Baileys Blog

Plus 10 and dry when driving in.

What a good day for English sport yesterday.

Andy Murray sailed throught to the second round at Wimbledon

Relief ..Emma is also through to the second round.. It was a bit like watching Tim Henman in a skirt.. no pun but I was never that sure she would win.. That smile after winning will sell many newspapers this morning..

The pressure she was under.. but don’t forget what has achieved in such a short space of her life..She has won much more than most by winning a Grand Slam..The US Open..Now we can keep hoping she might progress without injury through the week..

Win was a certainty at Headingley when the rain stopped and played started.. England were not for hanging about on the pitch with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow making short work of their latest win.. A whitewash in a test series against New Zealand.. You would have been mad to have even suggested that result when the first ball was bowled at Lords on June 2^nd..

It has been a brilliant watch. Rejuvenated team.. and so good to hear Michael Vaughan in the radio again…. On the latter.. innocent till proven guilty.. 'sadly' most in the BBC seems to disagree..

Graham Potts our vet was in for his Tuesday visit and this weeks mover and shaker in the handicap chart was…

I am seeing some of my babies that Aiden Murphy and I have purchased over the summer at Martin Jones later.. Martin has most broken and ridden..

This little gem amused me from Glastonbury

What do jockeys eat?. I note that David Bass has no input here although as Joint President  The PJA have a good site for help

You have to laugh at the much missed Dave Allen..

To finish..

Happy 17th birthday Archie Bailey.. where have the years gone..!.. Now to sort some insurance to drive!!! Suggestions?

Plus 11 and dry when driving in.

I am back from 3 (abortive) days fishing on the Helmsdale….

We all have hobbies and one of mine is fishing. Yours hopefully is having horses in training (At Thorndale)!.

Fishing, like racing, is all about being in the right place with the right conditions..Well my three days.. fun they certainly were, as I was with my best man Johnny R-K, but conditions were so far from being right it was almost laughable.. They had a heatwave and all I managed to catch was a suntan!....

The water level was very low, and some of the rivers I drove over on the way up hardly had any… There were fish in the river but as my hard working Ghillie Graham Nichols said .. the river is dead!

But I do love being in Scotland.. It is beautiful..

Johnny and I stayed in Birchwood Lodge and Penny Innes kindly cooked for us..

While I was away Maddie announced, when she was doing the blog, that she had become engaged.. Well done Maddie..Ben is a very lucky man..  Now Maddie..when is the big day??

Last weeks Tattersalls Derby Sale were staggering.. Yes of course I was tempted, but failed. I was keen to buy one horse, but sadly one person went one bid higher..The prices beggar belief and again it showed the money in Irish Point to Pointing.. so many horses were bought to go down that route..

Driving home yesterday in the rain..The Test match was good company on the radio and the highlights last night were extraordinary to watch.. The team has been transformed by Brendon McCullum the new coach and the new Captain Ben Stokes .. The mind set and approach has changed..And Joe Root relaxed and now enjoying playing his shots..

The last day today and Headingley like Trent Bridge have offered free tickets..

Wimbledon starts today and it is big Brit day.. I hope some hang in there for the next round..100 years of Centre Court and first on today is Novak Djokovic V Soonwoo Kwon and then we have Emma Raducanu v Alison Van Uytvanck and then Andy Murray v James Duckworth..

Harry Bailey flew back to Sydney.. His flight at 10.15 last night.. He said the chaos and queues at Heathrow were simply terrible..

To finish.. A very happy birthday to my daughter Pandora..While Archie is 16 for one more day!!

Plus 13 and sunny when waking at home this morning

Shantou Express ran a galant race to finish third at Cartmel, no sticky toffee pudding but he jumped great and I assume will continue a summer campaign but I have not had a race review from the bosses. 

We only have five more days until the Five To Follow competition ends and it's looking another close finish between owners Iain Bell and Steve Adams....... I hope that the winner likes Cider as the prize is a tour of Dunkertons Cider 

The staff enjoyed some delicious pizza last night courtesy of ex Hartpury RFC star Matt Gilbert and his business Gumbies Wood Fired Pizza.

To follow on from yesterday's Cornwall chat, here are the activities when out exploring....

We avoided the traffic of Padstow and instead cycled there from Wadebridge along the lovely Camel Trail (I stretched for a semi electric bike!!!)   

The Eden Project was facinating but I wouldn't fancy going in school terms as it would be too busy.

Tintagel Castle was a let down - there is no castle just some nice views (personally, I don't think the views made the savage hills there and back worth it.)

St Michaels Mount was good, the gardens were closed on the day so I'd go back to see those.

The one dinner blooper which goes to show that online reviews and good photography are not always right - No I would not recommend a dinner booking.

All in all an enjoyable trip and if you have any recommendations for next years visit please do send them over.

Being "typicallly british" I can't believe I have not mentioned the weather! Lovely during the week when we are sat in offices and raining at the weekends...

Wishing you all a good one regardless!

Plus 15 when on my way to the office this morning, I think we are due a bit more rain today - fingers crossed I won't have to be watering the garden again at 9pm!

We have a runner today, Shantou Express heads to Cartmel to hopefully win some sticky toffee pudding, for our thoughts on his chances please click here.

Graham Potts was in for his usual friday visit.

Records achieved across the board on the final day of the Tattersall Ireland Sale

We are looking for a few new members of staff to join us for the upcoming season, specifically an experienced Groom who would like to progress in racing and a Yard Person/Tractor Driver. If you know of anyone who is looking for a job, we offer very competitive wages, accomodation and plenty of laughs along the way, please do put them in touch with us. 

So apart from working during my time off I enjoyed a lovely trip to Cornwall, one which we make every year and is becoming a nice tradition. As I know how much you all enjoy my recommendations I thought I'd include some links to the places we ate and visited

We always stay at Watergate Bay so our first nights meal was at Emily Scotts restaurant, a little bit of a celebration dinner actually as I got engaged that day!

We found this little gem when exploring Fowey and were very lucky to have the scenery to ourselves for atleast an hour before it packed out, the pizza was definitely walked off getting back to the car, those hills put our cotswold ones to shame.

Recommended by a friend was The Lobster Shed, very very good food and nice location.

The final find, and probably my favourite was sunday lunch at The Old Coastguard in Mousehole this would be one I'd highly recommend visiting if you are down there, it is also only 8 miles on to Sennen Cove. 

That's it for now, tomorrow I'll share the places we visited.

Plus 15 when waking this morning, it's going to be warm one!

In case you missed it yesterday, Kim is away for a few days so I am doing my summer duties of holding the blog, please stop scrolling now and return on monday if you don't enjoy my writing. 

Summer time for the horses and summer time for me too as I only work three days a week in the office at the moment, this works well as I can do plenty more in my salon during the week. 

The yard deep clean is still chugging along, all barns have been completed now and if we are on schedule, theses stables will be back filled with fat, sleepy horses in two weeks time. 

I did the field rounds to check they were ok and take some pictures to cover the next few days. They are all looking so well but the flies are now starting to get annoying. 

The sales yesterday in Ireland saw the highest priced NH store sold this year.  I obviously had a joke with Kim as he was away we wouldn't have any purchases, he told me not to speak to soon but we have no new arrivals after yesterday.

I have a good few things to talk about but I think I'll keep it short today to stretch it out over the next few days!

Plus 11 and dry when driving in.

David Bass was in this morning.

We jumped Shantou Express over fences..

The first day of the Tattersalls Derby sale..Do we expect some fireworks? The best is yet to come..

I am away from today and Maddie will be in charge of updating the blog for the next 3 days.

It is the time of year when we see hot air balloons over head.. Annoying when they decide to drop low.. Horses really don't like them..

This made me chuckle..

One person decided to go on a hot air balloon for the first time, and either didn’t realize the balloons went up high into the sky or were unaware that they had a fear of heights.

They left a review complaining that there was no sign to warn people not to get into a hot air balloon if they’re afraid of heights.

Maybe the hot air balloonist thought it was obvious....

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.

Top Gun Maverick was last nights entertainment.

Simon Claisse, Annabel England, Mrs B and I all thoroughly enjoyed the escapism of the film.. Fabulous photography and the main man younger than his last TG film. Supper after in The Brewery in Mowlgi.

Rio Ferdinand has linked up his youth charity with the Jockey Club.. This is an initiative to encourage young people to look at racing as a good form of employment and also enjoyment.. Good thinking from The Jockey Club.

Graham Potts our vet was in for his weekly visit and what will Ajero be given for finishing second at Royal Ascot when the new BHA handicap marks come out this morning? The answer is just 2lbs to 91

Today is The Longest day of the year. More daylight and from tomorrow we gradually have less..

Tomorrow sees the start of the two day Tattersalls Derby Sales .. Previewing today..Usually this is the 'premier sale' for unbroken 3 year olds.. After a extroadinary Goffs Land Rover sales just under 3 weeks ago when 41 horses sold for over 100k, what will this sale produce?

The country (and world)is in a mess.. Rail strike and more...Motivational Story for Self Development.

Plus 10 and dry when driving in.

That was an interesting weekend.

Saturday it rained and as a result Archie’s cricket match was cancelled, so I took both sons Harry and Archie out to lunch. Plenty to catch up on.

Saturday night it really did fall down, 16mm fell in the space of a few hours drenching the poor horses out a grass on holidays.. Rain in Spain and all that..

Martin and Kate F-G joined us for supper.. Kate is Harry’s godmother.

Sunday family lunch.. so a fabulous Fathers day..

Hollie Doyle became the first female rider to win a French classic..

Matt Fitzpatrick became the first English player to win the US Open golf since Justin Rose won in 2013

Matteo Berrettini beat Filip Krajinovic 7-5 6-4 to claim the Queen's title for a second year in a row… Wimbledon just around the corner..

Interesting..

Jake Fiennes, head of conservation at the Holkham Estate in north Norfolk, has written a book named "Land Healer" -An optimistic vision of how "farming can save the countryside".

It is partly a memoir, recounting the lessons learned in a 30-year career which has seen him recognised as a leading national voice on farmland conservation.

It highlights the challenges of restoring wildlife to a countryside ravaged by decades of intensive agriculture.

In an article in Saturday's Daily Telegraph magazine..  he wrote about how he got going....

In 1990, Fiennes decided it was time to move on. His father had spent time in Australia working on cattle ranches, and he thought it would be good to do the same. But he didn’t know how to get there until someone gave him a good tip on the Grand National (Mr Frisk at 16-1) which paid for his flight...

The latter would probably be frowned upon in todays world!

The man who invented predictive text has died.. May he rust in piss..!

Plus 17 and dry when driving in.. Rain today perhaps.

It was sweltering at Royal Ascot yesterday, but do you know we did not notice it?

How could when your horse runs an absolute blinder.

We were slightly in non mans land with Ajero as although he had been second on his three previous runs on the flat we were not sure whether the handicapper was right.. was Ajero well handicapped or not?.... we were to find out.. Our cause was helped by the fact that Sea The Casper who beat him last time won about an hour before at Redcar.

David Martin had left a meeting in London, while Julie Martin and Dan Hall drove down from Derbyshire. We all met up for lunch and settled in for the afternoon.

Ajero looked magnificent in the paddock .. certainly not out of place amongst those high browed flat horses.. Kate Paddock who looks after and adores him returned form holiday to lead him up and was rewarded with Best Turned out prize (£300).

Jockey David Egan confident of a big run and that he certainly did.

Jumping out of the gate well, he was soon in second place and then for a moment we looked on in a amazement when he went 3 lengths clear turning for home…

Sadly William Haggis’s well handicapped Candleford was to pass us and win well, but Ajero was a very honourable second..It was another huge run form this good hurdler who was probably bought by Jill Lamb for his owners to run at Cheltenham!

Second at Royal Ascot.. Yes I hate being second, but we were all so proud of our boy..What a great day for all involved with this lovely horse...

Many thanks for all the messages, texts, emails etc..

England smashed the 50-over record books into the trees of Amstelveen, posting a world-record score of 498 for four in the first ODI against Netherlands. And yes, it was enough to win.

Saturday morning.

David Bass and Ciaran Gethings were here this morning.

Iain and Angela Bell and David Molineux were all here third lot.. A visit to see the horses out at grass.

Royal Ascot continues today.. Last day.. It has been a great meeting and we have certainly enjoyed our days there..

Harry Bailey here later for the weekend.. Pandora, James, grandson Otto and Clover Wootton all here for the weekend. ..Fathers Day.. a Family day.

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday..

Plus 14 and very dry when driving in.. Heatwave today..Rain tomorrow..

Royal Ascot yesterday was alive with colour. It was exciting and fun.. Even more so being with the Clancy Clan.

It is an annual invite to the Clancy Box and Thursday is their family day..Clare and I feel honoured to always be included.. as Kevin always says that I am a very easy guest to please as all it costs is a bottle of red wine.. or two!

Two For Gold was a huge topic as Andrew Fundell, Stephen Cannon, Mathew Cannon and the May We Never Be Found Out Partnership ring leader Kevin were all in attendance.. Oli Bell was apparently too busy to pop up, but at least their jockey David Bass, and his better half Viktoria Gatu did.

There really was plenty to celebrate after last season, it was such great one for their horse and having a box at Ascot when TFG was such a gallant second in the Betfair Chase (Grade One) there in February was special.

ARC were in the next door box so we had plenty of chat about their 'excellent prize' money at Lingfield.. Well TFG won their Fleur De Lys Chase in January.

The ever charming Stephen Cannon told me that he had been to a Surgeon’s conference ( I am sure it had a far more suitable name) in Bristol earlier in the week and listened to an excellent talk from our local Orthopaedic surgical dignitary Dr Guy Rooker..They met up after and of course Guy, who is an avid blog reader and also racing follower had backed Two For Gold in this years Grand National..Plenty to talk about..

It was day of plenty of chat and leg pulling, something that did not go down well with Kevin who was still supported by a crutch having broken his hip skiing..

We left before the last and called in on The Stump on the way home to buy a pizza for Archie .. Guess who we found having supper there.... Guy and Jessica Rooker!

Friday morning and a very hot day ahead.. Yes back to Royal Ascot today.. Not something I was planning, but then we did not expect Ajero to get a run.. Amazingly 18 horses came out and Ajero has scraped in the Duke Of Edinburgh and he is not without a chance.. For my thoughts please click here.

Good morning Kim, Your blog joke on teachers and chickens a few weeks ago reminded me of an occasion some years ago when I attended a school speech day at the end of the summer term.

The much admired retiring head was giving their final address to a room full of proud parents.

In their speech the head described how one of the school governors had asked the head what they planned to do in retirement.

“I plan to become a chicken farmer” was the reply.

The governor thought this was an interesting choice and enquired the reason behind this decision.

The smiling head replied “because chickens don’t have parents and you can wring their necks!’

BW, Guy Rooker..

To finish.. Happy birthday to Nick Cook..