More hideous weather today – I’m told that we’re getting a month’s worth of rain today here in leafy Surrey. I can believe it – it’s cats and dogs out there. It wasn’t raining at Newmarket overnight and early morning, but the rain started an hour ago and it’s chucking it down now (11:40). Rain is also forecast at Chantilly …
The big day
I had an amazing day on Sunday when I went to the tennis. I’d managed to convince myself that Nadal was a sure fire winner and I had a big bet on him. As I sat down on Centre Court I was rather wishing I hadn’t had a bet at all, as it was such a big match and I didn’t want …
Old Muggins
Last week we took delivery of a climbing frame, although you wouldn’t have recognised it as such when it arrived. There were six bags of tubular steel rods all drilled with holes, three bags of nuts, bolts and assorted fitments, a swing, a slide and a canvas “den”. There were also a couple of alan keys to put it all …
Over the moon
A good day yesterday with Lilac Moon winning in fine style. In quality terms she’s not one of my leading lights, but she’s developed into a lovely looking horse and and I’m very fond of her. She isn’t what I would consider broodmare quality, but I’m looking for a few cheaper mares to have on my stud in the early …
Gubbed
I had a good day at Wimbledon with Jane and our two daughters. In truth the girls were a bit too young to appreciate it and they got bored towards the end. When Andy Murray went two sets down we decided to call it a day and head home. Oh well. I spent most of the morning with Tom Goff who …
A worthy winner
Derby day finally came, although the rain I’d been hoping for didn’t. It was a blow – I’d only kept Bouguereau in the race in the hope that the ground would come up on the soft side, but that wasn’t going to happen. Still a great day out beckoned. I got dressed in my fancy togs and headed off to …
The big one
Only a day away from a runner in the Derby, and although he’s a rank outsider I’m still pretty excited. The rain didn’t come for me, but there’s still a fair bit forecast and it might be enough to turn the ground at the last minute. Fingers crossed for a big run. Thoughts on the big race then; I can’t have New …
Go Bougie go
I’ve been very busy this week with work – no time to bet and no time to blog. Annoyingly I missed out on backing a horse I’d been waiting for for a long time – Zaskar trained by Tom Dascombe is a lovely filly with a real turn of foot, and she went in in the week. Of course I’d …
Mortgage job
I’ve been ringing around this morning and I’m feeling a sense of optimism from some of my trainers. Pete’s horses haven’t been going as well as usual, but I think they are picking up now. Brian is starting to have a few winners, and Tom’s horses seem to be in decent shape. I’ve decided to leave Bouguereau in the Derby …
Odds-on failure
Another weekend of dashed hopes, capped with Bouguereau finishing down the field in 7th in the Italian Derby. Well at least I can say I’ve had an odds-on favourite in a Group 1, which is rare enough. Bouguereau is a super horse, but he’s a big, fairly lean galloping type with real staying power – he isn’t a speedster, and …