Fun And Funds At St. Moritz

All the connections of Linda's horses out in St. Moritz had great fun in the party atmosphere at the track on the frozen lake, and this will be continued after racing tonight thanks to the excitement and performances of the two runners. First to race was Kafeel in the 1 mile 2 furlong feature race of the day.  He ran a great race to finish 5th of the 15 runners, earning the equivalent of £3583 for his efforts.  Then Mishrif followed up by finishing 3rd in the mile race, adding £1451 to the funds in the process.  Now we just hope for a safe journey home for both humans and equines.

There's Snow Difference!

There was no difference where you watched Linda's horses working this morning.  Whether you were in St. Moritz or Sutton Valence it was snow all the way!

Karen working one of the horses at St. Moritz on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile it was similar conditions for the horses and riders at home.

 

 

A Bracing Little Stroll In The Snow.

Mishrif joined some of the other racehorses for a stroll in the snow.  A very picturesque ride.

Well Freeze My Whiskers!

Both the horses and humans have been getting used to the cold.  The ice forms on the horses' whiskers when they go out to exercise. (Photo below)

 



In order that the horses could work on arrival, this time they had the special snow shoes fitted in England before they left.
Karen and Sam have been getting a feel for the racecourse facilities and are enjoying their visit, which so far has gone well.

Acclimatization.

All have arrived safely and the horses have had their first taste of the snow.

 

A Return To The Ice.

Linda has sent two horses to St. Moritz for Kim and Keith.  Kafeel should run in the Grand Prix and Mishrif, leased from John Jenkins, should run in the mile event.  Both races are next Sunday 22nd February.  The horses set out four days ago driven by Paul and his brother James, while Karen and Sam flew out today.  Karen will do the exercise riding leading up to the races.  There will be further updates when news of progress gets in.

Thankful For Third

Kingscombe returned to his favourite course, Southwell, today and finished 3rd in a 2 mile handicap.  Connections must have been thankful that he got a run as he bucked his jockey, Rab Havlin, off when playing up at the start.  Rab demonstrated fine gymnastic skills by actually landing on his feet and was none the worse for wear.  The field set off with Kingscombe on the inside at the back.  He seemed to want to move up in the straight for the first time but was trapped behind horses, so Rab pulled him to the outside going away from the stands.  A couple of runners dropped away down the back straight and Kingscombe turned for home in 4th place.  He went past one into third but was never going to get close to the two in front who were well clear at the line.

Eye Catching Double

Karen won the "Best Turned Out" prize with both horses that Linda sent to Plumpton today.  "I'm Lucy" and "Born To Be Free" both looked a picture and deservedly won the awards for her.

Improving By Degrees

Just a couple of degrees warmer but what a change from last week.  We didn't need to remember the hill gallop, we could use it!  Paul and Dick worked on it, rolling and filling,  before the horses did their bit..

Video of the gallops men.

 

Then the horses worked.

 

On The Hill

With the ground frozen outside and snow flurries falling it was good to be reminded of days on the hill gallop courtesy of a headcam video from Emmelia of Strategic Action.