Friday 2nd February, 2024

The ground was pretty desperate at Chepstow on Tuesday and although Totterdown likes a bit of cut, he appeared to hang to the right during the race and Finn reported he was never travelling with his normal fluency.  Although he has run well left-handed in the past, we will probably return him to a right-handed track and try and find more suitable conditions.

Lizzie Rey would certainly prefer better ground and probably a bit further but there are not that many options for her at present.  Considering the conditions she did well and I am sure will be better off in handicap company.

I was delighted to attend the ROR (retraining of racehorses) Awards in the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket on Wednesday evening.  It is always a special occasion and an opportunity to highlight all the wonderful stories there are in so many equine disciplines.

Congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to racing continuing to embrace the importance of giving racehorses a great life once their racing days are over.  This is something that was emphasised by visitors to National Racehorse Week events when completing a survey last year and everyone in the racing industry has a duty to do their bit to spread the word and the good work that is done throughout Britain with re-trained racehorses.

Showjumper Jon Bowman came this morning to help school some of our horses over jumps in the outdoor school.  Jon is an international showjumper and an excellent teacher of both horses and humans and these sessions are of great benefit to all.