Bailey's Blog

Plus 5 and dry when driving in..

We have our usual Friday vet visit and we have one runner today at Exeter.. I Can See Formiles heads there and for our thoughts please click here.

We jumped So You Know over hurdles.

Cricket.. So close..Epic semi final.

Watching the T20 World Cup semi-final yesterday was nearly enough to forget that we live in a bonkers world at the moment..

India batted unbelievably well. The sixes they hit and the total they posted were phenomenal. Sanju Samson set the tone with a blistering 89 as India piled up 253 for 7, which is an enormous score in a T20 semi-final. 

England tried so hard to chase it down and certainly gave it a good stab at it. Jacob Bethell played a remarkable innings of 105, but despite the effort England finished just short on 246 for 7, meaning India won by seven runs. 

It was not Harry Brooks finest game.. Dropping Sanju Samson on 15 and then only making 7 with the bat..Whatever England did not disgrace..

So India now go through to the final against New Zealand on Sunday, while England head home after a brave but ultimately unsuccessful chase. 

Cilla Wills emailed me a copy of the Racing Post.. I can't afford it!!

Below is what Paul Kealy wrote about his Cheltenham punting over the years in an edition of this weeks Racing Post....

Sometimes punting is simply about being in the right place at the right time, and this was very much the case when it came to Alderbrook. I was on the sports desk at the time, but everyone knew my only real interest was racing, and Bruce Jackson, off the news desk, came storming in one morning saying: "Keals, get a load of this."

He then proceeded to read out a small article in The Sun, in which Kim Bailey revealed he was now in charge of Alderbrook and that an audacious bid for the Champion Hurdle was in the offing, starting with the next day's Kingwell Hurdle.

Alderbrook had shown no promise in one hurdle run as a three-year-old for Julie Cecil, but she'd turned him into some Flat performer, and he joined Bailey after winning the Select Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix Dollar at Longchamp.

Bailey's quote in The Sun went something like this: "I see he's 50-1 for the Champion Hurdle. He won't be after tomorrow."

We all toddled down the local William Hill where we found that, to our surprise given the size of The Sun's readership in those days, Alderbrook was still 50-1, so we all had a bit, though in hindsight not as much as we should have.

Anyway, he duly bolted up by eight lengths in the Kingwell, went off at 11-2 at Cheltenham less than three weeks later and stormed home by five lengths.

The hairs still stand up on the back of my neck whenever I watch a rerun on YouTube and hear commentator Graham Goode blurt out "this is a novice and he's absolutely cruising" as they approach the second-last.

We had a proper celebration in Wimbledon Village that night, possibly much to the chagrin of locals who had no idea what we were doing dancing around the streets yelling "this is a novice" at the top of our voices.

Plus 3, very patchy thick fog but dry when driving in.

Spring like weather which could see temperatures reaching 19 degrees this afternoon.

The words watering has already started to appear in the racecourse going descriptions.. Haydock today and Sandown on Saturday.. Cheltenham??

Last night’s Cheltenham preview evening down in Andoversford went very well. (I think so) There was a good crowd, plenty of banter and a fair bit of amusement along the way. I suspect a few people  headed home having spent their £25 listening to tips that probably won’t win, but you never know, there might just have been a nugget or two worth remembering... Good to see KBRS owner Stuart Ballantyne who has just moved to Cheltenham.

With Cheltenham now just around the corner, attention turns to next week when the first entries for the Festival races are out. That always gives us the first proper look at who might be lining up.. 9 in the Champion Hurdle..The New Lion is favourite while last years winner Golden Ace languishes at 7/1..

Thursday is our easy day for the horses..round the farm..

We had a very good meeting with Weatherbys Bank yesterday and I feel Peter Kerr was far happier that he was talking to a team that would listen to his views on running syndicates and the amount of paper work needed to set them up.

Big sporting moment today..

A T20 World Cup semi-final England against India in Mumbai. It does not get much bigger. India are the favourites..

John Purvis wrote sometime ago.... With some justification the Jockey Club has been described as 'the purest example of the 18th century to survive in Britain'.... If only!!

Plus 4 and dry when driving in.

Wednesday began slightly bleary eyed after a late night in Cheltenham where Mrs B and I bravely tested the new McDonald's. Cheeseburger and coco cola..better than expected!.. we bumped into Cheltenham Chairman Martin St Quinton and his son George having an early supper.

This morning it’s back to business. 

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings were in to ride work.

We jumped. Moon Rocket, Amazing Cleni, The Kemble Brewery, Driving Miss D'Azy, Leo Wood, I Can see For Miles, Sea Of Fortune, Marsiac, Washington Parks, So You Know, Whte Noise and Brendas Asking..

David and Linda Robinson were here second lot to see their KBRS horses Moon Rocket and Double Ten.

Beverly Wright and her daughter Alice called in to say goodbye to Phantom Getaway, who heads off this weekend to enjoy life hunting and team chasing.. a new life away from racing

Late morning..  We had a meeting with our new Weatherbys bank manager Charlie Pembleton who brought along Imran Hussain and Rachel Parkinson to 'discuss' with Peter Kerr the ridiculous amount of unnecessary paperwork and very personal questions needed from all potential syndicate members when we start a new KBRS.. even if they are already in one of our KBRS horses. Enough to make the odd person say .. rather not!! 

Lord Allen's short tenure as BHA chairman has come to an end after just six months.. Lord Allen came in with good intentions, but he could not find agreement amongst all the fractions of the racing world..

Sadly, we have to say that Racing really doesn’t help itself. …

Another chairman gone after barely six months does nothing for confidence in the British Horseracing Authority. Whatever the rights and wrongs, the optics are dreadful.

Those of us trying to run yards, keep owners on side and balance the books need stability at the top, not another power vacuum. At the moment we look divided and, frankly, ungovernable.

It’s not a good look, and the sport can ill afford it.

Aamilah Aswat.. Guchen whip use at Newbury..She used her whip on 6 occasions in total the last 3 occasions were when she was clearly winning.The Committee considered the Guidance and have found that the appropriate penalty to be a suspension for 7 days: - Friday 13 – Thursday 19 March, inclusive.. Aamilah will have learnt that lesson?

Tonight.. Jim Old and I host a Cheltenham Preview evening at Charles Levinson's barn at Owdeswell Manor, Andoversford at 7pm... It is apparently sold out, but if you still want to come along to hear what wisdom (or otherwise) we can muster then you can pay £25.00 at the door..

Mat heads the panel with Ciaran Gething, Max Kendrick and AJ O’Neill.. Should be fun.. so at least there’ll be some proper insight alongside with some mischief. The evening is being sponsored by LRT..

I found this quote from my old boss Fred Rimell talking to Jim Old after Jim had ridden one of his horses..'If Jesus Christ rode his flaming donkey like you just rode that horse, then he deserved to be crucified..'  Not sure you would get away with that nowadays

Henry Kimbell sent over a photo of 3 ex racehorses enjoying a day out hunting with the Ledbury.. Louise Daly is on Another Venture, and the other horses are Gold Present and Discours d'Un Roi

We have a biscuit tin in the office which seems to supply Charly, Ed Cookson, Mat, Molly and the odd vet with their mid-morning treats.. Yesterday the tin was empty and was left sitting on its side as a strong hint.. I asked Charly whether she was responsible for the gesture and she replied it was passive aggressive and peckish hint, while she also said that Molly wanted to leave a note saying, ‘fill me!’

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

Tuesday morning means the usual visit from the vet, and this week’s movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were...Lully Du Houx down 2 to 103 and predictably Guchen has shot up 10 to 122.

Frustrating to lose Market Rasen today. I do feel for them. Forty-two millimetres of rain on Saturday and another ten on Sunday..it was always going to be a tall order.

When I spoke to them yesterday, they were already doubtful racing would take place, and sadly that proved correct.

It’s particularly disappointing for us as we thought we’d found an ideal opportunity for our horse. But that’s racing, but frustrating for some of the owners who had already booked a couple of days in Lincolnshire.. sightseeing now is the suggestion!

Don’t forget that if you are local and bored tomorrow night I or rather others are talking next weeks Cheltenham Festival in Andoversford…. Flyer on the right..

Clement Freud... enjoyed his racing once famously said that ‘Owning a racehorse was probably the most expensive way of getting on to a racecourse for nothing!.. Thankfully he never joined one of our brilliant KBRS..

Spring Statement.. hope?

Hard to believe that 25 years ago it was snowing, bitterly cold, and Mrs Bailey-to-be was walking up the aisle towards me. Where on earth has that time gone?

Through winners, losers, and all the usual racing drama in between, Mrs B has been there.. calm when I’m not and far more sensible than the handicapper!

Twenty-five years on, it’s been a wonderful journey. Today is very much a day for celebration. No chance of another 25 at my age!

Husband..'Did you know that women use about 30,000 words a day while men only use 15,000?'

Wife. 'Yes, because we have to repeat everything!'

Husband.. 'What?'

Plus 8 and dry when driving in. 3mm over the weekend

Huntingdon yesterday. Hidden Mountain bolted up in the bumper..

Not quite the start we had in mind yesterday when ReallynTruthfully crashed through the first fence and from that moment on he was always on the back foot. He never really travelled with any fluency after it and in the end Tom sensibly pulled him up. 

It’s probably more about confidence than ability for Reallynthruthfully who might not the biggest.. perhaps just finds chasing that bit more demanding, even though he is fundamentally a good jumper. We’ll likely pop him back over hurdles for a couple of runs, let him rebuild, and then return to fences. He’ll be back — the engine is there, we just need everything to click.

Thankfully, the last race more than made up for it.

Hidden Mountain absolutely bolted up. I can’t remember one of ours winning a bumper quite so easily for a long time. He travelled, quickened and put the race to bed in a matter of strides.. he just could be very smart.

We hoped he was good enough to win yesterday; his form suggested he might be after I bought him at the Cheltenham Sales in December, loved him there, but when he didn’t make his reserve I was able to secure him privately afterwards. I bought him on spec..

A big thank you to Ewan Whillians who previously trained HM and Robert Robinson, who owned and bred him. They were very straightforward, supportive and a pleasure to deal with, and have very kindly let us have a rather nice horse.

Whether he runs again this season we’ll see, but he’s very much a horse for next year. Exciting times ahead for 'The Social Climbers'..who may yet live up to their name!

Hidden Mountain was on this web site for sale for a while and then Peter rounded up a KBRS team.. Hence 'The Social Climbers' were formed.. 

They are Tony Pryce, Phil Andrews, Stuart Ballantyne, Geri Worcester, Robert and Nicola Baillie, Nick and Shan Cook, Alan and Sally James and Peter and Elizabeth Smith.

Doncaster on Saturday was testing ground after rain on Friday night.

Coolanna handled it well and finished a solid fourth in the Listed mares’ hurdle race. That’s probably her level, and there’s nothing wrong with that. She’s won twice on heavy and was always bought to go chasing. She’s a big mare with fences in her future, and that’s where the excitement lies.

Destroythevidence, on the other hand, looked less than thrilled with life. First-time blinkers at Wincanton last time took plenty out of him and  I fear that he didn’t fancy a repeat performance. So, back to the drawing board with him and regroup.

The Kemble Brewery and Marsiac had an intensive schooling session yesterday morning with the excellent Laura Collett.

I was very happy with both of them, and thankfully Laura was too. Marsiac, in particular, improved enormously from his previous visit, which is exactly what you want to see.

This Jack Leach quote on 'Buying a Horse.' was sent over by Charles Atkinson..

'The first item for the beginner is to master the sales catalogue. It never intentionally tells an untruth; but it gives what might be called a selection of facts.'

'The next thing is to inspect the yearlings. There are a few people who do this in ordinary clothes but they are not considered quite the thing. Very old tweeds will do; in fact any garment will do as long as the wearer would be reluctant to be found dead in it  anywhere except in the sales paddock.'

'The great thing is to keep a poker face; we are a babbling race greatly impressed by silence. If your opinion is asked, shake your head and mutter, 'Might be all right, but look at that', pointing vaguely in the direction of the animal's near fore. The next thing you know you'll be asked to judge at a yearling show.

It was Harry Bailey's birthday yesterday.. getting on Harry!!

Plus 6 and drizzling when driving in. 8mm of rain overnight

Guchen won at Newbury yesterday.. It is turning into a rather lucky place for us…Guchen was our third winner of the season there..

Guchen won impressively ridden by Aamilah Aswat, which makes it two winners from just six rides for her. Not bad going at all.

She gave him a confident ride. He jumped well, travelled strongly and was clear at the last. In the heat of the moment, she picked up her stick and gave him a couple when she probably didn’t need to. She hadn’t looked round and didn’t realise quite how far clear she was.

The stewards quite rightly called her in, and she will probably (rightly) pick up a four to seven day ban next Tuesday. That’s the rules, and she’ll learn from it. These things are part of a young rider’s education.

The important thing is the horse did everything right and she rode him with real purpose. I’d much rather be telling someone to calm down than asking them to be more competitive.

Delighted for her, delighted for the Friends o  Ebony Horse Club, and I won’t pretend I’m not delighted myself as I still own him!.

England beat New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

Saturday morning and Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings were in for one lot before heading up North to Doncaster.

Maragret and Alan Robinson were here for a morning on the gallops and breakfast.

We have four runners over the weekend. Mats heads to Doncaster today where we run Coolanna and Destroythevidence while I head to Huntingdon tomorrow where we run Reallynthrurthfully and Hidden Mountain. For our thoughts on all their chances please click here.

Not good news this am..

And one from Brigadier (Monkey) Blacker, an amateur rider on a hot favourite:

'For the first time I realised how very different it is to ride a horse on which you apparently cannot lose from riding one on which everyone will be amazed if you win.'

To finish.. Happy birthday to team players Adam Biggabyke and Alex Hall.. Blacksmith and general dogs body!

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday..

Plus 10 and raining when driving in..10mm overnight.

Nathan Andrews was in to ride out.. Blast from the past..He was here as a conditional last season and has relinquished his license.

David Carey was here second lot to see his horse Brendas Asking

Peter Smith, Adam Collins, Clive Grey, Steve Kirman and Robbie Hunter were here to see and meet Peter’s KBRS horses Mattys Getaway Double Ten and Hidden Mountain

John and Kate Elliot were here to see their KBRS horses Name Me Nicely and So You Know.

Tony and Charlotte Palmer were also here to see their KBRS horse Moon Rocket

We have one runner today at Newbury. Guchen heads there and for our thoughts please click here.

T20 World Cup... India beat Zimbabwe yesterday while England face New Zealand today..

Are you into your Formula One?...The season starts next weekend In Melbourne.. Same old faces.. probably not?

Mat happy this morning..

A few racing quotes frpm the past..

Jean Rook said.. Red Rum is the greatest thing on four legs since Pegasus.

Jack Leach said..A real racehorse should have a head like a lady and a behind like a cook..

We all do it?

Ten of the Most Pointless things in the world.. No 3.. Urging your horse on while watching the Grand National on TV..

As you know.. I enjoy my fishing and as a result I have watched nearly the episodes of all of Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing.. Brilliant and easy watching.. Then I saw this on Bob Mortimer.. laugh?

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

Tacky ground at Wincanton? Quite possibly. It certainly wasn’t heavy and it wasn’t soft, but it was that drying, crust-on-top surface with plenty of juice underneath, the sort that looks innocent enough until they start quickening.

Watching Phantom Getaway go round, it felt as though he was travelling with the handbrake gently applied, rather like driving a car with it on. He has the ability; we’ve all seen that. The question, as ever, is whether the inclination burns quite as brightly as we’d hope.

Harry Bannister never stopped trying, to his credit, and he was only beaten about 11 lengths. But what can you do? It leaves you scratching your head more than anything. Frustrating, because you know there’s talent in there somewhere.

The biggest news yesterday, of course, was that Constitution Hill will miss the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in ten days’ time.

Hardly a bolt from the blue, but no less significant for that. It must have been a desperately difficult call for Nicky Henderson, for owner Michael Buckley, and for Nico de Boinville.  The Racing Post should now drop the story..the decision has been made..CH even made the BBC..

As Nicky said, it was probably asking too much to go and roll the dice again. Sometimes the bravest decision is the one not to run.

The call has been made and it’s the right one. Cheltenham will still be Cheltenham, but it will feel slightly different without him… He will be interesting to watch him on the flat now..

Cricket has similar story, but on a human front??

Spring is here and the mowers were out and on the move yesterday.

Last night with Archie home for a few days we all went out to supper at JM Socials latest eatery..The Coalhouse

Jeffrey Bernard...

'What a pity people don't take as much trouble with their own breeding as intelligent racehorse owners do. But then I suppose it is bordering on fascism to think like that.'

John Knock sent this pothole video over.. and I will add this one..

Plus 10 and dry when driving in. Spring here?

Tom Bellamy was in to ride out.

We jumped Marsiac, Moon Rocket, Reallynthruthfully, I Can See Formiles, I Spy A Diva, Sogna In Grande, Gatineau Park and Hillberry Hill

Paul and Elizabeth Kellar were here to see Faerie Cutlass, Ed Hawkings was here to see his mare Kylenoe Dancer and Alan James was here to see his KBRS while on the way to Wincanton..

Caroline Jack and Jessica Van Herrewege were for a morning on the gallops and breakfast..

We have one runner today at Wincanton.. Mat heads there to saddle Phantom Getaway and for our thoughts please click here.

You have feel for Nicky Henderson on a big schooling day.... Everybody has an opinion!

T20 World Cup..

Honestly, England never do it the easy way, do they?

Harry Brook made an excellent hundred but then in the last over England were 162 for 8 needing 3 off 6 balls..

That last over against Pakistan..what should have been straightforward suddenly felt like defending a one-length lead at the last at Cheltenham!

It’s brilliant to watch… but it would be nice, just once, to win with an over to spare and wickets in hand?..Now for the semi finals..

Famous racing quotes..

Jenny Pitman..

'If you want to understand the effect of weight on a horse, try running for a bus with nothing in your hands. Then try doing it with your hands full of shopping. Then think about doing that for four and a half miles.'

Plus 11 and dry when driving in.

The sun was out for a while yesterday morning which allowed me to take some photos of horses who have recently joined us at Thorndale.

We have our usual Tuesday vet visit and this week's movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..Name Me Nicely down 1 to 113, Campaign Trail down 1 to 110, Brendas Asking down 2 to 114 while Lully Du Houx enters at 105

Mark and Rachel Burt and Vince Birmingham were here to see their respective KBRS horses.

T20 World Cup....England play Pakistan in Sri Lanka..Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Ski Tyres were out yesterday to sort a puncture on my Tesla.. Pothole damaged!

I know the country really is skint, but our roads are getting worse by the week.

Potholes aren’t being filled, they seem to be taking up permanent residence. A couple round here are big enough to qualify for a handicap mark!!

A simple drive to the races now means roadworks, diversions and stationary traffic... It is like driving round an assault course!

Heads up..Today's blog is for the locals and our roads....

Roadworks coming up In the Leckhampton/Charlton Kings area:

The A436 from Andoverford to Seven Springs is closed all this week from 9.30 to 3.30.

Old Bath Road 9.30 23rd Feb - 5pm 24th Feb - Severn Trent - traffic control (near tennis club)

Lyefield Road East 23rd to 25th Feb One Network - traffic control (Nr no 1)

Moorend Road (Withyholt) - 9.30 - 3.30 on 2nd and 3rd March - closed - carriageway patching - unsure if this is complete closure for the whole period or just from 9.30-3.30 each day (would think the latter).

Leckhampton Road - 8am 2nd March to 5pm 4th March - Severn Trent - Traffic lights (near Langdon Road)

Cirencester Road - 7pm 17th March - 6am 18th March closure - carriageway patching (overnight)

Southern Road - 22nd March 8am to 3pm - Severn Trent - traffic lights

Charlton Lane - 26th March 9.30-15.30 - One Network (near Hayman Close) - road closed

Old Bath Road - 10th -16th April - traffic lights - National Grid (near 204/206)

Various overnight closures of the A417 - closed both directions between A46 and Air Balloon 7-9th March 13th to 16th March 9pm to 6am, (11pm -6pm on the Monday morning).

A436 Air Balloon to Severn Springs closure 9pm to 6am on 6th to 9th March and 20th to 23rd March.

A40 Dowdeswell March 23rd to 27th … Tree cutting..Ash die back.

The above dates may change and more may be added. For further details please click here and try to understand!

Have fun remembering it all..