Bailey's Blog

Plus 18 and raining this morning, 2mm in the forecast.

Mark in for usual vet visit  

Kim returns from his trip to France later today so he will be back with you tomorrow to tell you all about it.

We have finally finished the 26/27 season Horses In Training brochure, which you can find here. This year we have made it into a digital flip brochure... saves paper and allows us to make changes throughout the season, however it has been a bit of a technological nightmare trying to get everyone make changes to it using the software we produce it on .. so much so I gave up and resorted to a pen and paper ... technology has won this time!

 The 2027 fixture list was announced yesterday, with the UK scheduled to have 18 meetings fewer than 2026, jumps racing having 556 (down 5 from this year). Chelmsford is scheduled to hold 19 racedays in 2027 after ARC stepped in to run the venue, they haven't had any racing since March this year because the previous licence holder went into administration. The flat turf season is scheduled to start on Good Friday at Bath instead of Doncaster for the first time in over 10 years ... no huge changes. PJA has labelled it as risky, placing 'continuous strain on participants' and the NTF thinks that field sizes will continue to be below average ... we shall see 

Plus 16 and dry when driving in.

Good news from Tom Bellamy earlier in the week, he is now out of hospital and back home. I asked him for an update on the state of his body and he said '6 foot, athletic, slight spare tyre but that will be gone by October and generally quite good looking, great personality and on the whole in decent shape....glad he hasn't lost his sense of humour!

Joking aside, Tom suffered 11 broken ribs, punctured both of his lungs, broke his sternum and his scapula. He spent 6 nights in hospital and said the pain was horrendous the whole time he was in there. He came home on Saturday to his own bed which made a huge difference... He is still very sore but is seeing improvement every day, which is the main thing. He's taking every day as it comes but hopes to be back riding at the end of September,.

Mat took 2 horses for an away day yesterday as the winter horses are starting to up their work, with not long to go until the jumps season proper gets going. This time of year is great as we are still full of hopes and dreams! The drizzle yesterday morning was very welcome and things are definitely starting to green up again.

Very sad news to hear that Galopin Des Champs suffered a fatal injury in his field just 5 days into retirement... a real superstar who became a household name. Ruby Walsh's daughter Isabelle was going to event him... he won 12 Grade 1's including back to back Gold Cups.. so sad.

Towcester has agreed six fixtures under rules in the 2027/2028 season, starting with a point-to-point in Spring 2027... the track will be known as Betway Towcester when it returns. £2 million is being invested to bring the track back up to BHA racing standards, but it will be exciting to hopefully have runners back there next season. 

Plus 14 and dry when driving in, 3mm expected today.

Ciaran in to ride out.

John and Paul Benson were up 3rd lot to watch their horses El Rio, Reallyntruthfully and Mattys Getaway  

Molly from Racing Welfare popped in yesterday morning armed with cake to introduce herself... Molly is new to the role but not new to racing, so she came up to introduce herself and let us know how RW can help our staff... Racing Welfare offers practical, emotional and physical support to those working in racing as well as retirees.. they help with financial support, training, careers advice, housing, physiotherapy and rehabilitaion... very interesting to chat to Molly and to see all they do to help those in racing.

Our five-to-follow competition opens today and shuts for entries in a fortnights time, with the two week transfer period opening in Jan... usual rules apply. We will accept 2 entries per person, any additional entries will be manually deleted. Entrants must be 18 or over. The prize is a 3 course meal and bottle of wine kindly donate by The Frogmill again, to be arranged at a mutually agreeable date. Winner will be announced on 01st May 2027... Good Luck! 

Plus 11 when waking in Kent..

Off to France today..7 of us on a First World War battle tour with our tour leading and historian Alastair Watson.. Back on Friday afternoon.

We are the same team as last year when we visited Normandy to see the D.Day landings and area....James Mayhew, Cathy T-D Johnny and Laura RK and Caroline Nunneley.

Back at Thorndale.

We had our usual vet visit.

Well done Martin Jones.. A grand father.. Sammy delievered Matilda on Friday..

A man is sentenced to prison for a non-violent crime. He's scared, but on the first night he notices something strange.

It's after lights out and all the inmates are in their cells, when a voice from one of the cells yells out, "2467!". And all cells resound with laughter.

After a brief silence, another voice shouts out, "7113!" Again, all the other inmates burst out laughing in their cells.

Puzzled, he asks his neighbor what's going on. "We love to tell jokes at night," comes the reply. "But since we've been here so long we know them all and have them numbered. So we just yell out the number!"

This goes on for some time. At last, wanting to get in on the action, he decides to try his luck. He boldly shouts out, "557!"

But there is an awkward silence. After a while the sounds die down and it seems like everyone is selling down for bed.

He asks his neighbor what the problem was.

"What can I say kid. It's just your delivery that stinks."

Plus 12 and dry when driving in. A bit more rain over the weekend.. 11mm..

Today is officially the last day of summer..

Bank Holiday Monday..

England beat Pakistan..

We might not have had a full day’s play at Lord’s on Saturday, but we certainly had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Mikey Elliot, Johnny RK and Robert Baines joined me for the day, although sadly there wasn’t much cricket to watch before lunch — in fact, there wasn’t any! Still, we managed to enjoy a very good lunch, and thankfully the weather improved enough for us to spend the afternoon watching some cricket, annoyingly play was stopped too early as the evening turned out to be probably the best weather of the day!.

We decided to drive up, which on a Bank Holiday weekend is probably the easiest option. I’m never entirely convinced I can trust the trains on a Bank Holiday, and using the YourParkingSpace app we managed to find a parking space virtually next door to Lord’s. It really couldn’t have been easier.

So, all in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day with very good company. Just a shame we didn’t see a little more cricket!

Talking about stopping early. Durham were made to play yesterday when Gloucestershire refused to bowl spin when the light went when Durham needed 4 runs to win. So they all had to start again yesterday .. Durham won in the first over.

It is all happening in the US Open.

Novak Djokovic broke down in tears during a US Open first-round defeat by Argentina's Mariano Navone

British qualifier Toby Samuel broke more new ground with a dominant victory over Tomas Machac.. Norrie beaten

Arthur Fery missed out on his first ATP Tour title with a straight-set defeat by Ignacio Buse in the final of the Winston-Salem Open.

Good to see Michael and Angie Storey at Cilla Will's birthday lunch yesterday. Angie is a shareholder in Jukebox King.

Plus 15 and drizzling when driving in.

Grey Sands is not going to make a jumper.. He held his breath and just did not breath. Back to the flat for him.

Ciaran Gethings was in to ride out

I am heading to Lord's.. will there be any play? I hope so as England are going well and have every chance of winning the match today.

Tennis. Arthur Fery came from a set down to beat Aleksandar Kovacevic and book his place in the semi-finals of the Winston-Salem Open.

It is a rather sad day at Thorndale Farm today as Charly Bond leaves us after three seasons as our head girl.

Charly has been quite exceptional. She has been 100 per cent behind Thorndale Farm from the moment she arrived, and I honestly don't think I have ever come across anybody who works as hard as she does. She has been loyal, dedicated, great fun and an absolute pleasure to have as part of the team.

The good news, of course, is that Charly is heavily pregnant, so she and her partner Kieran are about to start a very exciting new chapter in their lives. Kieran is very much involved in farming, and the two of them have plenty to look forward to.

It is always difficult saying goodbye to somebody who has played such an important part in the yard, and Charly certainly has. She has been brilliant to work with and, more importantly, a thoroughly lovely person to have around the place.

So, Charly, a huge thank you from all of us at Thorndale Farm including all our owners for everything you have done over the last three seasons. You leave with all our blessings and very best wishes for the future. We will miss you enormously, but what an exciting time you have ahead of you.

Good luck to you both – and we can't wait to hear the good news when it arrives.

As with every door that closes, another one opens, and with Charly moving on we are delighted to be promoting Erika Creed to take over as our new head girl.

Erika has been here for the best part of five seasons and, during that time, has very much been Charly's understudy. She has stepped up at weekends when Charly hasn’t been here and taken charge when Charly has been away on holiday, so she knows the job, the horses and, most importantly, the team extremely well.

It is obviously a big step up and a huge opportunity for her, but I know she will have the full support of everybody here at Thorndale. I also have absolutely no doubt that she will do a very good job.

We have always been firm believers in giving people a leg up when they have earned the right to progress, and Erika certainly has. She has always wanted this challenge and has worked hard for the opportunity.

So while we are very sad to see Charly go, it is also exciting to see Erika take the next step in her career. She thoroughly deserves her chance, and we all wish her every success in her new role.

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend and see you on Monday and before I go I must wish Cilla Wills a very happy birthday for tomorrow.

Plus 14 and dry when driving in.

A welcome bit of rain yesterday. A further 4mm fell yesterday morning making 13mm altogther.

We have our usual vet visit and Tom Siddall is still rasping teeth!

Tom used to ride for me some years ago and now is a full-time horse dentist and there is hardly a yard in this part of the country he does not look after… Sadly he is very discrete!

Genghis Racing.. Hugh Gallacher, Dev Hill and Ian Williams were here fourth lot to see their horses Celestial Flow and Persian Diva.

We have one runner today at Fontwell.. Grey Sands heads there and bizzarely I believe he is our first juvenile runner since Milord 13 years ago! Anyway, for our thoughts please click here.

Fontwell and Goodwood both race this evening! Near neighbours..Good planning?

The curtain has officially come down on the career of one of the most spectacular chasers of the modern era after Willie Mullins confirmed the two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs has been retired.

Cricket. England made 248 for 9..A difficult day and one that did not start or end well for England.. but it did reminded us that was what Test cricket was like before we had such a hot summer.. Rain and loudy conditions..Pakistan were a different team this time..

Talking cricket Rachel Burt leaft me a book on my office desk. The Impossible Dream.. Come true.. the story of how Durham County Cricket Club attained First Class Satus in 1992.. Archie should enjoy, as I will .. Thanks Rachel

Plus 17 and raining when driving in. 9mm overnight which is more than we have had since May!. Yellow warnings

Horendous flash flooding in Nepal/Tibet boarder..Just the scariest videos I have ever watched.

Another good night here yesterday with the guests of National Racehorse Week. More shares in Jukebox King sold..

Rachel and Mark Burt and Robert and Nicola Baillie were here third lot to see their KBRS horses

The Burts are involved in My Dad Don and So You Know.

The Baillie's are involved in Marsiac, Hidden Mountain, Double Ten and Gatineau Park.

Karen Masters, Mary Rolfe and Vanessa Dawkins were here to see their KBRS horse.. Pether's Star.. They are also in Jukebox King.

Tom Siddall our horse dentist is hard at work working round the yard..

More bad news from a voice from the past about betting tax!

Mark somebody left a text message on my landline rather than my mobile..So if you are that Mark please ring/text my mobile rather than send a text message to my land line as I could not understand the computerised voice.

Are you an early riser? If so then tomorrow you should be up early to see an orange moon or an moon eclipse!

The second test against (non drinking) Pakistan starts today Lord's.

Early predictions about global warning.

Plus 14 and dry when driving in. Rain around so the BBC has posted a severe weather warning!.. Warning you might get wet..

Dolly Parton .. what a voice. USA in mourning for their superstar ..

About 60 people gathered here last night for the first of our two National Racehorse Week open evening, arriving from about half past three before we started the tours just after four.

Racehorse Week has been a huge success nationally, and it was lovely to be able to play our small part in it. We split everybody into two groups, the beauty of two trainers!! Mat taking one half around the yard while I took the other, introducing them to the horses and explaining a little about what goes on behind the scenes.

We all met up afterwards for a coffee and a good chinwag, plenty of questions and, inevitably, a few stories. The office proved particularly popular, with everybody enjoying looking at all the photographs and bits of racing history on the walls.

Good to see so many owners around, especially those involved in Jukebox King.

Bellewstown Flat card cancelled after four horses slip in first two races with Dylan Browne McMonagle hospitalised

US Open.... Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams thrill in mixed doubles.. Yes it was fun to watch.

Wednesday morning..

Ciaran Gethings was in to ride out.

Martyn and Sandra Steer-Fowler called in to see their horse Katie’s Turn.

Ron and Treasa Crellin called in to see Celestial Flow and Persian Diva.. They bred them

We have our second evening of National Racehorse weeks guest this evening.. rain around!?

Wife texts her husband. at work: "Don't forget bread. Oh, and your girlfriend Elizabeth. says hi."

Husband: "Who's Elizabeth?"

Wife: "Nobody, just making sure you read my text.

"Husband: "Phew! I'm with Elizabeth right now. I thought you caught us!"

Wife: "What?! Where are you? you?

Husband: is "Near the bakery."

Wife: "Stay there, I'm coming!" Five minutes later. Wife: "I'm here, where are you?" "At work. Since you're there, grab the bread

Plus 13 and dry when driving in.

I spoke to Tom Bellamy last night who said that he feels like he has been hit by a bus! Broken bones.. they heal in time thankfully. He will be in hospital for another couple of days and then home. 

Whoever said jockeys have an easy time.. especially jump jockeys?

What happened to Tom at Worcester rather sums up just how dangerous the job can be. His fall from Court In A Storm was actually fairly innocuous and he rolled away safely. Unfortunately, the horse alongside (At The Oche) then came down and landed on him, which is where all the damage and broken bones came from. 

It’s on occasions like this that you suddenly realise just how important the Injured Jockeys Fund is. Once Tom is back on his feet, he’ll no doubt be spending plenty of time at Oaksey House in Lambourn, where the IJF provides specialist rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and fitness facilities for injured jockeys. 

The way things are looking, I would imagine late September is probably the earliest we’ll see him back riding. Mind you, with the weather and ground as it is, I’m not sure he’ll miss a huge amount between now and then.

Tuesday morning bring us usual vet vist and this weeks mover and shaker in the BHA weekly handicap charts..Gray Sands down 2 to 55

David Carey and his Not The Turf Club members Neil Adams and Nigel Hall were here fourth lot to see Brendas Asking.

John Perriss was also here to see his horses, White Noise, I Spy A Diva, I Can See Formiles. Hillberry Hill, Island Bridge and Milo Of Croton and Penny's Coolanna.

John had Brendas Asking out at grass with him over the summer, so David and his team are taking John out to a thank you lunch at the Village Pub in Barsley.

Sadly neither Mat or I could join them as we have the first of our two days of National Racehorse Week visits. Limited to 60 people they arrive after 3.30 to start evening stables at 4. Mat and I will split them up and each take them on a tour of the yard etc.. Coffee or tea served my Mrs B, Mrs N and Mrs W!

Guilty. Brydon Carse is not play for England this week. The second test match against Pakistan starts at Lord's on Thursday. I am there on Saturday..

Birdlip and the A417 is causing huge aggrivation at the moment.. The traffic is down to one lane even though part of the new road is open.. So be warned. 

Great video from a month ago.