An amazing day Saturday when I had my first group winner in my own colours. I’ve had shares of several group winners in the past. Many years ago I had a piece of a horse called Glide Path with John Hills. He was a top grade handicapper who was just shy of group class – his most notable achievement was back to …
Secret squirrels
Saturday turned out to be a good day for me financially as I backed Supaseus, the winner of the Cambridgeshire. Supaseus is owned by Sir Martyn and Ben Arbib – Sir Martyn is one of my co-investors at Swindon Town. The icing on the cake came a little later when Swindon held on to win 3-2 at Brentford – it …
Big Ask
After a morning meeting on Thursday I hurried down to Goodwood to catch Morana’s run in the first. I arrived in the ring at the same time as Alan Munro – Mick was there with a couple of friends but Pete hadn’t made it. Alan was very positive about Morana – he said he hadn’t been sure how good he …
Seconditis
Lots going on at the moment, both in business and with the horses. Last Tuesday was a Swindon Town strategy day. We wanted an outsider to chair it and we got Roger Munby, ex chairman and CEO of Norwich, to do the honours. He made a big impression on me – a committed and hard working man who helped to built the …
Poor investment
Out and about today and updating from my mobile. Looby Loo comes out at Kempton after eighteen months of waiting. She cost me over half a million pounds and she’s coming out in a little maiden at Kempton on a quiet Wednesday – I don’t think I’ll be getting my money back on this one. Still she’s not completely useless …
Go the parrot
No good on Saturday, with Maxwell continuing to disappoint. I’ve had a few runs now without a winner – hopefully today that can be put to rights. Quaker Parrot is a genuine sort who readily gives her all – if she gets beaten today it wont be through lack of trying. Her race looks pretty winnable if she can replicate …
Watching with interest
A mixed week for the horses with a couple of good seconds but some disappointment as well. Morana ran a really good second to a possibly top class horse at Sandown. It was a good time and these Sandown maidens generally work out very well. I don’t know where we go next but a tilt at the Royal Lodge is …
Healthcheck
I’m very busy at the moment, with some days being wall to wall meetings. It’s nice to have spare time to think, but recently I’ve come to realise that I’m much happier in myself when I’m really busy. On Saturday I went down to Yeovil to watch Swindon. We won 1-0 thanks to an own goal – unspectacular but they …
Back at school
Another disappointing run for Maxwell Hawke on Friday. It’s been a while now since he put in a decent run, but I think he’ll return to form one day. Next time up he’ll be wearing a tongue tie. Cyan Eyed ran today, finishing in mid division in what may prove to be a smart maiden. She doesn’t look like a …
Coming together
Disappointing yesterday. Teia Tephi ran no race and is a candidate for early retirement. She has plenty of ability on her limited home work but she has dodgy joints, and when push came to shove yesterday she didn’t want to go through with it. Open Glory ran a reasonable race all things considered. Richard tried to get her to the …