Gone Fishing

       Maximize & Darren Edwards
Winners at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival 

There are five meetings today, all on the flat at Haydock, Newcastle, Chepstow, Musselburgh and Kempton.  Chepstow get away with £26,000 total prize money for their seven race card, I will say no more!  As I metioned yesterday, there was a nice touch landed by trainer Jim Best.  He says he has a clear conscience and he actually has done nothing wrong.  The BHA is to review all aspects of the contest but I am not sure what they are hoping to find.

There is a good picture in today's Racing Post of a horse walking in the sea at Laytown and a lady having an early morning swim looking a bit puzzled!  There is also a good photo on the front of the paper as well.  A horse called Arbitrageur can bee seen with all four feet in the air in a dramatic leap with jockey Johnny King being given an anxious few moments.  If you have seen the photo you will be pleased to hear both horse and jockey are absolutely fine!  The picture on the front actually reminided me of David in his riding career!

I see that Perth racecourse are giving £100 to trainers for every runner they have at the track towards costs next week.  Sam Morshead came up with the idea which I think is a good one.  All racecourses should maybe do this and pay expenses to the owners as 99% do not make money on their horses.  Bookies and racecourses make the money.

Darren Edwards is 30 today.  Darren rode Maximize to win the 2004 Kim Muir at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival and has also ridden a for David.  He is the brother of Gemma who works in the office.  Wishing him a Happy Birthday from all at Pond House.  We would also like to wish long time friend and owner Sarah Ling a very happy birthday as well.  Sarah has been involved with many horses over the years including Beau Ranger, Tamarinbleu and Dynaste to name a few.  I hope she has a lovely day.  

David and Tom are both actually going fly fishing today with Caroline Tisdall.  The last time David went fishing was when I took him and he was still at school then!  We fished in the pond and caught lots of little carp, in fact they were probably gold fish!  I once caught a 6 pound blue bottle while fly fishing.  I will let you know how David and Tom get on tomorrow!

I see after the big jam up in the passport office 4000 of the staff get a bonus!  It is nice to see a well run office being rewarded!  Have a good day.

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