- Monday, 25 December 2017 00:00
- Written by David Pipe
With it being Christmas Day, I hope you will all excuse me an abridged weekly blog. I am sure as the week goes on some of the pictures from our staff party on Christmas Eve will come to light and I will be happy to add those as they emerge! One thing is for sure, with three small children in the household, I have the feeling that it is going to be an early start today!
Despite the festivities the horses still need to go out and consequently there is a skeleton staff on hand today to make sure they are tended to, fed, watered and exercised. Many thanks to them for their dedication and the remainder of the team for their hard work throughout the year.
Unfortunately not everyone can get home for Christmas and those who will be around the yard today will be joining us at Pond House for Christmas dinner. It is something we have done for many years and something I always look forward to – there are some great characters around the place and there is very seldom a dull moment!
As Chester eluded to in his column a couple of days ago and as you can see from the picture below, the staff enjoyed a wonderful Christmas breakfast last Friday, laid on by our hostel housekeeper Kathy. It was a lovely treat and my sincerest thanks to her for all her efforts.
Looking at the racing for the week ahead, there is an excellent card at Kempton to look forward to on Tuesday, although I will be playing the interested spectator rather than taking an active role. Our Boxing Day runners will come at Fontwell, where River Dun makes her debut for the yard in the conditional jockeys’ hurdle under Michael Heard. Saint John Henry contests the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen where he will be partnered by Conor O’Farrell, while Poker Play and Abracadabra Sivola will be partnered by David Noonan at Wincanton.
A little later in the week, Vaniteux is likely to contest the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on Wednesday, while Tigger Two and Irish Prince will have engagements in the novices’ hurdle at Doncaster on Friday. After that, the entries do not close until Boxing Day and it looks likely that we will have plenty engaged at Taunton on Saturday. As usual, for all the latest news on stable runners, you can keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing
All that remains is for me to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. See you in 2018…
