21st March 2016

21st March 2016

We had a bit of a nightmare on Friday as two of the four intended Saturday runners at Newcastle were ruled out due to one being lame and the other having an unfortunate accident. Neither should be out of work long but it was a very frustrating day none the less. Saturday itself was much better as Veroce won for the second time  and Big Sound finished 4th in the same race. Veroce has really come good recently and will be bidding for a hat trick next month.

Click here to watch the race.

Below is a picture of the Newcastle runners in the stable yard and in the parade ring, it's funny seeing them together as Veroce is a massive horse at 17hh and Big Sound at 15.2hh is one of, if not the smallest, chasers in training.

The flat season is almost upon us and our first runner on the turf will be Woody Bay, he had a fantastic season last year; out of his 15 runs he won 3 and was placed 4 times. So we are hoping for similar successes this time.

Lackaday runs tomorrow and looks to have a decent chance of gaining his owners their first winner, I am looking forward to a good season with him. He is a very tough, sound horse and should pick up a few races. Going to Southwell with Lackaday are Druid's Diamond and Bit of a Quirke who will be having a racecourse gallop ahead of running in a Maiden at Doncaster next week.

We were very sad to see one of our longest team members work her last full day on Friday. Linda has worked for us for 9 years as a yard person, farm hand, occasional rider, box driver  and many other jobs in between. She is leaving to become the manager of a livery yard where she keeps her own horse, it's a job she unfortunately could not refuse.  Linda has been a great member of staff over the years and will be sorely missed. Despite this she has promised to help us out by going racing when we are busy, starting with going to Redcar on Monday with Woody Bay!