about 40 acres today, 3 dry days then required to have it all wrapped up for the winter.... I will be watching the sky.
Splendid racing at Perth yesterday afternoon and today we have John Dudgeon's 80th birthday party at the track with the John Dudgeon Happy Birthday Handicap Hurdle at 3.20 in which his colours will be making a welcome reappearance aboard Traffic Article trained by Gordon Elliot and ridden by the inimitable Paul Carberry, its a competitive race but this could be huge......... Lucy is riding Danny John Boy in the same race for Barry Murtagh; she then rides Floreana for the Boswells in the 3.50 and Scotch Warrior for Mike Smith in the 4.20. Regular readers will be aware that she recently moved to Yorkshire for the summer to be nearer where she was expecting to be riding, a little ironic then that this week she should be at Perth, back down tonight but hopefully at Ayr on Sunday by which time she will have turned 21. She won't stop to celebrate but I feel that her real coming of age is today; three rides in handicaps for three different trainers against Walsh, Carberry etc. We have very mixed feelings watching her ride but have to be pleased that her hard work is being recognised on such a public stage..... Fingers crossed this afternoon!
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Summer Jumping
Two year old's trotting & cantering so now ready to go back out to grass for the rest of the summer, Lucy off to work for Kevin Ryan in Yorkshire for a month or two, trainer staring at his haylage fields hoping that weather dries up soon and wondering whether he is too old to go to watch Coldplay at T in the Park after stunning show at Glasto last night; few more fatties coming in tomorrow to start on the walker and 'tis the season of Highland Show, Game Fair, sports days, school plays and prizegivings and lets not forget the HUGE day at Perth on Thursday - a very special party that day.
A minor rant.......... I had of course hoped to have kept a few horses on the go over the summer but the three I had in mind are all now resting (may appear at the end of August). Until now there has been a reasonable spread of fixtures but even Sedgefield, Hexham & Wetherby are taking a break and after this week we only have 4 fixtures at Perth , 4 at Cartmel and a couple at Sedgefield between now and 23rd September, that's 10 fixtures spread sporadically over 12 weeks. Ideally one would have top of the ground types on the go but with the (rightly) watered ground as soon as there is any rain it turns soft and if they have to miss a race because of the ground there might be nothing for them for another six weeks, it is impossible to justify keeping them on the go on this basis let alone thinking of having a few more in. Racegoers at Perth will wonder why there are so few locally trained runners and so many from Ireland, this is the reason! In Ireland they have a rounded programme of jump racing through the summer so their trainers can keep a certain type of horse on the go, I don't know how they live with the transport costs though and I can't understand how Gordon Elliot can have 4 horses rated around 130 entered in a selling hurdle. In the past one might have thought of travelling South with them but with increased transport costs and sharply reduced prize money that is also impossible to justify - even at a "big" meeting such at today's Summer National card at Uttoxeter there are races on the card where the winning owner will end up with about £1350. I may try to have a few on the go next summer but they will need to be dual purpose horses that can run on the flat as well. I'm all for summer jumping but we need a bit more of it in the North otherwise it will just become even more of an Irish benefit.
Anyway the ironic thing is our winter horses are starting to come back in and within a couple of weeks the yard will be full of fresh but rested horses starting again with a view to being ready to rock and roll at the end of September......
A minor rant.......... I had of course hoped to have kept a few horses on the go over the summer but the three I had in mind are all now resting (may appear at the end of August). Until now there has been a reasonable spread of fixtures but even Sedgefield, Hexham & Wetherby are taking a break and after this week we only have 4 fixtures at Perth , 4 at Cartmel and a couple at Sedgefield between now and 23rd September, that's 10 fixtures spread sporadically over 12 weeks. Ideally one would have top of the ground types on the go but with the (rightly) watered ground as soon as there is any rain it turns soft and if they have to miss a race because of the ground there might be nothing for them for another six weeks, it is impossible to justify keeping them on the go on this basis let alone thinking of having a few more in. Racegoers at Perth will wonder why there are so few locally trained runners and so many from Ireland, this is the reason! In Ireland they have a rounded programme of jump racing through the summer so their trainers can keep a certain type of horse on the go, I don't know how they live with the transport costs though and I can't understand how Gordon Elliot can have 4 horses rated around 130 entered in a selling hurdle. In the past one might have thought of travelling South with them but with increased transport costs and sharply reduced prize money that is also impossible to justify - even at a "big" meeting such at today's Summer National card at Uttoxeter there are races on the card where the winning owner will end up with about £1350. I may try to have a few on the go next summer but they will need to be dual purpose horses that can run on the flat as well. I'm all for summer jumping but we need a bit more of it in the North otherwise it will just become even more of an Irish benefit.
Anyway the ironic thing is our winter horses are starting to come back in and within a couple of weeks the yard will be full of fresh but rested horses starting again with a view to being ready to rock and roll at the end of September......
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
A brief interlude...
So, the summer solstice, 12 degrees and half an inch of rain already on an easterly wind, no water shortage here, only horses being ridden are the two year olds, all stables disinfected and repainted, barns mucked out and final stages of the annual spring-clean being completed.
I can become a little wistful at this time of year, whilst it's nice to rebalance one's life a little there is an adjustment process and I miss the continuous adrenaline that makes the 24-7 lifestyle such rewarding fun for most of the year. I have a stack of office work to catch up on and I definitely need the time out to do this; could I train full-on 365 days a year? Answer is, probably, but other aspects of life would suffer.
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It is also time to say goodbye to a few horses and this afternoon it was the turn of Skipping Chapel who I delivered to his retirement home; it will be his first night off the farm after 10 years here but he deserves an easier time. Although unsound in his earlier years he showed plenty of promise until his wind intervened, since then its been a bit of a battle and whatever we achieved this season in terms of winning races and improving horses I think that winning a couple of point-to-points with Skipping Chapel probably tops the lot and on the way he ended up giving Kit his first winner and brightening up a wet meeting at Balcormo - a real credit to the team as he was unsound of limb and wind as well as being extremely headstrong. He now joins previous Kinneston luminaries Hayaain, Our Men and Fearless Footsteps to graze the Cunnoquhie hills overlooking the Howe of Fife under the careful watch of former employee Jacqui.... adieu mon ami...
Pull yourself together Alexander, back to normal, Lucy rides Eastwell Smiles for Sophie Leech in the GB vs Ireland Lady Riders race at 8.40 at Newton Abbott this evening, after that it looks like she is going to head to Yorkshire for a while, probably working for Kevin Ryan but hoping to continue to ride in races all over the country.
With no runners from this yard until late August I will only be updating the blog ocassionally and won't be pestering those of you that are updated by email, in the unlikely event that you are interested in being alerted when it is updated then please register to follow either via twitter or facebook, just search and/or befriend kinneston on either.
One other thing to get off my chest before I sign off (is anyone still reading?)... with little happening here and the children scattered around the country I decided to take Mrs A away for a night last weekend as a treat and we ended up in the rather splendid Hotel Missoni, a marvellous place but my enjoyment was slightly tempered by a conversation with the receptionist as I was checking out. In response to my enquiring as to how trade was she said they were delighted because 50-70 rooms are block-booked every weekday night for months on end by a high profile management consultancy whose staff go "a bit mad" with their expense accounts whilst they undertake a long term restructuring project closeby. I have no doubt whatsoever that they are picking up the pieces of the messy merger between HBOS and Lloyds, wonderful, its good to know that some people are benefitting from the bail out of the banks as the rest of the nation feels some rather more painful consequences.
I can become a little wistful at this time of year, whilst it's nice to rebalance one's life a little there is an adjustment process and I miss the continuous adrenaline that makes the 24-7 lifestyle such rewarding fun for most of the year. I have a stack of office work to catch up on and I definitely need the time out to do this; could I train full-on 365 days a year? Answer is, probably, but other aspects of life would suffer.
 |
| Skipping Chapel (by Minster Son ex Harrietfield - rather well named!) |
Pull yourself together Alexander, back to normal, Lucy rides Eastwell Smiles for Sophie Leech in the GB vs Ireland Lady Riders race at 8.40 at Newton Abbott this evening, after that it looks like she is going to head to Yorkshire for a while, probably working for Kevin Ryan but hoping to continue to ride in races all over the country.
With no runners from this yard until late August I will only be updating the blog ocassionally and won't be pestering those of you that are updated by email, in the unlikely event that you are interested in being alerted when it is updated then please register to follow either via twitter or facebook, just search and/or befriend kinneston on either.
One other thing to get off my chest before I sign off (is anyone still reading?)... with little happening here and the children scattered around the country I decided to take Mrs A away for a night last weekend as a treat and we ended up in the rather splendid Hotel Missoni, a marvellous place but my enjoyment was slightly tempered by a conversation with the receptionist as I was checking out. In response to my enquiring as to how trade was she said they were delighted because 50-70 rooms are block-booked every weekday night for months on end by a high profile management consultancy whose staff go "a bit mad" with their expense accounts whilst they undertake a long term restructuring project closeby. I have no doubt whatsoever that they are picking up the pieces of the messy merger between HBOS and Lloyds, wonderful, its good to know that some people are benefitting from the bail out of the banks as the rest of the nation feels some rather more painful consequences.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Summer?
Weather doing a very good impersonation of a nasty day in February, long walk up the hill to inspect forestry and we return like the proverbial used teabags, never mind, more great racing on this afternoon and here is Frank's offering.......
2.30: n/a
3.05: Await the Dawn (95), Campanologist (90), Drunken Sailor (87), Calvados Blues (85)
3.45: Star Witness (88), Bewitched (83), Hooray (81), Hitchens (80)
4.25: Mac's Power (80), Hoof It (70), Deacon Blues (69), Imperial Guest (69)
5.00: Sharaayeen (88), Life and Soul (85), Fox Hunt (81), Blissful Moment (75)
5.35: Swingkeel (91), Elyaadi (89), Deutschland (84), Degas Art (81)
2.30: n/a
3.05: Await the Dawn (95), Campanologist (90), Drunken Sailor (87), Calvados Blues (85)
3.45: Star Witness (88), Bewitched (83), Hooray (81), Hitchens (80)
4.25: Mac's Power (80), Hoof It (70), Deacon Blues (69), Imperial Guest (69)
5.00: Sharaayeen (88), Life and Soul (85), Fox Hunt (81), Blissful Moment (75)
5.35: Swingkeel (91), Elyaadi (89), Deutschland (84), Degas Art (81)
Friday, 17 June 2011
More Ladies
Another great day's racing at Ascot yesterday and another Ladies Day today at Musselburgh where Lucy rides Oddsmaker for Maurice Barnes in the 5.40. Exhilarating stuff yesterday, how extraordinary to name a horse Fame and Glory and end up winning the Ascot Gold Cup (not to forget another few Group Ones on the way) and a wonderfully emotional interview with Michael Owen after his winner in the last, watch it here if you missed it. Lots of whip bans in the big races this week, going to become increasingly topical
So McIlroy has a 4 shot lead in the US Open, if he's still in that position on Sunday night who will be able to bear to watch after what happened in Augusta - not me but let's hope that experience hasn't left any scars.
Quiet here now with only Amulree being ridden & the two year olds, a few on the walker and resting. Disinfecting & repainting of all the boxes is on schedule and should be complete by the end of next week; as for Frank, only one winner yesterday thanks to chaged ground, pressure's on.....
2.30: n/a
3.05: n/a
3.45: Together (100), More than Real (87), Maqaasid (83), Nova Hawk (81)
4.25: Green Destiny (87), Beachfire (85), Lost in the Moment (80), Spanish Duke (78)
5.00: n/a
5.35: Our Jonathan (88), Docofthebay (85), Advanced (85), Free for All (70)
So McIlroy has a 4 shot lead in the US Open, if he's still in that position on Sunday night who will be able to bear to watch after what happened in Augusta - not me but let's hope that experience hasn't left any scars.
Quiet here now with only Amulree being ridden & the two year olds, a few on the walker and resting. Disinfecting & repainting of all the boxes is on schedule and should be complete by the end of next week; as for Frank, only one winner yesterday thanks to chaged ground, pressure's on.....
2.30: n/a
3.05: n/a
3.45: Together (100), More than Real (87), Maqaasid (83), Nova Hawk (81)
4.25: Green Destiny (87), Beachfire (85), Lost in the Moment (80), Spanish Duke (78)
5.00: n/a
5.35: Our Jonathan (88), Docofthebay (85), Advanced (85), Free for All (70)
| Michael Owen (right!) |
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Ladies Day
Not only at Royal Ascot but also at Ripon where Lucy rides Bright Sparky for Mick Easterby in the 4.30, their "Ladies Derby." I am especially pleased that Mick has put her up, apart from being a top trainer and legend in his own time, he was a great friend and partner in crime of her late Grandfather's; I'm not sure if he's made the conection, hopefully he will do today.
Meanwhile I think Frank has being doing OK on the basis of an e/w on his first two selections, here we go for today
2.30: n/a
3.05: Banimpire (99), Rumh (93), Zain Al Boldan (87), Dorcas Lane (87)
3.45: Duncan (92), Tastahil (91), Fame and Glory (88), Manighar (84)
4.25: Chain Lightning (98), Ashva (78), Common Touch (76), Tropical Beat (69)
5.00: Laajooj (94), Tazahum (93), Moriarity (83), Alkimos (82)
5.35: Malthouse (85), Danadana (85), Mica Mika (85), Charles Camoin (83)
| Mick Easterby |
2.30: n/a
3.05: Banimpire (99), Rumh (93), Zain Al Boldan (87), Dorcas Lane (87)
3.45: Duncan (92), Tastahil (91), Fame and Glory (88), Manighar (84)
4.25: Chain Lightning (98), Ashva (78), Common Touch (76), Tropical Beat (69)
5.00: Laajooj (94), Tazahum (93), Moriarity (83), Alkimos (82)
5.35: Malthouse (85), Danadana (85), Mica Mika (85), Charles Camoin (83)
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Room for improvement
Wonderful racing on Day One at Royal Ascot but I am afraid the two feature races were slightly tainted by firstly Peslier being 2lb overweight on Goldikova and then Queally riding a most bizarre race on Frankel. Canford Cliffs won cosily enough but we will never know whether 2lb less might have delivered a 14th Group One for the mare, talented as he may be it was appalling that Peslier was firstly a pound overweight and then revealed to have swapped his boots after weighing out to add another 1lb that nobody knew about - to be fined a few hundred pounds for such a high profile offence is simply a joke. As for Queally, we will never know what his instructions were but I could never imagine one of the top jockeys riding a race like this, I am certain that if he had held on to Frankel for another 2f he would have looked much more impressive and I am equally certain that the private debrief from the trainer last night would have been somewhat different to the public version, it will be interesting to see if Juddmonte are happy to put him up again next time.... I think yesterday's run devalued the horse. Anyway, enough of that, onwards, "Sir"' Frank's selections for today...
2.30: Codemaster (95), Havane Smoker (94), Oracle (91), Fury (82)
3.05: Sajjhaa (94), I'm a Dreamer (91), Lolly for Dolly (86), Seta (82)
3.45: So You Think (96), Planteur (93), Rewilding (91), Twice Over (86)
4.25: Kay Gee Be (83), Julienas (80), Proponent (75), Pintura (74)
5.00: n/a
5.35: Winter's Night (97), Rhythm of Light (94), Dubai Queen (89), Humdrum (84)
2.30: Codemaster (95), Havane Smoker (94), Oracle (91), Fury (82)
3.05: Sajjhaa (94), I'm a Dreamer (91), Lolly for Dolly (86), Seta (82)
3.45: So You Think (96), Planteur (93), Rewilding (91), Twice Over (86)
4.25: Kay Gee Be (83), Julienas (80), Proponent (75), Pintura (74)
5.00: n/a
5.35: Winter's Night (97), Rhythm of Light (94), Dubai Queen (89), Humdrum (84)
| The brilliant Peslier - but oops yesterday! |
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