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20th May 2020
It was plus 9 and dry when driving in.
It was hot day yesterday it is going to be hotter today..
Bizarre that after the dreadfully wet winter we had to dare suggest that we now need rain.. But we do..Where is our hay or haylage gong to come from.. the grass really has not grown..
Even Gordon, Thorndale’s finest shepherd, is beginning to worry about the amount of grass he has for his beloved sheep..
A three more horses returned to the yard.. Drumreagh, Thibault and The Schiaparelli x Miniature Rose Filly.
Good to have some movement around the yard again..
Not good news from France. Racing in Paris has been stopped..
But the news from here is that racing is still planning on starting on June 1st .. It will be a bugger if our government suddenly dicides otherwise.....
Warren Bolton who has shares in the KBRP horses Balleticon, Donnie Brasco and Galante De Romay has kindly taken up the mantle of the Kim Bailey Racing Community spirit..
Over to you Warren..
'The dream of being a young race horse owner...
Racing has been an important part of my life for some time now... at the age of 18 my dad took me for a day at the races, Cheltenham was my first time (racing); Brava Inca, Hardy Eustace and Well Chief all good winners, and what a year that was!
For the next few years, I didn’t see another course.
Every March the tradition with my dad rolled on, but now a four day affair, I might go all week. Hardy Eustace and Brava Inca continued to dominate, but new favourites My Way De Solzen, Inglis Dreever, Black Jack Ketchum and the mighty Kauto Star are all horses I remember.
From that point on, a young and spritely individual and his close clan of friends travelled the country following a unique hobby of drinking and racing. Quite unusual back then but actually quite popular today.
As a trainee in the the construction industry, only could I dream of one day being involved with horses... instead my hobby continued ticking off new courses, flat and jumps. Cheltenham, Ascot, Newmarket, Aintree, Goodwood, York...that’s all the big ones ticked off.
Meeting the wonderful Vicky let me have weekends away at smaller quaint courses like Cartmel, Ripon, Uttoxeter and Bath. Ireland, Scotland, France and the UAE all followed too.
However, my biggest day out has always been the day the late Henry Cecil lead Frankle to cement his legacy. Up in distance, soft ground and falling out the stalls... no bother at all to Frankle, surely the best horse ever.
My quest goes on today to tick off as many courses as I can. Completion of my scratch card poster is certainly second on my bucket list. First on the list, well my own winner would be nice....
Not to long ago I had a Christmas present to visit a horse racing yard. An early start and a short drive down the M5 we arrived at Thorndale. With no expectations Matt Dove, the girls and I perused the yard, had a walk up a wet field and watched a few horses gallop up a hill, we liked what we were seeing. We then bumped into a sales man called Peter and did not look back.
A share in Balleticon allowed me to begin a dream. We arrived at Huntington with great anticipation only to have fast ground and a non-runner, Kim said ‘that’s racing’ and sure did I get that as the first run actually fell on my daughters christening day!!!
With a Christening to attend and over 100 people to entertain, Matt Dove (god parent) and I were gutted, we had a horse and couldn’t go and watch. Anyway, like any good dad would he couldn’t miss his first horse race, I called Peter and raced up to Southwell for the last. I didn’t no what to expect but Balleticon stormed around the last bend 10 lengths clear only to get pipped on the line.... so close to a winner at my first ever race as an owner.
Balleticon went on to finish second again behind a subsequent listed winner Silver Forever but then unfortunately suffered a slight injury in his third race and hasn’t run since. The good news is that Balleticon is already now back in training for this season.
The family feel at Thorndale was just too good to miss out on. I’ve since been involved in Donnie Brasco and now have a share in the new grey wonder mare Galante De Romay.
With Balleticon’s pending return I could have a bumper horse, hurdler and chaser in my arsenal for this year and will continue to chase my dream of a winner.
As a young race horse owner, the syndication process at Kim Bailey Racing is perfect. Small syndicates, good people and a barrel of laughs really do work well, providing great pleasure to all of those involved. Hopefully C-19 doesn't hinder the forthcoming season as we all have a lot to look forward to.
Good luck for next season and keep safe!
Thanks Warren.. You might like to watch Donnie Brasco" tonight on TV at 11.05pm on Sony Movies Virgin Channel 425.