Sam Learns The Hard Way.

Sams R Man, owned by Valence Racing, made his debut at Kempton on 1st August and it was a tough lesson to learn.  In a field of 14 he was drawn one from the outside and was startled when the gates opened, leaving him quickly a few lengths behind.  He made up some of the ground and was passing a horse on the outside when it swung out and nearly knocked him over.  Again back on his heels he found his rhythm again but began to tire in the home straight and, losing touch, he was not punished in the final furlong or so.

Owners and Rab Havlin before Sam's race.

Surprisingly busy Saturday.

The yard is usually fairly quiet for Saturday breakfast at this time of year but today it was buzzing. Several regulars made their first visits for a few weeks, some of the new syndicate were there to view their horse and others were eyeing up prospects for the future.

Malcolm with the new syndicate purchase "Cockney Seagull".

A few of the National Hunt horses were just back in after their summer holidays.

Itoldyou is back.

And so is Due South.

Kim was there to see Kafeel and he confirmed that the plan, all going well, was to aim for a return to San Moritz in the spring.

Very different conditions await Kafeel in the spring.

Down on the track prospective buyers viewed one of Linda's new purchases from Ireland.

Is this the one for us?

Saturday's Special Event.

There was something a little different to enjoy at the stables this morning when Sharon Polding brought her 9 year old eventer, Findon Firecracker, to work on the gallops.  Earlier in the year they had competed under the G.B. flag in the Tattersals event in Ireland.  They hope to be competing at Blenheim later in the year.

The spectators, both human and equine, found it all very interesting.

Is This The Future? For Some Things We Hope Not!

For those visiting for breakfast this morning there were hints of things to come.  The first of Linda's new acquisitions has arrived from Ireland, a well bred, big, strong 4 year old filly, who looks an exciting jumping prospect.

A less exciting window into the future was the breakdown of the dishwasher!  The owners reverted to the old traditional method and will need a winner to finance a return to normality!

However the rare treat of the sun made watching the horses on the track a pleasure.

Being Held Up Is Obviously A Sheila Thing And Praise For Glory's Turn Out!

Hold up tactics were again used on Its A Sheila Thing at Brighton this afternoon.  Under Charles Bishop she pulled a little early on as he tried to settle her at the back.  She came on the outside of the field three furlongs from home in the mile race and was soon battling it out with the leaders, finally finishing third beaten half a length and a neck.  A small drop in the weights should help her chances of victory.
In the next race Alex won £25 for his first unaided "Best Turned Out" with Praise N Glory.

Praise N Glory

Rest And Recuperation.

A visit to the geldings (Hab Sab, Itoldyou, Mab Dab and Due South) in their holiday paddock showed them to be happy, chilling out in the fine weather.  With plenty of good grass they should be in a great state of health when they return, probably sometime in July.

Valence Racing Victory.

It's not just races that Valence Racing win, they put together a quiz team and it gained victory by the narrowest of margins (a half point) at a local school quiz night.

The successful Valence Racing quiz team. (Horses take note!)