Blog Thirteen - Monday 30/05/2022
Good Monday Morning
Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.
It’s Epsom Derby week and for me, by far the greatest race on earth and most wanted and prestigious prize in racing. As it’s Monday and my last chance to give you my selection, I’m going for a Newmarket Derby / Oaks double and I think Emily Upjohn will win the Oaks on Friday and Desert Crown will win the Derby on Saturday. Talking about the Derby and the great Sir Michael Stoute, and getting back to all my banging on about the size of yards and keeping racing competitive.. isn’t it amazing to see Sir Michael Stoute with his smallest string in a long time yet he has the Derby favourite and his horses have been flying, including another Brigadier Gerard Stakes win last week. I say it time and time again, Hong Kong has the model right, keep trainers with a cap on numbers and field sizes will be bigger. This will indirectly also fix the ground concerns lately which poor track managers are watering to keep ground soft enough to keep field sizes up, but if horses were spread, field sizes wouldn’t be a issue and regardless of ground, they would get good competitive racing if more trainers had more horses to run and as I’ve said before, the cream would still rise to the top as has Sir Michael Stoute proven this season.
We have our stable stalwart Mr Fayez in to run tomorrow at Brighton with Josephine Gordon riding and hope he continues to improve for us as he has. He looks amazing. If he pulls up well, he could head to Doncaster on Saturday again. I don’t have a Derby day invitation, so I think we could be watching from Doncaster all going well.
It’s also The Tattersalls Ascot Sale on Tuesday and we will be represented there, should anyone be looking to purchase a horse for us. Get in touch now and join our team.
The Queens Platinum Jubilee is another phenomenal achievement and what a great time to be in the UK. It’s beautiful seeing all the flags up everywhere and there is just a great summery positive vibe in England at the moment.
It’s was with great sadness that the world woke up to on Sunday morning, to see that Lester Piggot had passed away, especially after reading an article in the Racing Post saying he was doing well and coming out of hospital next week. It is ironic that Lester passes on during Derby week as well, considering he was and is the greatest Derby jockey of all time Lester was a true legend and so many great stories have been posted about him over the past 24 hours. My condolences and strength go out to the whole Piggot family and beyond. RIP Sir.
I take these words from a Foreward in One if the Long Fellows books; “During my career I have been lucky enough to work with some truly
great horses and some of the world's best trainers. However, whether you
are a jockey, trainer, breeder or owner, all of which I have been, you are
nothing without a dedicated and loyal team of stable staff, and to them
I would like to pay the highest tribute.”
And to close this week on the sad note that Lester Piggot is no longer with us, always remember; heroes get remembered, but legends never die!
Until next week, stay up to date daily following our social media.