It was decided to give Sovereign Spirit a run on the Flat at Lingfield on 4th Feb, something different to spark him up.  He had a great time, even leading the field for some time, before being overtaken by the 'speed' horses.

Saturday saw King Edmund go to Sandown, where under the guidance of Leighton Aspell, ran a lovely race.  He made a couple of mistakes - which at this level of racing one cannot afford - to finish 6th.  He will improve greatly for this run and there could be a very exciting few months racing to come from him.  Jenny had a couple of Pointers run, but they did not set the world alight.

Sunday 6th was our nearest course, Fontwell, where Promised Wings had his first run over hurdles.  He was far too keen early on, but to his credit managed to finish 5th.  Brushford made a blunder at the 7th fence and by the 12th was struggling - obviously he had knocked the stuffing out of himself - he was pulled up 3 out - a very wise move by his jockey - there will be other days of glory for him.  Jenny had Description at the Point to Point and he finished 3rd.

Monday 7th was another Lingfield day, but this time on the turf.  Grey Cruzene acquitted himself well in the hurdle race and finished 3rd.  Kempton was the venue on 11th Feb where Princely Hero ran.  The race was probably too 'hot' for him, but he managed to finish 8th.  Sunday was Point to Pointing again, where Circle of Fifths finished 3rd, Launde managed to get rid of his jockey and Presenting Express was pulled up. 

Monday 14th saw a horrendous journey to Plumpton for Perazzi George - a lorry filled with hot tarmac had overturned and caused choas on the roads.  Perazzi George did not handle the situation well - he was all revved up to race - and consequently he had run his race in the lorry before he ever got to the course.  Disappointment all round, especially after his debut run which was so encouraging.  Tuesday 15th made up for Monday - Promised Wings went to Folkstone for his 2nd run over hurdles.  Note should have been taken of his first run!!  He was held up early and encouraged to settle before being unleashed with his run.  The winner won easily, but he finished a very nice 2nd - unfortunately there will be no each way or place bet at 66/1 in future!!  He will improve for this education.  Kempton on Wednesday 16th saw Etruscan have his last run for this Yard.  He has since been sold and will now run in foreign parts.

The ups and downs of racing are sometimes hard to handle.  Balustrade went all the way to Fakenham on 18th, that mammoth journey, only to be pulled up.  But, the nice part of the day was Launde at Sandown.  The racecard read as follows:-  'Good Luck to horse and rider but his form does not look good enough these days and he unseated his rider in a point to point last weekend.  From a betting point of view money invested on Launde today probably won't be seen again'.  Well who did a bit each way or a place at 100/1?  Fair play to Tom Cannon for sitting the blunder early on, but after this he (horse) seemed to get his act together and jumped and travelled beautifully to finish a very creditable 2nd.  Well done to horse and jockey.  And then to improve matters further Camilla Ewart and Description went to Larkhill on Saturday 19th and won the Ladies Open.  Description, I understand, is now qualified to run at Cheltenham - can't be bad!  Sunday 20th was another day Pointing where Honour's Dream finished 2nd and Kjetil and Andyourpointis finished 5th.

Saturday 15th January was a busy day.  Chris took Perazzi George to Warwick to have his debut run in the Bumper.  He ran a cracking race to finish 3rd under the guidance of Leighton Aspell - all are excited about his future prospects.  Jenny also had 3 runners at Detling where all ran well, a 3rd, 4th and a 'got round'.

Monday saw Mister Virginian and Grey Cruzene go to Plumpton - neither set the world alight, but both ran OK.  The same can be said for the runners on Sunday 23rd at Towcester & Kempton and again on Monday 24th at Kempton.  Jack The Soldier went to Leicester on 25th January and was going well until he made a blunder down the back straight which put him out of a winning or placed chance in the race.  He did however still manage to finish 6th.  Etruscan went to Kempton on 26th and ran a nice race to finish 4th under the jockeyship of Dane O'Neill.  Quahadi, for some reason best known to himself, let us down big time at Kempton on 27th.  It was a race he had the capability of being really competitive in and if memory serves me, he was 2nd favorite in the betting, so we were not the only ones who thought he should have done well.  He managed to finish last!!

Thankfully the tide turned on 28th January.  Our local track, Fontwell, was the venue, where Balustrade won nicely under a very good and masterful ride from Colin Bolger.  Watching the television, I picked him up down the back straight and noticed how well he was travelling, he turned the home bend in 3rd place and then came between horses to take up the lead and battled well all the way to the line.  One disappointment was that the Trainer was on a drink free month - he thought that was to include others back at home, but he was shamed into opening a bottle for us to celebrate!!  He showed great resolve and did not touch a drop - just left the rest of us to get merry.  Thank goodness the month end has turned - perhaps he will be the life and soul of the party again - a serious Chris is hard to cope with!!  Brushford also went to Fontwell this day and accredited himself well to finish 3rd under Leighton Aspell - his form is improving and he is getting back to what was expected of him this year.

Saturday 30th saw Jenny take 6 pointers to Charing where Baroque Star was a winner for her and Les Gilbert.  This was Les' first point to point runner, so his first winner under this code.  First time outer for the yard, Andyourpointis, ran very well and finished 3rd.  All the others, with the exceptioon of Honour's Dream, got round and I understand a fun day was had by all.

February 1st saw Absolute Shambles and Owner Occupier go to Folkstone.  Absolute Shambles found the ground too soft for him, but managed to keep going and finish 4th.  Owner Occupier ran a cracker to finish 2nd, only being beaten by a well handicapped horse.  Unfortunately neither of these runners had a chat with Quahadi to tell him what to do - he went to Kempton on 2nd February and did manage to beat one horse this time!

2011 is here and thank goodness the weather is somewhat improved to that of mid December.  I had escaped to Spain for a few weeks over Xmas & New Year and took great delight on a few occasions when I was sat outside with my sunglasses on, having a cuppa and a 'puff' in glorious sunshine!  -  I had listened to the English weather to hear that the temperatures were in the region of minus 5 to 10 degrees.  I can tell you, I was not looking forward to returning to that!  Thankfully it has been quite a bit milder since I got back and racing has 'got going' on a more regular basis.  Let's hope we do not have to experience those conditions again this Winter.

Nothing wild and exciting happened in the mid and latter part of December, although HERECOMESTHETRUTH went to Newbury and behaved himself this time and finished a very pleasing 3rd.

In contrast to December, January 2011 started with excitement.  DAYS OF PLEASURE started it off.  He went on that mammoth journey to Fakenham and finished 2nd.  The following day OWNER OCCUPIER travelled to Folkstone and was 4th and SOVEREIGN SPIRIT finished 8th at Southwell.  On 3rd January BRUSHFORD ran an improved race to finish 3rd and GREY CRUZENE, who has obviously learnt from his previous experiences finished 4th.  The 4th January saw ETRUSCAN go to Kempton where he finished 5th.  On the whole all the horses seem to be running well - perhaps there will be exciting times to come soon.  They nearly came on 6th January when JACK THE SOLDIER ran at Huntingdon.  If he had not been stopped in his run and squeezed out on the home bend, he might have got his head in front.  As it was he finished a very creditable 2nd and everyone was delighted with his performance.  ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES went down the road to Fontwell on 7th January, but he could not handle the ground conditions and was pulled up.  QUADHI ran at Kempton on 8th January, where he unfortunately missed the break, so only finished 8th. 

My congrats go to Camilla Ewart who rode her and Jamie Warner's horse, Description, at Larkhill Point to Point on Saturday and won the Ladies Open - not a mean feat at Larkhill!  I also hear that Fenton Ramsahoye had his knuckles wrapped by the Stewards  -  naughty boy!!

Hot off the press is the news of the runner, SOVEREIGN SPIRIT at Huntingdon, 14th January.  The flag dropped and the runners headed towards the first hurdle  -  unfortunately only 2 horses actually took the correct course and although Richard Kiloran had tried to take the correct course he was kept in on the wrong course by other runners.  Richard immrediately pulled up SOVEREIGN SPIRIT and retraced his steps and continued, albeit completely tailed off, and finished the race - a very hesitant SOVEREIGN SPIRIT nearly let him down at the last, but he crossed the line to finished 3rd - albeit when every other jockey had weighed in but he consequently earned enough to pay for the trip today!!  A big thank you to the Judge who must have realised what was happening and stayed in his box - the trainer at one point didn't know that he was still in the race!  Thank god also that we employ jockey's with brains!!  Well done Richard - a definite tick in the box and star for you today!

Winning Show kicked November off - finishing a creditable 3rd at Plumpton on the 1st day of the month,  If only he'd kept his jumping together, because he had been in with a squeak until he made a mistake.  He ran later in the month (17th) at Lingfield where he finished 5th in a flat race.

The following day saw Herecomesthetruth & Days of Pleasure go to Exeter.  Days of Pleasure ran ok and finished 7th under Mr T Cannon.  Herecomesthetruth was having his debut run for the Yard - a new recruit during the summer - and totellthetruth he really fluffed his lines!!  For some reason, best known to himself, he took a liking for a wing instead of a fence.  Over lunch last Saturday I asked Colin Bolger (his jockey) for a quote regarding this misdemeanour and he said "my only wishes are that he did not veer out in the first place, and I wish the wings were made of elastic".  Food for thought perhaps to the powers that be - elastic wings!  Could be another form of bungee jumping!

Next this month, on the 5th, Jack The Soldier visited Fontwell.  Jack is still learning what racing is all about.  He also ran on the 14th, again at Fontwell, and finished 6th on both occasions.  He was due to run at Exeter yesterday - 5th December - but it was decided to abort the journey and return home, because he is too nice a young horse to risk in the arctic conditions that we are experiencing.

 THE CHRISTENING - 9TH DECEMBER

The new lorry was delivered this morning.  It did not have time to get used to it's new home, because Brushford was loaded onto it very shortly after it's arrival and headed to Lingfield.  Brushford has been a little disappointing so far this season, especially after the promise shown last year.  He also ran at Chepstow later in the month and was pulled up.  I am sure Chris & Jenny will work their magic and get him back into winning ways soon.

The 14th November saw another trip to Fontwell.  Isntshelovely, Balustrade and Jack the Soldier.  Jack's run mentioned earlier, but Isntshelovely ran a nice race to finish 4th and Balustade finished 7th.

The next day was Plumpton where Owner Occupier & Grey Cruzene ran.  Owner Occupier led the race for most of the way, but unfortunately had an argument with the 4th last - he has since franked his form by being 2nd at Chepstow on 24th November.  Grey Cruzene was having his debut run.  He was quite 'green' and will improve for this, his first racecourse appearance.

Atabaas Allure made the mammoth trip to Fakenham.  He ran a lovely race to finish 3rd.  I think that the horse, lad and driver were all very tired by the time they got home that evening - Fakenham always feels like an endless journey.

Quahadi & Winning Show went to Lingfield on 17th November.  Winning Show's run mentioned earlier.  Quahadi is a really smashing looking horse who I am sure will get into winning ways before too long.  He also ran at Kempton on 27th - one of the Meetings to beat the freeze, where he finished 5th.

Ascot on Saturday 20th November was the venue for King Edmund.  He was running a great race until he argued with a fence, which knocked the stuffing out of him.

It is 6th December today and we are still 'in the freeze', and it does not look like letting up this week.  The nice thing about it is the aroma eluding from the kitchen here.  Last week there was a distinct smell of alcohol and Chris was doing beef in guinness.  I was really spoilt as I was asked to stay for supper along with a couple of the lads from the yard - the food was really really gorgeous.  On Saturday came the smell of roast chicken.  The 'banquet', jointly done by Chris & Jenny, entertained about 14 of us and a good afternoon was had by all.  I was not aware until this 'freeze' that Chris has such talents in the kitchen.  Don't know what he is like at the washing up - thank goodness for dishwashers!!

The other major excitement at the Yard is the big day on 25th December.  Young Master Freddie Gordon wrote his letter to Father Christmas this week, which I posted for him, along with November invoices to owners.  I bet the owners would have preferred to get his envelope!!

 My last job before signing off is to wish everyone who reads this a very merry Christmas and a very happy & prosperous New Year.

See you in 2011.

Young Master Freddie Gordon celebrated his 5th Birthday last week.  The mantlepiece is stacked full of cards and he now thinks he is very grown up.  His birthday treat was to go Ten Pin Bowling, which he loved, and he was determined not to use the 'kiddy' equipment, but do it all himself.  A very determined young man - probably takes after his father!!  Comments welcome on this one!

After the 'mammoth' day early in the month, there was, for some reason, an interlude in horses racing from the Yard, but the end of the month finished with lots of runners. Quahadi was a sole runner at Plumpton on the 18th - he was going quite well and just getting into the race when he made a novice mistake and unfortunately fell - thankfully all is well with him and he will run again soon.  On 20th it was Fontwell again with 5 runners - Bon Speil, Mister Virginian, Atabaas Allure & Balustrade all ran OK, but poor Winning Show who was looking like a possible winner, unfortunately fell - he (Winning Show) is off to Plumpton today (1st Nov) and it is hoped he can make amends for the little mishap last time.  Towcester was the next outing on Sunday 24th where Owner Occupier under a masterful ride from Colin Bolger won nicely.  Who was on?  His price was 28/1.  It was nice to see the empty Champers Bottles on Monday morning - shame they didn't save any for me!!  Back to Fontwell on 28th with 4 runners - this can only be described as a bad day at the office - Brushford (a winner there last season) and Princely Hero were both pulled up and Mister Virginian & Super Ken were 6th.  Super Ken actually ran a very nice race - it was his first time on a racecourse and he acquitted himself well (he is actually one of my personal favorites and I had my little £2.50 each way on him - think I could recoup that in later races!). To finish the month off we had two runners at Ascot on Saturday 30th - King Edmund & Bon Speil were the representatives - King Edmund ran particularly well, being his first outing this season and finished 4th, not beaten too far - possibly one to follow this season.  Bon Speil ran his race and everyone was pleased, but he probably needs the handicapper to be a little bit lenient towards him.  Bon Speil is on the market for sale as the owner has young protagonists coming through and something has to give.

FONTWELL - 2ND OCTOBER 2010

A mammoth day with 7 runners - it was all hands on deck today.  Jack The Soldier & Balustrade kicked off proceedings for the yard, running in the novice hurdle.  'Jack' ran a nice race, but needed the experience and will improve the more racing he gets.  Balustrade continued his level of form to finish a nice 4th. It was then the turn of Jenny's 'old hunter' Mister Virginian.  He did himself and Mr T Cannon justice and finished a very nice 3rd.  Jenny might have to curtail her hunting on this one!  Then came the turn of Princely Hero - he would have needed the run, but it is felt that he is too high in the handicap and needs to come down a bit to get really competitive - lets hope the handcapper sees it this way too! In the last race was Quahadi - he was travelling really well until he got a bit squeezed up.  He is quite a timid sort (albeit that he is all mouth and trousers!) and it is thought that he got frightened and consequently lost his action.  Charlie Studd all but pulled him up because of this, but thankfully he seems fine back at home and he will run again soon. When he gets his confience he could be one to watch.  And lastly, but by no means least, we had Atabaas Allure and I S N T S H E L O V E L Y.  Atabaas Allure just hated the soft ground, so we'll have to hope we get a dry spell for her.  Isntshelovely did us really proud - she looked beaten early on, but kept going and going and going to win by two and a half lengths.  She really loves the soft ground, so for her it is hoped we have a wet winter!

The Owners Day on 26th September saw the first really cold day this winter, but thankfully it stayed dry, although everyone needed their thermals.  Most people were not dry inside however with Chris pouring copious amounts of wine and whiskey!   Chris, always the joker and never stuck for words, did a marvellous job of describing each horse as they were paraded - and didn't they all look in tremendous order - and all so very well behaved - and the staff looked good too! With Chris' jovial manner it was nice to have him speechless for once!  This occurred when he was presented with a lovely plaque with the title 'Morestead Stables' with his and Jenny's name underneath.  It was such a kind gesture of Kate & George Digweed to have this made and Chris & Jenny thank them very much. Chris & Jenny's thanks also go to everyone who contributed to making the owners day such good fun - as said above Chris served copious amounts of booze, but also the 'spread' put on was marvellous.