Pawn A Name From The Past

Plenty of water has passed under the bridge since then and looking back, I am delighted to have turned my hand to training instead…no more starving myself to do the weight, and no more nasty falls to recover from.  I hope that you will also agree that it was a wise move and that I am a better trainer than jockey!

I was delighted that Businessmoney Judi bounced back to form at Newton Abbot on Sunday when winning her third race in four starts since joining us, despite the ground probably being plenty soft enough for her.  She is a tough and genuine mare and I think she had taken her nearest rival’s measure when that one unseated it’s rider at the penultimate fence.   She was given a fine ride by Tom Scudamore who was enjoying his second winner back from injury and I am sure that “Judi” will continue to pay her way, especially when the ground is on the lively side.

Talking of Tom Scu, I have another interview courtesy of our great friend Mike Vince and you can hear his thoughts on the forthcoming season, including the horses that he is looking forward to riding the most, simply click below...

Audio - mp3 - Tom Scudamore Interview

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As if any illustration were needed of what a difficult and dangerous job the jockeys undertake everyday, no sooner has one recovered from injury, then another is hurt.  I refer in this instance to that great character Johnny Farrelly who broke his collarbone when unseating from the Richard Mitchell trained Lethal Gun at Fontwell last Thursday.  Unfortunately he is facing a spell of several weeks on the sidelines - we hope you are soon on the mend Johnny.

Looking at the remainder of the week, we will have three runners at Worcester on Wednesday – point to point and bumper winner Barton Stacey (Tom Scu) and Goodnight Alfie (Hadden Frost) in the maiden hurdle and Kilshanna (John Kington) in the conditional jockeys’ handicap chase.  We are likely to have runners at Ffos Las on Thursday and Friday, while it will be a quiet weekend with the only jump racing taking place at Cartmel on Saturday(where we do not have any entries).

Finally, I would just like to reiterate Chester’s sentiments yesterday about the sad passing of Doreen Rackham.  I would often see Doreen at the races and she was like a ray of sunshine, even on the most miserable of days.  She would make sure that everyone was okay and devoted her time to helping stable staff in Lambourn in any way she could.  Doreen will be fondly remembered, but sadly our sport is much the poorer for her loss.