Monday 9th October, 2023

Corrany travelled well for much of the race at Fontwell on Saturday but faded from the last and Lilly Pinchin thought dropping back in trip might be a good idea.  Hopefully we can find something suitable for him in the coming weeks.

We have declared Roody Toody at Southwell tomorrow in the fillies maiden at 4.50pm.  She has shown plenty of promise in her runs but this is a strong division.  Kaiya Fraser once again takes the ride and hopefully her experience will be a plus and she will have a handicap mark after this run.

We have entered Sheila Nash at Ffos Las on Sunday in a three mile handicap hurdle.  We were pleased with her run at Worcester recently and hopefully she can build on that in her next race.

Thank you to everyone who supported our charity evening last night in Adlestrop Village Hall, where Pete Langford of the Barron Knights gave a concert with his granddaughter Lillia.  The feedback has been tremendous as they are both such talented singers and musicians and a brilliant night was had raising money for Motor Neurone Disease and our village hall.

Sad news of the passing of the recent passing of Sir Christopher Lewinton.  He and his wife Lady Louise were owners for many years in the early days of my career.  Sir Christopher was a very successful businessman and was a great character full of intelligence and wisdom.

I will never forget an evening when he and owner Peter Deal came to supper.  Both being successful entrepreneurs, the discussions on running a successful business went on well into the early morning and ever since that memorable evening, they have both been known to me as ‘Christopher Cashflow’ and ‘Peter Profit’.  I have been wonderfully lucky to have been surrounded by many mentors in my life and Sir Christopher was one.  He taught me a lesson many years ago when at Kempton races Jimmy McCarthy was unseated at the third jump from their runner, Bullfinch, in a novice chase.  When the jockey returned he looked at Sir Christopher and said “Sorry, I fell off.”  Christopher immediately shook him by the hand and said “Thank you for your honesty, it will always pay off.”  May he rest in peace.