Yard news

Nearly all our string are now out at grass for a couple of months. So, it's fairly quiet, but that means we can organise the rota for the general summer tidy-up. Chores such as power cleaning of the stables, treatment and re-painting of woodwork and we've got some white railings to line one side of the gallops. And so on...........
We do have a couple of unbroken youngsters who we'll educate over the next few weeks in the yard - as long as they don't prove too difficult!!

Our recent Hexham winner, Harry Flashman, has returned home to the paddocks of his breeder and part owner Allan Gilchrist. So, as well as bringing an end to the spring campaign for the gelding, this also closes the curtain on our own season - the extended 2011-12 one that is.

Look out for more details at the back end of the summer.

Thirty Days Out

Unfortunately, our young hurdler Thirty Days Out has passed away.

On Friday, we were routinely checking our horses at grass when we noticed the mare in a quite distressed state. Our vet was swiftly on the scene, but Thirty Days Out had suffered injuries which were untreatable.

She was humanely put down.

Whilst the passing away of any of our horses is never easy to take, Thirty Days Out comes from a family who get better with age (see French Executive & Well Disguised), and 7 years has been the platform on which significant improvement has been launched. She had yet to win a race, but was placed 4 times bumpers and on a couple of occasions over hurdles, she was a sure-fire winner next season.

Our abiding memory is of first setting eyes on the mare, as a foal in her box at Goff's in Ireland. This was the night before the sale, the light was fading, and she had nestled down in the straw. As we peered over the door, we were met by bright eyes emanating from her little head. We fell in love.

Thirty Days Out was a sparkling presence on the morning gallops, and will be sorely missed.