George Baker's Blog

But still dry....

No runners yesterday. But a busy morning out on the gallops, firstly in thick fog and then under blue skies....

Early afternoon to Sandroyd. To watch Barney B open the bowling. With a little bit of attitude. Which is no bad thing. As long as it is channelled in the right direction. As with the horses....

And then to London. To The Derby Club dinner. En route, the traffic was in meltdown in central London. Caused in part by a demonstration. Which appeared to be a demonstration demonstrating for the right to demonstrate. Which is what they appeared to be doing. So I guess they got their way....

The Dinner at The Savoy. As a guest of David Russell (Billyrayvalentine, Sweet Ophelia, Nenge Mboko). Seated between David and Nick Gaselee, and one away from William Russell and Peter Walwyn. A very good dinner, and lovely to hear the Party Politics tale from Nick....

Some nervous and excited Classic aspirants in the room. Messrs Balding, Lanigan, Tregoning, Herbert et all have some excitement to come....

London in meltdown again as I tried to get out of town shortly after midnight. A couple of road closures for the Jubilee causing the mayhem. How will it be for the Olympics ?? And the M4 flyover beyond Chiswick closed. This seems to be the "go to" closure late at night in London. I wonder whether there really was anybody doing anything useful up there at dead of night. Or just somebody "justifying" a job. A couple of "spot checks" from the Minister of Transport would be interesting. To see what really goes on behind the cones.....

With the arrival of the warmer weather came renewed hope that the string were about to burst into form....

We did not run much during the damp days of April and May. A season could easily be left behind on bottomless ground. So we have been patient. Which is not always easy. A few runners in ultra competitive all weather races. A few horses who we believed would cope with the prevailing soft ground conditions. Some did. Some categorically did not....

Now that the forecast is set fair, we have plenty of horses ready to run. But there is no guarantee that just because the weather is better, so the horses will start winning. But there is hope around the yards that we are on the cusp of loosing off a few potent shots at the target. The big Festival meetings of high summer around the corner. Which is when we want the team at their peak....

A good day yesterday. An "across the card" double. Candida and Valerie to Lingfield, in company with Jeremy Gompertz, a great friend and supporter over the last couple of years....

Petite Georgia our first runner. Drawn 7 of 8. Not ideal on debut, but at least she could be kept wide of the kickback. Pat Cosgrave rode, and was pleased with her. 4th. And plenty more to come. A good beginning....

Our next runner was Dark Ages. At Chepstow. Where I had headed, dutifully paying my £6 to cross the border into Wales. Anneli winning yet another "Best Turned Out" prize. Well past her half century in under 18 months. A remarkable and brilliant achievement. Richard Hughes maintaining his 100% strike rate for us. Two from two. Dark Ages always doing just enough through the final furlong to prevail by a "cosy" half length. She is no superstar, but she has a tremendously willing attitude. Which counts for so much.....

This was only a 0-65 Classified Stakes. Meaning that off a mark of 65 you are always going to be well in at the weights against some of the opposition. She was the best horse "on paper". She was the best horse on the track as well. Richard said that she would get seven furlongs (yesterday's race was over 6), and that she "got away" with the ground. Which was officially changed to "Firm" soon after her race.... 

Back to Lingfield. Monsieur Barzalona completing his "hat trick" for the day aboard Waspy. This filly ran off a mark of 45. Which is a mark which means that you run when you get into a race as opposed to making a cunning plan. I had spied something in her earlier races, and kindly Jeremy Gompertz and Patrick Milmo gave us the chance to have a go with her....

She showed a modicum of encouragement at Brighton and Chepstow on her first two starts for us, but yesterday's win was a big step forward. Very pleasing to train a winner for Patrick and Jeremy who have had much success down the years with their homebred horses....

Patrick's text message post-race started with the words, "Holy Mackerel !!" Priceless....

And so a good day at the office. Which is how we like our days to be.....

The odd shower forecast. I don't think that we are going to get wet, but I guess a few Racecourses could no with a little help in keeping the "jar" out of the ground.....

Three runners today. At two different venues. In two different countries. Dark Ages headed to Wales. She has run respectably on her two starts for us, and will have the benefit of Mr Hughes in the saddle today. After Percythepinto's victory last week, Richard is 100% for us. I hope that he maintains that particular record....

And two to Lingfield. Waspy is rated in the low 40's. And so it is difficult to pick and choose targets. We have to run her where she gets in. In the hope that she will improve up the handicap, giving us the chance to "pick and choose"....

Petite Georgia, George Baker's full sister, on debut. None of ours are ever wound up for debut day to be "D Day". More important is that debutants have a progressive experience. Ideally one that they can move forward from. This is a talented filly, but it would be no surprise if a couple were a little more "streetwise" than her today.....

Very hot here yesterday. Ludicrously, it was almost too hot to sit outside. As we did after 4th Lot, Programme Books thrown around the table.....

In the background, England completing a Test (and Series) victory over the West Indies. The Windies have not rolled over. But one mad session (Sunday evening) was enough to tip this match in favour of the world's number one side....

First Lot will be getting to the gallops now. Time to jump on the quad and head out there. And then we will work out in which direction we are all headed today. To "Leafy" or to Welsh Wales....

Which is a whole heap better than "Wet, wet, wet". Which is what the majority of May was all about.....

I sense that the horses feel the change. For the better. Pulling out under "slate grey Old Trafford skies" (Good Morning, Cousin Harry...) does nothing for the morale of man nor beast. A little sun on their collective backs. A little more swagger in the walk. More energy in their work. A sense that we have been "marking time", waiting for the better weather and with it the better ground....

Yesterday morning, Patrick, Valerie and I settled down in the sunshine. A couple of programme books, a laptop, a notebook or two. Making plans. And for the first time in a long time, I felt that we were making plans that have a chance of not being thrown to all corners by the wildness of the weather. We shall see....

The Programme Book for the third quarter has landed. Filled with the allure of the July meeting at Newmarket, Glorious Goodwood, the Ebor at York, and beyond.....

Saturday was a long day. Made longer by the fact that Billyrayvalentine failed to sparkle in his race at York. Frankie was sensibly not hard on him on seasonal debut, and I know we will have better days with BRV. He has strengthened up over the winter, and also his mental demeanour has changed massively. Last season's coiled sprinter is now a much more relaxed individual. His pedigree suggests that he needs further than five, and we will step him up for his next race......

Four and a half hours from Whitsbury to York. But a thoroughly enjoyable day on the Knavesmire. William Russell making the journey north, and we secured a decent "drop zone" for lunch in the Owners and Trainers Bar. A huge crowd, basking in the blazing sunshine. Racing has no problems at all in getting the turnstiles clicking. Getting people to go racing is not a problem, as increased attendance figures from around the country show. The big problem is clearly with prize money. And that particular conundrum will take an awful lot of sorting out......

My personal highlight of the afternoon being a conversation with Dandy Nicholls. During which William and Dandy compared the respective merits of Yorkshire and Essex girls. I listened and learned.....

The long drive south made easier by having the Test Match Special team for company. People with nil interest in cricket tune in for the banter and the craic, and I was relieved to have something decent to listen to. Sadly, when play came to a close, the option became either a dull football friendly or the Eurovision Song Contest....

West Indies have put up more of a fight than some people imagined they would be capable of. But they are still coming a long second to a very good cricket team, who are capable of raising their intensity levels when needs must....

No runners today. But the week looking pretty busy ahead. A couple of the 2-year-olds set for debut, including George Baker's full sister Petite Georgia at Lingfield tomorrow. An enthusiastic gang have a leg in her, headed by twin brothers Dan and Adam Wain. And the "other" QPR supporter Keith Lovelock. Along with several others. A minibus booked. I am sure they will have a great day, win, lose or draw.....

And finally.......

Huge congratulations to MIck Channon and his team on their Classic success yesterday. Long overdue....

Just breezed a few of the 2-year-olds. 6.30 on the gallops on a morning like this is a good place to be.....

As was Goodwood yesterday. George Baker under Frankie Dettori running a decent race without ever really looking like he was going to win. The slow pace not helping, and he also got a good nudge and a bump at the two pole that did not help.....

York today. Another long day in the car. Billyrayvalentine making his seasonal debut. Frankie on board again. The weather has finally relented, and Billyray has his favoured fast ground. His season starts here....

A little hazy. But that wonderful haze that we get in this country before the onset of a really beautiful day. An early morning chill, but already the feel that this is going to be another "scorcher"....

Andrew Tinkler with us yesterday morning for a couple of lots. The "summer jumping" cupboard looking a little bare, but Tinks was able to sit on I'm Fraam Govan for the first time in a long while. And was pleased with him. I suspect that we will give him one more run in a bumper before assessing our options....

A couple of runners yesterday. Jacks Revenge again trading at long odds on in running. Before finishing second. Again. Infuriating when a horse gets a case of seconditis. But a whole lot better than a case of seventhitis. Nearly our first Haydock winner. But not to be. I have the distinct feeling that Jack could run the same race in a moderate seller and in a decent handicap. He does travel supremely well, but then thinks that he has done enough......

The "decent handicap" route certainly more alluring than the "seller" route....

It's A Girl Thing a disappointment at Salisbury's evening meeting. She has ability, but does not try very hard at the moment. Frustrating. But a different frustration to Jack who is an infuriating but loveable rogue. He would be good fun to bump into at a bar. She, on the other hand, would be the surly one sulking in the corner....

Candida and I missing Salisbury for dinner at Goodwood House. The place looking magnificent, bathed in early evening sunshine. Drinks outside. Before a delicious dinner. I was placed between journalist Gary Nutting and John McCririck. Entertaining.....

And then Nick Luck hosting a quick preview of the Goodwood season ahead. Good to see George Baker's pretty head (the horse) and Edie Campbell's smiling face on the video....

And then, much to my surprise, I was called upon by Nick. To chat about last year's charity race. The good news story which it engendered, and which spilled off the racing pages into the mainstream media. The massive amount of money raised. The interest around the paddock pre-race, and in the Winner's Enclosure post race.....

You may remember my disappointment at the time that a journalist had launched into a barbed and pretty vitriolic attack on the concept. Without even mentioning the enormous sum raised, and the racing "good news" story that created national interest in our sport. We are all entitled to our opinions. I my opinion remains that his was wrong and ill conceived, and smacked of a lazy journalistic attack at a soft target.....

Elsewhere, the coverage was overwhelmingly positive. I hope it is the same this year. Edie is up for the challenge. So are we.....

And finally....

Henrietta Knight retires from training. Leaving a legacy of great horses skilfully handled. She was very good...

Yesterday. Which has coincided with a few of us being knocked sideways by the flu. Which is a little unfair, methinks......

Richard Hughes maintaining his 100% record for us at Chepstow yesterday. "Maintaining" would be a little misleading. Percythepinto was actually his first ride for us. And what a peach it was.....

A typical "Hughesie waiting ride". Sitting a mile off the blistering pace set by the pacesetters, Richard allowed Percy to creep into the race before surging through the pack close home. "Cosily".....

Daigo has done a fantastic job in recent weeks to get the headstrong Percy to settle, and hopefully he will now give himself more of a chance of finishing his races. Richard suggested a step up in trip would also suit. We shall see.....

I was at Barney and Tallulah's school, so the "A team" of Candida and Valerie at Chepstow to saddle the runners there. C's parents Richard and Libby Evans on hand to greet their winner. Apparently the mood changed from doom (after a furlong or two) to excitement (at the furlong pole) pretty quickly.....

I'm Watching improving on her debut effort with a much more "streetwise" performance, breaking well from the stalls and travelling nicely through the race. She is still a little weak, but this was encouraging....

As was the run of Waspy over the minimum trip, although Monsieur Barzalona was unlucky to run into all the trouble going. Consistently denied a run, Waspy was flying fast (but too late) at the finish. She will have her day.....

Whilst all this excitement was happening down in Wales, I was at an "assessment" for Tallulah. At least I was not the one being assessed. Allowing me the chance to catch an over or two of Barney Baker hitting the ball to all corners....

Slightly fresher out there this morning. But the promise of another lovely day. This weather doing the team, both human and equine, the power of good. A relief when the waterproofs are not the first item of clothing that one reaches for. And the horses benefitting massively from a bit of sun on their backs....

The ludicrous wet weather has meant that we have all had to be very patient. Several horses "teed up" and ready to run, but having engagement after engagement crossed out by the rain. There is a long season ahead, and I hope that by swerving the horrible ground we will benefit in the long run....

There is no denying that the past couple of months have stretched our patience, but maybe a long hot summer is in store as "payback". The horses really coming to themselves, and much hope around the place that the team is ready to fly....

We have been ticking away with a few winners here and there, but most of our horses have gone nowhere near the racecourse. I hope that that is all about to change.....

Five runners in the end yesterday. Remarkably, Nottingham went from "Good" overnight to "Good to Firm, Firm in places". I am not sure what the Nottingham executive thought of this dramatic change. What I am sure about is that being a Clerk of the Course is a pretty thankless task. "Remarkable". I think I had best leave it at that......

A long day. One of those long days when each and every telephone call seems to bring with it another conundrum to deal with. A taxing day.....

Nottingham. Charles Tyrwhitt and Bugsy's Boy on wasted journeys. Frustrating. Travel is not cheap. Relentless Harry running a decent race to be 4th in the opener, but he seemed a little "stumbley" (I am sure that is not a word, but you know what I mean...). Frankie was pleased enough with him, and he will be out next on a "fairer surface".....

Brighton. National Hope running all right to be third. She tried. Which I am not always convinced she has done in the past. Third. "All right".....

And Refreshestheparts always playing "catch up" from the worst of the draw. And struggling on the undulations. Her next run will be at a more conventional track....

Kempton. Bountybeamadam on debut. A fantastic turnout from her owners who were all in attendance. A decent start for the filly who took the whole experience well. She is still right at the bottom of the learning curve, and she will give us much fun in the months ahead......

Nick and Angela Bray, Marcus Locock, and Will and Justine Wallis providing an amazing picnic in the car park. I never thought that I would write "picnic" and "Kempton Park" in the same sentence. But we may have started a trend. A picnic of Royal Ascot proportions. Great company. Warmth in the air. The beginning of summer....????

If this is how this team plan to entertain on the racecourse every time Bountybeamadam runs, I will be endeavouring to run her every week......!!

Dana's Present ended our day in the 9.00. He ran all right. Rather like National Hope earlier in the day. All right. Which is not very exciting.....

Chepstow today. Possibly four runners. More likely three.....

I will be at Tallulah's school for an "assessment". Not sure whether it is me or Tallulah who is being assessed.......

Scattered to all parts today. Seven runners at three different meetings......

Relentless Harry the first "out of the traps" at Nottingham. He must have a decent chance under Frankie. Bugsy's Boy on the comeback trail, again under Frankie, and he is bound to tighten up for the run after so long off. Charles Tyrwhitt looking to put the disappointment of his Goodwood "effort" behind him......

Down to Brighton where National Hope is in the "last chance saloon". She needs to replicate her homework on the racecourse. And Refreshestheparts in the last, a competitive 16 runner handicap. She has strengthened up since last season, but will definitely come on for this first run of this year.....

A mad dash to Kempton. Bountybeamadam making her debut in the maiden. She has been working well, and I hope for an encouraging start. Ted Durcan rides. And finally Dana's Present in the last, by which time the day will have seemed a long one. Dana's Present another in the "last chance saloon" having failed to sparkle on the track.....

Busy. I would settle for one winner right now......

Two runners yesterday. Dark Ages not getting the clearest of passages at downtown Dunstall. Third. Which seems to be her preferred finishing position. A consistent sort who will win in her turn.....

And Sutton Sid up at Nottingham. Very disappointing, especially as the form of his debut second at Lingfield had been franked. We will back right off Sid now. Give him a proper break and freshen him up for midsummer and late season targets. He remains a horse of great potential, and I know that we will in time be able to put a line through last night's poor showing....

A beautiful morning. Talk of a "mini heatwave". Certainly has the feel of a warm day already......

England taking a 1-0 lead in their Test series against the West Indies. Made to fight a little harder than looked the case at the start of the weekend. The Lords pitch looking a belter to bat on for all five days. But Test Matches should last the distance. It will be fascinating to see South Africa here in August by which time, remarkably, the Olympic Games will be over !!  

Sitting at the other end of the kitchen table. Opening numerous cards and presents. A 10-year-old boy and an 8-year-old daughter !! How grown up am I.....?!

Thirsk on Saturday. A very long way. But all motorway. And Saturdays not a bad day to travel. Better than taking on the midweek madness of our motorway system.....

The overnight rain scuppering our plans. The course walked just on the easy side of good. But rode a lot slower. Ted Durcan described it as "proper soft". Frustratingly, Jollification was in the first race. If she had been due to run later on the card, we would not have run.....

This lovely filly took the long journey and the whole experience in her stride, and is blessed with the most relaxed demeanour. We will wait for better ground (which is what we had headed north in search of....!!) before taking her to the races again. A relief that owners Jules and Ali Pittam had not flown in for the race, but they will have plenty of fun days going forward with this filly.....

Good to see our "Northern Rep" Fi Webber at Thirsk. Fi lives very nearby, and is a great help when we send runners on the long treks to Yorkshire and beyond....

No runners yesterday. The last "blank" day for a while. Probably the last day for a long time that I will be able to spend with the children. I took Barney and his schoolmate Tom Rock to Lords....

Attritional stuff from the limpet-like Chanderpaul. Who deserved a century, but fell just short. One of the joys of Lords being the chance to applaud a player off the pitch from within the Long Room. Chanderpaul passing within a foot of me, his bat raised to acknowledge the applause......

Cold. A biting wind. Not exactly Test Match weather. But a joy to be with Barney. My cousin Harry and his son Casper with us, along with Steve Graydon....

England looking slightly vulnerable as they chase down 191 for victory....





   

Is quite a long way from Whitsbury.....

As I am about to discover. Jollification, Julian and Ali Pittam's Acclamation 2-year-old filly, making her debut at the Yorkshire track. We head north in search of decent ground. Jollification travelled up yesterday, and took the journey like a seasoned old handicapper....

The draw (drawn 2) has not been kind, and there are certainly a couple of likely sorts in opposition. But we go there in the hope that this speedy filly has a progressive debut experience.....

Salisbury Racecourse early yesterday morning. We worked eight horses in three lots on beautiful ground. Several of the 2-year-olds doing their first racecourse gallop, and acquitting themselves pleasingly. Petite Georgia, George Baker's full sister, ready to make her debut shortly. And Boomshackerlacker progressing well, as is the Singspiel 2-year-old Red Four. A good morning. And an exercise to be repeated through the summer the morning after race meetings....

A good effort from some of the lads who own Petite Georgia to be with us so early. I hope they found somewhere decent for breakfast on the way home....

Back home for a couple of meetings through the morning. Before heading back to Lords for the afternoon and evening sessions. An imperious century from Andrew Strauss who, apparently, has been under pressure to score some big runs. To my mind, he has not appeared hopelessly out of touch. But yesterday's innings must have come as a huge relief, and his celebrations as he cut the ball for four to bring up his ton were heartfelt and meant. The crowd responding to the moment.....

A century as England Captain in front of a packed house at Lords. It cannot get much better than that.....

The only surprise from Lords has been the absence of TLNCK. Apparently, he has switched into "hunter gatherer" mode of late. If he is not lobbing hand grenades into Scottish rivers to fill the boot of his car with dead salmon, he is jumping aboard private planes to truffle hunt in the French Provinces. It cannot be long before TLNCK has his own TV show......




 

I could get used to this.....

We are about to head off to Salisbury Racecourse to work nine horses. Always a good exercise, especially for the unraced two-year-olds. Who hopefully will not be not be in such awe of the raceday experience if they have been on a couple of these trips. Opportunities to gallop on the racecourse are limited to the morning after racedays. This is the first time we have done it. And I have no idea whether several other trainers will be there.....

I managed to make it to a chilly Lords yesterday. An "attritional" day, the West Indies digging in. But with nine wickets down, England definitely emerged on top. Chanderpaul dogged and determined as ever. Not the most elegant of cricketers, and a stance to make the purists cry, but he "gets the job done".....

Several friends and owners (luckily, most of the latter are the former as well...) in attendance. Doing our best to stay out of the chilly wind. A few more shares sold in Eton Rambler. Matt Fleming, once of Kent and England and now with a badge around his neck that accesses all areas of Lords, stepping up to the plate. Taking us to 111. 120 needed. David Shepherd would have enjoyed the fact that it is Matt who has taken us to "Nelson". And would be hopping around on one leg with a beaming smile across his jovial face.....

The forecast less good for later today. But when it stops raining, they play cricket at Lords. Since the advent of the new state of the art drainage system....

"Dry". What a relief to wake up to the sound of birdsong rather than horizontal sleet lashing against the windows. A few more days of this, and we might actually have some runners on a regular basis. Plenty of entries for next week in the Racing Calendar. How many of them will actually set foot on a racecourse, I wonder....

Three to Kempton yesterday. I had planned to head that way to watch work, but then the "delights" of admin took over. A morning with my head buried in my laptop, fighting a fire or two. Frustratingly, having to pass on some distinctly average news about their horses to some owners. The hardest part of this job....

But the news filtering back from Kempton was good. Kempton becoming our new "downtown Dunstall". There is no substitute for a proper racecourse gallop. The vagaries of the M3 at rush hour do not make this trip as easy as the one to DD, but still a very worthwhile exercise....

Salisbury Racecourse tomorrow morning to work a few. That is an altogether easier journey.....

Barney Baker playing his first game of cricket of the summer term. The lack of runners allowing us the chance to head to Sandroyd to watch him. In the sun !! I had no idea that watching one's son bat would be so exhausting. From the boundary's edge, I played every ball with him. I put my hands to my head in despair as an agricultural swipe across the line missed off stump by a coat of paint. I beamed with pride as a cultured off drive raced over the ropes.....

The forward defence not a massive part of his repertoire at the moment. Much to his father's frustration. But much more fun to smash it to all corners. He is only 9, and playing cricket must be fun at this age. The restrictions of building an innings can wait for a year or two. He had moved to 30 before a horrible cross batted smear resulted in middle stump being knocked out....

But it was a very proud father who drove away from Sandroyd, headed for Amesbury and the first 20/20 of the season for Rockbourne Cricket Club. We did not come second. We did not emulate the darts team. We won. On a beautiful, sunny evening. That made the Recreation Ground at Amesbury look a reasonably alluring venue. Under ashen grey skies, this would not be a venue of choice.......

"The Independent Bookmakers Stand" at one end of the ground. Beside the football pitch. A pavilion / clubhouse that can only be described as "basic" at best. Not one that an architect pored over for more than a nanosecond. A low lying outfield saturated in recent weeks. The ball stopping where it landed. Splat !!

A little sore in the shoulder this morning. A first bowl for very many months. Coming on when the game was all but won. At a time when it was very definitely "hit or miss" from the Amesbury middle order. Some missed. It would be remiss of me to boast about my figures, suffice to say I took less than five wickets. And more than three.....

I am hoping to make it to Lords later today. To meet up with several of our owners. After my display last night, I will be leaving my cricket bag in the car in case Jimmy Anderson tweaks an ankle in the warm-up.....?!


 

And not as gusty as yesterday......

Standing on the gallops yesterday morning was a chilly experience. A bracing wind.....

Not as bracing, though, as the wind I encountered on the coast later in the afternoon. I took the dogs for a walk near Corfe Castle. Bracing.....

A beautiful coastline. With the slightly surreal sound of machine gun fire from the clifftops to the west. The Army Ranges at Lulworth. The occasional "boom" of a heavy gun. Not a good sound to be on the wrong end of, for sure......

Off to Kempton now. To work a few. Cannot get enough of the place...?!

Lunch en route to Lulworth....!!

Just now. Often much warmer down here on the "bottom" yard. Where we live. A couple of degrees colder on the top "Manor" yard. And then colder again out on the gallops....

Blue skies as I climbed aboard the quad bike to watch first lot just now. I should not have "climbed aboard the quad bike". A Land Rover morning. As I discovered out on the gallops....

A February morning. A biting, chill wind. Almost coastal. The type of "bracing" (another way of saying "effing freezing"..) wind that one expects along the shoreline. But at least we are dry at the moment. And dry is good....

The dust settling on that remarkable afternoon of football on Sunday. Sport will always defy logic. Sport will always captivate us. Watching a few of the post-match interviews, it was clear that several of the protagonists were "shell shocked" by what had gone on.....

Where does the Premier League take us from here ?? A blue moon rising over Manchester. But you can bet your last dollar that over the road at Carrington, plans are already being made. Usually, I am pleased when the Football season comes to an end. And Cricket gets a chance on the back pages. But I am already looking forward to next Football season.....

And so often when sport throws up the utterly remarkable, it follows up with more of the same. It would not surprise me at all if we are in a similar, last day scenario in 12 months time....

No runners until the end of the week. And so an admin day yesterday. Quite a lot of the "admin day" revolving around the new Eton Rambler syndicate. The Eton Ramblers being the Eton old boys cricket team, and celebrating their 150th Anniversary this year. We have put together a syndicate of Club members and have raised £60,000 to buy a breeze-up 2-year-old. The horse will be called Eton Rambler. Will run in the club colours. And is by Hard Spun.....

It has been noted that not many Rambler cricketers have "hard spun" a cricket ball. With the possible exception of England cricketer Alex Loudon. Even club stalwart Johnny Barclay, the former Sussex captain, by his own admission never "hard spun" the cricket ball....

I cannot remember an afternoon of such intense drama. Right up there with Botham's Ashes, Red Rum, Desert Orchid, that last afternoon at The Oval in 2005 as England regained the Urn, Sjolskaer's European Cup winning strike, England's rugby team winning the World Cup.....

Seminal sporting moments that are forever seared into the memory.....

When the dust settles, the bare facts are that Manchester City are crowned Champions. And QPR are safe......

But those two short statements of fact bear no relation to the intense drama of the final few minutes of what has been an utterly compelling season......

And to add a personal angle to the day, we trained a winner for Sir Alex. I'm Fraam Govan cruising home on a tight rein at the exact moment that Manchester City scored their late, late decisive goal....

It will be of scant consolation to Sir Alex, but he does own a very nice horse. I cannot recall training such an easy winner in the four years that we have been doing this job. A hack canter would best describe how much this exciting prospect needed to exert himself......

I did not expect to talk with the owner last night. But he called to hear all about it. "Scant consolation", I know, but a ray of light on an otherwise supremely difficult day......

A busy work morning on Saturday. Giles and Felicity Irwin, and Nadine Cobham here to watch their two 2-year-olds (Sakhees Secret and Singspiel). Jules and Ali Pittam, and Jules' aunt and uncle Nick and Hilary to see Jollification (Acclamation 2-year-old) do her final piece before debut. Justine Wallis and Robbie Streatfield (Bountybeamadam). And Charlotte and Zara Sims to watch "Bertie" (Kings Ciel). I managed not to burn the sausages.......

All good on the work front. And a dry weekend giving us a bit of hope on the ground front. Although the forecast for the rest of this week is pretty average....

Plus ca change......

Candida and Valerie in Paris for the Arqana Breeze Up Sale at Saint Cloud. And securing a daughter of Hat Trick for a new owner. 80,000 euros. Home already having travelled through yesterday. An exciting prospect.....           

So says the man on the radio. The man on the radio appears to be correct. Certainly with the "chilly" bit. Nearly a frost. Not quite, but not the feel of a May morning......

Dry at Lingfield yesterday. And sunny. The turf track saturated, and the two day card transferred to the allweather.....

A very pleasing debut from Sutton Sid in the 5 furlong maiden. We had, as I said yesterday, wanted to start him off over 6 furlongs and a straight track. And so asking him to ping around the Lingfield bends over five furlongs had not quite been the plan....

Sid broke all right. But took a while to organise himself. He must have been a good 10 lengths off the leader (and eventual winner) after a furlong. And was posted widest of all down the false straight and into the home bend. But he ran on to great effect to be second, giving us and owner Paul Bowden much hope going forward.....

Paul with us for the afternoon, and admitting to his first ever pre-race nerves. The first horse to run in his sole ownership. Paul has never been on hand to witness a horse that he is involved in win a race. I hope that Sid can buck that trend.....

Saharan Air improving a little with racing. "A little" might not be enough....

And Stepturn running with the choke out in the last. Not helping his cause one jot, and setting the race up for those closing from behind. Disappointing. Bobby Lorenz, Danny Baker and Dan Wain with us. There will be other days....

Just the one runner this weekend. I'm Fraam Govan at Worcester, making his debut in the bumper. A decent horse who will improve with experience. His owner will not be at Worcester. He has some rather more pressing football matters to deal with this weekend.....   

An interesting question from Tallulah as she drifted off to sleep last night....

What are they teaching them at school these days ?? Slightly more interesting than Ancient Greek.....

We all got very wet yesterday. Very, very wet. I do not think that it stopped raining all day. All day long. Goodwood abandoned. Chester a bog. The form of the races there to be treated with great caution going forward. The form of all form around the land at present to be treated with great caution going forward. Kelso was "Good" yesterday morning. But "Abandoned" by early afternoon. Nobody spared.....

A couple of half decent days (relatively...) expected. And then reverting to type...

And so back to the allweather today. Three at Lingfield. Sutton Sid, a lovely son of Dutch Art, making his debut. "Sid" has been ready to go for a while now, and we were hoping to start off on a straight track on turf. Instead, we end up going around a bend on the allweather. "Sid" is a fine prospect, but he will benefit massively from the experience....

Saharan Air in the maiden. A beautifully bred horse. The penny taking plenty of time to drop....

And Step Turn in the last. Who ran well on his first run for us when third at Warwick. But who, to my mind at least, hardly justifies his position as market leader (or thereabouts) on the back of that effort. A good looking horse who will win races. It would be great if he could start today, but quotes at around the 3/1 mark are not going to have me reaching for the wallet. Double that, and add a few, and he would be of each way interest....

The Saint Cloud Breeze Ups over the weekend. An order or two to fill.... 

Utterly, utterly miserable out there this morning. A high wind whipping the rain across the yard. Huddled figures slipping to and fro, their bodies arched against the elements. Gloomy. Depressing.......

It cannot and will not go on forever. Heavy ground everywhere. Apart from at Kelso, I notice. But sadly they have failed to lay on any 2-year-old maidens. "Patience is a virtue". I am not sure how much longer I can cope with being virtuous.....

And so it was back to the allweather last night. Not "Plan A" with either horse. But needs must. Missus Mills travelling well for a long way on her debut, before tiring up the home straight. She will come on plenty for this first competitive action.....

And Relentless Harry in a competitive Classified contest. Not getting the breaks. Shuffled back through the field, before making up ground fast (but too late) through the final quarter mile. RH needed to go to the races. We wanted to see him back on turf where he is undoubtedly a better horse, but that was not to be. But plenty of encouragement to be taken from last nights action....

Chester looked a quagmire yesterday. What a star turn Overturn is, emerging as the hero of the Chester Cup despite being beaten into second place by his stablemate. A One-Two for Donald McCain. Which is a pretty impressive effort....

It is going to be pretty taxing on the Roodeye this afternoon. Not a day for the faint hearted, equine or human....

It will be interesting to hear how Chester's in house betting operation has gone. Speaking with the Racecourse MD Richard Thomas at Bobby's lunch on Sunday, he was excited by the prospect. If this is a raging success, how much will the Tote (I mean Betfred) be marginalised elsewhere...?? A fascinating test case scenario. I am not sure how much of the profits go directly into Chester Prize money, but this is a brave move, and one to be monitored by other tracks....

No runners today. The highlight will be the return home tonight of Barney and Tallulah. Barney spent last week on a PGL trip to the Isle Of Wight. I imagined that PGL was a technical term. It is not. "Parents Get Lost". Looking forward to hearing all about it. And to seeing their happy faces. Great people for putting petty concerns into perspective, as I have said before. Love 'em.......

 Right, time to brave the elements. And order in those sandbags. Another dreadful day forecast.....

It's raining......

For a very short while yesterday, there was a hazy glow in the sky. Some of the elders of the village called this strange object "The Sun". The youth of the parish had no idea what they were talking about......

A dry morning on the gallops. Mike Slade here to see Secret Beau (Sakhees Secret) canter. I avoided smashing his car up with my landrover. TLNCK was not so careful on a recent visit by Mike to Bailey Towers. "Write-Off"...... 

Chester starting today. Always a thrilling spectacle, with many hard luck stories along the way. The Roodeye a unique racecourse. But horses who get into a rhythmn (even the big, long-striding sorts) can cope with the tightness of the track.....

We should be up there. An entry or two. But (tired record time) scuppered by the rain. Again....

Payback is going to come in the form of a magical, long summer. Royal Ascot will be played out under cloudless skies, and Glorious Goodwood will indeed be "Glorious".....

And so it is to the allweather that we turn again today. Missus Mills making her debut at Kempton. And Relentless Harry his seasonal return. There will not be a crowd like the one on Monday.....



     

When you are second to a horse that smashes up a course record, you are probably fair to surmise that we bumped into a pretty good one....

I was thrilled that Place In My Heart won the battle for second place. Behind the record breaking Exceedance. Who jumped and ran. 6 or 7 lengths clear before the others had raised a gallop. Visually very impressive. Kempton would have played to the winner's strengths and, whilst I am not suggesting that we will turn the tables, I am looking forward to seeing our filly on a more conventional track. When it stops raining......

It did not stop raining very much yesterday. The team riding out in heavy, hanging damp. They are used to it by now....

Kempton filled with a Bank Holiday crowd. Almost an atmosphere. But still the same old grumpy chef in the Owners and Trainers Bar, hovering over his joints of over cooked meat and stewing vegetables. "The smell of  Kempton". We were having a debrief drink with those members of the Turf Club syndicate who had braved the elements to attend. We were standing within hailing distance of the "friendly chef". But the manner in which we were "shooed" away from him suggested that we had been sitting on top of his prized joints. That would have been risky, judging by the colour of it..... 

A little brighter out there just now for first lot. Dry. Which is a start.......

No runners today. An admin day. What fun.....




  

"He waits; that's what he does."

"And I tell you what - tick followed tock followed tick followed tock followed tick....."

Like Ahab, we will have to wait. There is nothing else we can do. A gaggle of top of the ground performers ready to run. But run them and we might leave their season behind on bottomless, tacky, dead, dull ground....

Our owners want to go to the races. For heaven's sake, we are already past the Guineas meeting. The Chester Festival, the Dante meeting on the horizon, Royal Ascot upon us before we can blink.....

But another week of rain in the forecast. We had a couple of possibles for Chester. Or they were "possibles" a week or so ago. But no point in going now. We could have "a nice day out". The owners could have a "nice day out". A "nice day out" quickly becomes a pretty dispiriting experience when you are standing in the place for the "also rans" because your horse patently failed to handle the prevailing conditions......

As happened at Goodwood on Saturday. If Ted Durcan had had a walkie talkie down at the start, he would have told us not to run. Charles Tyrwhitt, who had handled "Good to Soft" at Warwick on debut, unable to get out of the way of his own hooves on the Soft ground. Ted knew on the way to the start. Which is why he looked after him through the race. He was not hard on CT. At all. We will wait for better ground. Tick, tock....

I would be lying if I pretended that this weather is not affecting morale. We all want to go to the races. And it is tough not being able to. But they do say something about patience being rewarded. When the summer does arrive, may it be long and fruitful.....

C and I to Cheshire yesterday. Bobby McAlpine's 80th Birthday party. A very fine gathering, and more than worth the long journey there and back. The autobiography, as I have already said, will make for fascinating reading.....

Several of us crammed in front of a TV to watch the 1000 Guineas. A remarkable performance from the winner, but the race overshadowed, inevitably, by the sad injury to Grey Pearl. The rule of Sod decreeing that an incident that I have never seen before should be played out in front of a large crowd, both on course and on television. Very sad.....

Football, Bloody Hell !! Teed up for the denouement next Sunday. QPR have their destiny in their own hands. It's going to be tough, though, because that destiny will come to fruition in the Etihad Stadium. Mark Hughes will be excited by the prospect of a little "payback". We will see.....         

For the first time since the Beatles split up and man walked on the moon, I will not be at Newmarket for the 2000 Guineas. Which is a shame. Always a great day. A day that sets up the rest of the season. And the day always buoyed with the hope of witnessing the extraordinary. Like Frankel 12 months ago.....

I will not be at my usual spot down by the big screen. Just after the furlong marker. Instead, I will probably be watching the race on a different big screen. At Goodwood. Nothing "Glorious" about the place today, judged by the heavy grey skies over Whitsbury this morning....

We head there with one runner, Charles Tyrwhitt. Who has bumped into a highly competitive Maiden over 7 furlongs. This looks a big ask for an inexperienced horse, but he did please us on debut at Warwick. Showing on that occasion that today's soft ground should hold no real fears. We shall see.....

I was a little bit further east along the south coast last night. Fontwell's evening meeting. Always very well attended. And good to meet up with Alex Viall and Alan King in the Owners and Trainers Bar. Alan had just trained Alex his first winner in his own colours. Hindon Road. A red letter evening for him. Alex and I were at Barings together, and spent too much time wearing out a well trod route to the Ladbrokes around the corner from America Square. Our paths have not crossed much in the intervening years, but it is no surprise at all that it is the racehorse that has caused us to see each other again....

Barney Boy our one runner. In the bumper, with Dominic Elsworth aboard as Andrew Tinkler was suspended. A fine, big horse. Who showed plenty last night, but who still needs to mature and strengthen into his frame....

What wins the Guineas ?? I have not seen the Racing Post yet. Pricewise ?? Looking at the race last night, I guessed Mr Segal would go for Trumpet Major.....

Intriguing betting. 13/8, and a bit of 7/4, available about Camelot. But last night Ladbrokes, who play the game of being embedded in the Ballydoyle camp very well, only going "Evens". I have not seen whether that is still their price this morning, but an indication that Ladbrokes fully expect an O'Brien clean sweep of both Guineas. The vibes for Maybe tomorrow are very strong.....

So Goodwood today. And then Shropshire tomorrow for Bobby McAlpine's 80th Birthday. I read in yesterday's Racing Post that Bobby is writing an autobiography. Now that will make for interesting reading. A life well lived.....

   

IYesterday, I watched a lot of horses. Of different sizes. And different shapes. Ridden by jockeys of differing quality. But similar enthusiasm.....

The day began at Kempton. Where we worked several. Having been there a few hours earlier. George Baker drawn wide and never able to get involved. Like all of us, he is waiting for the sun and the summer ground.....

Kempton pretty bleak early in the morning. We used to do this a lot at Wolverhampton from the old base in Warwickshire. We can never replicate the raceday experience. But we can do a little to minimise the "stargaziness" of debut....

The silver ring transformed into a Morroccan Souk. Stalls and trailers selling everything from grocery to haute couture. A remarkable sight....

The day, as I said, starting at Kempton. In the grey chill of early morning. The day ending in the grey chill of dusk. Watching another horse. Well, watching a pony to be precise. And a smiling gem of a girl enjoying every second of her riding lesson. I may well have caught pneumonia. But it was worth it.... 

Mikael Barzalona's first ride around the track yesterday. Aboard Dark Ages. We had a long and involved conversation in "pidgin" English in the paddock. Which involved a lot of arm waving and nodding. His English is not bad. My French is disgracefully lapsed. Schoolboy at best......

Anyway, he gave the filly the perfect ride. Her stamina just running out through the final furlong, and we will follow Monsieur's advice to drop her back to "sex" furlongs next time out.....

Irons On Fire not at all sorted by the crawl of a pace in his contest. Kieren hoped that he might be able to dictate from the front, but this long striding galloper does not quicken. He kept going all the way to the line, but had set the race up for the finishers. "Claimed by Mr L.A. Carter". We wish "Mr L.A. Carter" well with the horse. Will he call to ask about his new acquisition ?? We shall see.....

Those who claimed Poker Hospital did not. She ran her first race for new connections yesterday....

So two thirds. Not bad. But no cigar. And Danas Present struggling at Kempton. I am getting worried that he is a bit "tripless".....

We sponsored a race at Jersey Racecourse a week ago on Sunday. Coincidentally won by an old charge of ours, Major Maximus. With a 58-year-old jockey on board. Good effort !!!

Goodwood Racecourse have set up an affiliation with Les Landes Racecourse, under the auspices of Racing PR Guru Roger Hart. Along with Tim Vaughan and Alan King, we are involved in a push to attract owners from the Channel Islands to racehorse ownership on the "mainland." An interesting and exciting project to be involved in, and we very much look forward to heading out there soon. Hopefully with a runner or two. Very easy to do get to the Channel Islands from here. A lot easier than battling the motorways to Catterick, Thirsk and "points north".....

Just the one runner today. Like so many trainers across the country, we are desperate for some decent ground. But patience is the key. We could leave a horse's season behind by running on bottomless ground....

George Baker entered and declared for Ascot. But now running at Kempton. The whole meeting switched around the M25. We have a poor draw. But GB needs dropping in, and we have Lanfranco Dettori (who is one for one on him...) aboard. Unsurprisingly competitive, and GB's first run on the allweather since his winning spree last summer......

Driving back across the New Forest under a beautiful sky at dusk last night, we encountered a long and meandering traffic jam


. The cows were taking an awful long time to get home.....       

To go with the cloying damp. Dank and grey out there just now for first lot. Welcome to May !!?? Strangely humid. A storm in the offing ?? Certainly, we had a pretty dramatic one last night. "Thunderbolt and lightening, very, very frightening." Sadly no Galileo's around the place....

A busy morning yesterday. David Loder with us. To tweak a few things. With an idea or two. Which have been taken on board....

Just the one runner. Sergeant Troy. Demoted through the ranks now to "Private Troy". He ran "all right" to finish 4th at Kempton. Only just "all right" at this level....

Dark Ages and Irons On Fire to Lingfield. Mikhael Barzalona's first ride for us. After a lot of shenanigans over the weekend. It appears that his agent, Shippy Ellis, was incorrectly informed that Monsieur Barzalona would be eligible to "claim 5". Not so. It would have been bizarre if he had been able to....

Both contests poor affairs. Both horses with chances....

And I am hopeful of an improved performance from Danas Present at Kempton after a pretty average 2-year-old career.....

Advantage City. But not over. The mighty QPR still need to visit the Etihaad Stadium on the last day. If City need to win, and QPR need something to stay up, it will be a tense 90 minutes. Bound to be a "tense 90 minutes" whatever. We need a bit of help from Tottenham tonight against Bolton......