Welcome back - Shilpa returns to the yard

                It was great to welcome the lovely Shilpa back to the yard on Wednesday.  She has been at the vets in Newbury (O’Gorman, Slater & Main) since her last run at Southwell on 4^th March where she was running well until she was struck into and 30% of her tendon was severed.  This is an improvement on the original estimate of 75% of her tendon.  Shilpa was wearing hardback tendon boots to help protect from this type of injury but the impact went in just above the boot and then in underneath.  Very unfortunate.

                This type of injury can be life threatening and luckily it was only 30% damage.  The more it is, the more trouble you are in plus there is also the threat of infection in the tendon sheath with a greater risk on her life.  After she was stabilised at Southwell racecourse, we drove straight to the Equine Hospital in Newbury and dropped Shilpa off.  It became apparent after 24hrs that she did have an infection so she underwent a general anaesthetic to have the sheath flushed out (with 30 litres of saline!).  Shilpa has pulled through remarkably well and she has certainly been in very good hands as they have been on the case for everything and the treatment has been second to none. 

                Tracey Sloan, who is part of EPDS Racing, and the equine advisor has been to see her numerous times and given her a groom and some carrots, bought her a new rug and checked up on her treatment and progress.  To be honest, I was dreading what colour the rug would be, as I know Tracey had mentioned pink..…but luckily it is a dull pinky red rug so she is allowed to keep it on! 

                For those who know Shilpa, she is one hell of a roller who loves her straw bed second to none so seeing her come back to her lovely clean and fluffed up stable and immediately make it her own was truly amazing.  Some pictures of her below.  We shall be looking after her and hopefully in the next few months update you on her progress and her road to recovery.

Flight Lieutenant Camilla Howard and The Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown

                It is with great excitement that I can give you all a brief on Flight Lieutenant Camilla Howard.  Camilla has been riding out for us since October last year with a view to riding in The Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown on Friday.  Camilla has passed her fitness test up at The British Racing School (which I can tell you is no mean feat!) and is awaiting news on her application for an amateur’s jockey licence.  Fingers crossed she hears soon!

                Camilla has secured herself a horse, trained by Seamus Mullins and has been schooling at Seamus’ as well.  We recently had a photographer to the yard to take some pictures of Camilla with Benozzo Gozzoli (the horse she has mainly been riding whilst here) as there is a wee bit of press excitement about Camilla riding in the race.  She will be the first female RAF jockey in The Grand Military and only the second RAF jockey in the race’s history.  Camilla is also following in the footsteps of her grandfather who rode in The Grand Military six times in the 1950s.  She has grown up around horses – from Pony Club to eventing and also qualifying point-to-pointers at her local hunt. 

Camilla has always watched The Gold Cup with her family at Sandown and has somehow managed to keep her training, assessments and application for an Amateur’s licence as well as a ride in The Grand Military a total secret from her family.  If you know Camilla and are reading this – DO NOT BLOW THE SECRET!  Her family are currently asking her about what she is organising for the picnic on the day and so far she is thinking how is she going to appear wearing her breeches and be all ready for the race with food certainly not on her mind!  This is going to be a real surprise for her family and I am sure her mother will be shedding a few proud tears.  Camilla is nervous and excited about the race and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the horse stays fit and healthy until Friday 8^th March.  Good luck Camilla and fingers crossed!  I certainly think you are very brave.

Camilla Howard and Benozzo Gozzoli