Sundays news

Tonights news is dedicated to our Ex racer, Stevey’s Lad who today so very sadly lost his life in a motorway accident on the way home from Horse of the year Show where he had been placed for the 2nd year running, this time for his new Owner, Donna Bamonte.

Stevey was a genuine racehorse and a talented show horse but he was also  a really sweet  character who used to make us laugh with his flapping lip on the stable door, and he had tried so hard in his new career. We are so sad for him and his Owner/Rider Donna  and Samantha Osborne.  Its not been the best of weeks to say the least.

My lovely horse Platinum finished sore after a rough race yesterday at Newmarket and he will have to have some time off now to recover. He has earned a well deserved break, he wont be going hurdling – a winter off is on the cards and he will be back at Dibble Bridge in the next couple of days.  he looked superb in the paddock yesterday, but clearly did not give his running  and has genuine excuses. Platinum will be back! I hope you have enjoyed reading the page about him leading up to the big day, shame there wasn’t the fairytale result, but that’s racing.  I am sure this will make you smile – I was watching the race from head on and I thought he was 4th!! It was only when the result was read out that i  realised I had actually been watching the ‘wrong’ horse – but before i go and watch the replay now I am sure it was bay with a white stripe…a fluffy noseband and pink and green colours rather like mine! Double disappointment, although the loss of Stevey’s lad  today puts it all into perspective, its only a horse race when all is said and done and there will be other days for him.

We have had a number of injuries and niggling problems to some of our very good horses  the past 10 days and it makes you realise you have to take the rough with the smooth – things can’t go right all the time, Most frustratingly, Agglestone Rock is back on the sidelines following a recurrence of a past leg problem, and Goldan Jess is also on a ‘before scheduled break’ but is on light walking exercise and its not too serious – I am sure he will also be back next Spring and sticking his determined bay head in front past the post again.

Partnership  Owners- I am about to update the partnership Page.

We are kicking off the new week tomorrow with 4 runners up to Musselburgh, although Phil will see how Dr Irv is in the morning before any decision is made about his participation as he ran on Saturday – he performed with credit on ground that was pretty soft underfoot.  If he doesn’t run we still have Worth a King’s and Burns’ Night representing us in the Stayers Final, and both have each way chances (we wish it was 2 miles rather than 1m 5f) . Burns Night now runs for the new ownership ‘The Kwik Syndicate’ and  we wish them and the Philip Kirby P’ship the best of luck in winning the valuable 1st prize for this big race.

Owners ‘Preesall Garage’ have been very patient with Elspeth’s Boy and we hope he rewards them with a win tomorrow in the Selling handicap – a talented but fragile  individual, Elser needs everything to go right but he has plenty of ability. Russ kennemore rides him for the first time but he has ridden winners in these colours on Andorn. He is pictured below – in a painting , at home with Phil and Indy –  and then in winning action at Haydock.