Galloping Horses: Headly's Bridge & Already Basking

Below we have some nice shots of the horses working yesterday on the grass gallops.  We have Headly’s Bridge (bay) in front, with the chestnut Already Basking (aka Biscuit) in behind.  We will introduce Already Basking to you properly at a later date.

Both the horses are working well with lovely head carriages, which will keep them strong through their backs.  Sam Goldsmith is riding Already Basking.  Many will remember Sam, who used to work for us and has now finished her degree at Reading University.  Sam has worked over the summer for Ralph Beckett and is now working for Andrew Balding.  Sam has an amateur licence and is very much hoping to becoming a jockey.  She is certainly in the right place and I am very pleased for her as Kingsclere is where I had my first job in racing and I would hope, that if she does her work well, she would be given every chance.  Both horses worked well and I'm pleased with them.

Headly's Bridge & Already Basking warming up

EPDS Racing - members visit

We welcomed the EPDS Racing syndicate to the yard on Saturday, 5^th October and it was great to see everyone and meet new members.  We organised for two horses to have their first schooling session over poles – Money Maid (aka Rosie) who is owned by EPDS Racing and our just broken in four yr old, Water Rail (aka Jem).

I’m not against showing owners their horse when they do grid work for the first time, as it can be a bit hit and miss, hopefully when they come back again they can see the improvement.  Money Maid was in fact foot perfect and a natural in shortening her stride and arching her back.  She just tended to over-bend a bit so we will school her next time without the rubber rein on.  She enjoyed it so much, it gave her real confidence and Tracey Sloan from EPDS managed to get a fabulous video of her being turned out in the paddock afterwards - as you can see, she is very pleased with herself!  I couldn't help but go to bed that night quite excited about her future.  It is worth noting that shares are still available in this exciting NH prospect.  Money Maid won her point to point by 25 lengths in Ireland.  She is only 5 yrs old and comes from an excellent family with her grand-dam (Maid of Money) winning the Irish Grand National by 10 lengths, amongst other top class Listed races.  Beating horses in her career like Waterloo Boy and Carvill’s Hill.  Below are Money Maid’s video links to YouTube taken by EPDS and also her advert in the Racing Post last weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTEQNWumleI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQEAJR_zLvE

Water Rail has only been ridden for a few weeks; I just wanted him to get his eye in.  He didn't like being in behind and much preferred to lead the older, more experienced horse – not a bad sign for a horse wanting to be in front! 

It was a super morning, I tried to explain to everyone what we were trying to get the horses to do and I hope it made sense to everyone!  We then headed back to The Angel Pub for a well-deserved pint (or 2!) and a great lunch – a perfect day!  Thank you to everyone for visiting and we hope to see you again soon.

European Trainer Magazine article - 'To shoe or not to shoe...that is the question'

I was delighted to be approached by Lissa Oliver who was writing an article on the rules and regulations in different countries on barefoot racing for The European Trainer Magazine.  It seems a long time ago now (2005) that I trained Saucy Night to be the first racehorse to win a race without wearing shoes.  In those days The Racing Post would make a big thing about it and say ‘the horse ran without shoes’ – now it is not even noticed!  Red Not Blue has now become the best racehorse we've trained to run without shoes with a career high rating over hurdles of 143.  He has won 10 races for us (over hurdles & chasing) and he has never worn shoes since he arrived at the yard back in 2009.  Hopefully you will enjoy reading the article via the link below - p.33 on the internet:

http://issuu.com/anderson-co/docs/issue_43_internet/1