We had very heavy rain overnight (39mm) so plenty of puddles around this morning. Most of the horses did 2canters on Charlie's hill gallop. We started by doing 15mins trotting and went for a walk afterwards before washing them once we got back to the yard. Some horses go for a walk before starting on the flat gallop then canter once on the hill. Air Force One cantered on the short and back of the hill. Air Force had an interrupted season before looking like he would win at Down Royal .(fell 4to jump) He looks very well for his summer break (went to owner Brian Walsh's stud) and we will aim to start the current season off at Ascot in a race he previously just failed in before finishing second in The Hennessey.
Daniel with Sum Laff Eilidh with How's Business
Viva Colonia ran with a bit more encouragement last night but more is needed before he is visiting the winner’s enclosure. Probably a drop to selling class is needed. He has come back from his race fine and after a few days walking we will get him cantering next week.
Most of the horses all had a trot then a canter this morning. It won't be long before they are doing two canters then eventually some will do three canters before progressing to doing two bits of faster work a week. Unleashed and King Brex had a canter up the short then one on Charlie's hill gallop. Cortinas and Mr Big did two canters on Charlie's hill.
Today we had a visit from John Hankinson (Equine Manipulation/Reiki master/Registered Healer/Scenar Therapist). John has been a huge help over the past couple of seasons for horses with back problems. Now we have got all the horses back in training John will call every two weeks to help keep them moving!!
Noel could be out of action for approx 3weeks. Unfortunately he has a chip to his collar bone and bruising in his back. We all hope for a speedy recovery.
Noel was allowed home from hospital yesterday but has a further appointment today to find out the full extent of his injuries. Hopefully Noel will be back in action soon as he is an important cog in our wheel.
Thursday is usually schooling day or an easier day for the horses. This week we had nothing to school and most of the others had a canter. Cortinas and Unleashed had a canter up the short and one up Charlie's gallop. Cortinas has come out of his run very well so we have decided to enter him at Ffos Las on Wednesday in a claiming hurdle. We have also picked a couple more suitable opportunities the following week so we will look at the entries before making a decision. Air Force One, King Brex and Mr Big went off for a trot before cantering up the back of the hill. Mr big should be running in approx three weeks before a return trip to the
Charlie coming back from exercise with Bengal Tiger and Peter with Hudibras
Viva Colonia has been declared for Fontwell tomorrow. His first run for the stable was a winning one at Fontwell so we are hoping for a more promising effort tomorrow. His work at home has been good and Peter Toole will ride.
Noel was in this morning and rode Airmens Friend 1st lot. He thought he was a smashing type so plenty to look forward to for the season ahead. Unfortunately after 1st lot Noel went off to school for another Lambourn trainer and took a bad fall on the schooling ground. He was airlifted to The Great Western in
Most of the other horses cantered with a few still walking and trotting.
This morning most of the horses continued to trot up
Mr big and King Brex did two canters on the hill. Viva Colonia and Unleashed did one on the short (flat gallop) and one on the hill. We did enter Viva at Market Rasen on Saturday as an alternative but he will most likely run at Fontwell Thursday.
Spear Thistle being washed by Ray after exercise
Most of the horses all went off for a trot and had a canter on Charlie's hill gallop. It is easier to start the horses on the hill as it helps settle and relax them before going for a walk afterwards. We have a few still walking and trotting that came back in to training a little later, also a few horses have had breathing operations so are a week to ten days behind.
Cortinas went for a walk today and seemed fresh and well. He possibly will have a canter tomorrow. Mr Big and King Brex did two canters on the hill. Unleashed and Viva Colonia had a canter up the short then once up the hill.
We had a visit from an ex member of staff this morning. Eilidh Grant who has worked in
On a Monday we do all our ordering for the week ahead. Hay, feed and bedding all gets ordered weekly. We feed Vixen nuts which have a great track record for winners each season.
On a Sunday morning we put as many horses on the walker as time allows. The lads muck out the boxes, hay and water the horses. If we have any runners at the beginning of the next week we will give them a canter or a school.
Cortinas showed a lot more promise yesterday and should be up to winning in this grade .After all the horses run the following day we give them a trot to check for lameness or stiffness. Cortinas was 100% so will look for another race shortly. Charlie Duckworth will also learn from yesterdays experience, Charlie(Mann) and Noel will go through the video to give him useful pointers.
This morning we cantered Mr Big and King Brex on Charlie's hill gallop. Both horses are progressing well after their summer breaks. They should be ready to run towards the end of September. Viva Colonia and Unleashed cantered up the short then up the back of the hill gallop. Viva most likely will run at Fontwell next Thursday. Next week we will step up the work for Unleashed with a view to running again in three to four weeks. The rest of the horses walked and trotted.
Friday the 13th has gone smoothly so far. Cortinas has been declared for Market Rasen tomorrow with a new Jockey on board.( race confined to Jockeys who have ridden under 10winners) Charlie Duckworth has his first ride for the stable, He has been working for us for 12months.Previously Charlie worked in Ireland and also spent a short time in the Us. His latest ride was a winning one in the Charity Race at Newbury early July.
We decided against running Viva Colonia on Sunday at Southwell as it looks like a decent Selling Hurdle. He has been entered for Fontwell (only previous win at Fontwell) next Thursday.
Mr big and King Brex cantered this morning on Charlie’s hill gallop. Viva Colonia and Unleashed cantered on the back of the hill gallop. All the other horses walked and trotted.
This morning we schooled Cortinas (Charlie Duckworth) and Viva Colonia (Noel Fehily) in preparation for their runs this weekend. Cortinas had his usual spring in his step and looks well in at the weights on Saturday so a better run is expected. Viva shows all the right signs at home but is on a rescue mission to recover his form.
Mr Big, King Brex and Unleashed all had a canter with the rest still walking and trotting. Unleashed has had a short break but should be back on the racecourse before long.
If you would like to watch a video of Cortinas and Viva Colonia schooling this morning please click on the link below