Racing in a war zone…
But great to be here to look into the eyes of those who have ensured the welfare of our horses through these troubling times. I can see the strain and the tiredness, and there will be great relief when the International runners fly home out of Dammam on Tuesday…
Unforeseen circumstances inevitably take their toll, and the fitful sleep through unsettled night does not help. Massive credit to those who have kept the ship steady and afloat as wild waves toss and tumble…
A seamless journey into Saudi Arabia. And an untroubled border crossing into Bahrain across the Causeway. Not that surprising – there was hardly a traffic jam of congested cars desperate to head into The Kingdom…
To the stables to see the team, and then south to where I’m staying. The first sight of vast anti missile vehicles in the desert with soldiers hurrying to and fro, levelling barrels into bright blue sky…
After ten minutes of news scrolling in the shade of a tree, an almighty thump followed by machine gun fire. Puffs of white smoke high above as whatever it was was intercepted. “Jeez Georgie !!” Neil Callan from 50 yards away. Welcome to the war…
A reality check for us. But what has become the norm for our friends here. Just another missile or drone knocked out of the sky. And life moved on. Later, at the races, those who have been here for a while told me that they can tell the difference between a drone and a missile being taken out. And that the nightly “firework” display is becoming the norm….
DESERT COP running high and mighty to finish an excellent 3rd in the Turf Series sprint. He might go again today if all is well when he trots up shortly. He will be wrong at the weights, but hey ho…
NESTHORN is a proper horse, but weight stops trains. A welter burden and faster ground than ideal. I cannot wait to see him on his favoured ground back home…
GORDON GREY runs today. Lee Newman up. Impossible to be definitive about his chances, but running makes sense ahead of options when home…
Sirens and pinging alerts through the night. Fitful at best. A dawn run looking out over a serene sea. But “serene” is not the word…
