The highs and lows of racing....... We had a dreadful day yesterday at Marks Tey very sadly losing Varkala who broke her fetlock when going really well four fences from home. It was absolutely tragic.
She came to us from a professional yard and was terrified of racing and even of going on the gallops. Her first race at Atherstone last season she had sweated up dreadfully in the lorry and then during the race she just bolted with her head in the air. We really didn't think we were going to be able to do anything with her but then the next time Toby rode her at Dingley he got her beautifully settled and she came a running on second. He then rode her at North Carlton first time out this season and took her the long way around so that she could see her fences and settle into a nice rhythm and she came a close third. We had high hopes for her on Sunday but most of all she will be dreadfully missed. The one comforting thought is that at least she died doing something she loved doing and had a wonderful life and was very much cared for.
She came to us from a professional yard and was terrified of racing and even of going on the gallops. Her first race at Atherstone last season she had sweated up dreadfully in the lorry and then during the race she just bolted with her head in the air. We really didn't think we were going to be able to do anything with her but then the next time Toby rode her at Dingley he got her beautifully settled and she came a running on second. He then rode her at North Carlton first time out this season and took her the long way around so that she could see her fences and settle into a nice rhythm and she came a close third. We had high hopes for her on Sunday but most of all she will be dreadfully missed. The one comforting thought is that at least she died doing something she loved doing and had a wonderful life and was very much cared for.
Varkala in the paddock at Marks Tey |