A 4th at Exeter with Headly's Bridge

      It was wonderful to see Headly's Bridge coming back to form at Exeter last week when he ran on to finish 4th in a handicap chase. He had just begun to turn a corner a week before and will hopefully improve more. He came out of the race in a positive manner and we will look to run him over further next time. 
      Headly was ridden by young 7lb amateur Zac Baker. It is really good when you find a keen, young lad with a good attitude. Zac gave Headly a lovely ride and was in unison with the horse over the fences which to me is important. We are hoping that he can continue to ride him and build on a good relationship with horse, owner & trainer! We were really pleased for Headly's owner, Mrs Bridel, and are hoping to build on that run. The photo below is of Headly immediately after the race in the stables at Exeter racecourse. And for those that are interested, Headly ran without shoes.

Frosty mornings..

             We have had some lovely frosty mornings when out early on the gallops the past few days so I thought it was worth taking a few photos of Lester Symonds riding Headly's Bridge (who will be running again soon). We are very lucky that even before the ground had the sun on it there was plenty of give underfoot due to the tremendous thick old turf that has a bit of moss in it - something that you rarely see these days. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.

Update on Headly’s Bridge run at Chepstow

         Headly’s Bridge ran for the first time this season at Chepstow after a while off.  The ground was no where near soft enough for him as he really needs a bog to be seen at his best.  The ground was good but was safe for him so we decided to run.  The race also wasn’t run particularly to suit as they went steady and then flew up the straight.  I said to the jockey if his winning chance was gone then to keep hold of him and ride a race for him to finish well and that’s what he did.  Consequently he has come out of the race positively and ready to go again but we just need more rain.  Below are pictures of his preparations before his race doing grid work and also relaxing with his magic rug on! www.centurionsystems.com/therapulse

Autumn mornings

    A wonderful way to start the day up on the grass gallops. Superb Autumnal morning, just beautiful overlooking Salisbury Plain in one direction and the Wylye Valley in the other.  Both rider and horses enjoying their work!

Sunrise at the top of the grass gallops

'George'

                We have a smart 4yr old gelding by Stowaway in the yard at the moment – nicknamed ‘George’.  It is wonderful that he has returned to us as I broke him in last year.  He has been here for a month or so and has started cantering away.  I really enjoy having the young horses back that I’ve broken in and it is great to see them again on their journey into racing.  We have started grid work with him and he has taken to jumping like a duck to water. 

                The stallion Stowaway, George’s sire, sadly died last year but was a fine source of national hunt jumpers and sired the likes of top class horses Champagne Fever, Hidden Cyclone and Outlander, to name a few.  Stowaway was the son of the Derby winner Slip Anchor.  We are very fortunate to have George back in the yard and hope he goes on to great things.  Below are some photographs of him doing grid work and also on the grass gallops (for the first time).

George jumping for the first time

George on the grass gallops for the first time

That Monday morning feeling..!

      Interesting that the horses have been like this for the past two Monday mornings when I've been to get them in for work! No difference in how we humans feel sometimes on a Monday morning after a lovely weekend! 
      It is the same horse guarding each time in these photos so let's hope the others let him sleep at some point! Wonderful how they still have their natural wild instinct with one guarding, watching out for dangers, whilst the others sleep peacefully in the knowledge that they are safe.

Visit to East Lynch Stud

                During the summer when the horses are turned out for their break, we invariably manage to catch up with past horses we used to train and so it was lovely to visit ‘It’s Molly’ and meet her 3 week old foal by Franklin’s Gardens.  It’s Molly is at East Lynch Stud in the Porlock Vale on the edge of Exmoor, not far from Minehead, and the home of Derrick & Rosie Scott www.eastlynchstud.co.uk . It is the most beautiful place with one of the best views you will ever see.  The stud is on a hill where all the horses are turned out and I couldn’t help but think how good it would be for the youngsters to be regularly walking up and down that hill! 

                We became very fond of It’s Molly when she was here for starting and then for training, and it was pleasing to see that she has produced such a wonderful, strong and correct foal. It certainly starts you dreaming of things to come.  It was good to see around the stud and was interesting that all the foals by Franklin’s Gardens were so bold and friendly with great temperaments. It certainly counts for a lot.

                The purpose of our visit was to pick up our 2 yr old by Sakhee who had been down there since weaning.  He is going to be a big horse and will need time but he is now here, on the horse walker and being handled and no doubt we’ll do another blog on him separately soon.