A beautiful scene this morning.
Warm and sunny – a lovely antidote to the recent wet spell.
The Limekilns were closed this morning after all the recent rain so we ventured to the Al Bahathri instead, taking 13 with us. They included Taqneen, who holds an entry over a mile at Haydock next Thursday, and Prince Gagarin, who was completing his first piece of work back from a short break.
We hosted a tour of six for second lot and breakfast. Hopefully they had fun.
One runner this afternoon with Shafafya making her debut in the seven furlong fillies’ maiden on the July Course. She is nicely bred as a Shamardal half-sister to six winners including Tactic, who bolted up in the Curragh Cup for my father five years ago. As her pedigree suggests she will need further in time, but this is a nice starting point on what should be decent ground.
Two declarations for Yarmouth’s first fixture of the summer on Sunday. Alqubbah will bid to shed her maiden tag under Paul Hanagan, while Fieldsman will line up in the seven furlong handicap under Adam Kirby.
Two pieces of good news have emerged over the last couple of days. The decision to grant Victoria Pendleton an amateur license is excellent – I hope she succeeds in making her long-term goal of the Foxhunters and her venture can only be good for the sport.
Establishing a forum for constructive discussion regarding race planning is also very useful – clashes occur too often and something must be done. This is a step in the right direction.
The puppy has officially been named – Otto it is.
Back tomorrow.
Ed.