Monday 23rd March

Many of you will be pleased to hear that Stopped Out if fine following his 5th at Kelso, he has never been completely keen on jumping fences and we have been lucky to win two small field chases, but on this quicker ground he was ballooning them and when James brought him back he said that he jumps them as if ‘they are on fire’ . All connections are in agreement and Monty will be having some fun on the flat this Spring and Summer before a mid season break and a last season over hurdles as an 11 year old. He has been a fantastic horse throughout his career and it will be good to enjoy him for another year if he is still running as well as he has been this season.

Wolverhampton winner O’ly Roccs has been entered at Wolverhampton along with Chloe’s Image, they may run Thursday and we also have exciting novice handicapper ‘Hail the Brave’ entered at Wetherby on Friday, he had a bad cut after his last win but is looking and feeling well and we hope he can return in the same form as he was last seen. Phil had entered Factor Fifty at Wetherby but he will now  wait until Market Rasen on April 6th for a valuable 2m 3f handicap hurdle,  he loves this track and it should suit his 20 Owners better to come and watch him. Frankie schooled this morning and jumped very well.

Rachel from Rathbarry Stud sent us these photos of our Robin des Champs colt (same sire as Quevega and VATOUR) – he is looking lovey in the sunshine with Lady Chapp gleaming in her coat. She is likely to be covered by Presenting shortly.

We also received the good news that MUSIKHANI is safely scanned in foal to Fast Company, the sire of our Wolverhampton winner, Splash of Verve. She will be collected shortly and brought back to Dibble Bridge. We are looking forward to having the mares and foals back at Castleton this summer and a lot of new fencing in underway to foal proof our fields. Helen Wood has still not foaled, surely it will be tonight?? She was due on the 15th. next one due after that, Royalty – we are really excited about the arrival of Andorn’s foal.

Some photos of the boys at Castleton at present..

And the Flemensfirth filly who was floating round the paddock this morning, what a great looking mare she is to look forward to for The Gathering and The Gathered.

Ex racer News:

It was good to hear that our past multiple winner  ‘Royal Entourage’ made a highly encouraging start to his ridden showing career with a 2nd and 4th  in  huge Re Trained Racehorse classes  for Stacey Kay Bennett at the weekend. This is him last week but we will be getting a showing photo shortly.

And i was sent this photo by Bev who owns Astral Dram, here she is hunting with her daughter. Dram ran for us a long time ago, she was one of the original few we had to start off training.

Amazing King has been officially retired 100% this time, as he is just not staying perfectly sound with work. King is quiet happy at Middleham at present but will be going out again at cCstleton this summer, he has loved all the attention this winter, its just a shame we couldn’t get him running again. Its all systems go for Full Speed and Agglestone Rock though who have had good scans.

Izzy and her pony Freddie enjoyed a good win and championship at the weekend to get another welcome Kirby winner.