Successful Open Day

It was Owners' Open Day at the stable today.  A good crowd turned out to see the horses, chat about experiences and partake of the excellent refreshments provided.  The horses were beautifully turned out and looked very well, thanks to the hard work of all the staff who mixed grooming and turn out with being waiters and waitresses, making sure no plate was empty or glass half full.  A presentation was made to the winners of the 2012/13 Three To Follow Competition and the 2013/14 competition was started. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable time.

 

A time for chat and a look round the yard.

Settling down to watch the horses parade.

 

Kingscombe parades.

Rowe Park makes a quick appearance before going to Wolverhampton to race.

 

 

 

Red Anchor parades.

Calm Before The Storm

The last few weeks have been fairly quiet but now the action begins again.  Staff are working hard to get the horses and stables ready for the Owners Open Day on Saturday (28th September) and the National Hunt horses are progressing nicely with their names appearing on the list of dates for possible entries, on the fridge door!  Indeed this afternoon Spirit Of Xaar makes a reappearance in a novice hurdle at Plumpton.

Peter Bows Out With Great Sum Raised

 

 

Peter Oppenheimer, aged 63, had his final competitive ride in today's Newmarket Town Plate.  With a large band of supporters present, and riding Knock Boy he finished out of the frame, but their efforts raised a fantastic sum, in excess of £3200, for Macmillan Cancer Support.  Peter trained really hard for this final effort and fully deserves to have raised so much for a deserving cause. Although he says that it is definitely his last attempt to finish in the first three, the bug might just get to him again next spring and you never know!

That's More Like It



Ladies Day at Fontwell (15/8/2013) seemed an appropriate occasion for She's Humble to show a big improvement in form.  Although a power cut meant no Tote, no chilled champagne, no hot coffee, no lift to the viewing box and no closed circuit television, Humble lifted the spirits with a display hinting at those of old.    Tackling a distance longer than she had ever tried before, she was jumped off by Conor Shoemark towards the back of midfield.  She was keen to race more prominently but was steadied in 5th for the first circuit.  She came close to being brought down by the favourite at the 6th fence but jumped well herself to keep in contention.  She moved up into 3rd place round the final bend and was still in that place over the last.  She could find no more and was overtaken a couple of yards from the line to finish 4th, but earned a little prize money for her owners.

Shane leads Humble in after finishing 4th.

Back And Backing

Shannon has returned from her scholarship period in South Africa and is back into the swing of things at Southfield.  She has been getting Rosemary's filly used to having someone on her back and progressed to sitting astride her at a walk.



 Sadly for us it seems likely that Shannon will soon return to South Africa, where she has been offered several jobs, though we are proud to have helped her on her career path.

 

Final Crack At The Plate.

Peter Oppenheimer is, at the age of 63, having one last attempt to finish in the first three in the Newmarket Town Plate on Saturday 24th August.  A long time owner here at Southfield, Peter will be riding Knock Boy in the race.  He is raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support, and you can read the full story and donate at www.justgiving.co.uk/peter-oppenheimer .

From Dawn till Dusk.

Racing at Southwell.  Up at dawn to load the lorry with She's Humble and an unraced 3 year old.  An early start to try to avoid the traffic and heat. Paul driving, Karen and Dick as grooms and Richard Young (Owner) aboard.

Arrived at Southwell after driving for 4 hours through heavy rain. 

Karen gave the 3 year old a racecourse gallop while the others looked at the chase course to assess Humble's chances.

The sun came out but the ground had changed from our intended "Good To Firm" to "Soft", not so good for Humble.  Still she looked great.

An error on the final circuit, added to the soft ground, finished her chance of a top three finish and she came 5th.  After an hour to let her recover it was back to the lorry for the trip home.

 

Arrived back at Southfield as the sun was setting.  A long day.