Baileys Blog
4th August 2020
Plus 6 and dry when driving in.
Yesterday John and Penny Perriss enjoyed lunch outside with Jason and Lauren Maguire after seeing Hollymount Holly. HH has been excercising on Jason’s water treadmill. HH returns to Thorndale today
Jason proudly told us that he had produced the carrot cake..Is he a boulanger at heart?
David Bass refreshed from his lengthy and exotic holiday in St Ives was in this morning to ride out.. We jumped a couple on the all weather..
Lee Mackenzie and Hannah Hawkins were here third lot to see the CSWS horse Hes No Trouble
Norman Carter was here to see his mare Diamond Gait and his KBRP horse Voyburg.
I then went over to Martin Jones to see how my three new horses were progressing under Martin's tutorage
This week movers and shakers the BHA handicap charts were..Arthurs Sixpence up 4 to 110, Fubar up 1 to 109, Cresswell Legend down 2 to 130 and Illuminated Beauty down 4 to 110.
We have three runners tonight at Southwell. Thibault, Owbeg and Sadlermor and for my thoughts please click here.
Good news for a change.. ITV have agreed a contract to continue covering our sport for another 3 years.. It would have been the last straw to have lost them as we as a sport so need terrestrial TV and the team on ITV racing have excelled during this very difficult summer.
On a sad note our puppy Gil'Bert picked up a very nasty infection while in the Borders last week and after two visits to the vets (after Hours) he was thought to have puppy strangles...
Now home and with no improvement he went off to the vets to be checked out again.. It is not what they though, but it is either a snake bite or a very bad infection, from god knows what.
Gil'Bert' could hardly breath with a huge absess on the left hand side of his face..anyway yesterday he had an operation to draw all the poison out and he is now home feeling very sorry for himself..
He is struggling to walk through doors as he has one of those awful plastic collars that stops him from scratching wrapped around his neck....He should be fine all being well..time heals?
3rd August 2020
Plus 8 and dry when driving in.
Racing lost a great man over the weekend. Stan Mellor. A remarkable man who was the first to achieve the impossible.. to ride a 1000 winners.. Stan was a great jockey, trainer, family man and a thoroughly decent person..
A good weekend of sport, but gosh how I am missing the crowds.. All sport lacks atmosphere without crowd noise.
Goodwood's Adam Waterworth warned all that racecourses are facing severe financial problems without crowds.. The 5 days of the Goodwood Festival is so like the Cheltenham Festival when it comes to good racing and fun days.. The Cheltenham Festival without crowds does not bear thinking about..
The FA Cup final might have had a good result after a good game but it must have been hell playing in that empty stadium which holds 80 odd thousand baying fans.
The ODI cricket in Southampton again was dull and as for yesterday British Grand Prix well.. it was mind blowing boring.. until the last lap when the wheels fell off.. or rather tyres did.. nearly ruined Lewis Hamilton's race..
Monday morning and fresh horses..
John and Penny Perriss called in late morning to see their horses.. Penny’s Station Master and Wandrin Star and John's.. Bobhopeornohope, Getaweapon, Illuminated Beauty, Lady Of The Night, Lots Of Luck, Rockys Treasure and Rosmuc Relay… Then it was on to Jason Maguire's to see Hollymount Holly.
Inca Rose returned to the yard .. IR has been in pre training with Ginny Thompson
You should never trust a person who rings on a withheld number..Not for the first time..
Caller wants to buy a horse..
how much does he want to spend?
120K.. easy..
Had horses before? ..yes with two top trainer PN and GE and asked what horses he had.. he burst into laughter and put the phone down..?
Last week it was somebody who wanted to know if I had room for his helicopter to land.. That is the easy one.. I do..
1st August 2020
Plus 14 and dry when driving in.
Thanks Maddie for blogging for me this week..always a popular blogger is our Maddie..
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year. Personally I did not notice as I spent the day in my car with the comfort of air con keeping us all cool..
Clare, Archie and I headed to the Borders last weekend and returned yesterday.
Clare's parents took Old Purves Hall just outside Kelso for their family gathering. The house was full all week with plenty of young cousins and friends of Archie’s.. Great fun. I was there for 4 days while the other 2 were spent further south buying or trying to buy horses at Goffs Doncaster sales.
Thursday was spent on the Tweed..Paddy Clarkson and I each caught a salmon while Archie a sea trout. Earlier in the week Arthur Wills caught a salmon and Oliver Stanley a sea trout on Lower Birgham
The traffic coming down was heavy but at least moving, but those poor people heading North yesterday would have had a horrid journey.
While I was away we took delivery of a fine youngster .. a 3 year old filly by Pether's Moon out of Tara The Gossip.. owned by Ed and Kashy Hawkins..I am thrilled to be training for Ed and Kashy again..
It has been a long break since their last horse with me.. Drumstick..
Drummy is very famous in this yard as he was looked after by Liam Higgins..
Higgs adored Drummy and there is not a new member of staff who is not indoctrinated with the life and goings on of this cheeky chestnut who ran a total 91 times winning 18, placed second 19 third 14..
In fact Drummy ran 64 times over fences and won 16, second 16, and third 9.. he also used to attack the opposition during his races!!..
When he retired from jump racing he ran a further 15 times in points and hunter chases.. what a toughie he was..
Anyway moving on.. I am looking forward to see what name comes out of the hat.. The Hawkins's should be fun naming her.
No David Bass or Ciaran Gething here today as they are on holiday, but we did have Chester Williams.
Third lot..
David and Mark Plaza were here to see their KBRP horse Dansant Express
Doug, Sylvia and Kirsty Wilkes were here to see their KBRP horse Galante de Romay.
Mary Davies was here to see her KBRP horses Donny Brasco and Shantou Express
Sadly Boris has stopped the racing crowd experiment at Goodwood today.. A blip we hope.
We have no runners over the weekend.
Sunday service tomorrow and Mark Laws has sent over a few of his favourite hymns..
The Dentist’s Hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns
The Weatherman’s Hymn There Shall be Showers of Blessings
The Contractor’s Hymn The church is One foundation
The Tailor’s Hymn Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer’s Hymn There is a Green Hill Far Away
The Politician’s Hymn Standing on the Promises
The Optometrist’s Hymn Open My Eyes That I May See
The IRS Agent’s Hymn I Surrender All
The Gossip’s Hymn Pass it On
The Shopper’s Hymn Sweet Bye and Bye
The Realtor’s Hymn I’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop
The Massage Therapists Hymn He Touched Me
The Doctor’s Hymn The Great Physician
And for those who speed on the highway – a few Hymns
45mph God Will Take Care of You
65mph Nearer My God To Thee
85mph This World is Not My Home
95mhp Lord, I am Coming Home
100mph Precious Memories
Have a good weekend and see you on Monday..
31st July 2020
Plus 20 when driving in, it's going to be a hot one!
What a beautiful couple of days we have had with the weather, long may it continue although the last thing we need is rattling firm ground.
Catherine Salthouse was here third lot to see the Jockey Club Cheltenham & SW Syndicate horse Hes No Trouble.
We have had a few new faces join the team this week, I will try and get some photos to introduce you all this morning.
I realise that I never did a Covid-19 blog experience for you and I don't plan to go into it now but what I will say is that it was a horrible experience, I've never felt so ill before and if it weren't for the support from fellow "Covider" Peter Kerr, it would have been much harder to get through. I find it so strange how the virus affects different people, some experience horrible symptoms and others seem to not even contract it, although I feel that the media makes the whole situation worse.
My final restaurant recommendation before Kim returns with the jokes tomorrow is.....Kibou Sushi who are now moving into a much larger place, they are taking over from Carluccio's. If you have ever been you will know that it is ridiculously hard to get a table on saturday nights and it is always rather cramped but now with this even bigger venue there will be more chances to enjoy their delicious sushi more often!
Enjoy the weekend everyone.
30th July 2020
Plus 15 and sunny when driving in.
I am busy putting together the horses in training brochure for the new season, making sure I don't miss any this year! We have a few advertising pages available so if you fancy advertising your business to lots of likeminded racing fans, please do send me an email and I can let you know exactly how much exposure your brand could recieve.
Illuminated Beauty's run yesterday was unsuccessful and she will now be retired.
Gerda & Mike Hayes plus grandchildren Poppy and Jasper were here visting third lot to see their KBRP horse Galante de Romay
Geoffrey Williams was here fourth lot to see his KBRP horses Voyburg and Shantou Express.
David & Julie Martin popped in late morning to see their horses Ajero, Minella Warrior, Rhosneigr, Trwyn Du before heading off for lunch.
No runners for us today but we have a good few entries next week.
Kim sent across the pictures of the new recruits, all of which are for sale so please contact Peter Kerr 07901 763 643 if any catch your eye.
My next restaurant recommendation - The Stump has to get a mention, great pizza's and atmosphere in a renovated country pub inbetween northleach and cirencester. Baz and Fred who do the pizza's originally just did events and now I hear that they are just about to open another venue at The New Inn in Coln Saint Aldwyn.
29th July 2020
Plus 12 when driving in this morning.
First it was Enable and now Stradivarius is making history. Ascot has hosted some great racing but I am sure the electric atmosphere has been missed by all attending this week.
We worked a few and a video should appear here later, although I do have a new computer so fingers crossed! - First Lot
John & Sue Stanley were here third lot to see their KBRP horse Drumreagh, along with Brian & Linda Cogent who came to see their KBRP horses Drumreagh, Red River, Commodore Barry and Adjourned - Each celebrating their wedding anniversaries - congratulations all, I don't think we have any champagne but there may be some whisky!!
We have one runner today and that's John Perriss' Illuminated Beauty at Bangor on Dee for our thoughts on her chances please click here
Matt heads off racing there and myself and Sandie will be in the office.
Kim was busy at the Goffs sale and has purchased three new recruits to join the team Lot 37, Lot 55 and Lot 100 all of which will be heading straight to Martin Jones's to be broken in.
I always seem to give restaurant recommendations when I do the blog so don't want to change tradition. A new one which became established during lockdown is The Stone Barn, originally just a takeaway venue to accomodate guests during lockdown, they are now offering food to eat in on Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's. It has always been a wedding venue so the barn is very nice - definitely worth a visit if you are in the area, make sure to book though.
28th July 2020
Plus 10 and sunny when driving in this morning.
Well that was a miserable start to the week yesterday, it's days like those that make you ever more appreciative of the hard working team at Thorndale.
Three runners yesterday at Market Rasen - Fubar ran very well but was up against a better horse who was well handicapped, annoying to finish second again and we know how Kim feels about finishing second!!
Cresswell Legend ran well back over hurdles but probably a couple of pounds too high, he will improve and we look forward to next time
Arthur's Sixpence won again!! He would prefer better ground but ran brilliantly for his owners the KBRP Stillmoremoneythan Syndicate, congratulations to Phil Andrews, Stuart Ballantyne, John Benson, Paul Benson, Ian Brotherton, Darren Smith, Vince Burmingham, David Price, Alex Carter, Stewart Edwards, Christopher Hill, David & Fran Ratcliffe and Geri Worcester.
No runners for us today but the horses are all going well at home, I have been venturing up onto the gallops to watch more regularly and there are some lovely youngsters to look out for this season. I have been making notes ready for the new seasons 5 to Follow competition, bear in mind I have pretty much finished last since I started here, so don't ask me for any tips!
This weeks movers and shakers in the handicap charts are Blazon down 1 to 69, Diamond Gait down 3 to 122, Drumreagh down 3 to 85, El Presente up 9 to 133, Minella Warrior down 3 to 135, Mon Palois down 1 to 115, Illuminated Beauty has been given a mark of 114 over fences and Cresswell Legend has been given a mark of 132 over hurdles.
We had a few visitors third lot to see their horses.......Alan James was here to see his KBRP horses Voyburg, Chazza, Shinobi, Lord Apparelli, Donnie Brasco and Does He Know
Chris Trigg was here to see his KBRP horses Red River, Commodore Barry, Drumreagh and Adjourned
Paul Higgs was here to see his KBRP horses Drumreagh, Chazza and Voyburg
Gary Penrose was making a first visit to Thorndale to meet his new KBRP horse Galante de Romay
As you know Kim is away which always leaves me in a pickle with the daily jokes, I never know how rude is too rude and I've got it wrong before! Please do send any over which you think will be appropriate maddie@kimbaileyracing.com
27th July 2020
Plus 14 and raining.
Paul and Eileen Martin were here third lot to see Paul's two KBRP horses Donnie Brasco and Galante de Romay
Wayne Butcher brought his mother for a first visit to Thorndale. Wayne is a happy part owner of Imperial Aura.. IA is currently doing his pre training with Kevin and Anna Ross in Northern Ireland
I will see Kevin over the next three days at Goffs Sales in Doncaster.. It will be an interesting three days .. and results?..
We have three runners today at Market Rasen. Fubar, Cresswell Legend and Arthurs Sixpence and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.
Vinndication, Two For Gold, Espoir De Romay, Happygolucky and True Glory all returned to Thorndale having been in pre training with Jason Maguire (the first three) and Lucy Jackson (last two).
“When something is ‘new and improved!’ which is it?
If it’s new, then there has never been anything before it.
If it’s an improvement, then there must have been something before it.”
Thats it for today.. Maddie in charge of the blog for the next few days while I am up at Donny..
25th July 2020
Plus 16 and damp when driving in. It looks like a wet day ahead.
Blazon is just too high in the handicap.. beaten 7 lenghts.. Just a few pounds makes such a difference with these older horses.. He last won off 66 and now on 70.. back on that winning mark will help..
Diamond Gait..Sadly she tries to hurdle her fences, well certainly at the speed they go around Newton Abbot so we will revert to hurdles.
David Bass, Ciaran Gething and Chester Williams were in this morning to ride out..
Jonathan Herbert was here third lot to see his KBRP horse Dansant Express
We have no runners over the weekend.
Disappointing King George with only 3 runners and even worse news is the prize money.
Even more disappointing news for flat racing best know race The Derby
Investec's co-founder Bernard Kantor, a racehorse owner and fan of the sport, stepped down from the company last August and enthusiasm for the Epsom sponsorship might well have reduced as a result.
Hardly surprising when the boss moves on as invaraiably his sporting love is not the same as the new incoming on...We have seen it all too many times in the past...
The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
After a number of injections my jaw got number.
I shed a tear when I saw the tear in my clothes.
I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.
To finish.. happy birthday to my god daughter Anna Sherwood and tomorrow it is Mat Nicholls's birthday..
Yesterdays pavillion was the old cricket pitch at Uttoxter Racecourse
A weekend in the country..
24th July 2020
Plus 14 and dry when driving in
Uttoxeter was empty yesterday..
Owbeg rather ran on his nerves and needs to learn to relax, Drumreagh will improve for the run while Minella Warrior was a shade disappointing and was in top gear all the way. A more galloping track with suit but sadly not many of those around at the moment.
Busy here this morning
Third lot we saw David and Shantha Shuttle here to see their KBRP horse Does He Know.
John and Laura Garrett where here to see their KBRP horses Chazza, Gerard Mentor, The Bull Mccabe, Red River, Commodore Barry, Adjourned, Lord Apparelli and their Racing For Maggies horse Another Venture
Paul Martin was here to see his KBRP horses Donnie Brasco and Galante De Romay.
Peter and Lois Burke were here to see their KBRP horse Yeavering Belle.
We have two runers today. Diamond Gait heads to Newton Abbot while Blazon heads to Beverely. For my thoughts on their chances please click here.
This made me chuckle
Today is 40 years since the death of the comic actor Peter Sellers.
Mark Mason, our repository of unusual information, tells me that Sellers once rang Spike Milligan’s doorbell at 3am.
His Goon Show partner found him naked apart from a bowler hat, socks and shoes. To Milligan’s raised eyebrow, Sellers simply said: “Do you know a good tailor?”
English – No wonder it’s so hard to learn!
There was a row amongst the oarsmen about how to row.
They were too close to the door to close it.
The buck does funny things when the does are present.
They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line.
To help with planting the farmer taught his sow to sow.