Smiley and her show jumping companions.
Cold and wet.
I trust you all had a good weekend – we had a wonderful couple of days in Newmarket for the Open Weekend and the weather was very kind to us. Plenty of visitors flocked to the yard yesterday morning and the events on the Rowley Mile in the afternoon were great fun.
We were particularly pleased with the racing celebrities show jumping competition as our trusted pony Smiley finished first, second and third, providing Michael Hills with victory and Jenny Simcock and Maureen Haggas with places. She was looking particularly pleased with herself afterwards and a special mention must go to Harriet, who does a fantastic job with her while Martha is away.
Thanks also to Sara Cumani and all of the team responsible for organising the event – it was a great success and a credit to the town.
I am shooting today and tomorrow but the show continues to roll on and we saddle one runner this afternoon as Rock ‘n Red makes her second start in the fillies’ maiden at Kempton. It poured down at Ffos Las prior to her debut and the ground was horrible, so it’s easy to forgive that effort. This looks quite a warm race and she is far from the finished article, but the surface ought to suit and she will have learned plenty from that initial experience.
One declaration for Wednesday with Scrutinise heading to Goodwood for the mile and a half handicap. The ground should be in his favour if the forecast is correct and we wanted to take our chance here with the race having cut up. Paul Hanagan will ride.
Prince Gagarin has been confirmed for the Cambridgeshire and we will keep one eye on the weather while we made 14 further entries for the weekend, including Oasis Fantasy in the mile and six handicap at Haydock and Sharaakah in the fillies’ nursery on the Rowley Mile.
Back tomorrow.
Ed.