Back in the groove...(not forgetting Gormless Gordon)

Well, we brought in another four horses from the field yesterday which means that along with the five "fatties" and three newly broken three year olds there will be twelve to ride out each day which is just about right.  I have been slightly amazed at how enthusiastic I have been feeling about starting again, (not quite as amazed as Mrs A!),  I have to confess that there were moments during the depths of last winter when I did wonder exactly "why?" However I can honestly say that my excitement has been building over the last few weeks and in the end I couldn't wait, extraordinary really, I think a trip to visit Lucy with some time at Ballydoyle last week was partly responsible, what goes on there is most inspiring.  That and the fact that I know that I have a better bunch of horses than ever to crack on with, patience has been the word for the last two years with several of the youngsters but now we might reap the benefit with a little luck. Most of the horses just rest in the field here during the summer, as much for our benefit as theirs, the Billinge's homebred 5yo mare pictured below (by Alflora ex Savannah Mo) has been having a rather more productive time.  This dressage experience will have done her the world of good both physically and mentally, it would be wonderful if we had the time to do this with all our young horses
                    
Racing returns to Perth this week but more attention will be paid to the two big Festivals that are happening, namely Glorious Goodwood and Galway.  Despite the notable lack of success from my previous tipping services I have hired a new man in the hope he can do a little better......... here are Gormless Gordon's selections for the first day of Goodwood -

2.10: Australia Day(91)/ Changing the Guard(90)

3.25: Dalghar(93)/ Main Aim(87)

4.35: Benandonner(89)/ Kay Gee Be(87)

5.40: Martyr(89)/ Emerging Artist(86)

Bet of the day: Dalghar (6/1)

Good Luck!

Sound travels

Do the horses prefer Eminem or the Black-Eyed Peas? I'm not sure but they must be quite baffled by the strange cacophony of sound that floats across Loch Leven late into the night on the second weekend of July every year; it is, of course, T in the Park time again - a Festival that has seen extraordinary growth over the last 15 years.  85,000 now attend and whilst traffic chaos ensued a few years ago it now seems very well organised as Mr & Mrs A can testify to following their duties as loyal taxi drivers.

Meanwhile the five fatties remain that way, despite 10km twice a day on the "walking machine" (as Francois used to call it) and a restricted diet they have actually put on weight;  I take comfort from the fact that strengthening horses will put on 2-3kg after a stiff piece of work, fat turning into muscle we hope, this pre-season regime will certainly enable us to crack on with them faster once we start riding them again later in the month.  Four of the five horses being broken are all hacking round the farm now (say no more about the fifth at this stage!) we will stick some different riders on them this week and hope things go smoothly....
The picture below shows Contendo (centre) shortly after he arrived at his retirement home with the Laird family in Angus, he is pictured with Bells Hill Lad a winner from here in the early 1990's, also in the picture is Sandpiper, a former HOYS show pony she was kindly lent to us by cousin Wattie and his wife Nina and then passed on to the Lairds a good few years ago, its splendid to see them all together looking well.

summer days...

summer days are here, the cattle are on the high hills and the horses are completely zoned out enjoying the exceptional spell of weather; eating, sleeping and looking fantastic.  All the staff are on holiday so it is just me looking after 30 or so horses, its very easy as I only give them a bowl of oats in the field each morning and I have to say I find it a hugely enjoyable time of year, just being out with them at that time of day is a joy, I love watching them mooching around, needless to say my mind buzzing with plans for each of them.  

Not much more rest though as this weeekend we will be bringing in five young horses to break and five of the "larger" types to start some pre-season exercise, plan is to start riding again later in July with a view to having most of the horses ready at the end of September.  I am please to have been able to place the horses that won't be in training here again next season for various reasons in good homes and it looks as though we will have a team of ten to run under rules and six to go point-to-pointing later in the winter.

Although there are obviously no runners from here Lucy is keeping busy and is riding Perez for Wilf Storey in the 7pm at Hamilton tomorrow evening, she is keen to keep her hand in and is flying over from Ballydoyle in Tipperary where she is working for Aidan O'Brien

Breakfast of course sometimes must be shared.......

Age

One of the more irritating aspects of having two children and a brother riding in point-to-points is that an increasing number of people seem to think that my 45 year old brother is actually my son; people are frequently saying to him "can you ask your Dad to..." and so on which of course causes him huge delight. Well, I am pleased to report that brother Michael's intelligent and astute au pair was recently asked to estimate which of the four of us was the eldest etc, she decided that brother David, 42 tomorrow, was the eldest and that I, 49 on Monday, was the youngest - tee, hee - so there!

Providing the forecast rain arrives we will run Native Coll (pictured on the riverbank gallop this morning) in the 7pm at Cartmel tomorrow evening, 10 run and Adrian Lane rides. It's a step up in trip but I think it will suit him and he should go well if he handles the track, funfair and estimated 20,000 spectators. It is a little concern that he hasn't run since 3rd April due to the dry weather but he seems fit and well. On Sunday we will be heading to the final point-to-point of the season at Hexham where Commercial Express, Almost Blue and Noir et Vert will hopefully run........ have a good weekend.......

phew...

isn't life tough... well it was when this son of Midnight Legend was born a mere seven weeks ago in the worst April blizzard in living memory, he will be named Easter Tempest. It's hard to believe we are living on the same planet as I sit here in my office gently perspiring and most of the horses laze in the fields.
Almost Blue wasn't competitive at Kelso on Wednesday, he will now have a full MOT before going to grass and hopefully we will be able to pinpoint exactly what has ailed him this season. Our next runners are likely to be at Hexham on Sunday 30th and that will be just about it apart from a possible trip to Cartmel if the weather breaks.
Fortunately Lucy is doing rather better than her Father, finishing a close 3rd on Floreanna at Kelso on Wednesday (at 40-1!) prior to a good 4th at Wetherby yesterday. It's non-stop though and today she has flown to Paris where she will be representing GB in an 18 runner "Nations Cup" 1 mile flat race at Maisons-Laffite tomorrow, it will be her first ride on the flat and promises to be an entertaining experience with jockeys from all over the world taking part. Sadly I wasn't invited as chaperone but will be taking a few days off to face some self-examination on the golf course, initially at Muirfield and thereafter joining Murray Keith's (in)famous Canon tour for more humiliation at Portrush. Need to do my packing - alka seltzer, neurofen, gaviscon, hay fever stuff, blister treatments...etc etc.. a portable chemists shop by the time I've finished, not to forget golf clubs and of course, lots & lots of balls........

Today...

..we run Almost Blue in the 5.05 at Kelso, 13 run, Jamie rides and the ground will be on the quick side. He won this race last year but this looks more competitive and he hasn't yet shown the same form this season; however he ran better than the bare result suggests last time and he was doing his best work at the end, he's proven on the track and the ground so I hope he won't be too far away. This will be the horse's 25th race, he has won 4 times, been second 6 times and third 4 times... let's hope he goes well. Jamie will certainly be trying hard but so will everyone else, particularly his niece Lucy who is riding Floreanna for the Boswells - she won on this game mare earlier in the season but she has looked a little quircky recently, again, let's hope they go well. Lucy then heads to Wetherby tomorrow to ride Fly Tipper for Wilf Storey in the 4.15.

Isla Pearl Fisher

Dennis Penny of www.pennypictures.co.uk sent me these shots of Isla Pearl Fisher at Perth this week, he has come out of his race well and I imagine will now have a shortish break before being prepared for an autumn campaign over fences, he should be a good prospect in 2m4f - 3m handicap chases on decent ground, fingers crossed!