Busy Times

The last seven days have been quite quiet on the runner’s front but very busy behind the scenes back at Pond House.  We had owners and visitors at the yard every day last week culminating in about 60 people here on Saturday for those involved with the syndicates we run directly here at Pond House.  It was a morning well received and some welcome sunshine was an added bonus.  A visit to the local Culm Valley Inn for a refreshment after the stables also proved popular!

It is an exciting time of year now whether you are the sole owner of a horse or just have a small share.  This is where we can all dream of what lies ahead on the racecourse this winter with many horses likely to make their seasonal reappearances during October. 

In light of this, I took ten horses to Salisbury for a racecourse gallop on Friday morning.  They hosted their last meeting on the season on Thursday and then opened up the course for people to use the following morning.  It is a very popular event over the last few years, especially with the ground being soft with all the recent rain.   I would have probably galloped more horses had I been allowed but ten was my limit!  Apparently, more horses galloped on the Friday than ran the day before in the races!  It is great Salisbury allows trainers to do this and it would be great if more courses could offer this opportunity, especially at this time of year.

I had just the four runners during the past week and Skinfull and Kolisi will improve plenty for their seasonal reappearances.  Oceanline did not run as well as hoped up at Kelso and perhaps did not enjoy the long journey and being away overnight.  It was a shame as I thought the race looked a good opportunity for him but unless you try these things, you don’t know.  Despite plenty of rain around he country, there are several tracks, like Exeter who still have fairly quick ground and I am sure we can find our six year old another opportunity to get back on track a bit nearer to home in the coming weeks.  Bashful Boy has not been in top form this summer but ran respectably at Southwell to be fourth over hurdles.  We are confirming him for the Cesarewitch this morning, which takes place at Newmarket on Saturday.  He finished fourth in the race twelve months ago at a big price and I would not be surprised if he were to run well again at the track on good ground.  We do need a few horses not to be declared to ensure we get a run, but we plan to go, should we get in. 

This Week

Things start to get a little busier on the runners front in the coming days.  We head back to Sedgefield on Wednesday with Chemical Warfare who won over course and distance sixteen days ago.  The handicapper put him up four pounds for that win which was fair enough and the ground will be similar to last time so I would like to think he has a very good chance of following up.  Pub Crawl carries the same colours and runs in the same ownership of ‘SendEmOn’ and also travels to Sedgefield on Wednesday.  He ran his best race over hurdles to date last time at Newton Abbot but still needs to build on this.  He definitely has the ability if he puts all together on the track, he is quite a character to put it politely!

On Thursday, racing returns for the first time this season at Exeter.  Despite recent rain, their ground remains on the quicker side of good.  We have a few entries but what runs will depend on what the weather does in the coming days.  On Friday, we have entries at Chepstow which includes stable debutants Tuxedo Junction and River Run Free in the two mile novices hurdle.  This is the first day of Chepstow’s two day season-opener meeting.  Many people regard this as the ‘proper’ start to the jumps season and the Saturday card features the Silver Trophy handicap hurdle and some valuable chases as well.  In the past, the ground and lack of rain has affected this meeting but with some lovely ground forecast in promises to be a good couple of days racing.  On Friday, we also have Ocean Heights entered on the flat at his beloved Kempton while over the weekend we have entries at Chepstow on Saturday and Bashful Boy in the Cesarewitch.  Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest information on the stable runners.

Chepstow Race Sponsorship

On Friday at Chepstow, I am sponsoring the final race on the card, the Conditional jockey’s handicap chase over three miles.  I have two entries in the race, Lock Out and Dindin so it would be great to win some of the prize money back but I am looking forward to hosting a box full of guests for the afternoon and it is good to give something back to the courses when you can.

Chepstow Charity Race

As part of the days racing at Chepstow on Friday there is a charity race, the Welsh Jumps Jockeys Derby in aid of @LATCHWales.  This is a Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, which supports children and their families when they need it most.  I know it is a charity close to the heart of trainer Christian Williams with what his family have been through in recent times and it is good that racing is able to support this cause.  Last year, Conor Brace won the race and I know there is fierce but fun rivalry between all the jockeys taking part.  Jack Tudor is in the race and I am providing a horse for him to ride but I shall keep the name of his mount a secret for now! 

First Aid

Like within many industries, you have to keep up to date with protocol and staff training.  Three of our members of staff spent the day on Friday renewing their first aid certificates.  We are grateful to our staff who volunteer to be first aiders and we have two more member of staff on a slightly different cycle so that we are well covered through sickness, holidays and all eventualities.  Accidents do happen, especially when horses are involved  but we always try to minimise risk and it is great to have so many first aid trained staff to help if situations to arise.  We also have our own defibrillator on site, and while thankfully we have not needed to use it since getting it about five years ago, it gives us peace of mind to have it on hand and all the staff and receive training on how to use it in an emergency.

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