Baileys Blog

Plus 11 and raining when driving in.

Thursday is our easy day and after yesterday first serious work day that was the case.

There was a big turn out for John Dunlop’s memorial service yesterday and the horses at Goffs sold well..

I forgot to mention yesterday that the exceptional flowers that brightened the tables of Ian Will’s party on Tuesday night were arranged by Kerry Bellamy.

Kerry, who was my PA for many years, left to set up her flower arranging business and judging by what we all saw on Tuesday night she will have many happy customers.

Gloucester Echo wrote this about my open day.

With my daughter getting married this weekend ..

How do you decide who to marry as written by kids

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff.  Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.-- Kristen, age 10

What is the right age to get married?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.-- Camille, age 10

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.-- Derrick, age 8

What do you think your Mum and Dad have in common?

Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8

What do most people do on a date?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10

When is it OK to kiss someone?

When they're rich.-- Pam, age 7

Is it better to be single or married?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys.  Boys need someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9

How would you make a marriage work?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.-- Ricky, age 10

Plus 15 and dry when driving in.

Mikey and Ginny Elliot stayed last night for a local shindig at Ian Wills's. A late night mid week.

David Bass was in this morning and a full blown work morning followed. Videos of this mornings activities First Lot, Second Lot, Third Lot.

Third lot Ian and Ann Dimmer (Martin and Co) were here to see the Have Fun Racing’s Mergeela and Highclere Thoroughbreds Alfie Corbitt.

Todays headlines in the Racing Post don’t make for good reading. Drought .. Deluge.

Top left of the paper..''The West country tracks fear that this dry spell could cost them meetings'' and on the right of the paper, ''Ayr confident heavy rain will not pose a problem''.. North/South divide!

The racing world descends on London today for John Dunlop’s Memorial service.. St Pauls Knightsbridge at 2.pm

Doncaster.. Goffs sales today

If you would like a brochure of our horses in training then please send a stamped address envelope and we will send you one, alternatively you can down load it by clicking here.

A husband and wife are sitting quietly in bed reading when the wife looks over at him and asks the question....

WIFE: "What would you do if I died? Would you get married again?"

HUSBAND: "Definitely not!"

WIFE: "Why not? Don't you like being married?"

HUSBAND: "Of course I do.."

WIFE: "Then why wouldn't you remarry? "

HUSBAND: "Okay, okay, I'd get married again."

WIFE: "You would?" (with a hurt look)

HUSBAND: (makes audible groan)

WIFE: "Would you live in our house?"

HUSBAND: "Sure, it's a great house.."

WIFE: "Would you sleep with her in our bed?"

HUSBAND: "Where else would we sleep?"

WIFE: "Would you let her drive my car?"

HUSBAND: "Probably, it is almost new."

WIFE: "Would you replace my pictures with hers?"

HUSBAND: "That would seem like the proper thing to do."

WIFE: "Would you give her my jewellery?"

HUSBAND: "Why not – it’s great jewellery."

WIFE: "Would you take her golfing with you"?

HUSBAND: "Yes, those are always good times."

WIFE: "Would you let her use my clubs"?

HUSBAND: "No."

WIFE: "Why not"?

HUSBAND: "Because she's left-handed".

WIFE: -- silence --

HUSBAND: "Woops!!

Plus 17 and very windy when driving in...Trying to rain.

Yes we have our own version of a hurricane.. Helene.

The yard is gradually getting back to normal after our hectic weekend. The Marquee should go today which will mean that my staff will be able to park their cars back by the hostel.

Loads of thank you messages from those who came on Sunday and the one thing everybody has agreed on was the idea of not parading horses; I am surprised how many preferred the new format. I am pleased it has worked and it did mean that I was able to talk to many more people than normal as I had more time to do so.

Providing we don’t get blown away on this hill today we should have a normal Tuesday.

A vet was in and there were no movers or for that matter shakers in this weeks BHA handicap charts.

Harry Topper returned to the yard yesterday. No, not to race, but Joe Docker, who was re-homing the old boy asked if I would have him back as he felt he could not give him the sort of home he needed.

Joe felt that Harry Topper was not ready to do as much as he wanted and as always the one thing that I always stress, when retiring horses, is that if they are not happy then they should come back and we will try another avenue.

David Annett’s brought him back .. Good to see David or Bodge as you might recall him when he worked for me in Lambourn and Preston Capes. Bodge now has his own transport business which is going well for him.

Anyway Harry Topper is here and now looking for a less demanding home. He would make somebody a great hack and whoever has him will enjoy him, but don’t ask him to do team chasing, light hunting and general life would be ideal. Please get in touch if you think he might suit you.. Remember this old boy is very special to me and therefore he must have a very special home.

A police officer pulls over a speeding car.  The officer says, "I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir.

The driver says, "Goodness, officer, I had it on cruise control at 60; perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating."

Not looking up from her knitting the wife says: "Now don't be silly, dear -- you know that this car doesn't have cruise control."

As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, "Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once!!?"

The wife smiles demurely and says,  "Well dear you should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did or your speed would have been higher."

As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, "Woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?"

The officer frowns and says, "And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir.  That's an automatic £75 fine".

The driver says, "Yeah, well, you see, officer, I had it on, but I took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket."

The wife says, "Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on.  You never wear your seat belt when you're driving."

And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket, the driver turns to his wife and barks, "WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP??"

The officer looks over at the woman and asks, "Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma'am?"

"Only when he's been drinking."

To finish.. Don't forget to join in on our FREE 5 to follow competition..

Plus 17 and damp when driving in.

Busy here yesterday. 300 people, mostly owners sat down to a long lunch after wandering around the yard looking at their horses.

It was a magical day as the atmosphere was one of fun and enjoyment and David Morgan did us proud on the food front. Michael Storey received plenty of ribbing from some quarters, all in jest.. Yes all in all it was a great day.

Yes friendly banter which was and is about the fun of ownership at Thorndale Farm.

My home team of staff did us proud as the yard looked immaculate and the horses likewise. No parade, which I felt was a huge success.

I know owners like seeing horses being paraded but the one day somebody is going to get hurt and I certainly don’t want that to be here.

Owners had plenty of time to see their horses and head into their stables to pat and chat. It made for a far less stressful day for the trainer…

A big thank you to all my staff and all my owners and without either I would not be here.

Back to normal now and once the clear up has been done we head into the season with heads down and rearing to go.

Guy Disney who was here yesterday was in this morning ride out Gallery Exhibition.

A big weekend ahead and on that note David Simkins sent this one over..

Dearest Dad,

I am coming home to get married soon, so get your cheque book out.

I'm in love with a boy who is far away from me. As you know, I am presently living in Australia .. and he lives in Scotland. We met on a dating website, became friends on Facebook, had long chats on Whatsapp.  He proposed to me on Skype, and now we've had two months of a relationship through Viber.

My beloved and favourite Dad, I need your blessing, good wishes, and a really big wedding.

Lots of love and thanks.

Your favourite daughter, Lilly

DAD'S RESPONSE:

My Dearest Lilly,

Like Wow! Really? Cool!

I suggest you two get married on Twitter, have a honeymoon on Tango, buy your kids on Amazon, and pay for it all through PayPal.

And when you get fed up with this new husband, sell him on eBay..

Love,  Your Dad

To finish.. well done to Worcestershire Rapids for winning the T20 final

Plus 12 and dry when driving in.

I started the morning by talking to son Harry who was racing at Randwick.. we watched Winx win impressively together .. 27 on the trot for her.. some mare.

David Bass was in to ride work on a couple of horses as again we start stepping up the horses work load.

Roger and Shirley Day were here third lot to see our Have Fun Racing Partnership horse Mergeela. Tom Smith was also in the yard and having his first visit.

More cricket today.. The T20 finals..Always a long day if you are going.

The last Classic of the summer. The St Leger.. John Gosden looks like having the chance of rounding off a phenomenal season with Lah Ti Dar

Final preparations for tomorrows Owners Open day. And those coming, be warned the forecast is for rain at times..

Martin Jones who breaks all my youngsters in sent this one over.

A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question.

The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window.

For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look mate, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!"

The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much."

The driver replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving a funeral
Hearse for the last 25 years.

Happy birthday to Irish Champion Trainer Willie Mullins..

On that happy note have a great weekend and see you on Monday.. hopefully having sold a few horses....

Plus 11 and dry when driving in.

Mat had supper in 131 last night and is still suffering!

Neil Donovan and his wife Olivia were here to see his KBRP horse Dusty Pearl third lot

Paul Fereday was here to see Mergeela fourth lot.

Mergeela is our latest lease horse to run through the colours and name of Have Fun Racing.

Mergella has been leased from her breeder John Kidd of Ballyash Stud in Loughbrickland, County Down. (we last leased Mrs Peachey off him and she did well).

Mergella is a 3 year old filly who is a full sister to Longhouse Sale.. Now if you don’t know, Longhouse Sale has run in 5 races and won all of them. One Irish Point to Point and 4 bumpers this season.. Mergella is tough and honest and should be ready to run in a mares bumper later next month as she is very forward..

For more informmation on Mergella please click here

The yard continues to be tidied up and made ready for this weekends Owners Open Day. Marquee up, wine here and now David Morgan setting up food his kitchen and food area…

Vince Burmingham who has shares in many of our KBRP horses holds his annual charity fete at his Hendra House in Ludlow tomorrow.. I always offer a 'Morning on the gallops' as a prize and if you fancy helping please read what is on the right and perhaps do something about it!

Remember our summer.. yes it was a hot one.. this reminded me of it..Please note it was Mrs B who sent me this...

'It's just too hot to wear clothes today,' Jack says as he stepped out of the shower..'Honey, what do you think the neighbors would think if I mowed the lawn like this?'
 
'Probably that I married you for your money,' she replied.

To finish.. Happy birthday to Jenny Winch.. Jenny was my secretary while I was based in Lambourn..

Plus 1 and dry when driving in.

Yes plus 1 and there was ice on my windscreen which needed scraping off before I left home.. winter coming.

Preparations for Sundays owners open day well under way. The Marquee arrived this morning..Maddie my PA asked if I needed heaters.. surely not..

Just a reminder for those owners coming.. No parade of horses this year.. and the yard is open from 12pm.

David Pitch-Peyton was here this morning to ride out a couple of lots.. A first visit for him.

Imperial Racings Imperial Aura arrives back from his holidays with Kevin Ross this evening.

Not sure I would fancy being on the East Coast of America today..Hurricane Florence heading their way ..

Ian Reid sent this rather depressing story over.

I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig.

"Well, whatcha' gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears. "Come on, man," the biker says, "I didn't think you'd cry. I can't stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," I said. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my wife with another man ... and then my dog bit me."

"So, I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all. I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in it and sit here watching the poison dissolve. Then you show up and drink the whole damn thing!

But, Hell, enough about me, how are you doing?"

To finish..Happy Birthday to Lucy Sherwood.

Plus 10 and damp when driving in.

Yesterday was all about cricket.

Sorry to start the day with yesterdays cricket, but what an extraordinary Test Match at The Oval.

Alastair Cook retiring and breaking records and the last wicket yesterday fell to James Anderson which meant that he too broke Glen McGrath’s records number of wickets.. Jimmy A became the worlds greatest fast bowler..

You could not write the script; this summer has been brilliant weather wise, but for a cricket fan it has been probably the best Test series we have seen for many years.

It might not have been the best cricket but the drama.. it was none stop.. Fabulous stuff.

India have been just brilliant in every way, which is half the reason why the series has been so good.

Back to this morning.

David Bass was in for two lots and we stepped up the work load on many of the horses..Watch them working here First Lot and Second Lot.

Fenella Tillier was here third lot to see here KBRP horses Dusty Pearl, Desaray and Kayf Storm. Richard Stewart-Liberty drove and is in Kayf Storm and Jill Gort who was with them and has a share in Dusty Pearl.

I nipped off for breakfast at The Frogmill between lots..

No, I was not that hungry but Rupert Longsdon of Oxford Ski Company hosted a breakfast meeting for local businesses to inform them what his company is up to this coming winter with his Ski holidays and all round travel.

Rupert is advertising his Oxford Private Travel Company in my Horses In Training Brochure this year, so if you fancy a ski holiday or a holiday with a difference I suggest you ring him.. you might get a discount if you mention you came via here!

I do warn you not to read todays joke if you are easily offended.....

Norman Carter sent this one over. 'Your blog yesterday reminded me of this one...'

A priest is in the middle of confession when a man bursts in yelling, "Father, Father! There's been a terrible accident out front and we need you to help console the people."

Father replies, "But son I'm in the middle of confession, if you can take over for me I'll go." Reluctantly the man agrees after getting a list of sins and their corresponding penance.

The first person he encounters says, "Forgive me father for I have sinned it has been 3 months since my last confession, and I have stolen."

After finding stealing on the list the young man instructs him to say three hail Mary’s and light 2 candles.

A woman enters next and says, "forgive me father for I have sinned it has been 6 months since my last confession, and I have committed adultery."

The man checks the list and tells her to say 1 hail mary, 3 our fathers and light 4 candles.

Another man enters and says, "forgive me father for I have sinned it has been 1 month since my last confession, and I have had a..l sex."

The man starts looking over the list, page 1, page 2, page 3, but nowhere does it mention a..l sex. So he sticks his head out of the booth and asks the nearsest altar boy, "What’s the Father give for a..l sex?"

The altar boy replies, "Two cookies and a glass of milk."

Plus 16 and dry when driving in.

Talking driving .. It was a long way home from Perth last night and my did it rain for the first half of the journey. The roads down to Haydock were horrid as water lay and wind blew.. The second half of the journey was mired by roads works and stationary traffic.. Fun

Fun is what Perth is all about and although Chabel did not win yesterday he ran well and showed that he was happy after his fall at Cheltenham. A stutter going into the 4th last lost him about 7 lengths and on a tight track you can’t make that up;  he was staying on into third and we were happy that this was a step in the right direction for the season ahead.

Net Work Rouge would not let himself down on the ground and lost his action jumping the second last .. The good news is that both horses seem fine this morning.

Long way home for all and especially for Leigh driving the horsebox.. they made it back by 2.30 this morning with some consolation that she and Kate won best turned out prizes with both horses.

I watched the first hour of yesterdays absorbing Test match with my old mate Sam Morshead. Sam is not is the best of health but in great spirits.. Great to see him.

What an extraordinary match and Alastair Cook.. well, you could not write the script..To give you some idea how good a judge I am .. Mat could have taken 9/1 about Mr Cook being man of the match and I said … surely not!.. Must read the tea leaves  more often.

Graham Potts our vet was in this morning for his Tuesday visit.

Ben Arthur and Full Tilt return to the yard this evening after spending their pre training with Phil Rowley.

A guy goes into the confessional box after years being away from the Church.

He pulls aside the curtain, enters and sits himself down.

There's a fully equipped bar with crystal glasses, the best vestry wine, Guinness on tap, cigars and liqueur chocolates nearby, and on the wall a fine photographic display of buxom ladies who appear to have mislaid their garments.

He hears a priest come in: "Father, forgive me for it's been a very long time since I've been to confession and I must admit that the confessional box is much more inviting than it used to be."

The priest replies, "Get out, you idiot. You're on my side."

To finish.. Simon Keane bought a Kalanisi Gelding in Ireland and has sent it to Martin Jones to be broken in.. He has named the gelding CotteeMcAvenniGoal.. you need to read this to understand why..

Plus 12 and dry when waking in Northumberland.

I am heading North to Perth Racecourse today and yesterday I drove just over half way to stay with Ian and Tocky Mckie near Wooler in Northumberland.

A beautiful part of the world and very different from the Cotswolds.

I am heading off early to Perth so that I can have time to call in on Sam Morshead on the way through.

Darren Smiith was at Thorndale this morning to see his KBRP horses Arthurs Sixpence, Dusty Pearl and Vinndication

Enable was brilliant on Saturday.. she has retained all her old verve and another great training feat by John Gosden.

Haydock on Saturday showed how life can so easily change.. soft ground and a clipped wing meant that Richard Hannon and Anna Lisa Balding had a horrid moment. They along with Gary Mahon and Henry Hannon are lucky to be alive..Scary stuff.

Not so scary was the party at The Frogmill on Saturday night. Tom Davies who is the chief executive of Brakspears hosted 180 people for dinner and dancing. A welcoming night for the locals..

The Racing Post lost two of their top and most respected reporters this weekend. Graham Dench and Jon Lees have left which is a great shame.. Alastair Down is also off their payroll..

We have two runners at Perth today. Charbel and Net Work Rouge and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.

This one is from Linda..

One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his Sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, 'What setting do I use on the washing machine?'

'It depends,' I replied. 'What does it say on your shirt?'

He yelled back, ' OHIO STATE !'

And they say blondes are dumb....

Before you go..

Our in house free 'five to follow competition' has opened. To Enter click here and to down load my list of horses please click here..

To finish.. Happy birthday to Joihn Perriss......

Finally finally Alastair Cook get a century,