Wednesday 7th December, 2022

Looking forward to having some entries next week both on the flat and over jumps.  A frosty work morning and the string are showing promise and some competitive horses will hopefully be on the track in the next few weeks.

It was great to welcome owner Bob Scott to the yard yesterday to view some of he and his wife Pauline’s homebreds in training, including Pop Mistress, Lizzie Rey and Mattie Ross.  Bob is a member of the Apistles which is a group of twelve who have a ’12 horses to follow’ competition for the flat season each year.  Delighted to have won the competition this season thanks to having Tuesday as my joker.  Historically we have a lunch together which is always a jolly and interesting affair.

Our lunch was on Monday which meant I was unable to attend the Horserace Writers Awards where our great friend Peter Thomas won the ‘Racing Writer of the Year’ award.  Peter thoroughly deserves this award having written for the Racing Post for many years.

Peter’s humour and intelligence often comes through in his work and we were delighted he was able to write an article on Adlestrop Stables in September – you can read it HERE.

We are at an age now where unfortunately our friends and mentors pass away.  Once such man was Hugo Bevan who died recently.  He was a popular and inspirational clerk of the course on many racecourses for many decades.  Blessed with a wonderful sense of humour, Hugo was able to placate many a trainer and owner with his quick wit and charm.  Often when enquiring about the ground for a meeting he would reply “What would you like it to be?”

Before Towcester racecourse sadly closed down, The Adlestrop Club had a fantastic victory at the track with the ever popular Stop The Show.  Richard Johnson gained victory with a fine ride and the majority of the Club were in attendance that evening.  Club members were hastily invited to celebrate the occasion in the directors box and Hugo made sure that all were able to celebrate the victory with a glass of champagne or three.

A wonderful character, Hugo’s life and times will be celebrated for many years.