Baileys Blog

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.

David Bass was in to ride out a couple of lots.

Christopher Hill was here third lot to see his KBRP horses Vinndication and Arthurs Sixpence.

Peter Jones was also here to see his KBRP mare Yeavering Belle.

Peter had also come to see our new leased horse..

Please email Peter Kerr if you too would like some info..

Kim being in the air he will have missed the big Rugby match. Australia v England..

We have one runner today at Stratford. Happygolucky heads there and for our thoughts please click here.

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

Just under 4 hours ago when driving back from London with Peter Kerr it was raining stair rods. Roads flooded and a good bit of aquaplaning..

Last nights OR dinner was fun. A few old faces (including Jonathan Halsall .. not old).. blasts from the past and some new one. Charlie Fellows being one.

I along with Charlie, Oli Sherwood and Jamie Snowden tried our best to amuse the audience, with the help of Martin Pope of course.

I sat next to the Warden John Moule and Dennis Silk's daughter Alexandra Martin-Zakheim.. honoured seating.

This morning we jumped Prince Llywelyn, What A Baloo and Happygolucky

Planning and the day has finally arrived. Our trip to Sydney to see my son Harry.

The excitement of planning our trip has been marred by the fact that Mrs B will not be joining us.. Us being Archie and my daughter Pandora..

We leave this evening, but sadly it will not be the same with one missing.

Harry has taken his holidays from where he works to organise our trip and be with us and his cousin Clover Wootton has flown over from India to join us..

I was last in Sydney when I was 18 and I will be meeting up with Max Whitby one day next week.

Max and I worked together all those years ago in a restaurant called Harpoon Harry’s (Peter Sidgwick was also there)  ..We are older and the restaurant is no more.. But I am sure we will enjoy going down memory lane...

We used to discuss our dreams after work.. I bored him with horses and dreams of winning the Grand National.. his were to make restaurants into hotels and more..

While I am away Maddie will be in charge of the blog and Mat the jokes.. I look forward to reading daily from down under. The yard will of course be run seamlessly…

To set the tone..

An Australian man and his wife are sitting in the living room.

Bruce says: "Just so you know, Shirl, I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

Shirl gets up, unplugs the TV and throws out all his beer.

See you in a couple of weeks time..

To finish Happy Birthday to one of our biggest KBRP owners Vince Burmingham..and one our newest, Sue Maine.

Plus 2, foggy and dry when driving in.

The first morning of scraping ice off my windscreen this winter..

Anne, Rob, Rene and Andrew were here for a morning on the gallops followed by Maddie’s cooked breakfast..Bought at a Charity auction at Naunton Downs Golf course.. Campbell Burns Metabolic Trust

Thursday is our easy day..

Lizzie Wills played a blinder yesterday by dropping off 4 freshly caught plaice.. straight from the shores off Cornwall.

Being in a neck brace Clare struggles with eating solids, so cooking fish has now because a KCB speciality and last night plaice was a huge success..

Mentioning fish..

This evening I am joining fellow trainers Oli Sherwood, Jamie Snowden and Charlie Fellows at the Fishmongers Hall to talk at the OR Dinner. Martin Pope is comparing the evening..As you can imagine it has a horse racing theme..

I shall be letting the train take the strain..

This was sent over by John Knock who describes himself as a very happy part owner of Shantou Express..

London Zoo found that their collection of chimpanzees was too large and offered some to any zoo that may be interested.

Chester Zoo said they would take a dozen and a couple of days later the animals were loaded into a truck for the journey.

All went well up the M1 and M6 but shortly after leaving the latter motorway and with only 30 minutes or so to go, the truck broke down.

The driver pulled into a lay-by and phoned for a recovery vehicle but was told there would be a wait of a few hours as all patrol vehicles were busy.

Desperate to deliver the monkeys the driver flagged down another truck. “Have you got a load on mate?”

With negative for an answer the Zoo man said “If I give you £100, will you take these chimpanzees to Chester Zoo.

” Yes, came the reply and after a struggle and much alarm the chimps were transferred to the empty truck, and the driver departed.

The London Zoo man then settled down to wait for the recovery van.

About three hours later the driver looked up the road and there coming back from Chester was the same truck. There were chimps swinging from the wing mirrors and sitting in and on the cab roof.

Horrified the Zoo man waved the truck into his lay-by. “What the hell is going on?” He asked “I gave you 100 quid to take them to Chester Zoo”.

“Yes” said your man “I did that, and they had such a good time, so with £50 left over I’m going to take them to Alton Towers.

This might amuse you.. As Paul Smith mentioned.. Seen on BBC Tomorrows World..It would solve a few issue we have with jockeys..

Plus 12 and raining when driving in.

Amazing that Hereford Racecourse had missed so much of the rain. The ground there yesterday was only just good. A great covering of grass, but dry compared to most of the country.

Station Master was running well until a mistake at the open ditch took him off his stride, and rather like Doncaster last season, he lost his confidence after. There will be other days for him and frankly, a few pounds lower won't go amiss.. He won best turned out...

Does He Know ran a blinder to finish second. He was very green i.e. immature in his racing attitude.. He really was rather shocked by the whole experience. He looked a lovely horse in the paddock pre race and looked a horse with promise after.

Does He Know was bought by Aiden Murphy and I from Jacqueline Coward at the Cheltenham Tattersalls sales in April to replace Knockanrawley, who recently retired after his great win at Haydock.

DHK gave his owners a great day out and one that has them dreaming.. The only difference was that KAR won first time out for them at that lovely racecourse we will see no more.. Towcester.

Does He Know was the Racing Post's eye catcher of the day.

It was good to see Noel Chance at the races yesterday. A good friend of John and Penny Perriss, Noel was at the races enjoying himself until grandfather duties took over.. His son in law is the champion jockey Richard Johnson..

David Bass and Ciaran Gethings  were in this morning and we worked many of the horses .. A video should appear here later. First Lot, Second Lot, Third Lot.  We also jumped First Flow over fences.

Phil Andrews was here mid morning to see his string of horses.. Dandy Dan, Duke Of Earl, Mr Grey Sky, Party Fuzz, The Edgar Wallace and Those Tiger Feet.. Phil is also involved in our KBRP horses Blazon, Vinndication and Arthurs Sixpence.

In racing news.

The great race mare Enable stays in training for another year.This really is great news as there is no bigger box office hitter than this wonderful mare.

A great gesture of faith from Khalid Abdullah who will be targeting the 2020 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.. It will be the 100th running of this great race.

This letter in yesterdays Times made me chuckle..

FACING UP TO MOLES

Sir, Your letters on moles (Oct 9-11) reminded me of a friend, Jerry, who advertised in the local paper as a mole remover.

A woman, thinking it meant a mole on the face, responded and was horrified to find Jerry on the doorstep with a bucket and spade.

To finish.. Happy birthday to one of Does He Know's owners.. Melinda Laws.. 21 today?

Plus 10 and dry when driving in. Wet overnight.

Dark for first lot these days..

David Bass was in this morning for a full mornings jumping practice.

Rob Bevis was her to watch and help.. Schooling guru..

We jumped Adjourned, Agent Memphis, Bandon Roc, Commodore Barry, Cresswell Legend, Dandy Dan, Diamond Gait, Espoir de Romay, El Presente, First Flow, Happygolucky, Hes No Trouble, Minella Warrior, Miss Gemstone, Mon Palois, Mr Grey Sky, Pond Road, Prince Llywelyn, Red River, Robin The Raven, Rockys Treasure, Sadlemor, Sea Story, Shanacoole Prince, Silver Kayf, Subway Surf, The Bull Mccabe, Those Tiger Feet, Thibault, Two For Gold, Vinndication, Wandrin Star and What A Baloo.

This weeks movers and shaker in the BHA handicap charts were Charbel down 2 to 155, Imperial Aura up 3 to 136, Yeavering Belle enters at 117 and El Presente is re handicapped after a year off to 124.

We have two runners today at Hereford. Station Master and Does He Know and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.

In todays Racing Post..Read about a genius.. Aiden O’Brien..

A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him, "Father, I have a problem. I have two female parrots, but they only know how to say one thing."

"What do they say?" the priest inquired.

They say "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?"

That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed, then he thought for a moment.

"You know," he said, "I may have a solution to your problem.I have two male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the Bible.

Bring your two parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with Francis and Peter.

My parrots can teach your parrots to praise and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying . . .that phrase . .in no time."

Thank you," the woman responded, "this may very well be the solution."

The next day, she brought her female parrots to the priest's house.

As he ushered her in, she saw that his two male parrots were inside their cage holding rosary beads and praying.

Impressed, she walked over and placed her parrots in with them.

After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison: Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?"

There was stunned silence.

Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed, "Put the beads away, Frank. Our prayers have been answered!"

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

It was certainly not dry yesterday.

We were hoping to take 4 horses to Chepstow to work yesterday morning but that was cancelled due to the horrendous weather forecast.

They were right to do so as it was torrential.

We rerouted First Flow, Vinndication, Red River and Another Venture to Lambourn where they worked and jumped fences.. it was a good mornings work, even if a very wet one.

It was not wet at Chepstow on Saturday.

Imperial Aura ran a blinder to finish 3rd in the first big handicap hurdle of the season. His run merited the horse of the meeting to follow by the Racing Post.

We will see how IA comes out of his race before deciding whether we go chasing or not.

On the other had Charble just blew up.. Not fit enough.

Last year he had had a prep race at Perth before his run and win at Chepstow and on Saturday he caught us out as he had been working too well.. It is a long season and even Paul Nichols had beaten favourites..  

As very few of you buy the Racing Post I thought I would suggest you read this article on Pál Kállai.. He was a legendary rider and freedom fighter who lived an amazing life.. It is a very good read.

I watched probably the best game of Rugby I have seen for ages yesterday. Scotland v Japan.. It was a cracker and what a result…

Ben Morgan called in here yesterday morning to interview me about my horses for his local paper.. The Shropshire Star.

We also had a couple of visitors on Saturday late morning. Max and Nicole Bex were in the area and asked if they could call in a have a tour of the yard.. They were over from Dallas..

Although I do have not have any but...Never Lose Your Grandson!

A heart-warming story.

A small boy got lost at the shopping mall..........

He approached a uniformed security guard and said, "I've lost my grandpa!" 

The guard asked, "What's his name?"

"Grandpa"

The guard smiled, then asked, "What's he like?"

The little tyke hesitated for a moment and then replied, "Jack Daniels whiskey and women with big 't!ts'."

To finish. Today would have been my Mother's birthday.. She was a very special lady..

Plus 10 and drizzling when driving in.

The first big Saturday of the jumps season..

David Bass was in this morning and we continued to increase the work load on many of the horses. We jumped Adjourned, Dandy Dan, Station Master, Happygolucky and Those Tiger Feet.

It was busy this morning with Tracey, Carl and Mia Pryce, Derek Melia and Norman Mence here for a Morning on the Gallops they all booked through CD Tours.

Thomas Rolls and Pete Roberts were also here for a Morning on the Gallops which they won through a charity auction lot at Charles Ross Auctioneers earlier this year in support of the Lee Haynes Research Institute.

Warrick Bradley, Sian Carter, Sue Adams and Sue Jones were also here attending a Morning on the Gallops tour which they won at a charity auction event with the Skeltons in aid of the Injured Jockeys fund.

All enjoyed a tour of the yard and gallops along with an excellent breakfast cooked by Maddie..

The journey to Oxford yesterday was slow, but even slower on the way home having seen Mrs B x-rays.. Every bump was noticed and you even worry about other cars and their drivers....It is going to be a long road but her spirits are good..

Yes we have two runnes today at Chepstow. Charbel and Imperial Aura. Not sure why the two main races of the day have to be so late? For my thoughts on their chances please click here.

After weeks of decline, the pound has suddenly recovered by more than 2.5 per cent since the merest hint of a pathway out of the Brexit swamp.

As the economist Duncan Weldon noted, this is not good news for everyone.

“It’s presumably quite annoying,” he said, “for whoever won €190 million in Tuesday evening’s EuroMillions.”

The heart bleeds!!

Scared of heights.. Thankfully I can drive over the bridge to Chepstow.

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.

Plus 14 and raining when driving in.

Dark now, even when pulling out for first lot.

Clodagh Bridges, Jeremy Hulme and Lucinda Bridges were here for ‘a morning on the gallops followed by breakfast’. This was a charity auction prize won at the Harnhill & Driffield BBQ.

Minella Warrior and Diamond Gait worked this morning while all the rest cantered.

Peter and Fiona Woodhall were here third lot to see their KBRP horse Does He Know.

After a week of being a house husband I can safely say that without the help of Clare’s mother I might have struggled..

I have not quite grabbed the dyson yet but cooking has become a second art form.

Thankfully locals like the Storey’s have helped by dropping off some pre cooked food.. Wonderful how helpful everybody has been and the flowers, and of course cards, around the house are amazing.

Mid morning I drove Clare to Oxford for further x-rays… She has to have one once a week to keep an eye on a rather annoying chip.. Driving and pot holes..no comment.

Graham Potts our vet was in this morning.

Chepstow's two day meeting.. It is the first big jumps meeting of the winter season.. Yes it all starts now.

We have one runner this afternoon at Chepstow. Lots Of Luck heads there and for my thoughts please click here.

A childs dream..

When I grow up I want to be a retired lottery winner..

Plus 10 and dry when driving in.

I like Ludlow and I like even more when I have a winner there.

Yeavering Belle showed how tough she is.

Jumping off in front she was only headed, briefly at the last, but as soon as she was she was not for being beaten and went away to score by 6 lengths.

The only worry was the fact that she jumped a few hurdles rather to her left and she missed the last 3 in the home straight making her task that much harder. Anyway the end product us that she won.

Yeavering Belle is a leased horse from Ian and Tocky McKie who live in the borders, hence the name..

The 16 members of the Belle Stars have a very lovely and fun mare to race with. YB has now won a bumper and two hurdle races from 5 starts..

Happy faces all round after and good for Ludlow as they gave them all a glass of champagne while watching the replay.

It again shows that all the work Peter Kerr puts in with our KBRP’s really does work as that was the second winner with one of our in house partnerships this week. Shantou Express obviously being the other..

Incidentally we have a new lease horse coming over from Ireland in a couple of weeks time, so if you fancy joining or finding out more please email Peter for details... Peter also has a few shares left in a couple of our recently purchased 3 year olds..

Our other runner Cinderbella ran well considering how backward she has been.

I said before the race that if she could finish within 15 lengths of the winner I would be very happy.. Cinderbella finished 17 lengths behind.. Not too bad.. something to build on.

It is always good to return to a racecourse after a summer break. Anticipation to see how much improvement have gone on.

A new winners enclosure now that takes all the first 4. Rubberised floor and marked out a bit like an NCP car park (joke) but so much more friendly than before..

The one area many of you might not go is the Directors room.. That too has had a revamp.

Harriet Smyly, who is a well known interior decorator and friend of Clerk of the course Simon Sherwood has really smartened this cosy room up..and very smart it is too.

Well know bloodstock agent David Minton and his fellow Directors should be very pleased.

Euro lottery winner in the UK picked up £170million, but as yet the winner has not come forward.. I fear whoever it is, is probably worried about ruining his or her life.

On the other hand Nicholas and Cherry Jones I am sure will be able to cope after selling one of their home bred yearlings for £ 2.3 million. For a small breeder this is some result..Coln Valey Stud..

Well Done to all and especially Ian Emes who has been Head stud groom there for many years..

Back to today.. Our easy one... And no runners..

We jumped a few over the tyres.. Mon Palois, Those Tiger Feet, Agent Memphis, Sea Story, Adjourned, The Bull Maccabe, Mr Grey Sky, Diamond Gait, Espoir De Romay, Thibault, Bandon Roc, Silver Kayf and Pond Road.

Football commentory.. This is the best Indian one around..

To finish Happy birthday to my excellent travelling head girl Leigh Pollard.

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

Wednesdays and Saturdays are our work mornings.

By that I mean that the horses who are preparing for their races work upsides up our gallop and quicken the whole way up to the top passing Mat and I with half a furlong to go. We assess how they are going and how fit there are.

You have seen that on our Wednesday videos. They will be no video today.. Sorry about that, but Peter Kerr, who is the video King, is still carless.. It (the car) should be back later today.

Anyway David Bass was in this morning to ride work on two horses and then he jumped Charbel along with Station Master, Dandy Dan, Adjourned, Lots of Luck and Does He Know.

Third lot we were joined by Mark and Melinda Laws who are currently on a walking holiday.. ie walking the Cotswold Way..

They were here to see their horse Shanacoole Prince and their KBRP horse Does He Know.. they then watched Does He Know and Adjourned jump.

Graham Potts our vet was in this morning..

I think Ludlow are preparing us for when the clocks change in a couple of weeks by offering early racing.

We run two horses there today. Yeavering Belle and Cinderbella and for my thoughts please click here.

Paul and Clare Rooney’s horse Catch Me Not arrived back in the yard last night. CMN has been in pre training with Jason Maguire at his Ivy Lodge Farm.

No shortage of money at the premier Book 1 Newmarket yearling sales.. Not something that worries me but it still staggers how much the top yearlings make… One day they might be jumping a hurdle if they are lucky!!.. I purposely left out un.

I am sorry but the Extinction Rebellion or climate campaigners are not doing themselves any favours.. Rabble frankly.. Some of the stunts they have played are a disgrace...

On that happy note Michael Kay sent this video clip over which is slightly more amusing..