All part of the game

Big Paddy died on Saturday night – he was put down after one of his intestines burst.  Colic might sound like a bit of indigestion but it’s a very serious condition – I’ve had three horses go down with it now and only one of them survived.   It’s a blow, and a terrible blow to Nick on the back of …

Tough Game

It was a truly depressing day today.  Nick Gifford rang late on with three pieces of bad news. Killaghy Castle had a fatal fall at Sandown.  He was a lovely horse and a great prospect and I was very sad to hear this news. Theophrastus is injured and is a highly unlikely runner for tomorrow.  It’s been one injury after another …

Cossack dance

Exciting news – Park Acclaim foaled down a filly this evening, the first foal ever born to one of my mares.  I don’t know if she’s a grey (Park Acclaim is grey, by Clodovil) – she’s by Motivator.  I’ll post some pictures later in the week. Other horse news is poor.  Big Paddy has been retired following further tendon issues …

Conspiracy

I’m going through a quiet period horse wise.  Mon Michel is probably out for the season, and he was possibly my best prospect for this year.  Tifernati was bought to go hurdling this year, but he had a massive wart on his backside which had to be removed – he should go in to Gary’s at the beginning of January.  …

Stud duty

Jane and I had an excellent day out on Monday when we had a tour of a couple of stud farms in the Newbury area.  We dropped the children off early and I gave the dog a quick walk.  I’d ordered a driver for the day and we left home at around 9:30 – an hour later we met up with Guy …

Collateral form

I’ve had jumpers running over the last few days with no luck  In truth it’s been a pretty disappointing jumps season –  some fairly expensive purchases have run poorly, the only real high point having been Mon Michel winning a few months ago.  I’m pretty happy with what I have for the flat this year though – the first big day …

Max on target

Max One Two Three did an important piece of work this morning, and was scoped afterwards.  She worked really nicely and scoped clean – we are now bang on for the 1,000.  She will have one more piece of work early next week and that will be it.  She is a very decent filly with a real turn of foot – …

Highs and Lows

It’s a big time of year as an owner, and there are highs and lows.  Aintree was ultimately a real mix, and there was a lot of good and bad on Saturday.  I didn’t go up as I was at AFC Wimbledon for a match that my wider family were sponsoring in memory of my great uncle, who owned the club in the 60’s …

Inalienable wrongs

A busy day yesterday.  I’m still trying to name my 2yos after my last name (Ming Ming, apparently too like minger) was rebuffed last time.  I decided I liked “Killer Queen” for my Kyllachy and I called Pete – he liked it.  I also told Tom Dascombe that I wanted to call my One Cool Cat colt “Marine Boy”.  I texted the …

Moving on

I’ve finally got myself sorted with a reliable internet connection, and I can get back to my blogging.  It’s been a busy week. Last week I finally moved into my farm – 330 acres in the rolling Surrey countryside.  Four woods making 55 acres, one decent sized lake, six ponds and a little brook running through the middle.  They haven’t had horses on …