Blog Fifty
Good Monday Morning
A thought to start the week; “People will quit on you. You gotta get up everyday and make sure you never quit on yourself!”
Whilst local flat racing is currently pre season so to speak, there’s quite a lot of high quality international racing to follow at the moment. Australia has top class Autumn Carnival going on and in South Africa there is the Cape Derby and SA Classic coming up. In Dubai and Saudi Arabia there are the carnivals and build ups to the richest race days on earth, so there is still a lot to follow for the flat racing lovers.
It’s really interesting seeing all the debate about the whip rules and prize money and watching the continuous own goals Racing keeps scoring. Having built up two syndicates with around 200 members between both of them, and a lot of young members, it’s clear that there are a lot of young people madly passionate about the game and not really phased about the whip or all the side shows that racing is currently wasting resources on. What most are concerned about, are the rising costs to owners such as Heath fees going up, jockey fees going up and the Owners Association are just happy to absorb this even with stagnant prize money. You’re quick to get a email of what racing is where for the day but not much deep work going on to at least curb owners costs and increase prize money for the people coming into the game. I can proudly say, as a new business in the UK, 95% of our owner are NEW to racing. We have worked hard to get them in, but can racing now keep them? Interesting times. I’m all for keeping things positive but swift change is needed to modernise ownership in the UK. I’m happy to give up my time to help the cause to assist owners for the future of the sport. Forget pleasing the wokies, look after the great sport it is!
It was fantastic to see Shishkin come back to his best on Saturday in what can only be described as a masterful training performance. Patience and knowing the horse intensely, stepped up in trip and never missed a beat, Shishkin was brilliant. Obviously all the talk at the moment is Cheltenham and the build up really intensifies over the next few weeks. I look forward to attending the first two days this year.
My beloved Arsenal continue to hold on under a hard ride at the top. I can only hope they keep finding over the last few furlongs.
I keep pushing this, but I highly recommend you get involved in our Starspangledbanner colt named Battleofbaltimore. He is showing all the right signs and is a bargain at £350 per 2.5% and £75pm all in. You won’t find better value and he continues to impress us at home as we step up. Catch Us If You Can is a well run syndicate and lots of fun to be part of. Get in touch.
Quest Thoroughbreds also have shares available in a horse in training, Gold Medal and a lovely filly by Aclaim who looks really smart.
We are lucky to have some really supportive owners and syndicates to be part of. Get involved and race with us this summer.
We had the International Equine Dentist Team in last week and had all our horses treated and done. It was a long day and really interesting to see the high standard of equine dental these days. As is in racing, you never stop learning and I learned so much this day. The importance and equine dental care is vital and often over looked.
Our yard is in the exciting pre season phase. A lot of the horses are picking up the work and it’s a balancing act now of keeping them sound and getting them fit and happy for the spring.
Our first runners should be in the first week of April as we step up into the season. Last year we only had 3 horses to run and this year we have 17, so it’s a lot more exciting for us.
As we continue to grow and improve things around the yard and build team of horses and staff, I am looking for a sponsor to join our brand and sponsor the yard. There will be a lot of exposure, linked to all our branding, social media, staff & equine clothing and rugging etc and branding on our horsebox. The exposure will be out there which includes television and all media coverage. This could be an exciting opportunity for a company that recognises a growing and innovative brand and wants to partner with us. Get in touch with me for further details.
To be close today, and to keep you sharp for the week, remember; “Your mind must be stronger than your feelings!”
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