Baileys Blog

Plus 2 and dry when driving in.

David Bass was in this morning. We worked many and jumped a Adjourned, Hollymount Holly, El Presente, Owbeg, What A Baloo, Mon Palois, Imperial Icon and Chazza  .. Videos should appear here later

Busy morning..

Norman Carter and Cilla Wills were here second lot. Norman to see his Diamond Gait and then he and Cilla saw their KBRP horse Voyburg canter upsides.

Mary Dulverton was here third lot to see her horses Newtide, Happygolucky and Talk Of Fame

Nick Cook and Tim Caven were here to see their KBRP horses Balleticon, Younevercall and Hendra House.

Phil Crane was here to see his KBRP horse by Dansart.

John and Sue Stanley were here to see their KBRP horse Drumreagh

John and Laura Garrett were here late morning to see their horses...

I was premature in my diary yesterday.. The Cheltenham handicap races are announced today at Cheltenham racecourse and I will be there rather than at Wincanton where we have a runner...

I do know already that neither Rhosneigr or Minella Warrior will be running at the meeting..The last Pertemps qualifier was washed away at Chepstow last Saturday which put paid to MW's chances annoyingly..

Oh for a crystal ball? Two weeks time we will be heading to Cheltenham for day 2 of the big meeting. Vinndication, Imperial Aura and Newtide should have run 24 hours before.. I wonder..

Racing itself needs a crystal ball at the moment with this coronavirus spreading as quickly as it is across Europe..The Cheltenham Festival just might not go ahead at all.. As I said racing is taking all precautions?

As seen in today Times..The spread of coronavirus in Italy has played havoc with football fixtures.

Among teams to have had matches cancelled are NibionnOggiono, Scanzorosciate, Sambenedettese, Pergolettese and AlbinoLeffe, which as one reader noted all sound far worse medical conditions than the cause of the postponements.

Moving on..Mat made it back home for evening stables last night. He had a fabulous 24 hours which was highlighted by his beloved football team winning last night.. as somebody pointed out a rare double?

Again well done to Mat a huge feat and one that the staff here will benefit from.

David Bass, who was at the award evening with Mat, had an interesting seating.. David sat next to the Cotswold MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

David and Sir Geoffrey would not have a huge amount in common!

Sir Geoffrey is a huge supporter of farming and its products which leads me on to David Bass and his Vegan Fridge

We have just the one runner today at Wincanton. Sadlemor whose blood was not a 100% 10 days ago runs there and for my thoughts please click here.

Elizabeth Kellar's mare Faerie Reel foaled on Monday - a fine big colt foal by Passing Glance. Both are doing well. As is the proud owner..

To finish....

Can I tell you a vegan joke? I promise it won't be cheesy.

Did you hear about the vegan devil worshipper?

He sold his soul to seitan!

Plus 4 and dry when driving in.

A winner..In London. Mat Nicholls.. led from the front and was never headed..Conditions were perfect and although he won easily it could take a while to recover..Yes he was seen smiling when passing the post....
    
Huge celebrations in the winners enclosure and watching the rerun there was more than just a glass of champagne..

Twitter blew up when it was announced that Mat had won the Leadership award at last night Godolphin Awards dinner. His fellow guests Evelyn Nicholls, Jason Maguire, David Bass and his partner Victoria and Lauren Jack (who nominated Mat) went mad…

Much deserved and very good for Thorndale and all the team here. Mat leads a team and without that team where would we be.

Well done to all of last night winners.. These awards are good for the industry and hugely appreciated by all racing staff and owners alike..

I am not sure Mats head is at its best this morning. Understandably forgiven.. probably a bit of Party Fuzz.. Two nights in London will I am sure have him realising there is another world outside racing?

This weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts are..Espoir De Romay down 1 to 142, Hes No Trouble down 1 to 125, Pond Road up 1 to 95 while Rhosneigr enters at 124.

Silly jokes..

Why did the scarecrow win an award?

He was outstanding in his field.

The guest of honor at an awards dinner is about to give his speech when a stagehand gives him a piece of paper from his wife in the crowd.

“What does it say?” the stagehand asks.

“Oh, it just says KISS in very big letters.”

“Wow, that’s very sweet,” the stagehand replies. “She must love you and be very proud of you.”

“Not really,” the man says. “It stands for Keep It Short, Stupid.”

Plus 9, windy and raining when driving in.

Monday morning and fresh horses.. I would say that wouldn’t I?

Desperate to go racing with so many of my horses, but my earliest runner will probably be at Ludlow on Thursday...weather permitting..

David Bass has always fancied being a flat jockey, but as I have reminded him in the past he was not physically capable.. and before you think I mean anything other than size, I don’t..

Anyway to prove his point he rode two winners on the all weather at Wolverhampton yesterday on their added card for jumpers to bumpers.

Leighton Aspell has hung up his boots and all were hoping he would go out with a winner at Fontwell yesterday.. No fairy tale ending as he finished second on his last ride.

I wish him well in his new career.. Leighton will always be associate with Many Clouds.. and why not..They were a great combination..

Today is the big day for Mat. The finals of the Godolphin Stable Staff awards..

Mat went up to London last night as he has to be there early this morning..He is staying two nights at The Sea Containers and will spend the day being interviewed by two of these judges..

This evenings award ceremony will take place at the UnderGlobe..

Good luck Mat.. A three man race..Along with Mat the other two are.. Leanne Kershaw who works for Jedd O’Keeffe and James Savage who works for Sir Michael Stoute..

My delight later today is the dentist..

On that happy note..

After a preacher died and went to heaven, he noticed a New York cab driver had been awarded a higher place than he.

“I don’t understand,” he complained to God. “I devoted my entire life to my congregation.”

God explained to him, “Our policy here in heaven is to reward results. Now, was your congregation well attuned to you whenever you gave a sermon?”

“Well,” the minister had to admit, “some in the congregation fell asleep from time to time.”

“Exactly,” said God, “and when people rode in this man’s taxi, they not only stayed awake, they even prayed.”

Plus 9 raining and very windy when driving in.

My comments about my runners were all well and good but yesterdays runner Donnie Brasco did not perform as he should have. The best turned out winner missed the break after a messy start and was never really happy after and finished a disappointing 6th.

The Tattersall’s Cheltenham Sales predictably were very strong. Evan Williams bought the top lot for Mr and Mrs Rucker.

Bloodstock agent Aiden Murphy and I failed at the auction, a couple of attempts of being under bidder but we did buy lot 45 Starvoski privately after the sale.

Starvoski who won her Irish point is now going to be trained here and now looking for an owner… A 5 year old who will be ready to crack on with after a few days of R&R with Jason Maguire..

David Bass was in this morning

Michael and Julia Holmes, Stewart and Jake Wright were here for a morning on the gallops and breakfast as booked through CD Tours.

James Bartlet plus 3 guests were also here for the same as booked through my web site.

Third lot Peter Jones was here to see his KBRP horses Yeavering Belle and The Dansart Gelding.

Paul and Sue Baker were here late morning to see their KBRP horses Design Icon and Voyburg.

We don’t have any runners this weekend. We had hoped to have had runners at Chepstow today and Hereford tomorrow..Both days lost to the weather!

Two Irishmen walk past a shop window with a sign in it that says, ‘Suits £2 Shirts £1.50!!!’

One Irishman nudges the other with excitement and says, “We are going to make our fortune here today”, and they enter the shop excitedly.

They walk up to the counter and one of the Irishmen says “Can we get 50 suits and 50 shirts please?”

The lady behind the counter looks at them with exasperation and asks, “You two boys over from Ireland?” They tell her that they are and ask her how she knows.

She says, “Because this is a dry cleaners”.

Have a good weekend and stay dry.

Finally happy birthday to Stevie Broadhouse.. Stevie who is my second travelling person is 25 today.. 

Plus 4 and drizzling when driving in.

It was another wet day yesterday but one that so nearly became very warm and bright!

Huntingdon in the rain made sure the ground was not as hoped and described early.. i.e soft and good to soft.. it soon turned heavy.

Lady Of The Night who was having her first start over hurdles, and her first run for nearly two years; she jumped off in front and was so nearly never headed..

She jumped beautifully, bar one slight mistake at the second last, which might have cost her the race as she was only beaten half a length.. It was a cracking run and it would have been so good to have won but we did not, but it was still a very heart warming performance on a very wet day.

Lady Of The Night’s owner breeder John Perriss was so nervous that he walked off the stands and did a 'Henrietta Knight' rather than watch the last two flights..

Our other runner was Pond Road who at last ran a race with promise and finished 4th, not beaten more that a couple of lengths….

Mat and David travelled to Huntingdon together yesterday..They were stopped on the A14 slip road by a man who said he was desperate for money and could they give him some..in return he offered his gold ring.. he was so desperate..as his car had run out of fuel.. apparently the man's father was dying and he needed money to get to see him before he did..

David gave all his money.. a £5 note.. while Mat had none.. but as he said this morning he was so upset he would have, but he did not carry any..(like royalty).

I was pleased for them as it shows what lovely caring men they are.. then I told Mat about this roadside scam..

Have a good look at David's fingers next time you see him.. He has been ringed!

They have been warned and so please don't you stop....

Anyway, baring the above incident, it was nearly a very good day, but the pleasing thing for us was that all the horses that have run, have run to the line, and run very well. The horses are finishing their races..

Hopefully we can soon stop taking all these blood tests....

Talking taking bloods. Graham Potts was in this morning.. Our Friday veterinary visit.

Andy Nixon was meant to have been here third lot to see his KBRP Dansant gelding, but had to cancel... we are currently syndicating this horse

Peter Kerr is putting together a small team for this new leased KBRP horse and he has currently 3 shares left.. he will shortly be ready to run, once named..Not Peter!!

The Welfare Report is finally out.. The five year plan for racing.. Please read it.. Long but very good.. And all sides of racing must take it on board and support ..

We have one runner today at Exeter.. Staggered that it is on, but it is.. it will be a slog for Donnie Brasco and for my thoughts on his chances please click here.

I am not racing today as I am attending the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales.. held at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Dan Hall sent this over..

My Wife is taking the kids and she is leaving me due to my obsession with horse racing and they’re at the gate now….

And they’re off…

Thankfully Dan has neither!!

Tomorrows meeting at Chepstow is off..

Plus 9 and dry when driving in on 20/02/2020

That was a very frustrating days racing!

Rhosneigr ran well to finish 3rd. He would not have seen ground that soft before and he handled it, but was not that happy on it. It was a fair run.

Hes No Trouble pulled up. He looked for a long way that he was going to run well but the tank emptied on the ground and frankly 3 miles was too far for him on it.

How long have I been saying that Silver Kayf was the worst handicapped horse in my yard and yesterday he ran a blinder to finish second.

He tried, but found one too good and as a result will probably now go back up again in the weights.. Hugely frustrating as this horse deserves something to go right for him.. as do his owners?

Ludlow did well to race yesterday. It was very soft ground and they race there again next week? Simon Sherwood and his team will be looking at the course this morning and thinking bloody hell..!

Over at Doncaster I could not believe we were beaten in the bumper.

I have a huge amount of belief in The Edgar Wallace..he is a very good horse and yesterday he was beaten by a better one and frankly I was shocked!.

Tom Lacey’s horse Adrimel..gave us 7lbs and beat us just over a length..

These two promising horses fought out the finish and at times we thought we were going to win, but we didn’t..the two horses finished 21 lengths ahead of the rest of the field! I am sure you will hear a great deal more of these two youngsters..

Supper last night with Robert and Gilly Baines started with a large whiskey!

Another months worth of rain coming.. surely not.. Driving to Ludlow yesterday we saw some very flooded areas of the country..

The Racing Post highlights on how British racing is run.. confused well read this..

We have two runners today at Huntingdon.. Lady Of The Night and Pond Road head there and for my thoughts please click here.

A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with three young mothers and their small children.

"You all have obsessions," he observed.

To the first mother, he said, "You are obsessed with eating. You've even named your daughter Candy."

He turned to the second mom. "Your obsession is money. Again, it manifests itself in your child's name, Penny."

At this point, the third mother got up, took her little boy by the hand and whispered, "Come on, Dick, let's go."

Plus 3 and dry when driving in.

David Bass was in this morning for a couple of lots before heading North to ride at Doncaster.

Paul and Angie Lansdale were here for 'a morning on the gallops and breakfast' as seen through my website.

Shirley and David Lees-Henley were also here having met Peter at the day we sponsored a race at Ascot back in December.

Carol Vorderman was here to see her KBRP horse Subway Surf.

Tomorrow our new BHA boss Annamarie Phelps announces the new welfare strategy for the future of racing.. It really is an important document and I just hope that all sides in racing just get behind it and accept what it offers.. Please can we, as a sport, have solidarity rather than division..My prayer mat is huge…?

The BHA have been softening us up with their new video's.. which are excellent..

Graham Potts our vet was in this morning..a day late!

We have four runners today at two meetings.. we were meant to have had 5 but Sadlemor’s blood test was not a good as we would have liked..

Anyway we run Rhosneigr, Hes No Trouble and Silver Kayf at Ludlow and The Edgar Wallace at Doncaster. For my thoughts on all their chances please click here.

Happy birthday to Patricia Ruck Keene..98 today....You are some star..and a very dear friend. Enjoy your birthday lunch party at Moo's..

We also have a new Owners of the month Richard and Sheila Mordan.

As promised Richard Farquhar's...

The Perfect Day For Him

6:00 Alarm

6:15 B... job

6:30 Massive, satisfying shit while reading the sports section

7:00 Breakfast – steak and eggs, coffee and toast – all cooked by naked, buxom wench who bends over a lot showing her growler

7:30 Limo arrives

7:45 Several beers en route to the airport

9:15 Flight in personal Lear jet

9:30 Limo to Mirage Resort Golf Club (b... job en-route)

9:45 Play front nine (2 under par)

11:45 Lunch-steak and lobster, three beers and bottle of Dom Perignon

12:15 B... job

12:30 Play back nine (4 under)

2:15 Limo back to airport (several bourbons)

2:30 Fly to Bahamas

3:30 Late afternoon fishing expedition with all-female crew, all nude who also bend over a lot showing their growlers

4:30 Land world record Marlin (1234lbs) – on light tackle

5:00 Fly home, massage by naked Elle MacPherson

6:45 Shit, shower and shave

7:00 Watch news – Justin Bieber assassinated

7:30 Dinner – lobster appetisers, Dom Perignon (1953), big juicy fillet steak followed by ice cream served on a big pair of tits

9:00 Napoleon Brandy and Habanos cigars in front of wall-sized TV as you watch football game

9:30 Sex with three women....

11:00 Massage and Jacuzzi with tasty pizza snacks and a cleansing beer

11:30 Night-cap b... job

11:45 In bed alone

11:50 A 22-second fart which changes note four times and forces the dog to leave the room

11:51 Laugh yourself to sleep

Plus 4 and dry when driving in.

We worked Vinndication and Minella Warrior this morning.

Patricia Williams and her husband John were here third lot for their first visit to Thorndale.

No vet in the yard today, but tomorrow..Graham Potts back from holiday?

This weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were...First Flow up 7 to 148 and Blazon up 3 to 69 on the flat.

The BHA unveils eight videos to showcase importance sport places on equine welfare.. Click here to watch and read..

Are you looking for accomodation over the Festival? This lovely cottage is only a stones throw away from the course and is available for the week, click here for details.

Richard Farquhar dared me to print this..Silly boy..

As it is so long, I am going to stretch his tale over two days..

Todays example is one you might expect, but tomorrows .. well I leave that to your imagination..

The Perfect Day For Her

8:15 Wake up to hugs and kisses

8:30 Weigh-in 2kgs lighter than yesterday

8:45 Breakfast in bed – freshly squeezed orange juice and croissants; open presents – expensive jewellery chosen by thoughtful partner

9:15 Soothing hot bath with frangipani bath oil

10:00 Light work-out at club with sexy, amusing personal trainer

10:30 Facial, manicure, makeup application, shampoo, condition, blow wave

12:00 Lunch with best friend at fashionable outdoor café

12:45 Catch sight of partner’s ex and notice that she has gained 17kgs

1:00 Shopping with friends: unlimited credit

3:00 Nap

4:15 Massage from strong but gentle hunk – says he rarely gets to work on such a perfect body

5:30 Choose outfit from expensive designer wardrobe

7:30 Candlelit dinner for two followed by dancing, with compliments received from other diners/dancers

10:00 Hot shower – alone

10:50 Carried to bed. Freshly ironed, crisp white linen

11:00 Pillow talk, light touching and cuddling

11:15 Fall asleep in his big, strong arms

The perfect day for a man tomorrow!!

Plus 5 and raining when driving in.

Not as bad as some places but we have had a great deal of rain over the weekend, and the winds have done a fair amount of damage.

Being on top of a hill it could have been so much worse.. Storm Dennis has certainly not been welcome.

We would not have raced here on Saturday, but 60 miles East at Ascot it was nothing like as bad.Tough conditions yes, but racing went ahead.

Two For Gold ran well to finish second.. Yes he was well beaten but again he showed great tenacity and jumped well…

Annoying to lose his chasing unbeaten record but we were proud of him.. Now thoughts of Cheltenham become slightly mudded as he is not good enough to contest the RSA and the National Hunt Chase is probably too far.

Racing held its breath when Cyrname fell at Ascot on Saturday.

It took an age for this lovely horse to appear from behind the screens.. He was winded, and like you and I it takes a while to recover, but when he was up and walking home the whole racecourse applauded and showed how thrilled they were to see this star horse in one piece.. He will not run again this season, but at least he is ok.

The Tiger Roll bandwagon started yesterday when he was 5th on his return to racing. A good result according to his trainer.. Cheltenham next and then all roads lead to Aintree..

Further afield TNDGB won The 81st running of TheGrosser Preis von St Moritz with Wargrave yesterday.

This is the most prestigious event of the White Turf meeting which takes place on the frozen lake at St Moritz each spring...Knowing the trainer and his wife TUMCB they would have had and are probably still having great celebrations!!

With no racing yesterday Clare and I went to lunch with Anthony and Jackie Colburn.. A rare Sunday lunch as most weekends we are racing..

Another fantastic game of cricket..Engalnd won.. Champions...

With the wind and rain here this morning we had fresh horses..

A little boy asked his father,

'Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?'

Father replied, 'I don't know son, I'm still paying.'

Plus 10 and raining when diving in. The wind was fair but you feel that it will get stronger! Storm Dennis is going to disrupt..

Hugely disappointing that Sandown was washed away yesterday.

As always Sandown were offering huge concessions and a box for the 20 odd team of Racing For Maggie's, owners of Another Venture. Sandown are excellent when racing on non busy days.

No racing meant that I was able to pick up Archie who is now home on half term.

We have a fairly busy morning here and I wonder if we get through it all with being blown over..

Darren Smith was here second lot to see his KBRP horses Arthurs Sixpence and Vinndication.. Darren also brought some friends along for a first visit to Thorndale

Ben Davies was also here for a first visit to Thorndale

David and Julie Martin were down third lot to see their horses.. Charbel, Minella Warrior, Rhosneigr and Trwyn Du.

Mat heads to West Brom with Alan James to watch Nottingham Forest play.. Apparently, according to Mat.. it is a massive game..

What was a massive game was yesterdays T20 game.. England beat South Africa by 2 runs.. Moeen Ali back to his very best.

We have just the one runner today at Ascot where racing goes ahead. Two For Gold runs there and for my thoughts please click here.

My worry is that the wind gets up late morning and racing is blown away and then the horsebox has to drive back to Thorndale..

Richard Farquhar has sent me a life story which is shocking, and at the end of it he bet me I would not publish hit..Red rag to a bull, is as they say, always a winner..

Not today Richard.. But I will publish next week when I have a day with no racing so I can fend off the complaints..

In the meantime

The Spectator’s agony aunt Mary, was asked this week about the etiquette for kissing during the coronavirus scare.

Her answer: “Air-kissing and hugging are preferable. Make your verbal greeting more enthusiastic to compensate.” Phew.

Over heard at The Frogmill last night...

One woman said to another,

'Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?'

'Yes, I am. I married the wrong man.'