Bailey's Blog

Plus 15 and dry when driving in.

A sad day in Irish racing last week with the loss of Thurles racecourse and a piece in yesterdays Racing Post about the rest of Irish racecourses shows that ’the maths don’t add up.’ Rising costs are something effecting all industries, not just racing, but it is a worry when a privately owned racecourse closes due to the financial demands….increased regulations and the cost of doing business cited as the reasons all very sad.

We do live in an age of ‘red tape,’ and although there is no doubt some of it is necessary there is a feeling that the cost and hassle of some of it could be avoided.

Molly has just about squared us all up on the office side of things and a new season always brings new challenges on the paperwork front ... poor Peter pulls out whats left of his hair at the amount of forms he has to complete to start a new syndicate and the time it all takes to register for VAT and open a new bank account. I don’t have the answers but surely we can make life a little easier..

John and Pat Lee were here yesterday to see their string..we worked a couple, Parc d’Amour and Mikhailovic, who are on course to make their comebacks from prolonged periods on the sidelines, went very nicely. I think the Lee's were pleased with what they saw..they recently bought the last share in Peters latest syndicate horse Marisac, who looks particularly well at present. Its great having people up here this time of year, everyone still relaxed and John is always good for a discussion about more important things in the news cycle...

Speaking of relaxed, it’s not like that in my house at present, as if a toddler wasn’t enough for Evelyn to chase around all day, we have now added a puppy. Woody, an English pointer named after the Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, which obviously was the only input I had in the whole thing, apparently things will get easier when he’s out and about more, I’m looking forward to that!

Plus 15 and dry when driving to the office this morning.

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings both in to ride out.

I was busy yesterday attempting to make a dent in the pile of paperwork which has accumulated on my desk over the past week when I was in France, lots of filing! Hopefully will finish it today...

Mat attended the Cheltenham Cricket Festival yesterday afternoon in the luxury of the Venatour Racing Tent. He had a lovely afternoon bumping in to lots of familiar faces from the racing scene, including John Boulter and Mary Scott. It was great to see everyone in such good form.

A few things of note from last week's excellent week of sport:

I thought I'd start with a few things that have been irritating me recently, the lack of professionalism in professional sport, and particularly our wonderful sport of horse racing. Last week at Goodwood a group one flat race, the pinnacle of flat racing was started with a flag start. Embarrassing. How can we expect the rest of the sporting world to take us seriously if we had events like what happened in the Nassau Stakes....

In the rugby on Saturday the Lions were taken off the pitch due to the weather in the surrounding area and the game restarted 20 mins later, why oh why horse racing can’t be more professional and take a similar stance I cant understand. The short priced favourite was given an uncontested lead and stayed there, it really is criminal. 

Whilst I’m ranting let me come to the cricket…how brave of Chris Woakes to go out to bat with a dislocated shoulder.. can you imagine if he had faced a ball and tried to bat with one arm? It’s a  very poor look for top level sport, why can cricket not introduce a substitute system? Although we found it entertaining sat here in the office is it really the look top level sport needs?

Speaking of top level sport I’m really looking forwards to the return of the premier league in 10 days time…plenty of movement on the transfer front, really good of the premier league to allow Liverpool, Chelsea Manchester City  and Manchester United to spend far more money than the rest of us, it would be terrible if anyone else was given a chance to win anything and who needs a level playing field! Seriously though its great for me personally, if you had said id be watching Forest in Europe 2 years ago id have thought you were crazy..a real shame there are no derbys for us this year though, all the local teams are in lower divisions.

Exciting times in the yard, lots of new horses and dream time of year, they look fantastic at the minute and certainly not like a bunch of  horses who were struggling for grass! Charly and the team have them in great shape and we are really pleased with where they are fitness and wellness wise!

Plus 12 and dry when driving to Portsmouth..

Yes, you guessed it..  I am away..I will hopefully be on the ferry by the time you read this.. 

Six of us are on a 4-day trip to France on a guided 2 day D-Day battlefield tour in Normandy with Iain Gale.. 

This is something I have been meaning and wanting to do for years and although I drove there with Mark Kwiatowski many years ago this will be very different, and I know will be hugely informative and rewarding..

Go back 24 hours.

Test Cricket...England were denied a record-breaking run chase at the Oval yesterday, but what we witnessed will go down in history, not just for the result, but for the sheer drama of it all.

Chris Woakes walking out to bat, arm in a sling, barely able to grip the handle, standing there to support Gus Atkinson, who had the weight of the nation on his shoulders. Seventeen runs needed. One wicket in hand. The entire Oval on its feet.

And then heartbreak. Gus having hit a six and with six runs needed he was bowled and England were all out. India win the match, the series drawn 2–2.

It was one of those moments where sport transcends itself. Mat and I have never been so nervous watching a game. The bravery, the theatre, the what-if. It was an extraordinary game of cricket. Yes a finish worthy of this utterly unforgettable series.

Sammy Martin who is head of PR for D&H was here yesterday with Richard and Joe Davidson.. Richard and Joe who are both ambassadors for Dodson & Horrell..Richard in Dressage and Joe in Showjumping.. Anyway, their interviewed us for D&H latest promotional video.. After they had finished here, they went on up the hill to see Laura Colett and repeated the exercise.. Laura is of course an Evemnting Ambassador..

Dodson & Horrell are our yard sponsors..

Tuesday morning brings in our vets for their usual Tuesday visit.

The diary is filling up with visits and next week we host our first one for the members of Racing Club who own the lovely Irish point to point winner Jukebox King.. This is our first venture into micro share ownership and at £70.00 for a share which includes all costs for a year is stunningly good value.. You too could join by clicking here..

That’s it for today and the next three days the blog will be hosted by Mat and Molly.. You will see me again on Saturday?

LAWYER: This witness is not reliable. It is clear that at the time of the crime which he allegedly witnessed he was as drunk as a judge.

JUDGE: I think you will find the the expression is “as drunk as a lord”.

Plus 17 and dry when driving in.

Storm Floris should miss us?

The fifth and final Test has truly lived up to the billing..what a series it’s been between England and India. Yesterday had absolutely everything: high drama, momentum swings, and that glorious unpredictability only Test cricket can serve up. Harry Brook and Joe Root both notched up brilliant centuries, giving England real hope and putting them in a winning position.

But then, out of the blue both players were out and nerves started jangling. Suddenly, from cruising, we’re in a dogfight...tension mounting, every ball hanging in the air like a heart-stopping moment..and then with 35 still needed..just as it reached boiling point, the heavens opened. Rain stopped play..The cruelest of cliffhangers.

So now it all comes down to today. One last session, one last roll of the dice. Win, lose or draw..who knows? The only guarantee is more drama. Test cricket at its very best.

Rugby.. The Lions were beaten in Sydney in what looked to be horrendous conditions.. Rain and more rain and snow when Harry arrived there yesterday

Lando Norris just held on to win the Hungarian Grand Prix.

My PA Molly is back from her few days in France.. Holidays over.. Office back to normal for a Monday morning..

Dodson and Horrell were here early this morning delivering their racecourse feeds.. Their arrival was filmed with Mat and I wearing their D&H logoed clothes.. modelling? 

We had a team of Law Of Supply's owners here third lot.

JUDGE to LAWYER: I’ve listened to your explanation three times, and I’m still no wiser than I was before.

LAWYER: No my lord, no wiser, merely better informed.

For those of you who use Birdlip as a way of driving to or from the M5 this is what it looks liked last month.. A417 missing link at Birdlip

To finish.. Happy birthday to my ex PA of nearly 12 years..Kerry Bellamy

Plus 12 and dry when driving in. Storm Floris on the way!

Tom Bellamy was in to ride out.

Saturday owner videos as usual.

Sad to read that the privately owned Irish racecourse Thurles has closed with immediate effect..

Another second placing promoted to First..Locally bred and owned Luther won in Saratoga..... Change of fortune?

Tennis.. Emma Raducanu is out of the Canadian Open

The British Lions will be hoping to whitewash the Wallabies in Sydney this morning..

Talking Sydney.. Harry has flown back there this morning..

Cracking Test cricket at the Oval. India fought back.. it has been such a great series with plenty of on pitch tension! Too many dropped catches last night!

Talking cricket...

One for the notebook..Cricket at The Cheltenham Cricket Festival on Tuesday August 5th.. Gloucestershire v Derbyshire Falcons Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Venatour sporting Tours have use of a marquee as a base for horse racing connections and watch.. £30.00 per person..Are you booked in?.. Mat will be there and I am sure he will be on the microphone keeping you amused if the weather hinders play! 

Back in the old days, a father gathered together his six sons.

“The outhouse was dumped over and pushed into the river. I want to know who is responsible.”

There was no response.

He tried again. “I want to know which of you pushed the outhouse over and into the river.”

There was still no response, but 12 year old Henry was trying to hide a sly smile.

He asked, “Henry, was that YOU that pushed the outhouse over and into the river??”

“No.” Henry responded with the same sly smile, “I would never do such a thing.”

“Henry,” the father continued, “Tell me the truth! Let me remind you of George Washington and the cherry tree. When his father asked if he chopped it down, he admitted it - and because he admitted he had, his father did not punish him.”

Henry thought for a moment.

“Ok, dad, it was me. I pushed over the outhouse and pushed it into the river.”

Dad grabbed him by the ear, took his cane, and started beating his son’s rear.

Henry was shocked,

“Dad, you told the story of George Washington and how he wasn’t punished for telling the truth!”

“Yes, son, I understand that, but you have to understand one important difference: George Washington’s father was not sitting in the cherry tree when it was chopped down.”

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.

Plus 13 and dry when driving in.

Watching the rain fall at Goodwood yesterday made me look at our own rain gauge this morning.. 12mm all week!

Very scary stuff for the 5 jockeys who flew to Goodwood.. They plane had to do an emergency landing..and missed their races.

A first and another for Aiden O’Brien..  The first group one to run without starting stalls .. bogged down in the ground.. Anyway, the favourite Whirl obliged for A.O’B.. Post race interviews were certainly looked very damp under the umbrellas?

Drama in the Galway hurdle when the placing were reversed..in Gordon Elliott's favour..

Cricket going well for England on a rain interrupted day

Golf.. AIG Women's Open in Wales..Royal Porthcawl

Emma Raducanu continued to build momentum before next month's US Open with a straight-set win over American Peyton Stearns at the Canadian Open

Away from racing.. Jeremy Clarkson has found bovine TB in one of his cows.. Not good newes for him or others who suffer..

Which reminds to say happy birthday to my next door neighbour Carey Emtage.. Local farmer whose herd was decimated by TB a few years ago.. and he lost his beloved bull..

Friday morning.. we have our usual vet visit..

Irish saying:

“Here’s to a long life and a merry one.

A quick death and an easy one.

A pretty girl and an honest one.

A cold beer—and another one!”

Plus 16 and drizzling when driving in.. Thunderstorms about..

One thing you learn very quickly in life is that an odds-on shot is never a certainty..and that was well and truly proved yesterday in the Sussex Stakes, when Ralph Beckett’s 150/1 outsider Qirat stormed home..  Nobody saw that coming!
 
We would normally be heading down to Goodwood today as guests of Keith and Liz Ellis..it’s become something of a tradition, but not this year. Today is Otto’s 4th birthday, and that takes priority...Happy birthday Otto, although I am sure you won't be reading this..

The fifth and final Test against India gets underway today at The Oval, but England will be without Ben Stokes, who misses out through injury. Oli Pope steps up to take on the captaincy.

We go into the match 2–1 up in the series, so it’s crucial we either win or at least come away with a draw. That way, we finish the series on top, and that’s what really matters.

A little girl was pulling a cow along a village road. An elderly man asked her ‘my dear, where are you taking the cow?’

Girl: ‘my father asked me to take this cow to the next village so that she can mate with the bull there and so that she can produce a young calf next year.’

Man: ‘Can’t your father do it?’

Girl: ‘Oh no Sir. It has to be the bull.’

Plus 14 and dry when driving in.

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings were in to ride out.

The loss of Trueshan at Goodwood yesterday was a real hammer blow..not just to Alan King and his team, but for the whole racing community. He was one of those rare horses who seemed to transcend the sport, consistently delivering on the big days and winning the hearts of so many along the way.

To think of all he achieved: multiple Long Distance Cups, Doncaster Cups, Prix du Cadran..he was the undisputed staying king for several seasons. And more than that, he was such a character, so genuine and game. He never shirked a battle. Watching him thunder up the straight was always a thrill.

It's gutting to lose him like that. He owed his people nothing, and they gave him the utmost care and patience throughout his career. It’s just desperately sad. Racing can be glorious, but on days like yesterday, it can break your heart. Thoughts with Alan, the owners, and everyone who's loved and looked after Trueshan over the years.

Talking, looking after horses, and what's to do for them.. the right thing.

The latest information on Trelawne is that they have done a skin graft on his hind leg, and hopefully that will knit, and who knows? We might see him back in training, which would be tremendous.

He's been through the wars, to say the least, but he's such a strong horse. He looks incredibly well. He's perky, he's well, he's brave, he's honest, and hopefully this skin graft will clear up the last remaining part of what I call the repairing of what happened during the summer.

Poor chap, but he is a boy and a half. And credit, too, to his loving owner-breeder Sandra Steer-Fowler who's been so patient and caring throughout.. Sandra only wants what is best for her horse,as we all do, so fingers are firmly crossed for his full recovery..

To finish..Happy birthday to my old mate Peter Sidgwick..

Plus 12 and dry when driving ..Thunderstorms around later?

Edward O’Grady who truly was one of the true Irish training greats has died aged 75..

Golden Cygnet may well have been his finest..a horse whose brilliance still echoes through the decades. It’s rare that a novice hurdler leaves such a lasting legacy, but Cygnet was different. Tragedy may have cut that story short, but it only added to the legend.

Edward O'Grady's record speaks volumes: 18 winners at the Cheltenham Festival just for starters..he also trained nearly ever big race winner either side of the Irish Sea..

There was also a certain modesty to Edward..He didn’t need headlines. He let the horses do the talking. And they talked plenty.

His death is a huge loss to racing.. not just in Ireland, but everywhere..A charming family man who will hugely missed.

In other racing news..

Lord Allen is finally stepping into the role of BHA Chairman in what feels like the end of a very long-winded saga.

It’s taken a while for everything to be ironed out behind the scenes, but now the sport can hopefully move forward with some much-needed clarity at the top.

He’s certainly got a tough brief ahead of him..racing is facing challenges on all fronts: funding, field sizes, declining public interest, prize money pressures, affordability checks, you name it. But Lord Allen brings real experience from the business world, and if ever there was a moment racing needed a strong, strategic head, it's now.

Let’s hope he brings a bit of stability and a clear sense of direction. The last thing we need is more drift.

Tuesday morning at Thorndale brings our usual vet visit.. 

My PA Molly will have arrived in France when you read this so my office is now unmanned!

All the photos on today's blog and for the next few days were taken by Lauren Hawkins..taken on her visit here on Saturday.

The two best summer racing Festivals. Goodwood starts today while Galway started yesterday.. 

A young girl came to the late Father Healy of Cork, and sadly made her confession: "Father, I fear I've committed the sin of vanity," she announced.

"What makes you think that?" asked her father-confessor.

"Because every morning, when I look in the mirror, I cannot help but think how beautiful I am."

"Never fear, Colleen," was the reassuring reply. "That isn't a sin; it's only a mistake."

Plus 12 and dry when driving in..

England won the women’s Euros..we are the Champions..

However much Mat might have grumbled about watching it, you’d have to have a heart of stone not to be swept up in that moment. That final penalty..ice-cool under pressure..was the stuff of dreams. The whole team showed grit, composure, and pure belief when it mattered most. It’s a historic moment and, yes, we should all be bursting with pride.

It’s hard not to draw the comparison: the women stepping up and delivering when the men have so often fallen just short. They’ve set the standard no..not just for the men, but for the whole nation. Inspiring stuff.

Saturday’s King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes might not have had a huge number of runners, but it certainly produced a very emphatic winner in the French-trained Calandagan. He really was impressive — travelling strongly, quickening smartly, and putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.

The runner-up, Kalpana lost little in defeat and has been installed as the new favourite for the Arc following this performance. So while it wasn’t the deepest field numerically, the quality at the top end was clearly very high. All in all, a proper race — and one that next year will be the most valuable race run in the UK..

The fourth Test against India rather just petered out and finished in a draw.. Ben Stokes might not have been at his best due to carrying a slight injury which shows that they were would be lost without him..which they might well be at the Oval for the final test..

To finish ..How could I miss out on the British Lions!

Jump racing now has a three week break which means that My PA Molly heads off tomorrow to have a week on holiday in France.

A man walks in to a bar with a box under his arm and says to the barman, “If I can show something you have never seen before will you give me a free drink?” 

Now the barman has seen mostly everything in his time and says, “Sure, impress me and hell, I’ll give you a free tab for the eve!”

So the man puts down the box and opens it and then he pulls a small piano out of it and places it on the bar and then a little man as well. The little man walks up to the piano and starts playing!

The barman was blown away by this and agrees to the drinks and then asks, “Where did you find him?”

“Well,” says the man, “I found this magic lamp.” Goes back in to the box and pulls out this old brass oil lamp. “I rubbed it and a genie appeared and granted me one wish and then he said I must pass the lamp on to the next person that did me a kindness.”

“Wow,” says the barman. The man then says, “As you gave me a drink I’m going to let you have the lamp.”

“Be careful what you wish for though.” So the barman rubs the lamp and then makes his wish……… Next thing the bar has ducks everywhere!!! Crapping on the bar and the floor and all over the customers!!!!!

The barman shouts at the man saying,“ I wished for a million Bucks! not a million ducks!”

To this the man replies, “ And you think that I wished for a 12 inch Pianist?!”