Baileys Blog

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..

Minus 1 and dry when driving in. I had to scrape the ice off my windscreen..Very chilly overnight.

Exeter last night... It was their last meeting of the season and that is it until the autumn.

Grand Escaparde was having his first run over fences and over a trip too short, it was very much a learning curve for him.. He ran better than he did over hurdles and we have educated him, now we must find a suitable race on a left handed track over further, before he thinks about having a summer holiday.

Dave Jones bemoaned the fact that I was not at Cheltenham this week and rightly that the blog was not up to scratch..Sorry Dave..

Saturday morning brings in David Bass and Ciaran Gethings to ride out.

Sam Blackie, John Dalmedo, Jocelyn and Stephen Foster, Fiona Ross, Delyth Stapley and Jonathon Darlington were all here for a Morning on the gallops and Breakfast as booked through CD Tours

We have 4 runners today at Bangor and one tomorrow at Stratford.

Heros De Romay, Hurlerontheditch, Tregele and Shady Wadey all run today while Lady Gwen runs tomorrow.. For my thoughts, please click here.

One for you Dave...

YOU HAVE TO LOVE AN UNDERSTANDING NURSE

A policeman was rushed to the hospital with an inflamed appendix.

The doctors operated and advised him that all was well; however, the policeman kept feeling something pulling at his regenerating pubic hairs.

Worried that it might be a second surgery and the doctors hadn't told him about it, he finally got enough energy to pull his hospital gown up enough so he could look at what was making him so uncomfortable.

Taped firmly across his pubic hair area and private parts were three wide strips of adhesive tape, the kind that doesn't come off easily.

Written on the tape in large black letters were the words, "Get well soon from the nurse in the Land Rover you booked for speeding last week."

Kind of brings tears to your eyes doesn't it..?

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday..

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

The big Scottish Grand National meeting starts today.. Two days of fun and Willie Mullins is over!

Talking fun.. Peter Kerr, my ever-dependable syndicate manager, is heading to London on Sunday to join a cast of thousands to run in this years TCS London Marathon.. Yes, all for charity and he like many would love your help..

Please click here to sponsor Peter.. You might have already done so, but you can always donate again..

Peter is raising money for WellChild.. But...Please do not scroll down his Just giving page as you might have a shock!

Did you watch this? I highly recommend..It is all about Showtime Mahomes

We have one runner tonight at Exeter. Grand Escaparde heads there and my thoughts please click here.

You know when you're getting older when entering your birth year online and you have to spin that thing like you're on the wheel of fortune!

Minus 1 and dry when driving in. Frost last night.. Hardly spring weather..

Racing headlines. Paddy Brennan retired after riding a winner at Cheltenham yesterday.. He has cetainly had a long and illustrious career..

I take my hat off to Charlie and Francessca Poste. They have been producing point to pointers for some years now and have done well with their sales and progeny, but yesterday they ventured into the 2 year breeze up sales in Newmarket and their first 2 year old filly (Lot 132) made £100k and then an hour later their 2 year old colt (lot 147) made £800k.. A huge return from the £78K they paid for the colt last September

I wandered around the fields down at Owdeswell Manor last night. We turn our horses out there during the summer. Still too cold to turn horses out and the grass is not quite there yet. It is coming but it will be another week.. we need some warmer weather.

Plus 3 and dry when driving in.

David Bass was in this morning to ride out.. we jumped a few..

Two-day Cheltenham meeting starts today, and they are watering to maintain good ground. My word how at this time of year conditions change.

Ed Hawkings called in on his way to the races..

Ian Reid’s turn to amuse us…

In a French hospital, a clerical gentleman had made several attempts to get into the men's restroom, but it had always been occupied. A nurse noticed his predicament.

Sir, she said "You may use the ladies room if you promise not to touch any of the buttons on the wall."

He did what he needed to, and as he sat there he noticed the buttons he had promised not to touch.

Each button was identified by letters: WW, WA, PP, and a red one labeled ATR.

Who would know if he touched them?

He couldn't resist.. He pushed WW. warm water was sprayed gently upon his bottom.

What a nice feeling, he thought. Men restrooms don't have nice things like this.

Anticipating greater pleasure, he pushed the WA button. Warm air replaced the warm water, gently drying his underside.

When this stopped, he pushed the PP button. A large powder puff caressed his bottom adding a fragile scent

of spring flower to this unbelievable pleasure.. The ladies restroom was more than a restroom, it is tender loving pleasure.

When the powder puff completed its pleasure, he couldn't wait to push the ATR button which he knew would be supreme ecstasy.

Next thing he knew he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital bed, and a nurse was staring down at him.

"What happened?" he exclaimed. The last thing I remember was pushing the ATR button.

"The button ATR is an Automatic Tampon Remover. Your penis is under your pillow."

"MEN NEVER LISTEN"