Baileys Blog

Plus 4 and raining when driving in.

A very dark and damp start to the day..

So good to see some crowds back on racecourses again.. exciting..The feedback was great to read..

It felt a bit more like a more normal days racing at Ludlow. There was an atmosphere of sorts..

Good to see The Real Partnerships owners Martyn and Sandra Steer Fowler, John and Veronica Full and Anita Dymond racing..

Sadly, although being their trainer, I was not allowed to mix with them so remained on the other side of the barrier..Frustrating, especially when things don't go according to plan..A consolation drink would not have gone amiss!

Anyway..

I was not a happy chappy when leaving Ludlow yesterday. Miss Gemstome ran around the racecourse loose after her jockey parted company with her and then 20 minutes later Espoir De Romay finished second.

The first was blatantly annoying while the second was just a case that we were beaten by a better horse on the day.

At Haydock John Webber and Richard Sheppard were there to support their horse.

So bad tempered was I when I made it back to Thorndale that rather than take it out on the dogs or cats, although I don’t have the latter.. I decided on another course of action..which was remedied by taking Mrs B out to supper.. Prithvi had a cancelation.. Lucky.. so the day ended on a happier note!

Was it the fact that we had not been out to supper for so long? But last nights food was spectacular.

On the next door table sat Ian and Ros Smith who were celebrating their wedding anniversary.. Regular blog readers although they complained about the uselessness of our gallop camera.. For which I can only apologise for..

In the news.. Cheltenham racacourse have lost their Gold Cup sponsor..Magners.

Claydon were here most of the day putting down a new rubber walk in my horsewalker.. we have worn the last one out.

We have four runners today. Mr Grey Sky and Aliandy head to Leicester with Mat and Starvoski and Hes No Trouble head to Wincanton where I am.. For my thoughts on their chances please click here.

Remember when you left your milk bottles out..

No milk. Please do not leave milk at No. 14 either as he is dead until further notice.

Milkman, please close the gate behind you because the birds keep pecking the tops off the milk.

Dear milkman: I’ve just had a baby, please leave another one.

When you leave my milk please knock on my bedroom window and wake me because I want you to give me a hand to turn the mattress.

Please leave an extra pint of paralysed milk.

Please send me a form for cheap milk, for I have a baby two months old and did not know about it until a neighbour told me.

Please send me details about cheap milk as I am stagnant.

Will you tell your horse not to poo outside my house. It’s better at number 17, he puts it on his strawberries.

Today non virus video nasty..

Plus 1 and dry when driving in.

Shanacoole Prince having his first run over fences yesterday at Southwell jumped brilliantly and ran a blinder to finish second!.. Ground would not have been soft enough but it was a most encouraging start… Just a shame Paul Nicholls decided to send a raiding party to Southwell..

Further good news yesterday.. Graham Potts our vet was here for his Tuesday visit and looked at Vinndication amongst other horses and today Vinndication was back under saddle.. We shall obviously monitor him, but the vibes are good.

Also good news .. Crowds back on racecourses today and owners allowed back in the yard to see their horses.

Mary Dulverton was here second lot to see her horses Newtide, Happygolucky, Kyntara, Talk Of Fame, Sammeo, Sayadam and Inawhilecrocodile.

Jockeys David Bass, Ciaran Gethings, Chester Williams (Chester rode a winner yesterday at Lingfield) and Harry Beswick were in to ride out..

We jumped.. Mr Grey Sky, Yesandno, Happygolucky, Commodore Barry, Lord Apparelli and Shantou Express.

Great that Hollie Doyle has been shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of Year 2020.  Shame that the BBC don't show racing!

We have two runners today.. Miss Gemstone heads to Ludlow while Espoir De Romay heads to Haydock and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.

Sad news to end the day on. Ceci Vestey died on Saturday. Deepest condolences to her husband Sam and to her children Williams, Arthur and Mary. And to her sister Hen Knight.

If you are experiencing the following symptoms.

Headache

Bodyache

Poor eyesight

Difficulty in breathing

High temperature

Always out of mind

Difficulty in sleeping

Most of the time in shock

Easily gets mad and can’t communicate properly

Feeling Dizzy

This is not Coronavirus. These are symptoms of Married Life.

Todays non virus video nasty..

Plus 1 and dry when driving in.

Another Venture, Equus Dreamer, Trwyn Du and Voyburg had an away day..

Graham Potts our vet was in for his Tuesday visit

Todays movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..Ajero plus 4 to 129, Imperial Icon plus 6 to 110, Rockys Treasure down 3 to 138 while Bobhopeornohope enters at 128.

We have just the one runner today at Southwell. Shanacoole Prince heads there and for my thoughts on his chances please click here.

Here we are.. The first day of a new month.. December.. Most of you will automatically be thinking of Christmas.. yes.. and looking for a suitable present for that racing enthusiast in your home.. A share in a racehorse? Why not?

If you fancy one wrapped up, please give Peter Kerr a call on 07901763643 as he would be delighted to help with the wrapping..

Alternatively if it something for the family why not buy your darling(s) a 'Morning on the gallops' and depending what sort of lock down we are in we can also sort breakfast ..inside or out.. depending.. Another cracker for the cracker!

Fancy that, then please ring my office a ring to speak to Maddie or email her..There is nothing Maddie loves more than organising your morning here....

I finished Hugo Bevan's book Memoir of a Racing Life last night.,. A very easy read and enjoyable.. To buy a copy click here.

I am reaching out on behalf of a friend who needs some help.. He wishes to remain anonymous.

His wife told him to go out and get some of those pills that would help him get an erection.

When he came back, he handed her diet pills..

Anyway now he is looking for some where to live.. Can you help?

Todays non virus video nasty..

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.

It was not to be..

Vinndication was running the race of his life on Saturday, but when coming to the cross fence at Newbury something happened, and however many times I watched the replay I am still not sure, but it all went wrong..

David Bass initially thought that he has lost his iron and just fallen off, but on the replay it looked like Vinny either slipped and lost his propulsion.. either way he lost his jockey and almost came down.. Hugely frustrating.

Vinny seemed fine after but then he stiffened up and became lame behind after an hour. A visit on the way home to Donnington Vets for x-rays showed no fracture, so rest is the immediate cure and see how he is a in a few days time.

Two For Gold ran a blinder but just did not stay.. I rather suspected that might happen .. we have learnt something and he will be back over a shorted trip.

Rockys Treasure ran a far better race but he is still in the grip of the handicapper..

Yesterday at Leicester Adjourned finished 4^th.. Better again from him..

It was a weekend that was not to be.. hugely frustrating but there are many things happening in the world that are far worse.. But thanks for all the messages asking about the welfare of Vinny.

Cricket..England won the T20 series against South Africa.. It was good to watch some of it. Sun and leather against willow..

Monday morning and fresh horses..

No runners today..

A day in the office to catch up..

Going out for dinner.. you remember those days?

We were dressed and ready to go out for a Dinner and Theatre evening.

We turned on a 'night light', turned the answering machine on, covered our pet budgie and put the cat in the back garden. We phoned the local Taxi company and requested a taxi.   

The taxi arrived and we opened the front door to leave the house. 

As we walked out the door, the cat we had put out in the yard scooted back into the house. ..We didn't want the cat shut in the house because she always tries to get at the budgie. 

My wife walked on out to the taxi, while I went back inside to get the cat. ..

The cat ran upstairs, with me in hot pursuit.   

Waiting in the cab, my wife didn't want the driver to know that the house will be empty for the night.  So, she explained to the taxi driver that I would be out soon. "He's just going upstairs to say Goodbye to my mother."   

A few minutes later, I got into the cab. "Sorry I took so long," I said, as we drove away.

"That stupid bitch was hiding under the bed. I had to poke her arse with a coat hanger to get her to come out!  She tried to take off, so I grabbed her by the neck. Then, I had to wrap her in a blanket to keep her from scratching me. But it worked! I hauled her fat arse downstairs and threw her out into the back garden!  ..............She'd better not shit in the vegetable garden again!"   

The silence in the taxi was deafening!!

Happy birthday Richie Forristal..Irish Editor of the Racing Post. Was once my conditional jockey.. He is a far better writer!

Todays non virus video nasty

Plus 5, misty and drizzling when driving in.

Soulless Doncaster, but having said that it has been a good stamping ground for Thorndale’s runners and more so for owner John Perriss.

Yesterday John’s Bobhopeornohope rather lived up to his name as for a second, when he completely fluffed his lines at the last, his chances of winning looked more Nohope than anything else..

But Bob was not for that and picked himself up with the help of the ever powerful and forceful jockey that David Bass has become, to win by two lengths, going away….

Bobhopeornohope has now won both of his hurdle starts and looks progressive..

Doncaster is a huge racecourse and does not do 'no crowds' well.. Not their fault, but if only they had shown the away races it might have made the experience better for those on track.

Saturday morning and hopefully the last one without visitors.

David Bass, Ciaran Gethings, Chester Williams and Harry Beswick were in this morning.. we worked a few, but no videos on here today as Maddie does not work weekends.. We will though be doing 'owner weekend videos'.

Tonight is the last chance you can bid on any of the Hope and Homes For Children Charity.. Click here to see the lots and bid..

My remark yesterday 'Hard to the layman to understand' ..Prompted David Simkins (MPGC) to send this email…

''I bought The Haynes Horse Racing Manual .. It covers all aspects of racing and ownership, explaining everything in great detail, with a lot of helpful photographs’.. a great many of your followers would find this book extremely helpful, I’m surprised it doesn’t get more coverage.’'

Christmas coming.. looking for a present.. This lady draws well..

David Bass has had a sensational season and today is his big day..and ours.. Newbury beckons.

Yes the big day has arrived.. Arrive early to miss the crowds and the traffic.. Newbury is shocking traffic wise on this day..Next year?

We have three runners at Newbury today.. Rockys Teasure, Two For Gold and Vinndication. We also have one runner tomorrow at Leicester.. Adjourned .. For my thoughts on all their chances, please click here.

Here are the last of those wonderful Church Bulletins!

The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.  

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM.  Please use the back door.   

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM.  The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. 

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.  Please use large double door at the side entrance. 

And this one just about sums them all up..

The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.'

Happy birthday to one one my team tomorrow.. Ben Macnulty.. The postman was overloaded with mail and parcels .. all week!

Todays non virus video nasty..

Minus 4 and dry when driving in.

Leafy Lingfield or but yesterday it was more lonely Lingfield..

Donnie Brasco needs far further than the two and half miles of yesterdays race but at least by running yesterday he is now qualified to run in normal handicap chases as well as novice races..

Any horse who has never run over fences has to run in one novice event to qualify to use his hurdle rating over fences  in normal handicaps....Hard to the layman to understand ..

Fubar.. well rather aptly named..

Fubar is now for sale.. He would make a great maiden for pointing.

Seriously if you are looking for a pointer this chap is for sale.. He is maiden and has some very good placed form. He loves fast ground and is sound. Please give me a ring if he is of interest.. He can be ridden when seen.

The list of racecourses that are likely to allow crowds has been made public and going forward lets hope more are able too as well.. What will be allowed...I am sure going forward it will determine where many horses will run over the next few weeks.

We are in Tier 2 which means that we can have visitors from next week..

We have just the one runner today at Doncaster.. Bobhopeornohope heads there for what looks a competitive race and for my thoughts please click here.

The ever temperamental gallops camera should be working again..well it started to yesterday..

Yesterday the postman delivered my first Christmas card of the year..From the boys at Minella.. Hotel Minella..

The view from the yard first lot

Third lot view from the top of the gallop field, yesterday

Here are a few more of those wonderful Church Bulletins!

Thank God for the church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services: 

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. 

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.   

Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow. 

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind.  They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.    

This evening at 7PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church.  Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. 

Todays non virus video nasty..

Plus one and dry when driving in.

Driving in was not quite as easy as normal this morning.

The Thorndale drive is being tarmacked and the only way up to the yard is via the fields.. Hopefully Cheltenham Surfacing will finish today and we will have a sparklingly smart new drive to admire tomorrow..

Imperial Icon kept up Imperial Racing's great run. Their Aura won on Saturday at Ascot and their Icon won at Hereford yesterday… It was again another fine ride from David Bass who drove this big chestnut horse  to get up on the line to win by a nose..

Matt Chapman in his post race interview with Bassy kept talking a big game.. not on the fact that he is a vegan and waht has he been eating. we are bored of that one, but that he might be….. Champion jockey! Joke??

Mind you if they keep saying that he is riding out of his skin he wont have any shortly..

We did not run Diamond Gait as the ground had changed and gone soft.

Funny world we live in..

Modern technology rules us and on that note I had a phone call from Henry Plumtre last night.

Henry was Godolphin's main man 'down under' for many years, but having semi retired he is now based in New Zealand and helps run the Cambridge Stud operation..  Recent video..Anyway it has been many years since I last spoke to him but Instagram has meant that he has seen all our winners and he rang to congratulate..

David Bass and Harry Beswick were in this morning to ride out.

Thursday is our easy day although we did jump Adjourned, Balleticon, Espoir De Romay, Hollymount Holly, Mr Grey Sky and Yesandno.

An interesting morning here as I have a camera following me all day.. well not only me, but the yard and the horses.. all for Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh for ITV’.. Don’t worry you wont have to see it until the new year.

We have two runners today.. Fubar heads to Taunton while Donnie Brasco heads to Lingfield.. For my thoughts on their chances please click here.

Here are a few more of those wonderful Church Bulletins!

Thank God for the church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services:  

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.   

Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.  

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.  

Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir.  They need all the help they can get.  

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.  So ends a friendship that began in their school days.  

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.  

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?'  Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Happy birthdays to.. Phil Andrews, who will be hoping his horse Vinndication runs well at Newbury on Saturday.. It is also Peter Kerr's birthday.. He too will be hoping that Vinndication runs well as he runs the Moremoneythan syndicate..

Talking birthdays.. Sorry Jeremy Deedes I forgot to mention yours yesterday..

Todays non virus video nasty.

Plus 10 and drizzling when driving in.

Great excitement that next week we could be hosting visitors here and going racing with crowds..

No crowds at Southwell yesterday and frankly Gerard Mentor ran shockingly.. He travelled badly to the races and that is the only thing we can think of as an excuse..It was as they say..too bad to be true.

David Bass, Ciaran Gethings, Chester Williams and Harry Beswick were in this morning.. we worked a few and jumped a few too including Two For Gold.. videos might appear here later. First Lot, Second Lot 

Two For Gold will join Vinndication in The Ladbroke at Newbury on Saturday.. well that is the plan..Ciaran Gethings will ride him

We have two runners today at Hereford. Imperial Icon and Diamond Gait and for my thoughts please click here.

Panda Christie has asked me to post this on my blog..

'Hope and Homes for Children is a charity I’m not only personally involved in with Grapevine, but also through my father’s charitable trust. I would love you to support this wonderful on line auction and shop. Each purchase helping to give the gift of love.

This year family has never felt more important. Protecting our families has been our priority, and being separated from our families has been painful. 

For children in orphanages, life is one deprived of family and love. 

The impact of Coronavirus is placing millions more children at risk of losing their families. This year, help more children experience the safety of home, and the love of family.

The ultimate Christmas gift collection and online auction. From now until midnight 29th November. 

This online auction, so many wonderful lots. From a week in one of S.Africa’s most sought after Game Lodges, beautiful Boodles jewellery and cases of William Sitwell’s wine to an original Charlie Mackesy illustration, Hamish Mackie Sculpture, a share in a racehorse in training with Kim Bailey and  much more, it's really worth a look and hopefully a bid too!!'

They're Back!  Those wonderful (Chatsworth?) Church Bulletins!

Thank God for the church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services:   

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. 

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled proceeds will be used to cripple children. 

The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.  'The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'  

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale.  It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.  Bring your husbands.

Happy birthday to one of our members of staff..Milly Shaw..

Todays non virus video nasty

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

Ajero winning at Kempton yesterday took our season total to 32.. the same as we had all last season…

Julie and David Martin and Dan Hall's young horse, who is a half brother to Charbel, has now won 2 of his three starts over hurdles and looks progressive.. David Bass was impressed as you can see from his post race interview..

Yes 32 for the season so far..Two different seasons as last year we were cut short and we raced on heavy ground for most of it.. This time we have been able to pick and choose..

Whatever it is so good to see the horses running so well. And the jockeys riding likewise.. David Bass even rode a winner for another yard at Kempton making it a double day for him.

I was at Ludlow to saddle Shinobi.. He too ran well under a 10lb penalty to finish second.. I don’t enjoy being second as you know, but I was pleased with his run.

There seems to be some really good news on the horizon for crowds appearing back on racecourses..Click here to read

Talking reading.. Hugo Bevan, who in his day was one of the most sporting and interesting Clerks of the Course in the country (along with Philp Arkwright) has written his memoirs.. Called Memoir of a Racing Life it is a must Christmas read for any racing enthusiast.. I have not read it yet as it only arrived yesterday but it won't take me long..

This weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..Chazza up 4 to 124, First Flow up 6 to 154, I Cant Explain down 6 to 136, Imperial Aura up 6 to 163, Minella Warrior down 3 to 127, Station Master down 4 to 114, Newtide down 1 to 41, Wandrin Star up 4 to 141, Yeavering Belle down 1 to 127, Vinndication down 1 to 160 and finally Mr Grey Sky enters at 124.

I am not racing today as I have a RSA General meeting on Zoom.. We do have one runner at Southwell.. Gerard Mentor heads there and for my thoughts on his chances please click here.

Mickey Mouse get shot because Donald ducked.

I ran into a schoolfriend who once sold me a tiny globe. It's a small world

My wife swallowed a tube of glue. Won’t say why. Her lips are sealed.

I used to be interested in ceramics but everything has gone to pot.

My wife left me for liking Pasta. Now I'm Cannelloni 

I dreamt I was a muffler. I woke up exhausted

Egyptian crocodiles never admit they are wrong. They're in De Nile

Any vaccine should be tested on politicians first. If they survive, the vaccine is safe. If they don’t, then the country is safe.

Todays non virus video nasty

Minus 1 and dry when driving in

Dry might not be how I would describe Saturday night..

What a day Saturday was.

Staggering winning runs from Imperial Aura and First Flow and fabulous rides from David Bass on both.. And so different.

Imperial Aura just jumps for fun and the way he attacked the downhill fences at Ascot was a joy to behold, which it was not when watching First Flow jump them.

Imperial Aura has been improving at home and Saturdays performance was further proof that he has been doing just that and more importantly he has now proved it on the racecourse.

I thought Saturday was a big test for him and he came through it with flying colours.. He is now the probable favourite for The Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Ian Robinson and his team of Imperial Racing Tony Morris, Matt Weston, Dean Perkins, James Goddard, Lorraine Jarman, Michael Grayson, Joseph Quay, Donald Bell, Wayne Butcher, Brian Leigh have much to dream about over the coming months with their horse..

First Flow has now won 4 chases on the trot and Saturdays race was his toughest and probably best performance.. but not in the jumping department..

There was a huge possibility that we might not have run on Saturday.. Neither Mat or David were keen as the ground was not nearly soft enough for him.. But the options were just not there, so we took the chance..

After a mile I was regretting my decision and David was all for pulling him up after crashing through most of the fences.. The race was run at such a furious pace that eventually the leaders started to slow and then stamina crept in for First Flow..

I was watching the race with Matt Chapman, who had tipped First Flow and as FF and DB took the last fence outside the wing, in what can only be described as a sensational jump and a brave one too, both Matt and I were seen jumping about like a pair of teenagers screaming the horse home…

Sadly for Tony Solomons the race was worth just over £15k to the winning horse.. Last years winner Capeland took home £78K .. sign of the times?

Tony who is my longest serving owner was not at Ascot to see his horse.. ITV Racing did a great job for him instead.

What a day.. A double in ITV mean so much for the yard and all involved here at Thorndale. We are a team from top to bottom.. and then there is David Bass..

Our other runner at Ascot Yeavering Belle hated the ground and was pulled up.

Up at Haydock where the conditions were ideal for First Flow, if he had been there.. Anyway they were also ideal for Newtide who ran a blinder to finish 3^rd.. Newtide was certainly not fully wound up for the day as he has other days to worry about in a months time, but it was good trial..

Footnote of Saturday.. It is called distribution of wealth.. Nico de Boinville took the two bottles of Champagne that David Bass had won and handed them to the valets under the heading of distribution of wealth! That’s how to treat your best friend..

Talking Nico..

Nico had a chance of riding his first winner for us yesterday at Uttoxeter when booked to ride Java Point.. Sadly Nico failed and Java Point finished second.. not a bad performance and Nico’s eloquent and educated post race video told us all we need to know.. We were beaten by a well handicapped horse.

The ground at Exeter was far softer than I had hoped and as a result Hes No Trouble did not run..

Yes a special weekend, but here we are, back to Monday and a new week.

We have two runners today..

Ajero heads to Kempton while Shinobi heads to Ludlow and for my thoughts on their chance please click here.

A 3 year old boy was examining his testicles "Mom" he asked, "are these my brains?" "Not yet," she replied.

My wife and I had words, but I didn’t get to use mine.  

Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.  

The irony of life is that, by the time you're old enough to know your way around, You're not going anywhere.  

God made man before woman so as to give him time to think of an answer for her first question.  

I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

Buzz Aldrin was the second person to walk on the moon. Neil before him.

Elephant trainers need to be great multituskers.

Todays non virus video nasty