Baileys Blog

Plus 3 and dry when driving in.

A stunning start to what looks like a stunning weekend weather wise.

David Bass was in this morning. Not sure why as we really don’t have many left in training.

I don’t believe I have ever 'roughed' horses off so early before. By that I mean so many horses that I have stopped training and preparing them for going out to grass and their holidays.

I had hoped to take a team to Perth next week.

Perth were forecasted 25mm of rain over the weekend and they have been watering for a while so conditions looked promising, but a phone call to clerk of the course Mathew Taylor changed my mind when he said the forecasted rain was not likely to arrive.. Long way to go when conditions are not suitable.

Happygolucky went back to his owners Michael and Mary Dulverton yesterday, while Inca Rose went back to Coln Valley Stud..

Ian Imes who is Nicholas And Cherry Jones's stud manager sent this post back to me last night..

''Emesy's Blog-19th April...

Plus 6, dry and very sunny as driving in.

Inca Rose off on a summer holiday. Would just like to thank Mr.Bailey, Mat and all the team for such a super job done with Inca Rose-he looked absolutely fantastic!

Thanks. Ian at Coln Valley Stud.''

Yesterdays Pony Racing Day at Cheltenham was a resounding success. 150 ponies raced and what a fabulous day for it. Cheltenham was looking amazing.

The excitement for all the children to be allowed to race their ponies on the great racecourse is something so exciting that even their parents are teary eyed. The kids rush into the weighing room to be able to sit where AP McCoy used to sit.

I sponsored two races and it was good to see that Cothill School showed some initiative and did so for the first time.. forward planning..

The down side for one family was when their pony was sent home as its flu vacinations were out of date 3 years ago.. BHA rules are that they have to be in place for every year..

Last night I took Archie over to Dumbleton Cricket Club for their first nets practice of the summer.

Dumbleton is a thriving cricket ground and one of the best in the country. Stunningly beautiful and last night Daryl Mitchell (Worcestershires Captain) opened the new 4 lane all weather batting strip… BBQ and drinks.. English village cricket.

Back to today.

Andy and Ali Sulin called in third lot to see their horse Aliandy. Aliandy is ready to run, but wants soft ground!

Late morning The KBRP owners of Knockanrawley were all here to have a retirement lunch at The Frogmill to say goodbye and enjoy the friendship made through owning this lovely horse.

KAR has retired and now is based at a new home in Norfolk. Yes rehomed and happy.

His owners Mark and Melainda Laws, Ian and Pam Farnsworth, Peter and Fiona Woodhall, Iain and Angie Bell, Rodney and Moira Stoneman, Karen Master and Vince and Gill Burmingham will not forget him, They have had so many fun days out, and of course not such fun days too, but you only remember the good days don’t you.. anyway his last win when he won at Haydock was such a great way to go out. Fond memories..

A first for us as we dont have any runners either today or tomorrow.. Easter with the family for a change.

Women Aren't Fools

Housework was a woman's job but, one evening, Janice arrived home from work to find the children bathed, one load of laundry in the washer and another in the dryer, dinner on the stove and the table set. She was
astonished!

It turns out that Chuck had read an article that said, 'Wives who work full-time and had to do their own housework were too tired to have sex'.

The night went very well. The next day, Janice told her Red Hat friends all about it. 'We had a great dinner. Chuck even cleaned up the kitchen. He helped the kids do their homework, folded all the laundry and put it away. I really enjoyed the evening.'

'But what about afterward?' asked her friends.

'Oh, that.......... Chuck was too tired.'

To finish.. Happy birthday to Geri Worcester..

Plus 6 and dry when driving in. There was stunning sunrise this morning.

Yeavering Belle was nearly stunning too yesterday in the bumper at Cheltenham. As at Warwick she jumped off in front and virtually made all. She was still in front half way up the straight, but by the winning post two had come past her.. she finished third, beaten a total of a length and a half.

It was a cracking good run and this race franked the form of both Subway Surf and Shantou Express as the winner and second narrowly beat those two. Although small, this mare does not lack for guts… And she jumps for fun..

This mare is owned by Ian and Tocky McKie and leased to The Belle Stars..Yes The Belle Stars team are going to have fun with her over hurdles nest season.

Diamond Gait who was meant to have run in the first yesterday was found to be lame with a stone bruise on Wednesday evening when she came back in from being turned out in the field.

Annoyingly we could not get her sound in time.. She will be fine in a few days but it does mean her season is over. Norman Carter her owner was so looking forward to see her run..... Horses!

There was a good crowd at Cheltenham yesterday and an all girls day (mare and fillies only races) produced some great racing.

Friday morning and Good Friday.. No racing for us.

Simon Keane called in second lot to see his horse Cotteemcavennigoal and his KBRP horse Pond Road.

Martyn and Sandra Steer-Fowler were also here to see their homebreds Miss Gemstone and their latest Midnight Legend 4 year old filly out of Black Collar.

Warren and Vicky Bolton were here third lot to see their KBRP horses Donnie Brasco and Balleticon.

Brendan Conneely was also here third lot to see his KBRP horses Donnie Brasco, Mergeela and Yeavering Belle.

I am heading back to Cheltenham today for the Pony Racing day at the racecourse..

There are 11 races and I am sponsoring the first two races. Sadly Archie is not riding as his pony has a dirty trachea wash and is off games..

Those owners of any racehorses reading this might like to realise how difficult it can be just to get your horse to the track..

Archie’s pony is probably the best looked after horse or pony in the country (Mrs B) and he sadly is still is not healthy enough to run. He lives out in a field and has never left Thorndale...

Good Friday and if you are near Lambourn or Middleham their yards are open today.

An elderly man on a Moped, looking about 100 years old, pulls up next to a doctor at a street light.

The old man looks over at the sleek shiny car and asks, 'What kind of car you got there, sonny ?'

The doctor replies, 'A Ferrari GTO.  It cost half a million dollars ! '

'That's a lot of money,' says the old man.  'Why does it cost so much?'

'Because this car can do up to 320 miles an hour!' states the doctor proudly.

The Moped driver asks, 'Mind if I take a look inside?'  'No problem,' replies the doctor.

So the old man pokes his head in the window and looks around.  Then, sitting back on his Moped, the old man says, 'That's a pretty nice car, all right... But I'll stick with my Moped !'

Just then the light changes, so the doctor decides to show the old man just what his car can do.  He floors it, and within 30 seconds. The speedometer reads 160 mph.

Suddenly, he notices a dot in his rear view mirror. It seems to be getting closer!

He slows down to see what it could be and suddenly WHOOOOSSSHHH!  Something whips by him going much faster !

'What on earth could be going faster than my Ferrari ?' the doctor asks himself.

He presses harder on the accelerator and takes the Ferrari up to 250 mph.

Then, up ahead of him, he sees that it's the old man on the Moped!

Amazed that the Moped could pass his Ferrari, he gives it more gas and passes the Moped at 275 mph and he's feeling pretty good until he looks in his mirror and sees the old man gaining on him AGAIN!

Astounded by the speed of this old guy, he floors the gas pedal and takes the Ferrari all the way up to 320 mph.

Not ten seconds later, he sees the Moped bearing down on him again! The Ferrari is flat out, and there's nothing he can do!

Suddenly, the Moped plows into the back of his Ferrari, demolishing the rear end.

The doctor stops and jumps out and unbelievably the old man is still alive.

He runs up to the banged-up old guy and says, 'I'm a doctor.... Is there anything I can do for you?'

The old man whispers, 'Unhook my braces from your side view mirror!'.

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.

So proud of Rockys Treasure yesterday at Cheltenham, I know he finished second.. but it was a huge run.

We were not that hopeful here as we thought he might have been ready for a break, but Rocky was not and he really did run a blinder.

John Perriss was very pleased with his horse, and was equally pleased to be in that famous unsaddling enclosure again. As John said after, that is what owners dream of...although one lot higher would have been even better..

It was stunning at Cheltenham yesterday.

Simon Claisse and his crew have done a great job on the ground which seemed to keep most trainers happy (no mean feat), but what was extraordinary was that the racecourse felt empty.

Hard to believe that there were nearly 12 thousand folk there yesterday. I suppose the last time we all went was Gold Cup day, which was heaving..

The IJF Football match last night apparently was a huge success. David Bass scored a goal and Mat missed his penalty shoot out.. By missed I don’t mean he was not there, but the ball failed to pass the keeper..

Clare and I joined Henry and Clarissa Daly for supper at No 131. They along with Paul Nicholls and his crew were staying there. Paul and his team were celebrating his birthday which meant most of the staff were busy looking after him..

Thursday is our easy day.

Racheal Gowland from the EBF called in for a first visit second lot.

Rachel Burt who is a member of the Jockey Club South West Racing Club called in to see their horse Hes No Trouble third lot

John Crofts called in at 10.30 to take 'Posed portraits' for 'Chasers & Hurdlers' of Charbel, Rocky’s Treasure and Vinndication.

Rolf Johnson of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing called in fourth lot on his way to Cheltenham to see their horse Alfie Corbitt.

Wayne Butcher called in to see his Imperial Racing partnerships horse Imperial Aura.

We have a couple of runners today at Cheltenham. Diamond Gait and Yeavering Belle and for my thoughts please click here.

Paddy says to Mary 'if you were stranded on a desert island who would you like most to be with you?”

“My uncle Mick” replies Paddy.

“What’s so special about him?” asks Mary.

“He’s got a boat,” says Paddy...

Plus 2 and dry when driving in. A heatwave on the way?

David Bass was in this morning.

Not a great many left to work as we have been roughing (stopping riding) horses off all week with the view to them going on their summer holidays. Watch what activites were going on here: First Lot, Second Lot, We also jumped Miss Gemstone and Fubar.

John and Mandy Battershall were here second lot to watch their KBRP horse Younevrercall work and their see KBRP horse Lord Apparelli (roughed off) while Steve Adams was here, with his daughter Clare and grand children Arty and Zander, to see his KBRP horse Silver Kayf and his KBRP horse Pond Road, who is also roughed off.

Ian Robinson was also here third lot to see his horse Imperial Aura who was likewise has been roughed off and waiting to head to Ireland for his summer holidays.

We have just the one runner today at Cheltenham, Rockys Treasure and for my thoughts on his chances please click here.

After racing there is a Big Charity Football Match..  AP McCoys team against The Unibet X1 (managed by Nicky Henderson). All in aid of the Injured jockeys Fund.

David Bass, who apparently is quite good at the game (Pleased to know he is good at something) is part of AP's team..

Mat Nicholls my assisatant takes on some jockeys and trainers and including his name sake in the penalty shoot out at half time.

A fun night ahead and if you fancy watching click here for details.

Talk fun. Archie and I played 9 holes at Royal Shipton yesterday afternoon.. we drew..

As the teams struggle continues. A pound coin was thrown onto the pitch. The Police are trying to determine whether it was a missile or a take over bid.

Plus 6 and dry when driving in.

I walked Cheltenham Racecourse yesterday afternoon. Who would want to be a clerk of the course when it blows like it did yesterday.

An early start with four youngsters on an away day. Party Fuzz, Inca Rose, What A Baloo and Winter Glory.

Steve O’Shaugnessay called in mid morning to see his KBRP horse Younevercall.. YNC heads to Sandown next week for the last day of the season.

Norman Carter was also here to see his horses Sunblazer and Diamond Gait.

We had a visit from the vet and this weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..

Alfie Corbitt plus 2 to 97, Arthur's Sixpence down 3 to 102, Early Learner down 4 to 102, Gallows Point down 1 to 91, Newtide plus 13 to 138, Cloone Lady down 6 to 96, Dandy Dan plus 3 to 145.

Richard Farquhar of The Racing Manager and Racing Welfare fame sent this one over..

Young Paddy invited his mother for dinner and during the course of the meal his mother couldn't help but notice how lovely Paddy's flat mate, Joanne, was.

She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this only made her more curious.

Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between young Paddy and his flat mate than met the eye.

Reading his mum's thoughts, Young Paddy volunteered, 'I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Joanne and I are just flat mates'.

About a week later, Joanne came to young Paddy saying, 'Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the frying pan, you don't suppose she took it do you??

'Well I doubt it, but I'll e-mail her just to be sure' said Paddy. So he sat down and wrote....

Dear Mother.

I’m not saying that you ‘did’ take the frying pan from my house. I’m not saying that you ‘did not’ take the frying pan, but the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner?

Love Paddy.

Several days later, Paddy received an email from his mother which read..

Dear Son.

I’m not saying that you ‘do’ sleep with Joanne, and I’m not saying that you ‘do not’ sleep with Joanne, but the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the frying pan by now!

Love Mam..

This restores a bit of faith in the human race.

Plus 4 and dry when driving in.

Not a great weekend, but not a bad one either.

Saturday was a long day in the car to Ayr. Peter Kerr and David Bass for company…13 hours..

We arrived to find it blowing a gale and very dry. The ground was lightening fast as we all expected, that was except those who looked after the course, who for some reason thought it would be better..

Good news was that Dandy Dan ran the best race of his short career to finish second. The annoying fact was that he found the ground far to fast for him and he was not happy jumping off it, let alone landing on it. If only it was as described i.e. good, then DD would have jumped better and the result might have been different. Thankfully he seems fine after..

I am just glad I did not take my other entry up there. A long way to go with all that expense only to take the horse out because of the ground… Racecourses and clerks surely should do better.....Honestly..Trust?

Phil and Gill Andrews, DD’s owners, were having their first Scottish Grand National days racing and it was one they enjoyed..

The big race was a huge result for Takingrisks, trainer Nicky Richards and an even better one for his jockey Sean Quinlan who is testament that there is always a good woman behind every man.. Well done Sean you deserved that win..

Bangor on Saturday even had their problems with non runners, although Cloone Lady was not one, but will be after that. She will now be retired and hopefully find a good riding home.

Wincanton is one of the coldest courses in the country, but they did a good job on their ground yesterday. Royal Supremo hung left and was pulled up while Adjourned probably blew up..My fault, although I don’t think it would have made a 10 lengths difference. I think that will work out to be a very good bumper.. Adjourned is still a baby and a lovely one too.

Monday morning and many horses now being roughed off.. Their season over early due to the dry ground.

Liz Appleby, Mark Appleby, Dave and Sarah Button were here for 'a morning on the gallops and breakfast' all as a result of a Racehorse Sanctuary’s Silent Auction.

No runners and none until Wednesday.

Brendan Powell has a new job.. That did not take him long.. Good luck Brendan.

What a year to be called Tiger.. One 'Rolls' and the other does too…but in the 'Woods'…!

Here is an old one..

On a golf tour in Ireland, Tiger Woods drives his BMW into a petrol station in a remote part of the Irish countryside.

The pump attendant obviously knows nothing about golf, greets him in a typical Irish manner completely unaware of who the golfing pro is.

Top of the mornin’ to yer, sir” says the attendant.

Tiger nods a quick “hello” and bends forward to pick up the nozzle.

As he does so, two tees fall out of his shirt pocket onto the ground.

“What are dose? asks the attendant.

“They’re called tees” replies Tiger.

“Well, what on the god’s earth are dey for?” inquires the Irishman.

“They’re for resting my balls on when I’m driving”, says Tiger.

Happy birthdays to Cathy Twiston-Davies and Alan Halsall...Both directors of JCR's. Warwick and Aintree..And Julie Martin co owner of Charbel and Minella Warrior

Plus 1 and dry when leaving home for Ayr.

Fontwell is a pretty track and always seems to be popular. Certainly the roads getting there and back are on a Friday!

Again we were proud of Station Master’s run. He was 10 lb wrong at the weights and was beaten just over a length.He jumped well and ran a blinder.

Although there were 4 runners in the race, it was a two horse race on paper and that is how it turned out.. Just rather boring to finish second again.

Charlie Moore sorted that we were entertained in the winning connections area after the race as Paul Nicholls's owners did not make the trip. Good to watch the replay, although the result remained the same!

A bite of lunch after in the owners and trainers area where Station Master's owner Penny Perriss bumped into one of her old ‘boy friends’....John looked indignant!!

Saturday morning and Peter Jones called in to see his KBRP horse Yeavering Belle third lot. 

We have two runners today. Dandy Dan at Ayr and Cloone Lady at Bangor.

Tomorrow we have two runners at Wincanton.. Royal Supremo and Adjourned. Anyway for my thoughts on all their chances please click here.

The ground will be fast enough on all courses. They broke the track record at Ayr yesterday which gives you some idea as to what their ground is like.

Ben Thompson (Agricamera) has been out and servced our gallop camera. It should be working well now..

News report:

There was a mass break-in at a downtown pharmacy last night - 200 boxes of Viagra were stolen. Police are on the lookout for a group of hardened criminals.

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday...

Funny Dogs!

0 degrees and dry when driving in.

Heavily watered ground at Wetherby yesterday. Arthurs Sixpence not a good run while Alfie Corbitt hugely frustrating as he was beaten into second place. Hate seconds….

I have to say that most jump trainers do not enjoy this time of year. Racing on watered ground at the end of the season always makes for a tricky decision.

Who would want to be a clerk of the course as they are always trying to do their best, but this winters weather has certainly tried their patience and probably ours too..

Racecourse are desperate for good ground, but as we all know watering is not an exact science and not enough racecourses have good enough watering systems to make sure all their course is covered with the same amount of water. Try watering your garden to see..

Then with the longer days the ground dries all too quickly..

Our vet was in early this morning scoping our runners for the next couple of days. We had the odd dirty scope recently which is a slight worry. It is as they say, that time of year; the horses have been on the go for so long.

Australian racing is holding its breath for the perfect leaving party for Winx. Winx is due to run her last race tomorrow. We all hope she will go out with her winning run extended to 33..

Other racing news.. Cue Card left Colin Tizzards yard yesterday and heads for new home as a ROR graduate..

Rehoming racehorses is not easy and it is something we try very hard to achieve.

I get great pleasure I seeing my ex horses enjoy their life after racing and we give plenty of horses new homes, on the condition that if they find they cannot cope they must come back here so that we can look after them.

Not all racehorse find suitable homes but most of ours do. For all those anti racing folk who appear once a year after the Grand National, please note that racing cares..

We have just the one runner today at Fontwell, Station Master runs there and for my thoughts please click here.

I received a letter from Ireland yesterday with a couple of betting slips in the envelope. Both showed big bets and both horses who were trained by me did not win.

The letter for a change was not abusive it just said ‘And Life goes on Sir…. What might have been!’ No address or name so all I can say it that person reads this.. try subscribing to my thoughts as you would not have had that sort of money on either horse..

Paddy says to Mick...

'How did you get on at the faith healing group last night?'

Mick said..

'He was absolutely shite, even the feller in the wheelchair got up and walked out.'

Minus 3 and dry when driving in.

There was a big crowd at Warwick yesterday enjoying the sunshine and racing.

Early Leaner did not do her owners mood much good by pulling up and poor Hot To Trot Racing had two runners yesterday with two trainers and both did the same..

I left Warwick heading to Broadway to attend a GBR drinks at The Lygon Arms.

It was a stunning drive through a bit of country I don’t normally travel and arriving early I called in to see a dear old family friend Gill Sidgwick. I think she was surprised to see me. At least her son James had stocked her cupboard!.

The Lygon Arms. It was a first visit and one organised by Amanda Prior.

Mandy works for Great British Racing International and last nights do was to announce their new partnership with Iconic Luxury Hotels. The hotel group comprises of Cliveden near Ascot, 11 Cadogan Gardens in Chelsea, Chewton Glen in Hampshire and The Lygon Arms in Broadway.

A small select group turned up to enjoy the delights of The Lygon Arms ..Including Richard Farquahar (The racing Manager and Racing Welfare) Ted Voute (yearling consigner) Roger Hart (after dinner speaker and comedian) and Jonjo and Jackie O’Neill.

Jonjo in cracking form as always and proudly showing off his latest sponsored car, a black hot hatch..! Jonjo was last seen driving off to Russells fish and chip shop for a take home supper.

The evening was hosted by Erika Steward who is the sales director for The Lygon Arms.

Back to today. Thursday is our easy day. Rex Dingle was in to ride out a couple of lots.

We jumped Lissycasey and Younevercall.

Julie Brunskill , Tim Hogarth Jones and Terri Baker were here for a morning on the gallops and breakfast.

Paul and Suzanne Higgs called in to see Peeping Tom

We have two runners today at Wetherby. Alfie Corbitt and Arthurs Sixpence run there and for my thoughts please click here.

A banker saw his old friend Tom, an eighty-year old rancher, in town. Tom had lost his wife a year or so before; and rumor had it that he was marrying a 'mail order' bride.

Being a good friend, the banker asked Tom if the rumor was true.

Tom assured him that it was.

The banker then asked Tom the age of his new bride to be.

Tom proudly said, 'She'll be twenty-one in November.'

Now the banker, being the wise man that he was, could see that the sexual appetite of a young woman could not be satisfied by an eighty-year-old man.

Wanting his old friend's remaining years to be happy the banker tactfully suggested that Tom should consider getting a hired hand to help him out on the ranch, knowing nature would take its own course.

Tom thought this was a good idea and said he would look for one that afternoon.

About four months later, the banker ran into Tom in town again.  'How's the new wife?', asked the banker.

Tom proudly said, 'Good - she's pregnant.'

The banker, happy that his sage advice had worked out, continued, 'And how's the hired hand?'

Tom said, 'She's pregnant too.'

Don't ever underestimate old guys.....

Plus 3 and dry when driving in. We are not expecting any further rain..

I am afraid Gallows Point who ran yesterday at Exeter has a questionable attitude to racing so I think we will be looking for a new career for him outside racing. This fine big horse certainly has another life to look forward to.

David Bass who rode his 50th winner of the season on Newtide at Ffos Las on Sunday was in this morning.

We worked a few and jumped First Flow, Espoir De Romay, Miss Gemstone, Agent Memphis, Cloone Lady, Dandy Dan, Doctor Haze, Diamond Gait, Diva Reconce, Fubar, Lissycasey, Royal Supremo, Rose To Fame, Station Master, Vinndication and Charbel.

Watch videos of this mornings activities here: First Lot, Second Lot, Third Lot. Schoolers

Roger and Shirley Day were here third lot to see their KBRP horse Mergeela work.

Sad to read that Brendan Powell has saddled his last runner as a trainer.

I have known Brendan for many years, and his wife Rachel used to work for me and looked after my Grand National winner Mr Frisk.

Brendan is a smashing guy, and was a top class jump jockey who has worked hard all his life. Sadly financial pressures mean that it is no longer feasible to carry on.

I wish him well in whatever he decides to do. Brendan hopes to remain in racing in some capacity.

We have just the one runner today at Wawrick. Early Learner heads there and for my thoughts on her chances please click here.

The Wannabe MP

A man walks into the British Parliament office, says to the receptionist:

"I would like to put my name forward for the forthcoming elections to be an Independent M.P."

The receptionist replied. "Certainly sir. Please fill in this form.''

He was filling the form OK until he came to the question - ''Are you circumcised?''

So he asked the receptionist - "Is that question necessary?"

She replied. "If you are circumcised you are not eligible."

He asked. "What difference it would make if he was circumcised?"

She replied. "To become a British Member of Parliament you have to be a complete prick!"

To finish.. Happy birthday Dougie .. he is 2 today..

Why do the simplest things have to change!!!