Exclusive Rights at Kingston Blount

Scruffy went in for her wind operation today at Ben Brain's. She came home three hours later looking as bright as a button and is kicking the door for her supper at this moment.. She will be back on the track in three weeks time. It is amazing how good the surgery is nowadays.

We had a great days racing yesterday. To the outsider it probably didn't look that wonderful - 3 pull ups and one sixth place with Late Night Jazz but we were delighted with both mares in the maiden. Bea (Burrows Spring) had never been over big fences before and yet she handled them with ease and was up with the pace until she made a tired  mistake two from home and Tom very sensibly pulled her up. She would have been in the first four had she finished and bearing in mind she was up against race fit horses it was a very encouraging run. Annoyingly someone ran into the back of her and sliced her back leg, very close to the tendon but luckily it looks as though it is only superficial and she will be back on the track soon. Premier Gold (Lily) is our 'problem child' and we very nearly gave up on her after her appalling behaviour last time out where she refused to be tacked up in the lorry, rearing up and kicking out, was drenched in sweat from the word go and run a very lack lustre race. This time we saddled her up off the track and got her there with not too much time to think about it. Kara gave her a great ride and she was up with the leading group for most of the way, jumping like a bunny, she was just beginning to tire when two horses fell in front of her and she was brought to a standstill, she still jumped three more fences but was then pulled up. However, the most exciting bit was that she was really happy afterwards and we were able to enjoy a picnic and glass of wine whilst she enjoyed a hay net in the lorry. That is a massive breakthrough as previously we had to rush her home as she would be having a panic attack in the lorry. 

Lady Barfad was the only disappointment in that she was going really well and then as she went past the lorry park second time round, changed legs and pulled herself up. As far as she was concerned she had done enough thank you very much. She has so much ability and racing doesn't bother her or upset her at all but she has got rather used to pulling up and she seems to have lost her competitive edge. To be fair the ground would still have been too sticky for her so hopefully on better ground she will try a little harder...

Will Seth Smith did a great clear round on Jim (Late Night Jazz) and although last of the finishers was with them for longer and is looking more and more like a 'proper' jockey....

The sun shone and we very much enjoyed the company around the lorry. Needless to say we were the very last to leave...