Racing Stable Daily Life Stories In September

Racing Stable Daily Life Stories In September at Girsonfield as the jumps season beckons.

A panoramic view

You can feel the change in the air, can’t you? The weeks are getting visibly more exciting here at the yard as the jumps horses are really coming to fitness. It’s that magical time of year where anticipation is everything.

I took a moment just the other evening to watch Amanda out on Sunset Hill. When the light hits the Northumberland hills like this, it reminds me exactly why we do what we do.

We’ve started schooling in earnest this week. The whole string were really good over their hurdles, though I must admit Kilmore Rock and Whispering Dancer are keeping us on our toes—they definitely need a bit more practice over a fence! We had Nathan in to do some schooling, and Ed has been putting in the hard yards on the gallops.

Speaking of the gallops, the energy out there is fantastic. It’s all systems go.

Jimlis Island looks to have come on plenty for his run at Perth, and the plan is to send him back there on the 9th of September, this time over hurdles. It’s amazing how quickly the horses are coming to hand, largely thanks to a steady flow of part-timers covering for us while we’ve had staff out injured. The good news is the girls are back to work soon, and we’re thrilled to welcome our new girl, Bekah, who joins the team tomorrow.

Kilmore Rock – with Natasha

Mark Your Calendars!

Do not forget our Open Day for National Racehorse Week is this coming Saturday, 7th September at 10:30 am. You are all welcome, and please, no need to book! Just turn up and park in the big field on the right.

We’ve got "Refreshments 'a la Steve'" (which is a draw in itself!), and Nathan will be there to chat about life in the saddle. We’ve got demos from our Farrier and Vets—basically, the whole team that makes this place tick will be in action.

Daved McCreath from the Tweed Valley Racing Club will be selling raffle tickets for £5.00 in aid of our charities. The prizes are brilliant: a day out as an Owner with Les’s Legacy, plus tickets donated by Carlisle, Kelso, Musselburgh, and Hexham racecourses.

Future Stars and Syndicate Spots

On the breeding side, the foals are growing like weeds. We’ve just completed the registration for the Great British Bonus for the Nelsons' 3-year-old filly, 'Thumper'. That means she’s eligible for £20k bonuses in her races—now she just has to win them!

For those looking to get involved, we’re kicking off the season properly in October, but we have some imminent action. Infinite Honour heads to Catterick on the 10th (or Musselburgh the 14th), and Rogers Dream goes to Musselburgh on the 15th. We’ve still got a few shares left:

• Rogers Dream: A 2-month dabble in the "Naughty but Nice Syndicate."
• Beyond The Verge: He runs the 18th at Kelso and is working beautifully.
• Whispering Dancer: A big horse with a big future.
• The Joker: Our ladies' syndicate horse.

Racing Stable Daily Life Stories In September - A Night To Remember

Just quickly, I have to mention last night. We held the first 'Annual Dinner' at the Bay Horse for the Northern Racing Club. Champ Royal has been such a star for them, winning nearly £30k last season. It was a heartwarming night—Ron Payne (what a legend) donated his Vase from Catterick back for auction.

The bidding was furious, but Stuart won the day with a £105 bid for Cancer Research. We’ve already donated £1,000 to Zoe’s Place and £1,000 to the Injured Jockeys Fund, with more to come at year-end.

We are all set for the season ahead. The horses are fit, the team is ready, and the entries are made.

Samwise Runs Soon

Greetings from the Emerald Isle! 

We are flying home on Monday, but we’ve spent a wonderful few days over here in Ireland, casting our eyes over some exciting young horses and catching up with old friends and connections we usually only deal with from afar. There is nothing quite like the Irish hospitality to recharge the batteries!

A Kelso Surprise and a Strike Rate to Savour

What a start to the jumps season we are having! I was absolutely delighted to see another winner at Kelso this week. Beyond the Verge has been with us for a year now—stepping into the shoes of the retired Wor Verge.

He had some initial issues, which meant the Goodfellow Partnership had to exercise a lot of patience. I always say patience is an excellent trait in any Owner, and boy, did it pay off for them! He has been okay on the gallops at home, so we expected a decent run, but it was a great surprise when he went out and beat a small but very good field of bumper horses.

He was still very green, but he will grow up a lot from his "first day at school." It was another cracking ride from Nathan. That win brings our stats to something we are incredibly proud of: a 32% strike rate (19 runs, 6 wins, and 4 places). Long may it continue!

Sligo Racecourse, Ireland

Back at the Yard

While we’ve been away, the team at home hasn't missed a beat. All the horses are coming to fitness nicely. We are getting them all schooled regularly now, which is made so much easier when you have excellent riders who can school well. It makes a world of difference to the horses' confidence.

Nursery News

On the breeding side, it was the big "Weaning Week." Usually, this can be a bit noisy, but I’m pleased to report that none of the three mares even looked back when they were returned to the field! They were clearly ready for a break.

The foals are now stabled next to each other for comfort. They’ll get a bit more handling in the warmth of the stables before being turned back out to be fed in the field before the real cold weather sets in. In other news:

• The Tweed Valley Racing Club yearling was gelded this week—all went well!
• Our home-breds 'Freddie' and Ivan's Legacy are working beautifully together as they head toward their 3-year-old bumpers.

Ivans Legacy In Training

Looking Ahead

We are keeping our powder dry for the moment until Rogers Dream heads to Musselburgh on the 2nd, and then it is off to Hexham and beyond!

Home Again: Gallops, Negotiations, and the Season Proper

We are back on home soil! After a wonderful trip to the Emerald Isle, it is straight back to the grindstone as we build up to our National Hunt runners next weekend.

Our time in Ireland wasn't just a holiday; it was a very productive scouting mission. We viewed a "Black Type" (very well bred) 3-year-old filly that the breeder wants us to lease. The plan is to race her and then return her at the end of her career for him to breed from. She comes from the same breeder as Blame Rose and is due to arrive next Spring.

We also visited Ian Hannon and his family, whom we have dealt with for years. I saw a very nice, albeit immature, 3-year-old by Mizzou (the sire of Samwise, aka Blaze). He’s broken in and will grow into a lovely horse—negotiations are currently ongoing!

I must say, the hospitality in Ireland is second to none. We were lucky enough to stay in a lovely 3-double-bed townhouse in Killarney owned by Thomas and Rose. It’s right in the center of the racing action and a beautiful town. If anyone fancies a trip over, let me know—I’m sure Rose will sort out some "mates rates" for you!

Back on the Gallops

Back in the UK, the foals are settling down well. They are getting handled daily and will soon start going back out into the field—though, crucially, without their mums!

Friday morning saw us up bright and early at Newcastle Racecourse for a gallop with our resident ‘gallop watcher,’ Brian. It was a busy morning:

• Kilmore Rock was ridden by Codey, who did a great job. Codey goes for his amateur license in October, so this was great practice.
• Whispering Dancer (Josh up) looked the part.
• Sunset Hill (Sunny) had Jamie’s arms stretched all the way! She pulled the whole time and still found more at the end of two miles.
• Samwise (Blaze) was ridden by Nathan, who was very happy with him.

Sunset Hill With Amanda

The Season Proper Begins

So, with 6 wins already on the board, we proceed to the start of the NH season proper. Here is the plan of attack for the coming week:

• 2nd October (Musselburgh): Rogers Dream runs for the "Naughty but Nice" syndicate.
• 4th October (Hexham): We have Jimlis Island, Atomic Angel, and Buddy (two entries for him).
• Whispering Dancer goes in the Novice Hurdle for "The Dancers" (we have just 5% left in this small partnership if you're quick!).
• See a Stride (Frank’s horse leased to Susan Corbett Racing) makes her debut. The handicapper put her up 6lbs just for moving houses from Ireland to here!
• 6th October (Kelso): Buddy (maybe), Champ Royal (Chase), Kilmore Rock (Novice Hurdle), and Samwise (Novice Hurdle).

Community Spirit

It’s not just about the racing. On the 5th of October, we have the MS Dinner at Kelso, followed by the Wheelchair Challenge the next day before racing. Josh and Nathan are making up our team. You have to ‘buy’ the team in an auction—does anyone care to put in a bid? It’s all for an excellent cause!

It feels like the calm before the storm. The entries are done, the tack is cleaned, and the lorry is fueled.

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