April 19th : Trainers B’day!!!
Its Phil’s birthday today and we would all like to wish him a very happy birthday! Its a busy month for the Kirby birthdays with Phil’s dad Geoff and mum Pam’s birthday being a few days ago and his brother Mark’s yesterday. It was also assistant trainer Simon’s at the start of the month followed by Simon and Sarah’s son Jack’s. Happy birthday to them all, although i think maybe Jack is the most excited about getting to the grand age of 5 than the others are about getting to a more substantial number of years!
Ravenscar put in a top effort at Kelso on Monday with Tommy for a close finishing 3rd under top weight in the competitive mares handicap hurdle for owner James Hall. Another win not looking to be far away for this tough talented mare.
Our trip to Aintree last week didn’t see us into the enclosure, but Ben and Jason gave it their best shot, no need to say the competitiveness of the National meeting is fierce and to be there is amazing in itself. Ben wasn’t suited by the mess that was the start of the Topham, resulting in a standing start where he was left on the back foot a little. He couldn’t have jumped better and gave it his all under Tommy with the pair taking the brave mans route up the inner at many! We couldn’t be prouder of Ben and were thrilled to see him make it round, very narrowly side stepping a faller to finish in the top third. He really does seem to love these fences and genuinely looked delighted with himself after completing! We wont waste any words on the protesters. We got some amazing pics of the action too, many courtesy of Jutal Roxy :
Foaling News…
We are nearing the end of our foaling season with just Another Theatre due any day now and Rayna’s World being the last not due until 2nd June. We can then relax and watch them eating their way through the summer grass dreaming of their future wins!
Dares To Dream with her first foal ‘Coco’ reported to both be doing well
The next generation of runners are well on their way with some all important sand pen lunging in the hands of Simon and Katie. The sand pen is a great safe place to educate the younger horses and then introduce a rider before venturing out into the larger school and then onto the gallops with their seniors to show them the ropes.
‘Boris’ being a star pupil in the sand pen with Simon & Katie above, and showing himself off as a fine stamp of a 3yr old below. He still has a few 5% shares available in his partnership – email pippakirby@icloud.com for info
The PKR Racing Club
‘We 2 Queens & A King!’…..Pippa’s take on the famous We Three Kings!
We have such amazing feedback from people in our PKR Racing Club saying what a great welcome they receive when visiting the yard, how friendly they find our staff and how they feel time and effort is given to them. Reading all the comments makes the work involved so worthwhile knowing that it is appreciated and you are enjoying your experience as a club member. There is an expectation of being ‘lost in the numbers’ when contemplating joining a club, but our feedback proves we go to great lengths to avoid that stereotype. Below is just a few of the comments recently received….
Oh I could fill the page! Honestly just the best, lovely, friendly, great value, super social media, plenty of updates, you feel part of the experience. Being there when it’s a winner is just fantastic but equally as long as they do their best it’s fine. The club has allowed me to be part of racing that I thought I would never afford. I have shares in another horse but never get the pleasure or information I get from Philip Kirby Racing
What a wonderful racing stable this is where the horses always come first. Every day a look to see what’s going on and getting to know all the horses from birth to racing But the Biggest Excitement is watching Your Horses their care ,training on the gallops , running free in the fields , and their racing careers. I cannot recommend this stable high enough always made to feel so welcome and part of their family team and what a Caring Friendly Wonderful Team They Are . You won’t be disappointed . 
Where to start! We’ve been members since it’s inception and we’ve had so much fun with our three horses. Phil, Pippa and all their staff are honestly the friendliest and kindest people you could wish to meet. You are warmly welcomed at the yard and made to feel like proper owners, and having been proper owners in the past with other trainers the experience was nowhere near as good as this club.
It’s an absolute steal at £69 and it makes it affordable to most people.
Now to the lovely horses…they are all happy and beautifully cared for. The social media updates by Pippa are fantastic and there are some lovely videos. You are always kept updated on news, either on FB or by email. I’ll stop now as I could go on and on!!!
I can’t recommend this racing club highly enough, it’s fun and very friendly, if you’re thinking of joining don’t hesitate. 
Absolutely LOVE 
PKR racing club – my husband and I are both members – when you start you get a lovely pack of photos , information about the horses and a selection of freebies – such good value to enable us to keep in touch with the Club horses through excellent communication on FB and emails .Wonderful open days to meet the horses and staff, see the great facilities and watch the horses on the gallops as well as Phil and staff giving information about aspects of racing .
Then- you can be an owner for a day and attend the races !!! WOW !!! The best racing club ever – really love being part of the PKR community – thank you 
I am a member of other racing clubs but this is the very best by far !
The team work tirelessly for this club. So many videos, photos and updates every week , I don’t know how they find time to do it. It’s much appreciated by all of us members and makes us feel part of the yard. We get to see so much of how a racing yard operates and all the hard work, love and care that goes into every horse on the yard. Yard visits are informative yet relaxed and you are made to feel very welcome. All the horses love a fuss and the staff are happy to chat to anyone. Couldn’t find a better club anywhere in my opinion. Our 2 girls and Billian are all superstars in their own right and have given us a great thrill with their racecourse exploits!
I’ve been a member since the start, absolutely love this club. Phil and Pippa have created a special place with a great set of people working for them who always greet you with a hello and a smile. This means that they have a yard full of happy horses who are number one and want for nothing. £69 to be involved with 3 beautiful and successful horses will be the best money you’ll spend this year. Pippa posts loads on FB making sure that everyone knows what’s going on. The members are a friendly bunch, funny and informative too, we have a great time. Join, you ‘ll love it 
We have a Club day being planned for July 22nd, details to follow soon.
Please click on the ‘PKR CLUB’ tab at the top of this page for more info on how to join in with all the fun!!!
Ex Racer News…
These are the words of Shan Close who re homed ex racer Stargazer a short while ago for us….
Well maybe today is a good day to introduce my newest ride ‘Stargazer’.. A 10 year old, who was a very successful racehorse for Phillip Kirby until last year. Since the first day I sat on him about two months ago, he has tried his little heart out, and continued to do so today, winning his first ever dressage test with 67%..
I wasn’t sure how he would adapt to the buzz of a competition, after having so many years being a racehorse, but today just showed me how cool he is, and continued to be so rideable. I am super excited about his future.
Stargazer looking proud of his efforts
We love it when a horse finds such a suitable new home with that special someone who can bring out the best in them for their years after racing, thank you Shan!
Some recent pics of the team and their steeds…
Madi & Martalindy
Beth & Bateau Bay
Tommy & Farhan
Shay & Northern Chancer
Joe & Scalloway Castle
Izzy Kirby has set up her own venture as a party entertainer. She has already had some great reviews and will be available for bookings all summer. Please get in touch via pippakirby@icloud.com if you would like her to bring a bit of Disney magic to your little ones parties!
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