Yesterday we had our  early Christmas day with my family. The girls very kindly came in and did the horses for us so that we could spend some time with them, whereas on the real Christmas day we normally do them ourselves and don't have much time for anything else.It was a lovely day and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
We had almost a full contingent of staff today as both Pete and Will were back and El has broken up from school and can help us for some of her holiday. There was much mirth in the yard as the girls had all gone out on Friday night as part of their Christmas party and Lucy had taken a few photos of them on the dance floor and sent them to us during the night......As you can imagine, Doug made the most of this and teased them unmercifully - Poor Holly got the brunt of it but she gave as good as she got!  We have got our works party on Christmas Eve in the Carps which will be slightly more sedate, possibly.......?!

The horses were really fresh and felt fabulous. We are still hoping to run Glory Hunter (Murphy) and Cloud at Cottenham, Pete will be riding Murphy and Will is making his debut on Cloud. He gets on really well with her and is a tidy little rider so he deserves a chance. We have then got Exclusive Rights and Sea Rock at Chaddesley Corbett on the 29th  I feel somewhat sick just thinking about it, particularly the two Irish horses who are going really well at home but that doesn't always mean they will run well on the track. This photo really shows the relationship that they have together. They both came out of the same yard in Ireland and are the best of friends. Rock is five and the older more sensible one and Murphy is the cocky, enthusiastic one who pretends to be completely fearless but draws a lot of strength and comfort from his steadfast and unfaltering stable mate.

Glory Hunter and Sea Rock