Blog Thirty nine - Monday 05/12/22
Good Monday Morning
As we continue to grow and start over in the UK, a little motivation to start this weeks blog; “Even though there are days I wish I could change some things that happened in the past, there’s a reason the rear view mirror is so small and the windshield is so big, where you are headed is much more important than what you’ve left behind!”
The temperature continues to drop and there is a definite winter Christmas vibe around the town, so, I must remind you, what a better way to spoil yourself or someone else by getting a share in a horse as a gift or present for Christmas. Catch Us If You Can Racing has shares in a Starspangledbanner colt for £350 upfront and £75pm from 1 March or no upfront payment and £75pm in a Muharaar filly. Both are lovely horses and a great gift. We strategically bought very well this year focusing on quality for value and I’m excited going into the summer next year.
Judging by the sales season this year, whether it be England, Ireland, South Africa, France, Australia, the USA, horses continue to defy any recession talk and records are broken sale after sale. Not only are records broken but the sales are strong throughout making owning horses an attractive proposition. A wise man, well known in Newmarket said to me this week; “The Thoroughbred currency is unique - immune to world markets!” This is so true. It’s great for the industry. I have seen this for years, even back in South Africa. You think it has to correct at some stage but it doesn’t, throughout my whole life, it just gets stronger and stronger. So it’s safe to say if you get lucky in this game, not only the romantic side of owning a good horse, but you can make decent money as well. I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to own horses.
It was disappointing to see Honeysuckle beaten on Sunday, but not sad as many were saying. It’s sad when I horse doesn’t come home, but only disappointing when they don’t perform. That’s racing, that’s horses and that’s what makes us love the game. It’s a tough game where the highs are high and the lows are really low, but it’s what challenges us all and romances us as racing fans. Honeysuckle will be back and I wonder if we may see her over a fence now that she has been beaten over hurdles. Whatever happens, she is still the queen and a champion. I’ve really enjoyed, in fact I’ve loved following her and look forward to following her in the future. We sometimes forget, F1 teams can’t keep their cars on form all year, football teams can’t keep on form all year, even the best get beat and then we expect a horse, who can’t talk and communicate it’s feelings to be on form 100% of the time. If only.. only fools and horses as they say.. she’s done so well, never forget what she did to win 16 straight and many Gr1 races.
On an International racing front, I’ve seen some posts of all the big international horses arriving in Hong Kong, so we have that to look forward to over the up coming weekend. It’s always great to watch. South Africa currently has its “Cape Summer Season” which race all through Christmas/New Year and there’s some really good racing to watch with the up coming Guineas in a couple of days. It’s the main Guineas like the 2000 Guineas here and always assembles a classy field. The winner is normally if international standard but for the ridiculous quarantine and export restrictions.
We don’t have any runners this week, but the team is working hard behind the scenes, preparing everything for the future and taking care of the wonderful animals we care for. Even though racing slows down over the winter, the hard work and future planning continues and the staff are there wet, windy and cold working away.
We have a couple of empty stables available and building the yard for the future and are ready to welcome you and your horses. Get in contact with us and join the vibrant up coming yard, with an open door policy, meaning we have our owners visit 7 days a week and make them part of the journey with their horses.
Our yard’s Christmas party for the owners and staff is coming up in 12 days time and we look forward to getting everyone together and celebrating what’s been a tough year but we have worked flat out against all odds to make it this far and thankful to everyone who has contributed in any way so far.
To close today’s blog; “every morning you have two choices; continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase them!”
Until next week, stay updated daily following our social media and check back for the blog next Monday again.