Tuesday 6th June, 2023

Fighting Poet runs in the 8.10pm this evening at Lingfield.  He wears blinkers for the first time and once again promising apprentice Kaiya Fraser takes the riding claiming seven pounds.

Being a 0-50 classified this is a drop in grade and distance but hopefully he will run well for the Richard Phillips Racing Syndicate.

With the ground being good to firm in places at Uttoxeter on Thursday, we will not be running Elfride or Methodtothemagic as both need better ground.  Although some rain is on the way, it looks like more of the string will be going on their holidays shortly.  This gives an opportunity to steam clean and paint the yard ready for the horses coming back into work in July.

It was great to welcome owners Colin and Gwenda Pocock to the yard yesterday to view their recent purchase from Goffs sales.  A three-year-old daughter of Blue Bresil, their filly is turned out here in the Adlestrop paddocks before going off to be broken-in later in the summer.  She had a pedigree update at the weekend when her close relation Simca Mille won a Group two at Chantilly.  We look forward to her inheriting her family’s talent.

Although an unusual Epsom Derby this year, it was still a great spectacle with a worthy winner in Auguste Rodin.  Given a confident ride by Ryan Moore, the son of Deep Impact looks the image of his grandfather Sunday Silence and will be an attractive stallion proposition for when his racing days are over.

Well done to all that made the race take place with much effort from the Jockey Club, BHA and police.  Let us hope next year it gets back to its normal running.

Oliver Sherwood has announced that he will relinquish his licence after forty years to become assistant to Harry Derham.  Oliver has always been one of the most popular members of the training profession and has trained many a great winner, especially the Grand National winner many Clouds.

I first met Oliver when he was assistant to Fred Winter when having knocked on the door of the champion trainer in the early eighties, the then young Sherwood could not have been more helpful, as he has proved to be many decades later with his generous time given to the Lambourn Open Day and many other great causes.  Having recovered from cancer recently, we all hope that he has a long and happy time in his new role.