Princess Apollo runs at Catterick today

A quiet-ish couple of summer months here at Dodlands, but we do have 2 or 3 horses in the yard to run on the flat.

Princess Apollo should appreciate the give in the ground at Catterick today, where she runs in the 5.15, a 5f apprentice handicap. Her form has been quite modest so far and she'll need to improve a bit today but there is hope that she can come on from her seasonal debut at Musselburgh last month.

Young Andrew Breslin takes the ride.

Good luck to Steve Chamberlain and friends, and enjoy the day.

Princess Apollo

On holiday

And it's not just Callum who's enjoying a break in the sun......

As is the norm, our winter horses are spread over the green fields of the Scottish Borders enjoying the summer sun.
Well, at least it was sunny the day that Ian, Donald and Al did a mini tour to visit half a dozen or so.

Nicola and John Mackin have interests in a couple of horses here at Dodlands, so it was only appropriate to share a photo when we visited the two enjoying the peace together. The grey Dali Mail (bumper, hurdle winner) - an exciting horse for next season - and the promising, unraced Shantou filly ('Hope') were both settled and relaxed when we visited, but also delighted to see us.

Owner Ian Aitken greets his own 'Hope' (right) and Dali Mail

And finally.....

The announcement that you've all been waiting for...................the winner of the Dodlands Steading stable '5-to-follow' competition.

A closely contested event, with a trio from the Whillans' family tied in 3rd place (but sadly, not you Donald). 'Mouse' and 'Fozo' actually tied in 1st place on 35 points, but there can only be one winner and 'Mouse' Young was the man who came out on top.
Whilst the panel's decision is final, it is understood that Fozo has employed local solicitor Rory Bannerman to act in his behalf during the appeal process.
Good luck with that one!

Very few contestants used the reserve replacement option, but sympathy must go to that fine judge of horse flesh Helen Simpson, who lost faith with Side of the Road and swopped her out a couple of weeks prior to her Musselburgh victory. That 5 points would have made all the difference to the top of the standings.

Great fun though, thanks to all contetstants.