Baileys Blog

Plus 10 and pouring with rain when driving in. 9mm overnight and more...

The road at the bottom of our drive was closed yesterday and it looks like sections will be clsoed for the next 10 days while they cut down dead Ash trees that are on the road side..

Clare and I were joined by her father Freddie at The Mayflower last night.. really good service and a very enjoyable evening..

Cheltenham will be busy for the next few days.. The Jazz Festival started yesterday. Racing tomorrow night.

I don't know if the Times firewall stops you looking at these pictures but if not they are worth looking at..

Sorry to see that Paul Webber is handing in his trainers license.. Good amateur jockey in his day, good bloodstock agent and then a good trainer.. Enjoy your new life Paul.

Galopin Des Champs beaten last night at Punchestown

Simon and Liz Harrison were here for a yard visit.. It was something the ROA organised but cancelled yesterday.. Simon and Liz did not fancy cancelling their Hotel so we were very happy to show them around..

Coot Lloyd asked Maya if they could visit First Flow before he headed off to his new home in Ireland next week.. His fan club..

Old Irish Blessing..

Always remember to forget the things that made you sad.

But never forget to remember the things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget the friends who proved untrue.

But never forget to remember those who stuck by you.

Always remember to forget the Troubles that passed away.

But never forget to remember the Blessings that come each day.

To finish.. Happy birthdays to Michael Dulverton, Melanie Wilkinson and my PA Maya Quist..

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

That was a very long day, and certainly an interesting one. Chantilly..

We were early so caught the 6.18 train to Calais.. Both ways the trains left on time and arrived on time!!

David Bass was in this morning.. We jumped a couple..

A surprisngly busy Wednesday morning, We had David Robinson, Michael and Lindy Hedley-Whyte, Emma Watson and her friend all come for breakfast and to see the horses on the gallops.

Nick Cook was here late morning to see his KBRS horses Campaign Trail, El Rio and Zmiinyi.

John Battershall and Mandy were also here late morning..

Wendy Keelan who is a huge fan of both First Flow and Does He Know came up during the afternoon to see both horses.. First Flow leaves here to his new home in Ireland next week. 

John Battershall sent this one over..

A blind man went to a restaurant. menu sir? asked the owner.

I’m blind, just bring me one of your dirty forks, I will smell it and order.

The confused owner went to the kitchen to retrieve a fork, and returned to the blind man. The blind man smelled the fork with a deep breath, yes I will have the lamb with seasoned potatoes and spring vegetables.

Unbelievable, thought the owner. The blind man ate and left.

Two weeks later the blind man returned.

The owner, wanting to know how good his smell is, quickly went to the kitchen where his wife Brenda was cooking and said, do me a favour and rub this fork over your fanny,  which she did.

He then goes to the blind man and gives him the fork. The blind man takes it and puts it to his nose and says, F..k me! I never knew Brenda works here!

To finish..

Happy birthdays to my cousin Karen Newbury, Belinda Cullen and one of our 'rider outers' (not out riders?) Ed Cookson..And it would have been my Father's birthday too..

Plus 8 and dry when waking at 2.15…!?

Driving to France catching the 7.15 train from Folkestone to Calais and back this evening.. Horse hunting..

Tuesday always brings our weekly vet visit and this weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts are..Bobhopeornohope down 5 to 130, Does He Know down 2 to 152, El Rio down 3 to 116, Gerard Mentor down 4 to 99, Halligator up to to 102, I Got Stung down 3 to 92, Lady Gwen down 1 to 101, Le Cameleon down 4 to 120, Mikhailovich down 1 to 106, Parc d'Amour uo 4 to 120 and Shantou Express down 2 to 117.

Chianti Classico had a visit over the weekend from some fans..Laura Hartog, Jess Alley, Daniela Alley, Sophie and Alfie Martindale..

John Alley, who loved his racing and had shares in horses here, sadly died just before the Cheltenham Festival.. and when organising his funeral, his family, who are not really racing fans noticed that John's favourite Italian wine was running.. So they thought he would enjoy having one last punt..And as we all know it was a winning one..Understandably they were keen to meet John's favourite wine when in they were in area over the weekend....

A man and a woman were travelling in a train.

Woman.. Every time you smile I feel like inviting you to my place.

Man Awwwww....! Are you Single?

Woman.. No I am a dentist..

Plus 5 and damp when driving in. We had over 22mm of rain this weekend.. Welcome to spring/summer!

Rain washed out Milly's chance of riding Inca Rose at Edgcote yesteray. It was abandoned.

This was not good news..Shishkin

There was a wonderful atmosphere at Sandown on Saturday.. So many people out to celebrate a phenomenal season for Willie Mullins and Harry Cobden.

Take a bow Willie.. I really do believe that Willie winning the trainer’s table will inject a huge amount of interest in what comes along in the next 12 months.. Jump racing should cherish the season we have seen. Great horses winning yes, I know mostly from Ireland but cherish the sights of brilliance.

There is going to be ferocious fight to take the title off him!!

Talking brilliance.. Harry Cobden fits that bill very easily..Young and hugely talented. Even if he has not ridden me a winner.

Does He Know ran well for a long way in what was a hugely competitive Bet365 and found being crowded not to his liking.. He is fine and hopefully he will drop a pound or two to qualify for veterans’ races..Having said that he has had a good season and winning the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster was a huge performance especially off top weight.

Our season was an interesting one..The weather was certainly trying for all.. Many meetings off and waterlogged.. Global warming….

We started last season with a winner for John Perriss with his good mare I Spy A Diva at Warwick. Gosh, that feels a long time ago.

Destroytheevidence won at Worcester in May and went to win two other races at Kempton and was placed in a couple of good races at Cheltenham and Doncaster.. In fact, it was to be a good season for Phil and Gill Andrews who certainly endured a shocker the season before. This time it came good for The Edgar Wallace who won two and probably should have at least won another. Their Mr Grey Sky won two too.. Phil is also involved in The Kemble Brewery who after winning a couple of bumpers sadly struck into himself on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham and missed the rest of the season.. He is ok and as they say fate/time!

Eliabeth Kellar could not contain her excitement when watching her homebred mare Faerie Cutlass win at Worcester.. The smile on her face shows why having a homebred winner is just such a thrill..

John and Laura Garrett’s French bred horse Jeudidee won a bumper at Warwick and then went on to win two hurdle races at Worcester and Exeter.

Shantou Express carried top weight at Stratford, a race he had won before.. SE wins every season.. a great syndicate horse to be involved in..

Richard and Susan Davies moved Lady Gwen here and she won first time out at Stratford and then went on to win a couple more.. She ran about 8 times in 8 weeks and was never unplaced.

Mikhailovich won easily at Huntingdon and was third on his next run at Market Rasen.. He loves quick ground so this winter was not for him..

Chepstow in the pouring rain and it was horizontal to say the least. Cornelius Lysaght joined Richard Pilkington in the paddock to watch Chianti Classico make a hugely impressive winning start to his chasing career. Jumping like a buck he sailed through the mud and water like a knife through butter!.. CC went on the have the most brilliant season. Winning at Ascot for his co-owner Francis Brooke.. It was Francis’s first winner at his racecourse, when I say his racecourse, I mean that Francis is His Majesty’s Representative at Ascot.. It was a very special, but nerve-racking day as the ground was far too fast for CC who never looked happy on it, but guts took him through to win… CC went on to finish second at Kempton and then as we all know he gave us that important win at The Cheltenham Festival.. A day none of us will ever forget. Including watching David Bass entering the winner’s enclosure like a conquering Roman General entering Rome.

Trelawne was also in the same race at Cheltenham but sadly he fell at the second fence. I just love Trelawne, perhaps like me he has no pedigree, although Trelawne is not an Essex boy, but at least he is seriously talented. Sandra Steer-Fowler’s home bred started off with an impressive win at Carlisle and then was placed in good company at Cheltenham and Wetherby, frankly he was unlucky not to win both… Thankfully he was OK after his fall and a summer out he will return stronger and hopefully a wiser and better horse.

Percy Veering the horse that finally came good and won three chases. Time and patience can be very rewarding and for his happy band of loyal supporters he did them proud.

Heros de Romay was given a fine ride by Gavin Sheehan to win at Chepstow and Heros went on to be placed  on both his next runs.. He has schooled over fences and that will be his forte this coming season. Talking great rides Gavin Sheehan gave Parc d’Amour an outstanding one to win at Huntingdon.. He missed the break and got left behind.. did not panic and got up on the line!

One of the results of the season and probably the most exciting was watching Ciaran Gethings somehow lift victory out of the jaws of defeat on General Hubble in the dark at Market Rasen. Mat said that it was the moment of the season.. for all the wrong reasons.. It was a huge win for his happy team of owners who celebrated that win in some style.

Tears spring all too easily to my eyes and never has a horse done that for me that the wonderful First Flow.. If ever a horse threw his lot at a race and wore his heart on his sleeve then that horse has to be First Flow.. He ran some cracking races but winning at Lingfield on what was to be his last race as a very special moment. You could see the pleasure and admiration on David Bass’s face when they went past the post in front.. I should have announced his retirement there and then but there would not have been a big enough bucket  and with Matt Chapman breathing down my neck I was not man enough to cope..The good news is that FF has a wonderful life ahead of him in retirement when he heads to Ireland next week to join Kayleigh Thompson who looked after Tony Solomons other great horse Harry Topper..

The last 6 weeks has been quiet due the handicapper catching up with many of our horses and as we all know it is a numbers game and we have been short in that department but Magical Escape won well at Chepstow and showed what he is capable of and Halligator did the same when winning under top weight at Huntingdon last week to end our season.

We finished 27th in the trainers list with £498,249.00 in prize money..32 winners..22 seconds and 26 thirds from the 57 horses we ran.

A big thank you to all my owners.. David Bass and Ciaran Gethings who rode most of our horses and Peter Kerr for tirelessly organising our in house KBR syndicates

A huge thank you to all my excellent team headed by Mat Nicholls....Leigh Pollard and Lauren Hawkins for travelling so many ‘best turned out’ winners and Charly Bond for a great first season as Head girl..Alex Hall who shod well and my PA, Maya for teaching me how to spell and understand the modern world of technology. Sandie Wilkinson for looking after the office and accounts and finally the long suffering Mrs B, who when not looking after all here, looks after me too.. And for all her hard work when it comes to rehoming our retiring racechorses

Racing is fun and we try to make it that for all..

So thank you all and 'here's to next season'.. which starts on Saturday!!

Plus 4 and dry when driving in. Dry for the moment. It rained last night..4mm.

I am sure you won't be surprised to know that I was fishless after an afternoon in the water..The benefits of yesterday’s session were that I found out that my waders leaked.. Some bloody naughty mouse had taken a hole or two out of my waders, so I was drenched.. Probably explains why my casting was so rusty!

Simon Claisse was with me and he was following down the river.. He caught and lost one!! Huge I am sure, but the excitement on his face said it all..

I did not come home empty handed as I stopped off Severn and Wye Valley Smokery on the way there, in anticitapion of a blank day!!

David Bass was in for the last time this season.. Holidays next week? No jump racing for a week..the 2024/2025 season starts next Saturday!

Adrian Skalycz, Ali Welson, Colin Welson and Audrey Welson were here for a 'Morning on the gallops, followed by breakfast' as bought through CD Tours.

Amanda and Dom Corkhill and Jenny and Julian Hemming were also here and they bought their morning at a Gympanzees charity action

Joe Golding was here to see his KBRS horse Lets Go Amigo.

The last day of the 2023/2024 jumps season. Jockeys title was sorted last night at Chepstow. Harry Cobden now Champion Jockey..

Who will be Champion Trainer.. It looks like Willie Mullins, but Dan Skelton could just could have a dream day and beat him to the winng post?

We have our last runner of the 2023/2024 at Sandown this afternoon.. Does He Know runs in the Bet365 Gold Cup handicap Chase.. A race that I have won twice before with Mr Frisk and Docklands Express..

This years renewal looks very competitive, especially with all the top trainers trying desperately to win prize money..For my thoughts on DHK’s chances please click here.

We have a full complement of DHK’s syndicate owners going to Sandown bar sadly Moira Stoneman who passed away earlier this week.

Moira and her husband Rodney have been involved with Syndicates here for a while and loved coming to Thorndale to see their horses.

Moira had probably the driest sense of humour of anybody I have ever met..It took me a while to crack it, but when I did she was just so amusing. A hoot.. Moira was a great person to talk to as she had a really interesting life.. She will be much missed by the other DHK members, and all our thoughts go out to Rodney..

Milly Jeory and Inca Rose are performing at Edgcote tomorrow..Good luck to them..

Lets finish the season with a joke from Christopher Marriott..

A father, mother, and son were going to Europe and were going to visit the n*de beaches while they were there.

They didn't want their son to get a distorted view of beauty, so they told him,

"The men with really big di*ks and the girls with really, really big bo*bs were both really, really dumb."

When they got to the beach they split up.

Later the mother saw their son and asked where his dad was.

The boy said, ''Well, the last time I saw him he was talking to this really, really, dumb blonde, and the longer they talked, the dumber he got.''

Have a great weekend and see you in the new season..well Monday then..

Plus 2 and dry when driving in.

Huntingdon last night ..Winner..

Halligator came good to win division 2 of the handicap hurdle..

Halligator might look terrifying to ride with his extraordinary low head carriage, but having dropped down in class he as able to hold on even after a mistake after the last..

Delighted for Imperial Racing as it has been a quiet time for them since we trained them a festival winner with Imperial Aura..

Sorry to see his regular supporters Megan, Matt and Paul were not there.. Paul Toplass text immediately after the race to say that his win without either of us being there, was why he won! Paul's brother Mark was there to represent

Parc d’Amour is talented but frustrating, as he must be held up.. Last night they went a million miles an hour with one horse charging off in front, which suited.. all looked to be going smoothly for Ciaran Gethings and Parc until they were nearly brought down on the home turn while cruising.. That cost him the race!!. Second, just don’t we hate that..Very unlucky.

More unlucky was for Mat and Ciaran who having been hauled into the naughty boys room had to explain to the Stewards as to why they did not win!

For a moment Mat and Ciaran thought they were in trouble as the Stewards only ‘noted’ their explanation which is close to not accepting!

Extraordinary when we have ridden PDA that way in most of his races and when we tried other ways he ran disappointingly..

PDA is a horse who likes to think he is very fast, but actually he is a stayer.. one day he will learn, and it just could be when he goes over fences.

PS on the above.. Smarterweb Co who host my Website have been able to change my contact details so that rude and abusive emails should be blocked.. Horrahhhhh

Court In The storm ran a blinder to finish second it what looked a really good bumper. He was like so many of mine in bumpers i.e. he was incredibly green and showed huge inexperience.. We don’t push our youngster and they are trained for the future so not trained hard to win a bumper.. If they are good enough their will win and CIAS showed that with that run under his belt he will win one too.. Great owner.. This Horse Is For Sale Partnership!!.. You can get my number off this site?

Poor El Rio is probably still worried about his affiliating heart problem.. Although over it as it was a couple of runs ago, he looks like he is thinking about it..

It was certainly interesting at the Cheltenham Tattersalls Sales yesterday.. Always tough but there was a hint of normality for a change..

We came home with two purchases. Lot 20, Moon Rocket, which was knocked down to Ed Bailey Bloodstock/Mat Nicholls.. Mat will be hoping he lives up to his name.

Moon Rocket is out of a Shantou Mare and he has the same outlook as a rather special horse here.. Chianti Classico.. who is by Shantou..

Lot 29, Name Me Nicely.. Two very good looking horses who have good Irish point to point form, they will now have a few days being ridden around the farm before heading off for their summer holidays..

Anyway both horses will be looking for new owners..

Really pleased for Aamilah Aswat.. Read her story.. Aamilah, who has been her for a while now has been chosen to ride in this years Magnolia Cup At Goodwood.. A huge compliment to Aamilah.. Well deserved..

Talking well deserved Olly Murphy made to to 100 winners last night at Huntingdon.

Friday and with no runners I am going to erecting my rod!! Wye fishing later.. will trying to anyway..

Colin Sewter was here third lot to see his KBRS horse Reallynthruthfully..

Friday vet visit..

The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have started asking humans to prove that they aren't a robot..

0 degrees and a frost over night, dry when driving in.

A mixed bag yesterday..

Willie Mullins having a winner at Ludlow cheered the locals!

Shantou Express raced too freely and finished 6th.

Faerie Cutlass won best turned out so well done to Aamilah. FC ran a blinder for her come back run to finish third... We will build on her run for the summer racing season

Shady Wadey was very green and inexperiemced and started off by kicking David Bass when he tried to mount him in the paddock..If that was not bad enough..

He then got loose and was being a bit naughty..This meant riding plans were changed and rather than hoping he would be right up there, David decided to tuck him in a try and teach him..

That he did and they were a fast finishing 5th and very much the take out horse of the race..

SW has always been a horse who takes two attempts to learn, if that makes sense.. He is a lovely horse who will probably now have a summer break.. we will see how he takes the race before making any final descision..

I arrived at Taunton in time to watch Mikhailovich bomb out.. Something very amiss with him...

Gerard Mentor we were happy with.. He is a summer horse and that run and probably another will set him up for his sumer season..

I drove home last night forgetting Birdlip Hill was closed.. Annoying mistake!!

We have four runners today at Huntington tonight where Mat will be in charge as I am elsewhere .. El Rio, Halligator, Parc’dAmour and Court In A Storm and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.

My afternoon will be spent at The Cheltenham Tattersalls Sales..

Todays joke..

A police Officer went to Mat's house and asked him where he was between 5 and 6?

He seemed irritated when Mat replied 'Kindergarten!'

Plus 6 and dry when driving in.

David O'Connell, who bred Chianti Classico, called in late yesterday to see and give Chianti Classico a well deserved pat..... David also me a bottle of Jameson's and a bottle of Margaux!. That was my pat!!

When you are having a bad run you wonder when it will all change. John Perriss is having a shocking one and yesterday he added another or rather a new letter to his season tally…F.. I Got Stung was getting back into the race and looked like being placed when falling at the first in the home straight..

Thankfully IGS and Ciaran Gethings were up and fine after.. Annoyed!

Mat was at Southwell and there to take charge.. His Mother lives in Nottingham so it was an excuse to see her on the way home.

Wednesday morning brought in David Bass and Ciaran Gethings.

We have 5 runners today.. Mat heads to Ludlow to saddle Shantou Express, Fairie Cutlass and Shady Wadey while I head to Taunton to saddle Mikhailovich and Gerard Mentor.For my thoughts on their chances please click here.

Before I head down to the West country I will be looking at the horses that sell tomorrow afternoon at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales..

Tempting fate probably.. but for the first time since I was 21 I have no points on my driving license!!.. The last ones has just dropped off...Nil points..

A note for Jane Moat..Your email has been scammed..

Hi,Do you have a moment to talk on email? Jane x  Sent from my iPhone

A horse can hear a human heartbeat from at least 4 feet away

They hear intention, they feel vibe- they are the tellers of self and the mirrors of souls..

To finish Happy Birthday to my 'old friend' David Harland.. 74 today!!

David was a share holder in Docklands Express..who won this weekends Whitbread (Now Bet 365).. Somewhat controversially!! Brough Scott's comments

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

It seemed busy at Kempton last night.. Well the owners and trainers room certainly was.

Interesting watching my two horses as both seemed to be with a huge chance three from home. Bobhopeornohope stopped like he was shot.. Is it his wind? Poor chap suffers badly from wind problems, but was it a case that he has been running on much softer ground and he was waiting for it to cut out? Back in trip possible now as he travelled so well.

Le Cameleon ran well and pleased his owners who were slightly dreading last night as they are the same owners who owned and bred the ill-fated Moonlighter.. It was their first runner since..Le Cameleon is Moonlighter's half brother..

Such an easy drive home, although going there you wonder why Oxford were stupid enough not to put in a dual carriageway when they built their new road.. It is usually grid locked..and will get worse as time goes on..Shocking.

Tuesday morning brings in our usual vet visit and this week’s movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were Grand Escaparde down 4 to 70 and Hurlerontheditch down 4 to 112...

We have one runner today at Southwell. I Got Stung runs there and for my thoughts please click here.

Ian Reid again...

Mick, from Dublin, appeared on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" and towards the end of the program had already won £500,000.

You've done very well so far," said, Chris Tarrant, the show's presenter, "but for £1million you've only got one lifeline left - phone a friend.

Everything is riding on this question......will you go for it?"

"Sure," said Mick. "I'll have a go!"

"Which of the following birds does NOT build its own nest?"

A: Sparrow
B: Thrush
C: Magpie
D: Cuckoo

I haven't got a clue," said Mick, "so I'll use me last lifeline and phone me friend Paddy back home in Dublin". Mick called up his mate, and told him the circumstances and repeated the question to him.

"Fookin hell, Mick!" cried Paddy. "Dat's simple......it's a cuckoo."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fookin sure."

Mick hung up the phone and told Chris, "I'll go wit Cuckoo as me answer."

"Is that your final answer?" asked Chris

"Dat it is, Sir."

There was a long, long pause, then the presenter screamed, Cuckoo is the correct answer! Mick, you've won £1 million!"

The next night, Mick invited Paddy to their local pub to buy him a drink. "Tell me, Paddy? How in God's name did you know it was da Cuckoo that doesn't build it's own nest? I mean you know pineapple-all about birds."

"For fooks sake!" laughed Paddy. "Everybody knows a cuckoo lives in a Fookin clock.

To finish.. Happy birthday to Martyn Steer-Fowler..

Plus 3 and drizzling when driving in..

Willie Mullins looks like being our Champion Trainer this time next week after having 4 winners at Ayr on Saturday including the prestigious Scottish Grand National.

The last time an Irish horse won the Scottish Grand National was in 1869!.. The last Irish trainer to win the English Jump racing trainer title was Vincent O'Brien in 1954..

On Saturday Bangor got it wrong ground wise, and we took two horses out who wanted better.. Annoying to say the least and the ground was changed from soft, good to soft and drying to soft and heavy .. Unique without any rain..Clerk Of The Course Andrew Tulloch at least rang me to apologise and held up his hand for the mistake… It was close to being the toughest ground this season.. Hurlerontheditch struggled in/on it.

Bangor are the best at looking after owners and their restaurant was full.. It was good to see Ludlow Director Vernon Taylor taking a day off to try out the oppositions owners experience.. I feel he was mightily impressed..

Stratford was busy yesterday with the sun out. Lady Gwen ran as expected and finished 5th..That will set her up for her summer racing campaign.

I might not a huge Football fan but I did feel very sorry for Coventry .. VAR!!

Yesterday my son Harry made his debut as an auctioneer at Inglis where he works in Sydney.. Apparently one of his work mates said he could not possible do it.. he did.. Click here to watch..He sold lot 46 and the following 5 lots..Scroll though to 1min 35..

If you are into pod casts it will be worth your while listening to John Francome talking to Jamie Railton.. I did not know that Jamie did podcasts... On The Coalface. he does, once a month, and this one is well worth sitting down to listen to.. I did while in traffic on Friday to Exeter..

We have 2 runners tonight at Kempton.. Bobhopeornohope and Le Cameleon.. Annoyingly in the saem race but needs muct.. For my thoughts please click here.

Mark Bradstock’s Memorial service is on June 6th at St Michael and all Angles Church in Letcombe Basset at 2.00pm..

Peter Kerr completed the TSC London Marathon in 04:51:43.. Some performance.. Well done Peter..You can still add to his total for Wellchild..

This made me chuckle..

Wish me luck in the London Marathon.

Last year I managed 3 hours, 12 minutes and 9 seconds.

This year I am going to try and beat that but I usually get bored and turn the TV over..