tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301199985743726682024-03-13T12:34:35.918-07:00Harness Racing in the UKMy adventures, views and opinions from the world of harness racing in the UK and Ireland.Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-84693858870904683042021-04-11T15:18:00.000-07:002021-04-11T15:18:09.722-07:00Light At The End Of The Tunnel<p>The other night I was messaging a friend (virtual interaction is basically all that life has become over the past 4 months) and I paraphrased a famous <i>Game Of Thrones</i> line when I said:</p><p>"Summer is coming."</p><p>And it is. Spring has officially sprung: foals are arriving, a trickle at first but soon the floodgates will open and social media will be awash with photos of the next generation of harness racing superstars; racehorses are well into their 2021 training regimes and as soon as this weekend the first of the qualifier and workout days is scheduled to take place at Amman Valley, with York, Tir Prince and Corbiewood all due to open their doors for organised pre-season preparation shortly after.</p><p>The light at the end of the tunnel is Saturday 24th April, the planned season opener at York Harness Raceway, followed by Tir Prince the following weekend on May 1st and then before we know it, we're fully back into the swing of things and closer to something resembling normality than we'll have seen in what feels like a very long time.</p><p>OK, so the world may not have returned to normal by the end of this month, but <i>my</i> world will almost have. Because for the best part of six months each year, I live for the weekends. Not, as some may think, because I like to go mad on a Friday and/or Saturday night on the drink, but because I am graced with the opportunity to travel up and down the country doing and being around something I love: racing.</p><p>I make no secret of the fact that I find the winter notoriously difficult, even pre-Covid. For the past few years I've suffered with SAD, which year-on-year has become increasingly worse. I voiced my concerns to my parents heading into this winter that it was going to be the worst one yet for me, basing my fears on past winters but also the added factor of working from home. On top of the reduced hours of daylight, and starting and finishing my work day in darkness, this winter I also had to face the reality of little to no face-to-face human interaction for extended periods of time, save obviously the person I live with.</p><p>I am by nature a sociable person; even though I work with people who have absolutely no interest in the things that I am obsessed with, working from home through most of 2020 made me realise that actually I had a better personal relationship with my colleagues than I had accounted for. I missed them. What got me through that from June to November was going racing every single weekend (bar the one I missed to go yurting in Aberdeenshire). Racing, and the people within it, literally kept me sane in 2020.</p><p>Driving home after the last meeting of the season on November 8th I tried to focus my attention on all of the moments I had so thoroughly enjoyed from the summer; during the month of December avid followers of my photography Facebook page will have noticed that I did a photo advent calendar - a photo posted every day from December 1st through to Christmas Eve with an explanation as to why it meant something to me. This was simply a tactic to distract myself from the fact that the 2021 season felt like an eternity away.</p><p>And then, with Christmas only a few days away, we were plunged into national lockdown once again. Plans I had tentatively made for my weekends in January and February were suddenly off the cards. I operate by a system of borderline obsessive planning and having things to look forward to. I count down the days to whatever I have marked in my diary first. All of these small milestones fill the time until before I know it, the new season has started. But 2021 got off on the wrong foot, and May could not have felt further away.</p><p>Fear not dear readers, this post isn't all doom and gloom. It is however the chance for me to give you some of the relevant background information to assist you in understanding why I am the way I am when you see me during the summer. I know I'm over the top, I know I take extra to the next level, I know it sometimes seems like the things I say and the posts I write can't possibly be genuine because who really gets <i>that</i> excited about watching other people's horses race around an oval for a couple of laps? Trust me, I'm not the 'try hard' some of you might have me pegged as - it really is just the way I am. I could bottle it up and try to behave in a slightly more socially acceptable manner instead of acting like a cheerleader on ecstasy but at some point along my journey within this sport I decided to take the risk of revealing who I really am in the hope that the acceptance and welcome I had received from the first day I set foot in a paddock as a groom would be extended again once people realised I was a little bit weirder than I first let on. So far, so good....I think.</p><p>Speaking of welcomes, despite having to scrap most of my planned stable visits this year, I have been able to get out a couple of times along with my camera to visit my sponsored drivers (whilst observing social distancing rules and regs). The first visit of 2021 was to Ayr Standardbreds when I dropped off one of my squad for the season with the O'Neil family. AFAN EJO (or Joe as he's known) was my 'bargain buy' at the Brightwells Sale back in 2018, and after cutting his training short last year due to the uncertainty surrounding racing going ahead, this year we decided to entrust him to our friend Hugh O'Neil Jnr for his first season of racing. I was able to visit again 8 weeks later to see how he was progressing and catch up with everyone, as well as meet their entire team which in addition to Joe, consists of dual STAGBI Future Broodmares winner last year AYR EMPRESS, Junior Welsh Dragoness winner AYR AMBITION, AYR BEACH and a horse Elizabeth [O'Neil] won in a raffle, EASY TIGER.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14gkoloonDA/YHNSn1801MI/AAAAAAAAFWA/LarWt43KnLkAzCeltY8AVefGMBY7MtDhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14gkoloonDA/YHNSn1801MI/AAAAAAAAFWA/LarWt43KnLkAzCeltY8AVefGMBY7MtDhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5414.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ayr Empress & Hugh O'Neil Jnr</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PS1IlrN96is/YHNSfA-fXgI/AAAAAAAAFV8/37BtXYjMrfQqe9wQykOycdUOFCNMQO2nQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1475" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PS1IlrN96is/YHNSfA-fXgI/AAAAAAAAFV8/37BtXYjMrfQqe9wQykOycdUOFCNMQO2nQCLcBGAsYHQ/w230-h320/IMG_6670.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ayr Empress<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_EZpzwLmqQ/YHNSqLvzzhI/AAAAAAAAFWE/piErIE6f0uwSrxJej0gkoulZacnVpUjuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_EZpzwLmqQ/YHNSqLvzzhI/AAAAAAAAFWE/piErIE6f0uwSrxJej0gkoulZacnVpUjuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5751.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ayr Beach & Michael O'Neil<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BO-bbF2D9VE/YHNS2efvmMI/AAAAAAAAFWU/fg6steU8KGcoS4-SllCdzOjIxjDWZLo1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BO-bbF2D9VE/YHNS2efvmMI/AAAAAAAAFWU/fg6steU8KGcoS4-SllCdzOjIxjDWZLo1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6531.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ayr Beach</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTv4O8-DhUY/YHNSyhNdkWI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/zX6NAyGlQesAWoUqLU8OtVEQg8iJvWEggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTv4O8-DhUY/YHNSyhNdkWI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/zX6NAyGlQesAWoUqLU8OtVEQg8iJvWEggCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Afan EJO & Hugh O'Neil Jnr</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mckiwoAd9ZY/YHNSdNdDTWI/AAAAAAAAFV4/obszI0xb-KU831smvji65d4Bee8VLQS3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8382.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Afan EJO</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mv2ZvxLBLeg/YHNS8oN86wI/AAAAAAAAFWc/I7eXS_xw0nMZjlKD4PUxuGKAZPfpO-4MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mv2ZvxLBLeg/YHNS8oN86wI/AAAAAAAAFWc/I7eXS_xw0nMZjlKD4PUxuGKAZPfpO-4MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6772.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Easy Tiger & Hugh O'Neil</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dly9SohOPHY/YHNS_3Lo0QI/AAAAAAAAFWg/E5Nt8izDgMAWHpsYmTGjZ0ELQG-ewR0nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dly9SohOPHY/YHNS_3Lo0QI/AAAAAAAAFWg/E5Nt8izDgMAWHpsYmTGjZ0ELQG-ewR0nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7994.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Easy Tiger</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I also managed to fit in my first ever visit to Dreamgait Stables, home to Evenwood Stud and the Nicholson family. At the turn of the year I announced that Hugh O'Neil Jnr and Joseph Riley would be joining the ranks of <i>Sarah Thomas Equine Photography</i> as sponsored drivers, alongside the original: John Henry Nicholson. So this visit was long overdue to see my little sidekick in his natural habitat. We rather cleverly managed to arrange it to land on his sister, Savannah's, birthday so she was treated to a photoshoot with her special boy, DIAMANT DE GODREL as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdhdCpy9Fu4/YHN0a9sSJAI/AAAAAAAAFW0/tNvVYrNO1WUXs8L-C1EOPo_JUc1xFKW0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdhdCpy9Fu4/YHN0a9sSJAI/AAAAAAAAFW0/tNvVYrNO1WUXs8L-C1EOPo_JUc1xFKW0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0082.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg-mcUKuQuk/YHN0avomGgI/AAAAAAAAFWw/56bLCIdqfjUK7trp82F1K6SAhWOpjDVWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1588" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg-mcUKuQuk/YHN0avomGgI/AAAAAAAAFWw/56bLCIdqfjUK7trp82F1K6SAhWOpjDVWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0060.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Now if you've followed my blog for the past few years, you'll have noticed that as time has gone on the posts have become less and less frequent until, in 2020, there was only one post which acted as a full season review featuring my personal highlights. Gone are the days when I would post a weekly roundup of the previous weekend's race meetings from across the country. I'm sure I touched upon the reasons for this in that sole post last autumn, but to recap it is largely due to the fact that in this day and age, people want to watch rather than read. It isn't so much that the art of writing is dying, but that as someone wanting to share my views, opinions and experiences I have to move with the times. Video is where it's at. Through the live stream reviews, The Sulky Show and The Chico & Sarah Show I've been able to tick all the boxes that I needed to, in far less time than it takes to sit and compose an appropriate and well thought out update on here. Writing has, for the largest part, become an obsolete activity.</p><p>However, following my day trip to see the Nicholson's, I felt compelled to write again. I'm rarely short of words to describe anything but even though three weeks have passed since my visit, I'm still struggling to sum up exactly how much I enjoyed myself. The combination of the first warm, sunny day of the year, a barn full of racehorses to be introduced (or in some cases, reintroduced) to, and the opportunity to photograph people working at something they love made for the perfect day. Add to that the stories that were shared over the course of the day and I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I could have spent the remainder of the weekend there.</p><p>First and foremost, this is a family which absolutely loves what they do. From the moment I arrived it was clear to see how much pride they take in the horses they breed and train and the place from which they ply their trade. I mentioned to Georgina later on in the afternoon how it hadn't gone unnoticed that during my initial tour of the barn, as we stopped at each stable to meet its inhabitant I wasn't given a rundown of pedigree or race records but a quick synopsis of personality traits. People who don't have insider access to the horse racing industry (Thoroughbred or Standardbred) often have this misconceived idea that it's a numbers game, that the horses involved are nothing more than cogs in a machine. It couldn't be further from the truth. The people who work with racehorses know them inside out; their likes and dislikes, their quirks and differences, all of the things that make them individuals.</p><p>I work with my own horses and I love it. Yet watching others working with their horses is still as interesting to me as it would be had I never experienced it myself. Not only do I count myself as incredibly lucky to be able to spend so much of my free time around horses, but even more so that people are so willing to let me into their lives to enjoy what they themselves enjoy. Smarty often tells me that I 'would get a piece at anybody's door', which is a Scottish saying loosely meaning (in reference to me, at least) that I can talk my way in anywhere. I like to think it's not the talking I do that yields such good relationships with people, but the listening. People want to tell their stories, and I want to hear them.</p><p>One story in particular that has been alluded to in conversations with Savannah over the years is that of the stable's star trotter, DIAMANT DE GODREL. Allocated to the family through the Trot Britain/Le Trot raffle scheme, Godrel came from France with a pretty lacklustre race record (his highest placed finish to that point being a third) and worse still, upon arrival was struck down with an illness that nearly cost him his life. Through the dedicated care provided by his new owners, he overcame that and as time has gone on he has progressed to become arguably the country's leading Trotteur Francais (he has already been granted this title after the 2018 season and again for 2020). In his first season of racing in 2018, he progressed up through the ranks to win the £10,000 Gold Final at Tir Prince, having never finished out of the first two up to that point, and in 2020 he not only landed the Triple Crown and the inaugural Trot of Gold Final, but also set a new British record over a mile and a half when winning the George Button Snr Memorial at York in October. To date he is a winner of 11 races in the UK with earnings of nearly £30,000 on British soil. Savannah told me the family felt incredibly lucky to be able to own and train a horse as good as he is, and yet I felt I had to remind her that from the outside looking in it looked a lot less like luck and a lot more like hard work, patience, perseverance and skill that had led to their success. People don't necessarily want to own their success, being humble is the norm, but sometimes you have got to give yourself a pat on the back and say 'you know what, we did that'.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5JxWxmCux0/YHN0pVAF9_I/AAAAAAAAFW4/PhZbS5riFu0UliIxuaom0QHG4zVoNIc2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5JxWxmCux0/YHN0pVAF9_I/AAAAAAAAFW4/PhZbS5riFu0UliIxuaom0QHG4zVoNIc2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>BHRC Trotter of the Year 2020</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xe0ceUW9wA/YHN0rNZFL0I/AAAAAAAAFXA/y4wK6DpkSDwsNWEBwpUWkoRYOmG_QLh8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xe0ceUW9wA/YHN0rNZFL0I/AAAAAAAAFXA/y4wK6DpkSDwsNWEBwpUWkoRYOmG_QLh8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Godrel, John Henry & Rosie during their workout</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The stable is more than just that one horse though. Fan favourite Blason may live in the shadow somewhat of his stablemate but remains one of the most consistently competitive trotters to have come into the UK, racing at the highest level since his arrival in 2019. New faces were in abundance also, with the three year old homebred pacer Evenwood Enforcer catching my eye, as well as new trotters Ebony Star and Hermione De Godrel (half sister to Diamant De Godrel).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3202Gtn125o/YHN1Ma4tilI/AAAAAAAAFXM/Mzl8ayc5SV8HMoZDpQyxRhsUaceBPDzKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3202Gtn125o/YHN1Ma4tilI/AAAAAAAAFXM/Mzl8ayc5SV8HMoZDpQyxRhsUaceBPDzKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9758.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Evenwood Enforcer</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CB4gDfipMI/YHN1OXXiefI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/GnH6VFrqRQQd2-t1SXcLUdkKqbgNHjxwACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CB4gDfipMI/YHN1OXXiefI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/GnH6VFrqRQQd2-t1SXcLUdkKqbgNHjxwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0697.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hermione De Godrel</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5IaelTxT_M/YHN1SIO1xrI/AAAAAAAAFXU/m82v_TqNyZAp6l7cejHD0p6VSJaatuAwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5IaelTxT_M/YHN1SIO1xrI/AAAAAAAAFXU/m82v_TqNyZAp6l7cejHD0p6VSJaatuAwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9863.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ebony Star</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Through all of the stories told, by John, Georgina, John Henry and Savannah, the one constant was the passion and enthusiasm they have for this sport. It's almost impossible not to be lifted by that, and as I drove away at the end of a long day knowing fine well I was going to be home really late, I was on a total high. Summer was coming; a summer full of promise, stories of success, triumph over adversity, potential being reached.</p><p>That day the light at the end of the tunnel got even brighter.</p><p>Now, with seven days to go to the first time I set foot on a racetrack this calendar year, I'm excited. Will the stars of 2020, aided by the penalty free season last year, shine as bright in 2021? Will there be new faces amongst them setting the track alight? How will my own horses fare?! So many questions, so many possibilities, so many miles to travel and photos to edit.</p><p>The only thing I know for certain is this: I have missed you and I have missed racing. Be prepared for how that manifests itself when I see you all for the first time.</p><p>Extra just got a little bit more extra.</p><p>Over and out,</p><p>#1 Scottish Groom</p>Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-3559523455518669192020-11-22T15:01:00.000-08:002020-11-22T15:01:16.317-08:002020: A Year in Review<div class="separator">Wow.</div><p>Logging on to my blogger.com account for the first time in over 12 months and realising that my last posts were a three-part review of the 2018 season (published in March 2019):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w-s9-RaXM4/X7hYPyAnJkI/AAAAAAAAFRA/bXPDGs9NHFcmnCs0ihJhmCiVY89eJdymACLcBGAsYHQ/s581/Scream.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w-s9-RaXM4/X7hYPyAnJkI/AAAAAAAAFRA/bXPDGs9NHFcmnCs0ihJhmCiVY89eJdymACLcBGAsYHQ/w326-h400/Scream.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><p>Missed me? Somehow I doubt it, but a lack of willing audience has never stopped me from offloading my thoughts and opinions on the world so here I am, back with a not quite a bang but more of a fizzle, to talk you through some of my personal highlights of the 2020 harness racing season in the UK.</p><p>TWENTY TWENTY.</p><p>OK, so maybe it's not going to go down as a vintage year but it's certainly going to be a year that we'll never forget, even if it wasn't always for the right reasons.</p><p>I am, however, in my heart an optimist and as we look forward to waving goodbye to a year that has tested us, I find myself looking back at some of the positive moments of 2020 that at times kept my head up. Sometimes when the world feels like a very bleak place, those moments become like glimmers of light which I have clung to, and magnified, so that more than ever I have felt compelled to celebrate people's success with the same enthusiasm that I would celebrate my own (if not more).</p><p>Although it was a shorter than normal season (starting in June with qualifiers, and July with racing; and finishing in early November), we managed to cram plenty in to the 46 meetings staged exclusively across the 4 hard tracks. As promised by the powers that be, stakes races were honoured for 2, 3 and 4 year olds; STAGBI fulfilled its commitment to stage the Future Broodmares Series and Golden Girls Final and people from within our wonderful sport dug deeper than ever to fundraise and sponsor to ensure racing could happen.</p><p>I can't talk about it all. And I know that by selecting my favourite moments I run the risk of knocking some noses out of joint <b>but</b> I assure everyone who reads this that week after week I have endeavoured to let the world know of your achievements. No win has gone unnoticed by me, and I have tried my best to congratulate as many of you as possible as and when those wins arise. Be proud of what you have achieved.</p><p>So here goes.</p><p><b><u>Oakwood Anabella</u></b></p><p>Who can forget the emergence of one of, if not <i>the</i>, best two year old fillies this country has ever seen? Late to the party, with her first start coming on 15th August (some 4 weeks after the first 2YO events of the season at Tir Prince), Anabella had impressed in qualifiers from the get go. It wasn't the times that she posted in those qualifiers that had caught the eye of many, but the manner in which she went about her work and the improvement that she found so effortlessly each time she stepped onto the track. Early doors the 2YO Fillies division looked to be a wide open, with <i>Said To Be Sweet</i>, <i>Ayr Contessa</i>, <i>Imperial Attitude</i>, <i>Ayr Ambition</i> and <i>Showtime Im A Lady </i>all making their way to the winner's circle in various stakes events.</p><p>Like a bowling ball with the perfect spin, Anabella sent the pins flying. A 10 length winner on her first start at York in mixed 2YO company, she followed this up two weeks later with a convincing win at Tir Prince to land the £4000 Breeders Crown. Upon her return to York a week later she blew away her competition and secured her place in the inaugural British & IHRA Juvenile Final at Portmarnock with a 15L win. Her last start on British soil saw her break the 2 minute barrier and set a new track and British record for 2YO Fillies in 1.58.3 - and it was <i>this</i> performance in particular that I have to mark as one of the most memorable parts of the 2020 season.</p><p>Anabella's season didn't finish there, and she twice raced on her home soil in Ireland (at Portmarnock), winning the British & IHRA Juvenile 2YO Fillies Final and the IHRA Sire Stakes where in the former she set a new track and Irish record in 1.58.6. I firmly believe it's going to be a very long time before we see another of her ilk again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgAwwguCxuk/X7roOgRHTKI/AAAAAAAAFRU/uehWcPBtWRMj-SF3cGTQ8uVG1XXG8lHTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgAwwguCxuk/X7roOgRHTKI/AAAAAAAAFRU/uehWcPBtWRMj-SF3cGTQ8uVG1XXG8lHTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_6836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsIqJILnFuk/X7rqPaM6U7I/AAAAAAAAFSM/U0oS9ikW0fouREm_E7FthPfNFq5vIIWbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsIqJILnFuk/X7rqPaM6U7I/AAAAAAAAFSM/U0oS9ikW0fouREm_E7FthPfNFq5vIIWbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_6882.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></span><u style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></u></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><u><b>Shes Treacherous</b></u></p><p>This may have gone slightly under the radar across the wider harness racing community, as Corbiewood often does, but one of my stand out moments of the season was the richest final of the season (at that point) - the Alistair & Helen Allan Memorial Final on 4th October. The 'crowd', largely made up of connections of horses racing on the day, was split in their allegiance between two of the heat winners - <i>Shes Treacherous</i> and <i>Cash All</i>, the latter coming into the meeting off the back of his first sub-2 minute mile at York the week before when finishing second, with the former recording 3 wins from her last 4 starts. Corbiewood is known for its atmosphere and the lack of spectators each week was a noticeable absence no matter how those of us allowed to attend tried to pretend things were 'normal'.</p><p>The reason this race will stay in my memory for a long time is for one reason, and one reason alone: the eruption of noise as Shes Treacherous, the long time leader who had been all but cleared down the back straight in the final quarter by Cash All, rallied to regain her lead and ultimately win by open lengths. As stand-in commentator Alan Greenhorn called it, "<i>Shes Treacherous not giving in on the inside and begins to come back</i>" - at which point the members of the former 'vanstand' made enough noise that I thought everyone racing at Tir Prince that day could hear them cheering. <i>That</i>, that was a moment. Finals do funny things to people. Which is why you'll never hear me calling for them to be scrapped...<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEkicLkbExA/X7rpLdVh7yI/AAAAAAAAFRg/TeaO6VIay9AgqxiVAAW7V74l7JR9x8cbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/206A6180%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BShes%2BTreacherous.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEkicLkbExA/X7rpLdVh7yI/AAAAAAAAFRg/TeaO6VIay9AgqxiVAAW7V74l7JR9x8cbwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/206A6180%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BShes%2BTreacherous.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bill Cardno photo</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Ayr Regal & Stephen Lees</u></p><p>Don't call me out for having seasonal highlights that I wasn't present for, this is my blog and I can do what I like. Nobody needs reminded of how much I think of this young man, or indeed this plucky little horse. If 2019 was enjoyable watching the rejuvenation of a former stakes star under the guidance of Steve Lees culminating in the Pacer of the Year title, watching his young trainer sit his tests and get his licence was even better. They are nothing short of a match made in heaven, and shrewdly placed in the Tir Prince Star Makers Series when meeting the conditions, albeit leaving Stephen with the worst draw each week. On the third attempt of asking, being drawn 8 of 8 wasn't going to stop them and the duo romped home 9 lengths clear of their nearest competitor to record Stephen's first driving win aged just 15.</p><p>Not being there for that moment would be my biggest regret of the season, having opted to attend Corbiewood on my doorstep that day instead; although I huddled around someone's phone to watch the live stream with 5 or 6 others, cheering them on all the way down the home straight. The win itself was memorable, but so was the outpouring of congratulations on social media in the aftermath. The participants of our sport did not let themselves down on that front, making sure Stephen knew how much we all celebrated his success that day. Well done kiddo.</p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fAhAr73G28/X7rrUhlPiWI/AAAAAAAAFSw/CBbQ5raq-yUkIyDiX3TEmK_CjJ44OCjNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="2048" height="258" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fAhAr73G28/X7rrUhlPiWI/AAAAAAAAFSw/CBbQ5raq-yUkIyDiX3TEmK_CjJ44OCjNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h258/IMG_3062.jpg" width="400" /></a><div> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-867-J9zjjcY/X7rrR8EaOhI/AAAAAAAAFSs/g3zpUSBIuF4YqbjjAq0j1SUc7bKoORWmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-867-J9zjjcY/X7rrR8EaOhI/AAAAAAAAFSs/g3zpUSBIuF4YqbjjAq0j1SUc7bKoORWmQCLcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/IMG_6148.jpg" width="266" /></a><div><br /><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Beryl De Bercy & Ryan Askwith</u></p><p>A bittersweet memory now in light of the tragic death of 'Beryl' in the past week, but a memory that was always going to be included in my seasonal highlights regardless. Like Stephen, Ryan sat and passed his driving tests this year at York although almost exclusively on trotters. For a very long time I was convinced Ryan was either a mute or terrified of me, having never directly said a word to me since we met in Paris in January where he proved to be very good at going to the bar to bring the drinks over, but not much of a conversationalist. Although he does like a photo, even if he slags me for not sending them when in fact I send them before posting them on my page...*turn on your data Ryan*.</p><p>Despite this lack of verbal connection which I usually strike up with people, every week that Beryl and Ryan raced (and usually led), I was cheering them on from my little corner of the track. They came close twice when finishing second behind <i>Diamant De Godrel </i>(1st August) and <i>Universal Cat </i>(9th August), on both occasions being the proverbial sitting duck in front with truly class animals chasing them down. I knew it couldn't be long before we got the first win, and on 5th September everything fell into place in the <i>Prix Sans Victoire </i>(non winners race, for those non-French speakers amongst you) as they ran out 1 1/2 length winners over <i>Cimmino</i> & Rocker Laidler. Truly the greatest moment of all was Ryan cheering as he approached the line and crossed it in front; I knew how much that must have meant from his reaction. As Jason Podmore said after the race, that IS what it's all about. The photo doesn't quite do the volume of that cheer justice, because it was loud enough to set me off laughing hysterically - I didn't know at first if he was shouting at the horse or just shouting because he had won. Turns out it was the latter. I love reactions like that.</p><p>And FYI, after a particularly uncomfortable incident involving a decorative plant Ryan and I are now friends for life. Some things can't be unseen.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--h2QFeeRgUE/X7rpojiyM5I/AAAAAAAAFRs/ZUlB9sbYmhMIaQHziSWByxAewIHWWbpxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="2048" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--h2QFeeRgUE/X7rpojiyM5I/AAAAAAAAFRs/ZUlB9sbYmhMIaQHziSWByxAewIHWWbpxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h263/IMG_8721.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Miraculous</u></p><p>Comeback stories. They're pretty high up there for me as the overly-emotional, overly-romantic soul that I am. Crying connections also work very well for me, until I'm accidentally crying too. So thanks to the team behind this fella for ticking all the boxes for me in 2020.</p><p>Having not won on British soil since 2017 (with only one win in 2019 at Portmarnock, where he lowered his lifetime mark to 1.54.6), a lot of people had Miraculous written off. Coming in to the Star Makers Final on 25th October, he hadn't been out of the first 4 in 2020 and was regularly racing around the 2 minute marker at Tir Prince and York, but victory eluded him. Going by the name of the series you wouldn't think it was designed for horses like him, however he met the conditions and, like Ayr Regal, this was something of a shrewd decision by connections to enter him.</p><p>Drawn 5 in the ballot, Richard Haythornthwaite wasted no time in going forward and making the competition come after him. Some felt this wouldn't be the game plan, having employed the same tactic in previous starts only to get beaten in the closing strides. Well it worked this time alright, and Miraculous tasted victory again.</p><p>I still feel as though this win flicked a switch in the horse's head. I know I'm the guiltiest of anthropomorphising (check <i>me</i> out); but I just think that win, that leading out and not being headed, that old familiar feeling of returning to the winner's circle <i>reminded</i> Miraculous of what this game was all about. The following week he lined up against the stiffest competition the country had to offer in the Crock of Gold and he went about his work the way you would expect an experienced free for aller to. He was driven completely differently by Richard, they bided their time and when the door opened for them to make their move up the inside of <i>Ayr Paparazzi</i> in the stretch, the horse didn't need to be asked twice to go forward.</p><p>To see Miraculous win his second Crock of Gold, for the first time outright without sharing the honours as he did back in 2017 with <i>Evenwood Sonofagun</i>, to see him back at the top of his game, that was a moment worth remembering. This was a major race for Richard to tick off his bucket list and you could see how much it meant to him (there were <i>nearly</i> tears); thankfully owner Alan Dickinson wasn't quite so disciplined with his emotions and when I turned around to see him stood, alone and away from the hustle and bustle of the horse and driver and trainer and stewards, tears streaming down his face with the biggest smile to go with them, that's when it hit me. Winning races of that calibre can make grown men cry. Money simply cannot buy that feeling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eu_767OFNg/X7rp0osInuI/AAAAAAAAFR0/y33p_ZXxQm0YGn4cEU2OIAltUoQuOOkhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eu_767OFNg/X7rp0osInuI/AAAAAAAAFR0/y33p_ZXxQm0YGn4cEU2OIAltUoQuOOkhgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_0199.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AsdIPZ0uBCY/X7rp0rd6NvI/AAAAAAAAFR8/SDG5uVY1kMkWc3DzphcGPiWk8Ab8sfmZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AsdIPZ0uBCY/X7rp0rd6NvI/AAAAAAAAFR8/SDG5uVY1kMkWc3DzphcGPiWk8Ab8sfmZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0324.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PKpJ8SNOHo/X7rp0quNm6I/AAAAAAAAFR4/1R8gyEZHLGspaTpgNfwj93gaDsAqSvfaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PKpJ8SNOHo/X7rp0quNm6I/AAAAAAAAFR4/1R8gyEZHLGspaTpgNfwj93gaDsAqSvfaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0344.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Univers De Crennes</u></p><p>What was I saying about comeback stories? Oh yes that's right, I love them. I first met this horse back in July when I was asked to do a surprise photoshoot for trainer Kayla Morris' birthday by her husband, driver Lee. I'd finally visited my parents in Wales after 5 months of not seeing them and managed to fit the shoot in on my journey up to York for the racing later that day. I was very nearly late for the first qualifier because time genuinely flies when I'm having fun and I literally could have stayed talking to Kayla and Lee all day long. 'Pig', as he is affectionately known, was such a character. I had to employ some creative Photoshop skills during the editing process as he has a tendency to display his bits freely and with reckless abandon and naturally when someone has got a camera stuck in your face you want to get your willy out. Thank GOD the drivers don't share in this mindset because I'm not ready for that. This is a family show after all.</p><p>Anyway the back story of Pig is that he sustained a shoulder injury which vets suggested would signal the end of his racing career. Kayla showed me the indentation in his shoulder, which was fairly large, and explained some of the rehab treatment he was going through. We tastefully staged the photos so that the shoulder damage couldn't really be seen and generally aimed for his 'best' side.</p><p>Over 12 months since his last start, Pig made his seasonal debut on 4th October finishing 5th; a week later he improved to land a 3rd. I missed the first of his wins on 18th October and upon my return on the 25th likely jinxed him as he finished 4th. However, that win was not a fluke and I was not a bad luck charm either as he followed up in his last two starts with resounding wins over a mile and then a mile and a quarter. Three wins from his last four starts isn't bad going for a horse that professional experts believed earlier that year would never set foot on a racetrack again.</p><p>It's not just a comeback, it's a story of belief and patience and perseverance and turning around to those who say 'give up' and replying with 'not today'. And it's doing it with this quiet confidence that the decisions you have made to get you to where you are were the right ones and then doing a little victory dance when you think nobody is watching (I'm always watching guys) and refusing to take the credit on the mic in the post-race interview even though you truly deserve to stand in front of a camera and say 'I was right'. Kayla, and of course Lee as well, I take my hat off to you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k07LrlgG4sA/X7rr4OoUlJI/AAAAAAAAFTI/wYzXmDN2sns3xdjmQG6Gd7NSZza6VLM9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="2048" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k07LrlgG4sA/X7rr4OoUlJI/AAAAAAAAFTI/wYzXmDN2sns3xdjmQG6Gd7NSZza6VLM9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h235/IMG_9066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91EynIf6zDI/X7rr_PCZtTI/AAAAAAAAFTM/hSB3CQHNb8AZCv77VGMRlRRcBAYVCy0lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91EynIf6zDI/X7rr_PCZtTI/AAAAAAAAFTM/hSB3CQHNb8AZCv77VGMRlRRcBAYVCy0lgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_5798.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>And that's probably where I should draw this to a close. Of course there are races and horses and moments that are burned into my memory forever (or at least until the 2021 season starts, because then all the new races and horses and moments fill my brain). There are people reading this who will wonder why I didn't mention their horse, or a race they won, when at the time I was seemingly so made up for them. Know this: I was, and still am, made up for you. What you see post-race when I'm joining you in that victory dance, or hugging you, or doing that weird elbow bump thing that apparently is Covid-safe but is actually just really weird, is genuine. I maybe don't feel the exact same emotions you do when your horses are racing but I tell you what, I'm not far away. I simply cannot take you through them all because this is already on the verge of <i>War & Peace</i> as it is. Go to my photography page on Facebook and take a look back at the photos. I saw you, I saw what you achieved and I loved every second of being a part of it, no matter how small. And I wanted the world to see that too.</p><p>I look forward now to the 2021 season; to seeing old faces and new, to starting fresh stories and continuing others where we left off. Let's all hope that the world has, as far as it can, returned to something close to normal because for all that 2020 was, some things were missing. Everyone pulled together as best they could and I think we can give ourselves a pretty big pat on the back for doing what we did. I said it on Facebook and I'll say it again: THANK YOU TO YOU ALL.<br /></p><p>I want to sign off on this, but I have this niggling feeling in the back of my mind that I've forgotten something. What moment of 2020 that I possibly enjoyed more than any other could I have neglected to mention? What...could...it...be...</p><p><br /></p><p>Ohhhhhh, yep that's right.</p><p><br /></p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">AYR PAPARAZZI</u><br />100% rattled connections as they trawled through all of the above looking for their mention. Unless they just scrolled through the photos until they saw their little superstar and then started reading (in which case my ploy failed). So HI GUYS :)</p><p>I am forever grateful to the people in harness racing who let me in to their worlds to enjoy the sport with them, but rarely does someone throw open the door and say 'come on in, join us on this journey wherever it takes us, be part of our team and enjoy it with us' the way that Joseph Riley and, possibly because they had no choice, his family, did this year. I don't know if it's because I looked a bit lost having no horses of my own racing (I was), or if they thought it would result in a higher number of photos of them (it did), but I'm glad they did.</p><p>There isn't a stand out moment, it was simply a stand out season and an incredible journey. It began at the rescheduled season opener at Corbiewood, where 'Big Red' was a noticeable strong finishing 4th; followed up a week later with an even more eye-catching strong finish to land a 2nd. Then the winning started. Hailed as 'The English Raider' by track announcer Charles 'Chico' Inglis Jnr, the first win came in a race fittingly sponsored by Chico & myself. From there we headed to the grand arena of racing at Tir Prince and I know I'm not the only person who was surprised at the performance Joseph & Paparazzi put in that night. Led out from the 5 hole, let Mick Lord & Ayr Pioneer take up the running at the quarter, passed the leader with alarming ease at the three quarters (at which point I turned around to the people stood behind me and said 'he's actually going to win this, isn't he?!') and was only headed right at the line by the massively in form <i>Frankie B</i> & Rocker Laidler. This was the horse's first sub-2 minute performance and people sat up and took notice after that night.</p><p>Returning to Corbiewood, he posted back to back wins in the fastest times of the respective days (2.03.9 - 30th Aug; 2.03.7 - 6th Sept) before taking a week off in preparation for another bite at the cherry at Tir Prince on Crock of Gold night in the Anto Russell Memorial. If you pushed me, this would probably go down as my favourite win. I spoke highly of the duo on the Sulky Show that week and put my money where my mouth was at the track when betting them at a ridiculous 7/1 on the night. The moment they left the gate, in my mind at least, the race was over. It didn't mean that I didn't suffer the usual nerves through the race, but I think deep down I knew that everything was going according to plan.</p><p>Until the lights went out. For anyone reading this who wasn't there/hasn't seen the replays, the floodlights literally went out mid-race on the final turn. I remember thinking 'OK that shouldn't be happening' as I watched my favourite horse in the country charge into the darkness lengths clear of the horses making efforts to chase him down. I don't know if anyone else held their breath waiting to see who would emerge from the shadows in front (although my brother said he could see the flashing red light of my GoPro on Joseph so he knew where Paparazzi was, even if he couldn't see the rest of the field) - but I did. Immediate relief, followed by remembering that I was meant to be taking photos, whilst also half trying to keep an eye on how close the next horse to step into the light was. Not close enough. They ran out 6 length winners, with another 6 1/2 lengths between second and third; they had them stretched. And a new lifetime mark of 1.58.1. Wow. If people didn't rate the two of them before that night, they had to after. If you haven't watched the GoPro footage of that race, go and find it. Watch it. Firstly because the whole lights out thing is mad, but secondly because I personally think it's a superb drive, getting everything from a horse without, in any way, knocking him about.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qa72J_31KpY/X7rsem2p6QI/AAAAAAAAFTg/efsGD5uFdaAgpWaW1u0L-vyEWz9sdA5aACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="2048" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qa72J_31KpY/X7rsem2p6QI/AAAAAAAAFTg/efsGD5uFdaAgpWaW1u0L-vyEWz9sdA5aACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h234/IMG_4759.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The abandonment of the last race on the card, the Crock of Gold, due to the floodlight failure only left one decision to be made: should Paparazzi head for the rescheduled new event, whenever that may be? The answer was yes.</p><p>And then things started to go slightly wrong. The next start at Corbiewood saw the horse pulled up due to a tack malfunction after he was impeded by a breaking horse in front; an attempt at a second Anto Russell Memorial, this time at Corbiewood, resulted in a third placed finish after setting strong fractions in the first half of the mile. People started to think that Joseph was maybe aiming too high with the Crock of Gold, now scheduled for November 1st. I wasn't one of them.</p><p>October 25th was the final prep run before the Crock of Gold; 11 runners meant this was the biggest field Paparazzi had faced and by virtue of his handicap mark he was drawn worst of all. Joseph drove a peach of a start to get away mid field, parked but with cover and sat so patiently for the best part of the first half before mounting a bold three wide challenge on the leading horses; the move injected pace into the next quarter but the horses he was clearing couldn't go with him because he showed an incredible turn of foot to hit the front heading into the back straight. He was as comfortable a winner that day as he was the night he won in the dark: Paparazzi was back, and smack bang at the perfect time as the Crock of Gold was just one week away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSQqrjFn-Y0/X7rss2vdwuI/AAAAAAAAFTs/xxfLEWkhWUoPpQlzWcD83NhyEBYrQ4lugCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSQqrjFn-Y0/X7rss2vdwuI/AAAAAAAAFTs/xxfLEWkhWUoPpQlzWcD83NhyEBYrQ4lugCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_7271.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>It was at this point that Darren [Owen] suggested that should he win the season's premier Free For All the following week, that I write the story. Who better after all than someone who has too much to say about most things, and who had basically lived the story alongside the connections?</p><p>We all know by now that I didn't get to write that story. The fairytale ending didn't quite happen. But for the full week leading up to it and for seven and a half furlongs on the day, the dream was alive and kicking. Joseph and Paparazzi went into that race as underdogs; once again the betting market suggested they didn't have much of a chance. The logical thinkers picked experienced Free For Allers with better draws. And yet, I spoke to an alarming number of people from all over the country that wanted Ayr Paparazzi to win. Logic left the equation for so many of us because there, amongst Free For All horses with faster personal bests and more prize money and higher handicap marks trained by public trainers and driven by A Class drivers, lined up a horse that started the season as a Grade 3, trained and driven by a father and son that a lot of people up to that point had only known by name, the only horse in their stable. They represented every small stable that ever dreamed of racing in a major Group 1 Free For All.</p><p>They didn't win. But they were as gracious in that defeat as they had been in every other, and in every success too. I watched the GoPro footage back from that race, which has never been shared publicly, and I waited to see if Joseph told his horse that he was a good lad even though he was swarmed at the finish to ultimately get 4th. And he did. The most genuine of horses gave his all and he took Joseph, Joe, Philip and Louis (you don't need to know about Louis, there are some hidden gems in this world that I am simply not prepared to share) on one of the greatest journeys I have ever witnessed. To hell with that, Ayr Paparazzi took me on the greatest journey too. I loved every second of it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HT6G7gpobiU/X7rs4QXgwmI/AAAAAAAAFT0/uU44Nnwhf_EWHYWdLCSYt6Zx9mU-K65OACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HT6G7gpobiU/X7rs4QXgwmI/AAAAAAAAFT0/uU44Nnwhf_EWHYWdLCSYt6Zx9mU-K65OACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_7365.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I have said on plenty of occasions that <i>Evenwood Sonofagun</i> is my favourite horse of all time, and that the dream for people like me is to own a horse just like him. A horse that can take you to the highest level and win everything there is to win, over and over. The chances of that ever happening are slim to none, but the fact that he did it keeps the embers of that dream burning. Ayr Paparazzi now, for me at least, represents a more realistic dream. A dream which blazes. A dream so tangible that it could become reality for any one of us, if only we set our minds to it. For that, as much as everything else, I thank those four delightful human beings and, of course, their horse.</p><p>Maybe I didn't get to write the story I wanted to, but I did get to write this story. And the best part is, it isn't finished yet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKEJaeUKC90/X7rtEku-XgI/AAAAAAAAFUE/D9WsFeyD1FA3WEecmEXKkNtt8lIsGFE8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Nobody%2BWins%2BAfraid%2BOf%2BLosing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKEJaeUKC90/X7rtEku-XgI/AAAAAAAAFUE/D9WsFeyD1FA3WEecmEXKkNtt8lIsGFE8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h283/Nobody%2BWins%2BAfraid%2BOf%2BLosing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><i>"Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it, and you'll start believing in it."</i></p><p><i>Sarah</i></p></div></div>Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-81042629438080755192019-03-03T11:52:00.000-08:002019-03-03T11:52:50.459-08:002018: A Year In Review - Part 3We'll settle for making the review a three-parter and cover the final 3 months of 2018 in this last post. Not forgetting my 'alternative' awards for last season!<br />
<br />
<u><b>October</b></u><br />
<br />
On October 1st Smarty and I boarded a plane and headed for Cleveland, Ohio (via Iceland), to start a 12-day road trip which would see us finish up in Nashville, Tennessee. The plan for the first 9 days was to take in as much harness racing as possible before spending the last part of our holiday relaxing and getting our fill of country music (Smarty was totally converted by the time we flew back to the UK, as evidenced by the fact that recently when I came home from work he was sat listening to 'Total Country' on the telly).<br />
<br />
Cleveland may have seemed like a strange place to start a road trip (the guy at the Border Control desk thought it was weird that of all the places in America we could visit, we chose Cleveland) but there was method to the madness: for those who don't realise, Cleveland is the 'home of the flying turns' aka <a href="http://www.northfieldpark.com/" target="_blank">Northfield Park</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXyc6kNnkSo/XHcAsCCv6cI/AAAAAAAAE5g/V9gLZGQp-wIr1LqKaLHMg5q_BjPlOtL4gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXyc6kNnkSo/XHcAsCCv6cI/AAAAAAAAE5g/V9gLZGQp-wIr1LqKaLHMg5q_BjPlOtL4gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our first adventure took us to Sahbra Farms, a training centre situated about 16 miles away from the racetrack. It came by way of recommendation from Steve Wolf, whose friend Paul Holzman has his training base there, and it was there that we were able to meet the legendary <i>Southwind Amazon </i>(USA leading horse by wins in 2018 [22 wins at close of the year]). It was very good of Paul to take time out of his day to show us the superstar, as well as answer Smarty's endless list of questions about different training methods!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pET8e0sx7M8/XHcAr4ats4I/AAAAAAAAE5c/fzyde0KAT38BrOZSS8QTWsOdnJzxBFcwgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pET8e0sx7M8/XHcAr4ats4I/AAAAAAAAE5c/fzyde0KAT38BrOZSS8QTWsOdnJzxBFcwgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0014.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Southwind Amazon on a turn out day</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also bumped into Kelly O'Donnell, former trainer of <i>Dragon Again</i> - this bore some relevance at the time as I had my very own 'dragon' back home in the shape of the mighty Elmo - who was a great host and spent ages talking us through all of the photos of the horses in his office. As we headed out of the place we popped in to Jessica Roegner's barn where we came across a familiar face - <i>Godiva Seelster</i>, who we met in February 2016 at Pompano when in the care of Dan and Wally Hennessy. Jessica was another one who was good enough to let us disrupt her day with question after question!<br />
<br />
That night we made our first visit to Northfield Park. Heather Vitale had put me in contact with the Horsemen's Rep, Amy Hollar, with the simple disclaimer that I would love her and that she's hysterical. I can confirm that I do, and she is. Amy gave us the grand tour of the paddock, leaving Smarty in the drivers' room discussing the various aspects of bookmaking whilst I landed in the start car for what was meant to be one race and ended up as three-in-a-row. Ronnie Wrenn Jr was forced to sign a pair of his gloves for his #1 UK fan, Watson Harrop Jr; and Keith Kash Jr somehow got railroaded into giving me his rain jacket (if you don't ask, you don't get). We finally tracked down Aaron Merriman (remember when I did that driver interview in the back of the lorry at Portmarnock? No? You can read it <a href="http://numberonescottishgroom.blogspot.com/2016/08/an-interview-withaaron-merriman_20.html" target="_blank">here</a> in that case...) and in between his many drives, he asked if we had plans the following day. We didn't, and that is how the epic road trip to The Meadows began!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ye8S64Fk6Pc/XHcJ72ltcwI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/97YTXVMsQv0J4oJHtZ8btOPWaEP8IAJuACLcBGAs/s1600/52803653_412258006016253_8990098576163995648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="428" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ye8S64Fk6Pc/XHcJ72ltcwI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/97YTXVMsQv0J4oJHtZ8btOPWaEP8IAJuACLcBGAs/s400/52803653_412258006016253_8990098576163995648_n.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Personalised souvenirs for friends back home!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka1Ntg11S5E/XHcKDmq7DJI/AAAAAAAAE7U/wupd6oRsIa4_uzl_GRpSl52Nx_BZdl-igCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka1Ntg11S5E/XHcKDmq7DJI/AAAAAAAAE7U/wupd6oRsIa4_uzl_GRpSl52Nx_BZdl-igCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Good job Ronnie had a spare pair of gloves...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4W10EHSGP4/XHcKEPue9sI/AAAAAAAAE78/tnb1Bn7hOY84A53NFTrZ9Ya1Qa7aLIMuACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1600" height="147" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4W10EHSGP4/XHcKEPue9sI/AAAAAAAAE78/tnb1Bn7hOY84A53NFTrZ9Ya1Qa7aLIMuACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0282.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My view from the start car</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RKAzIYLDEI/XHcKDvSOUiI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/woEAAFx1FLkpRiL_EfLsfckaXQ4qyArSACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RKAzIYLDEI/XHcKDvSOUiI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/woEAAFx1FLkpRiL_EfLsfckaXQ4qyArSACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0179.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Keith Kash, who gave me his jacket because everyone else was giving me stuff!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next day we met Aaron in the car park at Northfield Park's casino (and were verbally abused by a passing vehicle as Amy Hollar shouted at us to ask if we were hookers) and headed to Pennsylvania. It was great to see behind-the-scenes how Aaron operates - and it was even better to survive the road trip (JK, he's not a bad driver, I'm just a nervous passenger). We discussed everything from politics to pigeon racing and pretty much everything in between and felt like it was one of the shortest journeys I've ever been on!<br />
<br />
Upon arrival at the track we were met by Dawnelle Mock, PR guru at The Meadows, who gave us the guided tour of the paddock and owner/trainer/driver facilities. She then handed us over to the inimitable Heather Wilder (minus Mike, who was holidaying in Vegas) who gave us a further guided tour of the grandstand area, before whisking us up to the commentary booth to see Roger Huston. Roger has been travelling to the UK and Ireland to announce races for a number of years and I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time at the VDM weekend at Portmarnock earlier in 2018, as well as Heather. Anyway, without warning I was shimmied into a chair and before I knew it I was being interviewed by Roger on the live Meadows simulcast commentary, which according to Roger is beamed out to around one million listeners. No preparation, just me waffling on about how awesome our trip was and the differences between the UK and USA harness racing scenes (that list is endless).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsW5cPWUwXc/XHcKAYQJadI/AAAAAAAAE8A/k4EL-lAIiRMq8-Pcq29HKYV7t0j7dCSnwCEwYBhgL/s1600/53641361_608873969583481_640333942561439744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsW5cPWUwXc/XHcKAYQJadI/AAAAAAAAE8A/k4EL-lAIiRMq8-Pcq29HKYV7t0j7dCSnwCEwYBhgL/s320/53641361_608873969583481_640333942561439744_n.jpg" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcDZFw64rX8/XHcJ9osNr8I/AAAAAAAAE78/DPfG9nsioakz-_KXHm19LRN2pLgFpoDyQCEwYBhgL/s1600/52887092_668725710215339_5191858511532785664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcDZFw64rX8/XHcJ9osNr8I/AAAAAAAAE78/DPfG9nsioakz-_KXHm19LRN2pLgFpoDyQCEwYBhgL/s320/52887092_668725710215339_5191858511532785664_n.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Cue another start car trip (or 3) for Sarah, then an introduction to track photographer (and in my eyes absolute hero) Chris Gooden, before Smarty wandered off to give young Irish driver Jack Killeen some 'advice' before he went out for the first of his two drives of the afternoon. Jack met Heather and Mike [Wilder] at the VDM meeting in Portmarnock in the August, and by the autumn had landed himself somewhere to stay in order to give driving a go in the USA. Heather and I settled trackside to watch the racing, and after Jack's first drive landed him a second place (on what he felt was his better chance of the two), we thought maybe we should give him some vocal support for his second drive. Bearing in mind that Smarty and I hadn't planned to be at The Meadows on this day but for Aaron's very kind offer, it was absolutely out of this world for us to be there for Jack's first win on American soil! Pretty sure Heather and I screamed the full last half before running like two crazy people to the golf buggy to meet Smarty and head over to photobomb the winner's photo (whilst I was FB Live for the whole thing). The full day was absolutely surreal and wouldn't have been half the experience it was if it wasn't for the people named above (and everyone else who made us feel so welcome).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKKaJUx0SSg/XHcJ-iEVr6I/AAAAAAAAE70/mmzOedCspAIxrI7F5tCKx-0bDArcuV5LwCEwYBhgL/s1600/53084533_2070686166380628_9107947655517962240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKKaJUx0SSg/XHcJ-iEVr6I/AAAAAAAAE70/mmzOedCspAIxrI7F5tCKx-0bDArcuV5LwCEwYBhgL/s400/53084533_2070686166380628_9107947655517962240_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View from the start car</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iO-ASwcyc1U/XHcJ-WngupI/AAAAAAAAE74/BMSUmtdE9CoObvUj2AjhGF1Cuvk76waiQCEwYBhgL/s1600/53065688_359802341415055_3491446105386778624_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="675" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iO-ASwcyc1U/XHcJ-WngupI/AAAAAAAAE74/BMSUmtdE9CoObvUj2AjhGF1Cuvk76waiQCEwYBhgL/s400/53065688_359802341415055_3491446105386778624_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Caught on camera, on camera, by Chris Gooden</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1wJMlo5LII/XHcJ90egZeI/AAAAAAAAE74/4C-0m_3z9i4s4rKqMaEkO_bEsEL0OhWkACEwYBhgL/s1600/52926488_344493672831099_1416630409227141120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="560" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1wJMlo5LII/XHcJ90egZeI/AAAAAAAAE74/4C-0m_3z9i4s4rKqMaEkO_bEsEL0OhWkACEwYBhgL/s400/52926488_344493672831099_1416630409227141120_n.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With harness racing's winning-most driver of all time, Dave Palone (>18,000 wins) </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xguCCiziGo/XHcKEknijBI/AAAAAAAAE8E/uYcmQjXD7VEL9unBL9jv3WDzBmE8wqRowCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1600" height="337" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xguCCiziGo/XHcKEknijBI/AAAAAAAAE8E/uYcmQjXD7VEL9unBL9jv3WDzBmE8wqRowCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0426.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jack Killeen on board Late Night Delight</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSADeaQFSXU/XHcKFKrwHuI/AAAAAAAAE8E/Q5AsiIeg5A872JFhms8P3eeeDr-oq8ufACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSADeaQFSXU/XHcKFKrwHuI/AAAAAAAAE8E/Q5AsiIeg5A872JFhms8P3eeeDr-oq8ufACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0432.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Before Heather & I started screaming...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbpsVNkctKI/XHcJ7kYYyCI/AAAAAAAAE8E/TcGGWMVv4iYwAMIiDg3OsZSemcGn--rnQCEwYBhgL/s1600/52792977_3070972842930727_4264421733403983872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbpsVNkctKI/XHcJ7kYYyCI/AAAAAAAAE8E/TcGGWMVv4iYwAMIiDg3OsZSemcGn--rnQCEwYBhgL/s400/52792977_3070972842930727_4264421733403983872_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So much love for Heather W!!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qndmWlUHeBo/XHcJ_t2BDpI/AAAAAAAAE7w/7CWF3gnuETsvqhZ4LeJmKxDDEwzA-j-cQCEwYBhgL/s1600/53199728_579181779215309_7763878292100218880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1137" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qndmWlUHeBo/XHcJ_t2BDpI/AAAAAAAAE7w/7CWF3gnuETsvqhZ4LeJmKxDDEwzA-j-cQCEwYBhgL/s400/53199728_579181779215309_7763878292100218880_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photobombing winner's photos since 2008</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziYi1KzFvIg/XHcJ_1-vugI/AAAAAAAAE74/xjX_D2d7jaoU1DhixnDa6IS4uI1dUkhDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/53297009_642299909541234_1325537399874256896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="405" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziYi1KzFvIg/XHcJ_1-vugI/AAAAAAAAE74/xjX_D2d7jaoU1DhixnDa6IS4uI1dUkhDgCEwYBhgL/s400/53297009_642299909541234_1325537399874256896_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We had a BLAST!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You'd think after the day we had had, we'd be ready to crash out. But no, we were living a day in the life of...Aaron Merriman, so we met back up with him and whizzed our way back over the state border into Ohio to make the meeting at Northfield Park that night. This was the crazy part...even though this was only our second night at Northfield, having been away for the day it genuinely felt like we were coming home. I likened the atmosphere amongst the horsemen and women to Corbiewood, our local track in Scotland. We were being greeted by people like old friends - including Smarty's new BFF Dakota Jackson, who happened to have a twin brother [Zach], both of whom may or may not be coming to the UK at some point in the future (after watching the race footage of Elmo's final win at Longnor they were desperate to come here and try it out for themselves!). I was spreading the word as best I could at The Meadows, and here was Smarty spreading the word...well, with videos of Longnor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The day didn't end after the last race...from the track we headed to a bar and met some of Aaron's friends, including my new Canadian friend Darrell (who had better be reading this, even if it's like 3 months after I've posted it). He was responsible for the jagerbombs...inside my head I was reciting the mantra of my late teens - "No more J'bombs for the S Thom"; alas, it didn't stop me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foDjBlh1t-4/XHcJ-1BWzeI/AAAAAAAAE8E/OdPRWIBbV-08JSpxZ_6JZJr0NMr3VyNpgCEwYBhgL/s1600/53121560_1998382240273223_693271381579661312_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1088" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foDjBlh1t-4/XHcJ-1BWzeI/AAAAAAAAE8E/OdPRWIBbV-08JSpxZ_6JZJr0NMr3VyNpgCEwYBhgL/s400/53121560_1998382240273223_693271381579661312_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In my defence I had his share of the jagerbombs too</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day three and it was time to hit the road. We were winding our way down to Lexington slowly, with a pit stop for ice cream in Mt Hope (mainly because I wanted to see Amish people going about their daily business) and another pit stop at Delaware County Fairgrounds where I gatecrashed the (completely deserted) track to see what it felt like coming down the home straight where the Little Brown Jug is staged. I even climbed in amongst the topiary spelling out the name of one of the world's most iconic races. I think the drink from the night before was playing havoc with me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzSC0R2xxRo/XHcJ-4EGY7I/AAAAAAAAE8E/dXKbFeetL0gqJAUg5laRB4AzeAG9OO1YQCEwYBhgL/s1600/53160192_343876882907014_6541008490549215232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="405" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzSC0R2xxRo/XHcJ-4EGY7I/AAAAAAAAE8E/dXKbFeetL0gqJAUg5laRB4AzeAG9OO1YQCEwYBhgL/s400/53160192_343876882907014_6541008490549215232_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Before I tried to complete a lap of the track...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From there we called in at Sugar Valley Farm to visit the resting place of Dragon Again (obsessed). There we met 'Uncle Billy', who was more than happy to show us two of the stallions who were currently residing at the farm - <i>Mr Wiggles</i> and <i>My MVP</i>. Before we left he told us a story about a trotting filly his nephew [Joe McLead] had purchased after being explicitly told not to 'buy any trotters'. Said filly went on to win multiple times at the highest level, and indeed did so again in a World Record-equalling time at the Red Mile two days later. Her name was <i>Im Pink Too</i>, half-sister to Hambletonian winner, <i>Pinkman</i>. But before we get to that, Smarty and I left Sugar Valley and headed to Midland Acres. Here we met Sheila. Now I don't know how I'm ever going to get in touch with Sheila again, but if anybody is ever visiting Ohio, please go and meet this woman. We intended this to be a flying visit, which became over two hours, and quite frankly could have been the remainder of our holiday because Sheila was a delight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rlzJ0doAbFM/XHcUledp-pI/AAAAAAAAE8M/QYeJXuxWSWUWofQAkFpybhyuSe5SAMfCACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rlzJ0doAbFM/XHcUledp-pI/AAAAAAAAE8M/QYeJXuxWSWUWofQAkFpybhyuSe5SAMfCACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0470.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Between those two trees rests a legend</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sheila introduced us to some of the stallions - <i>Art Official</i>; <i>Big Bad John</i>; <i>Yankee Cruiser</i> and first-season sire <i>Long Tom</i>, who she treated with a level of affection many would reserve for their children alone. After that she took us through to the office, and upon learning that we were heading to the sales at Lexington, showed us the catalogue and her pick of the sale - none other than <i>Im Pink Too</i>. Her exact words were 'she's the one to buy!' - and she must have said them at least 10 times. By this time we were well-versed in <i>Im Pink Too</i>'s story and we may have been accidentally giving off vibes that we were maybe interested in purchasing her. Who knows, but we left that place with the biggest smiles on our faces. Sheila was one of those people in the world who gets supreme job satisfaction and I found her enthusiasm absolutely infectious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6etRnqRnsaM/XHv_UHRergI/AAAAAAAAE9E/3k7HOJivGdQl74F0qn5h63sfaPrF9g1ygCEwYBhgL/s1600/53028742_258797921721625_7291672304629579776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="756" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6etRnqRnsaM/XHv_UHRergI/AAAAAAAAE9E/3k7HOJivGdQl74F0qn5h63sfaPrF9g1ygCEwYBhgL/s400/53028742_258797921721625_7291672304629579776_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the Friday we landed in Lexington for three days of racing at the world famous Red Mile. Smarty had basically died and gone to heaven and spent much of his time over the course of the three days sat high in the grandstand studying the horses warming up and ultimately enjoying the highest standard of racing. Me on the other hand...I was milling around 'celeb-spotting' and bumping into familiar faces. Oh, and some casual photobombing in the winner's circle as well. Standard. The first of these visits to the winner's circle came when <i>Annie Hill</i> won the third, a 2YO Fillies Pace for British owner Tom Hill and trainer Chris Oakes, who Smarty and I had been in semi-regular contact with since meeting in Florida two years earlier. My thought process was 'I'm British, Tom's British, it doesn't matter that he doesn't know me, we know the same people, I'm going in'. It's a tenuous link but I've photobombed on lesser grounds before and I have zero shame. After that I met up with Amy Hollar (her off of Northfield Park) who introduced me to her sister, Jennifer, and brother-in-law Brian Brown. Somehow during this phase of enjoying the air con inside Joe Sbrocco joined the mix and before I knew what was happening I was drinking whisky sours and watching Joe jump the queue to get us drinks because apparently Joe Sbrocco doesn't queue. He doesn't need to, because just like my Grampa in Builth on a Saturday night, everyone knows Joe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5cQf0pZnTE/XHcJ5Q6v4qI/AAAAAAAAE74/FbrzHPj0K4UVfy2iToOElXj80B8YzvkvQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/52682023_261606421395533_6854793655824154624_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5cQf0pZnTE/XHcJ5Q6v4qI/AAAAAAAAE74/FbrzHPj0K4UVfy2iToOElXj80B8YzvkvQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/52682023_261606421395533_6854793655824154624_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--F5qiaEMw18/XHcKAH1OO9I/AAAAAAAAE70/ak-QIhpkpx8qqhiraujAqNqonbS4ynzjACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/53347496_317088668876679_7324734142535434240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="560" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--F5qiaEMw18/XHcKAH1OO9I/AAAAAAAAE70/ak-QIhpkpx8qqhiraujAqNqonbS4ynzjACPcBGAYYCw/s320/53347496_317088668876679_7324734142535434240_n.jpg" width="237" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whilst hanging out with Amy we witnessed a new 2YO World Record for pacing fillies being set as <i>Warrawee Ubeaut</i> flew home in 1:48.3, before Amy took us on a tour of the place. She was keen to introduce Smarty to the 'whales', and whilst I didn't really understand what was happening (I was quite merrily drinking my whiskey sour and nodding along), it was something to do with gambling, I'm guessing with rather a lot of money. Smarty knew what was going on anyway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We'd spotted Dexter Dunn out on the track a couple of times and indeed he was driving in the last race on the card, so once the racing was over Amy took us through to the paddock to meet a few people and help us get our bearings before we tracked down Double D. Dexter took us round to Brett and Stacey Miller's camper and we sat down for a few beers and a major catch up, having not seen Dexter since the VDM meeting at Portmarnock in 2016. For anyone who hasn't read my blog for very long, <a href="http://numberonescottishgroom.blogspot.com/2016/08/an-interview-withdexter-dunn_18.html" target="_blank">I interviewed Dexter</a> back in 2016 when he visited the UK to drive en route to Ireland. Smarty and I drove Dexter and his cousin Tom from Edinburgh to Tir Prince in north Wales, during which time I interviewed him for my blog but also he and Smarty started the world's strangest bromance. Anyway, whilst sitting at the camper reminiscing and finding out how Dexter was settling in to the North American racing scene, Yannick Gingras rocked up and joined the party. During conversation, Dexter disappeared to find a pair of gloves he had offered to give me as a prize for a driving competition back in the UK and straight away Yannick wanted to know what the gloves were for. A short conversation about fundraising ideas later, he offered to give me his set of colours on the condition that I returned after the last race on Sunday to get them from him. I didn't need telling twice!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIWoHbfbd9I/XHcJ6g19oUI/AAAAAAAAE7s/5e45Ei1_rqQYZEXGZYhq31u-asJ7s-v-QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/52749927_419273872211099_4459117467129610240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="547" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIWoHbfbd9I/XHcJ6g19oUI/AAAAAAAAE7s/5e45Ei1_rqQYZEXGZYhq31u-asJ7s-v-QCPcBGAYYCw/s400/52749927_419273872211099_4459117467129610240_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a shame to leave the track as we could literally have stayed there chatting all night but we had plans to head to the sales at Fasig-Tipton - I'll keep this section short as it wasn't really the highlight of my visit to Kentucky. In my opinion, if you're not buying, the sales are a bit...boring. I love the sales here in the UK because I know all the people so I'm the nosy one rubber-necking to see who's bidding and who holds their number up when the hammer falls. I like to know who's bought what (and yes, I know the official sales results are published within 12 hours but I like to know as it's happening). Whilst it was great to walk around the facilities and have a few horses Smarty had marked in his catalogue out to inspect, it is much of a muchness after a while. There are only so many horses you can look at in the collection ring and in the sale ring itself without even raising your hand once before a girl gets a bit bored. I did however track down Joann Looney King on the Saturday evening at the sales and introduced myself as 'Heather's friend, Sarah', which opened the door to me photobombing again at the track the following day...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the Saturday morning we headed out of Lexington and into the country to Saga Farm, Georgetown, to find a horse we both adore - <i>Blissful Hall</i>. Schare Adams, owner of the farm, was in Lexington however her friend Sue Shields was at home and was more than happy to take us to see the old boy (with some carrots, just to keep him sweet!). Having been gelded since retiring from stud, Blissful is now living out his days as a field companion for youngsters and, I suspect, being spoilt rotten by anyone who comes into contact with him. He's an absolute gentleman, as well as being a complete legend - and as we explained to Sue, we are currently expecting a foal by a half-brother to Blissful (<i>Hasty Hall</i>), and another foal by a son of Blissful (<i>Matador Hall</i>). It was great to be able to see him in the flesh!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMhFbDkCiGU/XHcJ6iyoBqI/AAAAAAAAE7w/qp6RvlTFQtUjKv9HC7pBSArpcPkOPhECQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/52771809_467103123826057_3763097014422732800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMhFbDkCiGU/XHcJ6iyoBqI/AAAAAAAAE7w/qp6RvlTFQtUjKv9HC7pBSArpcPkOPhECQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/52771809_467103123826057_3763097014422732800_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just chillin' with Blissful Hall</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From Saga Farm we ventured to the <a href="https://kyhorsepark.com/" target="_blank">Kentucky Horse Park</a>. Whilst this is a venue that could take all day to explore, we didn't have all day and ultimately, we were only there for one reason: to find <a href="https://kyhorsepark.com/equine-theme-park/hall-of-champions/won-the-west/" target="_blank"><i>Won The West</i></a>, who resides in the Hall of Champions. The reasoning behind this visit (and let's face it, there is always some sort of method to the madness) was because <i>Won The West</i>'s full sister, <i>Open Plains</i>, is the dam of our broodmare <i>Vain In Spain </i>(dam of <i>Crosshill Ace </i>and <i>Crosshill Diablo</i> [Denver]). With Denver being the first colt from the mare, we were keen to see 'W' in the flesh to see what we're aiming for. If we could get one a fraction as good then we'd be onto a winner!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VzUxOR99KA/XHcJ8kTrFjI/AAAAAAAAE8A/Lkg_PTPd2XgVLrtRI34Ih7P0UJ-QLBKWwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/52820222_407654573112646_9079112516402937856_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VzUxOR99KA/XHcJ8kTrFjI/AAAAAAAAE8A/Lkg_PTPd2XgVLrtRI34Ih7P0UJ-QLBKWwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/52820222_407654573112646_9079112516402937856_n.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Won The West - basically family!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You'd think we'd have done enough for the day by now but it was only just past midday and we had a date with the Red Mile, and in particular had to keep an eye out for <i>Im Pink Too</i> in the first. She didn't take much finding as she came home clear down the stretch in 1:49.4 (26.3 last quarter), which meant I was able to get a decent shot from the space I'd managed to stake out in the reserved seating section (just act like you're meant to be there...until someone who is actually meant to be there turns up and looks at you like you're not meant to be there and you scarper). <i>Im Pink Too </i>was very impressive and it certainly added to the hype of her going into the sales ring on the Sunday night (she subsequently topped the inaugural Mixed Sale at $300,000).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrQ4ESmFr0Q/XHulSL-Bt9I/AAAAAAAAE8Y/ISn59Zyoowo83c5RsBASarir2QLvBFmRgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrQ4ESmFr0Q/XHulSL-Bt9I/AAAAAAAAE8Y/ISn59Zyoowo83c5RsBASarir2QLvBFmRgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Td0IhoHec/XHulSJwL6GI/AAAAAAAAE8c/4OH4ZuosEWo7jK4QGJ9e85V4qYsiEQ9hgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Td0IhoHec/XHulSJwL6GI/AAAAAAAAE8c/4OH4ZuosEWo7jK4QGJ9e85V4qYsiEQ9hgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0506.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fast forward a few races and it was another trotter making the headlines - this time <i>Homicide Hunter</i>, trained by Chris Oakes. We met HH at Pompano in 2016 shortly after he came into Chris' care and we were able to watch him qualify; little did we know he was on his way to setting a World Record: 1:48.4 with a blistering 26.0 last quarter (the quickest of the day across both gaits). When you actually take into consideration the quality of the horses racing all day and the records that were falling...that's a phenomenal feat to be achieved, and by a trotter no less.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The other highlight of the second day for me was seeing <i>McWicked</i> and <i>Lazarus N</i> going head-to-head in the Open Pace. Leading up to our visit to America I had been leaning towards the <i>McWicked</i> camp (just like when <i>Always B Miki</i> and <i>Wiggle It Jiggleit</i> used to race each other and although I appreciated the both of them equally, <i>Always B Miki</i> was the horse I wanted to win) - seeing him in the flesh warming up and during the race just confirmed it for me. He has a great attitude to racing and a will to win, you can genuinely see that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6FxsgdQTgo/XHv3qYEi0PI/AAAAAAAAE8w/XdlY3kdWlVEq-cFcMOR2oceKsrZecqVzQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6FxsgdQTgo/XHv3qYEi0PI/AAAAAAAAE8w/XdlY3kdWlVEq-cFcMOR2oceKsrZecqVzQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10Og4ZR5KJQ/XHv3qaDZq2I/AAAAAAAAE8s/RMhveIIRGkkrCYXGmcHux6dxL8Xrzwm5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="1600" height="340" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10Og4ZR5KJQ/XHv3qaDZq2I/AAAAAAAAE8s/RMhveIIRGkkrCYXGmcHux6dxL8Xrzwm5gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0646.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEqgltzx81E/XHv3qZ9fwbI/AAAAAAAAE80/20kDFKa7_ywSFBAJva-2IKF8NxdH_OuNgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEqgltzx81E/XHv3qZ9fwbI/AAAAAAAAE80/20kDFKa7_ywSFBAJva-2IKF8NxdH_OuNgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sunday, our third and final day in Lexington featured the Kentucky Futurity for 3YO trotters Whilst Smarty and I didn't commit ourselves strongly to the fillies' eliminations and final, we took a huge interest in the colts' races and after watching <i>Tactical Landing</i> (for Jimmy Takter) and <i>Six Pack</i> (for Ake Svanstedt) win their eliminations in very different manners (albeit the same time, for all the clock watchers), we nailed our colours to the mast of <i>Tactical Landing</i>. On this occasion we got it wrong, as <i>Six Pack</i> held off all challengers to win the $434,000 race, however <i>Tactical Landing</i> subsequently went on to win the Breeders Crown for his division at Pocono Downs later that month and then the TVG Free For All Trot against aged trotters at The Meadowlands in the November before retiring to stud. So we weren't far out with our judgment in the long run!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Having bumped into Joann Looney King the evening before at the sales, I made a beeline for the paddock to see if I could find her before <i>Shartin N</i>'s race (and also to make sure Yannick hadn't forgotten his promise of the signed colours!). I found Joann and husband Jim watching the racing and was able to see firsthand the preparation and nerves experienced before racing a horse at the highest level. Joann admitted that she is a nervous wreck before a race and I witnessed that - she even asked Jim if maybe they should consider scratching the mare because she wasn't sure if she was showing signs of tying up after warming up. Jim remained unruffled throughout, and as I left the paddock I told Joann I hoped I'd be seeing her in the winner's circle shortly, although her nerves had started to rub off on me and I felt that familiar feeling I get when I put my own horses on the track back home. Joann nor me had any cause for worry, as <i>Shartin N </i>brought her A game and was driven to perfection by Tim Tetrick to win in 1:48.2. Cue another winner's circle photobomb, and indeed a selfie with Joann while we were there!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDNcAdc3SoY/XHv_USubwuI/AAAAAAAAE9I/BjmMvPvh6BEfQWU8R-jPSo8KiGXJScBkgCLcBGAs/s1600/52835959_251672065766549_5913415697320378368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDNcAdc3SoY/XHv_USubwuI/AAAAAAAAE9I/BjmMvPvh6BEfQWU8R-jPSo8KiGXJScBkgCLcBGAs/s400/52835959_251672065766549_5913415697320378368_n.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Red Mile was incredible: the facilities, the atmosphere, the quality of racing...it was second to none. It was topped off by some brilliant company across the 3 days: in addition to everyone already mentioned, we also spent time with Donal Murphy off of Ireland, and I was able to finally meet Dean Hoffman, the man who described me as 'a truly remarkable woman...or [I've] got them all fooled!". We had an absolute blast!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GtUBCRYLhU/XHwBTaXQzwI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/WnMyiPEfMtA7APq1ISNtocczhs1NCMbNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GtUBCRYLhU/XHwBTaXQzwI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/WnMyiPEfMtA7APq1ISNtocczhs1NCMbNwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whilst our departure from Lexington heralded the end of the racing segment of our road trip (we were destined for 3 days of live music and alcohol), we did manage to meet up with Ryan Macedonio and Kate Forry for food during our stay in Nashville. I suspect Ryan now thinks I'm madder than he originally thought when he interviewed me for Trotcast earlier in the year!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Upon our return to the UK, we headed straight to the annual sales in Builth Wells. We had marked a horse from the 'Horses in Training' section to fill the void that was going to be left by <i>Elmo Hanover</i> (who had been sold to Wales where the style of racing would suit him more) - however whilst in Nashville we found out the horse had been sold privately before the sale. I had gone to the trouble of marking my catalogue on the flight with some of the yearlings I liked on paper which might not be too expensive, but the general consensus between Smarty and I was that we didn't need a long-term project (what with youngsters of our own at home due to come through in the next few years) so we went to the sale with no intention to buy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Famous last words.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the sale, I am jointly responsible for scanning microchips to ensure the horses presented are correct as per their paperwork. One of the benefits of this task is that I get to be up close and personal with every horse at the sale, which means I'm able to check them all out before the sale begins. Sometimes you haven't marked a horse because it hasn't necessarily caught your eye on paper and chances are you won't go to take a look at it, but I have no choice. I have to check all of the horses - sometimes I'll leave a stall to read my catalogue thoroughly as I've liked the horse in the flesh. In this instance, I was nearing the end of the list of horses to scan and as my co-worker and I headed out of one barn to search for any latecomers, we were passed by a very flashy colt being led in. A quick check of the list revealed that he hadn't been scanned, so we waited for him to be taken into his stall before confirming his microchip details. I liked him. A lot. I also knew that I had an asterisk next to his name in my catalogue. I rang Smarty immediately (it had been too early a start for him to get to the sale when I left my parents' home) and told him to go and take a look at #56 when he arrived.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Smarty could find no major faults with the horse; a discussion ensued as to our bidding limit. Eventually Smarty decided we didn't need another youngster, because we had no intention of racing a horse at 2 so it would be over 18 months until the horse would see the track. His parting words to me were 'but if you want him, I'm not stopping you buying him yourself'. So that's what I did. I ran inside, asked my Dad if I could borrow his buyer's number and set about buying myself a horse. I didn't think I'd get him as my budget had been halved with the removal of a partner from the equation, but as the auctioneer stalled and asked again for any further bids, here comes Smarty running up the stairs to where I was sitting (with me thinking 'oh no, I'm in for it now') to tell me to keep going if I needed to. I didn't need to. The hammer fell at £800. I had my horse and thought he was an absolute steal*. One out; one in - Elmo had been delivered the previous day, and now 'Joe' was coming home to Scotland with me. Orphaned at 12 days old and successfully fostered on to a Welsh cob mare, his breeder had passed away before seeing the fruits of his endeavours. Joe has a long way to go, but we are going to give it our best shot. Also, Smarty wanted in as a partner in ownership before we'd even driven half way back up the country.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKkgkP5DG8I/XHwF1JcgheI/AAAAAAAAE9k/uC0ktaH_h0Mk3CWRlHzkgp9EboNKSHQ8gCLcBGAs/s1600/Lot56a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKkgkP5DG8I/XHwF1JcgheI/AAAAAAAAE9k/uC0ktaH_h0Mk3CWRlHzkgp9EboNKSHQ8gCLcBGAs/s400/Lot56a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lot 56 - Afan EJO (The Cammissioner-Bells Image-Armbro Harrier)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*to this day, I still think the same.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><b>November</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You thought this was nearly over, didn't you?! Well fear not, it nearly is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
November brought with it the annual awards events and both the SHRC and the BHRC & STAGBI awards events were moved forward (having been in January and February of 2018) to fall into the correct year of racing. This required multiple new dress purchases by me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Smarty and I attended the SHRC awards dinner in Stirling to collect our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObWHzUxEDVA" target="_blank">Horse of the Month - July</a> award for the mighty <i>Elmo Hanover</i>, which was a very proud moment for us both despite Elmo having flown the nest. This horse has had a profound effect on Smarty and I, '<i>he is what he is</i>' became '<i>it is what it is</i>', our new motto in life. Enjoy things for what they are, not what you want them to be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the end of the month I returned to co-hosting duties with Thoroughbred and harness racing announcer Darren Owen at the BHRC & STAGBI awards dinner, featuring TrotBritain award winners also. As per usual I was stressed in the build up but once things got underway everything went smoothly. Darren had encouraged a more relaxed approach to the hosting this year and this worked for me - sipping gin & tonic throughout the presentation helped settle my nerves! Highlights of the evening for me were seeing the mare <i>Rhyds Passion </i>crowned Horse of the Year following the licence holders' vote, and introducing driver <i>Steve Lees</i> into the Hall of Fame - the standing ovation and cheers he received gave me goosebumps and his acceptance speech had me in stitches!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ndUib1LsrA/XHwbOya4ugI/AAAAAAAAE9w/BboWi9iYriM7opGNBL844VDhjW2kSu6JACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ndUib1LsrA/XHwbOya4ugI/AAAAAAAAE9w/BboWi9iYriM7opGNBL844VDhjW2kSu6JACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9537.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0WkvRTVnpc/XHwbO0trQ-I/AAAAAAAAE90/O3_apZHgw7M71onVBPQk3CdgXeCKwJCAQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0WkvRTVnpc/XHwbO0trQ-I/AAAAAAAAE90/O3_apZHgw7M71onVBPQk3CdgXeCKwJCAQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9763.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><b>December</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You'll be glad to hear there wasn't much to report in December. Other than us quietly breaking in Joe at our own speed, December was very much a quiet month all round. The drama on social media about the forthcoming season usually waits until the turn of the year to fire up so on the face of it all looked well on the UK harness racing scene.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We all know that doesn't last...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And that's it folks. Three posts covering twelve months and as much of what I can remember crammed in to every single one of them. Finally, to round things off, it's time to announce my 'alternative' award winners for the 2018 season. Usually I go through each of the BHRC divisions and explain why I've chosen who I chose - although this year most of the award winners were actually the horses I voted for in the ballot so I'll only mention those who I would have alternatively awarded to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2YO Colt of the Year - NORTHERN PRIDE - this horse didn't win the BHRC 2YO Colt of the Year award (the title went to <i>Oakwoodinittowinit</i>) however I felt 'wee Nigel's victories in the VDM Colts Final at Portmarnock and then the SHRC 2YO Futurity at Corbiewood were superb. He was <i>very</i> impressive when running out an eight length winner of the latter and some in Scotland would say he may be the best they've seen of his age going around there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6vx_9ggxzM/XHwv10eb7bI/AAAAAAAAE-k/7wuUii9PShMKYGB1v1LzGEGV5ZKjvRvIQCLcBGAs/s1600/VDM18_2095_copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1100" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6vx_9ggxzM/XHwv10eb7bI/AAAAAAAAE-k/7wuUii9PShMKYGB1v1LzGEGV5ZKjvRvIQCLcBGAs/s400/VDM18_2095_copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Drive of the Year - OK, so the person I nominated for this actually won the award after a public vote but I wanted to explain <i>why</i> I nominated them to begin with: Lauren Moran & Vyrnwy Smoke. Long story short, Lauren has sat in the pocket for most of the race, tracking two very good horses in front of her. At the business end of things, she has a choice to make - stick to the rail, keep going forward and run the increasing risk of being stuck behind a horse that could become deadwood very quickly, or take back at a crucial moment, switch three wide and mount an almost impossible challenge on the last two bends. It was clear to Smarty what she should do (he was standing on the bench shouting 'SHE'LL NEED TO GO THE HIGH ROAD!') but Smarty wasn't the one sitting behind the horse in a race, trying to make a split second judgment without seeing clearly what was happening in front of her. She took the boldest option based on the fact that she felt she had a chance of winning if she went wide, but no chance of winning if she stayed where she was. It was the right decision. You could see from across the track the moment she asked her horse to slam the brakes on and switch out, and the crack she gave 'Smokey' to get him back going again was impressive from someone so petite. Smokey answered the call anyway and the duo painted the stand rail as they stormed to victory in the closing strides. From a 'pro' driver it would have been an impressive performance. From someone who essentially only ever drives their own horse, surrounded by more experienced drivers, it was incredible. The recipient of the Tim Tetrick-sponsored 'Drive of the Year' award, and now the #1 Scottish Groom-endorsed 'Drive of the Year' award is LAUREN MORAN!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdY1teLSrmc/XHwgjAFFv1I/AAAAAAAAE-E/bbxbUG_3FfoO_u_lDWOqlkpLXJandziMwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="780" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdY1teLSrmc/XHwgjAFFv1I/AAAAAAAAE-E/bbxbUG_3FfoO_u_lDWOqlkpLXJandziMwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9906.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Congratulations Lauren!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
** NEW AWARD **<br />
Introducing a new award for this year, the <b>True Grit Award</b> to be awarded to a horse that I feel showed consistent guts and determination througout the season.<br />
<br />
After much deliberation at HQ, the recipient of this inaugural award is <i>Bowriver</i>, owned and trained by Alf & Joy Swinbank. From 25 starts in 2018, starting on 12th May and finishing up on 7th October, <i>Bowriver</i> achieved 3 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds. This could, and perhaps should have been 4 wins, however a disqualification at Wolverhampton due to numerous horses going through their mark at the start put paid to that. In my humble opinion, and indeed probably many others, the horse would have won the race had things gone smoothly at the start as it was likely to have been his best performance all season. Racing in Wales, England and Scotland, <i>Bowriver</i> showed up time and time again and gave his all and even after defeat, continued to bounce back for his next run. Genuine, honest and full of <i>true grit</i>, congratulations to <i>Bowriver</i> and his connections!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mp7UECt00/XHwwIOA5ClI/AAAAAAAAE-w/YLzGnQ3nOjAQ4X6CWZ8G85FONMTTzmodACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1123" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mp7UECt00/XHwwIOA5ClI/AAAAAAAAE-w/YLzGnQ3nOjAQ4X6CWZ8G85FONMTTzmodACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8887.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bowriver & Joy Swinbank</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally we get to the main (human) award: the <b>Astounding Supporter of the Year</b> award. For the past few seasons I have given out this award to the person or people who I feel capture the essence of what racing horses is all about - the sheer delight of winning races, that unbridled joy when a horse you are involved with crosses the line in front. Sometimes it's a major event, other times it's a run-of-the-mill race at a bread-and-butter meeting. It doesn't matter. What matters is that in the moments immediately after the horse does what someone has hoped and dreamed about, the emotion of knowing all the blood, sweat, tears and hard work has finally paid off comes pouring out. I don't take the bestowment of this award lightly, and after a lot of thought I have eventually settled on the winner for 2018.<br />
<br />
Step forward please Miss <b>Savannah Nicholson</b>. On September 8th at Tir Prince, the Nicholson and Ralph families' <i>Diamant De Godrel</i> stepped up to the plate as a 7-1 fancy for the £10,000 Gold Le Trot final. This was simply the best of the best trotting horses in the UK and indeed Ireland (<i>Ultimo D'Ouville</i> had crossed the Irish Sea to take a crack at it also). When young John Henry Nicholson, a lad who has truly made a name for himself in the few years that he has been driving, crossed the line three lengths clear of his nearest rival, his sister Savannah became hysterical. I can't describe it any other way than that. 'D Godrel', as John Henry calls him in his frequent Snapchat posts, had been my nap of the meeting, although Savannah wasn't anywhere near as confident. Having nearly lost the horse when he first arrived from France earlier in the year, connections had worked hard to get him to the level he was at towards the latter part of the season, with multiple wins under his belt. His inclusion in the Gold Final had not initially been received well by them, as they thought they were destined for the Silver division where the competition may not have been as stiff for a horse who had already proven he could compete with the top tier trotters. However their concerns were misplaced. Immediately after the race Savannah couldn't speak for crying. In fact, at one point it was only the embraces from friends that was keeping her from falling over! That raw emotion...that's what this game is all about. Congratulations Savannah, not only for winning my entirely made up award but also on the successes that your family have enjoyed in 2018. Here's to more of the same for 2019!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaGLqUUqM5o/XHwonbqS9bI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/3fA_-i_30RAhkr7AvdeFu55Wu58LIvU8ACLcBGAs/s1600/41486623_1886014834846037_716701957187698688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaGLqUUqM5o/XHwonbqS9bI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/3fA_-i_30RAhkr7AvdeFu55Wu58LIvU8ACLcBGAs/s400/41486623_1886014834846037_716701957187698688_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Savannah says 'D Godrel' is #1</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zz69nrwbz8A/XHwonja4K1I/AAAAAAAAE-U/N0f1jvArDE0YI-ZiC0LENknPv1w6eO5nwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="780" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zz69nrwbz8A/XHwonja4K1I/AAAAAAAAE-U/N0f1jvArDE0YI-ZiC0LENknPv1w6eO5nwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_9779.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Crying...again!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And that, my dear readers, is that. From start to finish 2018 was full of ups and downs, highlights and low points. This sport we all love is a rollercoaster but year after year we keep coming back for more. The main thing is that we all enjoy what we do and strive to find those moments, like Savannah did, that make all the hard work worthwhile. Be as good in defeat as you are in success. Remember there is always another day. If you achieve your goal, set a new one. Keep trying and keep racing.<br />
<br />
See you all in 2019.<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Scottish GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-85322720792872031492019-01-31T11:53:00.002-08:002019-01-31T11:53:46.332-08:002018: A Year In Review - Part 2Oh so you came back for some more?<br />
<br />
*thought I'd gotten away with that for a minute...*<br />
<br />
<u><b>July</b></u><br />
<br />
The second of the four 'crown jewel' meetings saw most of the country head to the Welsh coast for what was rumoured to be (and has subsequently been confirmed as) the last staging of the Ceredigion two day festival at Aberystwyth. This is a particular favourite with Scottish harness racing fans, mainly for the good weather, the great welcome and the better nightlife. For us the weekend began with bitter disappointment as we had Stevie primed for an assault on Welsh turf, however Mr Self-Destruct had different ideas and a freshly-mangled leg put us out of the game only a couple of days before leaving.<br />
<br />
Somehow I found myself on post-race interview duties again, although this time laid off the alcohol (purely because I was struggling to cope in the heat and also because I needed a clear head in order to carry off the fetching high-vis vest I was forced to wear to reduce the risk of being run over by horses...).<br />
<br />
My Buddy <i>delivered</i> a popular Welsh win for owner/trainer/driver and postman (come ONNNN) Alan Jones in the Group 2 Travis Perkins Final, whilst the Laidlers returned to winning ways on the big stage with former stakes-sensation Springhill Glory landing the Group 1 Park Lodge Final.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxGbUQ8XP50/XEuJCflB7sI/AAAAAAAAE3g/vrg-o5IZuIAw0YzMlynlokZadyp2UeP7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Squad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="960" height="260" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxGbUQ8XP50/XEuJCflB7sI/AAAAAAAAE3g/vrg-o5IZuIAw0YzMlynlokZadyp2UeP7wCLcBGAs/s400/Squad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#Squadgoals - with some of the crew at Aberystwyth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Star Makers Final was staged at Tir Prince in the middle of the month, and although we had qualified Al Jolson for the event, an injury put him out for the season so we had no vested interest in the race. Looking at it with an open mind it looked a highly competitive race, and it was the Jones family's <i>Father Ted </i>who landed the spoils on the night. Despite stating that he would run a lap in only his underwear if the horse won, owner/trainer/driver Marc failed to live up to his promise...the jury is out as to whether we were cheated or secretly blessed!<br />
<br />
Whilst we were bringing Dark Velvet, Rita & Denver home from Wales, Rodney Camden from the Foody stable was dominating at Wolsingham when winning the Joy Robson Memorial Final.<br />
<br />
Towards the back end of the month the third 'crown jewel' fixture was staged at Musselburgh and it was a popular Scottish victory in the Group 2 Hurricane Pace Final on day one as the Gilvear family's <i>Someones Fantasy</i> toughed it to run out a gutsy winner. The second day saw a Musselburgh queen return to the winner's circle as 2017 Hurricane Pace Final winner <i>Rhyds Passion</i> won both her heat and the coveted Group 1 Famous Musselburgh Pace Final in very impressive fashion. I didn't think I could love her more after this day...but as the season progressed so did she!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzWVXzeTEUM/XEuJRYekpcI/AAAAAAAAE3k/39Lke8WRXiEzoqvcJ5AXruWazKrgD_7aQCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B12A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BRhyds%2BPassion%2B%2BS%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzWVXzeTEUM/XEuJRYekpcI/AAAAAAAAE3k/39Lke8WRXiEzoqvcJ5AXruWazKrgD_7aQCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B12A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BRhyds%2BPassion%2B%2BS%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhyds Passion & James Haythornthwaite cruising to victory in the Famous Musselburgh Pace Final (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK I'm done talking about everyone else's July. Especially when July was <i>my</i> month. Well, not so much mine, more <i>Elmo's</i>. After my co-owner Smarty tried to convince me to swap the horse for some semen (not the semen again) at Aberystwyth because he didn't think he'd turn into much, I remained firm in the face of adversity. With Stevie nursing a mangled leg and Al scratched for the remainder of the year, on July 12th I joked that if Elmo Hanover was my stable star then it really showed how bad my stable was. I arranged for one of the gaiting straps to snap at a convenient moment in the race to act as a deterrent for horses to get close to my pacing camel (disclaimer: I'm kidding, it happened BY ACCIDENT), and it worked. We recorded win #1 with the mighty Elmo and boy did it feel gooooooood. It wasn't graceful, but it didn't need to be. My boy finally knew what winning felt like and I wanted him to remember that feeling in the hope that he might actually do it again. And he did, just 2 weeks later at Corbiewood once again. He also came SOOOOO CLOOOOOOSE to creating uproar at Musselburgh as he was just beaten by another Scottish horse, <i>All Smiles</i> from the Mackenzie stable. I was stood with his previous owner as he came romping like a camel on an escape mission from a desert tour towards the finish line and the only thing that would have been better than the look on his face in that moment would be the look on his face if he'd actually won. I may have been scraping him off the floor. All of this was sufficient to secure Elmo the SHRC Horse of the Month award for July. I hope you can feel the pride that is emanating from me as I write that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuKBBRmJEEc/XEuJhjfTfUI/AAAAAAAAE3w/dmtUn2yzckAT2ToO4weCzJnwq429FS2bACLcBGAs/s1600/Elmo%2BHanover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="960" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuKBBRmJEEc/XEuJhjfTfUI/AAAAAAAAE3w/dmtUn2yzckAT2ToO4weCzJnwq429FS2bACLcBGAs/s400/Elmo%2BHanover.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After win number one - PROUD OWNER! (<i>Annette Sproul photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>August</b></u><br />
<br />
On Scottish soil, former Scottish Horse of the Year <i>Starzapan</i> came to the fore at exactly the right moment to win the Greentree Standardbreds Mares Pacing Series Final for all at Trackside Racing Stables. It was a delight to hand over the trophy to Mrs Mackenzie, the First Lady of Corbiewood and a woman all of us look up to (despite her diminuitive stature), whose son, Ally, trains the mare and whose grandson, Stuart, drove the mare to victory.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cdiedZ6HPI/XEuQafHADwI/AAAAAAAAE4A/aLiuiVxdDUULR4jWvHYUd8Dd9-9X3gl5wCLcBGAs/s1600/Mrs%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="626" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cdiedZ6HPI/XEuQafHADwI/AAAAAAAAE4A/aLiuiVxdDUULR4jWvHYUd8Dd9-9X3gl5wCLcBGAs/s400/Mrs%2BM.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The First Lady of Corbiewood, Mrs Mackenzie, being presented with the trophy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My first foray out of Scotland in August came by way of the VDM weekend at Portmarnock, Dublin. I had somehow landed the job of conducting some pre-race and post-race interviews alongside Darren. I got to spend some quality time with my spirit sister Heather Vitale and I also met Heather and Mike Wilder for the first time, even interviewing Mike after a winning drive on the Sunday. This meeting proved to be very beneficial when Smarty and I ventured across the Atlantic to the States later in the year. Evenwood Sonofagun defied logic to overcome his rivals in the FFA and it was a brilliant Scottish win for the Gilvear family once again as their 2YO <i>Northern Pride</i> netted top honours in the VDM Colts Final.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCIR8FIEfvY/XEuQbfk0bcI/AAAAAAAAE4I/a23z_MlDNYQKkpAJI0UEQqVgMwOkq2wMgCLcBGAs/s1600/VDM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="960" height="388" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCIR8FIEfvY/XEuQbfk0bcI/AAAAAAAAE4I/a23z_MlDNYQKkpAJI0UEQqVgMwOkq2wMgCLcBGAs/s400/VDM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Burd & Boots on tour at the VDM Weekend in Portmarnock, Dublin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Team Haythornthwaite reigned supreme at Bells Field in Scotland as the Fletcher's <i>Tommy Camden</i> won the Group 2 main event, whilst at the opposite end of the country on the same day <i>Ayr Musketeer</i> and Jaimie Davies took out the Group 2 Boughrood Final in Wales. We had a 'mare at Bells Field as Stevie ran out on the paddock bend, broke, yet still got up for second to secure a place in the final. Elmo, despite appearing to like the stiffer, staying style of racing, wasn't 100% and it showed as he trailed in mid-field. Personally Bells isn't my favourite track to race at and I feel as though I've given it a fair go. I wish Boughrood was closer, or not on the same day, as I'd rather be there in all honesty.<br />
<br />
The fourth and final 'crown jewel' fixture at Tregaron was the best its been in recent years. Wins for my friends the O'Neil family (with <i>Ayr Treasure</i>) and Emma Langford (with <i>Camden Pro</i>) went down a storm as I showed blatant disregard to the long drive home by getting drunk in the beer tent with friends from Ireland. I joined Tim Kelleher, Barry 'Pinno' Pinnington and Darren Owen for a lively interview panel across both days, with Tim asking me (whilst under the influence in the beer tent) if my opinions really were my own, as they were 'quite good...for a girl'. He's lucky he's got Irish charm, or I could take offence at that...<i>Father Ted</i> (of Star Makers Final fame) won the Strata Florida Final on the Friday and <i>Teatime Preacher </i>(of record-breaking maiden fame earlier in the year) landed the Welsh Classic Final on the Saturday to add another Group 1 to the Laidlers' haul for the year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YX1VXmFg9vc/XEuQaX_qVOI/AAAAAAAAE38/ZLnaNBeW_sE-6X5unMGh0a2PtjQhreKiwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tregaron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YX1VXmFg9vc/XEuQaX_qVOI/AAAAAAAAE38/ZLnaNBeW_sE-6X5unMGh0a2PtjQhreKiwCLcBGAs/s400/Tregaron.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The point at which I decided Smarty could drive the full 7 hours home...and no, I don't know why Tim is on a chair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Tregaron we returned to the last event of the season at Appleby, with less fortune than we'd had on our previous visits with Stevie. A third-placed effort in his heat got him a spot in the final but it wasn't to be and with hindsight we should have managed his campaign slightly better at that stage in the season. We live and learn. Team Laidler absolutely nailed Appleby in 2018, landing all four of the finals there as <i>Merrington Checkm8</i> became the final piece in a successful jigsaw when winning the Brough Final.<br />
<br />
Our last adventure of the month saw Smarty, George [Carson] and I head south to Kilnsey Show with Elmo and Sunnyside Clinton. We were luckless on the day, but it spawned an idea which would see us drive on a 10+ hour round trip to the depths of Staffordshire just over a week later with the same team on board...the rest, as they say, is history.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j07_oZqqixc/XEuQaW1-vpI/AAAAAAAAE4E/RX6xPUWuDqAYMWdNZSvEdxJQPoyk6GtSQCLcBGAs/s1600/Kilnsey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="960" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j07_oZqqixc/XEuQaW1-vpI/AAAAAAAAE4E/RX6xPUWuDqAYMWdNZSvEdxJQPoyk6GtSQCLcBGAs/s400/Kilnsey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmo (left) & Clinton...if only we knew what was on the horizon...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>September</b></u><br />
<br />
After having been reliably told by the Gaffer on Elmo's last start at Corbiewood that I wouldn't win another race with him because he didn't 'want to race', Smarty, George and I set off to Longnor. I needed one more win in order for Smarty's infamous bet with Elmo's previous owner to pay off; with Cassius having notched up two wins at Pikehall and Bells Field, both horses were on two wins apiece. Cassius found himself out for the season after Bells due to being sore so it was all eyes on Elmo.<br />
<br />
None of us had ever been to Longnor before. Smarty had found videos on Youtube of previous meetings there to get some sort of idea of the type of thing we were letting ourselves in for; and everybody else who had ever been before told us it would be like nothing else we had ever encountered. A slight technical hitch with the box meant that we had an unscheduled pit stop at a garage near Penrith (thanks to Google for helping us find a garage and to the mechanic for fitting us in and ordering a replacement part at such short notice - Clinton and Elmo spent the guts of an hour walking around an industrial estate and looking at sheep), but after the initial hiccup we managed to find Longnor with plenty of time to spare, which meant George and Smarty were able to walk the track before racing began and get a feel for what was in store.<br />
<br />
A total lack of phone signal meant that for the next few hours we were living in a tiny bubble alongside some other hardcore harness racing enthusiasts - bearing in mind this was a Thursday afternoon and the only reason I wasn't in work was because I had booked the day off to go to Glasgow to see a band called 'Striking Matches', however they had cancelled the gig the week before which paved the way for this trek to Longnor. 'What's for you won't go by you', so the saying goes, and it's right. On that day we were meant to be at Longnor.<br />
<br />
For anyone reading this not acquainted with the handicap system, there exists an allowance or 'lift' of 10 or 20 yards for C Class (or novice) drivers depending on how many wins they have amassed. The purpose of this is to encourage trainers to allow inexperienced drivers to drive for them, particularly on horses who would benefit from being brought back down a grade or 2 to be more competitive. As Elmo was a Grade 1 (the lowest open handicap grade), he could not benefit from any lifts, and despite there being A Class drivers available in Elmo's race at Longnor, we still chose to put George (a C Class driver) on board. The reason I am making this point is simple: whilst there was a sizeable bet at stake, and decent prize money on offer which would make the long journey far more bearable, the ultimate purpose of having Elmo to begin with was to have fun. There seemed nothing <i>more</i> fun than letting our enthusiastic friend get involved. We <i>chose</i> to put up a C Class driver with 2 career wins to his name over far more experienced drivers who were available, for no obvious benefit to ourselves. The benefit, which was obvious to Smarty and I, was that it made George part of the team and part of the fun. If you can't enjoy your hobby with like-minded friends, you're probably doing it wrong.<br />
<br />
Long story short (but I'll post the video further down) is that despite a slightly hairy moment on the last two bends where I thought George and Elmo were going to get hooked up with long time leader Rhyds Gambler and James Haythornthwaite on their inside, as Wellfield Ginger and Sarah Allen mounted their challenge to their outside, Elmo and George won. Win number 3. The long drive, the breakdown, the wet weather which saw me rummaging around the back of the box to find a very unflattering pair of orange high vis overalls to keep me dry was all worthwhile.<br />
<br />
Not 15 minutes later George was back out on the track with Sunnyside Clinton, a horse he was training for one of his owners, and he made it a quickfire double with a performance that could only be described as a procession as he led from pillar to post. In the space of half an hour George had doubled his lifetime tally of winning drives.<br />
<br />
We were able to enjoy the interim races between the heats and final before I had to prep my catch driver, Richard Haythornthwaite. George was obliged to drive Clinton due to being his trainer, and with only one driver at the track who hadn't driven a horse to qualify for the final, Richard was my man (well technically his father Alan hadn't either, but he had decamped to the beer tent long before the rain had blown over). For the last few years I have supposedly been acting as an unofficial agent for Richard, however never given him a drive on a horse of my own. I don't think he expected his first drive for me to be on the mighty Elmo, a horse who up until that day drew more disparaging comments than complimentary. The advice was simple - keep chasing him, do not let him switch off. All of us at the box felt that Clinton had the strongest chance of winning, so I told Richard that in an ideal world he could finish second to George. My parting words were 'but y'know, try to win'.<br />
<br />
Elmo had slightly different ideas to us about racing and tried to mount an escape bid back off the track just before the off, so I found myself inside the track as the race began having walked him around in a circle as the starter began to get them under orders (think of it as being an outrider, but without the horse...like an 'outwalker'). I was alone for the race, bar a steward stood about 15 feet away from me, and had to go through the motions of trying to figure out if my horse was travelling well enough to be in the mix at the business end all by myself. As they passed the crowd at the start of the final lap I could see Richard giving him a proper shake of the reins and he didn't look like he was going to find anything...then commentator Peter Deighton used a phrase which will stay with me forever - "can Richard conjure up a run with Elmo Hanover? And he is doing, he's cutting him back all the time! <b>Elmo Hanover - just look at him go!</b>"<br />
<br />
As they turned off the last bend and I realised that Elmo was actually going to win the final, I'm not ashamed to say I found myself on my knees and totally overcome with emotion. The emotion was mainly shock and disbelief, but shortly afterwards it was replaced by the greatest sense of pride. My 'Hopeless Hanover', the horse my other half tried to get me to swap for 'as many straws as you can get, but try for 6', the horse my stable driver told me was 'useless', the horse my future father-in-law told me only 2 weeks earlier wouldn't win another race that year...he won heat and final, two trophies, the most prize money I've ever won in one day and a sportsman's bet, all in one go.<br />
<br />
You'll possibly never have seen anything like it, but you can watch both races <b><a href="https://youtu.be/Ek7JBRfkNYY" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5z8DR8XqLI/XFL4FXcaItI/AAAAAAAAE4o/7vbB3npIkgcND0yjOLYOnDwDN7YRYYBWwCLcBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1546270302827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5z8DR8XqLI/XFL4FXcaItI/AAAAAAAAE4o/7vbB3npIkgcND0yjOLYOnDwDN7YRYYBWwCLcBGAs/s400/FB_IMG_1546270302827.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winner Winner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In other news throughout September, <i>Mayfellden Hetty</i> netted the Laidlers yet another final at Wolsingham Show, one of the greatest meetings of the season and the one I am touting to become the <i>Little Brown Jug</i> of the United Kingdom, and at Haugh Field it was the Laidlers with <i>Rhyds Sapphire</i> and Karen Kennedy with <i>Evenwood Ruthless</i> who took home the spoils, winning heat and final of the low grade handicap and high grade handicap respectively. A week later we were back at Tir Prince for the Crock of Gold Final and Le Trot trotting finals; this year <i>Evenwood Sonofagun</i> was able to keep all the glory to himself as he was an outright winner of the country's top FFA (having dead-heated with long-time rival <i>Miraculous</i> in 2017). Team Nicholson & Ronnie Ralph landed the £10,000 Gold Final with their French trotter, <i>Diamant De Godrel</i>, with Emmanuelle Morvilliers from Le Trot present on the evening to celebrate with all the final winners. On the same day, the Foody's and Lee Fletcher were entertaining the crowds at Stanhope Show when winning the final there with <i>Porterstown Jimmy</i> - a few of us managed to catch the race via Facebook Live, although we couldn't see who was in front and just had to rely on the commentary.<br />
<br />
Back on Scottish soil, the major weekend at Corbiewood, the Murdock Weekend, was one for the Cullens and Gilvears. <i>Lyons Nant Hall</i> took out the Dark Rum FFA on the Saturday with Grant Cullen in the bike, and <i>Puissant Hanover</i> landed the Bob Kennedy Memorial for Gordon Gilvear. On Sunday they dominated in the feature events again, with VDM Colts winner <i>Northern Pride</i> easing to an impressive win in the SHRC 2YO Futurity for GG, and <i>Tyler Camden</i> a popular winner of the Joe Murdock Memorial Final for Grant.<br />
<br />
The last meeting that I attended in 2018 was at Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton on 29th September. Acting as official photographer once again, it was an enjoyable day of racing with <i>Rhyds Mystique</i> winning the STAGBI Future Broodmares race, <i>Wellfield Earl</i> and Roy Sheedy showing the young ones how it's done in the C Class race and <i>Evenwood Sonofagun</i> holding off rivals in a thrilling 4-horse high grade handicap which saw all four coming to the line together.<br />
<br />
Smarty ventured to Corbiewood the following day but I found myself at home packing for our two week trip to America which was due to begin in less than 24 hours...<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for Part 3 (unless you did Ohio in the 90's, in which case you'll not find anything of interest in the next instalment).<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-72141511814872674972019-01-25T13:16:00.000-08:002019-01-25T13:16:01.148-08:002018: A Year In Review - Part 1Let me first start with a grovelling apology. Firstly, because it's now well into 2019 which seems a bit rubbish that I'm only now getting around to my review of 2018. Secondly, because you will notice by looking at my previous post that I basically dropped massively off the radar after July. The second half of 2018 saw no new posts whatsoever from me, which is probably my worst record since I began blogging. No excuses, I fell off the wagon big style. I was still active on other social media platforms throughout that period, but with so many different things to juggle in life this blog was the first ball to get dropped. Nobody is more disappointed about that than me, trust me, as I <i>love</i> sharing news, views and personal achievements right here. I'm sorry to the handful of people who read these posts religiously, and the larger audience who dip in and out for some light-hearted entertainment!<br />
<br />
On that note, my New Year's resolution is to keep this blog going for 2019. I can't promise weekly updates, but I can promise that I won't go AWOL half way through the season!!<br />
<br />
Now to look back at 2018. I figured the easiest and best way to do that would be to break the year down into the 12 months, before announcing my annual 'alternative' award winners (note: as with previous years, there are no prizes, monetary or otherwise, and don't be expecting a trophy. Just know that to have one of my awards bestowed upon you is enough).<br />
<br />
Here goes...<br />
<br />
<b><u>January</u></b><br />
<br />
Taking into consideration that the harness racing season only stretches from May to October, there isn't much happening during these 'off-season' months. However, in January 2018 the Scottish Harness Racing Club staged its annual awards event at the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling. This was the first year that I was able to attend since moving to Scotland in 2014, and Smarty and I were keen to do so as our good friend George Carson was to receive the 'Horse of the Month - July' award for his successes with Valentine Camden (owned by George's father, Gilmour, and trained by George himself). The highlight of Val's July [2017] campaign had been his heat win in the Hurricane Pace at Musselburgh followed up with a second placed finish in the final behind BHRC Mare of the Year <i>Rhyds Passion</i>. Along with the O'Neil family, we wanted to support George on the night, and in addition to this I had also convinced the committee to allow me to compile and show presentation videos for each of the winners (which was a great success, in my opinion at least).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuti9nzoNq8/XDpk1hAxbKI/AAAAAAAAE2M/D96X1p1CJJsKmKGzEJ9MfCU7FnKsE6AQACLcBGAs/s1600/George.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="750" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuti9nzoNq8/XDpk1hAxbKI/AAAAAAAAE2M/D96X1p1CJJsKmKGzEJ9MfCU7FnKsE6AQACLcBGAs/s400/George.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trainer George Carson, currently at Pompano Park in Florida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>February</b></u><br />
<br />
The awards season rolled on and before I knew it the BHRC & STAGBI awards evening was upon us. For the first time Trot Britain joined in with the celebrations and added their awards to proceedings. Another first was host Darren Owen sharing the stage for the evening...with yours truly. This was my first 'gig' on stage, and I was terrified. It didn't help that we had major technical issues regarding the audio for the videos that I had spent weeks preparing and I was running around like a headless chicken trying to fix things whilst also introducing the awards I was responsible for. I made a few errors, I fluffed my lines a couple of times and I definitely announced the coveted '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L01izahQN-w">Horse of the Year</a>' winner <i>before</i> the official envelope was opened (I had to know in advance for the purposes of preparing the video, and I think in my desperation for the whole experience of being on stage to be over I rushed it...FAIL). BUT, everyone enjoyed themselves, the videos were posted online after the event for people to enjoy fully and in their own time and a few people tried to rebuild my dented confidence by reassuring me that I wasn't the total disaster that I had convinced myself I was. At the end of the day, we celebrated and we had fun. That's a win in my eyes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQx4Z0omnsg/XDpn2XmN9GI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/ZGyODcxFwRwAI-9F5ZfiRTmCSaMgXb8DQCLcBGAs/s1600/ST%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQx4Z0omnsg/XDpn2XmN9GI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/ZGyODcxFwRwAI-9F5ZfiRTmCSaMgXb8DQCLcBGAs/s400/ST%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making my hosting debut at the BHRC & STAGBI awards in Haydock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>March</b></u><br />
<br />
Upon consultation with Smarty, we have decided nothing happened in March. Well, except it snowed, really, really bad. That caused a lot of interruption to many people's training regime as a large number of horses were already back in training for the 2018 season (our horses included) so for a week to 10 days a lot of horses were kept off their work due to weather conditions. Not the champion stable though; the Laidlers cleared their track and kept on trucking through it from their base in County Durham, and this dedication at the roughest point of the year weatherwise really paid dividends once the season was finally upon us.<br />
<br />
<u><b>April</b></u><br />
<br />
Qualifiers and workout days started up at Tir Prince. I didn't go to any as they were mid-week events but Smarty disappeared down south a couple of times (much to other people's bewilderment when they saw him). Nothing else to report!<br />
<br />
<u><b>May</b></u><br />
<br />
FINALLY the harness racing season was upon us, with proceedings kicking off at Tir Prince for their only fixture of the season where handicap races were the feature. Commentator Darren Owen suggested we give a Facebook Live preview and post-racing review for the first time, and this spawned the beginning of many similar videos throughout the season both together as a double act, and separately when we were at opposite ends of the country. We managed to get a wide variety of different people involved in these videos as the season marched on, and I've received a huge amount of positive feedback about them so expect more in 2019!<br />
<br />
Team Haythornthwaite took out the first handicap final of the year (<i>Anto Russell Memorial Final @ </i>Tir Prince) with <i>Plan B<b>; </b></i>the three-year-old <i>Merrington Movinup</i> landed the <i>Camden Stud Spring Final</i> @ Tregaron quite effortlessly for the Laidlers; <i>Live In Star</i> recorded his second final win in pitch darkness at Corbiewood for the Cullen stable; Team Laidler took home their second handicap final win with <i>Easy Company</i> at Presteigne; and not to be outdone the Haythornthwaites took their second final with <i>Oaks Telstar</i> at Corbiewood. The first of the four 'crown jewel' events at Appleby saw the Laidlers dominate, with <i>Springhill Ruby</i> landing the Group 2 Sunday final and <i>Jack Swagger </i>(driven by 'Super Sub' William Greenhorn, co-owner of the horse and husband of the breeder, Joyce) taking out the Group 1 Monday final. From a Scottish perspective, brothers Keir and Grant Cullen had to be commended for their training and driving performances respectively, finishing second in both finals (<i>Springhill Catch - </i>Sunday; <i>Live In Star</i> - Monday).<br />
<br />
The two day meeting was also the platform upon which I launched my post-race interviewing 'career'. The usual host was unavailable so Darren [Owen] asked if I would step into the breach. Not one to say no to anything I duly obliged. Terrified and completely clueless, but aided by copious amounts of fruit cider and gin & tonic (thanks to my BFF and my mother) it all went rather well. Well, until I asked the crowd to ' please give a massive round of applause for the Appleby Monday Final winner JACK SWAGGER, and your winning driver ROCKER LAIDLER...'*turns mic off*...*looks over at William Greenhorn walking back to the paddock*...*realises he was the winning driver*...*turns mic back on* '...your winning driver WILLIAM GREENHORN!'. People knew what I meant.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAr7s1KyX-g/XDpxUWK-isI/AAAAAAAAE24/DEbDeDd7fgg9YnjlvVPmcZfmcN_wi4VTgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAr7s1KyX-g/XDpxUWK-isI/AAAAAAAAE24/DEbDeDd7fgg9YnjlvVPmcZfmcN_wi4VTgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7397.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Greenhorn & Jack Swagger (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZB8OqYB4Wk/XDpxUnUEFTI/AAAAAAAAE28/-cAFExxQg5IDXJRVnaATEeFoD_ELG7IEgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZB8OqYB4Wk/XDpxUnUEFTI/AAAAAAAAE28/-cAFExxQg5IDXJRVnaATEeFoD_ELG7IEgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breeder Joyce Greenhorn with Jack Swagger (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On a personal level we welcomed a Hasty Hall colt into the world (<i>Crosshill Diablo</i>, aka Denver); re-qualified <i>Young Stephen </i>(aka Stevie) and raced him for the first time in 2 years; and won a qualifying leg of the inaugural Star Makers Series with David Lowther's <i>Al Jolson</i> (who taught me very quickly the pitfalls of training a grey horse - borderline impossible to keep clean!). Sadly we also had to say goodbye to a very good friend of ours, Gilmour Carson, after a lengthy battle with cancer, and this hit all of us in our group hard. Gilmour would do anything for anyone and in the short time that I knew him he came to my rescue on more than one occasion. Racing hasn't been the same without him as part of the crew, but we have all ralled around his son, George, to make sure that he's never stuck. Much like his father, George has come to my rescue a few times since then as well so I'm not really sure anymore who's helping who.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiA3GdvBXuE/XDpuXFSvucI/AAAAAAAAE2o/1O8fa_H7rEQTDBkskVUjp9_3-ZAllWiXACLcBGAs/s1600/ST%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="530" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiA3GdvBXuE/XDpuXFSvucI/AAAAAAAAE2o/1O8fa_H7rEQTDBkskVUjp9_3-ZAllWiXACLcBGAs/s400/ST%2B2.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably spotted a speck of dirt on Al's face...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ckqOJsfCOf4/XDpuXI0B-RI/AAAAAAAAE2k/aqpBcuwX-iYJ3nrrwdn-t5hH5DXcC24WACLcBGAs/s1600/Denver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="297" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ckqOJsfCOf4/XDpuXI0B-RI/AAAAAAAAE2k/aqpBcuwX-iYJ3nrrwdn-t5hH5DXcC24WACLcBGAs/s400/Denver.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosshill Diablo (c, Hasty Hall-Vain In Spain-Artsplace)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>June</b></u><br />
<br />
Only a week after the Laidler domination at the Appleby two day festival racegoers in the northern half of the country returned to the track for the New Fair meeting. Clearly on a roll, the champion trainer made it 3 finals from 3 when Blackwell Tiana, owned by Wilf Burton & Jonjo McMeekin, narrowly defeated our very own Young Stephen in a nail biting final. Although disappointed that Stevie was once again denied his day in the sun, and this time by the narrowest of margins, I was delighted for connections of the winner. We had after all won our heat with Hugh Menzies driving Stevie for the first time, so I knew there was life in the old dog yet (Stevie, not Hugh...). Social media erupted later on that day with claims that the sport was being unfairly dominated by the Laidler camp, but to keep this short I shall simply refer you back to 'March'. I had even stated in the preview with Darren on FB Live that whilst I had big hopes for Stevie in his heat, he was short of a workout (the snow had delayed us somewhat earlier in the spring).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bvaXoHFiGA/XEsoyQnpy7I/AAAAAAAAE3U/pnuOSzePdgo0u_EtEmuys2jyOvpcZr0aACLcBGAs/s1600/562A7253%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BYoung%2BStephen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bvaXoHFiGA/XEsoyQnpy7I/AAAAAAAAE3U/pnuOSzePdgo0u_EtEmuys2jyOvpcZr0aACLcBGAs/s400/562A7253%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BYoung%2BStephen.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Stephen & Hugh Menzies head to victory at the New Fair meeting (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Laidler train kept on rolling as Teatime Preacher set a new track record for her age & sex when becoming the fastest maiden winner in Tir Prince's history on a night that saw multiple track records fall. Rockin Mambo had his first taste of FFA success in the first of the Crock of Gold heats, although connections still held hopes of winning a major handicap with the son of Rocknroll Hanover before switching to FFA events exclusively.<br />
<br />
The Fletcher and Haythornthwaite combo dominated the SHRC 3YOs at Corbiewood when Casimir Royal Flush and Crack A Smile took out the fillies and colts/geldings divisions respectively. James [Haythornthwaite] was on somewhat of a roll himself, landing the £5000 Cumberland Show Final with a catch drive onboard Jimmy Winter's Midnight Diamond. Unfortunately the meeting was marred by multiple incidents on, off and inside the track and such was the threat to the reputation of the sport at the venue and the total lack of impartiality from officials present that I was compelled to submit an independent report of events to the governing body. To date not all parties have been formally dealt with, which is disappointing, but not entirely surprising. I hope never to find myself in a position where I am apologising on behalf of my fellow horsemen for their conduct again.<br />
<br />
The fortunes of the 'smaller' stables continued following Winter's success at Carlisle, with all 7 races at Hellifield won by stables outwith the typical 'professional' stables. Team Foody landed heat and final with All Good Hanover, as well as a maiden with Rodney Camden, and were denied a fourth victory following a stewards enquiry involving Jack Sparrow (first past the post, but placings altered due to interference with the eventual winner, GDs Hurricane).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWLZW5SQXZw/XEsoYterWCI/AAAAAAAAE3M/iDgAm-Ubr5kV057STUT51SpVEF2CiDolgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWLZW5SQXZw/XEsoYterWCI/AAAAAAAAE3M/iDgAm-Ubr5kV057STUT51SpVEF2CiDolgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field lines up at the picturesque Hellifield (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The month of June was rounded off with Rockin Mambo recording another FFA win at Tir Prince when beating 2017 Horse of the Year Evenwood Sonofagun in the British Pacing Classic over 1m 2f.<br />
<br />
At home with the Smart squad, I decided to take Dark Velvet, dam of Young Stephen and Wild Bill Hickok, back to the stallion after having been in the wilderness since her last foal in 2011. I had purchased a service to first-season stallion Matador Hall as part of a fundraiser stallion auction and Smarty's late grandfather had once told me I could take a foal off the mare if I wanted to. So that's what I'm doing. We also bade farewell to big elephant features Cassius Clay as he was sold as part of a deal which saw (the famous on Facebook) Elmo Hanover join the ranks. Now you know we're just warming up...<br />
<br />
Fear not dear readers, part 2 (and indeed, possibly parts 3 and 4) will be posted imminently. Let me just get myself another G & T....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czkWk4AXOQo/WyLS1YM1A2I/AAAAAAAAEv8/p4epi38n_GcQq3dlNq9R6e0aXOpgIOtCgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/35246303_10156220142305772_5105919716338171904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="762" height="297" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czkWk4AXOQo/WyLS1YM1A2I/AAAAAAAAEv8/p4epi38n_GcQq3dlNq9R6e0aXOpgIOtCgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/35246303_10156220142305772_5105919716338171904_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interviewing my driver at Appleby New Fair, after he won on my horse...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Scottish GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-44253259094876449762018-09-25T14:16:00.001-07:002018-09-25T14:17:42.695-07:00Harness Racing: finding new ways to reject trotters...but why?<blockquote>
<b>Juliet:</b><br />
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose<br />
By any other name would smell as sweet."<br />
<cite><a class="owl-eyes-link" href="https://www.owleyes.org/text/romeo-and-juliet/read/act-ii-scene-ii" target="_blank">Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)</a></cite></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Some people dislike trotters because they think they break excessively.<br />
Some people dislike trotters because they think they are difficult to train.<br />
And some people dislike trotters because they can't pronounce their names, or remember which ones they've previously gambled for future flutters with the bookies.<br />
<br />
I know right, hard to believe anyone has ever admitted to the third complaint. Alas, the debate is currently raging on Facebook about this very thing, and it has had me laughing and holding my head in my hands in despair in equal measure.<br />
<br />
I don't speak a word of French. When I arrived in Paris in December 2016 on my first international visit as a STAGBI Director, I literally showed a taxi driver the printed address I had for the hotel that all delegates were staying at. When he dropped me off at the hotel and handed me my suitcase from the boot of the car, I couldn't for the life of me remember how to say 'thank you' in French. So I ended up saying 'thanks' (CRINGE). <i>Now if Le Trot were in fact Der Trab and the trip had been to Munich not Paris, I would have been able to hold half a conversation with the taxi driver. Unfortunately for me and my semi-fluency in German, this is not the case.</i><br />
<br />
One of the best things about going racing with William Smart Snr before he passed away was sitting in the car with him at a track and going through the card together. Smarty and I used to purposefully skip to the trot race and get him to tell us which ones he fancied. Remember this was back before the TF had arrived en masse, so it was a variety of Swedish, Norwegian and Dutch trotters primarily, but even at that...he just could not pronounce a single one correctly. His variations on their names were so much better than their actual names. Over the past few years we've often joked about what he would have called some of these French Trotters that have arrived. It would have been a hoot.<br />
<br />
When I was at Portmarnock back in August for the VDM meeting, Darren [Owen] and I went around the paddock before racing on the Saturday to interview some of the trainers and drivers for pre-recorded segments to be shown during the course of the afternoon on the big screen. I interviewed Sean Kane, who coincidentally has been on both of my trips hosted by Le Trot at Vincennes, and we had a huge debate before filming as to the name of one of his horses. I thought I had gone mad because I had three Irishmen trying to tell me how to pronounce the horse's name and what they were saying versus what I was reading on the racecard appeared to be two different things. Darren got involved and his interpretation was different to both versions that had previously been mooted. The main thing is: <b>we had a laugh about it</b>. It didn't matter in the grand scheme how we chose to pronounce it. After all, there are two very separate and distinct camps when it comes to pronouncing the late and great Kauto Star. Tomato/tomato, potato/potato...even names which appear so distinctly 'British' can confuse people.<br />
<br />
For it to then be bandied about on social media this afternoon that in order for trotting (as opposed to general harness racing, including pacing races) to be shown on a mainstream racing channel such as At The Races ('ATR') and be welcomed by the general public, horses from France should have their <i>names changed<b> </b></i>in order for them to be more easily remembered and for people to start following these horses, to me seems absolutely ludicrous. One comment from a horse owner was that if their horse was exported to a country where its name wasn't easily pronounced or understood, they would have no issue with the horse's name being changed to something more appropriate in that new country of residence. Whilst as an owner they may be happy for a name change, I suspect that the majority of breeders would not be. I know I certainly wouldn't want any of my horses' names changed. Some of mine have our registered prefix; some do not. We don't simply allocate names by plucking them from thin air without any forethought. A lot of time goes into choosing a name that often means something to us, even if the history behind the name never becomes common knowledge. Naming a horse is a breeder's way of putting their stamp on something they helped to create.<br />
<br />
Some people might tell you that it doesn't matter what a horse is called; if it's good, it's good. It doesn't know what its name is and that has no bearing or relevance on its ability to race. Therefore, its name should be adapted where necessary to suit those whose sole involvement in racing is to hand their money over to bookmakers and hope for more back. These people, apparently, can only remember anglicised names; they are only <i>willing</i> to remember anglicised names. So either the country is full of close-minded racing fans or these people making these bold claims are massively underrating their compatriots. Somehow though, I suspect these people didn't forget to back Buveur D'Air from one Champion Hurdle victory to the next.<br />
<br />
I don't hang about with big gamblers. I don't make a habit of hanging around with bookmakers either, save the one I happen to live with. I do hang about with a lot of occasional gamblers though; people who put a 50p accumulator on at the weekend or beg for a tip off me in the week so they can have something to cheer on at the weekend in front of the telly. I know, from spending time with them, that it doesn't matter if a horse has an easy to pronounce and remember name or not - if it puts money in their pocket on a Saturday afternoon then they follow it from that day forth. When I was younger, I followed Hors La Loi III. The fact that his name isn't the easiest to get your tongue around had absolutely no bearing on my support for him. Edredon Bleu, Voy Pur Ustedes, even Senor El Betrutti (not French, no, but one of my all-time faves)...they hardly roll off the tongue do they? And yet the betting public were able to get behind them one way or another.<br />
<br />
So what <i>is</i> in a name?<br />
<br />
To those of us not connected to a particular horse, nothing. But to the person who bred the horse, potentially everything. Every breeder has a method of naming, whether it's a prefix or suffix, naming with the same start letter as the dam, following a theme of the dam's name, following a theme of something the person is interested in...anything. It might even be something totally random in the moment of decision-making, but from that point onwards that name belongs to that horse. No matter where that horse ends up, the breeder has given it something that will stay with it forever.<br />
<br />
I'm that much of a naming obsessive that I have to tell people the stable names of horses I sell. I was affronted after selling Merrington Missile (known to me simply as Missile) as a rider to learn that his new owners had renamed him 'Sgt Bash', or 'Bash'. One of my friends nicknamed his foal one name, then changed it when the horse was a yearling. I told him it was bad luck. Another of my friends bought a horse that I had known several owners previously. I told him its stable name from when I knew it (which he thought was weird that I would know such a thing) and he told me its new stable name. Within a fortnight he was back to calling it by its original stable name, the name I had told him.<br />
<br />
OK, so French names are a little challenging. They aren't as challenging for us as they are for our commentators. I simply take my lead from Darren Owen. Whatever he calls them, I call them. And yes, it can be confusing with the three- and four-year-old trotters, whose names all begin with the same letter, but that is the naming system in place in France and we must respect that. Remember that one of those horses whose name begins with a certain letter may have been the only foal bred that year by its breeder - it wasn't one horse lost in a sea of horses with names beginning with the same letter. I dislike the younger trotters personally, but not because their names are so difficult to differentiate on a start sheet or a bookie's board. I adore the older trotters (and I appreciate that the younger trotters of today will become the aged trotters of tomorrow). I don't have a photographic memory. In fact, I have a memory like a sieve. If things aren't written down, I've no hope of remembering them. But we have a finite number of horses racing in this country. We see them almost on a weekly basis. If you can't remember the names of horses, that's your problem and not the problem of those who name the horses.<br />
<br />
I didn't hear anyone demanding that the Kane family change the name of Maitha Buachaill, even though to date that remains THE hardest name for any non-Gaelic speaking person to pronounce. Martha Buckle got bandied about A LOT. Ffairrhoshillbilly, or Fire House Hill Billy as he's known to the non-Welsh speaking division of our household (that's Smarty, in case you're wondering) - not so simple is it?<br />
<br />
Let's just face the facts here: people who moan the loudest about the French Trotters aren't going to like them even if they had anglicised names. Then they say they don't like them because they gallop excessively. I put forward to you that the aged trotters gallop about as frequently as pacers do, and yet those who moan will still *try* to find fault. They moan that the trotters do not provide a spectacle for race-goers and are too unpredictable to gamble (or lay). The fact that they are racing for vastly increased purses compared to pacers is irrelevant to them because racing should be doing more for the spectators.<br />
<br />
And yet, these same people are almost always the first to complain that pacers don't race for enough money and the sport doesn't do enough for those involved in owning/training/driving horses. Pacers provide a better spectacle for the crowd, they say.<br />
<br />
WHAT DO YOU WANT?<br />
<br />
Do you want a good spectacle and betting opportunity or do you want the money in the sport to be better for those directly involved?<br />
<br />
'Both'.<br />
<br />
Well to have both, you need to accept both divisions. By accepting both divisions, we might actually have a chance to move forward so that the trotters can begin to become a better spectacle for the crowd and the pacers can start to race for increased prize money.<br />
<br />
Moaning, on the other hand, because you don't like the 'new' (hardly new now, but comparatively speaking, it is) style of racing on these shores, and finding fault in anything and everything (including the horses' names) won't bring about any positive change. I see things I don't like and I approach the relevant groups or individuals privately to express my concerns and to make suggestions for improvement. This doesn't always go down well, but I have learnt over the years (and from the mistakes in the past of jumping straight on social media to crab things) that this is the proper and appropriate way to do things.<br />
<br />
If trotting from France makes it on to the telly in the UK, at least people in this country won't automatically assume we're all road-racing travellers who leave horses in the ditches to die. They'll have half an idea about what our sport is. Names, and galloping when they should be trotting, won't come in to it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FBHR_rdtz8/W6qlaQ6GL8I/AAAAAAAAE1s/syU3Fq34X7sPcZa7U8xMMfAVmXOAE1u_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Trotters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1600" height="329" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FBHR_rdtz8/W6qlaQ6GL8I/AAAAAAAAE1s/syU3Fq34X7sPcZa7U8xMMfAVmXOAE1u_QCLcBGAs/s640/Trotters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There's not much going wrong here... (Pikehall, 2017,</i> <i>Sarah Thomas photo)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Groom<br />
<br />
<i>Aka Sarah, not Sara, because Sarah is my name and I don't want it changed, thanks.</i>Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-73639363208006295352018-09-20T14:25:00.000-07:002018-09-20T14:39:24.274-07:00Harness Racing: The ShowsLet's totally ignore the fact I haven't posted since about five years ago (OK, so more like two months ago, but we'll get back to that another time) and just jump straight into talking about something REALLY IMPORTANT:<br />
<br />
The Shows.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.cumberlandshow.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cumberland</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.kilnseyshow.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kilnsey</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.wolsinghamshow.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wolsingham</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/longnorsports/posts/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Longnor</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://stanhopeshow.com/" target="_blank">Stanhope</a></b><br />
<br />
(Feel free to click on any of the above to take a peek at their respective websites).<br />
<br />
'What's so great about these shows?' I hear you ask.<br />
<br />
Well, if you've never been, let me paint a picture for you:<br />
<br />
Imagine thousands of people descending onto a grass field, often on the outskirts of the village/town that the event is named after, browsing various stalls and stands, arts and crafts tents, machinery displays; enjoying fairground rides and main ring attractions; and taking part in various competitions such as animal showing (sheep, cattle, in-hand and ridden horses), gymkhana, jumping, 'Best Cabbage' etc. Then at the climax of the day these thousands of people, many of whom only see harness racing on ONE DAY OF THE YEAR, line the entire length of the home straight to cheer on those taking part in the most thrilling event on the schedule.<br />
<br />
I'm not over-egging the pudding - there are literally thousands of people at these events all picking a horse, having a bet and cheering it home.<br />
<br />
These shows have one thing in common which separates them from any other harness racing events in the entire country: after each of the races, the crowd give a genuine ROUND OF APPLAUSE. These people are clapping in appreciation of the spectacle that we, harness racing people, are putting on. Just imagine that. Now I know this isn't something which goes unnoticed, as Kilnsey 2018 was driver Lauren Moran's first ever visit to the show and immediately after the first race she turned to me and Richard [Haythornthwaite] in disbelief and said 'they're clapping?!'. I felt the exact same way back in 2013 when I attended Kilnsey for the first time. I couldn't believe that such a large number of people were applauding what I, and others who race on a weekly basis, take for granted. I know that after most races at Corbiewood for example, most of the crowd don't even watch the winner's presentation as they have their backs turned to the track waiting for the bookies to price up the next race.<br />
<br />
When did we stop appreciating the spectacle of what we are doing?<br />
<br />
I'll leave you all to ponder that one. Try to take a step back and consider what you have achieved this year in your efforts as an owner/trainer/driver/groom. You may not have hit the heights that you dreamed of back in the spring when the racing season was a distant glow on the horizon, but I can guarantee that you have achieved something along the way that plenty of people who go about their day-to-day lives haven't. Remember that.<br />
<br />
All too often we hear complaints that as a collective we are not doing enough to promote the sport of harness racing. It can be very difficult to tap in to such a competitive market with a product that is so far behind its Thoroughbred counterpart. Yet, these shows are ready-made platforms upon which we can reach out to the masses to showcase what we have on offer. Yes, we are racing, but we could be doing more. Pre-race and post-race driver interviews, an introduction to the breed and sport, demonstrations and explanations of the harness used (and why). Filling the race cards with the fixture list, BHRC website, social media pages, information for people to read when they get home after an enjoyable day at the show. A trade stand to draw people in and get the message about what we do out there to people who might be interested in getting involved. There are people with even better ideas than these crying out for their voice to be heard and for an opportunity to take on some of the workload involved. Let's see if we can work in conjunction with these show committees to make these things happen. Jump on my 2019 Show Bandwagon if you dare! <br />
<br />
Now, I can hear some of you readers saying to yourselves 'why is she making such a big song and dance about racing at the <i>shows</i>?'.<br />
<br />
I'll tell you why.<br />
<br />
Some of these shows are beginning to struggle for entries. You may say that's because they are 'low level' racing, unsuitable for big name stables and high quality horses. You're wrong.<br />
<br />
Firstly, these shows offer phenomenal prize money in comparison with other weekly meetings on dedicated harness racing tracks where racing is the sole event. Prove it, you say. Well, in 2018, Cumberland Show ran a £4000 handicap final; Kilnsey Show ran a £900 handicap final; Wolsingham Show ran a £1000 handicap final; Longnor Sports ran a £500 handicap final; and Stanhope Show ran a £900 handicap final. Do you see a pattern emerging?<br />
<br />
There is really good prize money on offer. Longnor Sports even gave FREE entry to all horses to race, and to all connections of horses into the event. I myself travelled to Longnor with Smarty and G Whizz, our driver for the day, with two horses. Winning both heats and the final, we left that day with £1100 in prize money between us. Not a bad day's work, especially as our costs were limited to the fuel to get us there and back.<br />
<br />
Secondly, the quality of the tracks is often exaggerated to their detriment. Having attended all bar Stanhope (which is on my bucket list for 2019), all I can say is that as long as you drive according to the conditions on the day (which should apply everywhere) and harness your horse according to the track (again, which should apply everywhere), there is little wrong with the tracks. You're not going to set any records or earn a decent lifetime mark there, granted, but the variety that these places offer compared to the larger tracks allows for horses who don't necessarily suit speed mile racing to excel. There's a lot to be said for three minute racing as well as two minute racing after all! And variety is the spice of life, so they say...<br />
<br />
Thirdly, these places DO attract successful horses from big stables. Happy Hands (trained by Alexis Laidler and driven by Rocker Laidler) was the winner of Kilnsey 2018; Rhyds Solution (from the same barn) has won TWO Scorton Feast finals (a meeting which was not staged this year due to an archaeological dig at the venue but which it is hoped will return in the future). Over the years, there have been numerous top class horses which have raced and won at these shows.<br />
<br />
The fact that so many people look down upon these shows is having a detrimental effect on their viability for the future. In addition to Longnor struggling for entries (which seems mad considering the already-mentioned FREE ENTRY and good prize money), it now appears to be a given that these show meetings are allowed to suffer fixture clashes with other harness racing events that definitely draw participants and spectators away from the shows. Those in charge of approving the annual fixture list do not seem to appreciate the importance of supporting these shows. If harness racing dwindles at these events and fizzles out completely, they will be lost. To explain the severity of this, let me explain that all of these shows, bar Cumberland, have the majority (if not all) of the prize money provided by the show itself. If a harness racing event which has harness racing sponsors is lost, there is a possibility of that sponsorship money being secured and redistributed at another harness racing event. If the racing at the shows is lost, that prize money is also lost. It would not be handed over to another event entirely separate to the show. These show committees have ringfenced prize money for us and we must not be so shortsighted as to forget this. Remember: the shows don't need us, but we do need them.<br />
<br />
As I write this, Smarty has the pre-race parade from the Little Brown Jug at Delaware County Fair, Ohio, blaring from his laptop. If that isn't akin to our shows over here, I don't know what is. In America they've managed to make one of their 'shows' one of THE biggest events of the racing calendar. Over here, our LBJ would be Wolsingham Show. I don't often say we should 'copy' other countries (because I get annoyed that we pick and choose what we copy, often inappropriately) but in this instance, I think we should. Let's celebrate the show circuit and make Wolsingham the BIG ONE.<br />
<br />
And if Wolsingham Show is our LBJ, then Peter Deighton is our Roger Huston. He has his critics, but man you can't knock him for his commentary at the shows. Peter has a real knack for bringing the crowd right into the action and encouraging them to support the different horses and drivers as the races progress. He did suggest at Longnor a couple of weeks ago that this year would be his last as commentator, but both Smarty and I sincerely hope this isn't the case as he brings something to the table that I'm yet to hear from any other commentator (although young Stephen Lees Jnr showed great promise at Longnor!). The way he notches things up as the horses head into the last bend and he begins throwing suggestions out about this horse needing to make a big move or that horse taking the tough route three wide to mount a challenge, it all adds to the atmosphere and the crowd really gets into it. I've been there, immersed amongst all these people who don't really have any idea what's going on but who wholeheartedly get behind the competitors, and I tell you what, it's really hard not to get caught up in it all. I think I cheer loudest at the shows than I do anywhere else, even if I haven't got a horse racing. At Longnor Sports he announced to the crowd that we had travelled all the way from Motherwell to support the meeting (OK, Motherwell was like the closest big town that G could give him as a point of reference for Cleland and Allanton respectively) and people actually stopped me in the crowd to double check that we'd really travelled that far. It was almost like being famous for an afternoon. He even thanked us publicly on the mic after the final. Madness.<br />
<br />
I would also like to take a quick moment to congratulate the winners of the finals from the 2018 show season:<br />
<br />
Cumberland Show: <b>Midnight Diamond</b> - owned and trained by James Winter, driven by James Haythornthwaite<br />
Kilnsey Show: <b>Happy Hands</b> - owned by Raymond Huschka, trained by Alexis Laidler, driven by Rocker Laidler<br />
Wolsingham Show: <b>Mayfellden Hetty</b> - owned by Brian Laidler, trained by Alexis Laidler, driven by William Greenhorn<br />
Longnor Sports: <b>Elmo Hanover</b> - owned and trained by William Smart, driven by Richard Haythornthwaite<br />
Stanhope Show: <b>Porterstown Jimmy</b> - owned by Jody Foody, trained by Jack Foody, driven by Lee Fletcher<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXmKspRm6so/W6QOcO4MX3I/AAAAAAAAE08/QNpnVcl89UE0PIqgja4_1OoAn7uVC7ZzwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXmKspRm6so/W6QOcO4MX3I/AAAAAAAAE08/QNpnVcl89UE0PIqgja4_1OoAn7uVC7ZzwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0066.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayfellden Hetty @ Wolsingham Show (Sarah Thomas photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9yHDfigTfY/W6QOHymVAYI/AAAAAAAAE00/bJFZCa09Gtwyei9xII-4xBRgrRdkomWeACLcBGAs/s1600/Elmo%2BHanover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9yHDfigTfY/W6QOHymVAYI/AAAAAAAAE00/bJFZCa09Gtwyei9xII-4xBRgrRdkomWeACLcBGAs/s400/Elmo%2BHanover.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmo Hanover @ Longnor Sports (Graham Rees photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was present at four of the five events to enjoy the success of those involved (especially as Elmo is actually my horse, and I watched the race from inside the last two bends so I had a front row seat for the perfectly-timed challenge on the long time leader in the last eighth!), and despite being at Tir Prince for Crock of Gold Final night when Stanhope Show was being staged, I actually missed the draw for the racing because I was glued to my phone (along with a number of boys from the north east) watching the final from Stanhope on Facebook Live. We had our priorities right! It also allowed me to give Lee Fletcher and Porterstown Jimmy a big shout out on the mic when we did the draw for the CoG in front of the crowd.<br />
<br />
Before I sign off, I think I need to ask the question:<br />
<br />
What does the future hold for the shows?<br />
<br />
Well, I'm no Mystic Meg so I can't tell you. As long as the respective committees keep asking us to come back, and we keep providing the horses, the future remains relatively settled. But we shouldn't 'settle for settled'. We should be looking to build on these solid foundations that have been laid over multiple generations.<br />
<br />
Firstly, I think we need to ensure that these shows have some sort of protected status when it comes to the fixture list. In particular, Stanhope and Wolsingham. Next year will be the 240th year for Wolsingham. In 2018 it attracted 25,000 (yes, 25,000) people through the gate. They are planning to be bigger than ever next year. We need to tap into this, big time. Having checked the dates, the 240th staging of the show will be on 7th and 8th September. I would hope that no major event would be allowed to clash with this as although the event attracts primarily those in the north east of England (and Scotland), many of the top trainers are based in this area and it seems unfair to draw them away to other parts of the country.<br />
<br />
Secondly, I think we need to work in closer conjunction with the show committees to really make our event on their schedule more than just racing horses. I have stood and watched other displays at these shows and all the while that the spectacle is happening, there is always someone on a microphone talking the crowd through what goes into making this happen and what is actually happening. I know we are the best people at talking about what we do, so let's do more of it.<br />
<br />
Thirdly, we need to shake off this idea that the tracks at the shows are not fit for purpose. I have raced my horses around two of the five this year and cannot fault them. I fully intend to continue racing, when possible (remember I need to travel a minimum of about two hours - and a maximum of five and a half hours) at these tracks in the future. The leading stable for the last eleven years bagged two of the five this year. Bigger isn't always better and it's horses for courses as well.<br />
<br />
I was asked to write something to draw some positive light onto the diamonds in the rough that are the show meetings. I've tried to dispell some of the myths surrounding them. If you've never been, I encourage you to go. If you have been, let me know what ideas you have to make them even better than they are. The shows have been running for, in some cases, hundreds of years with great success and for reasons unknown to me, they are allowing us to piggyback on their success so let's not waste these opportunities. If we build on the existing shows, we might even be able to tap into new shows and before you know it, the Yanks might be flying over HERE for WOLSINGHAM before we all fly back over THERE for the LBJ!<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Groom<br />
<br />
<i>Described as "far-fetched, but funny"</i> Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-7859628059598118782018-07-25T16:10:00.004-07:002018-07-25T16:10:35.947-07:002018 Season: Weeks 8 - 12 - The hiatus explained (except, not really)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCvN8SxmyUY/W1dVloVMUuI/AAAAAAAAEyc/WhWZDNIH0xk0UEf4mvpUtS2WHxU4WbgNQCLcBGAs/s1600/Its-okay-not-to-be-okay-from-mental-health-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="615" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCvN8SxmyUY/W1dVloVMUuI/AAAAAAAAEyc/WhWZDNIH0xk0UEf4mvpUtS2WHxU4WbgNQCLcBGAs/s400/Its-okay-not-to-be-okay-from-mental-health-blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Just...yeah. The last few weeks haven't been a barrel of laughs. You're probably thinking 'her social media posts suggest otherwise'. I was once accused (jokingly, by someone I still to this day admire despite not seeing them very often anymore) of 'living [my] life on Facebook'. As hard as it might be to believe, what you see or know about me from my social media pages would be roughly 10% of what happens or goes on in my life on a daily basis. I choose what I share with you, my friends, the wider world, and I choose carefully. I paint the best possible picture that I can because in typical British fashion, it wouldn't do to share with you all the rough stuff that happens, or the bad days, or to draw your attention to the flaws in my personality. Plus I want you to like me. You'll like me more if I'm funny and upbeat.<br />
<br />
To make this easier for me, I'll use a weather analogy. Let's just say the weather for the last few weeks has been cloudy. Pretty damn cloudy. Like the thick, dark kinda clouds. And they haven't shifted. And there's moments where the sunlight breaks through and I hope today is the day the sun comes out for good and then it's cloudy again. But we live in hope of sunny weather because it's been sunny before so it <i>has</i> to be sunny again. And all the times you see me in public and I have this big smile on my face and I haven't a care in the world, well it's not always the case. Not right now anyway, right now it's not the case at all. Sometimes I'm aware I'm trying <i>too</i> hard, and I know I'm coming across as over the top or borderline neurotic. But that's better than the reality, at least in my mind anyway, because at least then I'm deflecting attention away from how I feel. One of my friends in high school once told me she wished she had my confidence, and inside my head I was shouting 'IF ONLY YOU KNEW'. I've just become very good at faking it over the years.<br />
<br />
And that's it, in a nutshell. There's a bit more to it, but Smarty says I need to be mindful of not being long-winded. I'm OK but I'm not OK, if you get me. I'm trying. Believe me, I am always trying. <br />
<br />
Now back to what you actually came here for: the racing recap. Don't think from the above that I haven't enjoyed myself at times over the past few weeks, because I have. Sometimes being out and about with good company in glorious sunshine is exactly what's needed.<br />
<br />
I had a really nice day at Hellifield a couple of weeks back; I really enjoyed the racing there. I was asked to take some photos which could be used on posters for future meetings so I had to try to channel my creative self. Turns out I don't have one of those and after some failed attempts at 'panning' (people in my camera club keep telling me that's what I should do for racing photos) I opted for framing photos with flowers and trees and stuff. Just like my dad always showed me when we went on family holidays and him and I had little digital cameras and a whole load of landscapes to photograph. Darren Owen told the world in our Facebook Live review of the racing that I was stalking William Greenhorn (who had three winners on the day for the Foody stable). For the record I'm not, he just has a wicked sense of humour on and off the track and he's tremendously good fun. The day was a real day for the 'small' stables, with the Foody's (who have some of the country's finest horses in their stable) taking three of the seven races with Rodney Camden and All Good Hanover (heat and final winner); Pam Haythornthwaite's Oaks Maddico winning with brother Alan at the reins; John Towe and Moorside Icon (one of my favourite horses) and James Haythornthwaite getting a driving double with the Nicholson stable's Tasty and then John Wood's GDs Hurricane who was awarded a race following a stewards' enquiry after some interference from the horse that passed the line in front.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2uRsP-0qVw/W1jrT1Ol23I/AAAAAAAAEyw/ZZ9kCly9u0whFUaJcC9zWHhQxsii3UQIQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2uRsP-0qVw/W1jrT1Ol23I/AAAAAAAAEyw/ZZ9kCly9u0whFUaJcC9zWHhQxsii3UQIQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One for Elsa and her posters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5G4Bd36tJv4/W1jrTo_RuII/AAAAAAAAEyo/hdzVdSG1H9AkZYmkhOcNDR-wLakVydEfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5G4Bd36tJv4/W1jrTo_RuII/AAAAAAAAEyo/hdzVdSG1H9AkZYmkhOcNDR-wLakVydEfQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_5800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Good Hanover & William Greenhorn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-41xjEJwpM/W1jrTtOgWzI/AAAAAAAAEys/yR-hMKYXk0sWXly2__D7I7GXTrt-2W7EACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_6569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-41xjEJwpM/W1jrTtOgWzI/AAAAAAAAEys/yR-hMKYXk0sWXly2__D7I7GXTrt-2W7EACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_6569.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cheeky chappy himself (STALKER ALERT)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following weekend we were at Tir Prince on the Saturday night and then Pikehall on the Sunday with a hotel stopover in between to save driving all the way back to Scotland just to head back down to Derbyshire the following day. My main highlights of the Saturday night were Rockin Mambo notching up his third win of the season at Tir Prince when winning the three-horse British Pacing Classic. I just think Marc and Jenny Jones have got him running tremendously and he seems to love the track in North Wales (as do they!). Also Rhyds Passion beating Rhyds Nightlife in the STAGBI Future Broodmares Race - both mares are by The One Night Pan who in my mind was one of the country's most underrated stallions. I was impressed with the winner and the runner up, driven by brothers Richard and James Haythornthwaite respectively.<br />
<br />
At Pikehall I was the official photographer, having stepped in last year when the winning connections of the first race were standing patiently in the winner's circle waiting for their photo and I realised nobody was coming forward to take it. This year I knew where to stand and I risked working with the new camera for the first time - I think it paid off because I got some nice shots. Having sold Cassius Clay at the start of June, this was his first outing for new connections and he romped home in his heat to win from the eventual final winner, Olivia Camden. I was delighted to see him win, even though it meant he drew first blood in the competition between him and Elmo. That made it 1-0 to Cassius with Elmo only finishing third on his first start for us three days earlier at Corbiewood. Time for us to get a move on (try telling Elmo that!).<br />
<br />
I was particularly impressed with the Gilvear family's Lose My Mind (aka Cheddar) who won his maiden in style, and also Olivia Camden who was somewhat a surprise winner of the final and who was confirmed on the day as making the line up for the Star Makers Final at Tir Prince on 14th July.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_E7xuSC-Dhw/W1jtca2OFAI/AAAAAAAAEzE/_hFNEoAPeAIzmpshzSZKL4vlgsUVpDiDACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_E7xuSC-Dhw/W1jtca2OFAI/AAAAAAAAEzE/_hFNEoAPeAIzmpshzSZKL4vlgsUVpDiDACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8237.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning connections with Cassius Clay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J11StvooSr0/W1jtlx7U76I/AAAAAAAAEzM/rxHd3MY-J1kbPOceUuTXsI-IRpqMC3seACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J11StvooSr0/W1jtlx7U76I/AAAAAAAAEzM/rxHd3MY-J1kbPOceUuTXsI-IRpqMC3seACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7105.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eye-catching Lose My Mind & Gordon Gilvear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up on the circuit was the two day festival at Aberystwyth, which has historically been one of my absolute favourite meetings of the season. After my stint on the mic at Appleby, I was drafted in to do some interviews here which once again I absolutely loved doing. I was able to see first hand the efforts of the organisers and stewards in keeping the meeting running smoothly, even with the pressures of having to run to third party timings as S4C's Rasus were streaming live between scheduled times. We had intended to take Young Stephen to this meeting and were really looking forward to it as we felt the track would suit him, however 3 days before the meeting he had an accident in the field and despite our best efforts, on the morning of the Friday when we planned to leave we made the decision not to take him. The eventual final winner, My Buddy, and the runner up Rhyds Nightlife, both came from what would have been Stevie's heat - racing him at not 100% would have been pointless in that calibre of race. My remarks when interviewing winner owner/trainer/driver Alan Jones, who is a postman when not driving major handicap final winners, did not go down as hoped with the crowd. After his heat win, I told him that it was a <i>first class</i> performance, and I hoped that he could <i>deliver</i> in the final. I'm wasted on you all.<br />
<br />
Rhyds Nightlife's two big runs on the Saturday suggested Tir Prince the previous week was good form, and indeed Rhyds Passion won her heat on the Sunday to give owners Kelvin and Shelley Tucker an absolute thrill. JMs Macy Hallstar also impressed me when winning her heat. But it was Springhill Glory on his first appearance for the Laidler stable who took all the glory - winning both heat and final very impressively. His 3YO season last year was littered with big wins and perhaps he wasn't given the praise he should have been come the end of it when other horses had come to the fore. It won't happen again, that's for sure!<br />
<br />
My favourite part of the weekend whilst doing the interviews was speaking to some of the 'forgotten' characters of our sport - the children of the trainers and drivers. First up on the mic I had Poppy and Ruby Cairns, daughters of trainer Joanne and driver Andrew. After Wellfield Witch had won, Andrew had to rush back to the box as he had a drive in the next race, so Poppy and Ruby stepped up to the plate to give a tremendous interview with their thoughts on their dad's winning drive and his chances in the next race. I'm pretty sure it was described as 'amazing' and 'great'! I also got to interview Ollie, son of driver Vicky Gill, after her win with American Mistress. Although a little shy, we broke the ice and I think I have encouraged him to get involved on the mic more going forward (as I'll touch upon later on in this post when mentioning Musselburgh).<br />
<br />
One thing you may have noticed is missing are my reviews of Corbiewood. Don't worry, it's been plodding on in the background during all these weeks of racing. We brought Elmo out for his first start on 28th June where he finished third. We had tried working him out alone and with another horse in the build up to racing him however he was totally not on the same page as us with that so we decided to launch him into races to see how he progressed instead. I was delighted with third, especially as he didn't get a good draw. Most importantly, he stayed on well at the finish passing horses to land the third, however the officials misread this as potential non-trying and my driver paid his first visit to the stewards' room. It wasn't to be the last! The following week, on 5th July, he was drawn 6 of 6 and despite looking like getting a half decent start, he found himself affected by traffic which hampered his chances a bit. Again he finished well, albeit fifth and in a slow time, but the driver and I were quite happy. Smarty and the Gaffer on the other hand were not. They both told me he did not have the requisite speed to be competitive at Corbiewood and appeared to be more of a stayer, which would suit half mile grass tracks rather than the tight, speedy turns of Corbiewood. I was advised to look to sell and replace with a more suitable horse. I did not heed this advice.<br />
<br />
Good job I didn't, because the following week we returned for a career-defining run for Elmo Hanover. With a good draw, he would be made to leave a gate to demonstrate what speed, if any, he had, and from there he would just need to run as fast as his little legs could carry him and we'd hope for the best. We got the draw - 2, with an erratic horse on our inside which did not get up on to the gate as forcefully as others might have (and subsequently broke after the car pulled away). We then got challenged aggressively by Hawthorns Dream & William Greenhorn to go a 29.1 first quarter, but Elmo held them off. After a short respite, they came again before the half to keep the pressure on. Again, the attack was repelled. Going down the back for the final time I could see the Jockey getting on at Elmo and I ran to the rail to shout at him as he turned for home, because Smarty told me he seems to respond to a bit of vocal encouragement, and he ran out quite a comfortable winner in the end - much to my absolute DELIGHT.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately in the very early stages of the race, the outside gaiting strap snapped at the head of the shaft and trailed behind the cart for the remainder of the race. I describe this as unfortunate because it was not deliberate, nor was it anticipated. It was a piece of equipment which, at that particular moment, broke. It hit my driver in the leg when it did so (something he has only mentioned once or twice...). It was a little disheartening that in the immediate aftermath of the race, connections of other horses in the race felt it more appropriate to point out my broken equipment (and potentially insinuating it gave us some sort of advantage) rather than just say a simple 'well done'. I did offer at the time to pay any fine for unsafe equipment out of my winning prize money. The offer was not taken up.<br />
<br />
Track photographer Bill Cardno wasn't present on the night and after I had heard my draw, and realised there was a <i>slim</i> chance of winning, I was worried that I wouldn't have a photo of Elmo for my Wall of Fame. This is how I met Annette Sproul and Fiona Brims, two very accomplished photographers. I accosted them, told them my horse was number 15 and a camel and not very photogenic and unlikely to win, but if he did surprise everyone on the planet, could they please try to capture it on camera. They didn't let me down!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvUMHNZIjWA/W1jz9jSriMI/AAAAAAAAEzk/WrQrd2yoZSECP11NYzzndnWT-XAmaBQdACLcBGAs/s1600/orig_5071_9317074895b4932a1d0f00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvUMHNZIjWA/W1jz9jSriMI/AAAAAAAAEzk/WrQrd2yoZSECP11NYzzndnWT-XAmaBQdACLcBGAs/s400/orig_5071_9317074895b4932a1d0f00.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmo Hanover & the Jockey (<i>Fiona Brims photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjbi4BwhUU8/W1jz9KwMMwI/AAAAAAAAEzc/jlrcxlPrbaQ0a9iIIL1pNhUJNXUlkIh4wCLcBGAs/s1600/37022865_1995716000479325_6677181450871111680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="960" height="216" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjbi4BwhUU8/W1jz9KwMMwI/AAAAAAAAEzc/jlrcxlPrbaQ0a9iIIL1pNhUJNXUlkIh4wCLcBGAs/s400/37022865_1995716000479325_6677181450871111680_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam & Smarty joined the Jockey & me in the winner's circle (<i>Annette Sproul photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MNCsFFPHUuE/W1jz9LynuGI/AAAAAAAAEzg/Q9CEcNgVHqY2pkTZrPNB6DUo5zLCbrpfACLcBGAs/s1600/37028774_1996922853691973_5183399062342205440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="960" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MNCsFFPHUuE/W1jz9LynuGI/AAAAAAAAEzg/Q9CEcNgVHqY2pkTZrPNB6DUo5zLCbrpfACLcBGAs/s400/37028774_1996922853691973_5183399062342205440_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of those moments of sun breaking through (<i>Annette Sproul photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cassius...1<br />
Elmo...1<br />
<br />
After the highs of Corbiewood came the lows of heading to Tir Prince minus Al who had qualified for the Star Makers Final but had been sick for a couple of weeks leading up to the event. Instead we took an empty lorry to collect Stevie's dam, Dark Velvet (aka Peggy), who had spent a number of weeks with Matador Hall as his first ever lady caller, and Vain In Spain (aka Rita) and her colt foal Denver from Hasty Hall where she had been successfully scanned in foal with Denver's wee brother or sister.<br />
<br />
It was disappointing not to be a part of such an exciting event, which for me was the highlight of the entire evening. Earlier in the evening we had witnessed Valseur Du Cygne notch up his sixth successive win of the season, proving that right now he is the best trotter in the UK by some way, regardless of distance or track. Rockin Mambo went on to record his fourth win at the track when taking his second Crock of Gold heat which sees him fast-tracked straight to the final on 8th September. At the start of the season we weren't considering him to be a FFA star, but here he is and absolutely smashing it. It's a joy to see, especially as Marc and Jenny [Jones] always seem so surprised by their success!<br />
<br />
And on top of winning with their two-year-old filly The Mocking Jay, and then Rockin Mambo, they went on to land the Star Makers Final with Father Ted, a horse previously responsible for Marc running a lap of his training track at home in his underwear whilst being filmed by his rather disparaging teenage daughters (the commentary is worth it alone!). Three horses, three winners. That's some night out for the team!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccITcnjKnxA/W1j2M5H-cMI/AAAAAAAAEz4/t5tcKahgsQAhJgXTEw8i1HeGinXHYqaNgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccITcnjKnxA/W1j2M5H-cMI/AAAAAAAAEz4/t5tcKahgsQAhJgXTEw8i1HeGinXHYqaNgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7854.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners line up behind the start car for the Star Makers Final</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBZzAERHwgs/W1j2M9dnp8I/AAAAAAAAEz8/WBmmUP4VOYEKYFyZeNuu0oXXeG7xUksAACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBZzAERHwgs/W1j2M9dnp8I/AAAAAAAAEz8/WBmmUP4VOYEKYFyZeNuu0oXXeG7xUksAACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7955.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father Ted & Marc Jones heading for victory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDWmn0Orx-g/W1j2f2jnRdI/AAAAAAAAE0M/X6iWaWNctekg6SDij6XhXGKiVWr1R5TjACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1286" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDWmn0Orx-g/W1j2f2jnRdI/AAAAAAAAE0M/X6iWaWNctekg6SDij6XhXGKiVWr1R5TjACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7612.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owner Jenny plants a kiss on Rockin Mambo after his Crock of Gold heat win</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Due to us collecting the mares and foal, we chose to skip Wolsingham the following day. Sometimes there is such a thing as 'too much'. A long drive back north, but everybody on board travelled well and we were glad to get home at a respectable time. Most of all I was glad to have my boy back where he belongs. I can't wait to see how he grows and develops.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rggV2s1dMLk/W1j3HzGvAwI/AAAAAAAAE0c/YZ98Ba0vQnE5MVAnhuxegYFwbYuVSlITACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rggV2s1dMLk/W1j3HzGvAwI/AAAAAAAAE0c/YZ98Ba0vQnE5MVAnhuxegYFwbYuVSlITACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8087.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosshill Diablo (aka Denver) - Hasty Hall-Vain In Spain-Artsplace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And <i>finally</i> that brings us round to Musselburgh, this weekend just gone. Another one of my favourites, and perhaps I wasted the buzz a bit this year by agreeing to work a betting without pitch for Smarty. But, as I said to a few people, I couldn't turn down good wages in favour of taking photos in the paddock and soaking up the atmosphere. Money is what makes the world turn. I still got to hear the crowd roar in the stands at every finish, and that is what Musselburgh is most famous for (well, that and the road). We had Stevie and Elmo on for the Saturday; Stevie's injury had been a slow recovery process and although we felt he was close to being back to where he was at pre-injury, we also had doubts about how much he liked the track. Our doubts were confirmed both by his performance and from what the driver told us afterwards, and we agreed that should Stevie come back in to training next year (which is a BIG if), we won't take him back to the track again. Three failed attempts at winning there, time for us to call it a day on the dream being realised by him. His mother, Peggy, a winner at Musselburgh herself is yet to produce a winner there BUT I have a good feeling about my potential Matador Hall embryo (if there's one in there).<br />
<br />
Now that we've got Stevie's slightly lacklustre run out of the way, let's talk about Elmo. This is for Anthony Fettah, to whom I promised I would never say this again (I LIED): SO CLOSE. We were SO CLOSE. That was the funniest looking half a length I ever did see. Second. Second with the most eye-catching finishing run of the field. Second and closing with every stride. Second and oh how I wish he'd got the slightly better trip, the slightly sooner run on the leader, the slightly cheekier start. But look, he exceeded expectations. He gave his all. He proved any doubters still remaining after his maiden victory the previous week wrong. He's making headway. Game on.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YdbM5fKhNk0/W1j5xchZpcI/AAAAAAAAE0o/-5BqwFQTDnIxzk-VocXEoAczOUafJHxqgCLcBGAs/s1600/37589503_10156303250385772_1050636338761564160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YdbM5fKhNk0/W1j5xchZpcI/AAAAAAAAE0o/-5BqwFQTDnIxzk-VocXEoAczOUafJHxqgCLcBGAs/s400/37589503_10156303250385772_1050636338761564160_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bird & Elmo thinking about how CLOSE we got</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of all the other races, there are probably too many highlights to mention. To all of the winners, well done. Musselburgh is woven into all of your histories and as someone who was only converted to it last year (the penny finally dropped for me), I now appreciate in some small way how important winning there is to you. To the Gilvear family and Someones Fantasy (who won his maiden there last year), you were thoroughly deserving winners of the Red John Hurricane Pace Final. Your patience with your horses is so highly commendable, having visited your stable and been treated to an insight into how you operate, I am delighted that you were able to win such a prestigious race on such a big stage. A great team effort from top to bottom. To Sally Teeboon and her team, and Kelvin and Shelley Tucker who once again couldn't be there, you have an unbelievable mare on your hands. Rhyds Passion, who last year won the Red John Hurricane Pace Final as a rank outsider, returned on the back of some great form to firstly win her heat and then go on to win the big one, the Famous Musselburgh Pace off a 40 yard trail. A mare, in mixed open company, on a trail. She is a machine. A glorious, female, staying machine. I have loved her for 12 months and now I love her even more. She had my vote for Mare of the Year last year (which she won) and she gets it now with half the season to go. And to James Haythornthwaite, so reserved and humble in victory. You deserved your moment because this was only one of many, many superb drives you have given in a relatively short driving career. Both you and that mare could go anywhere in the world and have success, of that I am 100% sure.<br />
<br />
Finally, I want to thank all of the people who worked tirelessly to keep harness racing fans both home and away up to date with videos, results, previews and reviews of the racing. Lisa Farrelly, Karen Kennedy and Carmel Stewart - thank you. Everyone appreciated the information and footage you put out so promptly (even if my phone went berserk with notifications - 'British Harness Racing Club is now live'). To Thomas Bennett for all of the interviews, many of which had me laughing at the joint both days. On the Thursday evening before the two days at Musselburgh I bumped into Ollie, my interviewee from Aberystwyth, and he seemed much more at ease with the idea of being interviewed at Musselburgh. After Mahogany Ash won the 2YO race for Vicky and owners Margaret Ferns and Pat Anderson, I missed the interviews but I was assured that Ollie was involved somewhere. Good on you kid! To Darren Owen - you are the driving force behind trying to show off what we have and also trying to engage with people all over the world. The messages I have received about our mini broadcasts have been great, it's mad to think the world is watching us (and apparently enjoying it). To Elizabeth O'Neil for her standard top quality video service - we would be lost without you. And last but not least, to Craig Stevenson and Anthony Fettah (and all the other volunteers) for putting on such a competitive and well-run event. Keep up the good work!<br />
<br />
As I sign off on this, Corbiewood looms large on the horizon again. Some people believe the weekly cards right now are of poor quality, but I live for my Thursday nights. As sick as I'm sure everyone is of hearing about bloody Elmo, he is often the ray of light shining through the clouds as I plough on through each week. I'm clinging to that pure, untarnished fun that comes from racing what others deem to be an average horse every week and seeing if I can get a bit of prize money and a rosette, or better, a winner's photo from Bill. Fortunately I am not alone, and I have surrounded myself with a group of people who feel exactly the same. If you need to find us tomorrow night, we'll be eating cake and drinking tea in a lorry. Stop by and say 'hi'.<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-16535399979412886062018-06-27T15:45:00.002-07:002018-06-27T15:45:45.616-07:002018 Season: Weeks 6 & 7 - A busy fortnight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UeaXo80T5cU/WyLZSrFEBvI/AAAAAAAAEwo/RFPG9-eAszwlAS_WeV_pvYDTD8IoLVPWgCLcBGAs/s1600/quote-becoming-a-star-may-not-be-your-destiny-but-being-the-best-that-you-can-be-is-a-goal-that-you-can-bryan-lindsay-346754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="829" height="121" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UeaXo80T5cU/WyLZSrFEBvI/AAAAAAAAEwo/RFPG9-eAszwlAS_WeV_pvYDTD8IoLVPWgCLcBGAs/s400/quote-becoming-a-star-may-not-be-your-destiny-but-being-the-best-that-you-can-be-is-a-goal-that-you-can-bryan-lindsay-346754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ten days. Five meetings. Three countries. That's what Smarty and I have accomplished in recent weeks. An attendance record at harness racing fixtures across the UK this season only matched, I believe, by driver Richard Haythornthwaite who currently heads the leaderboard at Corbiewood on wins. And is clearly as dedicated (read: mad) as us.<br />
<br />
Let's start at the beginning.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Week 6</i></b> <br />
<br />
<i>Corbiewood - Friday 8th June</i><br />
After a busy (and successful) day of bookmaking at the Tradesmans Cup Meeting at Hawick, we headed straight to Corbiewood to meet the Gaffer and the Jockey who had brought our grey, Al Jolson, along for his first race of the season. As an aside, if you're ever looking for something different to do in the Scottish Borders, the Tradesmans at Hawick is an absolute MUST - bearing in mind that I have seen some absolute sights in my time, nothing compares to this. Smarty often tells me that I drag him along to weird stuff and he doesn't know how I ever came to know such things existed, but this one is 100% on him. Although, in his defence, he finds the whole thing as weird as I do. If you want to see in excess of 100 horses and riders galloping along a makeshift racecourse headed by a hatless man waving a flag while a commentator encourages you to shout 'hip hip hooray' at everyone, before said hatless man climbs up a ladder onto what looks like a council-operated toilet building to wave said flag at the crowd, again whilst everyone shouts 'hip hip hooray', then this is right up your street. People drink rum and milk (which tastes as disgusting as it sounds) and walk around with colourful rosettes pinned to their jackets (or dresses, which in itself is odd because this event takes place on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere). By the time the main event takes place nearly everybody is absolutely steaming drunk. I promise to go Facebook Live for it next year.<br />
<i> </i><br />
Anyway, by comparison, Corbiewood is exceptionally tame even on a Friday night when hardly anybody has work the following day. Although I may try to convince the commentator David Douglas to encourage the crowd to cheer 'hip hip hooray' as the starter climbs into the back of the start car. Just for an added element of fun, obviously.<br />
<br />
The meeting played host to the second of three Star Makers legs, in which Al Jolson was running, as well as the first of two STAGBI Future Broodmares races which featured 8 of the 11 mares entered for the Greentree Standardbreds Mares Pacing Series which I am promoting.<br />
<br />
As I'm trying to keep my (<b>very lovely</b>) editor happy at Harnesslink, you can read the 'official' race report <b><a href="http://www.harnesslink.com/UK-Ireland/Fwd--Article234567891011121314151617181920212223242526" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br />
<br />
As I'm also trying to keep my (<b>very lovely</b>) readers happy, you can continue scrolling down to see my personal take on the meeting. Isn't that just the best of both worlds?! Well, it would be, if I could actually get them written up slightly closer to the meetings. By now you've all but forgotten the start of June and you're looking forward to the start of July. Please bear with me!<br />
<br />
Back to Al. After requalifying at the opening meeting in May, we'd been working on his fitness with the hope of qualifying for the Star Makers final at Tir Prince on 14th July. Whilst it wasn't the end of the world if we didn't win the leg on this particular attempt, it certainly meant the pressure was on come the third and final leg in Scotland on 21st June. We wanted to get him to the final. Al's owner, Dave, was also in attendance, and I didn't want him to be disappointed seeing as this was Al's first race since 2014.<br />
<br />
I'm VERY pleased to say that none of us were disappointed. Drawn 3 on the gate, he didn't have the best position and I was unsure what plan of action the Jockey would take. Those of you who know him will be laughing here as his standard <i>modus operandi </i>is lead out, slow the pace, try to sprint home. I still remember how affronted he was the night my mare, Shes Some Deal, was drawn wide on the gate in a Grade 1 & 2 race with Master Plan, Greentree Shorty & Evenwood Coolsting (the latter two being subsequent SHRC Horse of the Year winners). I had to drum it in to him that he was NOT to push her out of the gate and get her involved in a ridiculous speed duel, but to take back and try to come with some sort of finish. Master Plan went on to win in 2.02.15 (bearing in mind Star was a bog standard 2.07 mare around Corbiewood, although on this occasion clocked her track PB of 2.06), but the man still came off the track spitting feathers at me about how he could have led out if I'd let him.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'll let you watch the video (courtesy of Elizabeth O'Neil) and see what you think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzxHCgSMqt7Suny1I1q0N371JJGdm8RFlmoRkCvotk_G37c2Xdmn3giqF5BK4XJBDyjfxo3iqmRoYUf0bWw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
What's not shown in the video is me shouting in Dave's face repeatedly 'ISN'T THIS FUN DAVE? ISN'T THIS FUN?!', because I promised him if he let me train his horse that I would make it fun for him as an owner. I'm not sure whether the look on his face in that moment suggested he was having fun, or whether he was actually quite alarmed by me, but frankly Dave, you have to take the rough with the smooth when it comes to me and I'm pretty rough.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lblzMOkpiXU/WypcYVsa4PI/AAAAAAAAEw4/yQ2iHyTF5YMV6ZCzZcDnQTxw4rgPTxeVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B4A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BAl%2BJolson%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1268" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lblzMOkpiXU/WypcYVsa4PI/AAAAAAAAEw4/yQ2iHyTF5YMV6ZCzZcDnQTxw4rgPTxeVgCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B4A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BAl%2BJolson%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al Jolson & John Smart (aka the Jockey) on their way to victory in the Star Makers leg (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I was down at the lorry (inconveniently parked in the car park) I missed the other race on the card which I really wanted to see (which is poor form considering I'm the current President): the STAGBI Future Broodmares race. I bang on and on and on and on about mares getting the opportunity to race in female-only company and for mare owners up and down the UK, these races have become ones they really want to win. I don't know whether the invitation to the BHRC & STAGBI awards event to be presented with their trophy helps, or the fact it's really good prize money (in comparison to other races), but these races are very well supported and have definitely grown in stature since they began (so hats off to the directors who came up with the initial idea!).<br />
<br />
Well done to Alex and Glynis Hay on winning the first of the two races in Scotland with their homebred mare, Dynamic Ace (Windsong Dynamite-Dillys Red Ace-House Of Cards). She joins Mattriarch (Young Commander-Lyons Attitude-Hasty Hall) on the 2018 roll of honour, with the Elwyn Lloyd Jones-owned grey mare winning the STAGBI Future Broodmares race at Amman Valley the week before in the hands of trainer/driver Dylan Lloyd Jones.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcWBvr1sqNI/Wyun8rWPRhI/AAAAAAAAExI/T5eKsyLY6xUCsd5t6slJEYG0RZDNq2z4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B5A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BDynamic%2BAce%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1150" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcWBvr1sqNI/Wyun8rWPRhI/AAAAAAAAExI/T5eKsyLY6xUCsd5t6slJEYG0RZDNq2z4QCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B5A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BDynamic%2BAce%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dynamic Ace winning the STAGBI Future Broodmares race @ Corbiewood<br />
with William Greenhorn (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WoyvUFglOY/Wyun8VG2-RI/AAAAAAAAExE/5CTzLJkWsxsIm4eq0CKdAqvGoS38_N05ACLcBGAs/s1600/Mattriarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WoyvUFglOY/Wyun8VG2-RI/AAAAAAAAExE/5CTzLJkWsxsIm4eq0CKdAqvGoS38_N05ACLcBGAs/s400/Mattriarch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mattriarch winning the STAGBI Future Broodmares Race @ Tai'r Gwaith<br />
with Dylan Lloyd Jones (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Tir Prince - Saturday 9th June</i><br />
I want you to be impressed with me now. Guess what I did?! I wrote a Harnesslink report about this one too which you can read <b><a href="http://www.harnesslink.com/UK-Ireland/Fwd--Article2345678910111213141516171819202122232425" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Talk about saving myself time when I'm trying to catch up with the blog.<br />
<br />
It was a rather long day for Smarty and I, with an early start to get horses jogged at the stables before we headed south. We also had to leave a lot earlier than usual as we had an extra passenger for the journey which was going to slow us down somewhat. No, I don't mean Bernard McGovern, who also happened to be a passenger (although there were times when I thought about putting him in the trailer). We were taking one of our mares to a stallion standing in north Wales. We'd already taken Rita (Vain In Spain) and her Hasty Hall colt foal, Denver, back down to Hasty Hall in north Wales a few weeks earlier, so we knew the kind of journey we had in store, although at least with only a mare on board it's not such a stress.<br />
<br />
Except when said mare hasn't left the field for nearly 7 years, has never travelled in a single trailer and has never been further south of home than Appleby before.<br />
<br />
I won't bore you with the details of the mare, the pairing and the plan of action in this particular post as this is a racing synopsis. My adventures breeding my first foal outright will be covered in separate posts in a warts-and-all account of the highs and lows of trying to breed a racehorse. Watch this space.<br />
<br />
Around 7 hours later we rolled into Tir Prince Raceway for a night of stakes race action, mixed with a handful of other top quality races, all of which I've covered in my article (above). <br />
<br />
<br />
For me, the best race of the night was the Crock of Gold Heat. All the talk was about whether Rhyds Rock Star would be able to step up out of the 4YO category which he had already dominated in the early part of the season to compete against Miraculous (who did the same last year) and Evenwood Sonofagun. It was exciting. It was almost like the final last year when nobody could agree on who they thought the winner was going to be. I'll be honest, I went for Rock Star drawn 1, I thought he had landed in a prime position to lead out and go the pace he'd gone earlier in the season at Tir Prince when he broke the track record (previously jointly held by Forafewdollarsmore, Miraculous & Evenwood Sonofagun). After half a mile it looked set to go the way I'd expected, but as they turned into the back straight something totally unexpected happened. Rockin Mambo, a horse by his connections' own admission was only really there to 'make up numbers', went by Rock Star like he was walking. And he kept going. Right to the line, in a track-record equalling time. I was so overwhelmed with joy for his owner, Jenny Jones, that I ran on to the track to hug her. I thought it was a really big moment for her and husband Marc, who trains and drives the horse, and I couldn't contain my delight. Coalford Tetrick also ran a monster race to finish second, and the horse which cost £500 as a yearling at public auction continues to prove that horses don't know how much they're worth.<br />
<br />
It was a long drive home to Scotland, especially as when I took over driving, Smarty fell asleep on the back seat and Bernard (the other bookie in the car) fell asleep in the passenger seat. We only have one CD in the car, so I now know all of the words to every song from the Greatest Showman soundtrack. A skill which I have no doubt will come in useful. One day. We got back to the stables at 4am, unhitched the trailer, fed the horses their breakfast and headed home to finally get some proper sleep. I don't want to be doing that too many times this summer (although I have a funny feeling that won't be the last time!).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Week 7</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>Corbiewood - Friday 15th June</i><br />
This was the weekend of what I have now dubbed the 'Triple C Tour': Corbiewood, Cumberland Show (Carlisle) and Cilmery. Racing kicked off on the Friday night at Corbiewood with the feature races being the SHRC 3YO Derby divisions for fillies and colts & geldings, and the opening leg of the Greentree Standardbreds Mares Pacing Series.<br />
<br />
<b><i> </i></b><br />
You can read the official report on Harnesslink <b><a href="http://www.harnesslink.com/UK-Ireland/Fwd--Article23456789101112131415161718192021222324252627" target="_blank">here</a></b>. It's just so great when I can do that!<br />
<br />
Because of the way things have been planned for the horses in our stable and their summer campaigns, we didn't have anything on the card but I was still able to enjoy the racing nonetheless. I'll keep it brief as there are still another two meetings to cover; I was super impressed with Saunders Hoochie making it back to back wins at the track after 30 luckless starts for her previous trainer. Cathy Shields really seems to be getting a lot from this mare and the trainer described as almost unbeatable at the back end of a season is showing that she's pretty tough to beat at the start of the season now as well! Also a massive well done to Claire and Shane Fletcher on winning both divisions of the Derby with the Teresa Haythornthwaite-trained and James Haythornthwaite-driven Casimir Royalflush (fillies) and Crack A Smile (colts & geldings). They have supported Corbiewood for a number of years and it is good to see them enjoying success, even if some of the die hard Scots still view them as English raiders coming north to plunder the spoils!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnNtQY93zRU/WzQSfpv4VII/AAAAAAAAExk/zLRrli_RXZcZmk12yo6dyjABbbUBDJgFgCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B6A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCasimir%2BRoyalflush%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1362" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnNtQY93zRU/WzQSfpv4VII/AAAAAAAAExk/zLRrli_RXZcZmk12yo6dyjABbbUBDJgFgCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B6A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCasimir%2BRoyalflush%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casimir Royalflush & James Haythornthwaite (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5Wu6lueHwc/WzQSe3XrxQI/AAAAAAAAExg/6PkHT-CogDMB44bqi81icI2PT1E78nxAgCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B7A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCrack%2BA%2BSmile%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1277" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5Wu6lueHwc/WzQSe3XrxQI/AAAAAAAAExg/6PkHT-CogDMB44bqi81icI2PT1E78nxAgCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B7A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCrack%2BA%2BSmile%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crack A Smile & James Haythornthwaite (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Cumberland Show @ Carlisle - Saturday 16th June</i><br />
This was my first time at this new fixture, having missed the first ever staging last summer due to other commitments. I had volunteered to help with whatever the promoter needed help with (I was hoping for the photography gig but that was already taken unfortunately) so I was roped in to take declarations and entry fees and hand out the numbercloths, which I have never done before but as with most things, I always ask myself 'how hard can it be?'. Not hard, is the answer. A little manic at times when there's a queue and you're trying to figure out what the total entry fee is for someone while someone else begins helping themselves to numbercloths and your phone is going with people wanting to let you know they're on their way but they're stuck in traffic, but we got there. Eventually.<br />
<i> </i><br />
After that was over, I had intended to interview winning connections after each race (to give the general public something else to enjoy between races) however due to the racing starting late and an incident in the first race which held things up even more, I had to make the decision to abandon that idea so that racing could progress as quickly as possible.<br />
<br />
I see potential in the venue going forward, however there are a few areas which need to be addressed for the purposes of ensuring quality racing and a safe racing environment for participants. I've been in talks with the promoter since the event and hopefully next year I can work a bit more closely with them to improve on a fairly solid foundation which has already been laid in the first 2 years. Provided the show committee has us back, of course.<br />
<br />
Well done to all winners on the day, and to anyone else who was pleased that their horses ran with merit. One horse which I believe will win imminently based on his last two starts (finishing second both times after having been stuck in a box) is Rhyds Cocoa. I know he has a devoted support squad behind him too so I look forward to being there when they're celebrating his first win for the stable!<br />
<br />
<i>Cilmery - Sunday 18th June</i><br />
From Carlisle we made the long journey south to stay with my parents for a brief overnight visit and a day of racing at the track which I used to help promote when I lived in Wales: Cilmery. The fixture was originally staged on a Wednesday evening which I always felt worked very well in the local area in terms of drawing in a local crowd however this was the second year that it had moved to a weekend slot and this may have had a damaging effect on the turnover at the gate.<br />
<i> </i><br />
Nonetheless, after some of the dramas of the previous two days of racing I was very much looking forward to a day of healthy competition and good fun and everybody who was involved did not let me down.<br />
<br />
<br />
The first race featured a thrilling three-way finish between Blytheviewpeterpan (Jaimie Davies), Forest Drifter (Lee Wakefield - a 16 year old driver with a very impressive win and place ratio per number of drives - I'd be interested to see his UDRS - more on that to follow) and the ultimate winner, Anniejoan (John Wright Jnr). It was good to see the mare, who previously raced in Scotland, finishing strong to win in the closing stages of the race, giving C Class driver John another win to propel him ever closer to B Class status.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnFEspA4pRY/WzQS8ist-3I/AAAAAAAAExw/o1jdx0tEFzkkCABuiT_DQgFvLz3q5v2FQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4871-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnFEspA4pRY/WzQS8ist-3I/AAAAAAAAExw/o1jdx0tEFzkkCABuiT_DQgFvLz3q5v2FQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4871-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anniejoan & John Wright Jnr</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Full Throttle (Carl Morgan) was an all-the-way winner in the second race, aided somewhat by some backfield interference midway through the race which affected his main challengers however the horse had already flown the nest somewhat already with his usual early pace. Carl appeared surprised to see his leading margin when looking back over his shoulder in the home straight and eventually ran out a 14L winner in the second of the five heats.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVxgUyLcchg/WzQTJKbtEMI/AAAAAAAAEx0/BjYGkKxgeLwQQbjabJiTT8C7aC8ABVCygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVxgUyLcchg/WzQTJKbtEMI/AAAAAAAAEx0/BjYGkKxgeLwQQbjabJiTT8C7aC8ABVCygCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4918.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Throttle & Carl Morgan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The third heat reverted back to a similar style of the first with another close three-way battle in the closing stages, this time between Caenwood Jack (Julian Price), Lakeside Art (Jaimie Davies) and the winner Ithon Orbit who has already qualified for the Star Makers grand final at Tir Prince on 14th July. I was <i>very</i> impressed with this winner's ability to stay on a track which I know is stamina-sapping, particularly as this was the first time I'd seen the horse running in the flesh. It's also great for owner/trainer/driver Matthew Lewis to enjoy success considering he's doing the entire job all by himself!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOiWu9gtUWo/WzQTRiVadWI/AAAAAAAAEx8/G1GoG0boeXERJZP-4gxWe9_-LRs2YKLKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOiWu9gtUWo/WzQTRiVadWI/AAAAAAAAEx8/G1GoG0boeXERJZP-4gxWe9_-LRs2YKLKwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4957.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ithon Orbit & Matthew Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A horse I like, Gift Of Life, was an easy enough winner of the fourth heat for Angie Dyer, with a real battle on for the minor placings between John Barley (David Bevan) and Wellfield Earl (Jed Strickland) with the former coming out on top by a nose. I didn't mind as I'd backed Earl to finish third behind the pair - he is one of the country's most reliable horses and I think the absolute world of him. I'm glad to see owner and trainer Roy Sheedy keeping him going and also giving young drivers a chance to drive him as well to gain experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG9RDSF3qJc/WzQTZBDd5ZI/AAAAAAAAEyE/sAGTWfIhKsg7CUmX0kUbZl7wgUMjIlCdgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG9RDSF3qJc/WzQTZBDd5ZI/AAAAAAAAEyE/sAGTWfIhKsg7CUmX0kUbZl7wgUMjIlCdgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4983.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift Of Life & Angie Dyer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As expected in the highest handicap heat, front marker Lakeside Paddy set a quick enough pace so as not to allow the back markers in the race to make too big an impact, however FFA quality Coalford Tetrick did enough to secure his place in the final when finishing second. With the final being open preferred, he would take draw 10 on the gate which many thought would give him a simple victory. They were right. Once he flew the nest in the final, nobody was going to catch him. A blanket finish for the placings showed the remainder of the field to be quite evenly matched, but on this day Tetrick was far too good for them. Heat winners Gift Of Life, Ithon Orbit and Full Throttle took the minor honours in that order.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yp82PwTUDpA/WzQTgydCfDI/AAAAAAAAEyI/r9vDcOFkKDcgYfXr6DA9OTpCp_qGEnRTwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yp82PwTUDpA/WzQTgydCfDI/AAAAAAAAEyI/r9vDcOFkKDcgYfXr6DA9OTpCp_qGEnRTwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5430.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coalford Tetrick & Aaron Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Full results of the remaining races can be found on the BHRC website (along with Corbiewood and Cumberland Show).<br />
<br />
I'm gonna wrap this one up now because a) it's weeks late and b) it's really long. Hopefully you'll have picked up something from it though to aid you in your betting or tipping selections come the next big meeting, like....Aberystwyth?!<br />
<br />
My parting thought for the day is this: remember, this is a sport. Be good sports.<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-41034783748343696662018-06-14T13:54:00.000-07:002018-06-14T13:54:05.131-07:002018 Season: Weeks 4 & 5 - χ = (Corbiewood + Appleby³)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gkQZuLmd5U/WxWkn31W4RI/AAAAAAAAEu0/B9fQWjVssVoSBZ542Fayh5_4_CyEMcC6QCLcBGAs/s1600/f9b605096fc27f216eb58702a0dff2d2--baby-steps-repeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="494" height="353" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gkQZuLmd5U/WxWkn31W4RI/AAAAAAAAEu0/B9fQWjVssVoSBZ542Fayh5_4_CyEMcC6QCLcBGAs/s400/f9b605096fc27f216eb58702a0dff2d2--baby-steps-repeat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And it doesn't matter if those small efforts are being made by one man with his one horse, or a team of people with a yard full of horses - the fact that they are being made at all is enough for me to raise a salute to every single person making them. I dedicate this entire post to every man, woman and child who has eaten their breakfast after the horses have been fed in the morning; walked in through the door in the darkness after a long journey home from the races; been soaked to the skin exercising horses in the rain or sweated buckets pushing wheelbarrows in the heat. This is for all the people whose stables are tidier than their living rooms; whose cars resemble tack shops and feed stores; whose pockets get lighter and lighter with each passing week. Whether it's winning the big one or just putting in a better show than the run before, know that all of your small efforts are worth it. There will always be days when it doesn't feel like it; when it would be easier to throw in the towel. But stick at it.<br />
<br />
Success is defined as "the accomplishment of an aim or purpose". Set goals and work hard. Don't let anyone else define what your success should be. Every little thing that you do is part of the bigger picture; all of the minutes and hours and days at home are what make the two(+) minutes on the track happen. Above all else - keep doing what you do every day because one day, maybe next week, maybe next year, maybe some time in the distant future, it <i>will</i> become worth it.<br />
<br />
Dream big.<br />
Dream small.<br />
But make sure you dream, for <i>it's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Corbiewood</i><br />
<br />
Fortunately, what with the lengthy passage of time since the meeting and this post going live, you can read a fairly detailed synopsis of Corbiewood's racing <b><a href="http://www.harnesslink.com/UK-Ireland/Fwd--Article234567891011121314151617181920212223" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Note: this covers both the first and second meetings at Corbiewood because basically it was the Wednesday after the opening meeting (which made it the day before the second one) before I realised that it would be a bit daft to put an article out so close to the second fixture. That's called using your initiative to hide your inability to produce anything to a deadline anymore.<br />
<br />
From a personal POV, Cassius ran marginally better than his show at the first meeting to finish fourth; Stevie had a 'mare with the Jockey in the bike (they just DO NOT get on in a working capacity) and was beaten by a short head in his heat (the horse actually didn't do much wrong, but we won't go into the other factors which annoyed me about the race). In the final he lacked racing room but I was pleased to finish 7th of 7 as catch driver Willie Drysdale gave the horse a settled and confidence-boosting drive. There is more to racing than winning after all.<br />
<br />
<i>Appleby - Sunday</i><br />
Day one of the first of the four festivals of racing and it was a scorcher. People keep saying that Appleby is due good weather one of these days and they finally got it. Although, according to the Facebook 'On This Day' feature (handy for remembering the dates of important events and also a pain in the backside for revisiting some of your cringeworthy statuses from when you were in uni), I've been sunburnt at Appleby the last 3 years in a row, along with my best friend Boots. So the weather can't have been <i>that</i> bad (although he is ginger, and I'm a ginger at heart).<br />
<br />
Commentator Darren Owen had asked me if I would fill in on the mic interviewing connections of winners after each race, due to the logistical nightmare of him having to get from the commentary tower to the winner's circle. I rarely say no when people ask for my help so I had agreed to give it a go (although with an hour before the first race I was majorly regretting it and beginning to wonder if I could find a replacement at short notice). Thankfully, the first winner on the card was driven by Richard Haythornthwaite, who I know well enough for the questions and answers to come quite easily to both of us. After that, it became one of the easiest things I've ever done - I could talk to people about their horses all day as it is, and the connections in situations such as this will always be in a good mood because they've just won, so you really couldn't paint an easier job! I'm told my 'BBC England accent' helped though, for the crowd at least. Don't worry, I won't be rushing back to do the job because I'd hate for people to get sick of me (LOL) (saying LOL is so not me, but sometimes it's the only thing for it) but if I was asked again when people were stuck and needing help, at least I know I <i>can</i> do it. No stage fright here (have you <i>seen</i> me in McQs?!).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tdrR72mP9A/WyLRPsU3lvI/AAAAAAAAEvE/O25jS-xUpf8K_UYCFoc8mpRGm6jPFsdbQCLcBGAs/s1600/35329787_10156220142890772_6941744693206056960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="854" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tdrR72mP9A/WyLRPsU3lvI/AAAAAAAAEvE/O25jS-xUpf8K_UYCFoc8mpRGm6jPFsdbQCLcBGAs/s400/35329787_10156220142890772_6941744693206056960_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interviewing Grant Cullen after his win with Springhill Catch (<i>Elizabeth O'Neil photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've covered (briefly) both days of racing in my Harnesslink report which you can read <b><a href="http://www.harnesslink.com/UK-Ireland/Fwd--Article23456789101112131415161718192021222324" target="_blank">here</a></b>, but for the purposes of a more personal spin on things, here are my highlights from the Sunday:<br />
<br />
- Dynaramic winning the first heat of the Sunday handicap - a thrilling way for the heats to start (with a photo finish), and the first Scottish winner of the meeting. Driver Hugh Menzies amused me during our interview when coming across as super confident that his horse had gotten up in time to beat Western Lover & Peter Jackson, albeit only by a nose. He was certainly more confident than Darren who had left it to the judges to split them!<br />
<br />
- Springhill Catch winning the second heat of the Sunday handicap - another Scottish winner quickly followed for the Cullen stable. This is Keir Cullen's first season as a public trainer having taken over the mantle from his father, Paul, who has been the leading trainer in Scotland on multiple occasions, and it was good to see him and his brother Grant (the driver) in the winner's circle on a big stage.<br />
<br />
- Blackwell Tiana winning the third heat of the Sunday handicap - while our sport may be full of a disproportionate number of characters in relation to its overall population, not many can match the unbridled enthusiasm of Jonjo McMeekin, co-owner of this mare with his father-in-law Wilf Burton. This mare was the subject of a conversation over the country's best carvery at the Anchor Inn back in early 2017, when Jonjo and his wife Claire were sat at the next table from Smarty & I. He was quite excited to tell us about a three-year-old filly he was working away with, only going 20s at that moment, but he liked her. Jonjo is the master of the long game, and this mare has emerged onto the track at 4 and looked every bit as good, if not better, than those of her age and sex which came down the stakes route. With multiple horses qualifying for the final, driver Rocker Laidler chose another horse and Jonjo took the reins with Tiana, looking to be the likely winner as she came three wide off the last bend but ultimately finishing third in a close four-way finish.<br />
<br />
- Springhill Ruby winning the fourth heat & final of the Sunday handicap - twelve months earlier the final was won by a mare, Greentree Serenity, which set me on a path of ultimate appreciation for the race mares in this country. Very few things on the track make me happier than seeing mares win major handicap finals in mixed company. Springhill Ruby joined Greentree Serenity, Rhyds Passion (Hurricane Pace Final at Musselburgh) and Meldoon (Welsh Classic Final at Tregaron) on the roll of honour. This made it three from three in the 2018 season for the six-year-old daughter of Best Sunshine, trained by Alexis Laidler and driven by Rocker Laidler.<br />
<br />
I have to say a massive well done to breeders the Sheridan family, Springhill Stud in Ireland, as they bred 3 of the 8 finalists, with Ruby and Catch finishing first and second, and Calaburn finishing fifth. I know how much the family likes to follow the success of the horses they breed and sell, so they'll have enjoyed keeping tabs on Appleby!<br />
<br />
<i>Appleby - Monday</i><br />
As my article covered both days of racing, I'll simply do the same for Monday and run you through my personal highlights:<br />
<br />
<i>- </i>Live In Star winning the first heat of the Monday handicap - another Scottish winner, and another winner for the Cullen stable, having finished 2nd and 4th in the final the day before (sandwiched between all of the Laidler runners). I like this horse, and I liked him enough to not only tip him for his heat but also for the final during the racing preview on social media with Darren before racing. Darren had mentioned the horses in the race that he felt would be the main protagonists, and when he asked me for my thoughts I just went steaming in with one he hadn't mentioned: Live In Star. OK, so it might have been a little bright for him (he has a habit of winning in the pitch black at Corbiewood) and he may not have had the comedy sunglasses trainer Keir promised me he'd have on, but I felt the horse had everything that was required to win a major handicap final. I even put my money where my mouth was and backed him ante-post for the final (and was later thanked by the bookies for not tipping the eventual winner of the final but instead pointing people towards Live In Star - although if anybody actually followed my selections, more fool you, because I'm ruled by my heart not my head which is why I rarely gamble).<br />
<br />
- Jack Swagger winning the third heat of the Monday handicap - 'Maxi' as he is known has had a well-documented history of problems, some of which may have resulted in his early retirement (or worse) had he not been bred, owned, trained and driven over the last few years by people who have ultimately always believed in him. When I spoke to driver William Greenhorn after the race, I think he would have been happy to take that win alone, and the entire camp were over the moon. Deservedly so. A lot of people never know the difficulties faced behind the scenes and therefore never appreciate the emotion of the moment when things just work out.<br />
<br />
- Sports Trick winning the fourth heat of the Monday handicap - here is another horse who has been plagued by problems. Having broken a pedal bone at Portmarnock in 2016, it was a long road back to racing for the Famous Musselburgh Pace winner and his 2017 season, in which he only started a handful of times, was disappointing for connections who were aware of this horse's true ability. After the race, driver James Haythornthwaite hinted that had he not performed to the standard they believed deep down he was still capable of, then the future of his racing career had looked very shaky. Fortunately for us all, Sports Trick proved that he was back, and it was not a surprise to see trainer Teresa [Haythornthwaite] in tears as she led him into the winner's circle. This woman has a habit of crying when I'm nearby with my camera! I was pleased for connections as, again, some people don't know how rough the road has been to get somewhere and don't appreciate then the feeling when it all comes good - I do. Seeing owners Claire and Shane Fletcher so visibly moved by the horse's win had me fighting back tears too. What can I say? I just love a story of overcoming adversity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kAs6JAHorpM/WyLRxIMKwuI/AAAAAAAAEvM/dDILLABqtNkIoycBy3XmvnpYfT3TimQpgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kAs6JAHorpM/WyLRxIMKwuI/AAAAAAAAEvM/dDILLABqtNkIoycBy3XmvnpYfT3TimQpgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7491.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sports Trick heading to victory in the fourth heat (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMBfpWBLRvU/WyLRyKbLLsI/AAAAAAAAEvY/rWXWpHCpmJAMhucYaHw5XnqIDV90bYQkACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1096" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMBfpWBLRvU/WyLRyKbLLsI/AAAAAAAAEvY/rWXWpHCpmJAMhucYaHw5XnqIDV90bYQkACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7548.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owner Claire Fletcher & trainer Teresa Haythornthwaite embrace after the win (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tnuYsP-iSDw/WyLRygq_syI/AAAAAAAAEvc/HJjLM0BOF-kILCzpZyMSMUdxzqTFxqp9QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tnuYsP-iSDw/WyLRygq_syI/AAAAAAAAEvc/HJjLM0BOF-kILCzpZyMSMUdxzqTFxqp9QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7563.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More happy tears! (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Rhyds Sapphire winning the maiden & novice event - two from two for 'Saffie', owned by my parents and brother. Pleased for them as it was their first runner at Appleby, a place my parents have been travelling to for the past few years for the racing. And she had to do it the hard way; it was good to see her tough it because boy is she going to land in the deep end in the stakes races shortly!<br />
<br />
- Jack Swagger winning the Appleby Whit Monday Spring Races Final - after the emotional victory in the heat, and with me cheering on Live In Star right up until the moment Jack Swagger swung off the bend and didn't look like being beaten (at which point I just started cheering on Willie G instead), I don't think many people truly believed this horse was going to win the final. What a thoroughly well deserved moment in the spotlight for a group of people who chose never to give up on a horse that many others would have given up on. I didn't expect trainer Alexis Laidler to start crying in the post-race interview, but I can't blame her for doing so. Breeder Joyce Greenhorn was slightly more composed and took over to express gratitude to both Rocker and Alexis, but later said to me that the horse has affected everyone around him. I'm surprised I didn't start crying to be honest, it's only a matter of time before that happens!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6NGMpiVFs-Q/WyLRxcjM3II/AAAAAAAAEvg/wagN6DvU6msFqHzJf8Hlav5lwawZY5xBwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="315" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6NGMpiVFs-Q/WyLRxcjM3II/AAAAAAAAEvg/wagN6DvU6msFqHzJf8Hlav5lwawZY5xBwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7411.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Swagger & William Greenhorn turning for home (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw-Vz_ZkwPU/WyLRxW44ynI/AAAAAAAAEvk/kkmo4Ii8hjoigSiYLXiT5izZ_pkhKXg2gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw-Vz_ZkwPU/WyLRxW44ynI/AAAAAAAAEvk/kkmo4Ii8hjoigSiYLXiT5izZ_pkhKXg2gCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breeder Joyce Greenhorn leading 'Maxi' to the winner's circle (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later, on social media, talk turned to how the Laidler stable would dominate the remainder of the season, having taken the first three main handicap finals (Merrington Movinup - Tregaron, Springhill Ruby & Jack Swagger - Appleby). Not that I feel that Alexis [Laidler] needed to justify herself but in response to wild claims that 'big money owners' were ruining the sport for everyone else, she pointed out to the critics that Merrington Movinup was a homebred orphan which she had hand-reared herself (and with impeccable manners for a horse brought up this way, which isn't always the case); Springhill Ruby had been suffering from soundness issues and had taken a lot of time and effort to get right; and Jack Swagger...well, at one point in his life even veterinary professionals had given up on him, but not Joyce and Willaim [Greenhorn], his breeders, and not the champion trainer who coaxed him back to winning the Saturday handicap final at Aberystwyth last year.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, what truly annoyed me about some of the comments was the total disregard of the success of other trainers at the meeting. Whilst the major handicap finals are the 'big ones' on the day, due to the largely unknown background stories of some of the other winners, a win in any other race is often sufficient success for connections. To have people, who have often never even brushed a horse, let alone gone through the sometimes seemingly impossible task of training a horse, assert that the success enjoyed by others wasn't 'enough' success, was insulting to everyone who has gotten a horse as a blank canvas and turned it into a racehorse, or started with something which other people will tell you cannot make it and proven them wrong. To everyone who trained a winner at Appleby - I give you me heartfelt congratulations. You achieved something that few others did. To those who raced horses with merit - I urge you to keep at it, your day will come. To those who went home disappointed - don't lose heart. The sum of all your efforts will lead you to something.<br />
<br />
All of this leads me quite nicely onto the third part of the Appleby trio: the New Fair Meeting.<br />
<br />
<i>Appleby - New Fair</i><br />
We left Crosshill Stables with two horses; we came home to Crosshill Stables with two horses. But they weren't the same two horses that left. We bade a fond farewell (or borderline tearful, if you saw the Jockey's daughter) to big Cassius Clay, who left for pastures new with the Laidler stable. Whilst we have enjoyed some success with him over the years, with Corbiewood and its 3/8 mile track being the centre of our universe, his 16'1hh frame just wasn't suited to it. I look forward to seeing him racing for his new connections this summer, and the day that he wins his first race for them you'll hear me cheering the loudest, that's for sure.<br />
<i> </i><br />
I can hear you all wondering (unless you're friends with me on Facebook or a follower of mine on Twitter or Instagram, in which case you've seen multiple photos of him already) who came home with us. Well, I am now the proud owner of Elmo Hanover, a 4YO gelded son of Dragon Again out of the Cams Card Shark mare, Erma La Em. A $42,000 yearling purchase out of Harrisburg, so far his career has been uninspiring and he is yet to lose his maiden tag. However, he has patches of form which hint at potential to win races, and I'm not one to shy away from a challenge. So Elmo and Big Burd (I know, it should be Bird, but I live in Scotland now where everyone shows a flagrant disregard to vowels) are going to take on the world together. OK, maybe not the world, maybe just Corbiewood, but we'll be doing it together anyway. Teamwork makes the dreamwork and all that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOMQS-fVIoM/WyLU5FHp_9I/AAAAAAAAEwU/nyo0RliIHmEuQqQGlU18NYqFYTz9YU7NwCLcBGAs/s1600/34342323_10156195964075772_5257463320935399424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOMQS-fVIoM/WyLU5FHp_9I/AAAAAAAAEwU/nyo0RliIHmEuQqQGlU18NYqFYTz9YU7NwCLcBGAs/s400/34342323_10156195964075772_5257463320935399424_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dream team - Big B[u]rd & Elmo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkSBELuItA0/WyLU5KwWbLI/AAAAAAAAEwY/l6ZsImIjlNMhdnBAPC-nhpeqTI-639zLACLcBGAs/s1600/34536760_10156203133990772_6546977386989092864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkSBELuItA0/WyLU5KwWbLI/AAAAAAAAEwY/l6ZsImIjlNMhdnBAPC-nhpeqTI-639zLACLcBGAs/s400/34536760_10156203133990772_6546977386989092864_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmo Hanover <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now to the racing. Young Stephen (aka Stevie) was our sole runner. Partnered by Hugh Menzies for the first time and with the worst draw in his heat, I would have been happy if he'd snuck a place in the final. I'll let you watch the video to see how he got on with that:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzr09BP1NOYnZ_YCHzT-Wk0FcAcdDmMAzJ6h4kQjh7I_FWk2923-TCMxn5yK2c8c05UQM6t_28UCKWbtG-s' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span id="goog_495756984"></span><span id="goog_495756985"></span><br />
<br />
Yeah, so, nice turn of foot eh?! I think he surprised a few people, none moreso than his driver who admitted in the post-race interview that he'd always thought the horse to be quite aggressive on the track (a common misconception I've been trying to dispell for some time) but in fact, he was 'a perfect gentleman'. Gold star to Hugh for saying all the right things on the mic!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czkWk4AXOQo/WyLS1YM1A2I/AAAAAAAAEv0/-wn1hzixpoELQcg3bjtvzb3oKEVWYQGnwCLcBGAs/s1600/35246303_10156220142305772_5105919716338171904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="762" height="297" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czkWk4AXOQo/WyLS1YM1A2I/AAAAAAAAEv0/-wn1hzixpoELQcg3bjtvzb3oKEVWYQGnwCLcBGAs/s400/35246303_10156220142305772_5105919716338171904_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite interview - for obvious reasons - with Hugh Menzies (<i>Elizabeth O'Neil photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pROZlijke48/WyLTBivgFsI/AAAAAAAAEv4/Se4j9YIpFc420c076VGqhinFGpG1NdBRwCLcBGAs/s1600/562A7253%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BYoung%2BStephen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pROZlijke48/WyLTBivgFsI/AAAAAAAAEv4/Se4j9YIpFc420c076VGqhinFGpG1NdBRwCLcBGAs/s400/562A7253%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BYoung%2BStephen.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevie heads the field off the last bend in his heat (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Going into the final, I knew he was up against it. I wasn't scared of any one particular horse (despite the armchair critics and keyboard warriors telling me, and everyone like me, that we cannot beat the leading stable and essentially should give up trying). I was scared of ALL of the horses. They all made it to the final based on their merits and every single one of them was capable of beating my horse. Being a part of the final after already winning, with a horse that has given us some amount of problems over the years, was a great feeling in itself.<br />
<br />
I'm gonna let you watch the final for yourselves (you can cheer Stevie on as much as you like, unfortunately it won't change the result now!):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz7YKpHAY0tBFilzcxZoJefEdkyK7eF5X34jlGQFzdP0zvV5h_KwfI501KuzYC5NTXbt6DnVT27S_meftdF' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
SO. DAMN. CLOSE.<br />
<br />
We came, we tried, we went down fighting. I was able to load my horse back onto my lorry knowing he had given us 100% and in the end, it just wasn't quite enough. No excuses, no bad feeling. I hugged Jonjo and Wilf and Jack [Burton] before interviewing Jonjo and Rocker after the race. I saw how they conducted themselves in defeat only a week earlier when beaten by Springhill Ruby and Springhill Catch, and I wanted to make sure that is how I always handled defeat. You learn a lot about people in the way they both win and lose, and unfortunately this year already I have seen poor examples of both, but this family set an example and hopefully I was, and continue to be, able to do the same.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OJ27v-IjgI/WyLTYOzEWjI/AAAAAAAAEwI/i9_lbcD0t3QN8ez2ePBZ6rzUt1-qRSvOwCLcBGAs/s1600/562A8110%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BYoung%2BStephen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OJ27v-IjgI/WyLTYOzEWjI/AAAAAAAAEwI/i9_lbcD0t3QN8ez2ePBZ6rzUt1-qRSvOwCLcBGAs/s400/562A8110%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BYoung%2BStephen.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevie giving it everything into the stretch in the final (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxmrApzEiX4/WyLTWw004xI/AAAAAAAAEwE/q_hLU1VwuVspX7YuTMvg7mekGxtyIWJ5gCLcBGAs/s1600/35355346_10156220142700772_4728989091473915904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxmrApzEiX4/WyLTWw004xI/AAAAAAAAEwE/q_hLU1VwuVspX7YuTMvg7mekGxtyIWJ5gCLcBGAs/s400/35355346_10156220142700772_4728989091473915904_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fair haul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Outwith my own success (and yes, finishing second in a big final is what I call success, thanks) I also thoroughly enjoyed the success of Rhyds Solution, a game old horse who was having his first start of the year off a whopping 60 yard trail. In a photo finish with his stablemate Frankie Camden, the wait with his owner Julie Sedgewick was epic. After the official result was given, during the interview Julie suggested she might need a vodka to calm her down. So we both went for a vodka together! Enthusiasm and enjoyment for the sake of it are so infectious.<br />
<br />
Before I sign off (and start the post for the racing that's happened since), I hope you picked up on the title of the post and the reference in the cover photo to 'sums'. It turns out my GCSE Maths teacher, Mr Ward, was right, and I <i>would</i> use algebra in my life. Although, probably incorrectly.<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Groom<br />
<i></i>
Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-29522318687348257712018-05-26T15:00:00.000-07:002018-05-26T15:00:58.015-07:002018 Season: Week 3 - Corbiewood in the dark & Presteigne in the sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19Q49jqmz5Q/WwbEmwbwO6I/AAAAAAAAEto/jIwZUBR7Of4tl8BHJFG9Xb9bsKzWSFIagCLcBGAs/s1600/Without-the-dark-We%2525u2019d-never-see-the-stars-Stephenie-Meyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1140" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19Q49jqmz5Q/WwbEmwbwO6I/AAAAAAAAEto/jIwZUBR7Of4tl8BHJFG9Xb9bsKzWSFIagCLcBGAs/s400/Without-the-dark-We%2525u2019d-never-see-the-stars-Stephenie-Meyer.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Or in this case, without the dark we'd never see Live In Star!<br />
<br />
<i>Corbiewood - 18th May</i><br />
<br />
In an almost carbon copy performance of last season's victory in the Standardbred Show Trophy Final (August 3rd 2017), Live In Star proved that he's been eating his carrots once again when winning the opening meeting's final in pitch darkness.<br />
<br />
An accident in the third race which saw driver John Allan take a bruising fall on the first bend delayed racing by almost an hour, on an evening when an 8 race card already had officials watching the clock closely to evade the fading light. Although, not closely enough that the qualifiers before racing could get off on time...<br />
<br />
Last season's BHRC 2YO Futurity winner DKs Happy Forever (Richard Thomson) took out the first heat from GDs Hazzard (Andrew Cairns). In the second heat, Bono (William Greenhorn) held off the advances of Royal Mint Howard (James Haythornthwaite) as the pair secure the next two spots in the final.<br />
<br />
In the first running of heat three, Millie May West (John Allan) was hampered by the faltering Whosurbaby (Scott Murray) on the first bend at breakneck speed, with the former tipping the driver out of the cart. Racing was halted as the loose Millie May West circumnavigated the track whilst first aiders attended to the fallen driver who appeared to have lost consciousness. Thankfully, John Allan (who was taken to hospital by ambulance) was reported to be back on his feet by the weekend and raring to go for the following week's racing!<br />
<br />
In the re-run, Whosurbaby had a cleaner run, leading out and holding his front position until Live In Star (Grant Cullen) cruised past in the stretch to take victory. The fourth and final heat saw stablemates Indie Hanover and Porcelain Seelster, and brothers Richard & James Haythornthwaite fill the last remaining places in the final.<br />
<br />
The nine horses entered for the maiden and novice division all declared, and as the track maximum at Corbiewood is 8 horses the decision was made to split them into 2 races: one of 5 and one of 4. Unfortunately, Ladyford Topaz sustained an injury whilst disembarking the lorry, and withdrew. However, due to an objection from (at least) one set of connections, the two races were not combined. Personally, in this instance I feel that the promoter has final say on issues such as this, and the decision should have been made to combine the two races into one, especially (in hindsight) in light of the unanticipated delay to racing.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, the decision was what the decision was, and the Castalongshadow Syndicate-owned Mahogany Martini (Gregor Menzies) won the first division, with Talavaryterminator (Richard Haythornthwaite) taking the second.<br />
<br />
The seventh race on the card was the second leg of the national BHRC & Standardbred Horse Sales Co Star Maker Series, with 5 horses facing the starter. The unbeaten Soul Searcher (Willie Drysdale) was a popular winner as the horse is trained at Corbiewood by one of the sport's great characters, Charles 'Chico' Inglis Jnr, who blushed uncontrollably at all the cheers as he led his charge into the winner's circle.<br />
<br />
Under the cover of darkness, 8 horses lined up for the handicap final. James & Richard Haythornthwaite were allegedly through their mark (looks as though the judge had either been eating his carrots as well or was wearing night vision goggles to spot that) and were immediately disqualified. Live In Star spread-eagled the field early doors and was never being caught, with the officials clocking him in 2.05.83 and winning by a distance from GDs Hazzard. An interesting point to note is that no other clock on the track recorded him in that time, even if those operating them had to get home to artificial light to check them.<br />
<br />
The trainer, Keir Cullen, has advised that the horse will head to Appleby this weekend, donning a pair of large sunglasses in order to keep out the light!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woswITF4_y0/WwbOHMwri_I/AAAAAAAAEt0/QJ6BJArOS2YgijnMANYHC9y57ICf2DV_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B3A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BLive%2BIn%2BStar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woswITF4_y0/WwbOHMwri_I/AAAAAAAAEt0/QJ6BJArOS2YgijnMANYHC9y57ICf2DV_QCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B3A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BLive%2BIn%2BStar.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live In Star & Grant Cullen winning the heat (in daylight) (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sShQe9T942M/WwiV5P6vbGI/AAAAAAAAEuA/WA_k1_PUwCsqhfmatYm8mYQZI-JBaDo_QCLcBGAs/s1600/562A9238%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BSoul%2BSearcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sShQe9T942M/WwiV5P6vbGI/AAAAAAAAEuA/WA_k1_PUwCsqhfmatYm8mYQZI-JBaDo_QCLcBGAs/s400/562A9238%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BSoul%2BSearcher.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Maker Heat winner Soul Searcher warming up with Richard Thomson (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before we look to Presteigne, I just want to shine a light (sorry for all the light references and puns, it's just too easy) on some comments made on social media following the running of the final in darkness. Yes, it was dangerous. No, this isn't the first time this has happened. No, lessons do not appear to have been learnt. However, when the videos of the racing were published on the SHRC Facebook page (a service that Scottish harness racing continues to lead the way on), I noted that one comment which strongly objected to the running of the race in darkness due to the health & safety implications was made by the connections of one of the runners. Last year, in similar circumstances, plenty of people were up in arms prior to the race about the light conditions, however only ONE trainer withdrew their horse on safety grounds. None did so this time. Whilst concerns are valid, I do not think it appropriate to be making such comments when ultimately you made the decision to race your horse. I firmly believe in actions speaking louder than words.<br />
<br />
Finally, on opening night, Corbiewood welcomed its first international visitors of the season: two lovely ladies from Finland who are heavily involved in harness racing there. This was their first time watching pacers racing and they were full of questions - I hope I was able to answer some of them!! Finland has now joined the list of places I <i>need</i> to visit for the racing - both summer and winter!<br />
<br />
<i>Presteigne - 20th May</i><br />
<br />
Smarty and I headed south to Wales on Saturday to deliver a mare and foal to the stallion, before heading further south into mid Wales to visit my parents (and attend a birthday party/barn dance/possible illegal rave on a mountain). The following day we ventured to Presteigne on a beautiful sunny Sunday for the first Wales & West meeting of the season.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i>Racing kicked off with the first of the BHRC Kids Club Pony Races, commentated by the star of the future, Stephen Lees Jr. I must admit, I was more than a little apprehensive about these races as there were a few niggling concerns regarding eligibility and criteria, however when I saw the five children lining up on their ponies, my heart about melted. Joseph Ripley Jr and Flash led from start to finish to record a resounding victory, from Charley Elvin and Elvis A-Ha in second, Jake Podmore and Star in third, Terry Allen Jr and Sampson in fourth and Indianna Allen and Essex Girl bringing home the quintet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmbcqSMrcA0/WwnUuBZudQI/AAAAAAAAEuM/F6RvEyaEjIAlw7BqbC3kqqOjARFBpRbZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmbcqSMrcA0/WwnUuBZudQI/AAAAAAAAEuM/F6RvEyaEjIAlw7BqbC3kqqOjARFBpRbZwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6627.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)<br /><i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I won't run you through each race on the card as we'll be here all night, but I would like to mention a couple of memorable performances which I feel deserve their moment in the spotlight:<br />
<br />
- Seal Of Approval & Angie Dyer, Qualifier - this horse was a runner up in the 2YO Colts & Geldings race at Aberystwyth last year behind Matticulous and looked an impressive sort at Presteigne last weekend. He is sure to win races this year on the Wales & West circuit.<br />
<br />
- The Mockingjay & Marc Jones, Qualifier - this 2YO filly is built like an absolute tank and impressed in her qualifier. She will be one to watch in the stakes races, as Marc & Jenny Jones have had plenty of success in these types of events in the past, so this is not unchartered territory for the Sennybridge-based team.<br />
<br />
- Easy Company & Rocker Laidler - Darren Owen's horse to follow for the season, despite his winning margins not being anything to write home about, impressed with the manner of his victories in both heat and final.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MiF96LXTWKc/WwnVwYt7ekI/AAAAAAAAEuY/_E6Gn8-nr5ciRalZzb4zQwko7P2Rh1NVgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MiF96LXTWKc/WwnVwYt7ekI/AAAAAAAAEuY/_E6Gn8-nr5ciRalZzb4zQwko7P2Rh1NVgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy Company & Rocker Laidler (<i>Sarah Thomas</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
- Valseur Du Cygne & Rocker Laidler - I'm struggling somewhat to understand the format of TrotBritain's season (although hopefully George Button & Joseph Ripley will enlighten me - and you - in some video interviews due shortly) however, this horse is sure to figure regardless of the structure. Sans Limites (Terry Allen) and Ulysse Du Bosq (Julian Price) were notable in defeat. I have to say this now, again, that I thoroughly enjoy watching these aged trotters race and I cannot for the life of me fathom why TrotBritain seem so intent on pushing 3 and 4 year old untried/unwanted horses onto licence holders when these proven, durable, aged horses are far easier to train and far more enjoyable to watch racing. What is wrong with following the example set by Malta (the country which imports the highest number of aged Trotteur Francais racehorses)? #BeLikeMalta<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZCmnw82ZpU/WwnWSFiaQ0I/AAAAAAAAEug/w5gfKMwuu80hNDt32uL1ZighflTzGHUMQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZCmnw82ZpU/WwnWSFiaQ0I/AAAAAAAAEug/w5gfKMwuu80hNDt32uL1ZighflTzGHUMQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6970.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valseur Du Cygne & Rocker Laidler (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My 'Supporters of the Weekend' award this week goes to the Ripley family, who travelled all the way from the south east of England to cheer on young Joseph Jnr in the pony race, and then not-so-young Joseph Snr with his pacer and trotter. The cheer they gave as Espoir Lila stormed down the home straight to win the 4YO trot was ear-splitting - this is what I like to hear!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a90ucbI2AMk/WwnWiafhPuI/AAAAAAAAEuo/84XP9M4LuHYRaneUp907TibBs9IBdc9ugCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a90ucbI2AMk/WwnWiafhPuI/AAAAAAAAEuo/84XP9M4LuHYRaneUp907TibBs9IBdc9ugCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ripley family & friends with Joseph Ripley & Espoir Lila (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now for the (brief) negative elements.<br />
<br />
1. The track.<br />
<br />
I have been to Presteigne on a number of occasions, both when I was living and working in Wales and also since moving to Scotland. It isn't the smoothest of grass tracks, however, I do feel that with a bit of tweaking it could be far safer and a better spectacle for the racegoers. With the crowd being situated between the finish line and the first bend, much of the track is too far away for decent viewing. Coincidentally, that part of the track (the last 2 bends) seems to be where a lot of horses have difficulty navigating the corners. It appears that the track is greater than a half mile, yet the races are still run over two laps for every grade. A lot of horses finished their races very tired, despite the going being good, and as the track is solely raced upon in the early part of the season, this isn't ideal and could be the reason why a penalty free meeting a week later was lost due to lack of entries.<br />
<br />
My suggestion would be to create a smaller track similar to Wolsingham/Hellifield/Corbiewood i.e. just under half a mile or 3/8 of a mile, and race a greater number of circuits. This would enable the roughest part of the track (on the final bend) to be removed; the crowd to have a better view of the racing; and the horses to not face such a stiff challenge. In Wales, harness racing participants are blessed with some fantastic grass tracks (certainly compared to Scotland and England), most of which are a bang half mile. In making Presteigne less than a half mile circuit, this would add an element of variety and in my opinion, the safety concerns would be somewhat alleviated. Furthermore, at some point the committee responsible for staging the racing has made the decision to reduce the maximum number of runners in a race from 10 to 8, and I can only assume this was on safety grounds. In light of this, I feel that reducing the size of the track would also assist on this front.<br />
<br />
2. A horse running 3 times in one day.<br />
<br />
A horse raced in a qualifier, before running in two further betting races later in the day.<br />
<br />
I have previously raised concerns over something identical which occurred in August of last year at another track on the same racing circuit. The BHRC rulebook states that a horse cannot race more than twice in one day, for welfare reasons. I was advised on the previous occasion that a qualifer does not constitute a race, for the purposes of that particular rule. I have an issue with this, as regardless of whether betting is allowed on the race or not, the horse is still 'racing' over a mile. On this particular occasion, it was a very hot day and although I'm sure most horses are more than capable of racing under these conditions, it does beg the question what the purpose of the rule is if it is going to be interpreted in such a manner that it becomes a pointless rule (as I cannot think of any other circumstances in which a horse would enter to race 3 times on the same day).<br />
<br />
3. Pylon violations<br />
<br />
You'll hear quite a lot about these this summer I'm sure (wait for the next blog post). In North America, for example, they take a tough stance on pylon violations. Here...not so much. Upon reviewing the DVD from the meeting, a horse raced inside a minimum of 10 pegs. Whilst I appreciate that the stewards cannot see all things at all times, this occurred on the home straight leading directly up to the finish line in front of them. From trackside, where I was situated, it wasn't noticeable. From the inside of the track...well, it only took me one viewing at real time speed to count the pegs.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day out despite the sunburn and looooong drive home, which saw us get back to our house at 1am on Monday morning. I wouldn't want to do that too often!!<br />
<br />
Next up will be Corbiewood's second meeting of the season and the first of the four major festivals of racing, Appleby.<br />
<br />
Remember folks, #ComeHarnessRacing<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-38017736279499279882018-05-16T14:04:00.001-07:002018-05-16T14:20:52.309-07:002018 Season: Week 2 - A solid 6 for Team LaidlerOn Saturday 12th May harness racing returned to its spiritual home at Tregaron for a ten-race card including the Spring Handicap heats and final, Senior Welsh Dragon and the first of nine legs of the Star Maker Series.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-i0AOze_z0/Wvs4XsY7TYI/AAAAAAAAErc/T5lYDhJITeMZMnnwztlYeCo0LOTVolqZACLcBGAs/s1600/Winning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="201" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-i0AOze_z0/Wvs4XsY7TYI/AAAAAAAAErc/T5lYDhJITeMZMnnwztlYeCo0LOTVolqZACLcBGAs/s320/Winning.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<br />
After picking up their first win at Tir Prince last week with Springhill Calaburn, the Laidler team hit the ground running on week 2 with a 12 length victory in the first event with my family's 3YO filly, Rhyds Sapphire. This was her first start under new management and we were glad to see her kick things off with a win. Fingers crossed she can play a major part in some of the 3YO stakes races this summer once she's had a spin around Appleby in novice company.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Glacs2mwnE/WvtSaF6XA6I/AAAAAAAAErs/yjcn15pLfycFcXEwx-RGOhNdMzFP5L3MQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sapphire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Glacs2mwnE/WvtSaF6XA6I/AAAAAAAAErs/yjcn15pLfycFcXEwx-RGOhNdMzFP5L3MQCLcBGAs/s400/Sapphire.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhyds Sapphire (Hasty Hall-CPR-Life Sign) & Rocker Laidler (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The success of the 3YOs continued as last year's Junior Welsh Dragon winner, Merrington Movinup (bred by Rocker & Alexis and now owned by Raymond & Frank Huschka) showed real class to beat more experienced horses in the first of the two heats for the final, with Tommy Camden (Richard Haythornthwaite), Rhyds Nightlife (James Haythornthwaite) and Ghenghis Pride (Alan Haythornthwaite) - that's a lot of Haythornthwaites - taking the three remaining places for the final.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSa1INkS2hc/WvtWAPeSUMI/AAAAAAAAEr4/SZJQiYb22UsduRxo1B4_jdiNKrf6DNSIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Movinup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSa1INkS2hc/WvtWAPeSUMI/AAAAAAAAEr4/SZJQiYb22UsduRxo1B4_jdiNKrf6DNSIwCLcBGAs/s400/Movinup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrington Movinup (The Preacher Pan-What A Commotion-Hopping High) & Rocker Laidler (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the second of the two heats, David Bevan's gutsy performer Lakeside Paddy got up from my 2018 horse to follow, Ring Of Fire after the first of my new feature "Bobby's Bloopers". Driver Bobby Richards, who I have known for a number of years and think the absolute world of, mistook the start line for the finish line and eased up in front before the wily Bevan snatched victory. Favourite Happy Hands faltered and finished out of the first four, and last week's impressive heat winner Rockin Mambo was a no-show after connections mistakenly thought racing was the following day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IM6zX2Nsq1I/WvtWy2PwjhI/AAAAAAAAEsE/xBmMVLMkmPMoCwBn0t5K0i2ZCrxmhXMqwCLcBGAs/s1600/Bobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IM6zX2Nsq1I/WvtWy2PwjhI/AAAAAAAAEsE/xBmMVLMkmPMoCwBn0t5K0i2ZCrxmhXMqwCLcBGAs/s400/Bobby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
David [Bevan] made it a quickfire double to match Rocker when steering Immortal John to a confident and well-timed victory in the second of the maiden events ahead of American Mistress and Ayr Paparazzi.<br />
<br />
Next up it was Bobby's 17-year-old son Joel's turn to take the reins with his namesake, Wye Joels Best. This perhaps should have been my nap of the meeting, as in his first three lifetime starts he was placed behind White Flame (fastest Skewbald pacer in the world), Rhyds Passion (BHRC Mare of the Year 2017) and Springhill Glory (Appleby, York & Aberystwyth 3YO winner). That's pretty good company to be keeping. Forget nap, I was nap-ping and I failed to give this out as my 'cert' for the meeting during the preview with Darren [Owen] and Kayleigh [Evans] (yes, these previews are totally a thing now and I love them). Anyway, Joel trains all 8 horses at home and drives 4, while dad Bobby drives the other four. Quality horses or not, Joel is going places. To my global readers - remember his name: JOEL RICHARDS. He could turn up anywhere in the world one day and drive winners. You heard it here first.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmBw0IYFPkw/WvtYsGpskkI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/KYku036q0wYdUco_FIomxW8ee2Kdxa7SQCLcBGAs/s1600/Joels%2BBest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmBw0IYFPkw/WvtYsGpskkI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/KYku036q0wYdUco_FIomxW8ee2Kdxa7SQCLcBGAs/s400/Joels%2BBest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wye Joels Best (Pro Bono Best-J Vs Jiffy-Village Jiffy) & Joel Richards (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now at this point in the day, a certain Mr William Laidler had begun to pine for the winner's circle so he made it his mission to get back there as quickly as possible, and the fifth race was his chance to do it as he steered Wilf Burton's Blackwell Tiana to a comfortable victory from Lane House Stan & Michael O'Mahony (the Tregaron Festival superhero last August when partnering 9 winners across the 2 days).<br />
<br />
Much like buses (you wait ages for one and then three come along at once), Rocker notched up a further two wins in as many races when Springhill Ruby overcame the favourite Rhyds Star Quality (Mick Lord) in the second of the two Grade 1 & 2 events, before taking the first of the Star Maker legs with Laneside Layla. This mare only raced once in 2017 when finishing second to Rhyds Rock Star at York at the opening meeting of the season. That in itself was fairly strong form, provided that she had overcome whatever issues had prevented her from racing for the remainder of last year. It appears that she has. I must give a mention here to runner up Laughing Buck (Julie Phillips) who looks as though he may have a rewarding season with the connections who have had previous success with his half-brother Masquerade Avenue, a multiple winner on the Wales & West circuit. Also, a horse which caught a few people's eye was third placed Borntorun, a runner up in the Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies to Rhyds Mystique and who subsequently missed her 3YO season. She could be one to watch in this series now that the number of runs for non-winners has been altered to unlimited.<br />
<br />
Attention then turned to one of the two feature races on the day - the Doonbeg 4YO Senior Welsh Dragon - the last stakes race in the Dragon series. The pessimists amongst the harness racing fans could not let go of Rhyds Rock Star's below-par peformance in the 3YO Little Welsh Dragon Final at the track last August when he broke and finished 5th, and it was such a hot topic on social media (although I missed it, as hard as that is to believe what with me being a total social media addict) during the build up to the meeting that driver James Haythornthwaite admitted in his post-race interview that he had even begun to have doubts himself about whether this super 4YO son of Hasty Hall would be able to stay down and perform to his best. I was lucky enough once again (thanks to the officials, committee, driver John Crump and starter Conway Price) to ride in the back of the start car and come face to face with the horse as he scored up in post position 2, and before we rolled around to the start I spotted James putting Rock Star around the first two bends at half speed; I can guess only to give them both a bit of confidence. Rock Star was keen, and gave me a right eyeball as the car pulled away - I later told Smarty that he was quite an intimidating horse to face off with as he looked to be totally in race mode: ears flat back and raring to go. From the moment the race started, he was away, and the Rock Star that we saw last week at Tir Prince was definitely in action, winning in just under 2.07 on a dead half mile grass track.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjpBKhIa5yk/WvybfJPXeAI/AAAAAAAAEss/zG95diBG87gwkgqtpmjbgqR_ylLvAQEmwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="896" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjpBKhIa5yk/WvybfJPXeAI/AAAAAAAAEss/zG95diBG87gwkgqtpmjbgqR_ylLvAQEmwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6008.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing off with Rhyds Rock Star (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72M_zzp--yQ/WvygnrOa2EI/AAAAAAAAEtU/x_TyNIPEOykgrRo7On7Cmw7AhsF7LYwWACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72M_zzp--yQ/WvygnrOa2EI/AAAAAAAAEtU/x_TyNIPEOykgrRo7On7Cmw7AhsF7LYwWACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising just after the half (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was the third year in a row that owners Claire and Shane Fletcher, and trainer Teresa Haythornthwaite, have won this race (2016 - Sports Trick; 2017 - Party At The Spa; 2018 - Rhyds Rock Star). Teresa was understandably emotional as last year's victor, 'Party', sadly passed away later in the 2017 season and this win obviously brought back the memories of what was an emotional victory last year (that's two years in a row I've had photos of you in tears Teresa!). That's what racing does to people, and the people so deeply affected by loss and success are the kind of people I want in my life!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBeOQBnEcE4/WvybzLorJnI/AAAAAAAAEs0/YaWjTgeeu_AZJiL_CUqz4f2jHwiR3ASxACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1151" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBeOQBnEcE4/WvybzLorJnI/AAAAAAAAEs0/YaWjTgeeu_AZJiL_CUqz4f2jHwiR3ASxACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_6121.jpg" width="143" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxM3emu6mGE/Wvybzb9H-cI/AAAAAAAAEs8/QFOoIHKGlbghW9PiR_UiYQpuqpK-oDW0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxM3emu6mGE/Wvybzb9H-cI/AAAAAAAAEs8/QFOoIHKGlbghW9PiR_UiYQpuqpK-oDW0wCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_6061.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pEtHM8xMAY/WvybzWC1O3I/AAAAAAAAEs4/3lmqRdMxf6IUyy9j5MhLNtK6xWvJ9BQZgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="968" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pEtHM8xMAY/WvybzWC1O3I/AAAAAAAAEs4/3lmqRdMxf6IUyy9j5MhLNtK6xWvJ9BQZgCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_6119.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The last race on the card was the Camden Stud Spring Handicap Final, and the 3YO Merrington Movinup started as the favourite. Earlier in the day, Bobby Richards had told me he wanted a 2-page spread when he won the final, as boxer Anthony Joshua had had a 4-page spread (presumably after one of his world title successes) - I LOVE this man's confidence, which is always tinged with cheeky humour. I was watching Bobby and 'Fire' closely, and heading down the back straight he was clearly in trouble stuck on the rail with several horses in front of him and to his outside. The box is not a good place to be, and in the style of Anthony Joshua, Bobby thought he would fight his way out of it by pushing his way up the inside of David Bevan and Lakeside Paddy. I didn't call David 'wily' earlier for nothing - that door which may have appeared ajar came closing with a bang and I thought Bobby was for the deck as his horse faltered and shuffled back in the field coming around the last two bends. Merrington Movinup had shot clear and came home an unchallenged and impressive winner, but imagine my surprise as I looked up from the viewfinder of my camera to see none other than Bobby and Ring Of Fire storming down the straight to finish second - the last time I'd seen them they were nearly last less than an eighth of a mile from the line. This was "Bobby's Bloopers" #2!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IM6zX2Nsq1I/WvtWy2PwjhI/AAAAAAAAEsI/ZtsQ1GSfUpwKixtYrGXv5VJfv_jRG79jgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Bobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IM6zX2Nsq1I/WvtWy2PwjhI/AAAAAAAAEsI/ZtsQ1GSfUpwKixtYrGXv5VJfv_jRG79jgCEwYBhgL/s400/Bobby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Taking nothing away from the winner though, 'Joey' [Merrington Movinup] as he's known is a real star for the future and I think he has an exciting 3YO campaign ahead of him. This was Rocker's sixth win of the day and I have to take my hat off to Alexis [Laidler] for a sublime training performance from her team.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0y0fTrnocng/Wvyan5fYX8I/AAAAAAAAEsg/RvCkQVqO5fcIvyUpCLHRtvoz_HycsjHggCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0y0fTrnocng/Wvyan5fYX8I/AAAAAAAAEsg/RvCkQVqO5fcIvyUpCLHRtvoz_HycsjHggCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrington Movinup cruising to victory in the final (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple of things that I took from the meeting and which I feel should be touched upon are as follows:<br />
<br />
- the format of the heats & final; currently I believe that the format is too 'grade-specific' for an early season event. Had the committee allowed Grades 1 & 2 to participate, the top 8 handicap horses entered could have been siphoned off for an OPH standalone race. This, in theory, would have allowed horses such as Evenwood Sonofagun, Coalford Tetrick, Mikey Camden and Wellfield Ghost to race (Llwyns Delight, a G9 horse, raced in the high grade heat as a G7 with a C Class driver on board utilising a 20 yard lift). This suggested format would also allow for more heats with fewer horses from each heat progressing to the final. It is my belief that the punters and spectators (and indeed, probably the pesky bookmakers) would prefer this. A secondary issue is that in the first 2 weeks of racing, there have not been races for the best horses in the UK at 2 of the leading venues. Harness racing cannot allow for these horses to be standing in stables rather than racing - otherwise we face the very real risk of losing these horses to North America which quite frankly, as an avid harness racing fan, is not what I want. I'm selfish, I want to see the best horses racing right in front of me and not on some race replay website.<br />
<br />
- Saturday vs Sunday racing; whilst this caught the connections of Rockin Mambo out (I'm sure they'll laugh about it one day), I think the change of day affected both bookmaker and crowd turnout. Saturdays are notoriously busy in the events calendar - point to points, Thoroughbred racing, shows etc. I appreciate that Sunday clashes with Ludlow Racecourse, however I think the move to Saturday was more detrimental than successful. However, these things <i>have</i> to be tried in order to find out what works best. I would like to work with the committee to publicise the fixture around the local area as we passed a large number of tourists on our drive to the track and it took all my willpower not to hang out of the car window and shout at them to follow us.<br />
<br />
For those who voiced negative opinions on social media directly before the racing regarding the prize money on offer, I have this to say - the card was decent. It was decent, despite this perceived 'poor prize money'. Why would the committee suffer a greater financial burden when there was little improvement to be found in the quality and number of horses racing? Furthermore, the prize money on offer was in line with recent years at this venue and fixture, where cards have been of a similar quality. In addition, this year (for the first time in a number of years), the racing was penalty free. I would love for us all to be racing for small fortunes, however in this economic climate within animal racing sports, I feel as though the committee should be commended rather than vilified for staging such a strong fixture so early in the season when you take into consideration the appalling weather during the winter which put so many of us behind with our training.<br />
<br />
Coming up this weekend we have the opening meeting at Corbiewood (the home of Scottish harness racing and the centre of my universe) and the first of the Wales & West promoted fixtures, at Presteigne, both of which are staging £500 finals. Corbiewood will play host to the second Star Maker Series leg, and Presteigne welcomes aged trotters for their first outing of the season. There is literally something for everyone so don't sit in the house twiddling your thumbs, #COMEHARNESSRACING<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-18730864596403423142018-05-07T15:36:00.001-07:002018-05-07T15:59:37.104-07:002018 Season: Week 1 - Record falls at Tir Prince<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-rubnz9e2w/WvC6DgeRuaI/AAAAAAAAEqk/izpMolYg4HYzjrdVOIWVvZenBIVqx_KAgCLcBGAs/s1600/its-back-title.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="532" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-rubnz9e2w/WvC6DgeRuaI/AAAAAAAAEqk/izpMolYg4HYzjrdVOIWVvZenBIVqx_KAgCLcBGAs/s640/its-back-title.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
That's right folks, the 2018 harness racing season here in the UK is finally underway and what a start it was, I must say.<br />
<br />
Harness racing fans from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales converged upon the home of the Crock of Gold, <b>Tir Prince</b>, and were treated to a thrilling 8-race card including the 4YO Sire Stakes divisions and the first handicap heats and finals to be staged on the same day at the track in 20+ years.<br />
<br />
Young Stephen Lees Jnr was back at the mic calling the three qualifiers before racing, following on from his maiden call at York on Sale Day last season. Meanwhile, race commentator Darren [Owen] and I found a quiet spot to settle down for a race night preview, which (I think if you're friends with Darren at least) you can view <a href="https://www.facebook.com/darren.owen.980/videos/10214540017066860/" target="_blank"><u><b>here</b></u></a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG03U_c_PCg/WvDTOqeACAI/AAAAAAAAErA/Q9jBMd39z2csr6f8OhDzpDkAVVcEK4nnQCLcBGAs/s1600/32190930_10156139206790772_8889544136110112768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="960" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG03U_c_PCg/WvDTOqeACAI/AAAAAAAAErA/Q9jBMd39z2csr6f8OhDzpDkAVVcEK4nnQCLcBGAs/s400/32190930_10156139206790772_8889544136110112768_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darren & I enjoying the racing preview on Facebook Live a little too much...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My selections for the 8 races during the preview were as follows:<br />
<br />
1. Itsmycheck<br />
2. Rockin Mambo<br />
3. Teddy Camden<br />
4. Springhill Calaburn<br />
5. Emirat Du Levant<br />
6. Rhyds Mystique<br />
7. Rhyds Rock Star<br />
8. Rockin Mambo<br />
<br />
I got off to a stormer, despite Darren's assertions that Itsmycheck, a horse he is involved with as a co-owner, had wintered 'too well' and may need the run to get to race fitness. The Scottish-owned Share A Smile led out; Itsmycheck and Alan Haythornthwaite committed early and sat parked for the latter five furlongs and took up the running just after the three quarter marker. The Irish owned and trained grey, Springhill Rob, came with a strong, late run to finish second but the leader was not for beating. Plan B finished third with Frankie Camden making up the quartet going forward to the final at the end of the night.<br />
<br />
<br />
Jack Swagger for the champion trainer/driver team Alexis and Rocker Laidler led out in the second and made the running for much of the race. As they rolled down the back straight for the last time I started to cheer on 'Maxi' (as he is known) and then it dawned on me that there was supposed to be a horse in the race to be a real danger to the leader. For a split second I couldn't remember what that was; and then Marc Jones turned on the gas and Rockin Mambo came out of the clouds down the outside of the field with a blistering turn of foot to take up the running coming off the last bend and win in 1.59.2. The long time leader finished second, with the Irish duo Springhill Biscuit and Meadowbranch Roman filling up the minor placings.<br />
<br />
Two from two for this tipster and going into the first of the maiden and novice divisions with confidence as I'd selected the short-priced favourite Teddy Camden. Impressive in a qualifier the week before at Portmarnock, connections weren't present on the night to enjoy his success as he held off the always-improving Oakwood Ideal to give the Irish challengers their sole victory on the night. Bobby Camden who finished third was an eye-catcher as he appears to have come on leaps and bounds from his 2YO season last year and could be one to watch with interest this year.<br />
<br />
The second of the maiden and novice divisions got off to a bad start when a hook up on the first bend saw drivers Vicky Gill and Jonathan Dunne (who partnered Teddy Camden in the third) landing on the deck. American Mistress and Coffee Mate completed one further lap of the track of their own accord before pulling up and turning back to handlers to be caught before the three quarter marker. Neither was allowed in the re-run, which meant two fewer opponents for my selection - Springhill Calaburn. The largely unknown Hawthorns Henry with Leo Arnett set the pace up front and took the race to the more experienced horses and drivers, and as Rocker Laidler and Springhill Calaburn took up the running just before the 7/8 it looked as though they would be runaway winners. Hawthorns Henry dug in and put up a good fight although the result was never really in question and the champion trainer and driver recorded their first win of the season on opening night.<br />
<br />
My ability to pick winners took a nosedive at this stage as the 4YO French Trotters took to the track. Darren and I had mentioned nearly every horse in the race between us during the preview, and he had assured me that my selection (a horse he co-owns) could not win due to the 'controversial handicap system' which was being employed by TROTBritain (the horse was on a 40 yard trail). The horse broke shortly after the start (although came back down quickly) so I was out of the game early on during the 1 1/4 mile race. Drama in the latter stages where they began to gallop in the same way pins fall when hit by a bowling ball, meant the level-gaited Enez Leman and trainer/driver Mike Evans shot clear coming off the bend to record a 10 length victory. Multiple dead heats in the placings mean this writer can't remember who finished where, but it was something similar to a blanket finish just a long way back from the winner. Surprisingly, there was only one disqualification due to breaking gait, which I wouldn't have mentioned if it wasn't for the difficulty I faced in trying to explain to holidaymaking members of the general public why the horse they had bet hadn't finished the race. Turns out, they don't really know the difference between trotting and galloping. But then again, neither do some of the horses.<br />
<br />
Back to pacing races and I thought I might get myself back on track here. I had made strong representations about the Mather family's Another Affair during the preview as she had impressed the week earlier in the qualifier and workouts at the track. This was a big step up in class for the novice on only her third start, although she held off the early attack from Rhyds Mystique to take up the running for the first half of the mile. When JD asked Mystique to quicken after the half, Another Affair was passed with ease and it looked as though I was right to stick by the champion 2YO and 3YO filly. However, in the closing stages of the race veteran driver Mick Lord proved that there is no substitute for experience as he produced his charge, Rhyds Hokey Cokey, to get up close to home for a surprise (and, according to some sources, controversial) victory.<br />
<br />
Breeders John & Grethe Wright from Rhyds Stud were certainly able to take pride in their produce as Rhyds Rock Star graced the track straight after the mares. The British 3YO Colt of the Year was my nap of the meeting and it was a case of 'blink and you'll miss it' as he powered to victory. I'm not kidding, in the time it took me to walk from the joint to track side with my clipboard, they were already going in to the back straight with Rock Star a solid 6 or 7 lengths clear. My mind wasn't able to comprehend that this was the second lap so I made the assumption that he'd already gone clear in the first quarter. As they rounded the bend he extended his lead further over the Scottish owned and trained No Brakes and Darren appeared to be calling a finish...I looked to the clock by the line to figure out what was happening and all I saw was 1.47, 1.48, 1.49...in those seconds I had flashbacks of Doonbeg at Amman Valley the night he broke the World Record for a mile-on-a-less-than-a-half-mile-track (try saying that when you're drunk, go on). As James Haythornthwaite guided him over the line the clock stopped at 1.56, which became 1.56.1 as the official time and a NEW TRACK RECORD. The previous record of 1.56.2 was held by Forafewdollarsmore (now standing at stud in Wales, having already stood a season in Scotland) and then equalled on Crock of Gold night last year by joint-winners Miraculous and Evenwood Sonofagun. We knew Rock Star was good, but did we know he was <i>that</i> good? Well, all the signs were there. He propelled through last season going from one win to the next in increasingly difficult company and seemed to thrive on victory. I know he's going to enjoy more of it this year; once the 4YO races are out of the way the next step for him has to be FFA class with the big boys...I. CAN'T. WAIT.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8iMoOL1yao/WvDTCeo-R1I/AAAAAAAAErM/9G3fv9l2ztUphSm17jdZQ5WT4N_G8YBrgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Rhyds%2BRock%2BStar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8iMoOL1yao/WvDTCeo-R1I/AAAAAAAAErM/9G3fv9l2ztUphSm17jdZQ5WT4N_G8YBrgCEwYBhgL/s400/Rhyds%2BRock%2BStar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Track Record Holder: Rhyds Rock Star (Hasty Hall-Tonda Star-Albert Albert) & James Haythornthwaite winning the BHRC 4YO Sire Stakes (Colts & Geldings division) (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coincidentally, I was back to picking winners again. Go me!<br />
<br />
It didn't last long, as I had put all my eggs in one basket with Marc Jones and Rockin Mambo despite their 50 yard trail. Turns out the front markers were able to make full use of their advantage, and it was a training 1-2 for Teresa Haythornthwaite as son James partnered Plan B to victory over stablemate Itsmycheck and (husband) Alan. Owners Les and Jean Fell were clearly delighted to be picking up the cheque and rug for the Anto Russell Memorial Final, kindly sponsored by Dean Russell and family from Ireland who were there on the night to present winning connections.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40eitnsO7cg/WvDTCF2p5FI/AAAAAAAAErI/HjfYXUVzOCoa3oEStIEEXWtlhJNJrnnYgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Plan%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40eitnsO7cg/WvDTCF2p5FI/AAAAAAAAErI/HjfYXUVzOCoa3oEStIEEXWtlhJNJrnnYgCEwYBhgL/s400/Plan%2BB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan B (Hasty Hall-Sassy-Abercrombie) & James Haythornthwaite winning the final (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JS2UdepV07I/WvDTCF61vQI/AAAAAAAAErE/cZntSAenAUkXhJMvOyCXPX6iXFrMhkHlQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Plan%2BB%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JS2UdepV07I/WvDTCF61vQI/AAAAAAAAErE/cZntSAenAUkXhJMvOyCXPX6iXFrMhkHlQCEwYBhgL/s400/Plan%2BB%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sponsors the Russell family presenting winning connections of the final, Team Haythornthwaite and owners Les & Jean Fell (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Post-racing, BHRC blogger and assistant trainer to Michael O'Mahony, Kayleigh Evans, joined Darren and myself in the commentary box for the review of the night's racing, which (again, if you're friends with Darren most likely) you can see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/darren.owen.980/videos/10214541475143311/" target="_blank"><u><b>here</b></u></a>. I selected five from eight which I think is a fairly solid start to the season when all I could really go on was last season's form and the advice of my fanatical in-house bookmaker (who doesn't always get it right, fortunately for all you punters).<br />
<br />
Two points to note for those who put on these races and this meeting: the concept of handicap heats and finals on the same day at Tir Prince is GREAT. Similarly, the Blossom Kelly heats and finals at York last year worked just as well, and I am glad to see those working behind the scenes at Tir Prince embracing this concept. Secondly, whoever made the decision to stage the 4YO Sire Stakes races early in May deserves a round of applause for two reasons: the races work in conjunction with the Senior Welsh Dragon at Tregaron which falls a week later, thus giving connections of 4YOs two major events to prepare for early doors; and the 4YO Sire Stakes has, in previous seasons, gotten lost amongst other major events when sandwiched in the middle to latter part of the season creating walkovers (which nobody likes to see, especially me as I stand at the joint trying to explain to the holiday makers what on earth is happening).<br />
<br />
Tir Prince is in a unique position insomuch as it attracts a large number of non-harness racing spectators. To this end, it is of paramount importance that the public are engaged from the word go - if we can capture their imaginations in the first few races, they are more likely to stay longer, come back again, and spread the good word. Unlike tracks such as Corbiewood, where the feature races are suited better to the end of the card, Tir Prince must ensure that the start of the meeting has two or three solid, competitive races (from whatever grade) to keep the public interested. In the Thoroughbred world, often the last race is a bumper or maiden/novice-type event with the feature races being in the middle of the card and competitive races kicking things off, for no other reason than to suit the general public. This may be something that race meetings across the UK without a final might wish to consider.<br />
<br />
Onwards we march to the Spring meeting at Tregaron next weekend. Perhaps not some of the bookmakers' favourite tracks, but I can't wait - I love harness racing and for many, this is the home of it.<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-79777688389298886802018-04-24T05:53:00.000-07:002018-04-24T05:53:15.894-07:0010 Reasons to #ComeHarnessRacing in 2018!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7bXedVSdS4/WssmIUYxDzI/AAAAAAAAEbM/pTsLrw0hEe0HEQM2whfwAF_kEQQlixXvACLcBGAs/s1600/Creative%2BMind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="554" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7bXedVSdS4/WssmIUYxDzI/AAAAAAAAEbM/pTsLrw0hEe0HEQM2whfwAF_kEQQlixXvACLcBGAs/s400/Creative%2BMind.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The season is now less than two weeks away from its official start date and I'm not joking when I say this: I am like a kid in a sweet shop every time I allow myself to daydream about all of the exciting things are that are on the agenda up and down the country this year.<br />
<br />
Before we take a look at some of these exciting things, I have to go through the obligatory apology for the lack of posts since my update some 8 weeks ago (perhaps more, I have lost all track of time entirely...like how is it actually nearly May already?!). One of my New Year's resolutions was probably to manage my time better, so consider it well and truly broken...and the season hasn't even started yet! I promise I will at least <i>try</i> to do better as the summer progresses, but by now you'll all be used to my tardiness.<br />
<br />
OK so here we go...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6bLvDiQby8/Wtzvq1TNLUI/AAAAAAAAEh0/3x3fhwgZAL8Q4xWqK-fNYACrDT2WVBWewCLcBGAs/s1600/ONE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6bLvDiQby8/Wtzvq1TNLUI/AAAAAAAAEh0/3x3fhwgZAL8Q4xWqK-fNYACrDT2WVBWewCLcBGAs/s200/ONE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>GREENTREE STANDARDBREDS MARES PACING SERIES</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Yeah yeah yeah, I hear you, this is <i>just</i> at Corbiewood. The harness racing world doesn't revolve around Corbiewood. NEWSFLASH: mine does. Everywhere else is a bonus. The 2017 running of this series, sponsored by Oakwood Stud, Ireland, was fan-bloody-tastic by all accounts, and won by the Gilvear family's DONTSTOPTHEPARTY. This year it's back with a brand new sponsor, Greentree Standardbreds, Co Durham (England) and a few small changes to the format. Check out the poster and mark the relevant dates in your calendar - last year we laid the foundations, and this year we are building on them soundly. At least 4 mares that I am aware of at the time of writing have been kept in training for an additional season rather than going to the stallion, and these races are now high on the list of desirable races to win for connections of mares. This means that we are achieving everything we set out to do at the start. If you also take into consideration that interspersed amongst these 7 races are 2 STAGBI Future Broodmares Races at Corbiewood, now with added prize money guaranteeing the winner £750 (up from the previous £500), this is truly the time to be racing a mare in Scotland. I've said it before and I'll say it again: HERE COME THE GIRLS!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4x1QLAAfJg/WtzzqPnJLbI/AAAAAAAAEiA/HCqpGgj4H1ksOU-7j7UdTBVddec1I-a9wCLcBGAs/s1600/Greentree%2BStandardbreds%2BMares%2BPacing%2BSeries%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="679" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4x1QLAAfJg/WtzzqPnJLbI/AAAAAAAAEiA/HCqpGgj4H1ksOU-7j7UdTBVddec1I-a9wCLcBGAs/s640/Greentree%2BStandardbreds%2BMares%2BPacing%2BSeries%2B2018.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2iYsVX9B7k/Wtz0QJClbYI/AAAAAAAAEiI/fYcveGI-02YMpunvH1K0fsvSInOcJCyIQCLcBGAs/s1600/number%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="501" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2iYsVX9B7k/Wtz0QJClbYI/AAAAAAAAEiI/fYcveGI-02YMpunvH1K0fsvSInOcJCyIQCLcBGAs/s200/number%2B2.png" width="163" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>PICK N MIX DRIVERS SERIES</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Yeah yeah yeah, I <i>still</i> hear you. Read above. It's where things happen.<b> </b>This one <i>seriously</i> excites me. It's just another one of those ideas born out of the conversations Smarty and I have in the car. We spend a lot of time in the car, remember? This is a series based on a similar format to the mares series (6 legs and a final) with the focus being on bringing drivers back onto the track who either don't drive as much as they used to, or generally don't drive very much at all. Hell, word on the street is there are actually people who have previously NEVER held a licence getting involved in this. That's an immediate win for me. C Class Drivers, Lady Drivers and 50+ Drivers, all competing in their various category (or categories, if they fit the criteria - here's looking at you Carol McPhail, so far the only driver I can identify in the whole of the UK who is all three!!) with the top 8 equine money earners in the series going forward to a grand final where a selection of drivers will meet. And in line with the races being a 'pick n mix' of drivers, the series is sponsored by a 'pick n mix' of businesses and individuals. In addition to the prize money and the standard trophy, there will also be a prize for the winning driver of the final which I'm currently working on behind the scenes. Rest assured, I'm not holding back on extra! This series has already begun to capture the imaginations of harness racing enthusiasts and I sincerely hope this is as successful as the mares series. Corbiewood - the home of ideas, innovation and imagination!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGReBwMz_Tc/Wtz2ow-bX8I/AAAAAAAAEiU/nY4hLZcU-sYesFj3__BnQnK7vCXB1cNJgCLcBGAs/s1600/THREE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGReBwMz_Tc/Wtz2ow-bX8I/AAAAAAAAEiU/nY4hLZcU-sYesFj3__BnQnK7vCXB1cNJgCLcBGAs/s200/THREE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>STAR MAKER SERIES</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Gosh darn it, don't I just love me a series?! So this one isn't my baby. That doesn't make any difference though, I'll get on board with anything that looks good, and this sure looks good to me. You can read more about it <b><a href="http://www.bhrc.org.uk/racing/news/star-maker-series/" target="_blank">here</a></b>, and at the last count a few weeks ago there were apparently 35 entries. One of those entries is our new team member, Al Jolson, who arrived just after my last update. HE'S GREY. You've no idea how long I've wanted a grey. You've no idea how much I underestimated the work involved in keeping a grey clean. Here's a recent photo of Al and me to prove he's real (and clean):</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DeptkoSFGGc/Wtz4cFHA_PI/AAAAAAAAEig/giYFWlnEZfIZQoPMlxrWCuR_LuwWA1wCACLcBGAs/s1600/ST%2B%2526%2BAl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="960" height="386" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DeptkoSFGGc/Wtz4cFHA_PI/AAAAAAAAEig/giYFWlnEZfIZQoPMlxrWCuR_LuwWA1wCACLcBGAs/s400/ST%2B%2526%2BAl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPUy2m2pIX0/Wtz-iRNIEkI/AAAAAAAAEiw/OaDtmtolkusdW-fowZxEOrxmUYQIuDXywCLcBGAs/s1600/FOUR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="215" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPUy2m2pIX0/Wtz-iRNIEkI/AAAAAAAAEiw/OaDtmtolkusdW-fowZxEOrxmUYQIuDXywCLcBGAs/s200/FOUR.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_1140568337"></span><span id="goog_1140568338"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>TEN TO FOLLOW COMPETITION</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
OK so this one isn't technically definitely happening but please know that I am trying with it. The idea came from the Thoroughbred racing competition my dad used to enter in the Racing Post. I trialled it a couple of years ago in a small group and I'll be honest, I failed to keep on top of it and it fizzled out. However, with the correct planning (which I think I've done this time) and the requisite help from the BHRC, I believe this has a chance of succeeding. Watch this space - I know the season is bearing down upon us but this <i>could</i> still be happening. If not, then just get excited about it for 2019 because I <b>WILL</b> make it happen somehow!! I may have to sometimes admit defeat on the not-so-good ideas, but I never give up on the good ones!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30WDghj0OL4/Wtz_3iW08NI/AAAAAAAAEi8/NVAYfc3G0XEKRSlaeFonqGQ_2xPxkfUHwCLcBGAs/s1600/FIVE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="193" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30WDghj0OL4/Wtz_3iW08NI/AAAAAAAAEi8/NVAYfc3G0XEKRSlaeFonqGQ_2xPxkfUHwCLcBGAs/s200/FIVE.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>THE BIG FOUR</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I realise that this one should have been coupled with the big number four, for larks, but I'm committed now. The Big Four: Appleby, Aberystwyth, Musselburgh and Tregaron. I've been out and about on my travels this spring speaking to some major players in the training ranks and these festivals of harness racing are still where people want to win. They are the four cornerstones of the season and everybody from the one man band to the biggest training establishment has at least one of these in their season goals list. Who will win the major handicap finals? Right now there are a lot of people with a lot of horses in their stables with at least some confidence that they have a chance. You've gotta be in it to win it!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ3Dc5eUjd0/Wt0Ct6TEBTI/AAAAAAAAEjI/E2E4foho4-oYU3arCUTB0QXDaqlO3ZgtACLcBGAs/s1600/SIX.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ3Dc5eUjd0/Wt0Ct6TEBTI/AAAAAAAAEjI/E2E4foho4-oYU3arCUTB0QXDaqlO3ZgtACLcBGAs/s200/SIX.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>EQUINE PRODUCTS UK LTD IS COMING TO CORBIEWOOD!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Corbiewood again...#sorrynotsorry<br />
I may have mentioned Marcia Thompson (off of Equine Products UK Ltd) a couple of times on the blog last year. Mainly because she kept giving me free hats and letting me borrow her coat at York when I dressed inappropriately for the weather. She also lent me her coat at Musselburgh too actually...one day I'll be able to look after myself but for now I have an unofficial carer. Anyway, with the closure of York, where Marcia had begun to build a customer base in the harness racing world, she found herself somewhat a free agent and already covering numerous Thoroughbred yards in Scotland, asked if there would be any way she could get involved with the racing at Corbiewood this year. This spawned the following tremendous collaboration:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEEYcLJ4a2s/Wt0F_0LTSII/AAAAAAAAEjU/n-LC8UGCDlQjPNLwzbDPzE29dv5-pMx0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Equine%2BProducts%2BCW%2BCompetition%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="451" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEEYcLJ4a2s/Wt0F_0LTSII/AAAAAAAAEjU/n-LC8UGCDlQjPNLwzbDPzE29dv5-pMx0ACLcBGAs/s640/Equine%2BProducts%2BCW%2BCompetition%2B2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMlyykd6bNU/Wt0HoG8A09I/AAAAAAAAEjg/55l9NaHemGoOdPV_IJtJIiVQI4w-XxCAACLcBGAs/s1600/SEVEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="525" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMlyykd6bNU/Wt0HoG8A09I/AAAAAAAAEjg/55l9NaHemGoOdPV_IJtJIiVQI4w-XxCAACLcBGAs/s200/SEVEN.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>MIRACULOUS & EVENWOOD SONOFAGUN</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
At the end of last season people started saying these horses should be getting exported to North America to race because they are two of the UK's finest FFA horses and I was over in the corner having a hissy fit BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THEM TO NOT BE RACING AT THE TRACKS I GO TO EVERY WEEK. Turns out neither did their connections and it has been confirmed that these two superstars are in training, here in the UK, and will be back to fight it out for 2018. This is great news. End of story.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_Ot3gw_L3E/Wt0IibjRABI/AAAAAAAAEjs/9WcG0ttws5w6BOru5GiBjkWafTmZkyN6wCLcBGAs/s1600/EIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="172" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_Ot3gw_L3E/Wt0IibjRABI/AAAAAAAAEjs/9WcG0ttws5w6BOru5GiBjkWafTmZkyN6wCLcBGAs/s1600/EIGHT.jpg" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"THE" VIDEO</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you haven't seen <i>"the"</i> video, where have you been for the past month?! This thing accidentally went viral on me which was 100% <b>not</b> what I anticipated (or indeed planned for). Viewing figures are unknown due to the way in which I uploaded the video to social media, something which I will kick myself for from now until my final days. However, at last count, the video has been shared 718 times in something like 15 different countries (that I've been able to track). People are talking about harness racing in the UK - mission accomplished.<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
You can check out the #ComeHarnessRacing video <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o7a3P17HXw" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br />
<br />
The entire purpose of this video was to show everybody what we have here in the UK. This is happening every week, often in two or three different parts of the country, from May through to October. It's happening and people need to know about it. Maybe they'll actually come harness racing. Wouldn't that be awesome?<br />
<br />
Look, what we have isn't the best in the world. It's not comparable to Thoroughbred racing here in the UK. I've come to terms with this, and the fact that we may never emulate what other countries across the world have achieved with harness racing. From that moment when I made peace with this, I began to truly appreciate what we have. What we have is unbelievably dedicated people and some truly phenomenally bred and trained equine athletes. We have a community, and a shared passion. We are like this big, slightly dysfunctional, but ultimately wonderful family. And we want to share it, with anyone and everyone who will stand still long enough to be drawn in by us, and it. Keep sharing: the video, the history and the joy of harness racing! And above all else, COME HARNESS RACING, at least once. Try it, you might like it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icc2NdeM6mo/Wt3wFKDfyRI/AAAAAAAAEkM/xmISIpGa65I_Z_drjoGra6RT9_WBUyUtQCLcBGAs/s1600/NINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icc2NdeM6mo/Wt3wFKDfyRI/AAAAAAAAEkM/xmISIpGa65I_Z_drjoGra6RT9_WBUyUtQCLcBGAs/s200/NINE.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>NATIONAL C CLASS DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Along with the 10 to follow competition, this one isn't technically guaranteed to go ahead but a lot of the initial groundwork has been started and now it is out of my hands and with the BHRC. The aim was to create a series with regional heats (Scotland, Wales, Midlands/Welsh Border and North East England) and a grand final to be staged at Tir Prince on Crock of Gold night, thus giving some of the younger drivers the opportunity to be part of one of, if not THE, biggest race meetings of the year. The concept would see drivers allocated to horses randomly, with the races being run as penalty free in order to entice owners and trainers to enter their horses and leave the driver selection to random chance. Some people have expressed rather a negative view about this, however the way I see it is that the benefits outweight the drawbacks. Most importantly, it would allow young and amateur drivers the oportunity to drive a wider array of horses and gain experience whilst doing so. Furthermore, it would bring together owners/trainers and drivers who may not know each other, thus forging potential new friendships and alliances for the future. And ultimately, it would keep these drivers keen, interested and ambitious.<br />
<br />
Find me a drawback big enough to outweigh those three points and maybe we'll talk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3SUhne3FXA/Wt3yiVmF0mI/AAAAAAAAEkc/2BRFgSLXVrwO2sF9_9CebUCppl8UuHj0wCLcBGAs/s1600/TEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="490" height="142" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3SUhne3FXA/Wt3yiVmF0mI/AAAAAAAAEkc/2BRFgSLXVrwO2sF9_9CebUCppl8UuHj0wCLcBGAs/s200/TEN.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>I'LL BE THERE!!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now I know that sounds like more of a reason <i>NOT</i> to come harness racing, but bear with me on this one please. I'm not one to blow my own trumpet, but there are rare moments when I become my own biggest fan and for flashes in the last 48 hours, that has been the case. I'm going to capitalise on this lapse in self-deprecation because it won't last long.<br />
<b> </b><br />
The other day, whilst on a stable visit in the north east, I was asked why I was doing what I was doing.<br />
<br />
"Are you getting paid to do this?" was the first question.<br />
"No".<br />
<br />
"So why are you doing it?" was the second question.<br />
"Why not?!".<br />
<br />
It seemed like an appropriate answer to what I felt to be a bit of a daft question.<br />
<br />
The real answer though, is this: because I can. Because I <i>can</i> take photos, and I<i> can</i> shoot videos, and I <i>can</i> put all of it together into something which shows our sport off for what it is. Because I <i>can</i> dream up crazy notions which, with a bit of help from someone whose brain is far more logical than mine (I'm the creative one), can become real concepts. Because I <i>can</i> sit and fire out emails to companies and individuals when I'm sat on the sofa of an evening with a cup of tea watching telly. Because I <i>can</i> be bold enough to say 'I need your money/goods for this new venture, please will you help?' without worrying about getting rejected or ignored. Because I <i>can</i>. I have never been more confident in my ability to pull things off, even when things are going wrong and I've made mistakes and I haven't planned for all eventualities. I'm not an expert on anything. I'm not even good at half the stuff I'm trying to do. But I <i>can</i> try to do things that have never been done before, and try my best.<br />
<br />
If I applied myself to any other sport or industry or sector in the world I would probably be able to get an actual job doing all of the above. But I don't want to apply myself to any other sport or industry or sector in the world. I choose harness racing. And I choose harness racing here in the UK.<br />
<br />
Come racing. Come to see me. Come and tell me where I need to improve, or where I've got things right. Come and ask questions. Come and cheer on the driver wearing your favourite colours, or a horse with a name you like. I'll be there, most of the time anyway.<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
#1 (Scottish) Groom Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-31996537495707332922018-02-20T13:43:00.001-08:002018-02-20T13:43:23.412-08:00Looking forward to the 2018 season...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0OABtv_ZkQ/WodoDqO3CsI/AAAAAAAAEIU/yfj7WUC33hgMY_0JDurfd96gtoxjloSxwCLcBGAs/s1600/Look%2BForward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0OABtv_ZkQ/WodoDqO3CsI/AAAAAAAAEIU/yfj7WUC33hgMY_0JDurfd96gtoxjloSxwCLcBGAs/s400/Look%2BForward.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!<br />
<br />
I know we're well into February and I know that the title of this post is looking forward to the forthcoming season but I must quickly look back somewhat in order to explain my hiatus from writing.<br />
<br />
AWARDS SEASON.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cid0bKAPzBg/Wov59rsqYgI/AAAAAAAAEJA/HURv9ksQ478vBFReXcWBr6yra4jM1k4MQCLcBGAs/s1600/StuartMorrisPhotography-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cid0bKAPzBg/Wov59rsqYgI/AAAAAAAAEJA/HURv9ksQ478vBFReXcWBr6yra4jM1k4MQCLcBGAs/s400/StuartMorrisPhotography-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<i>Stuart Morris photo</i>)<br /><i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My favourite time of the year, and also, possibly, my least favourite. The former because it's an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of equines and humans alike - with highlights from the SHRC Awards event being Horse of the Year EVENWOOD COOLSTING, the entire MacKenzie family coming up to collect for Leading Owner TRACKSIDE RACING STABLES and Driver of the Year, WILLIAM GREENHORN; and highlights from the BHRC, STAGBI & TROTBritain Awards event being the entire Laidler & Huschka team coming up on stage to collect the award for Horse of the Year EVENWOOD SONOFAGUN, celebrating the STAGBI Future Broodmares winners (Loriznitestar, Laneside Lotus, Greenhill Lilian, Rhyds Passion, Shades Of Grey & Starzapan) and Phil O'Neill's borderline infrasound tones during his interview with Darren Owen when collecting the awards for TROTBritain's Aged Horse, Aged Horse Trainer & Aged Horse Driver of the Year (Sacha Of Carless, John Foy & Phil himself).<br />
<br />
The latter simply due to the increased workload I put myself under. I know, I know, I <i>choose</i> to do it. Every year I volunteer with the same enthusiasm, and every year around halfway through the preparations I regret it. Only one week ago I vowed to do no more and focus on my personal goals for the season. Yet here I am, about to outline not only the ideas and ventures proposed by others within the sport, but also the ideas and ventures that I myself have begun working on.<br />
<br />
Three words:<br />
<br />
GLUTTON.<br />
FOR.<br />
PUNISHMENT.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhbiTk0JO04/WofxaNmZ4kI/AAAAAAAAEIk/0XVXVLb9LOU8P_0auSK6_1FKRYaLxRb5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Trackside%2BRacing%2BStables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1100" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhbiTk0JO04/WofxaNmZ4kI/AAAAAAAAEIk/0XVXVLb9LOU8P_0auSK6_1FKRYaLxRb5ACLcBGAs/s400/Trackside%2BRacing%2BStables.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trackside Racing Stables collecting the <i>SHRC</i> <i>Owner of the Year </i>trophy (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak2ERTDtCEY/Wov4rxgOgDI/AAAAAAAAEI0/FJi6KQ7h4uA4-TQNJ0BTwLVjt9Dja4PigCLcBGAs/s1600/StuartMorrisPhotography-141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak2ERTDtCEY/Wov4rxgOgDI/AAAAAAAAEI0/FJi6KQ7h4uA4-TQNJ0BTwLVjt9Dja4PigCLcBGAs/s400/StuartMorrisPhotography-141.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Laidler & Huschka collecting the <i>BHRC Horse of the Year</i> trophy for Evenwood Sonofagun (<i>Stuart Morris photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's enough about what has passed, and now it is time to look forward.<br />
<br />
Social media is currently alight with debate surrounding some of the proposed changes and ideas for the forthcoming season; featuring both positive and negative output from licence holders and regional club members alike. Let's take a look at what the 2018 season has in store:<br />
<br />
<b>GREENTREE STANDARDBREDS MARES' PACING SERIES</b><br />
This one is my baby. The series started up in 2017 at Corbiewood following a brainstorming session between Smarty and I in the car travelling down the M6 ("lucky b*stards") as to how we could combat the reduced number of mares races on offer from STAGBI to the regional hard tracks. Corbiewood is very fortunate to have a pool of horses available to race and the fixtures to accommodate them on a weekly basis; so it made sense to offer a series to the quality mares who normally would race in mixed company. The inaugural series was named after the main sponsor, Oakwood Stud, and became a really competitive affair with the Gilvear family's DONTSTOPTHEPARTY winning the £1000 prize in the final on August 10th.<br />
<br />
<b></b>
For 2018 we have a new sponsor, Greentree Standardbreds, and the series remains largely unaltered. Mares are now required to race in at least one of the first three legs (run as open preferred under the National Handicap System) and at least one of the second three legs (run as open preferred based on monies won in the series) in order to be eligible for the final; this is to combat the reduced numbers in the latter three legs last year once mares had accumulated sufficient monies in the earlier legs to secure their places in the final. As the series ran last year with 11 mares (rather than the initially required 12), this year the minimum number of entries has been reduced to 11 (whilst the maximum remains at 12). The race dates are provisional at the moment due to a potential additional fixture which Corbiewood has requested in between the proposed dates which would require the races to fit in with an updated fixture list however the series will be run from the middle of June to the beginning of August as per last year.<br />
<br />
<b></b>
#HereComeTheGirls<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXLhe5kSBRk/WoyWMly-BRI/AAAAAAAAEJg/B5WYCWFnJEoL6rZJGSzGXOlBXRfuyXQZQCLcBGAs/s1600/Greentree%2BStandardbredds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="749" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXLhe5kSBRk/WoyWMly-BRI/AAAAAAAAEJg/B5WYCWFnJEoL6rZJGSzGXOlBXRfuyXQZQCLcBGAs/s400/Greentree%2BStandardbredds.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>BHRC & STANDARDBRED SALES COMPANY STAR MAKER SERIES</b><br />
We don't know who the driving force behind this series was but WE LOVE IT as a concept. Details are still being finalised by the BHRC but what we do know so far is that it will be a series aimed at up and coming horses around the UK, with a grand final for the heat winners to be staged later in the season. I'll revisit this once the details are published!<br />
<br />
<b>PETER WALLACE MEMORIAL RACES, EVENWOOD @ BINCHESTER</b><br />
Details can be found <a href="http://www.bhrc.org.uk/racing/news/evenwood-binchester-sunday-29th-july-2018/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
It is known across the entire country that Peter Wallace loved his racing. It is also known across the country that his wife Carolynne and daughters Anna and Katey have sought to achieve so much in his memory in such a short space of time since their tragic loss. These races, to be staged on the UK's best five eighths of a mile track, are a truly fitting tribute for the north east to stage in his memory.<br />
<br />
I was at Binchester in 2016 when racing was first staged there and couldn't believe the quality of the track that the organisers had been able to source. In 2017, we returned and as we were early (it doesn't happen often) I took the opportunity to walk to track and I was amazed at the impeccable standard of it; it was like a bowling green.<br />
<br />
I sincerely hope that with prize money like this on offer, and with the meeting being staged to remember one of harness racing's true enthusiasts, the track will get the nationwide recognition that it deserves. A BIG WELL DONE to Ronnie Ralph for getting this up and running - I can't wait!<br />
<br />
<b>GROUP 1 & 2 RACES </b><br />
Darren Owen, recipient of the 2017 BHRC Special Contribution award (watch video<b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N8tcjb1hZE&t=14s" target="_blank">here</a></b>), claimed in his acceptance speech that he is, essentially, just a commentator. Well, here's one example of why he is so much more. Last year Darren assigned Group 1 status to numerous races in the BHRC calendar, and this year he is working on this again (and involving the general public by asking for suggestions and ideas) to enhance the existing Group 1 scheme and introduce Group 2 status to further races. I'm trying to ensure that Corbiewood doesn't miss out on a slice of the pie, so with a little bit of luck we'll at least be seeing one or two Group 2 races at Corbiewood in 2018 (is it too much to ask for a Group 1?!).<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> BREEDERS CROWN 2YO GRADING HEATS @ CORBIEWOOD</b><br />
It's been 8 years since the Breeders Crown was last staged at Corbiewood, and many thought it would never return. Whilst the main event will still be staged at Tir Prince in 2018, the organisers have at least tipped their hat to the Scottish owners and trainers who have continued to support the event since it left Scotland, and this year will see <b><a href="https://breederscrownukandireland.com/2017/12/11/new-format-set-breeders-crown-2018/" target="_blank">2YO prep races being staged at Corbiewood</a></b> in July (as well as Portmarnock, Ireland, and at the venue of the full event, Tir Prince in Wales). Long may this continue!<br />
<br />
<b>NEW VENUES IN THE MIDLANDS & WELSH BORDERS</b><br />
Joanne Taff (Micklewood Stud) and Sue Young (Stateside Stud) have been sharing the news on social media in the past week about a new site near Cannock, Staffordshire, where it is hoped a fixture can be staged this year. It will be a grass track, probably a half mile but potentially room for a 5/8 (like Binchester). They are currently waiting on a date to be granted by the BHRC so I will follow this up nearer the time.<br />
<br />
Wales & West have also confirmed a new grass track venue near Leominster; a much needed boost in light of the loss of the tracks at Walton and Allensmore.<br />
<br />
<b>A NEW SERIES AT CORBIEWOOD?</b><br />
It's not top secret, but it's also not been approved by the committee yet so I won't be divulging the details of this until I get the go ahead and start seeking sponsorship and nominations. If you're wondering what it might be, look to Woolworths for inspiration...<br />
<b> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEBNuaMOltw/WoyVYa5arEI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/XL1_Zd-9Vhk3PmTBksDhhcimFFGiF7dUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bad%2Bnews.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="458" height="347" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEBNuaMOltw/WoyVYa5arEI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/XL1_Zd-9Vhk3PmTBksDhhcimFFGiF7dUQCLcBGAs/s400/Bad%2Bnews.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
Unfortunately, not all the news heading into this coming season is good. As mentioned above, the grass tracks at Allensmore and Walton will NOT be staging harness racing going forward. In a major blow to the North East, and indeed the wider country, York Harness Raceway was <b><a href="http://thesteepletimes.com/the-sporting-life/harnessing-a-horse-track/" target="_blank">once again offered for sale</a></b> and owner, Mick Welling, has confirmed to the BHRC that at present it will not be able to fulfil its 2018 fixtures. As a result, these dates have been put back out to other tracks to apply for. At the time of writing, the track has not been sold, however for the timebeing harness racing at York Harness Raceway (and also the annual Standardbred sale) are off the cards.<br />
<br />
Not all of the projects that I have been/am involved with have gotten off the ground either. This is something I'm getting more and more used to though, so I'll just keep dusting myself off and working around the wall instead of trying to go through it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXQNP_xD1oQ/WoyVzPSrlYI/AAAAAAAAEJU/-zHrWQfXjIM8Rssn5g4r6zHJup_-HJSswCLcBGAs/s1600/behind%2Bthe%2Bscenes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="612" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXQNP_xD1oQ/WoyVzPSrlYI/AAAAAAAAEJU/-zHrWQfXjIM8Rssn5g4r6zHJup_-HJSswCLcBGAs/s400/behind%2Bthe%2Bscenes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rest assured folks, I and many others are working on a whole host of different things to try to make the 2018 season the best yet. Stick with me and I'll keep you updated about the various projects happening across the UK in the build up to the first meeting of the season on May 5th at Tir Prince.<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-63884509664367231022017-12-24T12:08:00.001-08:002017-12-24T12:08:45.047-08:002017 Season - Alternative Awards (A Year in Review)As the year draws to a close and many of us begin to look forward to the challenges and adventures of 2018, I thought now would be as good a time as any to cast our minds back to some of the highs (and lows) of the 2017 season. It's not that I have a tendency to live in the past (I leave that to everyone else) but more that I am about to immerse myself fully in the creation of awards presentation videos for the BHRC & STAGBI (and TROTBritain) awards event in February, which means for the next 5 weeks I will be watching a LOT of race videos from the past season and reflecting on the achievements of the award winners.<br />
<br />
Whilst my heartfelt congratulations are extended to all of the <b><a href="http://www.bhrc.org.uk/racing/news/bhrc-stagbi-annual-awards-event-4/" target="_blank">official award winners</a></b>, I feel there are some human and equine performances and achievements which have not been publicly recognised but which deserve to be mentioned, and as per <b><a href="http://numberonescottishgroom.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/2016-season-highlights-lowlights-awards.html" target="_blank">last year</a></b> this has led me to announce my own alternative awards (formerly known as the Sarah Thomas 'You Were Great!' Awards). But first, let me talk you through who I voted for for each of the official BHRC categories and why I felt they deserved their respective accolades this year:<br />
<br />
<b>2YO Colt of the Year</b>:<b> MATTICULOUS</b> (Hasty Hall-Another Mattie). Impressive in all of his wins for both trainer/driver combo Joanne & Andrew Cairns and later formidable duo Alexis & Rocker Laidler, the half-brother to last year's Horse of the Year MIRACULOUS and full brother to the ill-fated but exceptional 2 and 3 year old TITANIUM became the third colt from the mare ANOTHER MATTIE to win the Vincent Delaney Memorial Final at Portmarnock.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2YO Filly of the Year</b>: <b>GREENHILL HANOVER</b> (Bettors Delight-Artaffection). This category was actually a walkover as Greenhill Hanover was the only nominee, however over the course of the season the 2YO Fillies division was in fact a wide open affair. The Irish filly, ROBYN CAMDEN won twice in the UK (subsequently securing her BHRC Overseas Horse of the Year); BROWN EYED GIRL was also a multiple winner; there were credible performances from numerous other fillies also. For me though, Greenhill Hanover seemed to improve as the season went on, winning her last 4 starts (heat and final of the Junior Welsh Dragoness at Tregaron, the Group 1 National Pacing Futurity at Tir Prince and the SHRC Futurity at Corbiewood).<br />
<br />
<b>3YO Colt of the Year</b>: <b>RHYDS ROCK STAR</b> (Hasty Hall-Tonda Star). Hailing from a family littered with champions, this horse started off the season winning in maiden and novice company and showed very little evidence of becoming the superstar that he graduated into by the end of the season. He was, as we described him in the beginning, a horse who didn't win in style; that's to say, he didn't record flashy times or win by big margins. But he sure knew where the winning line was and he seemed to always have his nose in front when it mattered in those first few races. Early doors it looked as though he was going to stick to the handicap route, as SPRINGHILL GLORY took the honours in many of the early season stakes races. When first venturing onto the 3YO scene he was well beaten and it wasn't until the end of July that he recorded his first win in 3YO company and it was only at Tregaron in August (in the heat and final of the Little Welsh Dragon - won by NO BRAKES) that he was beaten in his age category right up until Wolverhampton in October where his long season came to an end on a high.<br />
<br />
<b>3YO Filly of the Year</b>: <b>LYONS LEMEMAY</b> (Lyons Danny-Lyons Montana). This filly, in my opinion at least, was <i>very</i> hard done by not to win the official award and one can only speculate as to why. Never out of the first 3 in her debut season, she was only beaten once in her age division by GREENHILLDEBATEABLE over the extended distance in the Group 1 National Pacing Oaks at Tir Prince on her final start of the year. She recorded wins both on UK soil and in Ireland and for me she had this award sewn up when she won at Tregaron in the Little Welsh Dragoness heat and final where she notched up 2 of trainer/driver Michael O'Mahony's amazing 9 wins over the weekend.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Trotter of the Year</b>: <b>T'ES TROP FOOT </b>(Little Crack-Hase Da La Meritee). Whilst the 3YO Trotteur Francais filly EQUILEA DU HAUTY probably deserved this title for winning 5 from 6 starts including the £15,000 Le Trot Gold Final (racking up £18,000 in prize money this year), I would not be so hypocritical as to vote for a 3YO when I was quite vocal to some of the TROTBritain committee members about how little I enjoyed the 3YO series vs how <i>much</i> I enjoyed the aged trotting races. I just love the old guard, the originals, the bombproofers who go about their business and provide thrilling finishes and this horse in particular was a delight to watch racing. A winner of his last 3 starts of the season (from 6, due to a shortage of runners/races for these horses), he won on grass (Almeley), hard (York) and tapeta (Wolverhampton), making him as versatile as he is reliable.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Pacer of the Year</b>: <b>EVENWOOD SONOFAGUN</b> (The Firepan-Im The Last). If anyone reading this is a fan of National Hunt racing, you will remember a time when Kauto Star and Denman ruled the roost together. During that period, you asked people which side they were on and they would be able to tell you immediately which horse they rooted for when they faced each other (apart from me, as I liked them both and anyway Neptune Collonges was racing from the same stable in the same races and I would always pick a grey in John Hales' colours as my favourite). Evenwood Sonofagun and MIRACULOUS echoed this rivalry this year. The pair dominated in their respective seasons, Gunner in the handicap races and Miraculous in the 4YO stakes races and indeed, the Free For Alls. It wasn't until the Crock of Gold Final night at Tir Prince on 9th September that the pair went head-to-head, and although some warned us not to ignore the other contenders in the race (lest there be an Imperial Commander-type scenario when a relative outsider beat both Kauto and Denman in the Gold Cup after the media pegged it as a two horse race), the race became a duel to the wire between the two superstars. All evening prior to the race if you asked people who they wanted to win, they were either Team Miraculous or Team Gunner. The race turned into the fairest and perhaps most fitting outcome of all: a dead heat between the two. And although Miraculous was a most worthy nominee for this award, which he won last year after a stellar 3YO campaign, I could not see past Evenwood Sonofagun who achieved so much in his unbeaten 2017 season.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Overseas Horse of the Year</b>: <b>WHITE FLAME </b>(White Fire-Panne Ala Vodka). Yes, that's right. I voted for a coloured horse. Let this be a timely and appropriate reminder to you all that I am both fair and impartial and despite my noted dislike of coloured horses (of any breed, not just Standardbreds) I voted for this horse because he was an impressive multiple winner when he ventured across the Irish Sea to race in the UK. It was in fact his stablemate, 2YO filly ROBYN CAMDEN who took the title in this category and a worthy winner she is, but for me this horse <i>just </i>edged it. He added a new dimension to the sport and incited heated debates about his ability which certainly lit things up.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Mare of the Year</b>: <b>RHYDS PASSION </b>(The One Night Pan-Bouncie). I was quite animated about this category on social media in the run up to the voting date and delighted to learn that this mare had won the award. In the strongest of all of the categories, this mare tipped it for me based on some truly phenomenal performances at Musselburgh (Hurricane Pace Final winner), York (Blossom Kelly heat winner in sub two-minutes from the 10-hole) and Tir Prince (STAGBI Future Broodmares race). Having started the season as a maiden, she finished second to another nominee, MELDOON, in the Welsh Classic Final at Tregaron, as well as recording wins at Aberystwyth and the spring fixture at Tregaron. Takes some horse to win at those tracks all in the same season!<br />
<br />
<b>Young Driver of the Year</b>: <b>JOEL RICHARDS/LEE WAKEFIELD</b>. I'm going to have to split this award in two for the simple reason that I was equally impressed with both these two young men. Joel's last win of the season saw him escalated from C Class driver status to B Class, when winning in very impressive style on board RING OF FIRE at Wolverhampton. Bearing in mind that this was his first full season driving, and that he shares driving duties for his stable with his father, Bobby, <i>and</i> he doesn't get any outside drives, this made his multiple winning achievements all the more impressive. As for Lee, at 15 he was one of the youngest, if not <i>the</i> youngest, driver to record a win in 2017. He took the opening race at the two-day Aberystwyth festival on his driving debut - what a way to start! - when driving FOREST DRIFTER, and went on to record another two wins with the horse in following weeks. I'm hoping to see him (and possibly sister Chloe) competing in the C Class Drivers race at Musselburgh in 2018. Watch this space!<br />
<br />
<b>Best Drive of the Year</b>: <b>THOMAS MACKENZIE JNR & STARZAPAN</b>. Those who weren't there on this Thursday night (3rd August) at Corbiewood won't truly understand what made this drive so special; and indeed some of those who <i>were</i> there might not either. In the preceding race, the mare's regular driver Stuart Mackenzie (son of trainer Ally Mackenzie) was involved in a hook-up which ultimately saw him unseated on the final lap, and for a long time Stuart remained down on the track as the loose horse continued for several laps without a pilot. Stuart had taken a hard knock to the head and given many of us a fright; with Starzapan due to run in the final leg of the Oakwood Stud Mares Pacing Series immediately after the incident, Stuart's cousin Thomas was drafted in to take the reins. Whilst the two branches of the Mackenzie family race independently of each other on a weekly basis, with their own separate training facilities and charges, when the proverbial sh*t hit the fan, the family came together and although the drive was a 'lead out and make all' kind of drive, there were people cheering the pair on at the finish who under different circumstances wouldn't have been that bothered as to who won. I found it to be a rather poignant moment and that is why I'm awarding it Best Drive (and thankfully Stuart was back in the bike the following week for the final). <br />
<br />
<b>Astounding Top Supporter Award</b>: This is one of my favourite awards of the year. It stems from Astounding's victory in the York leg of the Inter
Dominion Qualifying Series in 2015. Caretaker Ron Caddies provided
the day's best entertainment when screaming for most of the race at his
charge, then almost dropping his mobile phone as he told me to ring his
wife (who had no idea who I was), and then almost dropping his phone
again when taking it back off me to tell his wife that Astounding had
won. I've never seen a man shake so uncontrollably when his horse has
won a race.<br />
<br />
This year the award returns to a previous winner; although there are technically multiple winners. The 2015 winner was Kirsty Legrice (cheering on Sherwood Bluey at York); this year the winners are Kirsty Legrice, Simon Clarke, Dave Chan and the Millstream Stud Supporters Group for their performance at Wolverhampton when T'es Trop Foot won the final race under the floodlights. As the field turned the final bend with roughly two furlongs remaining, the whole gang were stood behind me at the rail, all buzzing with nervous energy. T'es hit the front and Dave [Chan] was the first to crack (admittedly at the time I thought a little prematurely) and began screaming at the horse, and driver Steve Lees. Once he started, the rest of the group literally erupted and I found it difficult to actually focus on photographing the horse as the noise they were making behind me was deafening! As the horse crossed the line I felt like we were celebrating winning the Hambletonian, and it was one of the most enjoyable winner's circle photos I have taken all year.<br />
<br />
I would also like to dish out some 'Highly Commended' certificates to the team at Greentree Standardbreds (John Clark, Louise Davey, Marian Clark and others) for their performances at Appleby when Greentree Serenity won the Sunday Final and Corbiewood when she won at the end of the season; to Karen Kennedy for her performance when new purchase Evenwood Get Real (aka 'Larry') won at Corbiewood at the end of the season; and to Gerry Thomson for her performance when GDs Hazzard (aka 'Harry') also won at Corbiewood at the end of the season. I genuinely think we should all take a leaf out of their books and scream at our horses like nobody's listening. It would really make for an entertaining day at the races!<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>A Year in Review</u><br />
<br />
Fear not dear readers, I'm not going to take you on a fixture-by-fixture journey of the 2017 season. That's why I write a (kind of) weekly blog - to highlight the highs and lows each week so that at the end of the year I can whizz through my awards and give a general overview. Here goes:<br />
<u><br /></u>
- Stoneriggs Mystery bows out<br />
We finally had to say goodbye to one of the greats of our time, STONERIGGS MYSTERY. A horse who has been at the top of his game for many years, he was the original maiden/novice/handicap route to FFA pioneer, a route which the next generation Evenwood Sonofagun has taken to his current throne. Mystery has almost a cult following and will be sorely missed by harness racing fans up and down the country; his farewell after the Crock of Gold Final where he was stripped of his harness and led off the track by caretaker Kelly Peacock had me in tears and I didn't care. It was the end of an era. He has returned to his owner's home in central Scotland to live out his days.<br />
<br />
<u></u>
To read my tribute to Mystery, click <b><a href="http://numberonescottishgroom.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/farewell-old-friend-tribute-to.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br />
<br />
<u></u>
- Mares win big races<br />
Greentree Serenity at Appleby; Rhyds Passion at Musselburgh; Meldoon at Tregaron. Rhyds Nightlife at York; Equilea Du Hauty at Tir Prince. Loriznitestar, Laneside Lotus, Starzapan; Shades Of Grey, Dontstoptheparty. These are just to name a few. I've loved every second of their success and long may it continue - here come the girls!<br />
<br />
<u></u>
- BHRC Social Media Policy<br />
This went down like a lead balloon when it was first announced in the spring, however to date nobody has actually been disciplined under the policy (which was also adopted in Ireland shortly afterwards). However, at least one person has been targeted under the policy and fears from across the globe (mainly in the media sector) have been that the policy stifles free speech. Whilst I considered examining the impact of the policy and potential contravention of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 (areas of law I covered during my media law specialisation in university), I subsequently decided that there are more useful ways to spend my time. And as it transpires, licence holders appear to remain free to write very bold and negative statements on social media platforms without fear of any retribution, so any concerns expressed by individuals in the media were unfounded and life has continued as normal...<br />
<br />
<u></u>
...or has it?<br />
<br />
<u></u>
Something I have noticed in recent months on social media is an intolerance of opinions which break from the status quo (aka 'negative opinions'). Anybody who expresses an opinion not commonly held by those who write on particular threads is immediately (and unfairly) branded as a <i>troublemaker</i>, <i>know-it-all</i> or someone who makes <i>snide remarks</i>.<br />
<br />
Whilst growing up I was taught that if you haven't got anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. I strive to live by that principle (but I may not always be deemed to get it right). So this is not a defence of people who deliberately seek to pick holes, criticise without construction or belittle the efforts of others. It is however a plea to those who feel that their opinion is <i>always</i> right to remember that opinions are subjective; that constructive criticism is just that: <u>constructive</u>; and that voicing concerns publicly is far better than going behind your back to undermine you. We cannot all agree all of the time, but we must be wary of falling into the trap of ostracising individuals who do not share our opinions and ideals.<br />
<br />
Being different is what makes us great.<br />
<br />
- 2017 for Sarah<br />
That's right, I have taken a leaf out of Ryan O'Neil's book and started talking about myself in the third person. Kidding, it drives me mad when he does that.<br />
<br />
There's only one racing highlight for Team Crosshill/Smart as we only managed one win all season (Cassius Clay, Murdock Weekend @ Corbiewood). We had some nice placed runs from both Cassius and Ace, but nobody remembers the seconds and thirds. We waved goodbye to three team members during the course of the year (Wild Bill Hickok, Crosshill Costa and Eternal Flame) and our expected foal in the spring didn't materialise so we've kept numbers down in single figures for the first time since I met Smarty. We are, however, expecting two foals in the spring which (all being well) would take us back up to double digits again (oops): a Hasty Hall and an Arts Conquest. Keeping everything crossed for two healthy babies next year!<br />
<br />
This blog somehow got shortlisted in the final three in its category at the World Trotting Conference Media Awards, although ultimately was nowhere near professional enough to win. Two of my three photos entered in the Hoof Beats Magazine photo competition were selected as Editors' Picks and published in their printed publication and on their online version.<br />
<br />
I discovered that I appear to be the lovechild of Clare Balding and Matt Chapman when going Facebook Live for what became known as 'Paddock Cam' at Musselburgh, and again twice at Vincennes in Paris at the International weekend. I would love to do more stuff like that, but I fear I've already made a lot of people pretty sick of me just with this blog alone, so videos of my actual face accompanied by my annoying Bristol/Somerset/Essex/London accent and my complete ineptitude to operate my phone during such videos would probably be the final nail in the coffin.<br />
<br />
I'm STAGBI President now, for the next two years. I'm currently working on my legacy, or kickstarting what I hope will be my legacy. I'd like to be able to make a difference.<br />
<br />
Anyway, that's enough from (and about) me.<br />
<br />
All that remains now is for me to say a massive THANK YOU to every single one of you who reads this blog, whether it be each post religiously as soon as I publish them or just dipping in and out of what look like the best ones every now and again. The only person who ever seems to comment directly on the posts chooses to remain anonymous (and actually be quite needlessly negative with a big wooden spoon) however plenty of people express their thoughts on social media and when they see me in person so I am really grateful for the feedback (yes, even you Noreen, and all that trouble you gave me during the whole of October).<br />
<br />
We'll probably just carry on next year as we did this year, unless any of you choose to start a petition to get me to stop.<br />
<br />
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! See you on the other side :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lVSUn-L3pI/Wj_pZRtBr0I/AAAAAAAAEIA/oEIoER-jOHEcaQYFKfA-OeGHyabj-J50QCLcBGAs/s1600/thank%2Byou.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1400" height="226" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lVSUn-L3pI/Wj_pZRtBr0I/AAAAAAAAEIA/oEIoER-jOHEcaQYFKfA-OeGHyabj-J50QCLcBGAs/s400/thank%2Byou.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-9175767861628572602017-11-23T13:30:00.001-08:002017-11-23T13:30:18.811-08:00Meet the Dandridges"Who are the Dandridges?", I hear you ask. <br />
<br />
I'll tell you who they are. They are a rare breed of people; people who encountered harness racing one day. And then kept coming back. Time and time again. Just to watch. Not to take part, but just to watch. In a sport which is forced to admit that it caters primarily for those who compete, what made Melanie and David Dandridge decide to come back, when time allows, to watch? What do we need to do as a sport to get more people like this through the gates at tracks?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScygYiuEJhg/Whc6YlmZaWI/AAAAAAAAEHs/qkp-uwgjB2oZfp1g8_09m48TfnFtvhFGwCLcBGAs/s1600/23897733_376610612782730_381662840_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScygYiuEJhg/Whc6YlmZaWI/AAAAAAAAEHs/qkp-uwgjB2oZfp1g8_09m48TfnFtvhFGwCLcBGAs/s400/23897733_376610612782730_381662840_n.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b></b>
Well, I asked them.<br />
<br />
<b>Tell us a bit about you both.</b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Right OK here goes...</span><span class="_3oh- _58nk">David
has worked on farms and previously ran his own contracting business, he has driven lorries
and now drives buses. I grew up on a farm in a rented cottage, my parents weren't farmers but I was hooked on the lifestyle. I worked with horses doing stud work and in hand
showing and I now work in a school.</span> <br />
<b></b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">We trundle around the country at every chance we
get from Musselburgh to Allensmore; Tregaron, Lampeter, Boughrood, Almeley,York, Presteigne and Aberwystwyth; the two of us in our car which we call 'Doonbeg' with a
little harness racing sticker on the back!</span><br />
<br />
<b>How did you first come across harness racing?</b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">We first came across the sport whilst visiting relations in Kinmel Bay. We saw Tir Prince and my eyes lit up; I was intrigued but sadly it was the wrong time of year and the racing wasn't on. A year later in 1998 we moved to North Wales from Buckinghamshire with our (then) two young sons and I kept badgering David to take us to Tir Prince.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">We went to the odd meeting and enjoyed it and then in 2002 we went to Tregaron and we were hooked!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><b>What is it about the sport that attracts you to keep coming back?</b> </span><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">The racing is fantastic; it's interesting, we like the people and the different tracks. We like looking at the breeding although we are no experts but find this interesting. We don't bet just purely enjoy the racing.</span><br />
<br />
<b>As you are not connected directly to anyone involved in the sport,
what do you think could be done to make it more 'user-friendly'?</b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">I think the grass tracks are more of a niche market so only people connected in the sport in some way seem to go, whereas at the cinder tracks [Tir Prince, York etc.] it seems to be more public-enticing. Tir Prince for example attracts the holiday makers because its location helps. I think most people want the race package of betting, drinking, making it a social event, and harness racing is a little low key for them and perhaps not glamorous enough. People want more for the children to do also.</span><br />
<br />
<b>What do you think is the main thing holding the sport back from
attracting new spectators, like yourselves, who do not wish to compete?</b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">We think what holds the sport back is a lack of marketing. The sport is not on TV and people don't know what it is. I tell someone we're going to watch the harness racing and they ask 'what's that?' or 'is that what the gypsies do on the roads?'. The lack of advertising is a major thing, even getting it out there by taking the sport to agricultural shows, or even getting it on TV in some way.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What have been the biggest challenges you have encountered in following the sport?</b><span class="_3oh- _58nk"> </span><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">The weather is the probably the biggest challenge, as it results in meetings being cancelled. We work so our days off and holidays are based around the sport, cancellations obviously affect this. Also finding some tracks can be difficult as the signposting is not always good or directions are unclear so we play 'follow that lorry'!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><b>If you could change one thing about the sport, what would it be?</b> </span><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">I wouldn't change anything about the sport, we are hooked and love it the way it is!</span><br />
<br />
That said, <span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5">it
would be good to have the paddock easier to look at the horses so that
the general public can look before the races at the horses parading up
close. The current impression given is it's a poor man's sport</span>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>What do you think promoters/the governing body need to do to attract more people like yourselves?</b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">A magazine would be good or a page in Horse & Hound, this might change the image the majority of people have about the sport. Get it in the media with some articles about owners, trainers, tracks, horses etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Why not incorporate a harness race at more Thoroughbred racing venues?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Also maybe an app which has the horses, trainers and drivers on it? </span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><b>How easy do you find the promotional material to access in order to find out more about upcoming fixtures?</b> </span><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">We find it easy finding out about upcoming fixtures etc. as we go on various websites so it's no problem for us but before we had Facebook a year ago it was not easy to know if a meeting was cancelled or changed so we had to rely on what was announced at meetings or just turn up and hope for the best.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><b>Do you think that negativity on social media has a damaging effect on
the sport? Or is fair to allow participants to voice their concerns on
a public forum?</b></span><u><i><span class="_3oh- _58nk"> </span></i></u><br />
<span class="_5yl5">Everyone has a right to their opinions, I don't think it puts people off the sport, we read them and find it interesting. We are also rally fans and you get positives and negatives on their sites in exactly the same way. I don't think it matters or affects the sport at all.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>If you've been Thoroughbred or greyhound racing, what are the differences and similarities?</b><br />
<span class="_mh6 _wsc" id="cch_f33126bb900aac"><span class="_3oh- _58nk">We have never been greyhound racing, it doesn't appeal to
us and even though Chester Racecourse is not far from us it's too busy and we don't fancy it at all. We've been to point to points but for us you can't top
harness racing. </span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Do you find the cost of going harness racing reasonable/value for money/too expensive?</b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">The cost of racing is good; children go free and 10+ races for £10 works out at a pound a race or less so it's good value on that front.</span><br />
<br />
<b>Would you consider purchasing a horse and becoming owners?</b><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">We really would love a horse and would take great pleasure in that.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><b>As you are new into the sport, would a syndicate or shares in a purposely-created Owners Club be the best way in?</b></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5">That is a brilliant idea because on a budget you know there are no scary extras which are associated with horses.</span><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><b>What is harness racing in the UK's unique selling point? How do you
think it can promote itself in the open market for family attractions?</b> </span><br />
<span class="_3oh- _58nk">The unique selling point would be the drivers on sulkies and the excitement and closeness of the horses to the start car. Also the speed the horses pass the crowd at. The only way to draw in Joe Public is by having stuff for children to do.</span><br />
<div class="_3058 _ui9 _hh7 _s1- _52mr _3oh-" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="28 September 22:17" data-tooltip-position="left">
<div class="_aok">
</div>
</div>
<span class="_mh6 _wsc" id="cch_f33126bb900aac"></span><br />
<b>As members of the general public, what elements would you change to make the experience of the spectator better? Pre-race interviews with drivers/trainers perhaps?</b><br />
<span class="_5yl5">The interview thing is good but sometimes the PA systems aren't so good and you can't hear very well. Tir Prince is bad for that. But a lot of my friends go to Chester Racecourse and really they go for the drinking, dressing up, socialising and betting; they pick horses by their names and are not really into the horse side of it or knowing who the jockeys are. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5">That said, it would be great to meet horses and learn more about the trainers, drivers etc. and a demonstration on tacking a horse up, more interaction with the people and horses in the sport. My work colleagues wouldn't be impressed going to watch in a field for example as they like the whole package associated with racing. I have spoken to people who have come to watch for the first time and they don't seem to stay for the whole event but leave quite early so I think more variety and interaction may keep people there.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5"><i>Thank you Melanie and David for taking the time to answer more than a few questions, and for putting so much thought and effort into your answers.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5"><i>I think they have raised some interesting topics for further discussion between those within the sport who have the ability to make changes. I urge anybody in a position to bring about positive change to consider what part the general public has to play in the furtherance of our beloved sport - the time has come for us to recognise that they are our target audience and not a forgotten byproduct.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5">Over and out,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5"><i>#1 Groom </i> </span></span>Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-81012057579137067352017-11-21T14:40:00.000-08:002017-11-21T14:40:54.912-08:002017 Season: Week 25 - Corbiewood wraps up the seasonBefore I dive into the season closer at good ol' Corbiewood, I <i>must</i> dedicate this entire post to a woman who has given me HELL for the past few weeks for the simple reason that I had not, at each time of meeting, written a lengthy post about the success of her mare, Tarawood Joy, at what turned out to be the final meeting of the 2017 season.<br />
<br />
This one's for you, Noreen. Ahhh, what's the story?!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mg0MWjgp0ls/WhSeBnIP_iI/AAAAAAAAEHI/4eq7j1O8aToDJS4J3gb5wQ5RIZv-WpUKACLcBGAs/s1600/19424422_10155308317830772_1908069087916215728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mg0MWjgp0ls/WhSeBnIP_iI/AAAAAAAAEHI/4eq7j1O8aToDJS4J3gb5wQ5RIZv-WpUKACLcBGAs/s400/19424422_10155308317830772_1908069087916215728_n.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
With the scheduled final fixture at York on the Saturday cancelled due to a lack of entries, Corbiewood was a stand alone meeting with a bumper entry. The nine-race card kicked off with Peter McAllister's Mooreside Watson winning the first low grade heat in the hands of my favourite dancing driver, Willie 'WD40' Drysdale (disclaimer: it's only me that calls him WD40, but as with this blog, I'm hoping it takes off). Tarawood Joy, who I may not have already mentioned belongs to Noreen Bennett (and her husband, Charlie), won the second by a nose from the popular Yokalady. Corbiewood favourite, K And M Redpandana, more easily known as 'Matt', took the third for Team Cassells, having won the week before.<br />
<br />
Evenwood Coolsting recorded his fifth win of the season when winning the first of the two high grade heats, with a really gutsy performance from one of my favourite mares in the entire country, Red Emerald, to finish second and well clear of the field. Another wonderful mare, Greentree Serenity, won the second of the two heats in an impressive 2.02.28 to give driver Andrew Cairns his second win of the day.<br />
<br />
The Evenwood breeding came to the fore again, with the Impractical Jokers-inspired LARRY (aka Evenwood Get Real) scoring his first career win on his second start for new connections, Karen and Mark Kennedy. Cue a lot of OTT shouting on the stable bend from Karen and me...that's why Larry seemed such an appropriate name!<br />
<br />
Andrew Cairns didn't spend long out of the winner's circle (and neither in fact did I, having been in for a photo with both Greentree Serenity and Evenwood Get Real), when partnering GDs Hazzard in the novice event. If I thought Karen and me could shout, I had to think again when I heard owner Gerry Thomson cheering her boy home. He was unfortunately involved in an unsavoury incident at York the week before and there were concerns from the camp that he would carry that in his mind going into his next race, but fortunately that was not the case and he bounced back in style to win by 7 lengths in 2.05.31. Cue another photo op for this writer.<br />
<br />
By this point Andrew Cairns may as well have started laying foundations for a new house in the winner's circle, as he wasn't long in heading straight back into it with Noreen Bennett's Tarawood Joy, who held off a strong challenge from Yokalady to win the Watson Bell Memorial Trophy Final. Here come the girls and all that (both winner and runner up are mares, and we all know how I feel about mares winning in mixed company).<br />
<br />
In the LPD Demolition Final, it was Indie Hanover who came to the fore to win for driver Richard Haythornthwaite who had borderline begged his parents (trainer Teresa and driver Alan) to keep going one more week to be there for this particular meeting. The winner of his heat, Evenwood Coolsting, finished second, with James Brown (partnered by our very own Jockey) in third.<br />
<br />
Incidentally, at the beginning of the meeting as I was running around trying to hand out photos to people who had ordered them after York, I took a call from someone with an American accent asking what time the racing would finish that day. I thought no more of it until, during the course of the day's racing, I spotted four strange faces wandering around the bar. Fuelled by a bottle of Bud, I struck up conversation just before the penultimate race and found out that they were in fact the people who had called me earlier in the day. They were staying in Edinburgh and had been collected by a taxi driver who had recommended visiting Corbiewood as something different to do. Take a bow, Brian 'Nova' Kilgannon, for this sterling PR work!<br />
<br />
Hailing from Colorado, they had not experienced harness racing before, so this was really an interesting introduction to the sport. In the absence of the sponsors of the final race, Karen [Kennedy] and I arranged for them to go into the winner's circle and present the trophy to Team Haythornthwaite. That is the kind of personal experience we can guarantee at good old Corbiewood!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeBadfr-LEw/WhSmEfQzKsI/AAAAAAAAEHY/Y_z7nvMTb_sfaCb9m8_1OxUYu5hP4Hu5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Colorado%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="960" height="226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeBadfr-LEw/WhSmEfQzKsI/AAAAAAAAEHY/Y_z7nvMTb_sfaCb9m8_1OxUYu5hP4Hu5ACLcBGAs/s400/Colorado%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guests from Colorado present the trophy to connections of Indie Hanover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26G1RpxgcRY/WhSmEfSX1zI/AAAAAAAAEHc/q1C_Xs6D7RkWQP9V2bB-AW07t6IYhN55wCLcBGAs/s1600/Colorado%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="960" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26G1RpxgcRY/WhSmEfSX1zI/AAAAAAAAEHc/q1C_Xs6D7RkWQP9V2bB-AW07t6IYhN55wCLcBGAs/s400/Colorado%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I managed a selfie with our new American friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Little did we know that this would be Corbiewood's final meeting of the season, and indeed the season closer in the UK, as entries were short of the required number to stage a meeting on Sunday 22nd October. As sad as that may seem, for me the season finished on a real high, as I haven't laughed so much or cheered so loud or run around so madly in a very long time. I was exhausted when it was over and my face ached from smiling too much but it was SO. MUCH. FUN.<br />
<br />
And that's what this sport is. Underneath all the bickering and in-fighting and politics and attempts to bring about professionalism (that may or may not work), what lies at the heart of this sport is that it is fun.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to go on some teary-eyed ramble about why I love it so much because, after 3 years of writing this (potentially) pointless blog, it should be pretty clear now why. But after just one afternoon of racing, on a cold Sunday afternoon in central Scotland, I can tell you it's because of the Noreen Bennett's and the Gerry Thomson's and the Karen Kennedy's and the Marian Clark's and the four people from Colorado who have no idea what's going on but suddenly have a trophy thrust into their hands to give to 3 total strangers whilst someone takes their photo and every weekend from May to October, in every corner of this little island we live on, this happens and no matter how tired I am from travelling up and down the country, I want to see as much of that as I can.<br />
<br />
Roll on 2018!<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Groom<br />
Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-10237196746860829292017-11-16T04:09:00.000-08:002017-11-16T04:21:25.764-08:00York & Brightwells Sales 2017<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Camden Stud Standardbred Sale @ York Harness Raceway</u></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9dKsD-CF5U/Wg1qJ8wjSPI/AAAAAAAAEGw/mJJe8ziyEdovVm5w3EQ-RkpqW3yYRFqjgCLcBGAs/s1600/York%2BSale%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="849" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9dKsD-CF5U/Wg1qJ8wjSPI/AAAAAAAAEGw/mJJe8ziyEdovVm5w3EQ-RkpqW3yYRFqjgCLcBGAs/s640/York%2BSale%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLjH8gXJCfA/Wg1qKTgwolI/AAAAAAAAEG0/tgEXXeJxFwYGfDEpmuEPzc_N2LqhezYKgCLcBGAs/s1600/York%2BSale%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="849" height="278" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLjH8gXJCfA/Wg1qKTgwolI/AAAAAAAAEG0/tgEXXeJxFwYGfDEpmuEPzc_N2LqhezYKgCLcBGAs/s640/York%2BSale%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Brightwells Standardbred Sale @ Builth Wells</u></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show"></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"></span><span class="text_exposed_show"> Lot HORSE Price Buyer</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><i>(NS = Not sold, NF = Not forward)</i><br /> 11 LADY ELLA 200 P Davies<br /> 12 SPRINT AHEAD (USA) 1000 A Jones<br /> 13 VOCIFEROUS 1300 K Young<br /> 14 BRYWINS VELVET 2600 E Wozencroft<br /> 15 MYSTIC RIVER 3200 C Wadhams<br /> 24 DOUBLE FANTASY NF NF<br /> 25 BLACKFIELD BUTTON NS NS<br /> 26 IB COYOTE NS NS<br /> 27 FIRE STARTER NF NF<br /> 28 CHECK ON TOM 800 T Davies<br /> 29 YSTWYTH VALLEY 800 J Duggan<br /> 30 YSTWYTH DELLILAH 650 G Ball<br /> 31 OAKWOOD CISCO 600 L Gething<br /> 32 ANNIEJOAN 1000 J Wright<br /> 33 PRUDHHOE BAY 3000 R Evans<br /> 34 SAUNDERS MACH 3 2000 M Bevan<br /> 35 AYR SUPERIOR 600 J Wright<br /> 41 CHECK ON DANCER 1200 B Timmins<br /> 42 EASY TARGET NS NS<br /> 43 BRYWINS JOHN ALLEN 800 D Clark<br /> 44 BRYWINS VAVABEACH 800 C Morgan<br /> 45 MAHOGANY ABBY 1800 P Manning<br /> 46 MAHOGANY AMBER 1300 C Wakefield<br /> 47 MAHOGANY ASH 2400 P Anderson<br /> 48 IB ON ICE NF NF<br /> 49 OAKWOOD MAESTRO 14000 G Power<br /> 50 OAKWOOD IN IT TO WIN IT 10000 A Flower<br /> 51 OAKWOOD STARCAM 28000 Meadowbranch Stud<br /> 52 RHYDS DRAGONFLY 13000 C Fletcher<br /> 53 RHYDS SEEANDBESEEN 16000 C Fletcher<br /> 54 RHYDS REBEL 6200 TBC<br /> 55 STATESIDE TROOPER 3000 A Price<br /> 56 STATESIDE ICON 35000 J Foody<br /> 57 ROGUEANNA NS NS<br /> 58 CHINATOWN ALI NS NS<br /> 59 CHINATOWN FANTASY 1200 C Bevan<br /> 60 CHINATOWN BELLE 1050 J Connors<br /> 61 AYR ELEGANCE 15000 A Dickinson<br /> 62 AYR VICTORIA 3100 W Grievson<br /> 63 IMADEUCE 4000 TBC<br /> 64 TWOFORTEA 9000 TBC<br /> 65 EVENWOOD SHARPSHOT NS NS<br /> 66 OAKWOOD COSMO 7000 M Walsh<br /> 67 OAKWOOD ENCHANTED 5000 M Walsh<br /> 68 RHYDS SALSA 7500 E Joyce<br /> 69 RHYDS FIRST EDITION 7500 L Jones<br /> 70 STATESIDE VOGUE 10000 G Power<br /> 71 STATESIDE PIN UP 6200 G Dowse<br /> 72 MANHATTAN GANGSTER 650 H Langford<br /> 73 BARLEY MO 2000 B Nicholson<br /> 74 TAKEMETOTHELIMIT 6800 D Gibbons<br /> 75 JUSTANOTHERGUY 5200 W Cooke<br /> 76 IB NOTORIOUS NF NF<br /> 77 BRYWINS BEACHALIBI NF NF<br /> 78 BRYWINS MYBEACH 1000 G Allan<br /> 79 CARAMASARA 1900 W Grievson<br /> 80 BRYNLLO CADI NS NS<br /> 81 GARTHS BEACHWAVE 1800 A McCoy<br /> 85 JUICY WIGGLE NS NS<br /> 86 REAL YANKEE 2000 T Thomas</span><br />
<br />
<br />
At York, from 52 entries there were 49 sale lots forward. Of these, 24 were sold through the ring. The total sale value came to £135,350 with an overall average of £5640. In the yearling section, there were 28 entries with 19 sold for a total of £124,550 making a yearling average of £6555.<br />
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
In 2016, 24 horses were presented for sale; 20 were sold. The
total sale value was £116,400. The average price across all horses
forward was £4850. The total sale value of the yearlings was £111,650.
The average yearling price was £5,876. Therefore
the averages in 2017 are higher than those from 2016, showing a
continued increase in the value of horses sold at the Camden Stud Sale.</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
At Builth, from 60 entries there were 55 sale lots forward. Of these, 47 were sold through the ring (78% sold). The total sale value came to £249,150 with an overall average of £5301. In the yearling section there were 41 entries with 33 sold for a total of £229,400 making a yearling average of £6951.50.</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
In 2016, 51 horses were presented for sale; 44 were sold. The total sale value was £254,490. The average price across all horses forward was £5784. The total sale value of the yearlings was £226,250. The average yearling price was £7542. The averages in 2017 are slightly higher for the whole sale (with some of the broodmares selling for very strong money) however the total value of yearlings sold and the yearling average has decreased.</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
One interesting thing to note was the purchases from the leading owners for the past two seasons (Claire Fletcher, 2016 and Raymond Huschka, 2017). In previous years although both owners have purchased from UK sales, they have also ventured across the Atlantic to purchase at Harrisburg. At York, the Huschkas purchased the two highest priced yearlings for the Laidler team (Horatio Camden and Christy Camden, totalling £43,000), whereas at Builth, Claire & Shane Fletcher purchased two colts from Rhyds Stud (Rhyds Dragonfly and Rhyds Seeandbeseen, totalling £29,000). Neither camp purchased from the American sales this year.</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
I personally view this as a MASSIVE thumbs up for British breeding at the moment. Whilst Camden Stud and Rhyds Stud continue to record strong sales (with Rhyds Stud offering their first crop of new stallion See And Ski's yearlings - which appeared to be well received), Oakwood Stud, Ayr Standardbreds and Stateside also recorded good sales prices, with Stateside Icon topping the sale at Builth (£35,000) and Oakwood Starcam (£28,000) being the highest priced filly sold at Builth.</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
We sold Cliff (Crosshill Costa) at York and he came straight back up the M74 to Stirling with Sandy Cassells - great news for me as Sandy's daughter Hayley sends me regular photo updates of his education and he has settled in perfectly! We avoided any accidental purchases and after last year's bonanza spending from my dad, he also avoided buying any more horses! He can wait patiently for his Hasty Hall foal out of Frisco Frisk (Rogue Hall), and I'm waiting rather impatiently for my Hasty Hall out of Vain In Spain (Artsplace) and my Arts Conquest out of Coalford Tracey (Coalford Laag). Can't it be April already?!</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
With sales season now over, I can start looking forward to awards season (arguably my favourite time of the year!!).</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
Over and out,</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
#1 Groom</div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-40120495279289014822017-11-15T00:13:00.002-08:002017-11-23T12:14:07.965-08:002017 Season: Week 24 - York Sale Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xWL1SZD2jM/WgBwcOs59NI/AAAAAAAAEFU/2RHeKGZ2yVUFwta5Q9HP9RUMxG48PotvgCLcBGAs/s1600/Give%2Byoung%2Bpeople%2Ba%2Bgreater%2Bvoice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="691" height="173" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xWL1SZD2jM/WgBwcOs59NI/AAAAAAAAEFU/2RHeKGZ2yVUFwta5Q9HP9RUMxG48PotvgCLcBGAs/s400/Give%2Byoung%2Bpeople%2Ba%2Bgreater%2Bvoice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Extract taken from #1 Scottish Groom, 2017 Season: Week 18 - Tregaron:<br />
<br />
<i>"Whilst on the track I spoke to Steve [Lees] and his son, Stephen, and
told 'little Stevie' that he'd need to work hard to be as good a driver
as his old man, who'd won the race with a horse who scraped into the
final by the skin of his teeth. Little Stevie pointed up to the
commentary box and said 'that's where I want to be, up there not out
here'. Duly noted young man. We will get you on the right path to be a
commentator. I mean, surely we all know someone who could help out a
budding young commentator?! *cough* Darren Owen *cough*"</i><br />
<br />
I spoke to Darren at Corbiewood on the Sunday of the Murdock Weekend regarding the above conversation and left the ball firmly in his court. On a day marred with incidents both during the sale itself and the racing, when twelve-year-old Stephen Lees stepped up to the mic to call the three-runner Northern Trading Ltd Novice Pace, I went into a bit of a meltdown. I wasn't the only one, as little Stevie's sister's boyfriend, John, desperately tried to fire his phone up quick enough to record it (as Kellie wasn't there). A flat battery sent him into a panic, but thankfully Marcia Thompson (off of Equine Products UK, who basically keeps giving me free hats and her own coat to wear because I don't dress appropriately for the weather) was on hand to film the commentary (and thus miss the race as she stood with her back to the track facing the commentary box). You can watch the video here:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_Ip30_0gKlOjAmBZTlr3uWP1ZWRVQDvQH_t6oyaW2zxJa3vyB9IIwPSntz6Z1_2Ius6uzRYtIlEy5NpBn' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
It's one thing sitting in the comfort of your own home in front of your close family commentating on videos you have watched over and over, but it's something else altogether commentating on a live race in front of a large crowd in a new environment. A three horse race can be very difficult to make sound interesting (particularly when, as in this case, one horse dominates a race as Springhill Calaburn did) but Stephen did a fantastic job and the round of applause he got at the end was thoroughly deserved. I genuinely think he can go far if he sticks at it, because he's good already. And there are a lot of people rooting for him, because he is one of us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSz7p1vkkEU/Wgm684EOsvI/AAAAAAAAEFk/8jIz_gNcgVUebsA_UE1Z5EC5zrHy6i5aACLcBGAs/s1600/Stevie%2BLees%2BJR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSz7p1vkkEU/Wgm684EOsvI/AAAAAAAAEFk/8jIz_gNcgVUebsA_UE1Z5EC5zrHy6i5aACLcBGAs/s400/Stevie%2BLees%2BJR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twelve-year-old Stephen Lees Jr in the commentary box at York Harness Raceway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't wish to detract from the racing and the achievements of those who participated and won, however this was the highlight of my day <i>by a mile</i>. Unfortunately during the course of the afternoon there were multiple incidents which left a bad taste for those who stayed after the (eventful) sale into the afternoon's racing. I'm not going to dwell on them. Suffice it to say that there was a distinct lack of organisation running throughout the entire day and after the penultimate race (when pacing fans began to leave) I was bombarded with connections of horses searching for rugs, trophies, rosettes, prize money and indeed, the hard-to-miss (except on this occasion) 'Racing Manager'.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here are my noteworthy performances from the racing:<br />
<br />
<b>Cassius Clay</b> - our boy clocked a PB of 2.00.6 when finishing second to the electric Coalford Mystery who followed up on his win at Wolverhampton with a 1.59.7 performance in the Daniel Welling Memorial. This turned out to be Cassius' last run of the year as the Gaffer swanned off on holiday to Salou the following week and we weren't allowed to race him at Corbiewood in his absence. Booooo. He'll hopefully be back next year for some more fun (and hopefully more firsts than seconds!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-renjEGY-TFQ/WgtxoSJ_OyI/AAAAAAAAEGE/gjVTiFFDOWgNO5gxP3k_zBXJ7CULrnCwwCLcBGAs/s1600/CASSIUS%2BCLAY%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-renjEGY-TFQ/WgtxoSJ_OyI/AAAAAAAAEGE/gjVTiFFDOWgNO5gxP3k_zBXJ7CULrnCwwCLcBGAs/s400/CASSIUS%2BCLAY%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Coalford Mystery</b> - as above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjdNi83Zqcg/Wgtxpl-BDyI/AAAAAAAAEGU/HnXN6mJbTIMtTgfQqGC_eUZwfbWpq0IsgCEwYBhgL/s1600/R3%2BCOALFORD%2BMYSTERY%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjdNi83Zqcg/Wgtxpl-BDyI/AAAAAAAAEGU/HnXN6mJbTIMtTgfQqGC_eUZwfbWpq0IsgCEwYBhgL/s400/R3%2BCOALFORD%2BMYSTERY%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Plan B</b> - ran a stormer to return to winning ways after finishing second the week before at Wolverhampton, however owner Jean Fell was absent as her and the family were at the Horse of the Year Show, so it was a depleted turnout in the winner's circle but at least this time the gelding was on his best behaviour to pose for the camera!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAzFMYQR99Q/Wgtx7pOm1TI/AAAAAAAAEGg/SQW_jRitJx0zlgbXFhHBU5vsK0pnG1pEgCLcBGAs/s1600/R4%2BPLAN%2BB%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAzFMYQR99Q/Wgtx7pOm1TI/AAAAAAAAEGg/SQW_jRitJx0zlgbXFhHBU5vsK0pnG1pEgCLcBGAs/s400/R4%2BPLAN%2BB%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Anna Diem</b> - this gorgeous chestnut mare was trained by her owner Emyr Edwards in the earlier part of the season before moving to trainer/driver Mike Evans' yard solely in order to race in this event, having not raced since 2014 (she is not eligible for the Trotteur Francais races staged by Trot Britain so there are very few racing opportunities for her). She made the effort worthwhile for connections when winning the BHRC Prakas in style.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5GiEqJ5zbO8/WgtxqCg1GTI/AAAAAAAAEGY/vSGDLcI8wsA1siu71E_X6ovtgQ-4l_rggCEwYBhgL/s1600/R5%2BANNA%2BDIEM%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5GiEqJ5zbO8/WgtxqCg1GTI/AAAAAAAAEGY/vSGDLcI8wsA1siu71E_X6ovtgQ-4l_rggCEwYBhgL/s400/R5%2BANNA%2BDIEM%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>T'es Trop Foot</b> - another trotter who impressed when winning the George Button Snr Challenge trophy, making it three wins on the bounce on three different surfaces (grass at Almeley, tapeta at Wolverhampton and hard at York). Stablemate Sun Gahn finished second so I had both boys in the winner's circle to celebrate the connections' 1-2 in the race!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfj-vMsIY6M/WgtxqlYF6HI/AAAAAAAAEGc/mQMzgPEjzFkum74wNWjDkvJGcCYeqq0tACEwYBhgL/s1600/R8%2BT%2527ES%2BTROP%2BFOOT%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfj-vMsIY6M/WgtxqlYF6HI/AAAAAAAAEGc/mQMzgPEjzFkum74wNWjDkvJGcCYeqq0tACEwYBhgL/s400/R8%2BT%2527ES%2BTROP%2BFOOT%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Starzapan</b> - I love a mares race and I particularly love a STAGBI Future Broodmares race, and this one did not disappoint! Having finished second in the mares race the week previous to Shades Of Grey, Starzapan went one better to record her lifetime mark of 2.00.7, bearing in mind that she has rarely left Scotland, with this being her first run on a hard track other than Corbiewood. I was delighted for connections, Trackside Racing Stables, but particularly the First Lady of Corbiewood, Mig MacKenzie (mother of owner, Ally MacKenzie) who grabbed my arm on the way out of the winner's circle and declared that she was so happy she didn't know what to do! That's what racing does to people!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-096SPB-bZd0/Wgtxok3OJeI/AAAAAAAAEGI/HMK52nhq09A05ozzbvum_Iif7ay9HVIWgCEwYBhgL/s1600/R10%2BSTARZAPAN%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-096SPB-bZd0/Wgtxok3OJeI/AAAAAAAAEGI/HMK52nhq09A05ozzbvum_Iif7ay9HVIWgCEwYBhgL/s400/R10%2BSTARZAPAN%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6XnFk-TikE/Wgtxo41AvxI/AAAAAAAAEGM/tZE5NWo5YGMX2fTNfzQKvzXcdEcaeFCoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/R10%2BSTARZAPAN%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6XnFk-TikE/Wgtxo41AvxI/AAAAAAAAEGM/tZE5NWo5YGMX2fTNfzQKvzXcdEcaeFCoQCEwYBhgL/s400/R10%2BSTARZAPAN%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Ontop Shouder Cuda</b> - having owned his dam, Orders (Real Desire) for a short time, I have always had a soft spot for this horse and he did not disappoint when clocking 1.59.6 to beat superstar 4YO and joint Crock of Gold winner Miraculous by a neck to take the Camden Daniel Top Class Pace.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aKDQQCWafc/WgtxpXkCB1I/AAAAAAAAEGk/YZjzFQuuSn0rc5SSDpb5VoGw7js2JXPMwCEwYBhgL/s1600/R11%2BONTOP%2BSHOUDER%2BCUDA%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aKDQQCWafc/WgtxpXkCB1I/AAAAAAAAEGk/YZjzFQuuSn0rc5SSDpb5VoGw7js2JXPMwCEwYBhgL/s400/R11%2BONTOP%2BSHOUDER%2BCUDA%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
One more week of racing to go, with the scheduled penultimate fixture at Corbiewood on Sunday 15th October becoming the final fixture due to a lack of entries on the 22nd. I missed the meeting the day after the sale due to a lack of enthusiasm (brought on by the tiredness of a 4am start to get to York, and not getting home until 11pm - I think I can be forgiven for that!). <br />
<br />
The sale write up will feature in a joint post alongside the Brightwells sales results in order that a comparison can be easily drawn between the stats from both sales (including comparisons with last year's sales also).<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Groom<br />
<i></i>Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-38861813443478429762017-11-03T13:52:00.000-07:002017-11-03T13:52:17.237-07:002017 Season: Week 23 - Wolverhampton Charity MeetingThat's right eagle-eyed viewers, you will have spotted that I have skipped straight from week 21 (Murdock Weekend) to week 23 (Wolverhampton). That is because week 22 was meant to feature a fixture at Tir Prince on the Saturday night (including the British Pacing Classic for aged pacers) and a meeting at Corbiewood on the Sunday.<br />
<br />
Only, Tir Prince was called off on the Friday <i>before</i> the Murdock Weekend (bit of a sore point amongst some; we had intended to take Cassius down had he made it to Grade 1 during the weekend, which he did, but I won't lose sleep over the mammoth round trip in the lorry, no sir-ee) and despite several people's best attempts, the British Pacing Classic was abandoned rather than moved to Corbiewood (even though CW was the only other track to tender originally for the race, and also the only other hard track staging a meeting on the weekend of the scheduled race at Tir Prince). Word was there were only 2 entries for the event at Tir Prince and they were happy to get their money back rather than come to Corbiewood to race. Their loss.<br />
<br />
So in reality, the only point of interest from the entire weekend was that 7 of the 8 winners (of mixed races) at Corbiewood on the 24th September were mares (Crown Royal, Thornton Bronte, Dynamic Ace, San Diego, Lady Mary, ATM, Sureamsomething). In the only race won by a gelding, a mare (Yokalady) was second. Four of the aforementioned eight mares were runners in the Oakwood Stud Mares Pacing Series which was deemed a huge success (not just by me), and I found these results encouraging for potential entrants in 2018 (when I hope to organise the series again).<br />
<br />
Fast forward six days and Corbiewood broke with tradition to run on Saturday 30th September to allow Wolverhampton a clear date on the Sunday. A quick shout out for Rab 'Ranter' Wilson driving I Live To Party to victory, with his other horse Crown Royal (driven by Brian Gilvear) finishing second. A casual two-horses-in-the-winner's-circle occurred thereafter.<br />
<br />
<b>WOLVERHAMPTON</b><br />
<br />
This was a charity meeting to raise money for Leukaemia Research and St James' Hospital Leeds, a cause close to all of our hearts as Jacqueline Gill (née Wilson, daughter of the aforementioned 'Ranter') was treated for the disease and has now, thankfully, been given the all-clear. I was asked to be the official photographer, which I clearly didn't think through as it was a 5 hour drive there, a 5 hour drive back, and there were 15 races in between. Suffice it to say that I was <i>pretty</i> tired at work on the Monday!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rhoq382Wqio/Wfx6vkdapNI/AAAAAAAAEDE/iR2BbsJUbuQF_ApQbggdV0TnsOKeiQs-wCLcBGAs/s1600/TB%2B%2526%2BJG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rhoq382Wqio/Wfx6vkdapNI/AAAAAAAAEDE/iR2BbsJUbuQF_ApQbggdV0TnsOKeiQs-wCLcBGAs/s400/TB%2B%2526%2BJG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacqueline Gill and post-race interviewer Thomas Bennett at Wolverhampton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First of all I have to say a MASSIVE thank you to Chloe Wakefield for her organisation skills in the winner's circle; I have been lumped with the task (without properly being asked) of handing out rosettes at York numerous times this season as I am already in the winner's circle waiting to take photos, however when I saw the sheer size of the trophy table at Wolverhampton (rosettes, trophies, sashes, flowers) I didn't know how I was going to manage (having volunteered to help the organisers). Fortunately for me, Chloe had been asked to do the job and she did it with a huge smile on her face all day; completely in control of what prizes were for what races and who they were going to throughout the entire day (which meant I was free to take far too many photos of everyone!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kQn4_7kOZT0/Wfx7iXQAfcI/AAAAAAAAEDM/W28nJ5b5DtIzUBaKErfbwXpbZWpD_eexwCLcBGAs/s1600/R4%2BABBIE%2B%2526%2BCHLOE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kQn4_7kOZT0/Wfx7iXQAfcI/AAAAAAAAEDM/W28nJ5b5DtIzUBaKErfbwXpbZWpD_eexwCLcBGAs/s400/R4%2BABBIE%2B%2526%2BCHLOE.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe (right) with winning groom Abbie Cairns after race 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So...highlights. You know there are going to be a fair few in amongst 15 races. First of all, the saddle race which kicked off the day. Predictable? Yes; Enjoyable? Also yes. I'm a big fan of John Barley and I know the trainer and jockey both very well. Plus my brother was in the winner's photo, after the owners and me all shouted at him to stop hiding on the sidelines!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-KCVokfccM/Wfx9UyfqbxI/AAAAAAAAEDg/r06KgFc2qDo5w3ymxCCDMU6k2ovTg6SRACLcBGAs/s1600/CP%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-KCVokfccM/Wfx9UyfqbxI/AAAAAAAAEDg/r06KgFc2qDo5w3ymxCCDMU6k2ovTg6SRACLcBGAs/s400/CP%2B2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie Price & Caenwood Dafydd parading in the paddock ahead of Lee Price & John Barley, and Lauren Moran & Ladyford Lad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nF5RhhMRAXk/Wfx9TGh0OTI/AAAAAAAAEDY/co1_WSKseXsSON8Iblxde1rnP16P_VgxwCLcBGAs/s1600/GILBERT%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1334" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nF5RhhMRAXk/Wfx9TGh0OTI/AAAAAAAAEDY/co1_WSKseXsSON8Iblxde1rnP16P_VgxwCLcBGAs/s400/GILBERT%2B3.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladyford Lad (aka Gilbert) smiling for the camera as he heads to the start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrKb9oDv3QU/Wfx9UjB-5ZI/AAAAAAAAEDc/81pYs0h0MwYV66NHLXxBGgX8wrhE9JuIQCLcBGAs/s1600/R1%2BJOHN%2BBARLEY%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrKb9oDv3QU/Wfx9UjB-5ZI/AAAAAAAAEDc/81pYs0h0MwYV66NHLXxBGgX8wrhE9JuIQCLcBGAs/s400/R1%2BJOHN%2BBARLEY%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Barley an easy winner of the saddle race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cardigan Flash Man followed up on his two wins the previous weekend at Corbiewood with another convincing win in the second race, which seemed to lift owner Alf Swinbank's hangover marginally when he entered the winner's circle. This was the first of three consecutive driving wins for Andrew Cairns, who partnered the trotter Bora Bora De Seg in the Silver Le Trot and the Bousfield family's Genetic in the Maiden for a quick treble.<br />
<br />
Jaimie Davies and Quality Art won the fifth, in a highly competitive and wide open affair. Next up was the super grey mare, Shades Of Grey, making her third career visit to the winner's circle at Wolverhampton when taking the STAGBI Future Broodmares race in a close finish from the Scottish mare, Starzapan.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYjtVHrWsHo/WfyAsi2eyrI/AAAAAAAAED0/lvD0QBWm98EmtA6kxpYmMzKOcyAOPQNvQCLcBGAs/s1600/R6%2BSHADES%2BOF%2BGREY%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYjtVHrWsHo/WfyAsi2eyrI/AAAAAAAAED0/lvD0QBWm98EmtA6kxpYmMzKOcyAOPQNvQCLcBGAs/s400/R6%2BSHADES%2BOF%2BGREY%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shades Of Grey powering away at the start with James Haythornthwaite at the reins<br />
<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ghengis Pride returned to the winner's circle for the fourth time this season with driver Alan Haythornthwaite quick to follow son James' example in the previous race; other son Richard wasn't long in joining the party when winning the next race on 3YO trotter Emirat Du Levant, making it three different Haythornthwaite wins in as many races.<br />
<br />
Steve Lees started his run of winners in the latter part of the day, kicking things off with a win on board Millstream Stud's Rhyds Merlin in the ninth. Steward Bob Lee had spent much of the day being shouted at by me, with the line 'BOB ARE YOU IN OR OUT?' being used on more than one occasion as he dithered in the middle of a photo opportunity with his back to the camera congratulating connections. On this occasion he was most definitely <i>IN</i>, being mildly accosted by Stevie in the process!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-So3ghhXR-mA/WfyEA7FUyiI/AAAAAAAAEEE/f-zQK01f9joa-fVupXiPgk1g7E02R3YmwCLcBGAs/s1600/R9%2BRHYDS%2BMERLIN%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-So3ghhXR-mA/WfyEA7FUyiI/AAAAAAAAEEE/f-zQK01f9joa-fVupXiPgk1g7E02R3YmwCLcBGAs/s400/R9%2BRHYDS%2BMERLIN%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millstream Stud and connections celebrate victory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The two-horse 3YO race between colt Rhyds Rock Star and filly Greenhilldebateable was, as expected, won by the former and was his tenth win of the season setting him on course (in my opinion) to be voted BHRC 3YO Colt of the Year. This was organisers Shane and Claire Fletcher's second winner of the day and thoroughly deserved for two people who support race tracks up and down the country, as well as work tirelessly to get the event at Wolverhampton off the ground each year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coalford Mystery, a former Scottish-trained horse with the unfortunate record of taking 22 runs to win his first race, surprised those who knew him in his previous home to romp to victory in one of the easiest wins of the day in the Novice with Stevie Lees on board. Arguably the only horse who could be deemed to have won easier would be the winner of the C Class Drivers race, Ring of Fire, in the hands of teenager Joel Richards who was escalated to B Class status after this win. He later remarked that he couldn't hold the horse in the closing stages of the race, and the 4YO son of Doonbeg was indeed a VERY impressive winner with an electric turn of foot passing the stands.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuCtZnPmUiE/WfyGcrxVV5I/AAAAAAAAEEY/qht4cMNre0AGcLL1PdfTh9tazClhTe7nwCLcBGAs/s1600/R12%2BRING%2BOF%2BFIRE%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuCtZnPmUiE/WfyGcrxVV5I/AAAAAAAAEEY/qht4cMNre0AGcLL1PdfTh9tazClhTe7nwCLcBGAs/s400/R12%2BRING%2BOF%2BFIRE%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel Richards & Ring Of Fire win the C Class Drivers Pace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsvk8FfHvWo/WfyGcCSjqhI/AAAAAAAAEEU/CpADQGVrDW8d5jEALWSpfWemeHw-mCXQQCLcBGAs/s1600/DM%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="922" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsvk8FfHvWo/WfyGcCSjqhI/AAAAAAAAEEU/CpADQGVrDW8d5jEALWSpfWemeHw-mCXQQCLcBGAs/s400/DM%2B1.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's mum, Debra, collecting the flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
The three-horse Battle of the Big Guns was unsurprisingly won by superstar 4YO Miraculous, fresh off the back of his Crock of Gold victory at Tir Prince. Tarawood Messi put in a strong performance to finish second ahead of Ayr Majesty.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkv9DpUa3eM/WfyQ0zVEC1I/AAAAAAAAEE4/u6Sj7h8cZkQB_OnwAcqsXYQfor_N8qtwQCEwYBhgL/s1600/R13%2BMIRACULOUS%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkv9DpUa3eM/WfyQ0zVEC1I/AAAAAAAAEE4/u6Sj7h8cZkQB_OnwAcqsXYQfor_N8qtwQCEwYBhgL/s400/R13%2BMIRACULOUS%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miraculous heading to victory...again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGL0mK-KVaw/WfyQ0GGjL0I/AAAAAAAAEE0/C9PEnxiY9wM3g8zbC00EvK8m5l4OMh8kgCEwYBhgL/s1600/MESSI%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGL0mK-KVaw/WfyQ0GGjL0I/AAAAAAAAEE0/C9PEnxiY9wM3g8zbC00EvK8m5l4OMh8kgCEwYBhgL/s400/MESSI%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorgeous roan (and runner up) Tarawood Messi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The penultimate race saw a fourth winner for offspring of Doonbeg when Lakeside Paddy came home in front for David Bevan, trainer of saddle race winner John Barley (also by Doonbeg). And the final race of the evening, under the floodlights, gave Stevie Lees his third winner on the day when T'es Trop Foot provided Millstream Stud with their second winner in the Gold Le Trot. This was probably my favourite winner of the day simply because as the field turned for home with 2 furlongs to go, the supporters of the winner erupted into cheers and they kept it up the full way to the finish. It's hard not to get caught up in that kind of emotion!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyRoWnoVPmo/WfyIu2rDfWI/AAAAAAAAEEk/sUDCXWYHKJI1lCiJP6JQz-yOg5grr_Z7wCLcBGAs/s1600/R15%2BTES%2BTROP%2BFOOT%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyRoWnoVPmo/WfyIu2rDfWI/AAAAAAAAEEk/sUDCXWYHKJI1lCiJP6JQz-yOg5grr_Z7wCLcBGAs/s400/R15%2BTES%2BTROP%2BFOOT%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connections of T'es Trop Foot celebrate victory in the final race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of proceedings, Andrew Cairns and Steve Lees were tied for leading driver, with 3 wins and a second apiece. Bob Lee (who loves a photo opportunity) presented Andrew and Steve's son, Stephen, with the trophy, which Andrew let Stephen keep (at least until the start of next season!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACeT_9Mk6Vo/WfyRe6kFn-I/AAAAAAAAEFE/HeiT14WndoUdbowSd2d_WdOhSqqjYU_awCLcBGAs/s1600/DRIVER%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACeT_9Mk6Vo/WfyRe6kFn-I/AAAAAAAAEFE/HeiT14WndoUdbowSd2d_WdOhSqqjYU_awCLcBGAs/s400/DRIVER%2B2.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGts6C7x8aY/WfyRd4DgwaI/AAAAAAAAEFA/BNY8rLg9qgU9U9YpSngnzzXepM-ajqFWgCLcBGAs/s1600/DRIVER%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1079" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGts6C7x8aY/WfyRd4DgwaI/AAAAAAAAEFA/BNY8rLg9qgU9U9YpSngnzzXepM-ajqFWgCLcBGAs/s400/DRIVER%2B1.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
All in, the auction which was staged between races 7 and 8 raised just shy of
£10,000 which will be added to the funds raised by Jacqueline's friends
who have run numerous half marathons this summer (raising £4000 in the process). I think that is a phenomenal figure and something which the BHRC should ensure is publicised by the receiving organisations. Harness racing is the subject of many misconceptions in the wider public, but when it comes to giving, as demonstrated when raising funds for the Great North Air Ambulance after driver Logan Fowler smashed his hip in an accident at Appleby, or for the family of Peter Wallace to purchase mobile defibrillators for use at harness racing tracks, harness fans are second to none at it.<br />
<br />
Jacqueline Gill has also asked that I mention how much she appreciates everyone's love and support during what has been a very difficult time for her and her family and friends, and a truly heartfelt THANK YOU to you all.<br />
<br />
Well I say, 'here's to you Jac!'<br />
<br />
Well done to all involved on a very successful event!<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Groom<br />
<br />
P.s. unless you hadn't figured, what with me being the official photographer, all of the photos in this particular post are my own!Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-5179696462447569662017-11-03T06:47:00.003-07:002017-11-03T06:47:46.570-07:002017 Season: Week 21 - Murdock Weekend @ Corbiewood<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is entirely appropriate to be revisiting a meeting which was staged over a
month ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Or at least, it
is in my world, where I am in charge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As with the
quiet abandonment of my Harnesslink reports mid-season, this blog could have
wound up for the season without much notice. And as much as that would
have suited me, as short on time now as I ever was (what with the
responsibilities of home ownership added to the never-ending list of things to
deal with), it simply wouldn't be <i>fair</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We all know how
much Big Burd loves fairness in the world, and to wrap this up on the sly by
simply ceasing to post about the remaining fixtures of the season would be to
serve an injustice upon those who celebrated success, worked hard and for one
reason or another, put a smile on my face in the closing weeks of the season.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On we must
march, therefore, into the seasonal highlight at Corbiewood: <b>The Murdock
Weekend</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In every
standard year (classing last year's golden anniversary as an exception), the
Murdock Weekend is Corbiewood's sole two-day fixture (I'm not referring to
'back in the day', when it was 'Musselburgh week' and you 'raced for 7 days
straight and everyone was so drunk they couldn't remember anything and oh how
we all wish it was like that again' - move on people, live in the present before
it becomes the past and all). The Saturday low grade handicap this year
was for the Bob Kennedy Memorial, sponsored by the Kennedy family (who are the
loveliest of people), with the Sunday high grade handicap being the Joe Murdock
Memorial sponsored by, you guessed it, the Murdock family, which includes my
former life coach (the artist formerly known as 'King of the Tubes').</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Full results for
the Saturday with links to the videos can be found on the SHRC website on the
following <b><a href="http://scottishharnessracingclub.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/corbiewood-16th-september-2017-results.html" target="_blank">link</a></b>. Personal highlights for me, aside
from meeting my friend Netty's significant other for the first time and scaring
him senseless over the course of the afternoon, were Dougie McLean's Yokalady
winning the second heat of the Bob Kennedy Memorial handicap on her first start for
new trainer John Kemp (and other than her unplaced run in the final the same
day, she went on to be placed in every other start at Corbiewood until the end
of the season on 15th October) and Cardigan Flash Man winning heat and final
for Alf and Joy Swinbank. The 4YO son of Doonbeg has had a long season
running in all corners of the country, but has been consistent throughout with
multiple wins to his name. Also credit to Robhall who won the Dark Rum
FFA in a time of 2.01.87, which I believe to be the season record at the track
(more on Robhall to follow on a seasonal roundup post, as he is now being made
the scapegoat for what some believe to be a flawed framing system at
Corbiewood; personally I like to see the horse winning as he is one of
Scotland's finest).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5cbv6vYZFI/WfM__yiz4kI/AAAAAAAAECY/Z-uBaspHtwgHZqDD6UEWIxvmQX428jCDgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Race%2B9A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCardigan%2BFlash%2BMan%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1433" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5cbv6vYZFI/WfM__yiz4kI/AAAAAAAAECY/Z-uBaspHtwgHZqDD6UEWIxvmQX428jCDgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/Race%2B9A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCardigan%2BFlash%2BMan%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Cardigan
Flashman winning the Bob Kennedy Memorial Final with Richard Haythornthwaite
(<i>Bill Cardno photo)</i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"></td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"></td><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Onto Sunday, and
you can find the full race results and links to the videos <b><a href="http://scottishharnessracingclub.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/corbiewood-17th-september-2017-results.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>. I was a touch
delicate after a few alcohol beverages the night before but had to be sharp as
we had two runners from our stables. I was (thankfully) ably assisted by
Samantha, the Jockey's daughter, as the Gaffer was absent and Smarty is too
busy being a bookie or something to help. Ace didn't run so good (so we
made the decision to turn her away for the year when we got home), however big
old Cassius Clay ran a stormer to record our FIRST (and as it turned out, only)
win of the season. Breaking stride momentarily at the start, which is not
like him at all, he sat two wide for a large portion of the race which might
have looked a little foolhardy to some spectators, however Cassius is a big
rolling horse who takes time to get up to fifth gear (and doesn't appreciate
the pace being slowed down - which means the Jockey has been told <b>numerous</b>
times to ignore his basic instinct to jack the pace when in front). </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The victory was
that little bit sweeter for two reasons; one, Darren Owen was present to call
the race (personal goal of mine); and two, the Jockey's family were also there.
Along with his youngest daughter (and my chief helper) Samantha, was his partner Mary, his eldest
daughter Nicky, her husband Billy and their son Lewis. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1vSD6_wOd0/WfxrV3PVHcI/AAAAAAAAECo/ZdDTeJDKP403MMgOxsb8T2y8z1j-kE-egCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Race%2B7A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCassius%2BClay%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1569" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1vSD6_wOd0/WfxrV3PVHcI/AAAAAAAAECo/ZdDTeJDKP403MMgOxsb8T2y8z1j-kE-egCPcBGAYYCw/s400/Race%2B7A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCassius%2BClay%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassius Clay heading to victory with The Jockey (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0cm; text-align: left;"></td><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEWgpO3aJqs/WfxrWBYg8cI/AAAAAAAAECw/SEGWKdpv0TQFdsZDOfcFPshFe7j8UhOtACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Race%2B7P%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCassius%2BClay%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1346" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEWgpO3aJqs/WfxrWBYg8cI/AAAAAAAAECw/SEGWKdpv0TQFdsZDOfcFPshFe7j8UhOtACPcBGAYYCw/s400/Race%2B7P%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCassius%2BClay%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating with family and friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xh8AbUa0Ntw/WfxstYYNYrI/AAAAAAAAEC4/HodOZMhUOaoy69rRg3H-t0uZ2mQ0Hnx6gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/21751748_10155554917400772_4232930795483208495_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="578" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xh8AbUa0Ntw/WfxstYYNYrI/AAAAAAAAEC4/HodOZMhUOaoy69rRg3H-t0uZ2mQ0Hnx6gCPcBGAYYCw/s400/21751748_10155554917400772_4232930795483208495_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samantha and her new favourite boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEWgpO3aJqs/WfxrWBYg8cI/AAAAAAAAECk/5yEHFIo5FGs-hEksuOiOujbb9h4iJ0U3gCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B7P%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCassius%2BClay%2B%2BS.jpg"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My other
highlight of the day was seeing No Brakes win heat and final of the Joe Murdock
Memorial Handicap. This was a massive achievement for a 3YO in aged
company and came off the back of some tremendous performances all season to the delight of owners Bob and Linda Thomson. Winning the £4000 final pushed No
Brakes well clear at the top of the earnings table at the track, with him
finishing the season on £5,200 at Corbiewood alone (not taking into
consideration his multiple successes across Wales and England).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvlfX2nCeIE/WfM__7BQV8I/AAAAAAAAECQ/QEGAQAZG3aw0zPXOyA_d-tlKjn5_F0cZQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Race%2B9A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BNo%2BBrakes%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1477" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvlfX2nCeIE/WfM__7BQV8I/AAAAAAAAECQ/QEGAQAZG3aw0zPXOyA_d-tlKjn5_F0cZQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/Race%2B9A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BNo%2BBrakes%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No
Brakes & Grant Cullen win the Joe Murdock Memorial Final (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well done to all
winners over the course of the weekend; also special thanks to the following
people who made Saturday night (and indeed the entire weekend) so much fun:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Both my former
and current life coaches - King of the Tubes and West End Cod</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lisa 'Ladyford
Lad' Farelly & Karen 'Evenwood Ruthless' Kennedy (although no thanks for
the cross-country hike to the pub!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Darren Keegan
(for the shots)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hayley, Rachael
& Netty</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonjo McMeekin -
for giving me one dance seeing as I was no longer top bidder for the meal with
him!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Abbie Cairns -
for listening to my advice about boys with a straight face</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Over and out,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">#1 Groom</span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-81113379951549253262017-10-12T08:05:00.000-07:002017-10-12T08:05:23.894-07:002017 Season: Week 20 - Crock of Gold Night @ Tir PrinceI am aware that I have now let so much time pass that the epic-ness of the 2017 Crock of Gold has all but worn off, but I <i>have</i> to revisit it for the simple reason that IT WAS EPIC.<br />
<br />
I managed to scramble around the day before and the morning of the event to put together a small something for one of the UK's leading harness horses over the past 20+ years: <a href="http://numberonescottishgroom.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/farewell-old-friend-tribute-to.html" target="_blank"><u><b>Stoneriggs Mystery</b></u></a>. In it I made reference to the potential fairytale ending to his illustrious career should he win the Crock of Gold for the third time on his final career start, and the Lord only knows how much I was willing him on that night.<br />
<br />
Smarty, George [Carson] and I had travelled down to Tir Prince with two horses to race - Crosshill Ace in the BHRC 3YO Fillies Oaks over 1.5 miles, and Valentine Camden in the Low Grade OPH. I knew Ace wasn't going to suit the trip and she proved me right when finishing a well-beaten fourth. A huge WELL DONE to the connections of Greenhilldebateable, and to the filly herself who has finally joined the open handicap ranks after the win in the Oaks wiped away her 'Novice' status. She must have been one of the richest novices in the country's history, with earnings of the guts of £12,000 against her name before the race. A competitive prospect for the 2018 season.<br />
<br />
'Val' was a victim of racing luck, and ran well to finish fifth in somewhat of a bunch finish. It was hoped the run on the bigger track would bring him on for his return to Corbiewood, however to date he's only managed one placed run and I've been told the stable has been finished up for the year.<br />
<br />
We've been going racing long enough to not let something like our horses failing to pick up rosettes dampen the evening so once both horses were settled back on the box, we were able to wander over to the main part of the track to watch the penultimate race of the night: Crock of Gold.<br />
<br />
Before I talk you through it, blow-by-blow, I must make one quick point (which I have sent by email to the BHRC office for dispersal to Council members and the promoter in question). There is insufficient lighting in the paddock area at Tir Prince. This is applicable in fact to all race tracks, however Tir Prince is so affected due to its nighttime fixtures in the latter part of the season when the nights are drawing in. Whilst we were able to tack/untack/wash Ace in half light (race 5/10), by the time Val raced (race 7/10) we were forced to use torches on our phones to tack/untack/wash him. I did see people wearing headtorches of their own accord and cursed myself for not thinking to bring mine (I will the next time I'm racing there in September), however for the purposes of insurance and health & safety, relying on people bringing their own lighting equipment is not sufficient. The floodlights from the track only exacerbated the situation by casting dark shadows on the far side of everything. My suggestion was to have external lights fitted to the barn which is located between the gravel lorry park and the grass lorry park, and perhaps to erect central floodlighting (in the grass area particularly) to cast light in all directions.<br />
<br />
A certain portion of people reading this will notch the above down to another classic example of me sticking my nose in where it's not wanted or needed. Sorry, but safety comes first. Just because things may always have been like that doesn't make them right. After all, working class men and women in general couldn't vote once upon a time.<br />
<br />
Without further ado, let's go back to the main event - THE CROCK OF GOLD FINAL 2017.<br />
<br />
Before the draw was made, commentator (and ambassador for the sport) Darren Owen ventured around the paddock to interview some of the trainers and drivers who were fielding runners in the Group 1 event. The video is conveniently situated <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tir-Prince-Harness-Racing-232516390412970/" target="_blank">here</a></b> for your viewing pleasure. <br />
<br />
Eight of the best pacers in the UK and Ireland faced the starter, with the draw as follows:<br />
<br />
1 - PORTERSTOWN CHRIS - J Dunne<br />
2 - PARTYATTHESPA - A Haythornthwaite<br />
3 - LYONS MISCHIEF - M O'Mahony<br />
4 - COALFORD TETRICK - S Lees<br />
5 - EVENWOOD SONOFAGUN - W Laidler<br />
6 - STONERIGGS MYSTERY - M Lord<br />
7 - MIKEY CAMDEN - W Greenhorn<br />
8 - MIRACULOUS - P Kane Jnr<br />
<br />
This had been billed as the first head-to-head between superstar pacers Evenwood Sonofagun (aka Gunner) and Miraculous (aka Ted). Both having reached the lofty heights of Grade 12 (the highest grade achieveable in the handicap system) via two very different routes (Gunner as a maiden/novice/up through the grades from G1-12 and Miraculous as a successful stakes campaigner notching up the largest chunk of his earnings to enter the handicap system so high aged only 4). Many were quick to point out that this was not a two horse race (to paraphrase one person - "we could have an Imperial Commander situation on our hands" <i>{if you don't know what that means, Google Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander and just do a bit of reading}</i>) and that horses such as Coalford Tetrick and Mikey Camden could 'spoil the party'.<br />
<br />
Neither of the protagonists had landed easy post positions and plenty of people told me Miraculous simply could not win from the far outside. I remained quietly confident; from the 8 hole his driver would need to take back and although in top company you wouldn't want to concede any ground to your rivals in the early stages of a race, Miraculous had already proven his unbelievable engine in the closing furlongs on previous occasions. With speed merchants Porterstown Chris and Coalford Tetrick on his inside, it was Evenwood Sonofagun who potentially faced the stiffer task.<br />
<br />
And that is exactly what happened. Patrick Kane Jnr (who was subsequently berated on social media by people who should know better than to stir) immediately dropped in to land on the rail before the first bend, where he remained until just before the half when he tipped out and took cover for much of the remainder of the race. Evenwood Sonofagun found himself parked early up front and had no choice but to tough it with no cover.<br />
<br />
I'll not talk you through it anymore. Just <b><a href="https://youtu.be/2WrYUVOHr_g" target="_blank">watch the video</a></b>. When I watched this back on social media in the days after the event, it was the first time I had heard Darren's commentary. I was stood just past the finish line (somehow surrounded by about 10 children, all shouting on different horses and drivers) and I cannot describe the noise in the place for the last quarter of the race. It was deafening.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Miraculous got the better of Evenwood Sonofagun in the stretch but 'Gunner' came back to him in such a display of determination and guts. The fractions that were set in the first half of the race should have led to the total collapse of Evenwood Sonofagun in the final furlongs; he defied the logic of all that we know from what has come before him. And Miraculous...people forget he is only 4. To be racing in the pinnacle of FFA races at the end of a 4 year old season having sustained a minor injury and posted numerous sub-2 minute performances already in 2017?! Honestly, in the immediate aftermath of that race, there was not a place on Earth I would rathered have been. I could not have seen better harness racing at any track, in any country, than what I saw in the one minute fifty six point two seconds prior to that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The judge couldn't split them. It was a dead heat, in a track-record equalling time of 1.56.2.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In what had been billed as the ultimate head-to-head, the two titans could not be separated.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18-bNqK2-G8/Wd9zvQXr8JI/AAAAAAAAEA8/w63lDThLqSMtMq4nOwk6-PzjL5YXmZvTwCLcBGAs/s1600/CoG%2Bfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18-bNqK2-G8/Wd9zvQXr8JI/AAAAAAAAEA8/w63lDThLqSMtMq4nOwk6-PzjL5YXmZvTwCLcBGAs/s400/CoG%2Bfinal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miraculous (outside) & Evenwood Sonofagun head to the wire together (<i>Graham Rees photo</i>)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And look here, what's this in the background?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RZ6O9airrA/Wd94FfAWAEI/AAAAAAAAEBE/FL1cNYevmBA4aTHahM7RLNdGm23vW40wgCLcBGAs/s1600/CoG%2Bfinal%2BMikey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="652" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RZ6O9airrA/Wd94FfAWAEI/AAAAAAAAEBE/FL1cNYevmBA4aTHahM7RLNdGm23vW40wgCLcBGAs/s400/CoG%2Bfinal%2BMikey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well it's only Mikey Camden putting in the performance of his life to land himself third place!! William Greenhorn kept him out of trouble for the entire race and produced him for a place at the finish - textbook drive and brilliantly executed. Mikey Camden finished realistically in the best position he could and for some, much closer to the front two horses than expected.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then, as if my nerves could take any more, Stoneriggs Mystery was walked back to the winner's circle. I'm not ashamed to say I cried. I cried without abandon. At this point, I felt as though anyone judging me for being emotional in the aftermath of such a tremendous race and in the face of a true legend of our sport being stripped of his harness for the final time must have a heart of stone (or just be terribly judgmental).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wasn't there the night dual-Crock of Gold winner Scootaround was ceremoniously unharnessed at Tir Prince, but I had heard about it from several people and I knew it would be a fitting tribute to a warhorse such as Mystery. What touched me in particular was that Alexis Laidler, trainer of Evenwood Sonofagun and former trainer of Stoneriggs Mystery, was leaving the track to head back to the paddock after the Crock of Gold but stopped, perhaps 50 yards from where current trainer Sheelagh Lord and her daughters Kelly and Catherine were helping driver Mick unharness the horse. As the audience gave him a round of applause, so did Alexis. People forget that he took Alexis and Rocker to the lofty heights of winning the Crock of Gold a long time before Sonofagun's joint-victory that night.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't been able to source the professional photos so all I have to add to this are a couple of grainy pics from my phone. I think you'll get the message from them nonetheless.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3J66VPMUYAI/Wd97XhDJ2-I/AAAAAAAAEBQ/OpPYZ-yEUSYACPm4Txg12Ad7wRtGlzyJwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170909_215354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3J66VPMUYAI/Wd97XhDJ2-I/AAAAAAAAEBQ/OpPYZ-yEUSYACPm4Txg12Ad7wRtGlzyJwCLcBGAs/s400/20170909_215354.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handler Kelly & Mystery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yolbdJIhWHg/Wd97ZC3oudI/AAAAAAAAEBU/J-nNCuzzUiA6kNjuWY_np8f2J2PLZTM3gCLcBGAs/s1600/20170909_215715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yolbdJIhWHg/Wd97ZC3oudI/AAAAAAAAEBU/J-nNCuzzUiA6kNjuWY_np8f2J2PLZTM3gCLcBGAs/s400/20170909_215715.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driver Mick follows his charge off the track</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Farewell, Mystery; thanks for the memories!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The final race of the night happened to be the richest harness race in the UK's history; the £30,000 purse Gold Le Trot Final for 3YOs. I have to admit, I missed all of the race bar the closing strides as I had my face buried in the Crock of Gold with one set of winning owners trying to figure out (a) how they were going to decide which set of connections was getting to keep the trophy and (b) how to distract those in possession of it long enough that I could run away with it and pretend I owned the best FFAller(s) in the country!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Based on previous form and previous races, the final was a two-runner race between the Rhys Evans-trained Equilea Du Hauty and the Jody Foody-trained Ecume De Mer. Right enough, the two were going at it hammer and tongs at the finish but it was the Mound family's Equilea Du Hauty who stayed on to land the £15,000 first prize.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also must mention trainer/driver Rhun Wilson, a lad (I say lad, I think he's older than me) who in the early stages of the season regretted making the move from W&BCRA to British Harness, struggling to get in the placings let alone win a race. He only went and won the Silver Final with Eldivina d'Esge which landed owner Joby Randall with a cheque for £10,000. I bet if I'd said to him in May that he would win a race for £10,000 on a trotter in September, he'd have laughed at me. Honestly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also well done to the syndicate, the Globe Trotters (which includes commentator Darren Owen) as their horse Emirat Du Levant won the Bronze Final (netting them £5000) in the hands of Richard Haythornthwaite who is a massive fan of the horse.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a long drive home; we got back to the stables at 4.30am and gave the horses an early breakfast so that we could have a lie in. We were exhausted the following day at Corbiewood. But on nights like that, nights when you cheer in the next generation of top Free For Allers and wave goodbye to the old guard, no distance is too great to miss it. I still say this is the greatest sport on Earth.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over and out,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#1 Groom</div>
Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-63745673442129244912017-10-10T13:19:00.000-07:002017-10-10T13:19:34.995-07:002017 Season: Week 19 - Wolsingham Show & Haugh FieldRight folks, I'm going to keep this one short. I debated for a long time whether or not to simply give this weekend a miss, as somehow it didn't feel right to celebrate the racing in light of the tragic accident which occured prior to racing at Haugh Field. However, I have taken note of the inspiring way in which Carolynne, Katey and Anna Wallace have dealt with the aftermath of the loss of their husband and father, Peter, and I have decided to shine the light on a couple of performances which meant a lot to me.<br />
<br />
<u>Wolsingham Show</u><br />
<br />
Frisco Jenna - winner of heat and final at Wolsingham Show in front of a bumper crowd. As highlighted by many people in the North East of England, this show is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our sport as there are thousands of spectators present. Frisco Jenna spent a very short time with us and I found her to be a very willing mare to work with. After her impressive win at York which provided Jordan Heath with his first driving win on UK soil, she was really on form when taking both the heat and the final with Vicky Gill on board.<br />
<br />
A big mention also to the old-timer Afan Romeo who won the top heat with John Nicholson. I have loved watching this horse race and he is as genuine as the day is long. I gave him a good shout coming down the stretch!<br />
<br />
My one sticking point of the entire day was the attitude of the Show President, who coincidentally used to be the BHRC Chairman at one time. Bearing in mind that the racing was advertised to begin at 15:30, this was subsequently delayed to 16:00 due to another exhibition in the main ring (which was also the racetrack) running over. At 16:00, the exhibition was over but the horses involved were being cooled down on the racetrack. All racehorses, trainers and drivers were ready to go in the paddock. The large crowds were beginning to thin because it was not announced that the harness racing was due to begin. I felt this was a perfect opportunity to get the horses out to warm up and capture peoples' interest. A lot of people were already approaching the bookmakers to ask what we were all doing there.<br />
<br />
With this in mind, I ventured to the Show office to ask when the racing would be starting. At first, I was advised that the horses needed to loosen up, which would take roughly 20 minutes. Then they would be able to start racing. I explained that I am familiar with harness racing, but that I had concerns that the crowd was leaving because the racing was delayed. I was then directed to the President. I explained, again, that there was a missed opportunity occurring as we spoke, as people were leaving whilst the racehorses were unnecessarily being held in the paddock whilst other horses were walked around the track to cool down (which could have been done on the in-field). I felt that this was a golden ticket for us to showcase our beloved sport. The President cut me off, and told me he used to be the BHRC Chairman. I told him that was nice, but would it be possible to get the horses onto the track to warm up whilst some of the crowd were still there? He then told me he didn't need my help in running a successful show, he'd been doing it for years. I left it at that. I've met enough people like that and I don't need to be spoken to condescendingly anymore.<br />
<br />
Racing was good, we got the product out to a decent-sized crowd. Could have been bigger.<br />
<br />
<u>Haugh Field</u><br />
<br />
As mentioned above, a tragic accident occurred and therefore the meeting was run under an enormous cloud.<br />
<br />
That said, I was incredibly proud of my good friend George Carson who enjoyed much success 12 months earlier at this fixture when winning two heats of the low grade handicap with Valentine Camden and Country Major, before going on to win the final with 'Val'. This year, he won the first heat of the low grade handicap with Sunnyside Clinton, before winning the second with GDs Baby. Driver Willie Drysdale had a quickfire treble when winning the third heat with Lady Mary (presenting him with somewhat of a dilemma of which horse to drive in the final). He chose Sunnyside Clinton, and it proved to be the right decision when winning the final, making it two years in a row for trainer George.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8bHzM_AKuI/Wd0jKcJZbvI/AAAAAAAAEAE/RBEzO_RWVUovpErOHvJKYL2qIgWIVpaagCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B9A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BSunnyside%2BClinton%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1330" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8bHzM_AKuI/Wd0jKcJZbvI/AAAAAAAAEAE/RBEzO_RWVUovpErOHvJKYL2qIgWIVpaagCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B9A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BSunnyside%2BClinton%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunnside Clinton & Willie Drysdale (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BrCmmv7N-eE/Wd0jKUZZ8TI/AAAAAAAAEAI/1oZfRdQqfiAFPyS-S1r3jVmlKj9HlXwlQCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B9P%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BSunnyside%2BClinton%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1416" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BrCmmv7N-eE/Wd0jKUZZ8TI/AAAAAAAAEAI/1oZfRdQqfiAFPyS-S1r3jVmlKj9HlXwlQCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B9P%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BSunnyside%2BClinton%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning connections (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Camden Rocco was an impressive winner of the high grade final for trainer Eck Taylor and driver William Greenhorn.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ37dFc4pOg/Wd0kz9GEEeI/AAAAAAAAEAU/p23XLROQAFgOXSDp57ROsE11xHrqmcmUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B10A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCamden%2BRocco%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1329" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ37dFc4pOg/Wd0kz9GEEeI/AAAAAAAAEAU/p23XLROQAFgOXSDp57ROsE11xHrqmcmUwCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B10A%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCamden%2BRocco%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camden Rocco & William Greenhorn<i> </i>(<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)<br /><i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adH_rZwMGJw/Wd0kz3VmnFI/AAAAAAAAEAY/VM6ggbORXH4aW0x0oE3G07YabbmOJ4fuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Race%2B10P%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCamden%2BRocco%2B%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1555" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adH_rZwMGJw/Wd0kz3VmnFI/AAAAAAAAEAY/VM6ggbORXH4aW0x0oE3G07YabbmOJ4fuQCLcBGAs/s400/Race%2B10P%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BCamden%2BRocco%2B%2BS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning connections (<i>Bill Cardno photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well done to all winning connections.<br />
<br />
Following on from the terrible incident which happened, the Wallace family have been fundraising to purchase a defibrillator to be used at harness racing fixtures and so far have raised over £4000. If anyone would like to donate, you can do so <b><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harnessracingdefib" target="_blank">here</a></b>. <br />
<br />
Peter Wallace was known by everybody. He was always <i>there</i>. Unwaivering in the support of his daughters and all of their horses, and of harness racing. It is testament to how well thought of he was that the harness racing community reacted in such a way as we all did, with drivers at Stanhope Show wearing black armbands, and the joint-winning driver of the Crock of Gold wearing a hi-vis yellow armband as a nod to Peter's famous hi-vis jacket which he was rarely without. You didn't need to know Peter, to <i>know</i> him. He was a harness racing stalwart. He will be missed by so many people, but none more so than his two daughters, Anna and Katey, and wife Carolynne.<br />
<br />
RIP Peter. One of harness racing's own.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u75v-d5XIEc/Wd0qLiQfA8I/AAAAAAAAEAs/3Cpxs0eBLUcHW7hyNBbRlsbqHFhBTLPjwCLcBGAs/s1600/21270785_10156535868879097_9090123664010393633_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u75v-d5XIEc/Wd0qLiQfA8I/AAAAAAAAEAs/3Cpxs0eBLUcHW7hyNBbRlsbqHFhBTLPjwCLcBGAs/s400/21270785_10156535868879097_9090123664010393633_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 Groom Sarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30119998574372668.post-21552751298811466002017-09-28T04:40:00.000-07:002017-09-28T04:40:07.322-07:002017 Season: Week 18 - Tregaron<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyR3ww95RS0/WakNWcfHixI/AAAAAAAADzE/BYxL5RMRXiYnO4dQnRXSvSKG1B4KUeNxQCLcBGAs/s1600/DO%2Bconvo%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="645" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyR3ww95RS0/WakNWcfHixI/AAAAAAAADzE/BYxL5RMRXiYnO4dQnRXSvSKG1B4KUeNxQCLcBGAs/s640/DO%2Bconvo%2B.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
Now it would be unfair of me to claim that I <i>knew</i> that Michael O'Mahony would go on to have a blinder of a meeting at Tregaron, but I <i>can </i>say that it came as little surprise to me. The cream has a funny way of rising to the top, after all.<br />
<br />
Tregaron Festival 2017 has already been covered on Harnesslink - read <a href="http://www.harnesslink.com/UK-Ireland/Fwd--Michael-O-Mahony-steels-the-show-at-Tregaron" target="_blank">here</a> - and you could forgive writer Kayleigh Evans for being a bit less measured in her report than usual, although she writes as professionally as ever. The reason being, for those of you not familiar with Michael and Kayleigh, that for the last number of years Michael has been training horses from Kayleigh's family home in Penuwch, alongside Kayleigh's brother Mike [Evans]. I think we'd all forgive a bit of bias in a report which means so much to the writer (who shed more than a few tears after Meldoon won the Welsh Classic Final!), so well done Kayleigh for the utmost professionalism in print!<br />
<br />
As I go to print with this myself, 4 weeks have passed since the Tregaron Festival. My timing is getting increasingly worse. Once the subsequent weeks' updates have been posted you may begin to understand this tardiness. In a reflection of the month of August for harness racing, I have been overrun with projects, trips and in recent weeks, preparing sales adverts for both York and Builth sales. This time of year is hard, albeit enjoyable, work.<br />
<br />
Anyway, we shall delve in to some of the highlights from Wales' premier meeting which, this year, was back on par with some of the previously more enjoyable stagings and one which you would have regretted to miss.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Afm1Kogx3Ig/WcgvVFyUaLI/AAAAAAAAD1A/RGk-jsv7kes6jTEqIeMS7eHjoGBTVuO2ACLcBGAs/s1600/Michael%2BOMahony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Afm1Kogx3Ig/WcgvVFyUaLI/AAAAAAAAD1A/RGk-jsv7kes6jTEqIeMS7eHjoGBTVuO2ACLcBGAs/s640/Michael%2BOMahony.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael O'Mahony wins NINE (<i>Graham Rees photos)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's begin with the NINE winners piloted by 'man of the moment' (or, indeed, 'man of the weekend'), Michael O'Mahony. First up was the first heat of the Little Welsh Dragoness, in which he drove the Geoffrey Lyons-Mound owned Lyons Lememay (1/9), winner of the Oakwood Stud 3YO Fillies Oaks at the VDM weekend. This filly joined Michael's stable mid-season and has come on leaps and bounds under his care, going on to win the Little Welsh Dragoness Final later that day (2/9).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5G9dOoWE7k/Wcl4fK5YxsI/AAAAAAAAD28/14pzsMqXUgAktN-sGD1wCXxKFJKcAbJawCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_6481_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5G9dOoWE7k/Wcl4fK5YxsI/AAAAAAAAD28/14pzsMqXUgAktN-sGD1wCXxKFJKcAbJawCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_6481_edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael & Lyons Lememay winning the Little Welsh Dragoness heat (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael then went on to win the first of the five Strata Florida heats with Style Matters (3/9), owned and trained by Lowri Jones. He was unable to take the drive in the final after steering Southern Sunshine to victory in the last of the heats (4/9) with a well-timed late run in the stretch and it was the Irish-owned horse which came home in front in the final (5/9) with a mirror image drive from the man with the most laid back driving style on the British Isles.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-BoWgOPcjU/WczPrAT-E6I/AAAAAAAAD4E/U7lZF5xyKBsd--JEXvN4tFal8ELNTwvFwCEwYBhgL/s1600/MM%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="877" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-BoWgOPcjU/WczPrAT-E6I/AAAAAAAAD4E/U7lZF5xyKBsd--JEXvN4tFal8ELNTwvFwCEwYBhgL/s400/MM%2B2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning connections of Southern Sunshine after the Strata Florida Final (<i>Irfon Bennett photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kGagcL8AX4/WczPrj_KpAI/AAAAAAAAD4E/eB2L_Zuv0b0lEO1jkCyPIn8fp0AhwAgZgCEwYBhgL/s1600/MM%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="593" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kGagcL8AX4/WczPrj_KpAI/AAAAAAAAD4E/eB2L_Zuv0b0lEO1jkCyPIn8fp0AhwAgZgCEwYBhgL/s400/MM%2B3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Sunshine & Kayleigh Evans (<i>Irfon Bennett photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the Saturday, Michael gave little away in the Facebook Live interview with Darren before the racing, but it wasn't long before he was back in the winner's circle in the first of the five heats of the Welsh Classic. This time it was with the Bethan Kelly-owned and trained mare, In The Ayr (6/9), which he guided over the line in front, with a whole host of ladies piling in to the centre of the track for the winning celebrations after the race.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESfWFnIFiWc/WczPqLe8jsI/AAAAAAAAD3s/BZDM0HGZR0MWX7NJtN-gBXQ9uHhfXLuVQCLcBGAs/s1600/In%2BThe%2BAyr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="792" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESfWFnIFiWc/WczPqLe8jsI/AAAAAAAAD3s/BZDM0HGZR0MWX7NJtN-gBXQ9uHhfXLuVQCLcBGAs/s400/In%2BThe%2BAyr.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owner/trainer of In The Ayr, Bethan Kelly (centre, pink jacket) and friends (<i>Irfon Bennett photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Michael was straight back into the winner's circle in the next race, again with a mare, this time in the shape of Meldoon (7/9) who looked impressive when finishing second to Rhyds Passion in the STAGBI Future Broodmares race at Tir Prince a week earlier. It was the Roy Roberts-owned mare which he later chose to partner in the final.<br />
<br />
<br />
Before heading to the final, Michael made another detour via the winner's circle with another Geoffrey Lyons-Mound 3YO filly, Lyons Saint Marys (8/9), the heavily backed favourite in the second of two maiden races on the Saturday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lHkKcG9MQZw/Wcl4fv6BHkI/AAAAAAAAD28/0how42xRtFwOsKMfYD7kIXpX10pvHre8gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7416_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lHkKcG9MQZw/Wcl4fv6BHkI/AAAAAAAAD28/0how42xRtFwOsKMfYD7kIXpX10pvHre8gCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7416_edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field on the final circuit in the Welsh Classic Final (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As if the tally marks after each winner weren't enough of a giveaway, and in order to truly be the 'man of the weekend', you should have come to the very obvious conclusion that Michael topped off a phenomenal weekend with victory in the Group 1 Welsh Classic Final when romping to victory on Meldoon, the four-year-old daughter of Doonbeg out of Real Melody. Emotions were very high immediately following the race, and despite trying my best not to succumb to the tears, when I looked at fellow STAGBI director Gwenan (who is heavily involved with the staging of the fixture at Tregaron) and saw her crying without abandon, I went over the edge! Then Kayleigh appeared on the track, in tears, with her mother, and also Michael's number one fan, his niece Chloe Anne who was such a delight over the course of the entire weekend and seemed to love every minute of Michael's success. Michael's family soon joined the party in the winner's circle, followed by Meldoon's deservedly emotional owner, Roy, his wife Diane and friends. There are moments in racing when I look around me at the way in which winning affects people and I think 'this is the drug we all crave'. That high of victory is what we all chase after every time we put our horses onto the race track. I love the feats that horses achieve and the manner in which they do it, and I love the emotions that people show when the horses they care so much about fulfil their potential. Roy was unashamedly emotional about the victory and nobody could blame him; owning a Welsh Classic Final winner is one thing but to have bred her as well, that's just wonderful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiQcs7xBmIo/WczPsuWQSVI/AAAAAAAAD4E/dqaxAwZYX48iwbIqVn8JMr5SaBRRouElQCEwYBhgL/s1600/MM%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="697" height="258" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiQcs7xBmIo/WczPsuWQSVI/AAAAAAAAD4E/dqaxAwZYX48iwbIqVn8JMr5SaBRRouElQCEwYBhgL/s400/MM%2B5.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meldoon winning the Welsh Classic Final (<i>Irfon Bennett photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWONMtq_2oI/Wcl5IPHoYOI/AAAAAAAAD28/avMeTD0vVFwRnMdokXc6XKjPD_h_NQRvgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8654_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWONMtq_2oI/Wcl5IPHoYOI/AAAAAAAAD28/avMeTD0vVFwRnMdokXc6XKjPD_h_NQRvgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_8654_edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The realisation quickly sinks in for Michael (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDl-r-Yp2fA/WczPsGTMj2I/AAAAAAAAD4E/-SNmRNRx_ycY8V4wwzneA0hOMajSZqKIQCEwYBhgL/s1600/MM%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="528" height="393" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDl-r-Yp2fA/WczPsGTMj2I/AAAAAAAAD4E/-SNmRNRx_ycY8V4wwzneA0hOMajSZqKIQCEwYBhgL/s400/MM%2B4.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A popular winner with the local crowds (<i>Irfon Bennett photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qK4epTbkYLc/Wcl5FoRMizI/AAAAAAAAD3I/eFN7nD1IBm0e_X--7v3kKlp1leVw-Rc5QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7730_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="982" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qK4epTbkYLc/Wcl5FoRMizI/AAAAAAAAD3I/eFN7nD1IBm0e_X--7v3kKlp1leVw-Rc5QCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7730_edited.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael's #1 fan - niece, Chloe Anne (<i>Sarah Thomas photo)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wffnxql12bw/Wcl5IDXpWgI/AAAAAAAAD3E/LvML4Q1l0OImty4SI0VnjAwH2KpBNXGPwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8657_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1034" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wffnxql12bw/Wcl5IDXpWgI/AAAAAAAAD3E/LvML4Q1l0OImty4SI0VnjAwH2KpBNXGPwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_8657_edited.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrations (and tears!) for the team (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fadx7UZ8c8Q/Wcl5JYk5y6I/AAAAAAAAD3E/DZH3-Zr8NqIFaGVrcow14_z6Sw0317HqgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8700_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fadx7UZ8c8Q/Wcl5JYk5y6I/AAAAAAAAD3E/DZH3-Zr8NqIFaGVrcow14_z6Sw0317HqgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_8700_edited.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tears - from the owner this time! (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEl04ZN2cnA/Wcl5Fgi7zcI/AAAAAAAAD28/xOzEP2xnoEEZQgWpXafUGLOFRT4qQJP3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7749_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEl04ZN2cnA/Wcl5Fgi7zcI/AAAAAAAAD28/xOzEP2xnoEEZQgWpXafUGLOFRT4qQJP3gCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_7749_edited.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBi1_XbSzi4/Wcl5FLNPBgI/AAAAAAAAD28/M40j1496CAYR42E_1CPyj7oEbfoVAsnUQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7761_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBi1_XbSzi4/Wcl5FLNPBgI/AAAAAAAAD28/M40j1496CAYR42E_1CPyj7oEbfoVAsnUQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_7761_edited.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1_uLnByZLgA/Wcl5Jv8LxfI/AAAAAAAAD28/issZ8kP0wxENmfoYaiALXneGiJnrEfeAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8873_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1300" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1_uLnByZLgA/Wcl5Jv8LxfI/AAAAAAAAD28/issZ8kP0wxENmfoYaiALXneGiJnrEfeAQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_8873_edited.jpg" width="259" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5jb2iIDJBI4/Wcl5GNxXPrI/AAAAAAAAD3E/X8om7uPX3AI0RiuKLi5cBjbDnYUEyCdyQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7773_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5jb2iIDJBI4/Wcl5GNxXPrI/AAAAAAAAD3E/X8om7uPX3AI0RiuKLi5cBjbDnYUEyCdyQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_7773_edited.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Delving back into the general racing, I must mention the spectacular drive that Steve Lees gave <b>No Brakes</b> in the Little Welsh Dragon 3YO Final on the Friday. Regular driver Grant had qualified the horse in the last available place in his heat; as a fourth place qualifier he was left with a choice of the two worst picks for the draw and as such, Grant made the decision to drive Tarawood CJ (drawn 2) who, having won his heat with Grant at the reins, was entitled to second choice after the other heat winner, All Good Hanover (drawn 1). I was a little surprised to see Grant choose a horse he'd only driven once over a horse he has driven (with much success) all season, however all's fair in love and racing and based on their heat performances, CJ looked to have the better chance in the final.<br />
<br />
CJ looked to have an even better chance as the race went off when All Good Hanover broke at the start, massively impeding the horse drawn behind it, GDs Hazzard. The starter allowed the race to continue without calling a false start, which in hindsight would have been the correct decision. Starter Shae Price has taken a lot of stick (borderline abuse) for the decision, and I am going on record as saying it was the wrong decision to make in not calling a false start. However, people make mistakes. It's very easy for me to sit here and say all of this with a level head; I've been known to lose my rag at the starter at Corbiewood in the past when it's been my horse which has been impeded by a breaking horse in front of it at the start, only for the race to go ahead and my horse to be tailed off. Impartiality is a wonderful thing. To the connections of the two horses involved: nothing could be changed once the race was over. To the Thomson's, I feel for you as your horse was innocent in the whole debacle and was never given a fair chance, and despite being impeded ran a stormer to finish fourth, only losing out on a rosette by a nose. To driver Lee Fletcher on board All Good Hanover - if what you have said is true, that the reason you had your horse turned back into the stretch after pulling up whilst the race was still going was because you were going to send it hell for leather towards the field and bail out and see what damage the horse could do - shame on you. I sincerely hope this was a bad joke and that despite the red mist which I'm sure many of us suffer from, you are able to accept that your horse was in the wrong; had you galloped on the second line and not hampered anybody, you'd have been left, fairly and squarely.<br />
<br />
Whilst I don't particularly want to give the former Bishop Auckland Soccer Hooligans co-leader a stern telling off, here I find myself. Let's put this all behind us and move on; the starter made a mistake, he has learnt from it, calling for him to never start a race again simply adds more pressure on the BHRC to find volunteers for thankless tasks. Remember that. I don't see an orderly queue forming to take on the job.<br />
<br />
Back to the race itself: I was partaking of an alcoholic beverage with my friend, Hayley Cassells, who happens to be the groom to No Brakes (aka Charlie). Below par earlier performance in his heat, bad draw in the final and the fact that Hayley couldn't see over the crowd in front of her to watch the race meant that the two of us were basically having a bit of a blether in the background and not <i>really</i> paying attention. At the business end of things I saw Alan Jones coming wide with My Buddy down the stretch and got all excited because I love underdog-type scenarious and major upsets in big races and all of a sudden No Brakes is storming through the centre of the field to get up by three quarters of a length. I turned to Hayley, who had a full pint in her hand, and screamed 'CHARLIE HAS WON' and for the first time in the 3 years I've known her, Hayley threw her pint in the bin. In the bin. Just lobbed it like it didn't matter and ran for the track. And I followed, because that seemed like a good idea.<br />
<br />
Whilst on the track I spoke to Steve [Lees] and his son, Stephen, and told 'little Stevie' that he'd need to work hard to be as good a driver as his old man, who'd won the race with a horse who scraped into the final by the skin of his teeth. Little Stevie pointed up to the commentary box and said 'that's where I want to be, up there not out here'. Duly noted young man. We will get you on the right path to be a commentator. I mean, surely we all know someone who could help out a budding young commentator?! *cough* Darren Owen *cough*<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFc5NH3yXew/WczPqAEa1yI/AAAAAAAAD4E/0GQLqHyaBZ8qDPLJK-_BSqBdLGyt28VOACEwYBhgL/s1600/Commentatora.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="683" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFc5NH3yXew/WczPqAEa1yI/AAAAAAAAD4E/0GQLqHyaBZ8qDPLJK-_BSqBdLGyt28VOACEwYBhgL/s400/Commentatora.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will we see 'Little Stevie' here one day?! (<i>Irfon Bennett photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, a massive CONGRATULATIONS to owners Bob and Linda on their win. Linda's delight every time Charlie has picked up a rosette this season has been great. The proud Facebook posts and the photos of his trophies and ribbons have been refreshing to follow. Charlie's done good!<br />
<br />
I'd also like to give a mention to trainer/driver Rhun Wilson for his training 1-2 in the fourth heat of the Strata Florida with Dulais Daniel and Reeds Scarlett. Dulais Daniel is owned by Rhun's good friend Steven Williams and was driven to victory by William Greenhorn, while Rhun drove the runner up who seems to be flourishing in his care. Bizarrely, Rhun was subsequently called in to the stewards over concerns that he had not driven his horse, Reeds Scarlett, on its full merits. I must have been watching a very different race. The horses may have the same trainer, but they have different owners, and what I saw was a hard driven finish from both drivers. Rhun was only cautioned, but I was not alone in thinking he was hard done by. Kudos to him anyway, this is his first season with BHRC having moved from WBCRA and after struggling in the early part of the season (and admitting he'd perhaps made a mistake in switching codes), after his first two wins at York with two trotters, he's really gotten into his rhythm. Keep up the good work - and although Jimmy is yet to win a race off a stiff mark, please keep trying with him. He's racing competitively and his day will come! Although if you do change your mind, I would gladly take him off your hands!! Sorry Smarty, I'm casually flouting the 'no more horses' policy on a public forum...<br />
<br />
To round off my recap from the first day, a mention must also go to Horse of the Year contender Evenwood Sonofagun who was commanding in his FFA appearance when winning the Battle of the Big Guns in an impressive time of 2:04. This was his 14th consecutive win and his 10th of the season. He's phenomenal and a joy to watch racing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwpWWlKbbgo/WczPqKfvpKI/AAAAAAAAD4E/fqPz2EM_FVAPoKNWItoxksP-1mJ-yTr4wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Gunner%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="885" height="172" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwpWWlKbbgo/WczPqKfvpKI/AAAAAAAAD4E/fqPz2EM_FVAPoKNWItoxksP-1mJ-yTr4wCEwYBhgL/s400/Gunner%2B1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evenwood Sonofagun heading to win #14 (<i>Irfon Bennett photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The second day featured a few performances that I enjoyed, including Rhyds Adora (Dai Isaac) winning the first race of the day, a maiden race. The runner up, Ayr Musketeer was also an eye catcher and subsequently went on to win his maiden at Lampeter.<br />
<br />
Oaks Telstar won his novice by a head from Blackfield Jennie, and while I rate him a far better horse than that performance, he was decidely lacklustre and this turned out to be his final race of the season. He will start the 2018 season as a Grade 1 and I think he's shown plenty of potential this season already to make him a really chancy candidate for one of the major grass handicap finals next year.<br />
<br />
In scenes the stewards deemed reminiscent of Rhun Wilson's training 1-2, Alexis Laidler fielded the first two home in the third of the five heats of the Welsh Classic. This time William Greenhorn was on the runner up, JMs Hallstar, while Rocker drove Jack Swagger to victory. Willie was called in to the stewards after the race and was subsequently find £50 under rule <b>M28</b> (<i>In the event a drive is unsatisfactory due to lack of effort or carelessness, and the Stewards believe that there is no fraud, gross carelessness, or a deliberate inconsistent drive they may impose a penalty under this sub-section including, but not limited to, a fine and/or suspension or disqualification</i>).<br />
<br />
A lot of people were talking about the drive; I didn't see it on the day as due to the angle I was standing at I only had a head-on view down the stretch. However, the racing was recorded for the Welsh language harness racing show, <i>Rasus</i>, and the race was (possibly poorly chosen) aired on the pre-recorded show. The footage used showed, in my opinion at least (although as I'm not a driver I'm not actually supposed to comment on how others drive), a pretty bad example of not driving a horse on its merits (aka 'non-trying'). The penalty for a breach of this rule is 'Fine and/or suspension'. Now, I'm currently working on another post/an open letter to the BHRC Council about removing the discretionary element of the majority of penalties in order to create a level playing field <i>AND</i> give stewards some added protection from often unfair verbal/written abuse (a case of 'don't hate the player, hate the game'). So we'll leave that for another day. My point here is, whether we agree with the amount of the fine or not, the driver was fined. I now hear a rumour (courtesy of Watty & Fletch on TrotTalk TV) that Willie has been called back before the BHRC Council for a hearing relating to this incident. Whilst I fully agree with the BHRC as a governing body reviewing the decisions of stewards, in this instance I am unaware that anybody has appealed the decision. The rule breach was identified and penalised as per the rulebook. The BHRC seek now only to undermine the track stewards who imposed the (arguably too small) fine. Regardless of the amount, the fine was still imposed. The BHRC should perhaps instead seek to review the rulebook and penalties rather than retrospectively looking to punish a driver for an offence he has already been punished for. <i>Double jeopardy</i>, as those familiar with the criminal justice system refer to it. The man did the crime, now he's done the time, so to speak. Let's all move on.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KvWDYqkL_g/Wcl4ekguaHI/AAAAAAAAD2E/6PWktc6_2yMdJ3fkcR_3moZ18BiDNnIEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7238_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KvWDYqkL_g/Wcl4ekguaHI/AAAAAAAAD2E/6PWktc6_2yMdJ3fkcR_3moZ18BiDNnIEwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7238_edited.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The Greenhorn Glare' (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sadly, the horse involved in the incident, JMs Hallstar, has since been put down, and is a great loss to the team as he still displayed bags of potential for the future. The owners were keen to locate another horse with potential for the 2018 season, and later that day a horse from the stable must have caught their eye when winning the Grade 1, as <b>Easy Company </b>(owned by Gregor Paterson and Scott Mason - the gruesome twosome) has since been purchased by the Huschkas. Good luck and well done to connections, new and old.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2r1nYbzilvY/Wcl5HGdYTQI/AAAAAAAAD3I/jj_lserCajkjefOMIJYUVpQrKqOfEX-TQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8321_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2r1nYbzilvY/Wcl5HGdYTQI/AAAAAAAAD3I/jj_lserCajkjefOMIJYUVpQrKqOfEX-TQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_8321_edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The Gruesome Twosome' and their trophy (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sticking with the Huschka/Laidler combination, their 2YO colt Merrington Movinup surprised many, but not all, when overturning stable mate and betting favourite (actually, unbettable favourite) Matticulous to win the Junior Welsh Dragon. Some connections of the runner up were overheard stating their unhappiness with the way the horse was driven, but the draw was what made the crucial difference in this race, and the winner should never be underestimated. He was a very impressive winner in 2:07 (bearing in mind that the Junior Welsh Dragoness winner, Greenhill Hanover, clocked 2:13.4 in the previous race).<br />
<br />
My final observation of the weekend relates to a horse I am from now on referring to as 'The Iron Horse': <b>Llwyns Delight</b>. And what a delight he is for owners Lee and Robyn Price and both their families. He is such a family favourite and indeed a favourite with harness racing fans. Having won the Tregaron Spring Handicap heat and final in May, he also went on to win heat and final at one of the country's fairest and toughest tracks - Boughrood, just 6 days before winning a heat of the Welsh Classic at Tregaron. He then finished third in the final off a whopping 50 yard trail with a tremendous late run to prove his staying power. From 19 starts this year, winner of 6 with 6 placings, all in good company. What a superstar he is!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIpqG3XXz7Y/Wcl5GvunPZI/AAAAAAAAD28/9KyGa3qKNysnsrSjrstSbl1emf_ca5xlgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8133_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1411" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIpqG3XXz7Y/Wcl5GvunPZI/AAAAAAAAD28/9KyGa3qKNysnsrSjrstSbl1emf_ca5xlgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_8133_edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Iron Horse - Llwyns Delight wins again for driver Lee Price (<i>Sarah Thomas photo</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And there we have it. A very belated review of Tregaron. I am aware that I haven't touched upon all of the races, winners, incidents and news from the meeting, but as time goes on my memory begins to fail me and at meetings as big as this, I can only really process and retain so much information. For two whole days I find myself taking in so much, both on and off the track, that when I finally get home to Scotland I need about 3 days to recover! It's meetings such as this, and Appleby, Musselburgh and Aberystwyth, that so many of us train horses for - we want to win here. I may not have mentioned every winner individually, but to those of you who won - WELL DONE. It is a lot harder than many appreciate, and winning at Tregaron remains at the top of most people's bucket lists. Rightly so.<br />
<br />
Well done to all of the people involved with Tregaron Trotting Club - you smashed it!<br />
<br />
Over and out,<br />
<br />
#1 GroomSarah Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816360661676437075noreply@blogger.com2