Monday 12th September, 2022

On my way to Worcester to saddle Corrany in the 1pm.  Once again, Corrany will wear cheek pieces and Finn Lambert takes the ride claiming three pounds on this occasion.  He was a fast finishing second last time out over course and distance and hopefully he will put up another pleasing run today.

Keep It Brief has been declared for Uttoxeter tomorrow in the 3.35pm.  He will also wear cheek pieces and a tongue strap for the first time.  He has some useful form on the flat and looks nicely handicapped to reproduce some of that form over hurdles.  Tom Bellamy takes the ride and although he may need further ideally, hopefully he will put up a good run.

Yesterday, after much consultation within the industry, we opened our yard for National Racehorse Week.  It was not an easy decision but having seen the evidence of yesterday’s successful event, it was the right decision.

It was wonderful to see so many people supporting the day.  Around 300 people came to see the horses in their home environment and many thanks to Sybil Ruscoe for conducting some fascinating interviews with those that make a huge contribution to ensuring a racehorse’s life is a good one.  Our physio Maggie Turner, horse dentist Tash Seely, Jim Pilcher our farrier, Dr George Wilson – exercise physiologist, along with Yogi Breisner and jockeys Tom Bellamy and Finn Lambert, all contributed to a fascinating insight in the world of the equine.  Visitors were treated to watching a coaching session by Yogi Breisner with Tom Bellamy riding Keep It Brief and Finn Lambert onboard Iron Horse.

Following this, Grace Muir from Heros kindly brought along Shipping Forecast – a retired, retrained racehorse from the charity who was ridden by Dulcie West.  Dulcie, a winner at this year’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards for her contribution and dedication at North Farm Stud, did a wonderful demonstration of dressage on him.  It emphasised just how much racehorses can go on to other careers once their racing days are over.  A service of thanksgiving for the racehorse was conducted by Canon Tim Sedgley and Fr Stephen Lambert with a minutes silence for Her Majesty The Queen and a singing of the National Anthem.

We raised money for Heros and Adlestrop Church – two great causes who will benefit from the everyone’s love and dedication to the thoroughbred.

National Racehorse Week will continue for the rest of the week showcasing the love and care they receive throughout their lives.  Undoubtedly our late monarch demonstrated the love of the thoroughbred throughout her life and we look forward to National Racehorse Week taking place each year in her memory.  Whe epitomised everything the week is trying to achieve, in that we should celebrate all we do for the racehorse and everything the racehorse does for humans.