Blog Twenty-Five - Monday 22/08/22
Good Monday Morning
It’s a grey Monday here after Silver Swords antics at Lingfield on Saturday, but, we have a lot to look forward to this week as we head to the Goffs Doncaster Sales tomorrow and the rest of our small yards preps seem to be going well.
This brings me to John Wayne’s famous quote; “courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway.”
That’s how you get up on a Monday. Thankfully for myself and the team, this isn’t our first rodeo, so while Silver Sword was disappointing by refusing to race, we are putting all our heads together to try and get him to race. He loves his work and shows enough to be considered a Group horse but unfortunately has refused twice. In all my time working with Barry Hills, Robert Armstrong, Justin Snaith and training myself, I’ve never come across a horse who does this. We will have the whole team working on him and hope to have him show his class soon. It obviously hurts us a lot more only having a handful of horses when this happens but it’s not for lack of trying. We have had many first up 2 year old winners in the past so this is a strange one!
Mr Fayez has had a month being turned out in the field and starts work again today, he has done well from his break and will be back in October/November sometime. Moliwood and Mighty Mind are both doing well and all going well will run 8/9th September respectively. Expressionless may run in the sales race at HQ first up this Saturday, but that will be a little on the sharp side. Should he not make the cut, he could step out on Monday or Tuesday at Epsom.
York was a great week, some of the best racing I’ve ever seen and Baeed was brilliant. That was a 5 star performance from everyone involved. Every person connected to that horse has just done brilliant. My personal favourite winner of the week was Alpanista, 5 Gr1’s in a row was something special. Sir Mark Prescott is the ultimate role model as a trainer and does it year in and out with 60 horses. A true master.
I’ve been told I’m not allowed to discuss cricket in this weeks blog, so we will wait until the next test has been played before we go there.
As mentioned earlier, we are heading to the Goffs Doncaster Sales this Tuesday and Wednesday as well as the Tattersalls August Sale next week. We really need to grow our yard here, it’s extra tough battling along with 5 horses but we are putting in 200% and need your support. We are busy setting up a syndicate and are also looking for owners to support us by sending horses or purchasing shares with us. Please get in contact and join us.
One of the great things UK Racing has to offer which a lot of the the world don’t have yet, is the pre parade ring. I had the joy of being in the Newmarket July course as well as Ascot Pre Parade ring recently and this is where you really get to see the horses and fall in love with the game for the right reasons. For anyone reading this, next time you’re on a UK racecourse, be sure to pop past a pre parade ring and enjoy the race horse.
While I’m talking about racecourses, a big mention and compliment is due to ARC and Lingfield Park. The owners and trainers facilities, food and space on Saturday were really good. As good as I’ve experienced in the UK and the vibe on course was really impressive. There were loads of people but enough bars, food places open and security everywhere making racing a pleasant experience.
We have former South African Champion Apprentice and South African Jockey Academy Head Boy, Kyle Strydom visiting us for 2 weeks which is nice to have. He is riding out the odd lot in the morning and getting to know all the famous Newmarket tracks before heading back home.
Last thought for the week, taken from Mark Pilgrim, a South African radio DJ who is fighting a massive battle with cancer and lying in bed next to his partner who broke her ankle while jogging; “We are still smiling because we can!”
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